The Economic Times

India's Business Confidence Index has risen to 107.8 in the second quarter of this fiscal year. The survey included 502 companies across six major cities, reflecting both large firms and MSMEs. All four key parameters evaluated by the index showed gains when compared to the previous quarter. NCAER indicated that confidence improved in expectations of economic conditions and financial health.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, originally from Uttar Pradesh, moved to Mumbai to pursue his cricketing dreams. He now resides in a luxurious 1500 sq feet apartment that is a blend of modern and vintage design. The interior features a deep blue entrance passage and a marble center table that reflects sophistication. Yashasvi's home embodies minimalism with ample natural light and carefully placed art.

India's foreign exchange reserves fell by $5 billion to reach $721.02 billion for the week ending October 16. Previously, reserves declined by $8.578 billion to an amount of $726.027 billion. The decline in reserves reflects ongoing economic conditions impacting forex stability within the country. This trend indicates a continued volatility in India's foreign exchange market and its implications for the economy.

Real-time payments allow money to move between bank accounts within seconds, making transactions faster and more convenient for consumers and businesses. In India, systems such as UPI and IMPS enable instant transfers, while RTGS processes high-value payments in real time. Here is how these systems work, the technology that powers them, their benefits for businesses and customers, and the security challenges.

KEC International has announced that it has secured new orders valued at Rs 1,006 crore. These include orders for a 400 kV transmission line and supply of towers in Oman and the Americas. Additionally, the civil business received a repeat order for constructing a multispeciality hospital in Eastern India. The cables and conductors segment has also secured orders in India and abroad.

The beloved actor Tom Skerritt has sadly passed away at the age of 93 due to natural causes. His family shared that he was not only a warm and humorous person but also a wellspring of wisdom. He famously stated he never considered retirement and lived without regrets, urging others to embrace each day and to savor life.

Large and listed managed workspace providers are scaling up their green energy efforts by launching their own solar farms in addition to installing rooftop solar panels nationwide.IndiQube has more than 30 megawatt of operational solar capacity and is targeting nearly 30 MW of additional capacity in this financial year, while Table Space has invested in captive solar capacity of about 3.8 MWp across Karnataka and Maharashtra.WeWork India plans to develop a 10 MWp (DC) ground-mounted solar power

Congress leader Mohammad Waliullah Sameer has openly criticized Asaduddin Owaisi's political assertions in Uttar Pradesh. He highlighted the AIMIM president's failure to nurture new Muslim leaders within Telangana, pointing out that AIMIM contested a mere nine constituencies out of 119 in the latest elections. Sameer argues that political dominance remains unchallenged, with many Muslims still facing significant difficulties in representation.

Mallika Sherawat's Los Angeles bungalow is a stunning blend of rustic charm and contemporary luxury. It features a beautifully designed kitchen with European accents, an open-plan living space, and multiple swimming pools set amidst lush greenery, creating a serene retreat. Vintage-inspired furniture adds character, while a dedicated gym supports her fitness goals. For socializing, a quaint cottage in the backyard offers a comfortable setting for gatherings with friends.

American passenger-only ferries play a crucial role in alleviating traffic congestion and offering a unique commuting option in urban areas. Despite their popularity, many ferry services, like NYC Ferry, face significant financial hurdles, requiring substantial subsidies to stay afloat. This raises ongoing discussions about the balance between providing essential transport alternatives for the public and the sustainability of municipal funding in the face of high operational expenses.

The Indian government will implement the Samudra Manthan scheme to encourage deepwater oil and gas exploration. Funding will cover part of the drilling costs for exploratory wells to enhance oil reserves. The initiative aims to reduce dependence on imported hydrocarbons while stimulating investment in offshore basins. Shared infrastructure support will also aid in connecting small discoveries for production.

An abandoned ship called the SS Ayrfield in Homebush Bay has become a unique floating forest. Once a coal transport vessel, the ship was left to rust after being sold for demolition. Over time, grey mangrove trees have grown on the vessel, creating a striking visual contrast. Despite its beauty, the area has a history of industrial pollution requiring significant cleanup efforts.

McKinsey Asia chairman Gautam Kumra discusses why owner-led businesses have outperformed professionally managed and state-owned peers, accounting for $7 trillion of the $14 trillion in market value created by Asias top 300 companies over 25 years. He explains the leadership traits that distinguish founders, succession challenges, AI adoption and why Indian businesses must look beyond domestic markets to build global franchises.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed colour-coded driving licences for Indian and foreign nationals, mandatory blood group and emergency contact details, and stricter safe-driving assessments. Draft amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules also propose a 75% passing threshold, free changes to personal details, Aadhaar-based fee waivers for select online services, and a 15-day deadline for licence updates.

Apple's new foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, quickly sold out after its launch in India. The device has experienced software optimization issues and supply challenges, affecting availability for consumers. iPhone Duo's launch price reaches up to 4,49,900, leading to concerns about its camera capabilities. A purchase limit has been established to combat grey-market reselling, creating further scarcity.

Aamir Khan recently experienced an emotional breakdown at an event in Singapore. The superstar once said that he experienced a chilling epiphany about how he had spent 30 years prioritising his career, and he had failed to be an active presence in his childrens lives, and all of his kids have grown up.

Advance ticket sales for Ramayana: Rise of a Legend began on Dussehra, showing strong interest from audiences. As of October 22, early sales figures reached over Rs 8 crore for the opening day. The film will debut on November 5 and is directed by Nitesh Tiwari, featuring a star-studded cast. Major cities like Delhi-NCR and Mumbai are leading in advance sales.

AT Capital has granted an investment of Rs 10,000 crore to Experion Developers in India. With a portfolio of 12 completed projects and over 3,000 homes delivered, the company plans to invest nearly 60% in land acquisition. While maintaining focus on the NCR, Experion is also looking at opportunities in tier 2 cities, ensuring wellness is embedded in their designs from the outset.

Chennais 20 MRTS stations between Chennai Beach and St Thomas Mount could see improvements in lighting, security and housekeeping by early 2027 as the Tamil Nadu government prepares to take over the networks assets from Southern Railway. The transfer agreement is expected by the end of November. CMRL will eventually manage station facilities, while Southern Railway will continue operating trains for another 24 months.

The National Housing Bank (NHB) has appointed ASA & Associates LLP to conduct a forensic audit of SRG Housing Finance amid allegations of fictitious loan accounts worth 300400 crore, repayment record manipulation and possible fund diversion. The investigation will examine loan disbursements, borrower identities, asset classifications and fund usage, with findings potentially shaping regulatory action and the lenders financial outlook.

In 2004, an innovative project transformed discarded concrete utility poles into an artificial reef within the Gulf of Mexico. A total of 152 poles were strategically placed to aid marine habitat growth at Matagorda Island-712. By providing surfaces for marine organisms to cling to, this initiative significantly boosts local biodiversity, showcasing the potential of repurposing waste materials. Texas remains committed to establishing artificial reefs that foster thriving marine communities.

Bajaj General Insurance has appointed Deepak Reddy as CEO designate from January 1, 2027. He will take over as managing director and CEO on April 1, 2027, subject to approval from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).

Petronet LNG and Gruner Renewable Energy have formed a 50:50 joint venture to develop compressed biogas plants. This joint venture will involve an estimated investment of Rs 1,200 crore for developing ten plants in India. Each plant is designed to handle 18 metric tonnes of biogas per day, contributing to renewable energy goals. The partnership aims to enhance the commercial viability of the compressed biogas ecosystem in India.

Dr Reddys Laboratories has expanded its generic semaglutide portfolio with Obeda Pro and Obeda Plus after supplies of its original Obeda injection were halted in July for technical evaluation. The new brands are manufactured by Hetero Labs, while distributors say the company may discontinue Obeda injectable supplies. Dr Reddys denies a replacement strategy.

India will update its Periodic Labour Force Survey starting January 2027 to enhance data collection. The modified sampling design aims to improve the identification of digital platform workers and unpaid household activities. Additionally, the updated sampling frame will reflect changes in urbanization and administrative boundaries. New questions will capture information on unpaid caregiving and volunteer work. Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback before the new sampling period begins.

Ankur Warikoo has highlighted how one partners promotion can quietly increase the others household responsibilities. While couples celebrate better salaries and career opportunities, spouses may end up handling more school runs, evenings and work adjustments. Warikoo urged couples to discuss these changes beforehand, reminding them that supporting a partners growth should not mean sacrificing their own ambitions.

The Madras High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against protestors from Theni who advocated for Tamil. The protest occurred on February 11, 2024, where they demanded Tamil's official recognition in the High Court. Although accused of unlawful assembly and threatening police, the court deemed the proceedings an abuse of legal processes. The court noted the allegations were primarily based on police testimony without other witness support.

Anilkumar Bolla UAE lottery winner: Indian expat Anilkumar Bolla won the UAE Lotterys Dh100 million jackpot in October 2025. A year later, he has bought property in India and the UAE, gifted gold jewellery to his mother and farmland to his father, and begun exploring business opportunities. He says spending quality time with family is now his biggest reward.

Purdue University researchers have been examining how solar panels affect crop production since 2019, particularly focusing on corn and soybeans, two key crops in America. Their experiments show that significant crop yields are still possible despite shading from solar arrays. The study aims to refine solar panel designs that provide energy while also benefiting agriculture, paving the way for solar energy to support irrigation and farming operations.

A bomb threat note was found at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport on Friday morning. The note was discovered in a women's toilet by a cleaning staff member, who alerted authorities promptly. Security personnel, including the bomb squad and CISF, conducted extensive searches around boarding gate number 30. There was no disruption to flight operations during this incident, which raised security concerns.

YouTube has partnered with IIFA to stream the 2027 awards worldwide, while Zee Entertainment Enterprises remains the events official broadcast partner. The collaboration will extend beyond the ceremony to include creator partnerships, digital watch parties, behind-the-scenes content and other programming during IIFA Week, connecting film stars with digital creators and global audiences.

India aims to improve their bowling performance in the second T20 International against New Zealand on Saturday. The absence of Hardik Pandya has left a gap in the all-rounder department, leading to concerns. India's batters had previously saved the team with a record chase, highlighting ongoing bowling issues. New Zealand will try to contain India's strong top-order to challenge them during the match.

Saif Ali Khan has sold a 797 sq ft apartment in Bandra West, Mumbai, for Rs 4.11 crore, along with two open parking spaces, according to property registration documents accessed by CRE Matrix. In a separate deal, the actor has leased two commercial units on Andheri Kurla Road to Durva Fintech Private Limited for Rs 22.76 lakh per month. The actor also owns a family home in Satguru Sharan and previously purchased an apartment in Fortune Heights, Bandra.

Mozambique is set to elevate its agricultural collaboration with India, tapping into mutual strengths in agro-processing. Secretary Antonio Do Rosario Grispos emphasized that India's rice imports are crucial for ensuring food security in Mozambique. This partnership aims to enhance trade routes via Mozambique's ports, fostering regional commerce and agricultural growth while strengthening historical ties with India as a strategic ally.

Vikram Solars 9 GW N-type TOPCon solar cell manufacturing facility in Gangaikondan, Tamil Nadu, is on track to begin production in December 2026. The plant will be commissioned in phases, reduce the companys dependence on imported cells and advance its integration roadmap towards domestic manufacturing from ingots and wafers to finished modules.

India has progressed in rice production and is now focusing on value addition and food processing. Food Processing Industries Minister Chirag Paswan outlined the need for improved quality and sustainability in the rice value chain. The government aims to enhance rice exports while promoting innovation in processing technologies. Strengthening agricultural links to industry is essential for achieving rural prosperity and increasing farmer incomes.

France is bracing for fresh protests after a week marked by urban unrest during previous demonstrations. President Macron is set to convene with security officials and high school representatives to tackle these persistent issues. In response to escalating tensions and the impending presidential elections, certain cities have enacted protest bans for public safety. New polls show far-right candidate Marine Le Pen gaining a significant lead as elections approach.

Hyundai Motor India is set to launch the latest carmodel Bayon in India on October 26, with bookings for the SUV open at Rs 11,000 through the companys website and authorised dealerships.The automaker has yet to announce the Bayons price. Deliveries are scheduled to begin during the festive season, with detailed timelines to be announced at launch.Also read: Hyundai Motor India opens booking for Bayon at Rs 11,000; check how to book, specifications & moreThe Bayon will be powered by a four-cylin

The government has tightened vehicle safety norms to reduce fuel leaks, fire risks and electrical hazards in rear-end collisions. All new vehicles manufactured from April 2029 will have to comply with revised fuel-system and electric vehicle battery protection standards. The government has also mandated safety standards for installed Event Data Recorders from October 2029, while updated crash-test and pedestrian protection rules will be introduced in phases from 2027.

Hyderabad entrepreneur Kurapati Naga Venkata Rakesh Kumar let a gym cleaner sit in his Lamborghini after noticing him admiring the car daily. Having once earned Rs 800 as a salesperson, he recalled how supercar owners ignored him. His gesture reflected a promise to treat others with kindness and respect.