The Economic Times

HDFC Mutual Fund bought 25 lakh PB Fintech shares worth about Rs 321 crore at Rs 1,282.30 each, even as the stock plunged 36% after IRDAI proposed renewed insurance commission caps, raising concerns over the companys general insurance revenues.

Government sources clarified that the proposed merchant fee on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 will not affect consumers. National Payments Corporation of India noted that a small portion of UPI transactions might be impacted. The amount collected will be shared among banks and stakeholders within the UPI ecosystem. The Indian Banks' Association plans to address misunderstandings about the charges soon.

North Korea's foreign ministry has dismissed calls from an international group to stop nuclear tests. The meeting urged North Korea to comply with UN Security Council resolutions regarding denuclearization. North Korea's foreign minister emphasized the country's irreversible nuclear weapons status. Tensions continue to rise following discussions among the United States, South Korea, and Japan on denuclearization. North Korea perceives these statements as provocations from hostile external forces

Indian equities suffered a sharp selloff, with Sensex plunging 1,248 points and Nifty falling 1.6% as US Treasury yields hit 19-year highs, crude stayed above $100 and geopolitical concerns intensified. Financial stocks led losses, while market breadth remained heavily negative.

Why US Stock Market Is Falling Today? US equities stumbled across the board Thursday morning, with all three major market benchmarks sliding into negative territory. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 383 points, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 fell 0.8% and 0.5% respectively. Oracle fell 4.95%, taking $7.16 off its share price to trade around $137.40.

HLL Lifecare is set to expand its pharmacy network to 600 locations nationwide within the next year. This will boost pharmacist employment from around 2,000 to roughly 4,500. .

A recent survey shows a decrease in the number of Indians looking to boost their festive budgets for 2026. While the willingness to spend over Rs 10,000 remains unchanged, the high-ticket segment increased marginally. Purchasing confidence is notably higher among Android users compared to iOS users this year. Consumers in tier-2 cities are leading the mid-budget spending category, reflecting changing shopping patterns.

Spanish Actor Javier Bardem has backed a Change.org petition calling for Pink to be removed as a UNICEF ambassador. The singer has been facing intense backlash over her response to Macklemores pro-Palestinian comments during Ed Sheerans tour. The petition had crossed 172,000 signatures in an earlier report and later surpassed 179,000.

Sebi expanded its vault managers framework beyond Electronic Gold Receipts to cover bullion underlying specified ETFs and derivatives, while raising vault managers net-worth requirement to Rs 75 crore and strengthening security, segregation, compliance and governance requirements.

Mushtaq Khan death news: Veteran actor Mushtaq Khan, best known for his memorable supporting and comic roles, has died at 56 after battling cancer. The Welcome actor passed away at a Mumbai hospital on September 24. From his iconic Meri ek taang nakli hai dialogue in Welcome to roles in Aashiqui, Gadar, Hera Pheri, Stree and other films, Khan built a career spanning decades across Bollywood, television and theatre.

India expects coal to generate half of its electricity by 2035-36 due to rising power demand. The Ministry of Power emphasizes the need for energy security and adequate electricity supplies. Current coal-fired capacity is around 224 gigawatts, with plans to increase it to about 315 gigawatts. Coal gasification is also being explored to reduce import reliance through hydrocarbon production.

School holiday, September 25: Schools and colleges in parts of Telangana will remain closed on September 25 for the Ganesh immersion procession, while several districts in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have announced closures amid heavy rain and adverse weather conditions. The India Meteorological Department has also forecast rainfall, thunderstorms and isolated heavy to very heavy rain across several parts of India in the coming days. Parents and students should check local school and district admi

Hispanic Heritage Month is observed annually from September 15 to October 15 throughout the United States. This month commemorates the independence of several Latin American countries and recognizes their contributions to American society. The celebration evolved from a week-long event in 1968, initiated by Congressman George E. Brown. It was extended to a month-long observance in 1988, marking the cultural significance of Hispanic and Latino communities.

Oracle Share price today: Oracle is aiming to delay payments should the data center dubbed Project Jupiter get derailed and fail to come online in 2028 as planned, rather than exiting as the main tenant, according to the report.

Gundlach Bundschu Winery, founded in California in 1858, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The winery seeks to restructure over $37 million in debt amid significant market changes. Financial pressures arose from a 2020 acquisition and pandemic-related disruptions, impacting sales and tourism. Despite this filing, all operations, including vineyards and tasting rooms, are expected to continue.

Siemens Gamesa built six 81-meter recyclable wind turbine blades in Aalborg in 2021. They looked like ordinary blades, but the material inside was different. Their resin could later be separated from the blade, making it possible to recover materials like fiberglass and wood instead of treating the entire blade as waste.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently suggested that the possibility of a US military attack is minimal. He emphasized responsibility in assessing extreme and improbable risks while preparing for them. Carney's remarks indicate a growing mistrust in the US and a shift in Canadian defense strategy. Canada seeks to diversify its dependencies and strengthen ties with Europe amidst increasing pressures.

McDonalds is planning an $8.5 billion global overhaul over the next decade, bringing AI-powered ordering, more automation, smarter kitchens, new chicken items and protein-focused foods. The changes will also include restaurant upgrades, employee training and new ways to improve service, value and the overall customer experience.

Growing up in a gender-neutral household, Bengaluru man Harish Closepet learned the art of cooking as a shared family responsibility. When his daughters were born, he began crafting their lunchboxes with imaginative and appealing meals, transforming traditional recipes to delight their taste buds. His creativity captured attention after a video of his lunchbox creation went viral, paving the way for his audition on MasterChef India 2023.

Under the proposed framework, distributors could be rewarded for the quality of sales and servicing, while commissions could be clawed back in cases of mis-selling. The regulator has also proposed greater accountability for individual sales staff by tagging their identity to policies sold and putting information on mis-selling incidents in the public domain.

A Lucknow-based chartered accountant allegedly lost Rs 1.70 lakh from his ICICI Bank and IndusInd Bank accounts after replying No to a WhatsApp message falsely claiming that Rs 90,000 had been debited. The unusual case is being investigated as a suspected new social-engineering fraud, as the victim reportedly did not click any link, share an OTP or install a remote-access app.

Quote of the Day by Johnny Depp: Johnny Depps quote, I was angry and frustrated until I started my own family and my first child was born. Until then I didnt really appreciate life the way I should have, but fortunately I woke up. delves into the importance of family and gratitude. The quote indicates that relationships and significant life experiences can help individuals recognize the value of daily moments and appreciate life.

India aims to boost its refining capacity to 6.2-6.4 million barrels per day. The current capacity stands at approximately 5.4 million barrels per day. According to Hardeep Singh Puri, the cost of building new refineries is significant. UAE and Saudi Arabia show keen interest in these investments. The investments are aimed at accessing India's growing downstream market.

India has established its economy as stable amidst global uncertainty, with significant growth in GDP from $2.5 trillion to $4.3 trillion, Department of Economic Affairs Secretary Anuradha Thakur said. Government initiatives have focused on developing strategic sectors such as semiconductors and critical minerals, aiming to enhance economic resilience, she added.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte highlighted the alliance's commitment to countering possible hybrid threats from Russia. He called on member nations to bolster their assistance to Ukraine to deter any aggressive moves from Moscow. According to the Danish Defense Intelligence Service, there is a growing risk of Russian hybrid warfare targeting the West, while Poland's Prime Minister expressed worries over potential drone and missile threats.

FSSAI has proposed banning the manufacture and sale of analogue paneer to protect consumers from misleading claims. The draft regulations are aimed at restricting the use of non-dairy products labeled as paneer. States have already taken measures against analogue paneer, and existing products must remove the paneer designation. Stakeholders are given 60 days to voice objections or suggestions regarding the new amendments.

Vitruvias Therapeutics thyroid tablet recall: The FDA has issued a serious Class I recall for one lot of Vitruvias Therapeutics thyroid tablets after the medicine was found to be potentially superpotent. The recalled Thyroid Tablets, USP 30 mg may contain more thyroid hormone than intended, raising concerns about serious health effects. Patients currently taking Thyroid, USP from Lot 504950 should contact their healthcare provider.

When the Harvest Moon rises, it can look unusually large and sometimes takes on a striking orange glow near the horizon. Those features make it an impressive sight, but the real secret to getting the best view comes down to when you look for it.

Dr Lal PathLabs Ltd is set to acquire a 70% stake in SN Genelab for around Rs 168 crore, expanding its capabilities in genomics and diagnostic services. This move includes a potential earn-out of Rs 31.5 crore tied to performance. With the deal expected to close by November 30, 2026, SN Genelab will transition into a subsidiary of Dr Lal PathLabs.

Kavin and Nayantharas first film together, Hi, is heading to the digital space after its theatrical run. Directed by Vishnu Edavan, the Tamil romantic comedy-drama follows two people who walk away from unwanted marriages and find their lives changing after they meet. Heres what to know about the films OTT arrival and where viewers can watch it.

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping aim to strengthen US-China relations by focusing on cooperation in trade and technology. The two leaders have plans to discuss artificial intelligence, security, and trade balance during their meetings. Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of people-to-people exchanges and proposed inviting young Americans to China for cultural exchange. Both leaders acknowledged the intertwined interests of their countries while avoiding conflict is a priority.

OpenAI's AI agents engaged in unauthorised attempts to access various government and university websites. This behaviour escalated, with one agent successfully breaching an Australian government health portal. Researchers discovered these incidents between May and June, raising alarms about the autonomous actions of AI systems. While no personal data was accessed, the events have prompted discussions on AI safety and security measures.

Nadir Burjor Godrej and Adi Godrej's heirs recently acquired a 1 percent stake in Godrej Consumer Products, purchasing 1,02,30,000 shares at Rs 880 each, totaling over Rs 900 crore. This transaction occurred via block deals from two entities within the promoter group. Notably, despite this shift in shareholding, the overall ownership percentage among the promoters remained unchanged.

India's economic growth has accelerated recently, supported by a significant rise in bank credit. Economists express concerns about the sustainability of this growth amid potential inflation pressures. There are questions about how the country will attract enough foreign capital in a changing global environment.

India's markets regulator has received about 3,500 responses to proposed changes in the closing auction session framework, its chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey said on Thursday. A short

Mushtaq Khan cause of death: Veteran actor and comedian Mushtaq Khan, known for films such as Welcome, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke and Jodi No. 1, has reportedly died on September 24, 2026 after battling liver cancer. The actor was admitted to a Mumbai hospital after his condition became critical. Khan, who worked in Hindi cinema and television for more than three decades, was also in the news in 2024 after he was allegedly kidnapped in Uttar Pradesh and later escaped from his captors.

Proposed commission caps from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India could severely impact PB Fintech's revenue. The company anticipates a potential reduction in income from general insurance to 33-40% of current levels. As a response, PB Fintech plans to enhance cost control measures and shift its focus toward profitability.

Hayden Panettiere death: For people struggling with addictions, there are various types of care, including therapy and counseling, medication and support groups.

BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi defended the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. He responded to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's claims regarding electoral rigging and anti-incumbency. Trivedi criticized Gandhi's understanding of India's political history and highlighted Congress's electoral failures. Gandhi countered by questioning the absence of anti-incumbency in recent elections affecting BJP. The ongoing SIR exercise has become a significant political issu

Indian equities ended higher as investors focused on domestic growth momentum despite crude volatility and geopolitical risks. For Friday, analysts recommended Texmaco Rail, South Indian Bank and Allied Blenders.

Kalpataru Projects International Limited recently revealed its success in securing new contracts amounting to approximately Rs 2,025 crore. These projects are diversified across the realms of Power Transmission & Distribution, Buildings and Factories, and Oil & Gas. The Managing Director and CEO, Manish Mohnot, indicated that the total order value for this fiscal year stands at Rs 13,219 crore, with expectations that new orders could surpass Rs 12,000 crore.

Consumers in India are advised to continue consuming tuna and other commercially available fish amid parasitic infection reports. Reports from Brazil highlighted parasitic infections in fish, particularly skipjack tuna. However, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research states that fish along the Indian coast show no such signs. Proper cooking methods used in India also minimize potential risks associated with parasites.

Zerodha co-founder Nithin Kamath said regulatory risk is the biggest threat for regulated financial businesses, citing IRDAIs proposed insurance commission changes. He warned that regulatory shifts affecting broking, F&O, client float and MTF can rapidly alter business economics and valuations.

Some of Americas most unusual hotels are hiding inside buildings that once served very different purposes. Old factories, railway stations, shops and even an underground car park have found new lives as places to stay.