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Elections 2026Economy / The Economic Times
US oil companies are enhancing refinery capacities and reopening closed plants due to global supply disruptions. ExxonMobil and Chevron reported record profits, attributed to soaring commodity prices and refinery margins. Additionally, ongoing conflicts have severely impacted refining output, particularly in Russia and Iran. Analysts suggest that it may take until next year for supply chains to stabilize.
Binance says hackers stole more than $6 billion in what is being described as the largest cryptocurrency heist on record, with blockchain intelligence firms linking the attack to North Koreas TraderTraitor hacking unit. The exchange has set aside $6.34 billion to cover losses, frozen about $3 billion in affected assets with partners and says it will reimburse users while investigators trace the stolen funds.
New Delhi: Fewer graduates from Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are taking the entrepreneurial path in 2026 compared to last year, although India's appetite for startups remains strong.Only 79 IIT alumni and 20 IIM alumni launched new tech startups between January and August this year, compared to 307 IIT graduates and 71 IIM graduates who founded startups in the entire 2025, according to Tracxn data collated for ET. The platform tracks only the
Reliance Industries Ltd has set a new benchmark with a record net profit of 29,550 crore for the September quarter, fueled by significant advancements in the oil-to-chemicals and digital segments. With a yearly revenue surge of 28.5% to 3.38 lakh crore, the O2C division's Ebitda skyrocketed 68%, reflecting the advantages of elevated energy prices and the firms adaptability in challenging market scenarios.
New-age beauty and personal care brands in India demonstrated impressive revenue growth in fiscal year 2026. Companies like Foxtale and Innovist achieved significant increases, doubling and tripling their sales figures. In contrast, older brands such as Sugar Cosmetics experienced revenue declines due to intensified competition and a lack of product innovation. Many newer brands focus on niche market segments and specific consumer problems to attract customers.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi referred the matter for mediation after attorney general R Venkataramani informed that the parties were unable to arrive at a viable solution.
The lender is investigating a potential breach of limited data pertaining to its vehicle-loan customers. The data was hosted on a third-party software platform operated by Salesforce.
United Spirits is facing subdued demand in its mass-market liquor portfolio as inflation squeezes lower-income consumers, while regulatory changes in Maharashtra and Karnataka further weigh on sales. The Diageo-controlled company is relying on premium brands for growth, even as higher input costs linked to the West Asia conflict and weaker monsoons add pressure.
An analysis of 10 banks shows that reported deposit growth averaged 21.1% year-on-year during July-September. However, excluding the special foreign currency inflows, domestic deposit growth was estimated at just 12.2%-a massive gap of nearly nine percentage points.
Watching mesmerised as the purohit at a friend's Durga Puja rhythmically waved the silver oil lamp with multiple wicks before the goddess, and then in succession, a silver camphor lamp, incense sticks, red cloth, conch shell, flowers and a silver-handled fly-whisk while incessantly ringing a bell with his other hand, I noticed that the dhak-drum beats changed subtly at every phase of the arati. For the first time I figured the dhaki (drummer) was doing a duet with the priest.A few days later, an
Suzlon Energy reported a 1.3% year-on-year increase in consolidated net profit to Rs 394 crore for the September quarter of FY27. Net profit in the year-ago quarter stood at Rs 389 crore, excluding a deferred tax benefit of Rs 891 crore that had taken reported profit to Rs 1,279 crore.
The maker of Cadbury chocolates and Oreo biscuits added about 130,000 outlets in India during the third quarter ended September, as it pushes deeper into the country's fragmented retail market. It sees considerable headroom for further distribution expansion, alongside opportunities to increase the number of products stocked by existing retailers.
In Manipur, ethnic violence has led to significant casualties and displacement since May 2023. The Suspension of Operations agreement with Kuki militant groups has faced opposition by the Meitei and Naga communities. Several SoO cadres are accused of involvement in recent conflicts and violence. The future of the SoO agreement remains uncertain, raising concerns among local communities. Assembly elections will soon bring these issues to the forefront of political debate.
Isro successfully launched its GSLV-F18 rocket carrying the 2,250-kg NVS-03 satellite from Sriharikota at 11:51 pm on Friday. The mission aims to strengthen India's indigenous NavIC navigation system through upgraded satellite capabilities, including an indigenous atomic clock and the addition of the L1 frequency signal alongside existing L5 and S-band signals.
Thirty-six Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended in Dhubri for allegedly entering India without valid documents. Authorities received a tip-off regarding a potential mass transit of infiltrators through the area. The arrests took place early in the morning at the Jogamaya ferry ghat of the Brahmaputra river. The individuals all came from Chapai Nawabganj in Rajshahi division of Bangladesh. Investigations are ongoing as police conduct document scrutiny and questioning.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa is demanding answers regarding the validation of questionable voter registration forms. An investigation disclosed that 13,779 forms were wrongly included on the voter list, with 10,470 of these receiving improper approval. This situation has prompted scrutiny of both past and present district election officers, with clarifications anticipated from those overseeing the registration procedures.
Threes zodiac signs are expected to get positive vibes from the universe. The festival may be spooky but it will turn to joy for them if they focus on the right things.
Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested ten individuals in Shopian district for their involvement in a terror financing network. The accused were connected to various online financial transactions suspected of funding terrorist activities. Investigations indicated these individuals were raising money from the public to support terrorists like Lashkar-e-Taiba. Additionally, the funds were allegedly used for logistical support, including providing smartphones for terrorist operations.
Foreign secretary Vikram Misri is scheduled to visit Kathmandu to prepare for Balendra Shah's visit to India. Shah's visit will mark his first trip abroad as Prime Minister of Nepal, occurring in late November. Several India-funded projects are expected to be inaugurated, and new projects will be launched during this visit. Nepal is likely to request additional Indian investments in various sectors, including hydropower and hospitality.
Between January and September, creator content influenced 42 million customers on Amazon, of whom 28 million made a purchase. A total of 133 million products were purchased through creators during the period, said Nidhi Thakkar, head of social commerce for emerging marketplaces at Amazon. Influenced customers grew 50% year-on-year, while purchasing customers increased 92%. The figures were recorded before the Diwali shopping season.
Between 2011 and 2023, India successfully elevated about 496 million people from poverty, showcasing a significant reduction in those living below the poverty threshold. A steep decline in extreme poverty reflects improved living conditions. However, income inequality lingers across different job sectors and regions. The World Bank forecasts ongoing reductions in poverty levels, but at a more gradual rate than before.
In response to Rahul Gandhi's opposition to IDBI Bank's privatisation, Nirmala Sitharaman stressed the successful recovery of the bank thanks to the NDA government's strategies. She pointed to the previous UPA government's fiscal mismanagement, which caused notable losses. Sitharaman also discussed the reviewed valuation process for the stake sale, criticising Gandhi for his attempts to politicize banking matters and the undue stress placed on bank staff during earlier administrations.
By September 2026, the Centre's fiscal deficit had escalated to 7.14 lakh crore, exceeding last year's figures. This increase is fueled by a 10.7% rise in total expenditure, largely a result of heightened capital spending and food subsidies, while petroleum subsidies sharply declined. Gross tax revenue, however, saw a modest growth of 6.1%, even with lower excise duty collections attributed to tax reforms.
A San Francisco startup is offering $20 an hour to people willing to walk robot dogs through city streets. The job requires no previous experience and includes paid training, but workers must be prepared to carry the 33-pound machines back if they overheat or stop working. The unusual hiring exercise is part of Dimensional's effort to train AI systems to control robots and navigate real-world environments independently.
In a bid for enhanced worker welfare, the National Federation of Indian Railwaymen has approached the 8th Central Pay Commission with key demands. They seek to establish a minimum salary of 69,000, which includes a fitment factor of 3.833. The federation requests an adjustment in the annual increment from 3% to 6% and proposes five promotional opportunities during an employee's tenure.
TRAI has proposed draft guidelines requiring telecom operators using AI to adopt board-approved policies, classify AI systems by risk and report critical incidents to the regulator. The framework also mandates AI governance committees, human oversight, impact assessments and inventories of AI systems, making telecom entities accountable for their AI-driven operations.
The Centre has extended the customs duty exemption on cotton imports until December 31, 2026, from the earlier deadline of October 31, 2026, to augment cotton availability for India's textile sector.The extension is expected to help reduce input costs across the textile and apparel industry, providing relief to manufacturers and consumers while taking into account the interests of domestic farmers, the government said.The measure is also expected to have a positive impact on the domestic textile
India's insolvency regulator has implemented new rules to prioritize project completion and better homebuyer oversight. Independent assessments of construction progress and funding needs are now mandatory for real estate projects. Creditors with at least 66% voting share can recommend excluding projects from insolvency proceedings. Homebuyers will now have representation on monitoring committees to oversee implementation. These measures aim to improve transparency and protect the interests of ho
Harry Potter is returning with a new HBO series based on J.K. Rowlings bestselling books. Titled Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, the eight-episode first season will premiere in December. The series features Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, alongside John Lithgow, Nick Frost and other familiar actors. Here's everything to know about its release date, streaming platform, cast and Season 2.
Xavier Niel's investment vehicle, Vega SAS, has obtained approval from the Competition Commission of India to purchase a 16.2 percent stake in Vodafone Group for approximately 4.4 billion pounds. Post-acquisition, Vega SAS will become Vodafone's primary shareholder, a pivotal step as Vodafone continues to concentrate on its core markets following earlier restructuring efforts. This decision also complies with India's fair competition regulations, promoting healthy market dynamics.
Tata Motors has completed the acquisition of a controlling stake in Iveco Group, which now becomes an indirect subsidiary. The transaction involved purchasing shares for 14.4 each, resulting in a total of 238 million shares. This acquisition is expected to enhance Tata Motors' global presence and create a more diversified entity. Tata Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaran has been appointed as the chairperson of the Iveco board.
In September, India's domestic air traffic declined by 8.3% year-on-year, marking a significant drop. This decrease was the steepest observed in 2026 so far, according to IATA. The demand for air travel faced pressure due to rising fuel prices and weaker economic conditions. Capacity contracted by 7.9% during the same period, leading to a slight dip in Passenger Load Factor. Overall, domestic traffic fell by 2.
During festivals like Karwa Chauth and Diwali, indulgent desserts are a must, and mithai plays a crucial role. Mumbai nutritionist Vanshika Khurana introduces a delightful twist: a protein-rich milk cake bar. By blending toned milk, high-protein paneer, and a zero-calorie sweetener, this recipe provides a guilt-free way to enjoy festive flavours. Once cooked, simply slice the mixture for a delectable treat that won't derail your health goals.
Thomas Markle Sr. is under scrutiny in the Philippines due to alleged child sexual abuse material discovered in his residence. Meghan Markle has shared her profound distress regarding these allegations and has distanced herself from her father. Authorities received a letter in 2019 detailing these concerning allegations, which raised alarms about child safety. Following these revelations, Thomas Markle Jr.
A former job interviewer who says he has conducted 100 interviews has shared five tips for candidates struggling to clear technical rounds. He advises job seekers to stop rushing into coding, explain their approach, start with a brute-force solution and practise around 50 carefully selected questions. He also explains why communication, checking edge cases and applying for jobs while preparing can make a difference in landing a tech job.
As artificial intelligence transforms workplaces, the significance of soft skills is on the rise. Key skills like communication, critical thinking, and teamwork are essential for job seekers. Universities must adapt by creating experiential learning experiences that foster these abilities. Students can enhance their employability through group projects and internships, ensuring a well-rounded skill set that combines technical acumen with interpersonal strengths.
United Spirits, the Indian subsidiary of Diageo, was searched by Maharashtra tax authorities due to an investigation. The authorities are probing the misclassification of Scotch imports to determine if companies paid lower tariffs. United Spirits previously faced scrutiny from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence in an industry-wide inquiry. Despite the searches, the company stated there was no impact on its financial and operational activities.
In India, it's essential for policymakers to harmonize growth output with inflation expectations. Niti Aayogs Ashok Lahiri pointed out the importance of addressing inflation alongside job creation. He urged banks to play a pivotal role in linking enterprises with financial support and investment options. To capitalize on its natural resources, West Bengal must focus on industry attraction, while effective land acquisition and good infrastructure remain key for business development.
Intel shares (NASDAQ: INTC) fell about 29 per cent on Friday, October 30, one of the steepest single-day drops in the companys history. The fall is set to wipe out roughly $137 billion to $140 billion of its market value, depending on the report. It came a day after Intel gave a revenue forecast that was well below what Wall Street expected.Why Intel stock is falling todayOn Thursday, Intel said its revenue for the December quarter would be between $15 billion and $16 billion. Analysts had expec
In a significant move, the Karnataka government declared it would not proceed with a disputed circular aimed at mandating hospitals to disclose medicine pricing information. This decision emerged during a High Court review related to the circular's compliance and repercussions. The proposal required hospitals to clearly present procurement costs, MRP, and patient billing in their invoices.