The Economic Times
Elections 2026Economy / The Economic Times
Rajinikanths Jailer 2 will stop screening at Canadas York Cinemas from October 21, 2026, after a dispute over digital security keys. According to reports, the theatre had completed its payments but did not receive the required KDMs from North American distributors Shloka Entertainments and Prathyangira Cinemas, following authorisation from production house Sun Pictures. York Cinemas said the issue was beyond its control.
State Bank of India is investigating a suspected data breach involving approximately 3.75 lakh records found online. The bank has engaged cybersecurity experts to assess the extent and risks related to the exposed data. Preliminary analysis has identified nearly 3,900 customer records, which include personally identifiable information. Previously, Central Bank of India experienced a technical glitch affecting its systems but reported no financial losses.
Netflix reported an 18% year-on-year revenue growth in India during the July-September quarter of 2026. Viewing hours increased by 24%, while paid net additions reached a quarterly record amid successful content offerings. The company noted that its reality series Lock Upp drove unprecedented viewing hours, helping to achieve significant subscriber growth. Globally, Netflix also experienced revenue growth of 11.8% in the same quarter.
Kalpataru Projects International Ltd (KPIL) announced securing domestic work orders worth 2,349 crore in EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) orders in transmission and distribution (T&D) and buildings and factories (B&F) segments. The company said it enjoys strong momentum, with inflows crossing 2000 crore. The company offers EPC solutions in various sectors and aims for sustainable growth in the future.
Global warming is now projected to exceed previous estimates, with average temperatures expected to rise significantly. Urgent and stringent cuts in greenhouse gas emissions are crucial to achieve best-case outcomes by mid-century. Current national emissions reduction plans fall far short of the necessary targets outlined in the recent UN report. As countries prepare for COP31 in Turkey, the need for decisive action becomes increasingly urgent.
Jailer 2 has become an unstoppable force at the box-office. As per reports, the movie has earned a whopping Rs 541 crore at the global box office. This makes Rajinikanths action comedy the highest-grossing Tamil film this year. The film takes off three months after the events of Jailer and has Rajinikanths character Muthuvel getting entangled in another shady event once again.
Manoj Bajpayee returns with Gajab Raat, a Netflix thriller premiering on October 23. Directed by Ritesh Shah and backed by Neeraj Pandey, it follows a corrupt Delhi police officer who discovers an injured girl abandoned from a moving car, leading him into an international conspiracy. The ensemble cast includes Saqib Saleem, Divya Dutta and Nushrratt Bharuccha.
Gomez has revealed that she used to vape nicotine heavily and said it is very difficult to quit. In an Instagram Story on October 18, the singer said vaping changed her voice and warned others that it was just not worth it. Her latest admission comes after she has spoken publicly about her health struggles, including lupus, a kidney transplant and mental health challenges.
US President Donald Trump asserts that America is experiencing a golden age, despite rising costs affecting citizens. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance acknowledges the frustrations many voters feel due to high gas prices. Economic confidence continues to decline, with inflation affecting multiple sectors. Supporters have mixed feelings about the president's optimistic outlook on the economy.
Julia Stiles performed a heartfelt tribute to Heath Ledger on Dancing With the Stars, honoring his significant role in 10 Things I Hate About You. She danced with professional dancer Ezra Sosa to Frankie Vallis Cant Take My Eyes Off You, highlighting a memorable scene from the movie. Stiles was joined by former co-stars, including Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Gabrielle Union, to commemorate Ledger's legacy.
Box office collections and audience attendance for Indian films have shown recovery and growth in 2026. Data indicates a 17% increase in cumulative box-office collections compared to the previous year. Films across various budgets and languages have achieved notable success, reflecting changing audience preferences. Regional films have particularly resonated with local audiences before expanding their reach.
Gold prices are predicted to stay elevated between USD 4,200 and USD 5,000 per ounce over the next two years. Central bank purchases and strong demand from Asian markets are driving these prices. While US interest rate movements traditionally influence gold, their impact is diminishing. Increased global gold production is forecasted, but supply limitations may sustain price levels. Geopolitical developments could influence gold's future price trajectory significantly.
India's coal-fired power plants are currently experiencing critical fuel shortages due to rising energy demands. This surge in electricity usage is attributed to unusually hot weather and insufficient hydroelectric output. The Central Electricity Authority has reported a significant increase in the number of plants with low coal stocks. Despite escalating power demands, coal supply has fallen by approximately 5% this month.
Indias occupied office stock across eight markets rose 7% year-on-year to 917.7 million sq ft, nearing the 1-billion-sq-ft mark, according to Knight Frank India. Bengaluru remained the largest market, while Hyderabad recorded the fastest growth among markets exceeding 100 million sq ft. Punes occupied office stock crossed 100 million sq ft.
Tyler Cameron and his fiance Tate Madden announced they are expecting their first baby together. The couple revealed they are expecting a girl during Dancing with the Stars Dedication Night. Cameron expressed eagerness to be a dad and stressed the importance of family values. They had learned about the pregnancy shortly after their engagement in August this year.
State Bank of India has flagged the suspected exposure of 3,897 customer records containing personally identifiable information on the dark web. The data reportedly includes names, mobile numbers, dates of birth and residential addresses. SBI has initiated incident response measures and engaged an independent cybersecurity agency to investigate the alleged compromise.
Oscar-winning actress Eva Marie Saint, best known for On the Waterfront and North by Northwest, died at 102 at her Los Angeles home. Her death was initially described as due to natural causes by her representative. A death certificate reviewed by People has since provided more details about her death and other medical conditions.
Zach Yadegari, 19, co-founded Cal AI, an AI-powered calorie-tracking app that reportedly reached 10 million users and generated $30 million in annual revenue before MyFitnessPal acquired it. The Long Island entrepreneur previously sold gaming website Totally Science for approximately $100,000 at 16. He made headlines in 2025 after revealing that 15 of 18 universities he applied to, including Harvard, Yale and Stanford, rejected him.
The US and India are reportedly close to finalizing a new trade deal. President Donald Trump indicated that this deal would be significantly different from prior agreements. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to India aims to strengthen various bilateral relations. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal recently engaged with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to discuss the trade deal. The discussions follow the recent framework finalization of the bilateral trade agreement.
Washington: Elon Musk ordered a reduction in Starshield services for Ukraine, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, after the tech billionaire said any limits on the SpaceX-operated communications system would ultimately have come from the president.Musk capped the speed at which Ukrainian equipment could connect to the system, making some of Kyiv's drones useless, the Journal reported, citing anonymous US officials and people familiar with the matter.Also read: SpaceX CEO Elon Musk says Co
The United States plans to increase bilateral trade with India to over USD 500 billion in three years. This trade target comes after reaching a record USD 240 billion, highlighting growing economic ties. Collaboration will focus on sectors like semiconductors, energy, and defense to foster mutual interests. Recent diplomatic engagements have already begun shaping a strategic alignment for both nations.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and S Jaishankar discussed energy security, defence, technology and regional issues in Mumbai. Rubio said the India-US trade deal was close to finalisation, with a few issues remaining.
New Delhi: How long will a peda stay fresh? For India's mithai makers, the question is becoming a business concern ahead of Diwali as tighter food safety rules in several states require the display of manufacturing and use-by dates even on loose sweets.Watchdog agencies in states such as Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are among those that have made this mandatory. The directive aims to help consumers assess freshness as inspections have revealed that buyers were not always given clear information
Gilt funds are back in focus among investors with interest rates rising and bond yields across the world moving up sharply. A look at what these developments mean for this debt fund category.WHAT ARE GILT FUNDS? Gilt funds are debt mutual funds that invest in government securities issued by the central and state governments. Long-duration gilt funds typically invest in government bonds with maturities of 10 years or more. Since these securities are backed by the government, the credit risk is ex
Sales of apparel, footwear, and cosnumer durables increased over 20% during the recent Navratri-Dussehra festive period. Car retail sales saw a slight increase of 2% despite last year's GST-driven rush. Appliance sales were particularly strong, with air conditioners experiencing a growth of more than 50%. However, smartphone and television sales faced challenges due to rising prices of memory chips.
The Indian government plans to hold promotional roadshows in international financial hubs to attract airport investors. Twelve airports are expected to be bundled into groups as part of this privatisation effort. The Airports Authority of India aims to explain the new bidding structure to prospective bidders effectively. International investors, including sovereign wealth funds and Indian conglomerates, are anticipated to participate in this bidding process.
In 2026, Indian films have shown significant growth in box office collections and audience turnout. Cumulative box office earnings rose 17% to 11,000 crore compared to the previous year. Successful films from various languages and genres have resonated well due to their authentic storytelling. Changing audience preferences are driving these successes as viewers seek diverse experiences. Industry experts predict further box office boosts from upcoming Hollywood and Hindi releases.
India's OTT market continues to grow with new platforms targeting niche demographics and unique content offerings. Recent launches include Tiger TV and Brew TV, aiming to attract Hindi, Punjabi, and independent filmmakers. These platforms face the challenge of low average revenue per user despite significant audience scale and revenue potential. Industry experts emphasize the need for sustainable revenue models amid fierce competition among over 50 players.
Welspun Corp is focusing on the US market by investing $300-350 million in two manufacturing plants. The company aims to benefit from increased oil and gas pipeline demand due to rising energy costs. One of its US plants has already been commissioned, while the second will be operational by year-end. Welspun also plans to expand its presence in Saudi Arabia and has future projects in Jordan.
Travel bookings are on the rise for the festive season, with significant demand reported by various companies. Average hotel rates are expected to spike substantially during this timeframe, particularly in popular destinations. As a result, Goa is projected to experience the largest increase in accommodation prices. International bookings are also surging, especially to destinations like Maldives and Thailand for the festive period.
Multiple packaged goods companies are increasing their advertising expenditures to maintain consumer demand amid rising inflation. Nestle India reported a significant rise in ad spending during the September quarter to enhance brand trust. Regulatory scrutiny from the FSSAI has prompted brands to emphasize safety and integrity in their advertising. Influencer-led marketing efforts are expected to grow significantly during the upcoming festive season.
The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) is yet to decide on fresh registration applications from BARC and TAM India, a joint venture between Nielsen and Kantar Media. Key concerns include BARC's ownership structure, progress on cross-media measurement and the absence of an updated Broadcast India study, according to people familiar with the matter.
There are forces who have probably been assigned the task of ensuring that Marco Rubio doesn't overhear this during the next few days he's here in India. But India is a big and loud place, and this corner column only mirrors it. So, consider our duty to put on record a new idiomatic phrase in English that has gained traction over the last few months: 'As slow as an India-US trade deal'.Those familiar with formulations such as 'watching paint dry' and 'waiting for Godot' may already know what we'
Drought conditions have caused a significant decrease in maize supply, leading to competition among industries for access. Poultry producers, starch manufacturers, and ethanol plants are all vying for limited maize resources, exacerbating the situation. As maize prices continue to rise, the poultry industry has expressed concerns about potential feed shortages. Industry bodies have urged the government to prioritize maize for food production over fuel use.
State-run banks are preparing to launch three financial products aimed at youth, covering savings, investments, insurance, and loans. These new offerings will be introduced before Diwali, in response to directives from Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. A shared portal with interactive features is also being developed to engage young citizens effectively. The initiative aims to promote responsible financial behavior and awareness among the youth.
Socrates quote, The greatest way to live with honour in this world is to be what we pretend to be, highlights the importance of honesty, integrity and character. The ancient Greek philosophers words suggest that people should strive to develop the qualities they want others to see in them, rather than rely on appearances or reputation. The quote also reflects his emphasis on self-examination and living by one's values.
Zach Creggers Resident Evilreboot brings a new story of survival, a deadly virus outbreak, zombies and terrifying creatures to the popular horror franchise based on Capcoms video games. Starring Austin Abrams, the film follows a medical courier whose routine delivery to Raccoon City turns into a fight for survival. With the film having arrived in theatres, horror fans are now waiting to find out when they can watch it at home.

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