The Economic Times

Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia will succeed incumbent Vice Chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, who will take charge as as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff on Saturday.

The opposition grouping announced that it had postponed its public impeachment of Kumar to Saturday due to rain on Friday. It invited common people, including the youth, women and students, besides members of civil society to participate in the protest march and public rally at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday.

The US military is enhancing its presence in the Middle East as tensions with Iran escalate. Preparations include reinforcing air defenses and conducting battlefield casualty exercises that have not occurred in decades. Recent reports suggest a possible military campaign against Iran could commence following the midterm elections. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, significant disagreements remain regarding nuclear negotiations and sanctions.

United Spirits, the Indian subsidiary of Diageo, was searched by Maharashtra tax authorities due to an investigation. The authorities are probing the misclassification of Scotch imports to determine if companies paid lower tariffs. United Spirits previously faced scrutiny from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence in an industry-wide inquiry. Despite the searches, the company stated there was no impact on its financial and operational activities.

US Stock Market today: As the world's biggest technology companies race to expand computing capacity, demand for such facilities has surged, creating what industry executives have described as a generational opportunity for alternative asset managers.

In India, it's essential for policymakers to harmonize growth output with inflation expectations. Niti Aayogs Ashok Lahiri pointed out the importance of addressing inflation alongside job creation. He urged banks to play a pivotal role in linking enterprises with financial support and investment options. To capitalize on its natural resources, West Bengal must focus on industry attraction, while effective land acquisition and good infrastructure remain key for business development.

Spandana Sphoorty Financial reported consolidated Q2 profit of Rs 18 crore, reversing a Rs 249 crore year-ago loss. Assets under management grew 31% to Rs 5,364 crore, while improving asset quality reduced gross and net NPAs.

Adani Energy Solutions has received approval to acquire IntelliSmart Infrastructure, establishing a major presence in smart meters. This acquisition will help expand the Adani Group's operations in digital grid modernization efforts. The Competition Commission of India also approved other significant acquisitions in various sectors, highlighting ongoing consolidation in the market. Notable approvals include investments in telecom and quick-service restaurants, enhancing industry efficiency.

Bank of Baroda reported 36% year-on-year profit growth to Rs 6,532 crore in Q2FY27, boosted by NSE stake sale gains and higher interest income. The lender raised annual credit and deposit growth guidance amid strong loan demand.

Manoj Oraon, West Bengal's Forest Minister, has revealed that the state is joining forces with Assam to recapture a tigress, which was initially released in Buxa Tiger Reserve to help bolster the local tiger numbers. After navigating across the Sankosh river, the tigress found its way into Raimona National Park.

In a significant move, the Karnataka government declared it would not proceed with a disputed circular aimed at mandating hospitals to disclose medicine pricing information. This decision emerged during a High Court review related to the circular's compliance and repercussions. The proposal required hospitals to clearly present procurement costs, MRP, and patient billing in their invoices.

At the lively Annual Berkap-Reiju Festival, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh urged Manipur's residents to cherish and protect their cultural heritage. He spoke about the vital role of unity among the 36 communities that define the state's character. To illustrate his point, he referenced Singapore's early challenges and announced financial backing for the festival's organizing committee as a means to enhance and celebrate their unique cultural legacy.

Tom Brady is reportedly in a new relationship with model Candice Swanepoel following his retirement from the NFL. Reports indicate that this romance may have created tension between Swanepoel and fellow model Joan Smalls. Brady, who had a highly publicised marriage with Gisele Bndchen, continues to navigate his personal life post-divorce. Despite the speculation, neither Brady nor Swanepoel has confirmed their relationship publicly.

Manisha Bhanwala made history by winning gold in the 59 kg category at the Senior World Wrestling Championships. She defeated USA's Abigail Elizabeth Nette in a thrilling final after coming back from a 0-6 deficit. India's women's wrestling team secured a total of four medals during the championship, marking a successful campaign. Kajal Dhochak and Neelam Sirohi won silver medals while Tanu Sharma earned a bronze medal.

We complement each other rather than compete: Piyush Goyal on India-EU FTA negotiations

PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi clarified his earlier remarks about the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. He emphasized that attempts to delete Congress-supporting voters were countered in Karnataka through proper interventions. Home Minister Priyank Kharge challenged Jarkiholi's assertions, highlighting irregularities in the voter roll revision process. Complaints have emerged regarding the improper deletion of names from the electoral rolls.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq emphasized the need for civil liberties and reconciliation in Jammu and Kashmir. He pointed out that while violence has decreased, political grievances remain unaddressed. Farooq urged the release of political prisoners and meaningful government engagement. He called attention to alarming figures related to arrests and detentions since 2019 and their impact. The report advocates for restoring statehood and dialogue between India and Pakistan to build trust.

The Today show hosted its annual Halloween special, celebrating NBC's 100th anniversary with various tributes. Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager dressed as characters from Friends, performing together. Al Roker humorously portrayed Gumby while other anchors took on iconic NBC personalities. Special guests, such as Martha Stewart and Jack McBrayer, surprised the hosts with entertaining appearances.

Nokia 2360 flip phone news: HMD has officially introduced the Nokia 2360 Flip, a feature phone designed for students and seniors. This clamshell phone includes a Family Assist feature allowing remote management through an app. It also features a dedicated SOS button to send emergency texts to contacts. Parental controls can restrict calls and messages for added security. The device offers a simple interface with large icons and a removable battery.

Reliance Industries' oil-to-chemicals sector reported record earnings due to soaring global fuel prices. The firm credited this success to the rise in energy costs and improved refining margins for the second quarter. While rising crude oil and transport fuel prices bolstered revenue, increased procurement and transportation expenses served as a constraint on overall earnings.

JioStar's net profit declined 13.2% year-on-year to Rs 1,147 crore in Q2 FY27, despite a 10.1% rise in operating revenue to Rs 6,806 crore. Operating EBITDA fell 10.5%, with margins contracting 600 basis points. JioHotstar averaged 440 million monthly active users, supported by growth in viewership and subscriptions.

Mothers of Courage, a documentary, recently won the 2026 UN SDG Action Award in Rome. This film showcases the grassroots movement led by women to advocate for girls' education in Bihar. Through Shikshagraha, over 1.19 million citizens have been mobilized to support this initiative. The documentary highlights community gatherings where barriers to education are discussed and solutions are sought.

ICAI will issue a guidance note for auditors of multi-state cooperative societies following the government's notification of the Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Auditor's Report) Order, 2026. The guidance will standardise audit practices, strengthen regulatory compliance and help identify financial irregularities and governance risks. The new framework will be implemented in phases.

The National Federation of Indian Railwaymen has presented demands to the 8th Central Pay Commission. They have requested a minimum salary of Rs 69,000 for employees, along with a fitment factor of 3.833. Additionally, they seek an increase in annual increments from 3% to 6% and at least five promotions during service. The federation also wants the merger of dearness allowance with basic pay when it reaches 25%.

DC Studios' Clayface, starring Tom Rhys Harries, brings a darker take on one of Batman's most disturbing villains. Directed by James Watkins, the body horror film follows actor Matt Hagen, whose life changes after a brutal attack leaves him disfigured. Desperate to regain his appearance and career, he turns to an experimental treatment that gradually transforms his body into living clay and threatens his grip on reality.

Why is the US stock market down today? Weak earnings from Intel and Amazon, plus AI worries, pulled the Nasdaq down 2.14% and the S&P 500 down 1.29%. Dow Jones is at 52,113.50, down 0.44%. Nvidia, AMD and Reddit also fell.

Reliance Industries reported record Q2FY27 profit of Rs 29,550 crore and revenue of Rs 3.62 lakh crore, driven by strong refining margins and Jio growth. Retail profitability weakened, while declining debt improved the conglomerate's financial position.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved Adani Energy Solutions' Rs 3,050-crore acquisition of IntelliSmart Infrastructure. The transaction involves acquiring 100% of IntelliSmart's equity from NIIF and EESL, along with the redemption of optionally convertible debentures held by NIIF, expanding AESL's presence in the smart metering business.

By the close of September, loans against fixed deposits experienced a striking 53% year-on-year spike, reaching Rs 2.17 lakh crore. The demand for gold loans soared to an astonishing 82.6% increase, showcasing robust customer interest throughout India. Personal loans appreciated by 17.3%, hitting Rs 74.3 lakh crore, complemented by growth in agricultural and industrial credits. Overall, the banking sector reported a 19.4% expansion in total credit, amounting to Rs 229.

Ayana Woods is set to debut as Bengaluru's pioneering community focused on longevity and wellness. Nestled in Sarjapura over 75 acres, it boasts modern villas inspired by Bali. The centerpiece is an expansive 8-acre resort-style clubhouse featuring more than 100 amenities dedicated to recreation and wellness. Crafted by Maa Acorn, the design promotes a lifestyle filled with movement, relaxation, and social connectivity, ultimately improving residents' quality of life.

The Reserve Bank of India conducted its 625th Central Board meeting under Governor Sanjay Malhotra. The board reviewed economic conditions and potential risks facing Indias economy while evaluating the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporations activities. Additionally, the board members participated in the Integrity Pledge as part of Vigilance Week 2026. Deputy Governors and other board members contributed to the discussions during the meeting.

The country received $113.029 billion under this head during the three months while it paid $59.637 billion, the data showed. September saw the biggest surplus at $19.208 billion while it was $17.647 billion and $16.537 billion in July and August respectively.

Traffic restrictions will be implemented in Delhi for the 'Run for Unity' event scheduled on October 31. The event commemorates the 151st birth anniversary of Vallabhbhai Patel and will affect several roads. Participants will start at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium near India Gate and conclude at Subhas Chandra Bose's statue. Commuters are advised to avoid unnecessary travel in affected areas during the designated hours.

India's population census will be conducted from January 25 to February 28, 2027, with March 1 designated as the reference date. Self-enumeration will be available from January 10 to 24, ahead of house-to-house counting. Certain poll-going states and snow-bound regions have been excluded from the announced schedule.

Diversity Visa Program is also called the green card lottery. It was introduced to extend immigration opportunities for people of particular countries that remained underrepresented in the US immigration system.

Reliance Retail Q2 Results: The company's gross revenue increased 6.4% YoY to Rs 91,716 crore in Q2FY27, compared with Rs 86,169 crore in the year-ago period. The growth came despite the absence of major festive occasions during the quarter, with the festive calendar shifting to the December quarter.

Binance's significant security breach has led to a public dispute between Changpeng Zhao and Elon Musk. Zhao is seeking Musk's support while trying to reassure Binance customers that their funds remain secure. The incident highlights Binance's investments in Musk's businesses, specifically with SpaceX. Binance aims to recover affected assets and restore normal operations following this crisis. Meanwhile, the situation has attracted the attention of cybersecurity investigators and cryptocurrency

Reliance Industries has approved plans to raise up to Rs 15,000 crore through non-convertible debentures via private placement. The fundraising announcement came with the company's Q2 earnings where it reported a 41% year-on-year rise in net profit to Rs 25,548 crore.

In response to global energy market turmoil, Reliance Industries revamped its crude oil sourcing strategy for the July-September quarter. The company pivoted its petroleum exports to international markets, optimizing profitability. With the Strait of Hormuz and Saudi Arabia's pipeline creating hurdles, Reliance sought crude oil from Latin America and North America.

Historian Sarah Paine warns that the world could be moving towards another global war as tensions involving Iran, Russia and NATO continue to rise. Calling the Iran war probably one of the most incompetent wars in human history, she says conflicts can quickly spiral out of control and are difficult to end once they begin. Paine also raises concerns about Vladimir Putins actions near NATO territory.

The Vatican confirmed Friday that the Chicago-born pontiff had submitted a mail-in ballot in Chicago ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, citing his long-standing belief in civic participation.

Giant skeleton decorations have become popular outside homes, extending their use beyond Halloween into other holidays. Homeowners are customizing these skeletons for Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Easter, showing creativity and flexibility. This trend indicates a growing inclination in American culture towards year-round holiday displays. The appeal lies in their size, which makes them ideal for social media sharing among friends.

Jio Platforms reported a 28% increase in its 5G subscriber base and a 32% rise in home broadband connections. By the end of the September quarter, Jio had added 66 million 5G customers, reaching a total of 300 million subscribers. The company acquired 15 million new 5G users sequentially during the third quarter. Jio is now the world's largest 5G operator outside China.

After the success of his previous work, Obsession, Curry Barker has unveiled a terrifying short film entitled Mama Bear. This eerie film revolves around Floyd, who is plagued by unsettling late-night phone calls. Released on October 29, 2026, it's available for free. Mama Bear allows Barker to reconnect with former team members, while he simultaneously prepares for his upcoming horror-comedy, Anything But Ghosts.

Reliance Industries Q2 Results: Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) on Friday reported a 41% year-on-year (YoY) growth in consolidated net profit to Rs 25,548 crore for the September quarter of FY27, compared with Rs 18,165 crore in the corresponding period last year.

Allison Sheehan, a former Goldman Sachs employee, faced conflicts with the firm's compliance team regarding her baking business. She decided to leave her finance career to fully focus on her cake business. After resigning, her production increased significantly, allowing her to create between 10 and 30 desserts each week. She is now exploring expansion plans for her company, including the potential for retail sales.