The Economic Times

PC Jeweller Ltd has successfully cleared its dues with 14 consortium banks, becoming completely debt-free. The companys total debt was approximately Rs 3,000 crore before the settlement agreement. In September 2024, PC Jeweller opted for a one-time settlement to address its outstanding dues. Following the latest repayment, the company has materially strengthened its financial position and balance sheet.

Taylor Swift is not just a pop icon but also the wealthiest female musician, with a net worth of over $2 billion. In some of the old interviews, the I Know You Were Trouble and Lover hitmaker attributed her careful spending habits and tendency to invest in one man - her father Scott Kingsley Swift, who worked as a stockbroker for the investment bank Merrill Lynch.

Easy Green Mobility has started the deployment of electric buses in Bhopal and plans to manufacture 5,000 buses yearly. The company aims to establish a comprehensive mobility ecosystem that includes manufacturing and operations. Their initial electric bus models have received type approval and feature advanced technology. For future expansion, the focus is on localizing the supply chain and reducing import dependency.

Engineering exports increased 24.86% on-year in August to $12.32 billion of which shipments to the US rose 31% to $2.2 billion, and to China were $424.65 million, up 75%.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara announced immediate relief for drought-hit farmers, offering Rs 2,500 each. This initial aid aims to support 45-50 lakh farmers and will cost the state Rs 1,250 crore. Further assistance will depend on the Union government's response and assessments of the drought situation. While total drought losses in Karnataka are expected to exceed Rs 40,000 crore, additional relief measures will follow.

In the first quarter of this fiscal, India received the maximum investments from countries like Singapore, Mauritius and the US.

In a strategic move, Indian state-owned companies are set to import 2.75 million metric tons of liquefied petroleum gas, planning to acquire this resource from the United States for the year 2027. The tender anticipates four substantial gas carrier shipments each month, along with an additional monthly cargo available on a free-on-board basis. Prospective bidders have until October 22 to submit their applications for this opportunity.

CSIR-NIIST and Tata Consumer Products Ltd are collaborating to create a Centre of Excellence for food fortification. This new partnership aims to enhance India's capabilities in food fortification research and development. Located at the CSIR-NIIST Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub, the centre will focus on innovative fortification technologies. It will facilitate research and training for professionals, students, and researchers in the field.

Home gardeners can utilize an easy damp towel test to check if their old seeds are still viable. This involves laying out the seeds on a moist towel, rolling it up, and storing it in a warm area. The germination results will signify if the seeds are ready for planting. Effective seed storage is crucial for enhancing longevity, and sharing successful seeds with the gardening community nurtures sustainable gardening efforts.

Tesla India has established its first Experience Center in Chennai, located in Express Avenue Mall. This center aims to provide comprehensive retail and after-sales services to customers. Additionally, Tesla has set up a Collision Center and service capabilities in Poonamallee. The expansion facilitates easy access to genuine Tesla parts and qualified technicians for Chennai and Tamil Nadu owners.

Railways has approved a new tri-weekly Bhuj-Barauni Amrit Bharat Express covering 2,532 km across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, with services to begin on a date to be announced. The Railway Ministry has also approved the extension of the Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi-Agra Cantt Express to Mathura, increasing its route length from 217 km to 270 km and adding four commercial stoppages.

Mumbai ranks eighth globally in price rise for prime residential properties. The city's annual appreciation of 6.2 per cent during the June quarter. Bengaluru ranked 12th globally with 4.5 per cent annual growth, while New Delhi ranked 17th with 3.9 per cent growth. Mumbai's prices have risen by 41 per cent in the last five years. Real estate consultant Knight Frank India said that global prime residential prices rose 2.6 per cent annually in the April-June quarter.

Denise Richards reflects on parenting regrets regarding her daughters Sami and Lola. She believes giving them smartphones with unrestricted internet access was her biggest mistake. Richards expressed concerns about social media, online bullying, and exposure to family drama. Despite challenges, she has aimed to protect her daughters while allowing them to create their own relationships with their father, Charlie Sheen. Richards acknowledges that parenting dynamics have significantly changed with

India's government aims to raise 7.86 trillion rupees through bond sales between October and March. The gross borrowing limit for the fiscal year has been reduced to 16 trillion rupees. Issuance of longer duration securities has been increased to 45.6% of total borrowing. Treasury bills will be sold weekly, albeit at a lower amount than earlier this year.

Bank employee unions have called the three-day strike, during which branch operations across public sector banks are expected to remain disrupted. The month-end period is among the busiest for corporate filings, with auditors racing to close statutory audits and companies completing their AGM formalities ahead of the September 30 deadline.

Outstanding bank deposits and advances declined significantly during the fortnight ending September 15. Deposits fell by Rs 2.49 lakh crore due to the maturing of high-cost bulk deposits. Deposit growth slowed to 17.3%, while credit growth also dropped to 18.1%. The RBI data indicated that banks experienced a net withdrawal affecting their cumulative outstanding deposits. These changes reflect an adjustment in banks' strategies influenced by recent overseas deposit inflows.

In a significant restructuring of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), Dinesh Pant, Managing Director of LIC, and Girija Subramanian, ex-CMD of New India Assurance, have been appointed as new members. Pant's retirement is effective September 24, 2026, while Subramanian stepped down in July. These changes are indicative of the dynamic shifts within India's insurance regulatory landscape.

Suzuki Motor Corporation plans to halve vehicle development times by 2030 as it overhauls manufacturing and engineering processes, targeting 30% higher development efficiency and 50% greater factory productivity. The Maruti Suzuki parent also aims to raise Indias annual production capacity to 4 million vehicles from 2.9 million currently.

India's foreign exchange reserves decreased by $14.88 billion, bringing the total to $765.90 billion. The decline occurred during the week ending September 18, according to the Reserve Bank of India data. Foreign currency assets fell by $14.82 billion, while gold reserves rose slightly by $68 million. Despite the recent decrease, reserves had increased significantly from the previous year. Overall, Indias foreign exchange reserves have shown considerable growth in recent months.

Union Health Minister J P Nadda said on Friday that the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana has transformed India's healthcare. He said the scheme covered over 60 crore beneficiaries, becoming the world's largest health assurance programme. The scheme has over 5.6 lakh health facilities and around 11 lakh healthcare professionals are registered on the ABDM ecosystem. The Union Minister also highlighted other major healthcare initiatives undertaken the incumbent government.

Signature Global has recently expanded its footprint in Gurugram with major land acquisitions aimed at launching an ultra-luxury housing project. The firm has secured 25 acres completely and partnered with a landowner for another 169.22 acres. This ambitious development plans to create around 6.77 million square feet of residential space, with anticipated revenue ranging from Rs 5,500 to 6,000 crore, reinforcing Signature Global's status in the Indian real estate market.

Signature Global has recently expanded its footprint in Gurugram with major land acquisitions aimed at launching an ultra-luxury housing project. The firm has secured 25 acres completely and partnered with a landowner for another 169.22 acres. This ambitious development plans to create around 6.77 million square feet of residential space, with anticipated revenue ranging from Rs 5,500 to 6,000 crore, reinforcing Signature Global's status in the Indian real estate market.

In an interview, psychologist Jonathan Haidt explained why children nowadays are more prone to struggling with mental health than ever. Their parents have mollycoddled them a lot, keeping them away from real-world experiences and forming real relationships with people, yet left them unsupervised in digital spaces, creating a toxic dependency between kids and social media validation. This has affected the mental health of a generation of kids.

Indian rupee strengthened by 15 paise, closing at 96.81 against the US dollar. Regulatory actions seemed to influence this positive movement after a low of 95.94. The Reserve Bank of India intervened, aiding the local currency amid concerns over high crude prices. Exporters sold dollars in response to the rising interest rate differential. The benchmark 10-year bond yield also fluctuated, reflecting global tightening trends.

Indian rupee strengthened by 15 paise, closing at 96.81 against the US dollar. Regulatory actions seemed to influence this positive movement after a low of 95.94. The Reserve Bank of India intervened, aiding the local currency amid concerns over high crude prices. Exporters sold dollars in response to the rising interest rate differential. The benchmark 10-year bond yield also fluctuated, reflecting global tightening trends.

Prestige Estates Projects has revealed plans for two upcoming housing developments in Bengaluru. The flagship project, Prestige Parklane, will host 1,788 residences on a 12-acre site, whereas the second venture will feature 655 upscale apartments on 10 acres. With an impressive combined revenue potential of Rs 2,850 crore, these projects underscore Prestige Group's ongoing commitment to enhancing residential offerings in urban landscapes.

India has directed states to take enforcement action against the sale of nicotine pouches, citing public health and risks to children. The health ministry said the tobacco-free products remain illegal and unapproved in India and are increasingly available online and offline. A federal drug panel has also recommended no new nicotine formulations.

India could find itself more exposed to US tariff pressure over Russian oil after Washington and Beijing extended their Busan trade truce until January 10, 2027, according to GTRI. The think tank's founder Ajay Srivastava argues that China's tariff breathing room leaves New Delhi facing greater risk from Trump's new powers to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian energy.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday said greater ethanol use could boost farmers incomes and reduce Indias dependence on petroleum imports. Launching Madhya Pradeshs new public bus service, he also backed flex-fuel, electric and hydrogen vehicles, waste-to-fuel projects and expanded public transport, while outlining plans to increase bus manufacturing and jobs.

In a groundbreaking collaboration with C-MET, Lord's Mark Industries Limited is making strides in breast cancer screening technology. Utilizing advanced AI and thermal sensors, they are set to launch trials in the USA, Great Britain, and Europe. The promising results from clinical trials in India indicate a strong potential for regulatory approval, with plans to enhance affordability and access for underserved communities ahead of anticipated final trials in January 2027.

India's insolvency framework has helped more than 1.4 lakh homebuyers receive homes from stalled projects. Major developers, like Adani Realty and Lodha, are reviving these projects through the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. Despite some successes, about 2.5 lakh homebuyers are still awaiting resolutions in ongoing cases. NCLT has improved confidence among buyers, enabling them to regain possession of their properties.

In a strategic move to expand its footprint in Africa, Max Healthcare has unveiled a new patient assistance centre in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This facility is designed to aid Tanzanian patients and those from the East African region in navigating healthcare options in India. Key services include video consultations and assistance with travel documentation.

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles is evaluating further price increases as commodity costs continue to affect profitability. The company is currently absorbing part of these cost hikes while working on cost reduction measures. Incremental price increases will be implemented over time to minimize demand impact. Tata Motors recently introduced the new Tata Aeris compact sedan targeting personal buyers with competitive pricing.

Galen Clark arrived in Yosemite seeking health benefits and became its first guardian while promoting conservation efforts. He measured the giant sequoias and wrote articles highlighting the area's natural beauty. The 1864 Yosemite Grant designated the area for public use and required guardianship for preservation. Despite financial struggles, Clark continued to influence Yosemite's protection until his retirement in 1897.

Conservation work on the ancient Vitthal and Rukmini idols commenced this week under ASI supervision. The idols are undergoing scientific cleaning and protective coating to preserve their integrity for future generations. Digital documentation of the idols has been completed to aid future preservation efforts. The temple will reopen for devotees on September 26 after the conservation is finished.

U.S. President Donald Trump held a high-profile meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, in Washington. Chinese state media highlighted this encounter, reflecting a surge in national pride among citizens regarding China's global standing. The summit emphasized a commitment to collaboration on trade and security areas, resulting in a generally favorable shift in public sentiment towards the dynamics of U.S.-China relations.

Section 22-A properties issues resolved: Telangana has allowed registration of Section 22-A properties for owners with valid layout or building approvals from authorities like GHMC, HMDA and DTCP. District level committees will examine cases individually and clear eligible ones through a fast track process, requiring at least one valid link document for registration.

The government has disbursed Rs 36,754 crore to beneficiary companies under the Production Linked Incentive schemes. These schemes have led to actual investment of Rs 2.58 lakh crore in manufacturing capabilities. While attracting investment, they have facilitated exports amounting to Rs 15.53 lakh crore and generated significant employment opportunities. In the pharmaceuticals sector, the scheme has recorded sales exceeding Rs 3.64 lakh crore.

The Supreme Court has declined to interfere with Delhi High Court orders in the long-running Daiichi Sankyo-Fortis dispute, allowing a forensic audit to proceed as part of efforts to trace assets linked to enforcement of a 2016 arbitral award against former Fortis promoters. The apex court did not examine the merits.

India's table tennis doubles teams, including Harmeet Desai-Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Diya Chitale-Yashaswini Ghorpade, were eliminated in the third round. Harmeet and Sathiyan lost 0-3 to Japan's Sora Matsushima and Shunsuke Togami in men's doubles. The women's doubles pairs also faced defeats against strong Chinese teams, ending their campaigns early. Despite the setbacks in doubles, India had some successes in other sports, including kabaddi and shooting.

In a significant legal move, four female wrestlers are appealing a magistrate's acquittal of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, challenging the ruling from August 3 by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar. They assert that the acquittal lacks legal grounding and is fundamentally flawed.

Coastal flood warning in US: Millions in the Northeast prepare for a significant noreaster expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds. Coastal flood warnings are issued from North Carolina to Connecticut, alerting residents to potential flooding. Areas in Maryland and Virginia are already experiencing rising waters, with warnings for low-lying regions. New York City officials encourage residents to prepare for possible flooding in coastal neighborhoods with necessary precautions.

McDonald's wants a bigger slice of the chicken market while holding on to its strength in burgers. By 2030, it hopes to grow its chicken market share by 1.5 percentage points. It has set the same goal for beverages.

Decathlon India has launched its running sub-brand KIPRUN with a target of crossing Rs 1,000 crore in turnover and reaching over 5 million active runners by 2030, backed by 35 new products including 17 high performance running shoes, as the company looks to tap into India's growing running culture and expanding running gear market.

Quote of the day by Steve Carell: Steve Carell's quote emphasizes the importance of instilling disappointment and patience in childrens upbringing. He asserts that overindulgence leads to unrealistic expectations, hindering their preparation for adult life. By establishing firm boundaries, parents can help children build resilience and foster gratitude for their possessions. Carell champions a parenting style focused on developing character and emotional maturity, ensuring kids are equipped to n

India imported finished steel worth Rs 36,193.9 crore from April to August in the fiscal year. The country saw a 29.5 percent increase in finished steel imports during this period compared to the previous year. In August alone, India imported 0.72 million tonnes of finished steel worth Rs 7,863.1 crore, which was a nine percent rise.

Jean-Eric Paquet, the new European Union Ambassador to India, presented his Letters of Credence to President Droupadi Murmu. The ceremony marks a significant step in the evolving EU-India strategic partnership, focusing on trade and security. Key initiatives include negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement and a Security and Defence Partnership. Both sides aim to enhance cooperation in technology, investment, and sustainable development.

US Treasury yields have climbed to multi-year highs, with the 10-year yield at 5.18% and 30-year yield at 5.47%, raising concerns for global markets, including India. Higher US yields make dollar assets more attractive and increase the return investors demand from emerging markets such as India.

Daren Sammy emphasizes the importance of the upcoming ODI series against India for their World Cup preparation. He highlights that winning in India is essential for a team's confidence and overall capability. Sammy notes the progress made by several players, including Shai Hope and Alzarri Joseph.

Netflix's recent US Top 7 list highlights a variety of true crime, drama, and comedy programming. Leading the rankings is Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, which depicts historical events from 1892. Following closely are Crew Girl, a youth drama about rowing, and Jo Koy's stand-up special. Several true crime series, including I Survived a Serial Killer, indicate viewer interest in these genres.