The Economic Times

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.

Hospitality-led real estate developments are becoming popular as buyers seek resort-like lifestyles near metro cities. Developers are offering sale-and-leaseback models to cater to these demands in various locations. The evolving preferences of homebuyers emphasize lifestyle choices and integrated living environments that include hospitality elements. Multiple projects around Bengaluru are gaining traction due to the growing demand for quality experiences in residential developments.

The US economy demonstrates resilience with strong consumer spending and growth beyond technology sectors. Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin remarks that inflation remains a more pressing concern than labor market weaknesses. The Federal Reserve raised interest rates last week to address rising price pressures. Barkin indicates that demand-driven inflation is becoming a significant factor affecting the economy. Various sectors, including defense and manufacturing, are experiencing positive devel

Telugu star Nanis much-anticipated film The Paradise will arrive in the theatres on September 24, 2026. Ahead of its theatrical debut, Telanganas Home Department has approved a ticket price hike and a special screening on September 23. Tickets for the preview show will cost Rs 500, including GST, while revised prices can apply for five shows daily.

Chuck Searcy served as a US Army intelligence analyst in Vietnam during the war. Decades later, he returned to the country and began working to remove unexploded bombs left behind by the conflict. His mission brought him together with Bui Trong Hong, a former North Vietnamese army colonel and explosives expert who had once been on the opposite side of the Vietnam war.

India plans to increase its wind energy capacity by 7.5 to 8 GW in the current fiscal year. The country had already achieved over 6 GW of capacity addition in 2025-26, indicating positive sector growth. Investment considerations show that this capacity increase will require around 50 crore annually. Partnerships with European companies are anticipated to enhance offshore wind development and technology transfer.

In a delightful surprise, London street performer Ahn Ji-hoon found himself sharing the stage with Coldplay's very own Chris Martin. The duo delivered an unexpected rendition of the classic 'Viva la Vida.' Joyfully unaware of Martin's identity at first, Ji-hoon later learned he had shared this magical moment with a global superstar, and he couldn't help but feel thankful for the incredible experience.

Indias long-term economic prospects remain strong despite short-term geopolitical, currency and capital-flow challenges. As the countrys global influence and corporate ambitions grow, reputation is emerging as a crucial economic asset. The article argues that Indian businesses must invest in strategic reputation management, technology and stakeholder engagement to strengthen investor confidence, attract talent and sustain Indias global standing.

German Proverb of the Day: If you speak of the devil, he comes crawling is a humorous expression used when someone appears soon after being mentioned. Related to the English Speak of the devil, and he appears, the saying draws on older beliefs about invoking the Devil but is now generally used to describe an amusing coincidence in everyday conversation.

Sahil Wakode's mobile phone, recovered from his hostel room, has been sent for forensic examination, while a clone of the data on the device has been taken for investigation. The police are also examining CCTV footage to reconstruct the sequence of events, a senior police officer said.

India is on track to add 7.5-8 GW of wind energy capacity in 2026-27, according to Ministry of New & Renewable Energy Joint Secretary Rajesh Kulhari. India has added over 6 GW of wind capacity in 2025-26 and another 2.42 GW between April and August 2026, taking total installed wind capacity to 58.52 GW as of August 31.

London stockbroker Nicholas Winton took on a rescue mission in 1938 after witnessing the worsening plight of refugees in Prague. He helped organise the escape of 669 children, most of them Jewish, to Britain before the outbreak of World War II. Despite the scale of his efforts, Winton rarely spoke about the operation, and his role remained largely unknown for decades.

Visvesvaraya Technological University will honor three prominent educationists and technocrats. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot approved the conferment of honorary Doctor of Science degrees. Professor T G Sitharam, Dr Sabitha Ramamurthy, and Dr M P Shyam will receive the prestigious awards. These recognitions acknowledge their significant contributions to technical education and related fields. The formal ceremony will take place at VTU's upcoming 26th Annual Convocation in Belagavi.

A remotely working couple, Divya and Saurav, left city life behind to settle in Manali, discovering a slower and more fulfilling way of living in the mountains. From free picnics and natural adventures to AQI below 20, lower expenses and more quality time together, the couple has embraced several benefits of mountain living. Divya recently shared five things they love about their new lifestyle, including changing landscapes across seasons and a healthier daily routine.

Brookfield India REITs arm Kairos Properties has agreed to acquire office units across two floors of Delphi building in Mumbais Powai for Rs 75.2 crore. The deal will raise Kairos ownership in the property from 80% to 86% on a gross leased area basis, with completion expected in Q3 FY27.

Telecom regulator TRAI mandates affordable voice and SMS-only plans for consumers. Operators must offer special tariff vouchers with various validity periods. This decision follows opposition from major telecom service providers like Jio and Airtel. Consumer groups argued that existing plans force users to pay for unused data. The new regulations aim to benefit millions of feature phone users across India.

Electric truck sales in the N3 category (12 to 55 tonne) rose from about 850 units in FY26 to around 1,300 in the first five months of FY27, helped by state EV policies in Maharashtra and Haryana, sector-specific deployments in cement and steel, and rising diesel and CNG prices.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE offers a premium design, strong display, capable cameras, solid performance and long-term software support, but its 79,999 price makes the Fan Edition proposition tougher to justify. While it remains a capable all-rounder, the higher cost and limited configuration may make it less appealing to enthusiasts looking for flagship-level value.

Jennifer Aniston prioritizes muscle strength and bone support in her fitness routine. She enjoys a hot sauna followed by a cold plunge for rejuvenation. Aniston also values spending time with friends for self-care and relaxation. Her upcoming film, Naughty, is a holiday comedy-drama. The movie is scheduled for a theatrical release in November 2027.

Debarment is on account of serious lapses in discharge of their contractual obligations of the independent engineer, including failure to exercise the required degree of professional diligence and effective supervision and quality surveillance in relation to pavement, embankment or slope protection, drainage and associated safety or maintenance assets, NHAI said in a notification.

Harsh Goenka recently used a humorous video of a baby monkey repeatedly slipping back down a slide to capture the frustration of Indian stock market investors with the Niftys lacklustre movement. His post, captioned State of our Nifty stock index, led to people in the comments discussing about market volatility, foreign investor selling, taxation and global uncertainties.

As many as 21 new memorandums of understanding have been signed between the ministry, participating states and UTs and the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the implementing agency for the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme.

The Bachchan family is chockfull of members who have made their mark in the showbiz and beyond. In one of his old interviews, superstar Amitabh Bachchan, aka Big B, opened up on some of the members of the Bachchan family who stayed away from the limelight but hit the bulls eye in their respective careers nevertheless.

Rates staying high despite the release of buffer stocks shows the challenge of bringing prices down across markets, particularly when retail rates differ substantially between locations and sellers, trade anaylists say.

Actress Jenny Agutter is known for her roles in The Railway Children and Call the Midwife, but away from the screen she has spent years supporting prisoners and disadvantaged people. She has visited prisons, listened to inmates and supported programmes aimed at helping people reconnect with their families, communities and everyday life after release. Her charity work began decades ago and shows her belief that people who have made mistakes should still have a chance to rebuild their lives.

The contract underscores India's growing role as an engineering and technical-services exporter to Africa's energy sector, deepening commercial ties between New Delhi and one of the continent's most influential industrial groups. For Dangote, the plant is intended to cut East Africa's reliance on imported refined fuel, bolster regional energy security, and create additional volumes for export to global markets.

The Mines Ministry will soon launch an incentive scheme to promote domestic processing of lithium and nickel as India seeks to build an integrated critical mineral value chain and reduce dependence on imported processed materials. The government has also cleared critical mineral processing parks in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, while flagging concerns over auctioned mining blocks that remain idle despite securing clearances and leases.

India's economy shows strong growth prospects for the next twelve months, a WEF survey found. Household incomes are also expected to rise, but the country's appeal as a business destination has slightly decreased. As per the survey, global economic sentiment has generally improved significantly since May.

Pratibha Ranta is set to share screen space with Rajkummar Rao in the upcoming fantasy horror film Vishkanya, according to reports. The Laapataa Ladies and The Revolutionaries actress has reportedly joined the Karan Johar-backed project, which is expected to blend mythology, magic and supernatural elements. Directed by Sonal Joshi, the film is likely to begin shooting by the end of 2026, with its plot details currently under wraps.