India Retail Inflation: India’s retail inflation rose to 4.38% in June, driven mainly by food (5.32%) and higher transport costs, pushing prices above the RBI’s 4% comfort zone again. SEBI Ethics Overhaul: India’s markets regulator SEBI tightened ethics rules, adding a two-year cooling-off period for former officials and extending investment restrictions to family members. Consumer Finance Convenience: IndusInd Bank integrated with EPFO so employers can make provident fund contributions more seamlessly via the EPFO portal and IndusInd’s business banking apps. Antitrust/Competition: India’s CCI slapped penalties on HP India and resellers for antitrust breaches in printer consumables, underscoring tougher enforcement in everyday consumer categories. E-commerce Costs: Amazon announced higher holiday fulfillment fees in India’s broader region of sellers (Oct 15–Jan 14), a reminder that peak-season logistics costs can flow into retail pricing. China Consumption Push: China’s State Council approved a plan to lift consumer goods retail sales to about 60 trillion yuan by 2030, aiming to make household spending a bigger growth engine. AI Companions Curbs: China ordered AI companion apps to reduce features that encourage emotional dependency, with major platforms restructuring to comply. Trade Tensions Watch: India and the US trade deal chatter stayed in focus as officials denied reports of a “quick deal” rejection, keeping negotiations alive.