GENEVA (AP) — The World Trade Organization is sharply raising its forecast for trade growth in goods this year after an unexpectedly strong first half. This growth has been driven by rising AI-related purchases, front-loaded imports in the U.S. over tariff fears, and robust developing-world trade.
The Geneva-based trade body said Tuesday that its economists are increasing their prediction of global trade expansion, reflecting these positive developments.
New Delhi: The Indian Railways is set to introduce a passenger-friendly feature allowing travelers to modify the travel date of confirmed online tickets without any additional fees. This move aims to make online ticketing more flexible and convenient. However, this change will come into effect only from January 2026, and not during the current festive season, according to reports.
### Free Date Modification for Online Tickets
A senior railway ministry official informed News18 that the Minister’s office has issued directions to enable free date modification for online tickets, with final details currently being worked out.
“The new system is likely to be implemented from January 2026 and will apply to tickets booked online,” the official said.
Passengers will have the option to change their travel date for the same origin and destination. However, seat confirmation on the new date will depend on availability.
“If you modify a confirmed ticket, there is no guarantee that you will get a confirmed seat for the new date. Confirmation will be subject to availability,” the official added.
In cases where the fare for the new travel date is higher, passengers will be required to pay the fare difference. The ministry is expected to clarify soon whether changing the class of travel will be permitted under this new system.
### Part of Wider Ticketing Reforms
Currently, passengers who wish to change their travel date must cancel their confirmed online ticket and rebook a new one, often incurring cancellation charges of up to 50%. The upcoming feature will simplify this process by allowing direct date changes without the need to re-enter passenger details.
This reform is part of a broader initiative by Indian Railways to modernize and simplify its digital services. With over 80% of tickets now booked through the IRCTC platform, officials believe this feature will significantly reduce cancellations and refund requests.
### Other Recent Measures
In recent months, the railway ministry has also introduced several other measures to improve transparency and accessibility:
– From October 1, only Aadhaar-authenticated users can book general reservation tickets during the first 15 minutes of the booking window.
– Last year, the advance reservation period for train bookings was reduced from 120 days to 60 days to better reflect genuine travel demand.
These initiatives reflect Indian Railways’ ongoing commitment to enhancing the passenger experience through technology and streamlined processes.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/good-news-for-irctc-users-indian-railways-to-allow-free-date-change-for-online-tickets-from-january-2026-says-report
The 25th edition of FICCI FRAMES, India’s premier Media and Entertainment (M&E) event, commenced on Tuesday at The Fairmont Hotel near Sahar Airport. Bringing together over 3,000 participants from the film, TV, digital, and creative sectors, the event includes government officials, business leaders, and artists.
### Theme and Opening
This year’s theme, **“RISE Together – Reimagine, Innovate, Strengthen, Empower,”** reflects the industry’s commitment to collaboration and growth. The opening day featured a significant dialogue between Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and popular Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar. They discussed Maharashtra’s continued pivotal role in shaping India’s film and entertainment landscape. The Chief Minister also outlined the state government’s plans to support and expand this creative sector.
### Government Support and Industry Insights
Union Minister of State L. Murugan and Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, emphasized the government’s dedication to nurturing India’s creative economy. They highlighted the importance of embracing new technologies and policies that empower creators and businesses across media and entertainment.
### Major Highlights: FICCI IICT and Netflix Partnership
One of the day’s standout moments was the announcement of a new partnership between FICCI’s Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICT) and Netflix. The agreement aims to bolster India’s AVGC sector—covering animation, visual effects, gaming, comics, and extended reality. This collaboration seeks to enhance skill development for students and professionals and foster the creation of superior content through advanced technologies.
### Industry Leaders and Emerging Technologies
Several key sessions featured industry leaders such as TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti, who discussed the expansion of broadcasting, and Sandhya Devanathan from Meta, who shared valuable insights on digital platforms. There were also engaging conversations on how artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing media and content creation, demonstrating the sector’s rapid adaptation to cutting-edge technology.
### Silver Jubilee Celebrations: Vision, Voices & Creativity
FICCI FRAMES 2025 marks a significant milestone—the silver jubilee edition of the convention. The theme **“Framing 25 Years of Indian M&E: A Silver Jubilee of Vision, Voices & Creativity”** pays tribute to the imagination, innovation, and industry power that have redefined India’s creative economy globally.
The inaugural session included distinguished guests such as Advocate Ashish Shelar, Minister of Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra; Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting; Anant Goenka, Senior Vice President of FICCI; Sandhya Devanathan, VP & Head – India and South East Asia, Meta; and Kevin Vaz, Chairman of FICCI M&E Committee and CEO – Entertainment, JioStar.
Sanjay Jaju remarked,
> “The industry creates more than 8 million jobs directly and many more indirectly. When FICCI FRAMES began 25 years ago, the demand was for this sector to be recognized as an industry. Today, it is not just an industry but an entire ecosystem of dreams, bringing together art, technology, and above all, aspirations.”
### Voices from the Industry
Actor Ayushmann Khurrana, the official FRAMES Ambassador for this year, added a creative perspective, reflecting on the evolution of India’s cultural narrative and its increasing global influence.
During the fireside chat with Akshay Kumar, CM Fadnavis acknowledged that the Film City project remained unexecuted during his previous tenure between 2014 and 2019 despite extensive planning.
> “This time I have decided that we will convert Film City into a world-class film ecosystem,” he stated, adding that the transformation would commence within a year. Akshay Kumar urged the Chief Minister to prioritize this transformation.
### Film City Redevelopment
The redevelopment plan includes building state-of-the-art studios equipped for emerging technologies such as virtual production, artificial intelligence, and advanced visual effects. The site already hosts the Indian Institute of Creative Technology, a unique institution with 52% ownership by industry bodies like FICCI and the remainder held by the Maharashtra and Indian governments.
### Maharashtra Government’s Vision
Advocate Ashish Shelar, Minister of Cultural Affairs and Information Technology, Government of Maharashtra, highlighted that the state’s media and entertainment sector contributes over ₹2 lakh crore to the regional GDP. The government is actively rolling out a comprehensive film policy and developing new film cities across Maharashtra to meet growing industry demand.
### Additional Key Sessions
Day 1 also featured several keynote sessions and panel discussions with prominent industry personalities such as Director Shoojit Sirkar, Ashwini Iyer Tiwari, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Kevin Vaz (CEO, Entertainment at JioStar), and Arun Srinivas (Meta India), among others.
### What to Expect on Day 2
The second day promises more power-packed sessions, including a special conversation between Ekta Kapoor and Smriti Irani celebrating 25 years of *Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi* (KSBKBT). Additionally, there will be fireside chats and panel discussions featuring celebrated actors Anil Kapoor and Huma Qureshi, among others.
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FICCI FRAMES 2025 continues to be a landmark event, underscoring India’s growing strength and innovation in the global media and entertainment industry. Stay tuned for more insights and developments from the event.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/ficci-frames-2025-launches-media-revolution
**Should You Be Worried About WeWork India’s ₹3,000 Crore IPO?**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | October 7, 2025 | 8:02 PM*
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WeWork India’s ₹3,000 crore initial public offering (IPO) has come under scrutiny, with proxy advisory firm InGovern raising significant concerns over its structure and pre-listing conditions. Shriram Subramanian, the founder of InGovern, highlighted issues that cast doubt on the promoters’ intent, the company’s financial sustainability, and governance oversight.
### IPO Structure: No Fresh Capital Infusion
The IPO is structured as a full offer for sale (OFS), meaning that no new capital will be infused into the company through this process. Instead, existing shareholders are offloading shares, which raises questions about the use of proceeds and the company’s future funding needs.
### Major Concerns Raised by InGovern
**Temporary Release of Pledged Promoter Shares**
A key concern flagged by InGovern is the temporary release of promoter shares that were pledged before the IPO. Over 53% of WeWork India’s pre-IPO shares, held by Embassy Buildcon, had been pledged against borrowings amounting to approximately ₹2,065 crore. These pledges were revoked mainly to facilitate the IPO. According to Subramanian, if the listing did not occur, the shares would have to be re-pledged within 45 days. This arrangement raises questions about the promoters’ commitment and the stability of their holdings.
**Ongoing Financial Challenges**
WeWork India continues to face operating cash losses, a challenge complicated by lease agreements treated as debt obligations. Nearly 43% of the company’s FY25 revenue went toward lease payouts. Subramanian expressed concern over the promoters’ use of a pure OFS to deleverage, noting that the company’s brief profit in FY25 was largely due to a deferred-tax gain rather than operational performance.
**Governance and Compliance Red Flags**
Repeated audit qualifications have been highlighted as a potential red flag. From FY22 to FY24, WeWork India reported material weaknesses in internal controls, including poor vendor documentation and issues with related-party transparency. Moreover, the promoters face several pending enforcement proceedings under the aegis of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the Prevention of Corruption Act, spotlighting serious governance concerns.
### Market Risks: Dependence on the WeWork Brand
InGovern also flagged WeWork India’s dependence on the WeWork Global brand as a critical risk factor. The company operates under a 99-year license, which is contingent on promoter control and regulatory compliance. Any conviction or significant change in promoters could jeopardize these brand rights, posing an existential threat to the business model.
### Despite Concerns, Strong Anchor Participation
Despite these multiple concerns, the IPO attracted strong anchor investor interest, raising ₹1,348 crore from 67 investors including well-known names like ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund and HDFC Mutual Fund.
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**Takeaway:** While WeWork India’s IPO garnered a solid market response, investors should carefully weigh the significant financial, governance, and structural risks highlighted by InGovern before making investment decisions.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/wework-india-s-3-000cr-ipo-under-ingovern-s-scanner-here-s-why/story
**Paytm Launches AI Soundbox for Small Businesses: How It Works**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | Oct 07, 2025, 08:03 PM*
Paytm has introduced the AI Soundbox, a revolutionary device designed to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) streamline their daily operations and payments more efficiently. The new product was unveiled at the Global Fintech Festival 2025, marking a significant step forward in bringing advanced technology to India’s business landscape.
### What Is the AI Soundbox?
The AI Soundbox is an enhanced version of Paytm’s popular payment Soundbox series. What sets this device apart is its conversational AI capability, allowing merchants to interact in 11 Indian languages. This feature makes business transactions and management more accessible for a diverse range of users across the country.
### Enhanced Features for Business Intelligence
Beyond handling payments, the AI assistant embedded in the Soundbox can answer queries related to payments, sales trends, and overall business performance. Paytm describes the device as a “business intelligence assistant,” providing real-time insights that help merchants make informed decisions without needing complex software.
The Android-based device features dual screens—one displays payment updates, while the other facilitates easy interaction with the AI assistant. It supports dynamic QR codes alongside tap and insert card transactions, ensuring versatile payment options for customers.
### Transforming Small Businesses with AI
The AI Soundbox is aimed at empowering India’s extensive network of small businesses, from local kirana stores to cafes and retail chains. By integrating artificial intelligence into everyday business interactions, Paytm hopes to simplify operations and enhance business intelligence at the grassroots level.
Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Founder and CEO of Paytm, highlighted that this launch signals a new era of intelligent devices tailored for businesses across India.
### Reliable Connectivity for Smooth Operations
Equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity, the AI Soundbox assures stable performance for indoor settings such as restaurants and supermarkets. Additionally, 4G support is built-in to maintain seamless transaction processing in outdoor or high-traffic areas.
With this launch, Paytm continues to innovate in the fintech space by providing accessible and smart technology solutions that cater specifically to the needs of India’s small and medium enterprises.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/paytm-introduces-ai-soundbox-for-smes-here-s-what-it-offers/story
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis “for the discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit.”
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which announced the award, highlighted the groundbreaking nature of the laureates’ work. The trio conducted a series of experiments demonstrating that the unusual characteristics of the quantum realm can be observed in a system large enough to hold in one’s hand.
According to the announcement, “Their superconducting electrical system was capable of tunnelling from one state to another, as though it were passing directly through a barrier. They also established that the system absorbed and released energy in specific increments, precisely as quantum mechanics predicts.”
Last year, the Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton for their pioneering use of physics-based tools to develop methods that form the foundation of modern machine learning. Hopfield created an associative memory capable of storing and reconstructing images and other data patterns, while Hinton developed a technique that autonomously identifies properties within data, enabling it to recognize specific elements in images.
In other 2025 Nobel announcements earlier this week, Mary Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. They were honored for their groundbreaking research on peripheral immune tolerance — a mechanism that allows the immune system to fight harmful microorganisms while avoiding attacks on the body’s own cells.
The Nobel Prizes are also awarded in chemistry, literature, and peace, each accompanied by a monetary reward of 11 million Swedish kronor (approximately $1.2 million). Beyond the financial aspect, receiving a Nobel Prize bestows immediate international recognition, a prestigious accolade that remains out of reach for the vast majority of scientists worldwide.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/john-clarke-michel-h-devoret-john-m-martinis-bag-nobel-prize-for-physics-for-breakthroughs-in-quantum-tunneling-energy-quantisation
**Navi Mumbai to Host India’s First Fully Digital Airport**
India is set to welcome its first fully digital airport with the upcoming inauguration of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). Scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 8, the airport is expected to commence commercial flights by December 2025, following necessary security clearances and system testing.
**Advanced Automated Features for Travelers**
In a recent media interaction, Arun Bansal, CEO of Adani Airports Holdings Ltd, showcased an array of automated, passenger-friendly features designed to enhance the travel experience. Passengers will have the convenience of pre-booking parking slots, completing online check-in, baggage drop, and even immigration processing digitally.
Innovative services like virtual queuing and real-time wait-time monitors will allow travelers to track queues and head directly to security checkpoints when their slot arrives, minimizing wait times and streamlining movement through the airport.
**Operational Details and Future Expansion Plans**
Phase I of NMIA’s operations will run daily from 8 am to 8 pm, initially supporting 8 to 10 aircraft movements per hour. As demand grows, officials plan to increase both the number of flights and potentially extend operating hours.
Bansal also revealed that the airport aims for approximately 40% international traffic at launch, with plans to scale up to nearly 75% to meet global hub standards over time.
**Future-Proof Design and Sustainability Initiatives**
The airport has been developed as a resilient and future-ready project. Key features include:
– Elevated 8.5 meters above flood levels to mitigate flooding risks
– Robust design to withstand extreme weather conditions and bird strikes
– Partial power generation via a 47 MW solar plant
– Use of electric vehicles across the airport campus
– Rainwater harvesting and wastewater reuse systems
– Automated people movers connecting the four terminals
Currently, only Terminal 1 will be operational at launch. Mumbai’s existing Terminal 1 will continue functioning until at least 2029, with its demolition planned to coincide with the completion of NMIA’s second terminal.
**Infrastructure Enhancements and Connectivity**
To manage expected passenger traffic and ease congestion, supporting infrastructure is already being prepared. Notably, there will be a ban on heavy vehicles in Navi Mumbai on October 8 from 6 am to 10 pm to facilitate smooth traffic flow during the inauguration.
Connectivity to the airport is also set to improve, with the Targhar railway station—located adjacent to NMIA—nearing completion. Services from Belapur, Seawoods, and Nerul stations are anticipated to commence soon.
**Economic Impact**
The new airport is expected to generate over 200,000 direct and indirect jobs, significantly boosting the economic growth prospects of the Navi Mumbai region.
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https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/navi-mumbais-fully-digital-international-airport-set-for-october-8-inauguration-by-pm-modi-flights-to-commence-in-december
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is utilizing drone technology to spray herbicides and manage weeds in rice plantations.
According to PhilRice, researchers have discovered that drones can effectively control weeds in wet direct-seeded rice. This advancement has the potential to transform weed management into a modern farming practice.
“This is especially useful for large rice fields,” the institute noted, highlighting the benefits of adopting drone technology in agriculture.
https://business.inquirer.net/551041/philrice-testing-rice-farm-pest-control-via-drone
MANILA, Philippines – International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), led by tycoon Enrique Razon Jr., has earmarked more than $130 million to bolster its Subic port operations following the extension of its concession agreements for an additional 25 years.
The listed global ports operator announced that its subsidiaries, Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. and ICTSI Subic Inc., will spearhead these developments aimed at enhancing capacity and efficiency at the Subic port. This significant investment underscores ICTSI’s commitment to strengthening its presence and service quality in the region.
https://business.inquirer.net/551035/ictsi-plows-130m-as-subic-terminals-get-fresh-term
XRP Price Prediction: V-Shaped Rebound Sends XRP Toward Breakout – Something Big is About to Happen
Recent analysis of XRP’s price movement suggests the cryptocurrency is on track to reclaim the $3 mark. Key resistance levels have been identified between $3.17 and $3.36. Should the current momentum persist, traders may see XRP targeting higher ranges near $3.60 to $4.00.
Market participants are closely monitoring several factors influencing XRP’s trajectory. One significant development is the CME’s plan to introduce 24/7 crypto trading, which could add liquidity and impact price dynamics. Additionally, upcoming ETF deadlines are contributing to heightened market anticipation.
Support has been noted around the $2.94 level, providing a foundational base for potential upward movement. Meanwhile, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is approaching overbought territory, indicating strong buying interest but also suggesting caution among investors.
Overall, the combination of a robust V-shaped rebound and critical market events points toward a possible breakout for XRP in the near term. Traders and investors should stay alert as something significant appears to be unfolding.
*The above analysis originally appeared on Cryptonews.*
https://cryptonews.com/news/xrp-price-prediction-v-shaped-rebound-sends-xrp-toward-breakout-something-big-is-about-to-happen/
