The Economic Times

The NCR region is rapidly becoming a strategic playground for real estate developers hailing from South and West India, spurring significant growth ventures. Renowned brands such as Prestige Group and Sobha are poised to make their mark amidst fierce competition, taking advantage of burgeoning opportunities. With buyers placing a premium on developer credibility and quality, the landscape is shifting.

Dibrugarh is set to resume international cargo movement through the Brahmaputra river, transporting methanol to Bangladesh. Two vessels are prepared for this operation, carrying 1,080 tonnes of methanol from Bogibeel. The journey spans approximately 783 kilometres and is expected to take about seven days. This initiative aims to revitalize trade connections previously established during British rule. The expanded cargo transport will support local producers by opening international market access

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is gearing up for its digital debut, featuring iconic performances by Tom Holland and Zendaya. The film, which has been a box office hit. The movie will also hit shelves in 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD formats. Read on to know when and where to watch it online in India.

Uttar Pradesh's Food Safety and Drug Administration will require sweets to display a 'Use by Date'. This measure focuses on open or loose sweets, which previously lacked such a requirement. Inspections found that consumers often did not receive proper information about the date of manufacture or expiry. Additionally, a ban on using ethylene glycol in milk processing has been enforced due to health risks.

Taapsee Pannus Denmark home is a 1907-built vintage house that she and husband Mathias Boe chose to restore while preserving its original character. The interiors feature decades-old furniture, chandeliers, paintings by Indian artists and travel finds. But the most Indian touch is family living. Mathiass parents have their own space in the house, creating a multigenerational home that Taapsee says gives it a genuine feeling of home.

An IndiGo flight from Guwahati encountered a tail strike during a landing attempt in Bengaluru. The incident occurred amid challenging weather conditions at Kempegowda International Airport on Sunday. Fortunately, all passengers and crew members were safe and successfully disembarked from the aircraft. The Airbus A321 involved in the incident will undergo maintenance checks before resuming operations. The relevant authorities have been informed about the situation for further review.

Down 20-16, Minnesota received a huge setback when Baker Mayfield got injured towards the end of the fourth quarter. Mayfield was tackled by Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman when he tried to throw the ball while on fourth down. Mayfields right hand made contact with Cashman when his pass was intercepted by Andrew Van Ginkel.

China has confirmed a two-month extension of the trade truce with the US following a recent summit. This extension aims to provide a stable policy environment for ongoing discussions and cooperation. Both countries can now assess the previous implementation of their economic arrangement established in October. The extension is expected to give room for advancing trade-related issues effectively. Active discussions are likely to continue, focusing on resolving economic matters.

The highly anticipated film Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, starring Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju, is set to stream on OTT following a triumphant theatrical run after being released on August 21, 2026. It achieved remarkable success at the box office, surpassing Rs 300 crore globally, and making history as the first Malayalam film to reach Rs 150 crore in Kerala. Read on to know when and where to watch the movie online.

Banks are expected to remain open on September 28 as the proposed strike has been deferred. This decision follows discussions between the United Forum of Bank Unions and the Indian Banks Association. A high-level committee will be formed to address pending demands, including holiday declarations for Saturdays. Customers should verify branch timings and local arrangements before visiting their banks.

Suriya and Jyotika celebrated their marriage by renewing their vows in a ceremony with family. Recently, Suriya's father took pride in their lasting relationship and family values. He mentioned their commitment to each other, with Jyotika adapting to family life after marriage. Read on!

Cutting through money jargon, one topic at a time. This week Abhinav Kaul explains why US interest-rate hikes can affect gold prices, and what it means for Indian investors.

India remains committed to its diesel export contracts, as stated by Oil Minister Hardeep Puri. The global diesel market faces challenges due to geopolitical conflicts impacting supply. Pump prices in the US have surged, leading to speculation about an export ban on diesel. India has overtaken Russia as a top diesel supplier, accounting for significant global shipments.

According to the M3M Hurun India Rich List 2026, India's wealth has soared to an impressive Rs. 187.5 lakh crore, with Gautam Adani now eclipsing Mukesh Ambani in the wealth hierarchy. LN Mittal also reports major financial gains.

Welcome to TrendMap, your guide to the performance of different investment segments. In this edition, we present a 10-year performance tracker of factor-based investment strategies. The annual returns are ranked for 6 key NSE Factor indices, with a broad-based index, Nifty 500, thrown in for comparison. This map shows that no single-factor strategy consistently outperforms, making a strong case for diversification.By Sameer Bhardwaj.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India has launched the Portfolio Managers Route for Investing in Mutual Fund units (PRIM), enabling portfolio managers to handle clients' investments in direct mutual fund plans starting from a minimum amount of Rs.25 lakh. This initiative seeks to boost investor access and flexibility, offering a wider array of investment choices.

The customer-centric proposals aim to increase transparency, cut distribution costs and reduce insurer expenses.

Cheap, quick and no credit check needed, yet your jewellery could be at risk.

A status match essentially allows one loyalty programme to recognise your credentials from another. Instead of spending 50 nights at a hotel chain or flying dozens of sectors with an airline to reach elite status, you show that another company already considers you a valuable customer. The new programme may then grant you equivalent status, usually for a limited period.

Two funds, both averaging 5%. One left you Rs.11,000 richer. Heres why

Tax residency, bank accounts, Dubai property and gratuity all need sorting before and after you fly home.

A bank can afford to give an affluent customer a highly rewarding credit card if that card helps persuade the customer to consolidate assets with the lender. The other advantage is that a credit card is one of the most visible products a bank gives a customer. Every transaction reinforces the relationship with the bank.

Tax efficiency and stability win some advisers over, but others fear giving up returns and control.

Beginning 1 October 2026, resident Indian buyers will enjoy simplified compliance when purchasing property from non-resident sellers. They will be able to use their Permanent Account Number instead of obtaining a Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number. This amendment aims to reduce the burden of compliance on individual buyers. Buyers will also be required to provide the seller's contact information and overseas address.

Inflated bills, delayed approvals, arbitrary deductions. As hospitals and insurers trade charges, policyholders are left footing the bill. What will it take to fix the system?

Suntory Holdings, the renowned Japanese beverage company, is in discussions regarding a potential minority investment in Allied Blenders and Distillers. The goal of these talks is to form a strategic alliance that leverages the strengths of both entities within the whisky industry. By acquiring 10-15% of the promoters stake, Suntory aims to enhance its footprint in India's booming whisky market, amidst rising competition from other players.

IRDAI chairman Ajay Seth said insurers should pass savings from lower commissions and operating costs to policyholders through lower premiums, better returns or improved claims payouts. The regulators proposed tighter limits on commissions and expenses aim to improve affordability, curb mis-selling and reduce compulsory bundling.

Quote of the day by Voltaire, Every man is a creature of the age in which he lives and few are able to raise themselves above the ideas of the time, examines how strongly society and the thinking of an era can influence individuals. The French Enlightenment writer spent much of his life questioning accepted beliefs and challenging prejudice, superstition and intolerance through his books, plays, essays and public campaigns.

Fortis Healthcare has stated that it has no involvement in the dispute between Daiichi Sankyo and the Singh Brothers. The Supreme Court has allowed a forensic audit, affirming that previous observations were tentative. Fortis emphasized there were no penalties or liabilities imposed on them in the High Court's judgment. By March 2018, the Singh Brothers' shareholding in Fortis dropped to below 1%.

Swiss luxury watchmakers, particularly Baume & Mercier, are planning significant investments in India due to the India-EFTA trade pact. Despite currency challenges, the company sees strong long-term potential and growth in the Indian market. Indian consumers are increasingly favoring authentic watch designs and automatic features, signaling a shift in preferences. Baume & Mercier's performance has exceeded expectations, driven by its expanding product offerings and local partnerships.

Around 40 volunteers of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) including party co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka were detained ahead of the organisation's first regional volunteers' meeting on Sunday. Ranka claimed that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was afraid of the CJP. He alleged that the BJP won the assembly election by redrawing the boundaries. CJP chief Abhijeet Dipke said he would bring more party workers to the state, challenging the government to arrest them if Ranka and his fellow volunte

Anushka Sharmas chole bhature order for Virat Kohli helped put Mumbai-based Delhi Se restaurant in the spotlight. The eatery, which was reportedly struggling with Rs 18 lakh debt, saw a sharp rise in customer demand after a recommendation by comedian Abhishek Upmanyu and Anushkas social media post. The restaurant later expanded to multiple outlets, according to its owners.

India's streaming platforms are evolving by embracing individual creators as significant content intellectual properties. These creators bring established audiences and diverse content that meets various viewer interests. Collaborations between streamers and creators reduce risks while enhancing the quality of shows. Platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are showcasing works from these creators to attract viewers. This approach signals a shift towards more fluid boundaries between digita

India's 60,000-crore television broadcasting industry is experiencing regulatory uncertainty due to shifting consumer preferences. Traditional television is losing customers to OTT platforms, forcing broadcasters to seek more commercial flexibility. The decline in active pay-DTH subscribers has raised concerns about revenue and employment in the sector. Key decisions awaited from regulatory bodies include tariff forbearance and renewal of licenses.

The benefit of cost efficiency should be passed on to customers. This entire exercise is intended to ensure that the public and policyholders benefit. For a life insurance savings product, the outcome should be better returns. In general insurance, it should result in better claim ratios. Cost efficiencies should get passed on through lower premiums, or the rate of increase in premiums should be moderated, or returns on savings products should be better than they are today, says Ajay Seth.

Niti Aayog is developing a national quality framework for public and private hospitals, aligned with international standards, to help patients compare hospitals and improve healthcare quality. The framework will include patient safety, clinical outcomes, readmission rates, medication errors and specialty-specific indicators such as survival and mortality rates.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation is addressing regulatory gaps related to the illegal diversion of pharmaceutical drugs. Following the National Committee for Coordination on Drug Trafficking meeting, specific targets have been assigned to CDSCO. The drugs consultative committee will examine current regulations to recommend improvements. Union home minister Amit Shah emphasized the need for a coordinated strategy against evolving drug trafficking.

Groups are restructuring NBFC and holding-company balance sheets to stay outside RBIs regulatory definitions and avoid registration and compliance requirements, sources said. NBFCs are boosting non-financial income, while CICs are changing their asset mix.

Leading manufacturers such as LG, Samsung, and Daikin are raising prices of consumer appliances by 5-10%. This increase is attributed to rising costs of raw materials, including copper, steel, and aluminium. Companies are concerned about the impact on sales growth during the festive season this year. Previously, businesses aimed for minimal price increases to maintain festive demand levels.

Iran has successfully completed the Chabahar-Zahedan rail link, a significant step in improving regional connectivity. This railway infrastructure is key for India, providing crucial access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, both of which are landlocked. The construction includes various stations, tunnels, and bridges, and is set to become operational in three to four months. India is also in talks for management rights over Chabahar Port to enhance trade and transport.

The finance ministry has sought feedback from banks on their use of AI-driven loan collection tools to assess adoption and customer-protection practices. Most banks are using AI for borrower engagement and repayment, while only a few have implemented conversational AI for collections.

The textiles ministry plans to identify 5,000-10,000 new exporters across districts over the next 2-3 years to boost Indias global textile market share. It is working with states on district-level export roadmaps to turn production centres into export hubs through better infrastructure, market access and support.

Indias 500 GW non-fossil capacity target for 2030 needs to be backed by clear grid-stability milestones, a Ficci-Nangia report said. It recommended rules for battery storage above 50 MW, minimum requirements for grid inertia and system strength, and faster identification of transmission corridors and congestion-management technologies.

Bank unions have decided to defer a planned three-day strike after discussions with the Indian Banks' Association. A new high-level committee will be formed to address important employee demands, including Saturdays as holidays. Union representatives aim to resolve concerns related to the Performance Linked Incentive scheme for higher-ranking officers. The Finance Ministry has encouraged dialogue for addressing unresolved issues while ensuring services remain uninterrupted.

In a move for sustainability, Sydney surfer Banjo Hunt has begun turning retired wind turbine blades into surfboard fins. This innovative concept addresses the pressing recycling concerns linked to turbine waste. Tested by pro surfer Darcy Crump in the Australian Boardriders Battle, this initiative reflects how repurposing renewable-energy components can pave the way for eco-friendly surf culture and tackle future waste challenges.

JNPA will become the first Indian port to deploy shore power technology at scale commercially. IFC's long-term financing is expected to support the adoption of this emerging technology and demonstrate a replicable financing model that could facilitate similar investments across other ports in the country.

Salman Khan has spoken out against people who deliberately create fake AI videos and manipulated voices of actors, warning that such content can be mistaken for real footage and spread widely on social media. During Bigg Boss 20 Weekend Ka Vaar, he suggested a strict measure to stop those knowingly creating such videos and called for a law and stronger controls on social media.

Lying to parents can get children in trouble - not necessarily with the parents. Children who lead a double life can often run into trouble and can get into situations where there is no return. Superstar Will Smith once explained how he taught his kids to be honest.

Arnold Schwarzenegger launched an initiative in 1992 to give children from under-resourced communities a safe and structured place to spend time after school. What began with sports and fitness activities eventually grew into After-School All-Stars, expanding into academic support, career preparation, STEM, health and other programmes. More than three decades later, the organisation serves around 140,000 students each year.

Florida wildlife researchers conducted a significant removal effort by capturing 177 Burmese pythons and recovering 4,100 eggs. This removal occurred in Collier County during the November 2025 to April 2026 breeding season. The initiative aims to limit the impact of invasive pythons on native wildlife and preserve biodiversity in the ecosystem. Conservation teams tracked tagged male pythons to locate breeding females for removal.