business - The Latremie Post

US researchers: Choose Europe, but part-time

Amid the European rush to attract disenchanted US researchers, the Volkswagen Foundation is experimenting with a different approach: grants for US researchers to split their time between the US and Germany.

The funding scheme, set to open in January, will award up to €300,000 to US-based professors specializing in democracy and fundamental rights. Recipients will spend three to six months a year in Germany, with the rest of the time maintaining ties with the US.

The new Transatlantic Bridge Professorships scheme is the Volkswagen Foundation’s contribution to the conversation about how Europe can respond to the Trump administration’s obstruction of academic freedom and science funding in the US.

“We felt we wanted to offer the opportunity and provide continuous support for research cooperation. We want to add to what others are doing, in general,” said Johanna Brumberg.
https://sciencebusiness.net/news/r-d-funding/horizon-europe/us-researchers-choose-europe-part-time

Canara Robeco AMC’s Rs 1,326 cr IPO to open on Oct 9

Canara Robeco Asset Management Company has fixed a price band of Rs 253-266 per share for its upcoming Initial Public Offering (IPO), valuing the company at approximately Rs 5,300 crore at the upper end. The IPO, amounting to Rs 1,326 crore, is scheduled to open for subscription on October 9 and close on October 13.

Ahead of the public subscription, the one-day bidding for anchor investors will take place on October 8, as per the company’s public announcement.

This IPO is a complete Offer For Sale (OFS) of 4.98 crore equity shares, with no fresh issue component. Under the OFS, the promoters—Canara Bank and ORIX Corporation Europe NV (formerly Robeco Groep NV)—will sell 2.59 crore shares and 2.39 crore shares, respectively. Canara Bank currently holds a 51% stake in Canara Robeco, while ORIX Corporation owns the remaining stake in the asset management company.

Since the IPO is entirely an OFS, Canara Robeco will not receive any funds from the public issue. Instead, the proceeds from the sale will go directly to the selling shareholders.

Canara Robeco primarily engages in managing mutual funds and providing investment advice on Indian equities. It is recognized as the country’s second oldest asset manager. The state-run lender, Canara Bank, originally founded the company in 1993 and later partnered with Robeco—now part of ORIX—in 2007.

Operating in a highly competitive space, Canara Robeco faces competition from established listed players such as HDFC Asset Management Company, Nippon Life India Asset Management, and UTI Asset Management Company.

The IPO allocation is divided as follows: 50% reserved for Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs), 35% for retail investors, and 15% for non-institutional investors. SBI Capital Markets, Axis Capital, and JM Financial are appointed as the book running lead managers for this issue.

Shares of Canara Robeco are expected to list on stock exchanges on October 16.

In a related development, Canara Bank announced in December 2024 that it had received approval from the Reserve Bank of India to divest its stakes in life insurance and mutual fund ventures. The IPO of Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company, a complete OFS involving 23.75 crore equity shares, is scheduled to open for public subscription from October 10 to October 14.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/corporate-gallery/canara-robeco-amcs-rs-1326-cr-ipo-to-open-on-oct-9

Pi Network sheds $18B in six months: ‘That’s basically a rug pull’

**Key Takeaways**

– Pi Network’s token, PI, has plunged over 90%, erasing nearly $18 billion in market capitalization and fueling fresh rug pull claims.
– Without addressing community concerns and supply growth issues, PI could remain under downward pressure in the coming months.

—

**Why Is Pi Network Facing Rug Pull Claims Again?**

Since its debut in March, the Pi Network [PI] price has crashed over 90%, reigniting allegations that the project might be a rug pull. At launch, the price soared to $2.79, pushing the market capitalization to approximately $18 billion amid a wave of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). However, the price has since slipped below $1 and plunged further to around $0.26, wiping out more than $16 billion in market cap over the past six months.

A pseudonymous crypto market commentator known as Mr Spock weighed in on the situation, stating, “Pi crashed over 90% from its highest position, that’s basically a rug pull.”

—

**Hype and Speculative Interest Fade**

Back in May, Pi Network faced similar rug pull accusations after the team allegedly established a $100 million venture fund amid more than six years of unmet expectations and broken promises. Many community members believed that this fund—partly sourced from internal revenue and mining activities—was diverted for external purposes rather than being reinvested into the ecosystem.

This backlash contributed to the token’s inability to rebound in May, dragging the price down below $0.50. Despite the sour market sentiment, data from Pi Scan indicated some continued accumulation of PI tokens. Over the past 24 hours alone, a net flow of $112.3 million was recorded, meaning more PI tokens flowed out of exchanges than into them, which suggests buying activity.

—

**Derivatives Data Show Collapse in Speculative Interest**

Despite signs of accumulation, speculative interest has sharply declined. While there has been some improvement in the futures market demand, overall speculative interest dropped by more than 10 times. According to Glassnode, PI’s Open Interest (OI)—the total value of open contracts in the derivatives market—plummeted from nearly $120 million to about $20 million.

This sustained bearish pressure reflects the community’s growing frustration and feeling of being sidelined by the Pi Network team.

—

**Inflationary Pressure Weighs on Price**

Another major factor dragging down PI’s price is inflationary pressure. Since May, the circulating supply of PI tokens has surged by over 1 billion tokens, exacerbating downward price pressure.

—

**What’s Next for PI?**

Unless the Pi Network team addresses community concerns and carefully manages token supply growth, PI could continue to face heavy downward pressure. Rebuilding trust and stabilizing the token economy will be critical to any future recovery efforts.

—

*Stay tuned for updates on Pi Network and other cryptocurrency developments.*
https://ambcrypto.com/pi-network-sheds-18b-in-six-months-thats-basically-a-rug-pull

All set for Maynilad’s P45.8-B stock debut

MANILA, Philippines – Maynilad Water Services Inc. is moving closer to its P45.8-billion initial public offering (IPO) this month after receiving approval from the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).

The operator of the local bourse announced in an advisory on Monday that Maynilad would offer up to 2.3 billion shares at a price of up to P20 each.

This development marks a significant step for Maynilad as it prepares to enter the public market, aiming to raise substantial capital through the IPO.
https://business.inquirer.net/551033/all-set-for-maynilads-p-45-8-b-stock-debut

Solo Sikoa to introduce WWE megastar as the missing part of MFT? Exploring the possibility

Solo Sikoa Could Completely Shift the Dynamic of WWE SmackDown Soon

After losing the United States Championship to Sami Zayn on the August 29 episode of SmackDown, Solo Sikoa, known as The Street Champion, has been regrouping with his MFTs (Maximum Family Ties) in a series of cryptic vignettes. Over the past three weeks, Sikoa has reintroduced Tonga Loa, JC Mateo, and Talla Tonga to the WWE Universe. The 32-year-old thanked them for their loyalty and acknowledged their contributions to the faction.

However, last week, Sikoa hinted that something is missing from his family. He claimed that once he has that missing part, everyone will be on notice. This mysterious reference has sparked significant speculation among fans and insiders alike.

### Could The Rock Be the Missing Piece?

One shocking possibility is that the missing piece Solo mentioned could be none other than The Rock. Last year, on October 5, The Rock made a memorable return to WWE following the main event of Bad Blood 2024. In that match, Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns defeated Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu in a tag team bout. After the match, The Brahma Bull walked out and stared down everyone in the ring from the stage.

Although many fans criticized this moment for lacking any immediate payoff, recent developments suggest it could finally lead to something significant. During The Rock’s return, Solo Sikoa was shown in the crowd, hinting that it was all part of some larger plan. Now, over a year later, Solo — known as The Final Boss — could be revealed as the ultimate mastermind behind the MFT.

Sikoa’s faction has struggled to live up to expectations and is in desperate need of revitalization. Introducing The Rock as the leader would instantly raise the group’s profile and “put everyone on notice,” as Solo himself claimed. While many fans expect Tama Tonga to be revealed as the missing piece of the MFT, WWE’s creative team might surprise everyone with a swerve by bringing The Great One into the mix.

That said, this remains purely speculative at this point.

### Former WWE Writer Criticizes Solo Sikoa’s Video Packages on SmackDown

As mentioned earlier, Solo Sikoa has been building momentum for his stable through video packages on SmackDown over the past few weeks. In one segment, The Street Champion urged Talla Tonga to “unleash the monster inside” and destroy anyone who stands in the MFT’s path.

Despite the hype, former WWE writer Vince Russo has expressed criticism of these vignettes. Speaking on last week’s episode of Sportskeeda WrestleBinge’s “BroDown” hosted by Mac Davis, Russo argued that the creative team is booking the faction backward.

He stated,
“It’s comical to me that now we’re doing Solo Sikoa and his whole group — and now we’re doing vignettes on these guys, and now introducing these guys — how many months after the fact? Isn’t that the first thing you’re supposed to do? Shouldn’t we have had Solo introduce these guys one by one before we saw them as a group? That right there just tells you they have no clue what they’re doing. You don’t give these guys introductions after you’ve seen them on television for six months. That doesn’t make any sense.”

### Looking Ahead

Despite the criticisms, it will be intriguing to see what the future holds for Solo Sikoa and his villainous stable on WWE SmackDown. Whether or not The Rock becomes involved, the MFT is clearly heading toward a pivotal moment that could reshape the blue brand’s landscape.

Stay tuned for further updates as this storyline develops.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/solo-sikoa-introduce-wwe-megastar-missing-part-mft-exploring-possibility

Rishabh Pant set for Ranji Trophy return in late October

**Rishabh Pant Set for Ranji Trophy Return in Late October**

*By Rajdeep Saha | October 6, 2025, 6:59 PM*

Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant is on the verge of making a comeback to competitive cricket through the Ranji Trophy. According to The Times of India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to evaluate his recovery status this week, with a potential clearance expected by October 10. If approved, Pant could be back playing for Delhi starting October 25.

**Assessment and Clearance**

A BCCI source revealed, “As of now, there is a likelihood he could be cleared by October 10. An assessment is due this week. It has been a long recovery for him. The BCCI medical team doesn’t want to take any chances.” Pant’s return will be contingent upon his fitness level and official approval from the BCCI.

**Recovery Progress and Injury Details**

Pant has been sidelined since July due to a fractured foot sustained during the fourth Test against England. Initially, the injury was expected to heal within six weeks; however, complications arose when the metatarsal bone in his right foot broke again under pressure as he attempted to bat the very next day after the injury.

Despite these setbacks, Pant has made significant strides in his recovery over the past 20 days, giving hope for his return to the field soon.

**Impact on Matches and Upcoming Schedule**

Pant has missed the ongoing two-Test series against the West Indies as well as the forthcoming white-ball tour of Australia. Nevertheless, depending on the clearance from the Center of Excellence (CoE) and his preparedness, he could participate in two Ranji Trophy matches before November 5.

This potential return is particularly important as India prepares for a home Test series against South Africa starting November 14.

**Pant’s Performance Against England**

In the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, Pant delivered an impressive performance across four Test matches. In seven innings, he amassed 479 runs at an average of 68.42, including two centuries and three half-centuries. Additionally, he showcased his aggressive batting by hitting 17 sixes throughout the series.

Pant’s imminent return is eagerly awaited by fans and selectors alike, as he remains a key player for Indian cricket’s future.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/rishabh-pant-could-make-return-to-cricket-soon-details-here/story

KJo reveals how Dharma changed after Poonawalla acquisition

**Karan Johar Sells 50% Stake in Dharma Productions to Adar Poonawalla for ₹1,000 Crore**

*By Shreya Mukherjee | Oct 06, 2025, 05:17 PM*

Filmmaker Karan Johar recently sold a 50% stake in his production company, Dharma Productions, to billionaire Adar Poonawalla for ₹1,000 crore. The deal was made through Poonawalla’s company, Serene Productions, giving him equal ownership of the studio.

In a recent interview with Komal Nahta on the YouTube channel *Game Changers*, Johar opened up about this decision and its implications for his future projects.

### Expansion Plans: Funding Issues Led to the Decision

Johar revealed that many of his unfulfilled dreams were due to funding constraints. “I was very clear that I am okay to sell 50% of my company or to sell equity, only because I want to expand,” he said.

He emphasized the importance of having the right partner for expansion — a role he found in Poonawalla.

### Personal Ties: Friendship with Poonawalla Played a Crucial Role

The filmmaker shared that his close friendship with Adar Poonawalla and his wife, Natasha, was a key factor in the deal. “Adar and Natasha have been my close friends, very dear to me,” Johar stated.

Although he initially hesitated when Poonawalla expressed interest in investing, feeling that it wasn’t his area, Johar soon realized they shared the same vision for growth.

### Management Praise: Applauding Apoorva Mehta’s Leadership

Johar also lauded Apoorva Mehta, the Executive Chairman and CEO of Dharma Productions, for expertly managing the business side of the company.

“Apoorva is the most correct human. Our accounts are perfect down to the last rupee,” Johar said. He added that Mehta runs Dharma like a well-oiled machine and has been instrumental to the company’s success.

### New Focus: Accountability and Profitability

“The deal has forced me to think about profitability,” Johar admitted. “There was never accountability before this, I just learned the term quarter.”

He shared that Mehta often keeps him in check by reminding him not to pursue projects that aren’t financially viable. Despite this shift towards profitability, Johar emphasized that his commitment to artistic integrity and creating films for creative satisfaction remains unchanged.

### Future Plans: Uncertainty Looms

Regarding his upcoming projects, Johar expressed uncertainty, especially after the critical acclaim of *Homebound*. “I made *Homebound*, worldwide critically acclaimed, but I can’t say if I’ll take such decisions in the future or not,” he revealed.

As Johar embarks on this new chapter with a strong partner by his side, industry watchers eagerly await the exciting developments at Dharma Productions.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/kjo-describes-changes-after-adar-poonawalla-takeover/story

Top AEW star urges Tony Khan to immediately cancel upcoming match

A former AEW champion recently made an important request to All Elite Wrestling President Tony Khan.

The Acclaimed was a popular tag team back in the day, known for their dynamic chemistry and entertaining performances. However, since their split, things haven’t gone well for the duo.

Fans and analysts alike have noted the challenges both wrestlers have faced individually, highlighting the impact the breakup has had on their careers. It remains to be seen how Tony Khan will respond to the former champion’s request and what this could mean for the future of The Acclaimed.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/aew/news-top-aew-star-urges-tony-khan-immediately-cancel-upcoming-match

Gov’t debt service surged by 257% in Aug. to P664.7B

The government’s debt service burden more than tripled in August, driven by higher amortization payments following a mammoth settlement of maturing bonds.

Debt payments surged by 257 percent year-on-year to P664.7 billion, according to the latest cash operation report from the Bureau of the Treasury.

This increase brought the total debt service payments for the first eight months of the year to P1.54 trillion, remaining nearly flat compared to the previous period.
https://business.inquirer.net/550897/govt-debt-service-surged-by-257-in-aug-to-p664-7b

The secrets behind family business empires no one will tell you

Dynasties don’t endure because they are richer, luckier, or more charismatic. They endure because they run on a different operating system.

On Sunday, the family shares a meal. On Monday, the same people sit across a board table with roles, rights, and rules that are crystal clear.

When pressure spikes—whether due to succession, acquisitions, or other challenges—this structured approach ensures stability and continuity.
https://business.inquirer.net/550878/the-secrets-behind-family-business-empires-no-one-will-tell-you-2