The Economic Times

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang had a close relationship with alleged Chinese spy Alice Huang. Now, the investigation into the matter will be overseen by a committee of independent directors. The latest developments have brought back attention to Jensen Huang's family, including his wife, and two children, Spencer and Madison.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has called for linking Aadhaar cards with voting and introducing fingerprint or iris-based biometric identification ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. He also proposed tamper-proof metal voter ID cards to prevent electoral fraud. His remarks come amid Opposition parties' protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The government may announce Budget 2027-28 support measures to boost domestic manufacturing of 100 products, including auto components, chemicals and machinery, to reduce import dependence. DPIIT has identified the products after consultations with ministries and industry.

Ashok Gehlot accused the BJP of manipulating delimitation and electoral roll revisions to undermine opposition strength. He raised concerns over the merging and dividing of wards aimed at increasing BJP representation. Gehlot suggested that if the BJP remains in power, it could lead to meaningless elections in India. He criticised the BJP for conducting rallies against protests organised by opposition parties.

Bengaluru-Mangaluru Vande Bharat will start within weeks, said Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. In trials, it took about 7 hours, saving 2 to 9 hours over existing trains. A flight takes about an hour but costs Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,700. The fare and final timetable are awaited.

Nuvama Wealth Management Ltd achieved a consolidated net profit of Rs 303.5 crore for Q2 FY27. The company saw a revenue increase of 20.35% to Rs 1,366 crore for the same quarter. Client assets reached Rs 5.5 lakh crore, reflecting a 25% year-on-year growth. Wealth management, asset services, and capital markets drove this substantial growth. The company demonstrated strong operating profits with a return on equity remaining robust at 29%.

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.

Ekta Kaushlya, a talented choreographer, crossed paths with Parth Chamaria, a dedicated Rapido driver, during her inaugural ride in Mumbai. Their engaging chat unearthed Parth's fervent dreams of becoming an athlete, despite financial hurdles. After their ride, Ekta reached out, initiating a bond that would blend their personal and professional lives. Supported by one another, they navigated their demanding careers, with Parth even representing India at an international competition.

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.

During the Halloween festivities hosted by Jamie Foxx, chaos erupted when a man was stabbed in the neck, although his injuries were not severe. First responders quickly arrived to manage the situation. Footage captured outside the party highlights the frantic aftermath. A suspect was arrested for using a deadly weapon, and several guests were also taken into custody. Jamie Foxx's presence at the mansion during the event is still unknown.

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.

Since 2020, airlines have increased the number of premium seats significantly to meet growing consumer demand. Airlines are adopting strategies to enhance premium offerings, including gourmet meals and exclusive lounges. This focus has resulted in premium products generating substantial ticket revenue. Various airlines are implementing new options, such as Economy Plus and first-class services.

Nvidia has launched an independent probe into CEO Jensen Huang after reports that he had an affair with a Chinese executive suspected by US intelligence of working for Beijing. Huang admitted to being unfaithful and apologised. The investigation will examine potential national security risks and possible exposure of company secrets.

Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi emphasized the freedom of Karnataka and Keralam governments to conduct petrol tests. He also mentioned that the Centre has scientific backing for its ethanol blending policy. Gopi explained that a 20 percent ethanol blending in petrol has been approved and will be implemented gradually. The Minister cautioned against politicizing the tests, as it may lead to unnecessary controversies.

The Indian Air Force marked a new pinnacle of achievement with its IL-76MD transport aircraft landing at Nyoma airbase, which sits at an altitude of roughly 13,000 feet near the Line of Actual Control with China. This historic landing is celebrated as the highest-ever for this model, highlighting the operational prowess of the IL-76MD and the outstanding training of its crew in extreme environments.

Sanjay Gaikwad, a Shiv Sena MLA, made controversial remarks regarding the suicides of farmers in Maharashtra. He suggested that the funerals of farmers who kill themselves should be boycotted. Gaikwad believed this would deter others from taking similar actions due to the fate of their bodies. His comments were met with condemnation from other political leaders, emphasizing the need for sensitivity.

November 2026 could bring success for three Chinese zodiac signs. Trying something new early in the month may lead to well-earned recognition by its end.

Tim Vlandas analyzes the influence of aging populations on electoral politics in advanced capitalist nations like Europe. Older voters display different policy preferences, emphasizing pensions over issues of younger demographics. Consequently, governments often allocate more resources to pension spending rather than investing in education and infrastructure. Young voters may become politically disenchanted, leading to radical shifts towards extreme parties.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently visited Tinsukia to evaluate ongoing projects and inaugurate a manufacturing unit. He inspected the Tinsukia Medical College and Hospital's facilities as well as the construction of a town hall. During his visit, Sarma also engaged with athletes practicing at Sarbananda Singha Stadium and toured the proposed interstate bus terminus site.

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India aims to enhance audits by adopting advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning. This integration will allow for more precise identification of risks and anomalies in public governance. Data-driven audits will improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the auditing process. CAG intends to create a technology-enabled, citizen-centric institution, providing timely and reliable government accounts.

On October 30, ISRO will launch the NVS-03 navigation satellite using its GSLV-F18 rocket. This mission aims to enhance the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system, which currently struggles with aging satellites and insufficient atomic clocks. Successful deployment of NVS-03 is crucial for reviving reliable positioning services in India, with future launches, NVS-04 and NVS-05, planned to further solidify the system's dependability.

Three men were arrested after allegedly opening fire at actor Tiger Shroff's car in Mumbai's Juhu area. One of the accused, Rehan, was out on bail regarding an Arms Act case from earlier this year. Their arrest occurred on a train in Kota, Rajasthan after the incident, with two men reportedly firing several rounds. Shroff and others sustained injuries in the firing, which was captured on video.

Three individuals accused of targeting actor Tiger Shroff were arrested following a shooting incident in Mumbai. The police successfully apprehended the suspects while they were traveling on a train. After their capture, the accused received medical examinations before their transit to Mumbai Police. The firing, which occurred near a football club, left Shroff's driver injured but the actor unharmed. Investigations are ongoing as police pursue further details on the case.

Weather update for tomorrow October 20, 2026: The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, with heavy rain likely over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala and Mahe. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds are expected across several states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, East Rajasthan, Odisha, Konkan and Goa, and Madhya Maharashtra. A well-marked low-pressure area

The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a warning concerning increasing financial frauds through deepfake videos. These scams involve fraudulent advertisements impersonating political leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Victims often receive calls from international numbers claiming they have won welfare benefits or cashback rewards. They are led to make repeated payments before receiving any promised funds or rewards.

Artificial intelligence systems like chatbots are becoming more emotionally engaging, prompting concerns over manipulation by users. The recent policy change by Anthropic restricts cruelty towards AI models, which has reignited debates on AI welfare and consciousness. Researchers are divided on whether AI systems deserve moral consideration, reflecting uncertainty within the industry. There are fears that recognizing AI rights may weaken human accountability for harmful actions.

A Brazilian bricklayer sold his belongings and travelled nearly 2,000 km to meet a woman he believed was his future wife, only to discover that she was an AI-generated character on TikTok. Edimar Martins, 49, ran out of money after failing to find her and received assistance to return home. The person behind the account denied speaking to him or inviting him to travel.

Arpita Sahu quit her HR job in Delhi after four and a half years and moved to Goa in search of purpose and a fresh start. Through Instagram videos, she has shared her hopes of finding a sense of belonging alongside concerns about financial security, life without a regular salary and the pressure to succeed. Her decision has prompted mixed reactions online, with users offering advice, encouragement and perspectives on finding fulfilment.

School holiday tomorrow, October 20, 2026: Schools in several states are expected to remain closed for Dussehra and Vijayadashami, while West Bengal will observe Bijoya Dashami on October 21. Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have reported extended Dasara holidays, but reopening dates may vary. Students and parents should check their schools official holiday circular for confirmation.

India will implement a quota system for importing apples, kiwifruit, Manuka honey, and albumins from New Zealand. The quotas will gradually increase over five years, allowing for proper regulation of imports. Apple imports will be capped initially, with no allowances in the first year. The duty rates will vary depending on the product and its CIF value, affecting import dynamics.