The Economic Times

Asphalt recycling has been an effective method for over half a century, playing a vital role in maintaining our roads. However, a recent infrastructure report revealed that American roads hold a dismal D+ grade. The lack of funding has stalled essential repairs, leading to deteriorating conditions. Although the asphalt sector excels in material reuse, the overall system has not kept pace.

Abundantia Entertainment and invideo have announced the commencement of production for the film Beta Builder. Directed by Hridaye A Nagpal, this innovative film blends live-action with AI-driven technology. The story follows Jai, a self-taught architect from Dharavi, as he navigates the virtual reality landscape. The film explores themes of ambition and community, highlighting the importance of belonging. With a talented cast, this production marks a significant step into AI-assisted filmmaking.

Private equity and venture capital investments in India saw significant growth in September 2026. The total investment reached USD 7 billion, marking a substantial increase from August. Large-value deals accounted for 76% of the total investments during the July-September quarter. Despite this growth, the number of deals declined compared to last year. Investors are expected to remain cautious amid economic challenges and inflation pressures.

In Lakeville, Indiana, a fascinating project incorporated shredded car tires into highway embankments, proving beneficial for waste management while ensuring road integrity. Over the course of a year-long study, officials noted negligible subsidence and no major heating issues. However, prevailing regulations and contractor biases remain significant barriers to the broad application of this innovative recycling technique in construction, highlighting the ongoing struggle to adopt eco-friendly pr

JK Lakshmi Cement Ltd has launched Project Kamakshi to create an integrated cement plant in Assam. The plant will have a capacity of 2.5 million tonnes per annum and a 1 million tonne clinkerisation unit. An investment of Rs 11,000 crore is planned for this project, which will primarily serve the Northeast market. The project aims to generate over 2,000 jobs and strengthen the local economy.

A Delhi court has refused to change charges against Kapil Wadhawan, Dheeraj Wadhawan, and Ajay Nawandar. They are accused of defrauding a consortium of 17 banks for Rs 34,000 crore. The court found no evidence to support additional charges under specific IPC sections. It clarified that it cannot review its own order except for clerical errors. The court previously framed charges against 104 accused persons on July 30.

As Wealth Grows, Investment Needs Change: Vikas Khemani

Synopsis: AI tools are all set to perform tasks that go beyond answering questions or making recommendations. A live demonstration at the ET AI Business Transformation Masterclass and Awards 2026 will show how AI agents can make UPI payments through P3P without manual intervention, and what this could mean for the way people make digital payments and business transactions in the future.

Anybody who wants to come: Rahul Gandhi postpones CEC impeachment programme; challenges centre

In a thrilling Group C encounter at the Hong Kong International Sixes, India faced off against Pakistan, but their batting woes persisted as they managed a mere 88 runs, with Shashank Singh's 40 being the highlight. Pakistan swiftly responded, clinching the match with a solid partnership from Khawaja Nafay and Abbas Afridi, reaching 92 runs effortlessly.

BJP has posted a video highlighting Rahul Gandhi's past comments on Hindutva and Hinduism. This follows Gandhi's recent social media post featuring a sacred sign associated with Lord Shiva. BJP criticized Gandhi's behavior, questioning his authenticity as a Hindu during election periods. Furthermore, the BJP addressed issues regarding the appointment of chief election commissioners during the Congress rule.

The Assam government has created an eight-member committee to develop rules for the Uniform Civil Code Bill. This bill aims to provide a common legal framework for various personal matters across religions. It prohibits polygamy and mandates the registration of live-in relationships while exempting Scheduled Tribes in Assam. The committee is expected to submit its draft rules within one month. The bill has already received approval from the Assam assembly.

The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels in the Mecca region on Friday. The incident marks the latest reported cross-border attack involving drones and missiles targeting Saudi military installations, airports and energy infrastructure. The Houthis have not commented on the latest incident but have previously denied targeting Mecca and Medina, Islam's two holiest cities.

'Prosecuting the dirtbags': Pirro drops the hammer! 15 charged in massive drug trafficking case

Kim Kardashian's kitchen storage emphasises minimalism by using matching colour schemes to integrate storage into the design. Her pantry showcases cream tones and warm lighting, creating an organised, calming space. The concept of invisible kitchen storage is gaining popularity, mirroring trends in modern homes. Homeowners are increasingly pursuing seamless kitchen appearances by concealing appliances and using handle-free cabinets.

Rahul Gandhi has called on citizens to join the opposition INDIA bloc's 'Chalo Dilli' march on November 1. He emphasised the importance of this protest as a means to protect democracy and the Constitution. Congress leaders claim that there has been a significant deletion of names from electoral rolls, which undermines electoral integrity.

Lynnewood Hall, a once-neglected masterpiece in Pennsylvania, is on the path to revival thanks to the dedication of the Lynnewood Hall Preservation Foundation. Their immediate focus is on essential structural repairs, while long-term visions include fostering community engagement through educational programs. The mansion's recent debut public event in decades has sparked excitement and offers hope that its restoration, while a lengthy process, will breathe new life into this historic estate.

A newly released report by the US Defense Intelligence Agency showcases an intriguing image of China's Shenlong spaceplane operating in orbit. Notably, a second spacecraft is docked to Shenlong, prompting speculation about the spaceplane's mission and technological abilities. Concerns have been raised over China's advancing space technologies and counterspace capabilities, with whispers of potential developments in space-based weaponry that could jeopardize international satellite safety.

All that over a joke?: Obama ridicules Trump admin's response to 'Cheesecake Factory' jibe

Christine Gaussoin hoped her son Kendrick would succeed in photography after attending Brooks Institute. However, the college closed ten years later, leaving him without a diploma. This closure has resulted in a significant student loan debt for Christine and Kendrick. A lawsuit has been filed against the Trump administration regarding federal loan forgiveness for former students. The case highlights concerns about the trust placed in educational institutions and their accountability.

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia stated that the Women's Premier League will consider expanding the number of teams. He indicated plans for brainstorming sessions to discuss potential improvements, including involving more stakeholders. Saikia highlighted the significant progress made by the WPL since its inception four years ago. He noted the league's increasing dominance in women's cricket, asserting its status among major franchise leagues.

Onions Up 108%: What's Really Driving India's Inflation?

In a notable market shift, Indian government bonds experienced a significant rise as the benchmark 10-year bond yield dropped considerably. This trend followed a favorable boost from Treasuries and decreasing crude prices. Additionally, the Federal Reserve's more dovish approach has had a generally positive effect on the bond landscape. Anticipation builds for the upcoming bond auction, with many investors eyeing potential attractive buy opportunities due to the current yield levels.

Piyush Goyal on India-US Trade Deal: Farmers interests not compromised, we'll have strong advantage

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is keen to visit India soon, Acting British High Commissioner Ben Mellor said on Thursday, highlighting strengthening ties between the two countries. Mellor also expressed confidence that India and the UK would surpass their target of doubling bilateral trade to around $120 billion by 2030, citing new deals worth 12 billion since the free trade agreement was signed.

Telanganas GI-tagged Tandur Tur Dal has reached Australia through its first-ever export shipment of 2.5 metric tonnes, announced by Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. He said rising global demand for authentic Indian agricultural products is creating financial opportunities for farmers and exporters.

Aswath Damodaran values Anthropic at $1.475 trillion ahead of its anticipated IPO, but warns that compute costs, slowing revenue growth, and competition could alter its outlook. His scenarios range from a negative $373 billion to $4.04 trillion in equity value.

Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana is one of the most anticipated films set to release in 2026. The film stars notable actors Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash, contributing to its popularity. In a surprising development, a YouTuber named Sumit Chandra has shared a video highlighting Hindu celebrations in Pakistan. The local Hindu community in Pakistan is showing great enthusiasm for the film release.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) case arises from the CBI's FIR, which has alleged that Yadav entered into a criminal conspiracy with the owner of Sujata Hotels, Sarla Gupta, wife of his close associate Prem Chand Gupta, a Rashtriya Janata Dal MP in the Rajya Sabha, and IRCTC officials for undue pecuniary advantage to himself and others between 2004 and 2014.

Zomato has introduced a feature named 'Mehmaan Mode' to enhance guest experiences during festive gatherings. Guests will be able to view restaurant menus without seeing food prices, which promotes comfort while ordering. This feature was suggested by a LinkedIn user, Ayushmaan Agarwalla, and endorsed by Deepinder Goyal. The interaction led to a rapid rollout of the function to meet festive demands.

Manisha Koirala celebrated her fathers 80th birthday, revealing his active lifestyle, including walking 3 km, completing morning exercises and sleeping 8.5 hours. The 55-year-old actor also shared her yoga and strength-training routine. After struggling with fitness progress, she said doctors helped her understand age-related changes, emphasising patience over perfection.

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined plans to strengthen energy security, expand infrastructure, develop artificial intelligence and improve living standards in his October 28 state-of-the-nation address.

The Supreme Court dismissed TMC MP Mahua Moitra's plea regarding the public disclosure of ultimate beneficial owners. The court noted that no legal framework currently mandates such disclosure by the market regulator, SEBI. While the court acknowledged the importance of investor awareness, it emphasized limitations under Article 32 of the Constitution. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposed the petition, highlighting the absence of statutory provisions.

The Supreme Court rejected former actor Anita Advanis plea seeking recognition of her alleged relationship with late Bollywood superstar Rajesh Khanna as a marriage, calling it luxury litigation. Advani had claimed that she was evicted from Khannas Mumbai home by Dimple Kapadia, Twinkle Khanna and Akshay Kumar.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has urged citizens and students to join the November 1 protest in Delhi. The march aims to address alleged voter irregularities and safeguard India's Constitution. Gandhi emphasizes that this movement transcends party lines and seeks to unite everyone concerned with democracy. He reassures participants not to fear police action while encouraging widespread participation from various groups.

Hamleys Franchising Ltd is facing a voluntary strike-off from the UK company register. The UK Registrar of Companies issued a notice regarding this development on October 27, 2026. Unless objections are raised within two months, the company will be dissolved. In 2025, Hamleys Franchising reported a turnover of Rs 56.08 crore, contributing minimally to Reliance Industries. Its net worth was nil as of December 31, 2025, according to the filing.

At least 16 account holders, mostly farmers, have accused employees of Punjab National Banks Aichhar village branch in Greater Noida of allegedly diverting fixed deposits worth an estimated Rs 35 crore. The bank has suspended five staffers, including the branch manager, and launched an internal probe. Police have registered an FIR and begun an investigation, while customers have protested outside the branch demanding the return of their money.

Rs 200 ticket to Rs 50 lakh Toyota Fortuner: A grandmother from Madhya Pradesh bought a Rs 200 ticket at a Garba festival lucky draw in her six-year-old grandson's name. Nearly a year later, the boy won a Toyota Fortuner SUV worth around Rs 50 lakh, turning a small festival purchase into an unexpected prize for the family.