The Economic Times

Bollywood's popularity extends beyond India, the Indian subcontinent, and the South Asian diaspora. Many videos of foreigners lip-syncing to famous lines from Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan and dancing to Bollywood tunes have gone popular.

Vodafone Idea is experiencing delays in securing a loan from the SBI-led consortium, affecting its plans. The company's CEO, Abhijit Kishore, mentioned that funds from private and foreign banks are sufficient for current capex. Vodafone Idea is working on plans to upgrade its network by 2027 and enhance competitiveness. Its average revenue per user has shown improvement, although losses have increased due to exceptional items.

The US has assured India of lower tariffs than those imposed on its trading partners under the proposed trade deal. The first phase of the agreement will cover goods, with services to be negotiated separately in the next phase.

The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) -- which represents 18 carriers, including Air India -- has also called for having government leadership during the sustainability transition amid challenges related to using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for decarbonisation.

In South Carolina, volunteers are collecting discarded oyster shells and returning them to coastal waters for habitat restoration. The SCORE program has seen significant community involvement, with over 25,000 volunteers participating in oyster reef projects. Recycled shells create environments where marine life can thrive and support local ecosystems. The restoration began to reveal positive changes just a few years after implementation.

The Delhi government is set to develop a 5-acre Chhath ghat along the Yamuna near ITO. This project aims to create an aesthetically appealing and environmentally sustainable site for Chhath puja. It will include various artistic features, landscaping, and amenities for public comfort. A consultant will prepare a detailed report and plans for construction based on the public works department's guidelines.

Veteran actress Sushmita Mukherjee, who appeared in iconic films such as King Uncle and Golmaal and TV series such as Karamachand, recently opened up on how she coped with bankruptcy, being debt-ridden, and how her attitude and relationship with money changed.

Reverse swing is a crucial skill for fast bowlers, but its prevalence is declining in test cricket. Factors contributing to this decline include the impact of the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal and changes in match conditions. Some players are now hesitant to work on the ball due to fear of repercussions. Additionally, the rise of wobble-seam bowling has reduced the focus on reverse swing techniques.

India's gold loan market is expanding at an extraordinary pace, but the near doubling of delinquencies between March and August 2026 may have just indicated that some major stress could be building beneath the surface.While the proportion of seriously overdue loans remains relatively small, warnings from credit bureau TransUnion Cibil and lenders such as Bajaj Finance and Piramal Finance have given a worrying sign -- that some borrowers may be using fresh loans against gold to manage existing de

The development comes as the budget carrier continues to face significant financial and operational challenges, which have led to a reduction in its flight operations.

Sunil Bharti Mittal advocates for India to independently manage its satellite communications infrastructure for national security. He highlights the various satellite operators, including Elon Musk's Starlink and Eutelsat OneWeb, competing for market access. Mittal argues that India should not rely solely on foreign providers for critical communications.

China has ruled out hosting the UN climate talks in 2028 after considering the option for months. Another Asian-Pacific nation may now have the opportunity to host COP33 due to this decision. Earlier, India had withdrawed from hosting this event, while South Korea has expressed interest. The upcoming climate talks will assess global progress on climate action and evaluate the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The Central Consumer Protection Authority has penalized ANI Technologies for its misleading payment practices on Ola. The regulator noted that soliciting add-on payments misleads consumers and constitutes an unfair trade practice. This feature suggested that paying extra could expedite ride allocation, despite evidence depicting the opposite. Ola has been ordered to cease this practice immediately and ensure compliance with consumer protection laws.

An auctioneer named Malo de Lussac discovered a valuable oil painting by Eugne Delacroix in central France. This painting, titled 'Study of Reclining Lions,' had been in one family since the mid-1800s. It depicts seven lions and includes certificates authenticating its provenance, linking it to Delacroix's work. The artwork estimated at 200,000 to 300,000 sold for 455,000 in late March.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated various welfare projects worth over Rs 15,600 crore in Bengaluru. These projects include initiatives related to renewable energy and petroleum infrastructure. Modi emphasized the importance of energy security amid the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. The Prime Minister also dedicated the Metro Pink Line to the public for improved connectivity.

According to the International Energy Agency, the global oil market is set to rebalance by late 2026. Global oil production is expected to recover faster than demand, resulting in a surplus. The demand for oil is projected to decline by 2.7 million barrels per day in 2026. Despite easing crude prices, tight supplies of refined products continue to challenge energy markets.

Blue Jet Healthcare is evaluating the acquisition of around 50 acres of land in Andhra Pradesh for setting up an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing facility, with a proposed investment of Rs 5 billion (Rs 500 crore).The company has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board for the proposed project. The land acquisition is currently under evaluation, and the facility is expected to strengthen the company's manufacturing c

Is Microsoft Outlook outage resolved today? Microsoft has started restoring its services after a major outage disrupted Outlook, Hotmail and Microsoft 365 across several countries. Some users have regained access, but others still face email and login problems. Claude's Microsoft 365 tools have also been affected. Microsoft has yet to confirm full recovery or announce when all services will return to normal. Microsoft 365 has more than 430 million users, according to the company. Downdetector re

Rahul Gandhi has submitted his reply regarding the defamation complaint related to his statements in Hathras. The court previously dismissed the complaint, prompting Gandhi to challenge this decision. Legal representation for three acquitted men claims Gandhi's remarks were defamatory and insulted them. A notice seeking damages was issued to Gandhi after his comments during a village visit. The next hearing is scheduled for December 7, following the judge's leave.

Rabbit Island, located in southwestern Louisiana, is undergoing an extensive restoration project aimed at reviving habitats for colonial waterbirds. Initiated in 2020, the initiative tackles erosion and habitat loss brought on by various challenges. The first season saw over 11,600 nests discovered, exceeding expectations considerably. To further combat erosion, limestone rock baskets were installed, enhancing the area's viability for wildlife.

Wang Zhonglin, the former party chief of Hubei and Wuhan, is under investigation for corruption. This follows his earlier prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly appointed as Wuhan's top official in February 2020. He served as governor of Hubei in 2021 and later became the highest-ranking official in the province. Additionally, several other senior officials from pandemic-era Hubei have faced investigations and serious consequences.

A tragic accident occurred near Kaziranga National Park when a minibus collided with a container truck. At least seven people have died due to the crash, and efforts to retrieve the bodies are ongoing. Local authorities are assessing the situation and managing relief operations for the injured. The minibus was reportedly speeding and lost control before the collision. The critically injured have been transferred to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The successful reintroduction of California red-legged frogs to Yosemite marks a significant achievement in conservation efforts that began in 2016. With the first breeding in 2019 and the special release of the 10,000th frog, affectionately named 'Twain', these frogs now thrive in the valley, representing generations of recovery. Future plans include raising and releasing additional juveniles to ensure continued population growth within this iconic national park.

JSW Motors has announced a partnership with Amazon Web Services to host its connected-car platform in India. The data generated will remain under the ownership of JSW Motors, ensuring local control. The automaker is preparing to launch its first vehicle manufactured in Maharashtra in the coming months. Additionally, Tata Elxsi will handle localisation of the telematics control unit as connectivity will operate on Airtels network.

Student of the Year: After Dark, produced by Karan Johar, has premiered on JioHotstar. The thriller marks Shanaya Kapoor's OTT debut, with the actress playing twin sisters Aayesha and Aditi Malik. Shanaya opened up about the challenges of her double role, demanding action sequences and underwater scenes, thanking the filmmaker and crew for their support.

By 2034, India's road fuel demand is projected to exceed 2.5 million barrels per day, fueled by a rise in vehicle numbers and a surge in commercial transportation. While electric vehicles are expected to gain popularity, particularly in the two-wheeler and three-wheeler markets, a robust charging infrastructure investment of around $29 billion will be crucial by 2040.

India's gold imports fell 39.9% to $24.78 billion during April-October 2026, down from $41.24 billion a year ago, according to Commerce Ministry data. October imports plunged 62.57% year-on-year to $5.51 billion amid a correction in global gold prices. Meanwhile, India's gems and jewellery exports rose to $18.50 billion during the seven-month period.

Ranbir Kapoor's Ramayana has crossed Rs 1,000 crore worldwide within eight days, becoming the 11th Indian film to achieve the milestone and the third-fastest to do so. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the mythological epic has also made history in the UK and Ireland, becoming the first Indian film to debut at No. 1.

India has ordered audits of more than 2,000 waste recyclers, including 309 electronic waste processing units, amid concerns over inflated recycling claims and forged compliance documents. The inspections will cover machinery, plant operations, electricity consumption and production records. The move is aimed at tightening oversight of the e-waste sector and ensuring companies such as Apple, Samsung and LG meet recycling obligations.

Indias merchandise trade deficit widened to a one-year high of $39.88 billion in October, exceeding economists expectations as imports rose faster than exports, according to government data released on Friday.The deficit increased from $30.21 billion in September and was higher than the $33 billion recorded in October 2025. Economists had forecast the October deficit at $32.25 billion, according to a Reuters poll. Merchandise exports rose to $49.47 billion from $44.40 billion in September, while

ASEAN is poised to reassess its decision regarding Myanmar's military-backed leadership during the upcoming summit. Following recent elections won by the military, several member nations have increased engagement with Myanmar officials. Thailand has advocated for Myanmar's inclusion in high-level meetings, paving the way for potential diplomatic dialogues. Humanitarian concerns and civil conflicts continue to pose challenges for ASEAN's consensus and collective action.