Current Affairs - Business

Warren Buffett stepped down as the chairman of Berkshire Hathaway after serving in the position for more than five decades. He became chairman in 1970 and had been associated with the company since 1965. Following his resignation, Buffett became chairman emeritus while continuing as a member of the board of directors. His son, Howard Buffett, was appointed as the new chairman under the company’s succession plan, while Greg Abel continues as CEO. During Buffett’s leadership, Berkshire Hathaway developed from a textile company into a diversified global conglomerate with major investments across various industries.

Tata Steel commissioned India’s first coke oven gas injection project in Odisha as part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency. The project was developed in collaboration with Paul Wurth-SMS and uses coke oven gas, a byproduct of the steel-making process, to replace conventional fossil fuels. This technology is expected to contribute to lower carbon emissions while improving operational efficiency. The initiative also supports Tata Steel’s broader sustainability strategy and its target of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2045. The project represents an important step toward adopting cleaner technologies in India’s steel industry.

Volkswagen Group signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with JSW Group on September 13, 2026, to establish a proposed joint venture for passenger vehicle operations in India. Under the proposed arrangement, JSW Group would hold 51% and Volkswagen Group 49%. The venture is expected to involve investments and capital commitments exceeding €1 billion, covering the production of internal combustion engine, hybrid and electric vehicles. It would also integrate manufacturing operations, workforce and the existing supplier ecosystem. The partnership covers eight existing Skoda and Volkswagen brands sold in India, with a final binding agreement targeted by December 2026.

Jindal Stainless signed a technical assistance agreement with Japan’s JFE Steel Corporation to improve the production of ferritic stainless steel grades. The collaboration focuses on enhancing product quality and process efficiency. Ferritic stainless steel is known for its durability, corrosion resistance, and cost efficiency, making it useful across several industries. The steel grades covered under the agreement have applications in automobiles, railway coaches, industrial machinery, construction, and kitchen equipment. Jindal Stainless is headquartered in New Delhi and is one of India’s largest stainless steel manufacturers. Its Managing Director is Abhyuday Jindal.

Zerodha received official registration from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on September 1, 2026, to operate as a merchant banker in India through Zerodha Corporate Advisors. The application was submitted on April 27, 2026, and the registration was granted with perpetual validity. The approval allows the firm to handle capital market activities such as Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), Follow-on Public Offers (FPOs), rights issues, and related advisory services. With this approval, Zerodha became the 249th registered merchant banker in India as of August 31, 2026. The development follows SEBI’s revised capital and regulatory requirements for merchant banking operations.