The Economic Times

Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who will be becoming a first-time mother soon, admitted that she had a complicated relationship with her father, Joseph. She revealed that, like many desi parents, her late father also had high expectations for her and often downplayed her talents. This hurt her self-esteem for a long time.

PepsiCo envisions India becoming one of its top ten global markets and plans to invest around Rs 5,700 crore by 2030. This ambitious growth strategy includes expanding manufacturing capabilities and bolstering regional operations. Recently, the company launched its fifth plant in Nalbari, Assam, with an investment of Rs 778 crore, underscoring its belief in India's significant business growth potential.

The Where Is My Train app makes train journeys easier by offering real-time train tracking and a range of useful travel tools. It can work without an internet or GPS connection by using mobile tower data to estimate a trains location. Users can access train schedules and PNR information, while features such as destination alarms and coach position details make it a useful travel companion for rail passengers across India.

AI is making coding, writing and other knowledge work faster, but its growing role is also making some workers question the need to keep learning new skills. A Reddit discussion among software developers reflects this anxiety, while psychologists warn that excessive reliance on AI can lead to cognitive offloading, weaker critical thinking and skill decay. Experts say the answer is not to stop using AI, but to use it deliberately while continuing to practise, learn and develop skills that require

India's trade relationship with BRICS nations is set to experience a notable increase in its trade deficit, driven largely by rapidly rising imports. While exports to these countries are gradually improving, the pace is not enough to offset the imports, particularly from major players like China and Russia. India aims to enhance its export capacity within the BRICS framework as a strategic priority.

Raw sugar futures have reached their highest level since March 2025. Strong Indian import demand and Brazilian supply disruptions are driving these gains. India has opened a tax-free import quota to meet domestic needs. The government warns mills against unjustified price increases during festivals. El Nio and oil prices also influence the global sugar market.

Amitabh Dube has been appointed as the new president of OPPI for a two-year term. Dube currently serves as the Country President and Managing Director of Novartis India. He brings nearly three decades of extensive pharmaceutical industry experience to his new role. Dube expressed his privilege to lead OPPI during India's healthcare transformation. The former president, Bhushan Akshikar, expressed confidence in Dube's leadership.

The Indian rupee declined further against the US dollar today. Rising Brent crude oil prices and foreign equity outflows pressured the local currency. This marks the third consecutive day of significant depreciation for the rupee. The Reserve Bank of India intervened by conducting dollar-rupee sell-buy swaps. These actions aimed to absorb excess liquidity from the inter-bank system.

GFF 2026 Scindia: Connectivity, compute, and trust are the new digital trinity for fintech and AI. India's mobile phones and telecom networks are now financial highways and bank branches. The nation is expanding digital connectivity and infrastructure for financial inclusion and economic mobility. AI will make finance predictive, personal, and autonomous, requiring enhanced security measures. India aims to lead the world in 6G technology development and secure digital infrastructure.

Continental Securities aims to boost its business expansion through targeted fundraising, specifically focusing on its mutual fund and gold loan sectors. Meanwhile, Fly-Hi Maritime Travels has successfully made its debut on the BSE SME platform, marking a significant milestone.

India's clothing retail market is projected to achieve a growth rate of twelve to thirteen percent in the current fiscal year, a slight decrease from the fifteen percent growth seen last year. The surge in value fashion is substantially boosting revenue shares. However, increasing operational costs and cotton prices are anticipated to impact retailer profit margins. The festive season's demand will be vital for assessing the sector's overall performance.

At 16, Vyasji Mishra, a Class 11 student from Devsar in Madhya Pradesh, developed a hybrid stove that used kerosene and steam as alternative heat sources. The innovation won him a first prize at a science exhibition in 2003. Developed with his elder brother, the stove was designed to reduce kerosene consumption and smoke, though later testing found it could save about 20 per cent fuel.

Delhi government is forming a State Disaster Response Force for quick calamity response. This initiative follows a recent building collapse which claimed several lives. The National Disaster Response Force will provide essential training and equipment. Delhi's fire department and Civil Defence volunteers will also receive specialised training. The government aims to establish a capable and rapid response mechanism for disasters.

Safebox has successfully secured $1.11 million in seed funding to revolutionize wealth management for Indian families. By focusing on consolidating and protecting diverse financial assets, Safebox tackles the prevalent issue of unclaimed wealth stemming from poor record-keeping. This funding will bolster product capabilities and expedite distribution, ultimately creating a new paradigm in Family Wealth Protection across India.

Psychology suggests that this surprisingly common reaction may be influenced by social comparison, envy, perceived value, scarcity and psychological reactance. However, it does not necessarily mean that you are jealous or competitive. Sometimes, seeing another person show interest in something simply changes the way your brain perceives and evaluates its value.

School holiday tomorrow: In anticipation of the BRICS Summit, Delhi schools will be closed on September 11, 2026. Weather-related closures may also affect schools in Uttarakhand and Bihar. Meanwhile, Odisha and Himachal Pradesh are keeping a vigilant eye on weather conditions. Schools in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are generally expected to remain open; therefore, parents should verify their local school's status before sending kids to classes.

Chongtham Vikram, a respected musician and music teacher from Manipur, died following a brutal assault at his residence in Kilokri, New Delhi. He is survived by his wife and son.

The European Central Bank increased interest rates again this year. This action aims to control inflation fueled by energy prices and conflict. The bank now forecasts inflation remaining above its target for some time. Economic growth projections were also adjusted upwards by the central bank. Markets anticipate further rate hikes while the ECB awaits more data.

OPEC has lowered its 2026 oil demand growth forecast to 380,000 barrels daily. This marks the fifth consecutive downward revision for the producer group's outlook. The organisation sees a smaller consumption impact from the Iran war than other agencies. OPEC also increased its oil demand growth forecast for the year 2027. This report was published on the organization's official website.

New e-commerce rules will take effect from January 1, 2027. These amendments aim to strengthen consumer protection and transparency in online transactions. E-commerce entities must now partner with the National Consumer Helpline for grievance redressal. Clear disclosures for sponsored listings and prior pricing are mandated by the updated regulations. The government seeks to foster a balanced and accountable digital marketplace for all.

With an investment of Rs 778 crore, the facility is PepsiCo Indias first food plant in Assam and fifth food manufacturing plant in India. The investment underscores PepsiCo Indias long-term confidence in Assams growth potential and its commitment to strengthening Indias agricultural ecosystem, manufacturing footprint and economic development.

Agriculture sector NPAs have significantly decreased to single digits, according to Nabard Chairman Shaji Krishnan V. Boosting crop productivity and enhancing credit facilities will drive further improvements, he said.

The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission found Railways deficient in service. Passengers were robbed at gunpoint inside a reserved sleeper coach in 2004. The commission directed Railways to pay Rs 20,000 compensation to the affected passengers. This amount covers loss, mental agony, and litigation expenses incurred by them. The order was pronounced on August 31, 2026, after a long legal battle.

The government has backed the push through measures including opening the space sector to private companies, tax incentives for data centres, large production-linked schemes for semiconductors, electronics and solar, localisation requirements and purchases of GPUs.

The Supreme Court rejected requests to change its five-member committee. This committee will examine police actions against student protesters in Delhi. The court stated it would not presume bias in its appointed panel. It will allow public input and consider all submitted evidence. The committee's findings will assist the Supreme Court's deliberations.

Preity Zinta once opened up on her struggles to become a mother. The Kal Ho Na Ho star, who welcomed a twin son and daughter in 2021 via surrogacy, once revealed how going through the IVF procedure did a number on her mental health, and she would often hit her head on the wall and cry helplessly.

The two projects, spread across a five-acre land parcel, have a combined development potential of over 250,000 sq ft and an estimated project value of around Rs 450 crore.

The government and aviation regulator are closely monitoring SpiceJet's financial health. SpiceJet's domestic market share has recently seen a significant decline. Many employees have not received salaries since May, indicating financial strain. The airline plans to induct twenty aircraft to expand its operations. These new planes are expected to join the fleet by mid-November.

IndiGo will begin daily direct flights connecting Mumbai and Dar es Salaam starting November 20. This new route establishes IndiGo as the sole Indian airline offering direct flights to this Tanzanian city. The service aims to bolster trade and economic ties between India and East Africa. Flights will depart Mumbai early morning and arrive back in the afternoon. This expansion strengthens IndiGo's growing international network across Africa.

India's government has extended bid deadlines for offshore oil and gas exploration blocks. Companies now have until November 15, 2026, to submit their bids. This extension applies to deepwater and ultra-deepwater acreage under OALP-X and OALP-XI. The move is reportedly linked to the new Samudra Manthan National Offshore Exploration Scheme. This scheme aims to boost domestic hydrocarbon reserves and reduce import reliance.

The Delhi High Court has mandated biometric Aadhaar authentication for all Goods and Services Tax registrations. This directive aims to prevent fraudulent registrations and curb significant tax evasion detected annually. Authorities previously acknowledged the issue but had not fully implemented biometric verification measures. The court noted continuous fake registrations using stolen identity details, impacting citizens and government revenue.

Fly91 has launched new flight services connecting Tirupati with three key cities. The airline now offers direct flights to Vijayawada, Hyderabad, and Rajahmundry. These new routes aim to provide convenient travel options for pilgrims and other passengers. The expansion strengthens Fly91's regional network across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Tirupati is now one of thirteen destinations served by the airline.

Fintech firms must increase investments to combat new technological threats. Emerging technologies like AI pose significant risks to India's economic progress. The FATF vice-president highlighted the need for proactive risk management strategies. Industry leaders need to understand and address these evolving challenges promptly. Timely action is crucial to safeguard the nation's growth trajectory.

Malhotra said fintechs potential could translate into meaningful impact only when innovation reached people who were not already well served by the financial system. At the same time, such innovation needed to remain firmly anchored in trust, he added.

India's pension regulator is developing innovative bond issuances for inflation-protected returns. Guidelines for these new products are expected within days, with rollout to follow soon. The PFRDA is also working on a guaranteed-return scheme for non-government employees. This initiative aims to provide more predictable retirement income for subscribers. The regulator also plans to expand pension coverage among informal sector workers.

Navi Mumbai International Airport will waive landing charges for international flights initially. Aviation regulator AERA approved changes to the airport's incentive scheme for airlines. This move aims to encourage airlines to establish and sustain international services. Landing charges will be waived fully for the first year and then reduced. The incentive now applies to new routes launched directly from Navi Mumbai airport.

Bengaluru-based CA Meenal Goel challenges the belief that buying a house is always a smarter investment than renting. She suggests considering whether you will live there for 15 to 20 years, keeping the EMI below 30% of household income and questioning the need for a second property. For investment, she says land may be worth considering when the numbers make sense.

Gaja Alternative Asset Management reported a 35% profit increase for the June quarter. Its income rose 26% year-on-year, reaching Rs 51.8 crore. The firm manages four funds with Rs 3,200 crore committed capital. It plans to launch a fifth fund targeting Rs 2,500 crore corpus. PwC's audit arm is now the company's new auditor.

Xi Jinpings India visit could signal a diplomatic thaw between India and China, but business ties remain stuck in a maze of investment curbs, visa delays, technology restrictions and stalled equipment supplies. While New Delhi has eased some Chinese investment rules and approved projects, major firms remain cautious. A Modi-Xi meeting could determine whether political warmth finally unlocks economic opportunities.

CA Nitin Kaushik warns that a higher salary does not automatically create wealth if expenses rise alongside income. He advises upgrading financial awareness, savings, skills, time management and opportunity selection instead of chasing expensive lifestyles. Building an emergency fund, protecting focus and redefining success around freedom, security and choices can help ensure rising income creates greater financial independence.

Devans Modern Breweries is expanding its beer business into new Indian markets. The company is also developing a premium spirits portfolio to drive growth. Rising input costs and state-controlled pricing are impacting profit margins. Devans aims for nationwide availability of its Godfather beer next year. The company is investing in a malt-spirit maturation facility for future results.

Pamela Anderson recently reminisced about one of the most troubling periods in her life, when she was diagnosed with hepatitis C in the late 1990s. During that era, it was considered incurable. The Baywatch star admitted that her life was turned inside out by the diagnosis, which was a death sentence at that time. However, by 2015, she was cured.

The article discusses six houseplants that can grow beautifully in water without soil, making them ideal for indoor spaces and beginners. Money plant, lucky bamboo, spider plant, philodendron, English ivy and coleus can thrive in water with proper care. Keeping them in clean containers, providing bright indirect light, changing water regularly and keeping leaves above the waterline can help encourage healthy growth and attractive displays indoors.

The move follows an unusual incident involving an Air India-operated Airbus SE A320, in which all three hydraulic systems failed. Such a simultaneous failure is considered highly unlikely in an aircraft designed with multiple layers of redundancy. The pilot of the plane was later found to be under the influence.

Singer Shreya Ghoshal shared insights into her marriage with Shiladitya Mukhopadhyaya. She feels fortunate to have a supportive husband who shares household duties. Shiladitya handles chores like washing dishes and cleaning the kitchen himself. Both partners have demanding careers and manage responsibilities together. Read on!

Brad Pitt reflected on how his priorities have changed with age, telling Guy Ritchie in Interview that the people he works with matter as much as the project itself. He said family comes first and a film should be worthy of the time spent away from them. The Oscar-winning actors words offer a lesson about meaningful work, relationships and legacy.

In a significant move, Dilip Buildcon plans to divest its Mekhali Power Transmission stake valued at Rs 2,171 crore, with acquisition by Alpha Alternatives slated following the project's commissioning. This strategic pivot reinforces Dilip Buildcons commitment to an asset-light model and enhanced financial resilience. With an expected launch around mid-2028, this initiative will bolster Alpha Alternatives' investments in India's growing power and renewable energy landscape.

The landscape of digital finance is evolving as India's payments authority creates a registry specifically for AI agents. This registry aims to verify and oversee AI transactions, initially targeting UPI payments, with potential future expansions. By facilitating agentic payments, AI will be enabled to engage in frequent, minor digital transactions, resonating with global initiatives aimed at the identification and validation of AI-driven financial agents.