The Indri Diwali Collector’s Edition 2024 is a premium single malt whisky made from Indian six-row barley and aged in sherry casks in the northern plains. Other noteworthy releases include Six Brothers, a 100% flower-based spirit, and Godawan x Taj, a single malt exclusive to the Palaces of Taj.
Big Tech firms are spending like never before on artificial intelligence (AI), and the bills just keep getting bigger. Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and even Apple released their quarterly spending reports, and the numbers are staggering. The AI spending that has cost lakhs of jobs isn’t easing up anytime soon. In fact, it’s set to surge even higher in 2026, Business Insider reports.
Economists suggest that the proposed changes in the housing index methodology for the revised Consumer Price Index (CPI) series will address statistical inaccuracies in the sector. The new series will cover both rural and urban areas, exclude employer-provided dwellings, and gather monthly rent data to better reflect market changes.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is planning to introduce a new law to regulate deepfakes and synthetically generated content. The law will cover all aspects of AI and its applications, and will include measures for labeling and verifying AI-generated content. Major social media platforms will have additional obligations, while private content will not be affected.
The Nifty may experience consolidation as traders take profits, with a 0.28% loss last week. It remains above its 20-day EMA and Fibonacci retracement levels suggest support at 25,524 and 25,245. The trendline at 25,400 will serve as support, with the US government shutdown and uncertainty in the markets. Expect consolidation before a potential move higher.
Kane Williamson, former New Zealand skipper and strategic advisor for Lucknow Super Giants, has retired from T20I cricket. He will not be playing in the upcoming series against West Indies and will focus on Tests. Williamson has an impressive record and led the team to multiple T20 World Cup successes. Coach Rob Walter praised his leadership and he will continue playing franchise cricket.
SP Group is planning to raise $2.5 billion to refinance the debt of its holding arm, Goswami Infratech, which backs its stake in Tata Sons. Some of the previous investors, including Cerberus Capital, Ares Management, Farallon Capital Management, and Davidson Kempner Capital Management, are likely to participate in the new round at a lower yield.
Consumer goods companies in India are anticipating a rise in demand in the second half of the financial year, after experiencing trade disruptions caused by GST in the first half. Despite modest revenue and profit growth in the second quarter, companies are hopeful and investing in growth and expansion.
IAS Pari Bishnoi's inspiring journey of resilience and determination is a testament to the power of never giving up. After failing to clear the UPSC exam in her first attempt, she moved back to her small town in Rajasthan and prepared for another attempt. When she received her interview call, something shifted in her, & she decided to rebuild her confidence through exercise & a balanced diet.
UPI transactions reached a record high in October, driven by festive season spending and government initiatives. The platform saw a 25% increase in transactions, reaching 20.70 billion worth Rs 27.28 lakh crore. It also processed a record 754 million payments in a single day. However, the growth rate has slowed down since April 2022, indicating a stable phase for UPI.
Kotak Mahindra's CIO, Harsha Upadhyaya, notes that large and midcap companies have shown earnings growth, but their valuations are still high. Small cap valuations are even higher, but the fund house maintains a disciplined approach, prioritizing quality businesses, management, and reasonable valuations. Upadhyaya suggests a longer investment horizon and predicts moderate returns.
DFCCIL has successfully reduced India's logistics cost from 14% to 8-9% of GDP through the dedicated freight corridors. This has also helped in strengthening the country's industrial competitiveness and self-reliance. The completion of the Western DFC is expected to further decrease the cost and increase the efficiency of goods transport, with a projected increase in the number of trains.
The ministry of commerce and industry is considering allowing e-commerce companies to build their own inventory for exports from India, aiming to increase e-commerce exports without harming small retailers. This is in line with the global trend of cross border e-commerce, which is expected to reach $2 trillion by 2034. India aims to increase its e-commerce exports to $200-300 billion by 2030.
The government is planning to launch the initial public offering (IPO) of Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) in the current financial year to increase its market value and raise capital for expansion. ECGC reported a net profit of Rs 2,077 crore in FY25 and has a strong financial position with a solvency ratio of 57.13.
SEBI and panchayati raj ministry have joined hands to impart financial literacy to sarpanches and officials at panchayat levels in six states. The training will cover topics like financial planning, investment in equities and mutual funds, budgeting, savings, and safeguarding against fraudulent schemes.
Foreign investors are increasingly investing in Indian government securities, with a record high of Rs 13,397 crore in October. This is due to a stable rupee, potential trade deal, favorable interest rates, and expected monetary easing. FPI holdings in government securities have also reached a record high, attributed to attractive yields and the RBI's efforts to manage the rupee.
Three 22-year-old high school friends, two of Indian origins, have become the world's youngest self-made billionaires with their AI startup Mercor reaching a valuation of $10 billion. Co-founded by Brendan Foody, Surya Midha, and Adarsh Hiremath, Mercor raised $350 million in a new funding round. The company builds AI-powered recruitment and data-levelling systems.
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has emphasised the importance of in-person work for younger employees, as remote work limits mentorship and learning opportunities. This comes after 2,000 employees signed a petition for a hybrid work model. Dimon, who has been Chairman and CEO since 2006, graduated from Tufts University and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Indian stock markets are expected to have an eventful week, with key data releases and major corporate earnings lined up. Attention will be on macroeconomic data and global trends, along with foreign inflows and rupee movements. Last week, the markets saw a dip due to profit-booking, and investors will closely monitor trade talks with the US and ongoing earnings season for direction.
A boss asking an employee to work on the weekend has caused controversy over work-life balance after the employee shared the conversation on Reddit. The boss became angry when the employee said that he wasn't carrying his laptop and told him to go to the office. Reddit users had varying opinions, with some supporting the employee and others proposing better communication strategies.
For someone leading the race to become New York City’s next mayor, Zohran Mamdani isn’t sitting on much wealth. According to Forbes, the 34-year-old state assembly member, known for his socialist politics, has an estimated net worth of around $200,000 ( ₹1.71 crore) as of 2025.
Tamil Nadu CM Stalin accuses Election Commission of manipulating electoral process with last-minute voter roll revision, leading to NDA allies skipping all-party meeting. Stalin questions timing and calls for protection of voter rights and democratic values in upcoming Assembly polls.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, the disgraced music mogul, is adjusting to life behind bars. Once living in a multimillion-dollar Miami mansion, the first photos of the Bad Boy Records producer at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Fort Dix in New Jersey have now surfaced.
The world's billionaires are unafraid to splurge on extravagant luxuries, such as superyachts, as a symbol of their wealth. One EV giant is even aiming to become the first trillionaire. The top ten richest individuals have gained $500 billion this year, with names like Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Larry Ellison owning some of the most opulent yachts.
Shah Rukh Khan, the ultimate King of Bollywood, turned 60 and Shashi Tharoor couldn't help but express his disbelief at how young the actor looks. Tharoor jokingly claimed that Shah Rukh is actually aging in reverse, presenting "evidence" to support his claims. He also predicted that by the time Shah Rukh turns 70, he'll be auditioning for teenage roles.
BJP has slammed Lalu Prasad Yadav for mocking Kumbh and celebrating Halloween. BJP's Kisan Morcha wing urged voters in the poll-bound Bihar not to support him. Bihar elections will be held in two phases this month, with the first phase on November 6 and the second on November 11. The result will be announced on November 14.
Last week, the combined market valuation of four of the top 10 valued firms increased by Rs 95,447.38 crore, with Reliance Industries leading the pack. However, HDFC Bank, TCS, ICICI Bank, Bajaj Finance, Infosys, and Hindustan Unilever saw a decline in their valuation. Reliance Industries, SBI, and Airtel were the top gainers, while Reliance remained the most valued domestic firm.
Delhi's air quality has deteriorated to "very poor" levels with an AQI of 387, compared to 218 the previous day. The worst-affected areas are Wazirpur and RK Puram, both in the "severe" category as of 7 am today. Other hotspots include Bawana, Rohini, and Dwarka. Neighbouring cities also reported "very poor" air, with Dharuhera recording an AQI of 440.
SBI Research predicts that GST revenue for FY26 will surpass government's budget estimates, with most states like Maharashtra and Karnataka gaining 6% and 10.7%. Past rate changes show a temporary dip in collections followed by a rebound, resulting in additional revenues of Rs 1 trillion. In October, GST collections increased by 4.6%.
Tennessee’s Evolve Bank & Trust has fired its newly appointed CEO, Bob Hartheimer, after he was arrested in an FBI sting operation. Court documents seen by the Wall Street Journal on Friday revealed that Hartheimer, who had taken over as Evolve’s chief executive in August, was charged with “attempting to produce child pornography and sending sexually explicit material to a minor.”
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced tech giant's plans to expand the workforce, focusing on AI and operational efficiency. “I will say we will grow our headcount, but the way I look at it is that the headcount we grow will grow with a lot more leverage than the headcount we had pre-AI,” he said. He also stressed the need to adapt to new ways of working as AI becomes central to Microsoft.
ISRO will launch the Indian Navy's GSAT-7R (CMS-03) communication satellite from Sriharikota on Sunday. Weighing 4,400 kg, it is India's heaviest Navy satellite and will provide robust telecommunication coverage over the Indian Ocean Region. The satellite includes indigenous components to meet the Navy's operational needs.
Millie Bobby Brown, known for Stranger Things, is also a successful entrepreneur with her skincare line. However, her on-set journey has been rocky due to co-star David Harbour's bullying and harassment accusations. The final season releases on November 26, with the last episode premiering on December 31-January 1. The Duffer Brothers promise big answers and intense visuals.
President Trump has warned of swift military action in Nigeria if the government doesn't address the killing of Christians. He has also suspended all aid to the country. Defense Secretary Hegseth supports this warning and the Department of War is preparing for action. Nigeria has been put back on the list of countries violating religious freedom and Trump has urged Congress to investigate.
Paris’s Louvre Museum was hit by a brazen day-light robbery on October 19, when thieves escaped with jewels worth around $102 million. Investigators say the entire theft took less than eight minutes. In a recent development, two more people have been charged in connection with the theft, bringing the total number of individuals formally charged to four.
Team India's Rishabh Pant, Rajat Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal, and Sai Sudharsan send wishes to the women's team ahead of the ICC Women's World Cup final against South Africa. Pant praises the team's resilience and urges them to bring the World Cup home, while Patidar and Padikkal emphasize on creating history.
Baahubali: The Epic, starring Prabhas, has shattered box office records with its massive collection of over Rs 10 crore on its opening day. The film, which includes never-before-seen footage, continues to draw huge crowds worldwide, earning Rs 17.80 crore in just two days. Despite a slight decrease in occupancy in certain areas, Baahubali remains a strong performer.
Delhi's worsening AQI has led to residents using air purifiers indoors, but a viral video shows how quickly the air quality deteriorates when the door is opened. The 24-hour average AQI has reached "very poor" levels, prompting the government to take action. 13 pollution hotspots are being monitored and permanent water sprinklers are being installed.
The White House has revealed the details of the agreement between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to ease the trade tensions. The deal involves tariff cuts, a halt in Beijing's export restrictions on rare earth minerals, and a restart of Chinese purchases of American soybeans. Additionally, there will be a decrease in tariffs on fentanyl-related Chinese products.
An early morning explosion rocked a Harvard Medical School building in Boston on Saturday, the school’s police department confirmed. As reported by The New York Times, authorities described the incident as an “intentional act.”
Bihar SSP Kartikeya Sharma assures peaceful assembly elections after fatal clash in Mokama. Janata Dal (United) candidate Anant Singh arrested along with two others for violating Model Code of Conduct. Strict action promised by SSP.
Trump and Xi met during the APEC Summit and reached a one-year trade pact, with China agreeing to buy US farm products. Trump called it a success and believes it will bring lasting peace and prosperity for both countries.
Multiple people were stabbed on a train near Cambridge, England, and two suspects were arrested after armed officers stopped the train at Huntingdon. The incident was described as "appalling" by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and a large-scale response was mobilized by the ambulance service. One suspect was tasered by police and multiple patients were taken to hospital.
The government has launched the Employees' Enrolment Scheme 2025 to promote voluntary compliance and extend social security coverage to all eligible employees. The scheme provides a special window for employers to enroll eligible employees who were left out from EPF coverage between July 2017 and October 2025. The window will remain open for six months.
India's women's cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, has a chance to make history like Kapil Dev's 1983 team. Jemimah Rodrigues' standout performance in the semifinal has brought attention to the team. The packed stadium reflects the rising popularity of women's cricket in India. Despite facing challenges, the team has bounced back and is now a force to be reckoned with.
Indian homegrown brands are making waves in the liquor market by offering unique and authentic alcoholic beverages, catering to well-travelled and experimental consumers. From limoncello to agave spirits, these brands are expanding into new markets with a focus on local ingredients and premium experiences, disrupting the industry and tapping into the trend of premiumization.
Jemimah Rodrigues' unbeaten 127 against Australia not only secured India's win, but also catapulted her brand endorsement journey. Experts forecast a 100% increase in her endorsement value, with potential deals worth Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore. Despite a reach gap with male cricketers, her comeback, fan connection, and performance make her a promising face in women's sports. Authenticity is her key.
India and the US are close to finalizing a deal that would see India's tariffs on US goods decrease to 10-15%. The US is also pushing for India to reduce its oil imports from Russia and open up its markets for American products. However, India must also protect its interests by enforcing strict segregation for genetically modified corn imports and sequencing its approach to US engagement.
Indian carmakers saw a surge in domestic sales in October, with a 17% year-on-year jump, thanks to Diwali demand and lower GST rates. Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, and Mahindra & Mahindra all saw significant growth, while Hyundai was the only brand to record a decline due to the phasing out of a model. The upcoming launch of the new Venue is expected to further boost sales.
"Map of Memories" delves into the power of memory and how it shapes individuals and society. Through personal experiences in Mumbai, Kumar reflects on the impact of political, social, and cultural changes and the struggle to hold onto memories. Employing literary techniques, he invites readers to connect with their own emotions and experiences.
"Unseen" is a compelling biography of Zomato's founder, Mohit Hira, that delves into his personal and professional journey. It highlights his childhood trauma, parental influence, and entrepreneurial challenges, while also exploring the emotional struggles and leadership hurdles faced by Deepinder.