The Economic Times

In the wake of Dolly Parton's passing, legal battles have sparked concerning her estate and the actions of her security chief, Bryan Seaver. Following her death, Seaver is alleged to have made threats against those managing her estate, leading to former manager Danny Nozell seeking a restraining order against him. Seaver claims his communications were misinterpreted.

In a dramatic turn of events, Army jawan Gautam Adhikari has been arrested for facilitating the illegal entry of two Bangladeshi nationals, Joy and Baishakhi Barui, at the Bitahri-Hakimpir border. Caught by the vigilant Border Security Force personnel, the suspects are now under investigation to uncover their motives for entering India. All three individuals have been remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provide financial support to eligible individuals. SSI is designed for those with limited income, while SSDI is based on work history. The maximum monthly payments for SSI in 2026 are $994 for individuals and $1,491 for couples. Recipients of SSI typically qualify for Medicaid, while SSDI beneficiaries become eligible for Medicare after 24 months.

Mirabai Chanu secured a silver medal in the women's 49kg weightlifting category at the Asian Games. She lifted a total of 198kg, with 87kg in snatch and 111kg in clean and jerk. This accomplishment ends her wait for a medal at the event three years after finishing fourth. During the previous Asian Games, she faced an injury that hampered her performance.

Jay Meena made history by winning India's first bronze medal in soft tennis at the Asian Games. He reached the semi-finals after defeating Sherwin Nuguit from the Philippines in the quarter-finals. Meena's journey ended with a loss to Takuya Kurosaka of Japan in the semi-finals. His victory contributed to India's overall medal tally, which now stands at ten.

India experienced accelerated business growth in September due to increased demand in manufacturing and services sectors. The HSBC flash India Composite Purchasing Managers' Index rose significantly from August, indicating expansion. However, export growth slowed, impacting overall economic performance negatively. Hiring in the services sector also declined, limiting job growth prospects. Input-cost inflation eased, providing some relief to businesses in this competitive environment.

Dr Priyam Bordoloi shared a few subtle signs that families may overlook as early signs of dementia. These include suddenly struggling with money, getting confused on familiar roads, repeatedly asking the same question and noticeable personality changes in a person. The doctor noted that occasional mistakes or forgetfulness can be normal, but a new, repeated decline in abilities a person previously handled well, especially when it affects daily life, deserves a closer look and proper assessment.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said BRICS countries need to ensure their views are reflected in the new global tax rules, as decisions taken in the next few years could shape cross-border taxation for a generation.

Pfizer India has stated that patient safety and product quality are their top priorities following FDA actions. The Karnataka FDA canceled 16 drug licenses and suspended eight others due to counterfeit drugs. A raid uncovered an illegal operation repacking low-cost medicines as branded drugs, particularly Pfizer products. Pfizer has removed affected batches from the market and is cooperating with authorities in the investigation.

Fitch Ratings has elevated India's GDP growth forecast to 6.9 percent for this fiscal year, reflecting strong economic performance in the June quarter. This indicates remarkable resilience in the economy, with private investments projected to soar beyond 10 percent. Furthermore, the Reserve Bank of India is expected to raise interest rates by 0.

India's economy is projected to grow at 7% in 2026 due to resilient consumption and government investment. However, weather risks from a strengthening El Nino may impact agricultural yields and energy prices. The Asian Development Bank has raised its growth forecast, highlighting strong domestic demand and investment. Additionally, inflation is expected to average 5.2%, potentially constraining monetary policy.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. plans to expand its operations at Gujarat's GIFT City in the next few years. The bank aims to double its business in areas like trade finance and payments. After establishing its branch in 2022, JPMorgan currently serves a few hundred clients with a book of nearly $1 billion. GIFT City is attracting multinational companies exploring treasury and cross-border financial operations.

The SWAGAT-FI framework, launched on June 1, simplifies registration for trusted foreign investors, including pension and sovereign funds. Over 164 registrations have already been recorded within just 100 days of implementation. This new system now allows a 10-year registration period, which reduces compliance costs significantly for long-term investors. While initial registrants include major global asset managers, foreign investment sentiment has fluctuated recently.

Hanuman Ansh continues to enjoy its run as the surprise blockbuster of this year. The film, which explores the life and times of celebrated Indian saint Neem Karoli Baba, has crossed Rs 331 crore across India.

SBI, Bank of Baroda and Canara Bank have advised customers to complete important branch transactions in advance ahead of a proposed bank strike from September 28 to 30, 2026, and use digital and self-service channels during the period.

This weeks OTT lineup brings a mix of thrillers, mysteries, romance, comedy and teen dramas. Netflix releases include Unabomber, The Final Problem, Blood Legacy season 2, My Sad Dead, A Different World and Minerva Academy, alongside The Love Hypothesis and Brothers. Arriving between September 22 and 25, the titles span stories inspired by true events, deadly mysteries, complicated relationships, family secrets and students navigating unusual academic worlds, offering varied viewing options acros

Lady Shri Ram College for Women suspended physical classes and shifted to online teaching after a recent gangrape incident. The college administration prioritized student safety and ensured counselling services are available for affected students. Concerns about safety have led some students to consider returning home temporarily. An online meeting was held by the Students' Union to discuss security measures and collective concerns.

A roundtable discussing US-India partnership in artificial intelligence and energy was hosted by the Indian Consulate. The event gathered over 40 participants from various sectors to strengthen cooperation in key areas. Key topics included scaling AI infrastructure and ensuring a reliable power supply to meet demands. A report regarding India's energy export opportunities in the AI era was also launched.

India's Ambassador to Denmark Manish Prabhat and Greenland's Speaker of Parliament Kim Marius Kielsen explored potential cooperation in various fields. They discussed investment in mining and skilled manpower supply for tourism and healthcare sectors. Additionally, Ambassador Prabhat engaged in talks on polar scientific investigations with a Greenlandic official. Activities included Yoga sessions and discussions on Ayurveda to promote cultural cooperation. The initiative aims to strengthen India

S&P Global Ratings has upgraded its forecast for India's real GDP growth to 7% for the FY27. Strong industrial activity, healthy consumption, and significant government investment contributed to this optimistic outlook. The Reserve Bank of India is expected to raise interest rates by 25 basis points due to rising inflation. Meanwhile, weather-related risks could affect agricultural output in the upcoming months.

Gurgaon-based co-founder and CEO Jasveer Singh believes living away from family can sometimes make relationships healthier. He said staying separately creates natural boundaries, reduces unsolicited advice and constant questions about career, marriage, money and lifestyle, while encouraging children to become more responsible. Singh clarified that parental interference usually comes from love and concern. He believes occasional visits allow families to spend meaningful time together without cons

Suchika Tariyal recently made history by bagging Indias first medal (bronze) at the Asian Games in the category of MMA. However, her tryst with combat sports began with an incident of harassment when she was a little girl. At 12, she took up learning judo to defend herself from predators. She fetched India medals in judo and jiu-jutsu. Now at 36, she has made history, bagging a bronze medal in MMA in the Asian Games.

The Indian government is likely to consider production-linked incentive applications from auto companies with Chinese investments. This decision comes after President Xi Jinping's recent visit to India and improving relations. Existing applications with foreign direct investment (FDI) approvals will be reviewed for potential benefits. The auto production-linked incentive scheme aims to boost domestic manufacturing and investments significantly. Disbursements under this scheme are expected to inc

Oil prices fluctuated as Saudi Arabia prepared to restart its East-West pipeline, while traders watched diplomatic developments around efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude briefly fell below $98 a barrel on hopes of US-Iran talks and resumed Saudi exports, before recovering some losses after US President Donald Trumps UN speech. Brent stood at $99.66 a barrel at press time.

Brahma AI has successfully raised $150 million through preferred share issuance led by Multiples. This funding values the company at $2 billion post-money and aims to support product development and research initiatives. The company has been awarded a Technology & Engineering Emmy Award for its innovative AI-based technology. It is also preparing to launch interactive digital human applications across various sectors.

Mandaadi has emerged as one of the biggest blockbusters in India this year. It has established itself as the fourth most profitable Tamil language film of 2026. Starring Soori and Telugu actor Suhas, the movie is currently breaking box-office records. The film has been acquired for streaming by streaming giant Netflix, as per reports.

In situations where banks are inundated with liquidity, the natural tendency among many lenders is to push loans and go down the credit matrix. The fear is that such aggressive lending to generate returns that cover the interest outgo on deposits and other costs may show up as sticky assets a few years down the line.

The government is carefully considering the Adani Group's request to start an airline, which could impact competition. There are concerns regarding the conflicts of interest due to cross ownership of airports and airlines. Existing airlines have opposed any relaxation of restrictions that could favor a single company like Adani. The Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik scheme aims to boost regional connectivity by making air travel more accessible.

India and OPEC have called for closer cooperation to support a stable and predictable global energy market, with oil minister Hardeep Puri stressing the need for energy security and timely investment in the oil industry.

The state-owned general insurer holds 35.2 million shares, representing a 1.42% stake, in the country's largest stock exchange that closed its 22,562-crore initial public offer (IPO) on Monday.

Former FSSAI chief Pawan Kumar Agarwal has urged the Supreme Court to consider a phased rollout of front-of-pack food warnings, warning that the proposed nutrient thresholds could place labels on more than 94% of packaged foods and dilute their impact. His foundation suggested interim thresholds followed by stricter limits over three to five years, with mandatory labelling proposed from July 1, 2027.

Its composition is being finalised and is likely to include a former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) deputy governor, industry leaders from the fintech sector and an Indian Banks' Association (IBA) nominee, said people familiar with the matter.

With a smaller share of customers carrying balances month to month, interest-bearing receivables are growing more slowly than transaction volumes, pushing issuers to convert purchases into EMIs, deepen personal loan-on-card offerings and extract more fee income from a business that is increasingly being used as a payment product rather than a borrowing product.

Samsung India reported a 36% drop in net profit driven by declining smartphone sales and increased costs. Revenue from operations experienced a slight 1.2% growth, but profitability remained under pressure. The smartphone business faced challenges with a 1.4% revenue decrease and a significant decline in exports. Despite the tough conditions, retained earnings improved compared to the previous year. Consequently, no dividends were recommended for FY26 amidst these operational changes.

India's television distribution industry is moving towards app-based delivery amid changing consumer preferences and connected TV growth. Several companies are launching linear TV streaming services through apps on connected devices, which could reduce costs. Linear pay TV is losing subscribers while free TV and connected TV are gaining significantly. This shift is seen as an opportunity to reach urban consumers and combine live television with streaming content.

State agriculture minister Dattatray Bharane has confirmed a large contraction in the production of cotton and soybean, while the agriculture department has initiated an early crop assessment to calculate compensation as farmers are removing wilted crops from fields.

The government has extended the validity of environmental clearances for ports, harbours, breakwaters and dredging projects to 20 years from 10 years, with further extensions possible subject to safeguards. The move aims to support long-term port development and investment as India targets 10,000 MMTPA capacity by 2047. The change also covers eligible ongoing projects with active clearances.

The condition is part of a list of areas, including addiction and menopause, where Novo sees potential overlap with either its core scientific expertise or the skills it's recently built in selling prescription drugs directly to consumers.

The Indian government has included smartphone screen protectors under mandatory quality guidelines to improve product standards. Manufacturers now have six months to comply with these new regulations, which take effect in 2027. This initiative aims to protect consumers from low-quality imports, mainly from China, while boosting local production. Industry experts estimate that this move could create significant job opportunities and additional tax revenues.

Sitharaman made a strong pitch for better-governed family businesses and greater corporate spending on research and development. She said the next 20 years would require Indian businesses to move beyond the creation of startups towards building enterprises that could scale, professionalise and endure.

B9 Beverages, the maker of Bira 91, is attempting to recapitalize amid financial struggles. The company seeks to acquire stakes from major investors like Kirin Holdings and Peak XV Partners. Anicut Capital, its largest lender, has taken over control following disputes with founder Ankur Jain. Settlement offers have been made to creditors and large vendors to facilitate operations.

Quote of the day by Iris Murdoch, Love is the extremely difficult realization that something other than oneself is real, offers a deeper perspective on relationships and human connection. The British novelist and philosopher believed that genuine love involves looking beyond ones own desires and recognising another person as an independent individual.

Sulphur prices surge: The government plans to introduce differential subsidies for DAP under the Nutrient Based Subsidy scheme, with rates potentially varying based on production routes and imported inputs. The move, likely from the upcoming rabi season, aims to encourage domestic DAP production as surging sulphur prices raise costs and make finished fertiliser imports increasingly expensive.