The Economic Times

The countdown to Bigg Boss 20 begins as Salman Khan takes the helm once again! Several reports are making rounds regarding the temporary list of participants, including a variety of television stars and social media influencers. Expect public votes to shape the entry of two contestants, alongside a fresh format featuring dual houses and intriguing twists. Read on to know more about it.

No, not Forrest Gump, or Philadelphia, or Cast Away, but one unexpected film from Tom Hanks illustrious filmography has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It is none other than the 1995 animated blockbuster Toy Story. Pixars first-ever feature film, Toy Story, was a box-office phenomenon, earning more than $401 million worldwide.

Gigi Hadid recently shared an enchanting pasta recipe that she makes for her partner, Bradley Cooper. Known as prosciutto herb pasta, this dish has left the Hangover star completely smitten. In a delightful video segment for Vogue France, she credits her father with inspiring her culinary creativity and the importance of cooking with passion. Amid their delightful public outings, rumors of marriage between Gigi and Bradley continue to swirl.

India has resumed talks with Zambia to explore investment opportunities in critical minerals. Officials from India's Ministry of Mines held preliminary discussions with Zambian officials recently. India is also evaluating investment opportunities in several other countries for mineral supplies. The nation seeks raw materials to meet rising demand from its growing economy. Africa, and Zambia specifically, can play an important role in meeting India's needs.

Maruti Suzuki reported a 21.3% rise in total sales for August 2026. Domestic passenger vehicle sales drove this significant growth, increasing by 34.8%. Utility vehicles were the primary growth driver, with sales surging 46.3% in the period. Exports saw a decline of 7.4% during the same month. The company crossed one million units sold within the first five months of FY27.

Gurnoor Brar seeks all-format consistency after learning from Bumrah and Siraj. He aims to handle heavy workloads by strengthening his body through consistent bowling. Interactions with coaches and senior players have significantly improved his bowling craft. Brar gained confidence from recent performances on challenging Sri Lankan wickets. He believes a prejudice-free mind is essential for success on any pitch.

India's space agency ISRO is preparing to launch its GSLV-F17 rocket soon. This rocket will carry the EOS-05 satellite into a specific orbit. The EOS-05 satellite will provide continuous Earth observation imagery. This advanced satellite will monitor weather and support disaster management efforts. It also aims to enhance security and strategic observation capabilities.

To prolong the freshness of papayas, wrap their stems in aluminum foil. This effective method minimizes ethylene gas emission from the fruit. When dealing with cut papayas, ensure that every exposed area is completely covered with foil. Store these wrapped fruits at room temperature, keeping them out of direct sunlight. Additionally, maintaining distance from other ripening fruits is beneficial for extended freshness.

Driven professionals can acquire vital business acumen without disrupting their careers. An online MBA offers the necessary flexibility for those who wish to elevate their career trajectories. This degree fine-tunes analytical and managerial skills ready for immediate application in the workplace. OP Jindal Global Universitys online MBA provides both academic recognition and hands-on learning experiences, enabling professionals to earn while they study.

A Mexican company, Petgas, converts plastic waste into fuel using a process called pyrolysis. This innovative machine processes significant amounts of plastic weekly without burning or landfilling. While this offers a waste management solution, the environmental impact of the resulting fuel remains a concern. Pyrolysis can emit varying levels of greenhouse gases and air pollutants depending on operation.

Tata Motors reported a forty-nine percent growth in total commercial vehicle sales. Domestic commercial vehicle sales increased by thirty-three percent in the same period. International business volumes saw a substantial two hundred twenty-seven percent year-on-year growth. This performance reflects strong market demand for their commercial vehicles. The company announced these sales figures on Tuesday.

Railways has approved the deployment of Kavach Version 4.0 across 712 route kilometres in the Moradabad Division. The rollout will strengthen railway safety infrastructure through the indigenous Automatic Train Protection system. Kavach 4.0 provides an additional safety layer for train operations, helping prevent Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD), automatically apply brakes when required and control train speed in critical situations.

InsuranceDekho and RenewBuy are merging to create an AI-enabled insurance distribution platform with over 6,600 crore in premiums, 600,000+ digital partners and coverage across 98.57% of Indias pincodes. The combined business will operate under the InsuranceDekho brand, with Ankit Agrawal as CEO, and will offer motor, health, life and commercial insurance products.

India's insurance regulator is proposing a Public Insurance Registry for data sharing. This digital infrastructure will connect insurers, intermediaries, and policyholders for better underwriting. Policyholders can view all their policies and make common service requests easily. Insurers will gain access to anonymized industry-wide claims data for analysis. The registry aims to improve transparency and facilitate informed, low-cost insurance purchases.

Lust Stories 3 is reportedly set to premiere in September 2026. The anthology will feature four distinct stories directed by new filmmakers. Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, Shakun Batra, and Vishal Bhardwaj are directing segments. The film will star actors like Radhika Apte, Ali Fazal, and Vijay Varma. Read on to know more about it.

Tata Elxsi and Sarla Aviation will collaborate on India's first indigenous electric aircraft. The Shunya eVTOL aircraft is designed to carry six passengers and one pilot. This partnership will accelerate the development of flight-critical systems for the new aircraft. Sarla Aviation targets the Shunya's first flight within the next eighteen to twenty-four months. The collaboration aims to advance urban air mobility and related applications.

DDEL is the leading industrial pipe fabrication player in India and among the top five globally. It welds steel, stainless steel and other alloy pipes of different diameters for applications across multiple sectors.

Anupam Kher shared a funny and emotional goodbye with his mother before leaving for the USA and Canada for two months. Their Kashmiri conversation moved from childhood memories to a hilarious story about Rajus Charlie Chaplin-like moustache. Kher said the moment reminded him of the beauty of ordinary family life and how his mothers presence makes a house feel like home.

India's UPI processed transactions near record highs in August, reaching 29.8 lakh crore. The platform handled a fresh record of 24.51 billion transactions, a significant jump from July. This impressive performance was bolstered by festive activity and expanding consumer adoption across the nation. Industry experts highlight the importance of resilient digital infrastructure for continued growth.

As part of the engagement, Beicip-Franlab will undertake seismic interpretation, geological and reservoir studies, prospect ranking, resource assessment and field development planning across priority assets, including new and existing fields like Hazarigaon and Rudra in Northeast.

Following an August 29 concert in St. Louis, Lionel Richie was admitted to the hospital. He received medical care, including tests and intensive care monitoring. Reports suggest he experienced slight dehydration and is expected to be discharged shortly. Audience members observed his struggle during the show, having to sit on stage, and this incident comes after a previous health issue encountered in Minnesota earlier this summer.

An IndiGo flight bound for Delhi returned to Goa after takeoff. A technical issue was detected in one of the aircraft's engines shortly after departure. The pilots followed standard procedures and safely landed the plane back at Manohar International Airport. The aircraft is currently undergoing necessary maintenance checks and repairs. Operations will resume after all required safety clearances are secured.

Rajiv Kapoor, the son of legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor, briefly stole the limelight with his performance in Ram Teri Ganga Maili. While he later ventured into directing and producing, these projects failed to find commercial success. Read on to know the tragic journey of Raj Kapoor's younger son.

Crop prices saw their largest monthly jump in over a decade. Wheat prices reached a three-year high as Black Sea shipments were impacted. Sugar and cocoa also increased substantially due to El Nio weather worries. These rising costs threaten everyday pantry staples like bread and dairy.

Mahindra & Mahindra reported a 42% jump in total vehicle sales. SUV sales grew fifty percent year-on-year in the domestic market. The company sold over one lakh vehicles including exports in August. Commercial vehicle domestic sales also registered a 22% growth.

Spains brutal summer heat has revived the traditionalabanico, with Spaniards and tourists using folding hand fans across plazas, public transport, concerts and festivals. Once a symbol of Spanish aristocracy and flamenco culture, the centuries-old accessory is enjoying renewed popularity, while soaring temperatures are also giving fan sellers a welcome business boost.

Miley Cyrus has dropped her last name from her social media profiles, now going by simply 'Miley'. This bold move has sparked excitement and speculation that her next album might be titled 'MILEY'. Fans eagerly anticipate more updates on the album and its release date.

Indias gross GST revenue rose 14.8% year-on-year to Rs 1.99 lakh crore in August 2026, up from Rs 1.74 lakh crore a year earlier. However, collections fell from Rs 2.11 lakh crore in July 2026.

HFCL has secured a significant export order valued at USD 244 million. This agreement is for supplying high-quality optical fibre cables to a global corporation. The supply contract spans three years, concluding in December 2029. Deliveries are scheduled to commence from the calendar year 2027 onwards. This order follows previous export wins for the telecom gear manufacturer.

Congress party has strongly criticised the Modi government, alleging that rising prices are putting pressure on ordinary citizens while accusing the government of using statistical manipulation to conceal the impact of inflation. Recent increases in the prices of raw materials such as copper, aluminium and electrical components have also contributed to higher home construction costs. The party further criticised the government's claims about GDP growth, calling them misleading.

Modi warned against double standards on terrorism at the SCO summit in Bishkek and said wars and conflicts must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. He also backed efforts to connect markets and facilitate trade to drive development.

A former Maoist commander has surrendered and now coordinates a university program. Bhupathi will work to secure legal rights for tribal communities in Gadchiroli. He will inform villagers about their rights under specific government acts. His role involves helping with documentation and correcting forest-rights claims.

The Iran war and closure of the Strait of Hormuz are reshaping global oil trade, with producers across the Americas gaining market share from the Middle East. Crude exports from the region have hit record levels as Asian buyers prioritise supply security despite higher shipping costs.

Electric vehicles are considerably heavier than their petrol-powered counterparts, mainly because of the added weight of their battery systems. According to recent European Union data, plug-in hybrids are the heaviest, followed by fully electric cars, while combustion-only vehicles remain the lightest. Union minister Nitin Gadkari has also proposed giving used EV batteries a second life by using them for home energy storage, potentially improving the sustainability of electric mobility.

India's economy grew 7.8 percent in the April-June quarter, showing resilience. Veteran banker Uday Kotak noted ongoing geopolitical and economic risks. Unresolved Middle East tensions and AI advancements pose challenges. US bond yields are also creating market volatility for India. Despite these concerns, India has built foreign currency deposits for protection.

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board committed $215 million to NIIF Infrastructure Fund II for investing in Indian infrastructure assets and platforms. The investment aims to build on a strong existing partnership between the two entities.

It seems that Spider-Man's web of love extends beyond the big screen, as three couples from the franchise found romance while filming. Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst struck up their relationship during the first movie, while Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone's chemistry developed on set. Most recently, Tom Holland and Zendaya have captured hearts as they became the newest couple in this web of on-screen connections.

George Harrison believed the search for God and love should never be delayed. In a statement after his death, his family quoted him and recalled his spiritual outlook and his belief in loving others. The Beatles guitarist's interest in Indian music, meditation and spirituality shaped much of his life and work. His message remains simple: look beyond material success and make time for faith, love and meaning.

India is seeking to raise its global toy market share from under 1% to 5% by 2032, after higher import duties, safety standards and government support helped domestic manufacturers challenge Chinese imports. Toy exports reached $186 million in FY26. However, fragmented production, limited scale, dependence on Chinese components and weak brand ownership remain key challenges to becoming a major global toy exporter.

Parle Biscuits has appointed George Kovoor as its first chief executive officer. Kovoor brings over three decades of experience from his tenure at PepsiCo.

Renault is rapidly expanding its Indian market presence with new vehicle models. The company plans to introduce factory-fitted CNG and updated powertrains soon. Next-generation electronic architecture will feature in value segment vehicles. Renault aims to become a top three global market by 2030.

Anand Mahindra recently showcased a captivating video of Lotus Valley, a hidden treasure situated just 25 kilometers from Indore. This enchanting locale is adorned with thousands of vibrant water lilies, painting the waters in hues of pink. Mahindra marveled at the stunning scenery, highlighting the allure of this lesser-known gem nestled in the heart of India.

The Sanmar Group has acquired a majority stake in AltEons Energy. This investment will help AltEons develop its initial 210 MW hybrid project. The company plans to add another 800 MW to its pipeline this year. Maharashtra remains a key market, with other states also being evaluated. AltEons focuses on wind, solar, and battery storage for consistent power.

HDFC Bank has accelerated its search for a successor to CEO Sashidhar Jagdishan, who will not seek an extension, with an executive search firm likely to be appointed this week. The bank is considering both internal and external candidates, including deputy MD Kaizad Bharucha, executive director V. Srinivasa Rangan, former SBI chairman Dinesh Khara, Axis Bank CEO Amitabh Chaudhry and other senior bankers.

In Rakhi merchandise sales, North India led in order share, followed by South and West regions. Gift categories like home and furniture saw significant sales increases. Male-targeted product sales rose, while female-targeted product sales declined. Festival shopping began earlier this time, with many orders placed late at night.

During a seven-month odyssey in 1974, Steve Jobs explored the depths of spiritual enlightenment across India. Travelling on a shoestring budget, he resided in various villages and temples, exposing himself to alternative ways of living. Read on to know more about Steve Jobs' journey before founding Apple.

Zerodha VP Dinesh Pai jokingly declared Nikhil Kamath better looking than his brother Nithin on X, asking others not to tell Nithin. He eventually found out and cheekily said he would change the website photo to feature Nikhil under his name. The exchange amused social media users, who shared jokes about the Kamath brothers, their similar names and Nikhil's unexpected win in the looks contest.

India's economy grew at a brisk 7.8% pace in the recent quarter. Manufacturing, construction, and services sectors drove this strong economic expansion. Household demand also remained a consistent source of economic strength. Gross fixed capital formation reached an all-time high, indicating increased spending. Economists anticipate this investment momentum will continue supporting future growth.