The Economic Times

Taylor Swift made a dazzling appearance at the 2026 MTV VMAs, but a distinctive six-diamond ring on her right hand quickly drew attention. Alongside the statement piece, she showcased her new wedding band with her engagement ring, a large Etho Maria diamond and Leviev earrings. Her new look came during a major night for Swift, as she received the inaugural Artist Director Honors and added more milestones to her already record-setting VMA career.

Newly appointed Air India CEO Tewolde Gebremariam underlined the importance of enhancing financial performance. He announced plans to encourage employee participation in cost-saving initiatives through rewards for ideas that yield measurable savings. Current challenges to break-even have highlighted the need for disciplined growth strategies and operational efficiency. Gebremariam emphasized the necessity of growing the airline sustainably and profitably to ensure long-term competitiveness.

India's 4G smartphone market is projected to grow by three percent year-on-year in 2026. Shipment shares are expected to increase from 11 percent in 2025 to 13 percent in 2026. Consumers are shifting towards 4G devices, particularly in the sub-Rs 20,000 segment for better value. Original equipment manufacturers are expanding their 4G portfolios to meet this rising demand.

What To Expect From India's Biggest Market Listing To Date

US Vice President Vance warns firms over H-1B hiring; Labour Dept probe may impact Indian workers

India-UAE target $200 bn trade by 2032; Goyal says UAE intends to Invest $25 bn in six key sectors

India's LCA Mk2 medium weight fighter prototype is expected to fly by September 2027. The country's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, or AMCA, is targeted for its first flight in September 2028. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh provided clear timelines for these military aircraft programs. Test flights are set to occur between June and September next year. These developments are crucial for enhancing India's air combat capabilities against regional threats.

Malaysia's IHH Healthcare said on Monday that India's top court has disposed of Fortis Healthcare's petition challenging a court-ordered forensic audit relating to a stake purchase by an IHH Healthcare unit in the Indian healthcare provider.

With electricity demand soaring to 256 GW, India's power grid is under greater strain than ever. A recent white paper from Ficci-Nangia identifies eight critical areas of concern, including frequency and congestion problems. To ensure grid stability, it advocates for the integration of cutting-edge technologies and updates to regulatory policies.

BNP Paribas expects Indias economic outlook to come under greater pressure as higher crude prices, rising inflation and weaker rural and industrial indicators weigh on growth. While credit growth, auto sales and food-grain stocks remain supportive, the brokerage says elevated oil prices could also leave the RBI with less room to keep interest rates unchanged.

PETA India has requested the Indian government to ban meat advertisements starting October 2 to honor Gandhi's legacy. The organization cites concerns regarding animal welfare, public health, and environmental issues related to meat consumption. PETA India pointed out similar bans in European cities due to environmental concerns, highlighting the importance of non-violence.

During a speech at the UN General Assembly, Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi voiced his apprehensions about the persistent conflicts, particularly the situation in Ukraine. He underscored the necessity for diplomatic approaches to enhance both regional security and economic stability.

Navigating overseas property purchases for NRI/OCI children can be complex for Indian parents, entangled in regulations like FEMA and RBI's Liberalised Remittance Scheme. From understanding allowable remittance limits to distinguishing between gifts and loans, families must carefully plan to avoid potential tax and compliance issues. Learn the critical steps to streamline the funding process.

The RBI is under growing pressure to raise rates in October as inflation broadens across the economy, growth remains strong and global central banks tighten policy. A Reuters poll shows most economists expect a 25-basis-point hike to 5.50%, while markets are already pricing in further increases over the next year.

Ruchir Sharma says India remains a middling investment story rather than a clear outperformer, with strengths in demographics, inflation and currency stability offset by weak private and foreign investment, high valuations, regulatory intervention and concentrated billionaire wealth. His broader view is that India consistently disappoints the optimist and the pessimist, making a simple bullish or bearish narrative difficult.

Lovlina Borgohain achieved another medal for India in boxing at the Asian Games in Japan. She won the quarterfinal match against South Korea's Seong Suyeon by a unanimous decision of 5-0. Lovlina dominated each round with impressive counterattacks and powerful jabs, leading to a final score of 30-27. This victory follows Parveen Hooda's success in the women's 65 kg competition, confirming her medal as well.

The UAE is set to invest an additional $25 billion in India, strengthening energy cooperation between the nations. India and the UAE are exploring strategic petroleum reserves and subsea pipelines for gas transportation and storage. Bilateral trade between the countries has doubled to $100 billion, with a target of $200 billion by 2032. Local currency settlement in trade is on the rise, currently in double digits.

India's leading recyclers' body has asked the federal foreign trade directorate to replace existing scrap import rules based on overseas certification with local inspection at Indian ports, according to a letter reviewed by Reuters on Monday.

India's transition to renewable energy is expected to demand significant investments in energy storage solutions. By FY32, approximately Rs 4 lakh crore will be needed to meet storage requirements. The current operational storage capacity of 54 GWh will need to expand to 411 GWh. Increasing renewable generation will require complementary technologies like Battery Energy Storage Systems and Pumped Storage Plants.

Boeing identified a software issue affecting 737 MAX aircraft during specific landing scenarios, impacting airlines heavily investing in them. Air India Express and Akasa Air operate around 96 of these aircraft, with hundreds more on order. Boeing is developing a software fix while ensuring pilots can still land safely without automated assistance. Indian carriers have a significant backlog of Boeing orders, reflecting demand for the 737 MAX.

Hybrid mutual funds are gaining investor attention, with assets under management rising sharply in recent years. Five hybrid schemes feature among the top 10 funds by AUM, offering diversification and lower portfolio volatility.

Indias potential mainboard IPO pipeline is estimated at around Rs 3.86 lakh crore in the second of 2026, nearly 3.5 times the Rs 1.10 lakh crore raised so far in the year, according to AIBI. Of this, potential IPOs worth Rs 2.43 lakh crore have received the Sebi approval, while another Rs 1.44 lakh crore is awaiting clearance, the report said.

Tonbo Imaging has received SEBI approval for its proposed IPO, comprising an offer for sale of up to 18.09 million shares. The defence electronics maker has a global footprint, with more than 28,000 systems deployed across 24 countries.

Marico's initial attempt to launch a new snack under the Saffola brand faltered due to a lack of appealing taste. The company quickly learned that a health-focused approach alone wasn't enough for consumer engagement. By meticulously researching regional preferences, Marico revamped flavors in its Saffola Masala Oats product, which ultimately secured a strong market share and established success.

Indias consumer durables face a third price hike in 2026 as copper, steel, aluminium, resin, logistics and energy costs surge. LG, Daikin, Voltas, Samsung and Godrej are raising appliance prices ahead of Diwali. The pressure exposes Indias dependence on imported components and highlights why deeper localisation, domestic manufacturing and stronger supply chains are critical to containing global cost shocks.

JetSynthesys has signed an MoU with Japans MIXI to explore collaboration across gaming, esports, digital entertainment, marketing and potential strategic investments in India. The partnership aims to combine JetSynthesys local market expertise with MIXIs global gaming experience as India emerges as a key growth market for digital entertainment.

Recent trends show Indian government bonds plummeting, thus elevating benchmark yields to a two-year high. The government aims to secure substantial funds through bond sales projected at 7.86 trillion rupees by March. However, a pivot toward longer-dated bonds has intensified trader apprehension over looming rate hikes, compounded by global yield fluctuations and rising crude oil prices that influence local financial conditions.

Ritesh Pal, a 19-year-old from Raipur, has been crowned the winner of Indias Best Dancer Season 5. He won alongside choreographer Pratik Utekar and took home Rs 15 lakh in prize money. After winning, he expressed gratitude to everyone. Read on to know more about him.

India's organized retail real estate is seeing substantial changes as it moves towards a more mature phase. The market is experiencing an increase in demand for experience-oriented categories and larger malls. Bengaluru is currently the largest organized retail market among major cities in India. Upcoming supply of shopping malls is expected to reach 40.4 million square feet by 2030.

The digital rails are ready. India now needs patient capital and founders ambitious enough to build on them.

The fundraise marks an important milestone for Balwaan as it scales its position in Indias growing farm mechanisation market.

The Age of AI needs trade governance that deploys natural intelligence in conjunction with artificial intelligence for a quantum jump in speed and quality of decision making.

Taylor Swift's unforgettable night at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles saw her clinch three awards, making her the most decorated artist with a total of 31 VMAs. Her heart-stopping win for 'Video of the Year' for 'The Fate of Ophelia' stood out. The show kicked off with a dazzling performance by Madonna and included a touching homage to Dolly Parton.

Dixit has been associated with the IIT Delhi entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem for several years.

Pincky Balhara has ensured at least a bronze medal for India in women's -78kg Kurash at the Asian Games. She defeated South Korea's Lim Garam with a score of 3-0 in the quarterfinals. Balhara's decisive score came through a 'Chala', which secured her victory. Previously, she had won a silver medal in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.

India's quarterfinal cricket match against Afghanistan was canceled due to adverse weather conditions affecting Nagoya. The Indian team advanced to the semi-finals thanks to their superior ICC rankings after cancellation. Recent match practice for the Indian team was limited due to heavy rain disruptions. They previously secured a narrow victory against Japan in a shortened fixture. India had also recently completed a successful T20I series against Afghanistan.

In India, major consumer stocks have suffered a staggering drop, with market values plummeting by nearly Rs 4 lakh crore. Even with an uptick in demand, FMCG firms like ITC and Hindustan Unilever are facing profound losses in market cap this year. Rising input costs, despite signs of consumption recovery, are tightening margins.

In the high-stakes quarter-final of the 2026 Asian Games, India's men's cricket team is gearing up to take on Afghanistan. However, the weather forecast predicts possible rain, threatening to delay the match. Should the rain completely wash out the game, India, being the higher-ranked side, would progress to the semi-finals automatically.

A renewed Fed tightening cycle could push US yields higher, strengthen the dollar and put pressure on emerging-market currencies. For India, that could translate into upward pressure on government bond yields, particularly at the longer end of the curve, while making the currency and global capital flows important variables to watch.

The landscape of S&P 500 boards has seen a noteworthy shift, with Indian men now occupying a record 16 seats. This development reflects the increasing preference for directors equipped with CEO-level expertise. In contrast, Indian women's representation on boards continues to stagnate. Compounding these dynamics, future entry for Indian executives into the US job market may face challenges due to prevailing immigration policies.

The Federal Reserves rate hike may be largely priced in, but according to Nachiketa Sawrikar, Fund Manager at Artha Bharat Global Multiplier Fund, the bigger question for markets is what happens to US bond yields and the dollar from here.

Against this backdrop, SEBIs proposed PRIM framework could potentially redefine what investors expect from a portfolio manager.

Matthew Stafford surprised fans by appearing in Taylor Swift's music video during the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, creating a buzz. On this landmark evening, he also achieved a significant milestone in NFL history, throwing for over 20,000 yards with two separate teams. His record-breaking 15-yard pass to Konata Mumpfield against the Denver Broncos is a testament to Stafford's dual impact in entertainment and athletics.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is gearing up for its digital debut, featuring iconic performances by Tom Holland and Zendaya. The film, which has been a box office hit. The movie will also hit shelves in 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD formats. Read on to know when and where to watch it online in India.