The Economic Times

'He's guilty of winning two wars...': Trump backs Pete Hegseth as Iran war sparks impeachment calls

H D Kumaraswamy has accused Hassan Deputy Commissioner K S Lathakumari of involvement in a bribery racket. He alleges that officials demanded significant sums to clear files related to land matters. In response to these accusations, Lathakumari has ordered an investigation into the authenticity of WhatsApp conversations presented by Kumaraswamy. Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has expressed support for Lathakumari and the integrity of her work.

Iran's IRGC has claimed that it shot down 260 hostile aircraft during the conflict initiated by the US and captured seven MQM-170 reconnaissance drones intact last week. The force has also highlighted how it is shifting missile and drone production underground while expanding indigenous manufacturing of missiles, drones and air-defence systems to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.

US President Donald Trump stated he believes in going to heaven and does not want to go to hell. During an interview, he admitted he struggles to forgive political enemies like James Comey and Nancy Pelosi. Trump emphasized that his honesty prevents him from forgiving those he considers dishonest and bad for the country.

Ajay Maken raised concerns about the lack of PM2.5 data at 25 air quality monitoring stations on Diwali night. He noted that pollution levels averaged 38.4 times the World Health Organisation's limit at the remaining stations. Maken emphasized that this inconsistency affects the accuracy of pollution data and trends. The Air Quality Index in Delhi has deteriorated significantly following Diwali celebrations.

Comedian Dave Chappelle has triggered uproar with a joke about the murder of Charlie Kirk during a live show. After the joke, Elon Musk expressed his disapproval of Chappelles humor, stating he's no longer amused. Meanwhile, Kirk's widow, Erika, condemned the comments as both alarming and disrespectful, advocating for the respect of human life beyond political divides.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accused the Congress and Samajwadi Party of spreading propaganda against Ayodhya because of the temple town's development and heritage preservation initiatives. Addressing a Diwali event in Gorakhpur, he claimed the state's ongoing development drive would threaten the political identity and future of both opposition parties.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy accused BRS leader KT Rama Rao of driving his sister K Kavitha out of the family home over a property dispute. At an SHG meeting, he also announced plans to expand membership to one crore by 2034 and begin the second phase of free saree distribution on November 19.

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said the party would continue its agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar until he was removed and electoral processes made impartial. The Congress plans a nationwide 'Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao' campaign, appointing booth-level guardians to identify deleted voter names and help secure their restoration.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said the state would proceed with the Mekedatu reservoir project, citing a Supreme Court ruling that permits construction subject to releasing 177 tmc ft of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. His remarks followed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay's appeal to the Centre against granting approvals without consent.

Parliament's Monsoon session has not been prorogued for 88 days, exceeding the previous record of 87 days. This situation raises the possibility of convening Parliament for discussions, especially regarding the Women's Reservation Bill. The government keeps options open for an extended session, which requires just two days' notice. In contrast, initiating a new session would necessitate a minimum of 14 days' notice.

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said the state would release findings from inspections at 67 locations on Monday after complaints of petrol containing excessive ethanol. Kerala has also ordered tests in four districts. Oil marketing companies have rejected Karnataka's claims, questioned its testing procedures and called for joint, transparent verification.

The diplomats signalled the Democrats' gains could narrow the White House's room for manoeuvre but warned against expecting a return to traditional US multilateralism while foreign policy remains very much under Trump's control.

Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said Karnataka and Kerala were free to test petrol samples for ethanol content but cautioned against politicising the issue. His remarks followed Karnataka's claim of detecting higher ethanol levels in petrol and Kerala's decision to conduct similar tests.

Union minister HD Kumaraswamy has accused officials in Karnataka's Hassan district of demanding bribes to clear crusher-related files and land conversion proposals. Releasing 15 pages of purported WhatsApp conversations, he alleged Rs 60 lakh was sought for three files and Rs 75 lakh paid to secure an official's continuation in a post.

World leaders, including Emmanuel Macron and Anthony Albanese, extended warm Diwali greetings, celebrating the festival's message of joy and unity among diverse communities. The festivities were marked in India along with vibrant celebrations in Canada, Australia, and the UAE. Additionally, Thailand's Amazing Thailand Grand Diwali Festival showcased the richness of cultural diversity, symbolizing the enduring ties of the global Indian diaspora.

The UN climate talks are set to begin in Antalya, where rising temperatures create an urgent need for global cooperation. More than 100,000 attendees from nearly 200 countries are expected to discuss climate action and funding for developing nations. The ongoing geopolitical tensions complicate negotiations, especially regarding fossil fuel transitions. Additionally, developing countries are advocating for increased adaptation finance to combat climate impacts.

US President Donald Trump commented on Vice President JD Vance's remarks regarding the midterm elections and the Iran conflict. While many criticized Vance's analysis, Trump expressed his agreement, emphasizing their alliance remains strong. The President stated that military action against Iran is unlikely as negotiations continue, but did not rule it out completely.

Emerson Fittipaldi recently addressed the trend of younger drivers becoming world champions in motorsport. He praised Kimi Antonelli's remarkable victory from 19th at Monza and pointed out how contemporary racers begin their careers earlier than previous generations. Fittipaldi emphasized Antonelli's impressive maturity and talent, which played a crucial role in his current season's triumph. His own path to championship status starkly contrasts with the rapid rise of Antonelli.

Poland is mourning after a shooting incident in Krakow's Main Square left six dead and 15 wounded. The assailant, reportedly holding far-right views, has been critically injured in the confrontation with police. Authorities have opened an investigation into the act, classifying it as terrorism and involving numerous victims. Mourners have gathered in various locations, including St. Anne's Church, to remember those lost.

Crude oil price: Prices came under further pressure after US President Donald Trump indicated that he was unlikely to authorise fresh attacks on Iran if negotiations to end the conflict continued to make progress. In a phone interview with CNN, Trump said further military action was highly unlikely to be necessary, provided both sides reached a strong agreement.

Paraguay's digital bank ueno bank has collapsed, leading to the freezing of nearly three million customer accounts. This event has resulted in an impeachment of President Santiago Pena, who is now facing serious charges. The central bank had previously put ueno into resolution after discovering breaches of solvency requirements. Public protests erupted, reflecting widespread anger over the government's handling of the crisis.

Babar Azam expresses confidence in the Pakistan cricket team's chances as they gear up for a Test series against Sri Lanka. After a less than stellar performance in England, the team has welcomed fresh talent while sidelining some seasoned players. Azam is determined to elevate his batting game, aiming for his first Test century in quite a while.

Anthropic PBC has recently agreed to pay $3.4 billion for gas-fired generators from OnePWR Solutions. This purchase secures 1.7 gigawatts of generator commitments intended for their data centers. Initially, Anthropic planned to procure power from OnePWR but later chose to take over Caterpillar Inc. generator orders. This deal highlights AI labs increasingly engaging directly with energy suppliers for necessary equipment.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard has opted to remove the 2,000-kilometer missile range restriction amid rising tensions. A US naval blockade is affecting global trade routes, while recent airstrikes close to Yemen have resulted in the deaths of over 27 people, underscoring the ongoing strife. In response, the US Central Command has established a task force aimed at crippling Iran's transportation networks, leading to heightened anxieties about potential confrontations.

Gadi Eisenkot received the mandate from President Isaac Herzog to form a new government in Israel. He aims to establish a coalition that can secure a parliamentary majority following the recent elections. Eisenkot's bloc holds 48 seats, while Netanyahu's coalition has 53 seats, complicating government formation. The situation is further complicated by the presence of Arab parties and ultra-Orthodox groups.

US President Donald Trump will meet Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani at the White House on Monday as efforts to end the Iran conflict face obstacles. Qatar has acted as an intermediary between Washington and Tehran. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said negotiations had made little progress.

US President Donald Trump has announced Task Force Iron Gate to restrict the movement of weapons, dual-use technologies and sanctioned materials into and out of Iran. The initiative will operate alongside a US naval blockade that CENTCOM says has prevented Iran from exporting more than $25 billion in crude oil.

Dollar index steadies at 102.20 after jumping about 0.7% Friday * Fed hike bets rekindled after receding amid AI stock selloff * NZ ballot too close to call, leader will not be known for weeks TOKYO

US President Donald Trump has said renewed military action against Iran is highly unlikely if Tehran agrees to a strong nuclear deal and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. He also claimed Washington had identified 38 Iranian bridges for potential destruction, while Iranian officials rejected the prospect of changing Tehran's position.

Oil prices fell at Monday's open after US President Donald Trump said he was highly unlikely to order fresh attacks on Iran as long as talks to end the conflict progress, even as both countries reported that shipping had been hit in or near the Strait of

Democratic lawmakers have vowed investigations into Elon Musk, White House chief of staff Stephen Miller and companies after taking control of Congress in January. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries also backed impeaching Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over his handling of the Iran war, setting up a confrontation with the Trump administration.

US Attorney General Todd Blanche has vowed to defend President Donald Trump and his administration officials if Democrats pursue investigations after taking control of Congress. His remarks followed Democratic Representative Robert Garcia's call for Trump allies to seek legal counsel. Garcia accused Blanche of prioritising the president over congressional oversight.

Agricultural loans in India are currently facing significant asset-quality risks, with bad-loan ratios surpassing other sectors. The gross non-performing asset ratio for agricultural loans is at 5.1%, compared to 1.5% for industry and services. Factors such as a poor monsoon have contributed to this situation, although agricultural bad loans have declined since 2020-21. Various banks have reported increased agricultural loan slippages but maintain a cautious outlook on borrower stress.

Indian equities experienced a slight decline during the Diwali Muhurat trading session for the first time since 2017. The Sensex ended at 80,999.40, down 28.62 points, and the Nifty closed at 24,986.40, shedding 43.95 points. Despite the drop, market sentiment has recently shown signs of improvement, particularly with foreign investors becoming buyers again.

Non-bank lenders and housing finance companies are expected to raise lending rates in response to proposed regulatory changes. This adjustment aims to offset potential income losses from caps on insurance distribution. Companies such as Bajaj Housing Finance and Home First Finance are considering changing their product mix and increasing fees. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India has proposed stringent commission cuts on credit-linked insurance products.

As a multibillion-dollar FCNR(B) interest bill escalates, Indian banks grapple with increased dollar hedging expenses. Recently, the Reserve Bank of India mandated new reserve prerequisites for forex derivatives, compounding the challenges for banks that must secure cash reserves against these contracts. A significant number of Indian banks are currently without a robust hedging strategy, frequently depending on short-term contracts.

Nifty gained over 8.5% last week, crossing the 25,000 mark and demonstrating bullish momentum. Analysts foresee further upside towards 25,300-25,600 despite possible consolidation due to volatility. Key support for the Nifty is located at 24,000, promoting buying on potential dips. Top stocks recommended include Adani Ports, MCX, and SBI, showing strong bullish signals. Market breadth improved, with over half of Nifty 50 stocks above their 200-day moving averages.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang affair news has evoked sharp reactions from the artificial intelligence or AI chip makers.

US Stock market investors will keep close eyes on Dow Jones as S&P 500, Nasdaq must continue the momentum.

Gold rate prediction: Geopolitical developments in the Middle East, US-Iran war are expected to remain a major driver of precious metal prices.

US lawmakers will need to ensure that Social Security benefits and the annual cost-of-living adjustment (CoLA) should not be curtailed.

Walmart Thanksgiving meal deal: Walmart is bringing back its $35 Holiday Meal Basket for 2026, with 26 items designed to serve 10 people. The selection includes a Butterball turkey, stuffing, holiday sides and pumpkin pie ingredients. Shoppers can order online or in stores, with free Express Delivery available through November 30 using a promotional code.

Jensen Huang leather jacket: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has revealed that his wife, Lori, and their daughter help choose his clothes, including his signature black leather jacket. From his 20-year association with the look to how he met Lori at Oregon State University, heres what Huang has shared about his wardrobe and family.

US Presidential Elections: There has been a sentiment rippling through the presidents Make America Great Again movement after the Republican Partys worst electoral defeat in decades that Americans were frustrated with the President.