Chhoti Diwali, also known as Narak Chaturdashi, falls a day before Diwali and this year, it falls on October 20. It is associated with the legend of Narakasur and Lord Krishna's victory over him. The main ritual is taking an oil bath in the Brahma Muhurat, which falls just before sunrise.
Coca-Cola is planning to go public with its India business in hopes of raising $1 billion and valuing Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages at $10 billion. While discussions with bankers have started, details of the offering are still being decided. This follows a trend of global companies listing their Indian businesses, but Coca-Cola faces competition from Ambani's Campa Cola.
Dixon Technologies sees 81% profit growth in Q2 FY26, with consolidated net profit of Rs 745.7 crore. The company also reports a 28.7% YoY revenue growth, reaching Rs 14,855 crore in Q2 FY26. This is a significant increase from the previous year's revenue of Rs 11,534 crore.
Dhanteras, the festival of wealth and prosperity, is being celebrated on October 18, 2025. It is a time to buy gold and silver, as well as other auspicious items like copper utensils, Lakshmi-Ganesha idols, brooms, and coriander seeds. However, it is advised to avoid buying iron and steel items, glass or crystal objects, sharp objects, and oil or ghee.
The stock market will be open on Monday, October 20, but closed on Tuesday and Wednesday for Diwali celebrations. The highly anticipated Muhurat Trading session will take place on Tuesday, October 21, from 1:45 PM to 2:45 PM. After Diwali, the next stock market holidays will be on November 5 and December 25.
Temasek-backed Mohalla Tech, owner of ShareChat and Moj, has reduced operating losses by 72% in FY25 but narrow focus on profitability hindered revenue growth. Despite recording a loss before tax of Rs 1,105 crore in FY25, the company is now back in growth mode and expects 30% topline growth in FY26. While ShareChat's main app turned profitable in February, Moj continues to post losses.
'Brewers Karen' has been fired and banned from the stadium after a video of her threatening a Latino fan and making offensive comments went viral. The incident occurred during a game and has caused controversy. The Latino fan was also ejected and both individuals are now banned from the stadium.
Indian Railways gears up for Diwali and Chhath Puja with special measures and increased train services. Northern Railways leads with 4,718 special train trips and 23 new trains. 2,70,532 additional seats and berths created to meet demand. Delhi-Bihar trains fully booked, with many showing no availability. Crowds expected to peak, with holding areas and standby rakes deployed.
Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company, saw a 13.84% increase in profit in Q2 FY26, with a net profit of Rs 2,649 crore. Its revenue also reached an all-time high of Rs 8,282 crore, a 3.47% growth from the previous year. The company's EBITDA stood at Rs 4,467 crore with a margin of 52%.
CM Siddaramaiah has criticised Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy and his wife Sudha Murty for opting out of Karnataka's caste survey, clarifying that it is for all residents, not just backward classes. The survey covers economic, educational, and social aspects, the Chief Minister added. He said that the couple have been acting out of misinformation attached to the caste survey.
Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, famous for 'Ya Ali,' died in a tragic accident while partying on a yacht in Singapore. The police found no foul play, but an investigation is ongoing. Assam SIT officers will meet with Singapore Police to speed up the process. The 10th Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival has been postponed to 2026.
Warren Buffett, also known as the Oracle of Omaha, is a renowned billionaire and philanthropist. He believes in simple habits like reading daily, going to bed early, and thinking before following trends. In a video, he advises young minds to identify qualities they admire in others and make them their own. He emphasises the importance of forming good habits early in life.
Mongolia's Prime Minister Gombojav Zandanshatar has resigned after losing support from parliament, becoming the second leader to do so in just four months. The 55-year-old was confirmed as prime minister in June, but his predecessor also stepped down due to corruption allegations and protests. The country's head of state is expected to nominate the next prime minister.
Indian-origin model Neelam Gill made a powerful impact at the 2025 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show with her fiery performance. As one of the few British-Punjabi models to attain global recognition, she has worked with top brands like Burberry and L'Oréal Paris. Gill is also an advocate for diversity and mental health.
Thamma, the newest horror-comedy film, is set to release on Diwali 2025 and stars Ayushmann Khurrana, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Rashmika Mandanna, and Paresh Rawal. The cast gave a sneak peek into the film at a promotional event, sharing insights on their characters and the filming process. Siddiqui received a unique tip from the director to prepare for his role as a vampire, while Khurrana and Mand
MrBeast, a popular YouTuber and influencer, recently dropped an expensive picture on the Internet featuring himself with Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan. The picture, dubbed as a "billion-dollar picture," caused a frenzy among netizens, with some speculating a possible collaboration among the celebrities.
American singer Mary Millben slammed Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi for his comments against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's diplomacy with the US. She took to social media to call out Gandhi for not understanding the importance of prioritizing one's country's interests, unlike President Trump. Millben, who has performed for multiple US presidents.
The Supreme Court has acknowledged the increasing trend of digital arrests, specifically of senior citizens, and has requested a response from the Centre and CBI. The court expressed concern over the use of fake court orders to extort innocent people and has called for collaborative efforts to combat this issue.
Waaree Energies, a top solar module manufacturer, is committed to expanding in the US despite a trade probe. CEO Amit Paithankar emphasized the importance of the US market and their cooperation with authorities. The investigation centers on potential tariff evasion through mislabeling Chinese products as Indian. Waaree Energies is investing in increasing production capacity
Former national security advisor to Trump, John Bolton, faces 8 counts of sharing classified information and 10 counts of retaining it at his home. He denies any wrongdoing and believes the charges are an attempt by Trump to intimidate his opponents. Bolton is expected to surrender to authorities on Friday.
Tamil rom-com 'Dude' released to mixed reviews on social media. While some praise the film's Gen Z vibe and lead pair's chemistry, others criticize its slow pace in the second half. The movie, written and directed by Keerthiswaran, has collected Rs 3.89 crore from advance booking.
Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma showcased the company's Made-in-India Paytm AI Soundbox to Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, reaffirming their commitment to PM Narendra Modi's Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. The device aims to make technology and AI more inclusive for small and micro businesses.
A star-studded breast cancer charity event in South Korea hosted by W Korea and attended by top celebrities like BTS and Jay Park faced backlash for focusing more on glamour than raising awareness and funds. Despite the criticism, the 20th annual Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign Charity Event drew a large crowd of K-pop idols and actors to a hotel in Seoul on October 15 KST.
NYC mayoral debate saw heated exchanges between Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo as they clashed over Mamdani's connection with the Muslim community and his past support of the "globalise the intifada" slogan. Cuomo accused Mamdani of being antisemitic, while Mamdani clarified that he no longer stands by the slogan.
Congress releases first list of 48 candidates for Bihar Assembly elections, with state unit chief Rajesh Ram and CLP leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan among them. Party still negotiating with allies for seat-sharing. Nomination deadline for first phase is October 17 and for second phase is October 20. Youth chief Prakash Garib Das also selected.
Ace Frehley, original lead guitarist of Kiss, died at 74 from a head injury. His family mourns his loss and remembers his iconic 'Space Ace' persona and guitar solos. Despite financial struggles, his love for music never wavered. He leaves behind a lasting legacy.
Wipro's share price dropped by 4.56% after the company posted its quarterly earnings for Q2 FY26. Jefferies predicts more downside for the stock, citing limited earnings growth and low dividend yields. Wipro's Q2FY26 results showed a slight increase in profit and revenue, with a positive outlook for Q3. The company also reported significant deal wins.
Infosys' Q2FY26 earnings saw a 2.2% QoQ revenue growth in constant currency terms, with some brokerage firms remaining positive on the stock's long-term prospects and others staying cautious. Nomura maintained a 'Buy' rating with a 16.8% upside potential, while Nuvama trimmed its target price to Rs 1,800 but still retained a 'Buy' rating.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath has increased DA and DR for state employees and pensioners by 3 per cent. This move would benefit 28 lakh people. The revised DA will increase from 55% to 58% of basic pay, effective from July 2025, resulting in an additional expenditure of Rs 1,960 crore for the state. This, the CM said, will improve the standard of living for workers and pensioners.
Indian equity indices opened lower on Friday, with the NSE Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex falling 0.11% and 0.09% respectively. The Bank Nifty, small and midcap stocks also opened weak. The market is resilient and technically strong, with short covering in leading stocks. Good results from HDFC and ICICI, along with RIL joining the rally, can sustain the momentum.
Israeli Ambassador to India thanks PM Modi for supporting Israel's right to self-defence and US's peace plan. Hopes for peace in the region. Family member of hostages praises strong India-Israel ties. After 2+ years, last of 20 hostages return home to Israel.
The first fiery NYC mayoral debate took place with candidates Mamdani, Cuomo, and Sliwa answering bombshell questions on rent, Israel's war, immigration, and marijuana use. Mamdani admitted to buying marijuana, while Cuomo denied it and Sliwa used it for medical reasons. The second debate is scheduled for October 22, with focus on Mamdani and attacks on Cuomo's sexual harassment allegations.
The Trump administration is against the global carbon tax proposed by the IMO and is urging other nations to support its stance. The US has issued a joint statement warning of economic impacts and consequences for countries that support the tax. It has also threatened penalties on nations that support it to protect its economic interests.
Amit Shah defends electoral roll cleanup, stating it aims to remove ineligible voters and prevent fraud. He criticises Congress for protesting, saying it would affect their vote bank in border areas with infiltrators. SIR process necessary for integrity of democracy.
A cyber attack on F5, a US cybersecurity company, is believed to be carried out by state-backed hackers from China. The US government has issued a warning about a cyber threat actor targeting federal networks through vulnerabilities in F5 products. China denies involvement and condemns hacking. The identity of the hackers has not been confirmed.
Three people died in a plane crash in Bath Township, Michigan. The victims' identities are unknown, and the cause of the crash is being investigated. Videos of the incident have surfaced on social media, and the plane is believed to be a Mexican-registered Hawker 800XP. The Federal Aviation Administration is looking into the matter and a press conference is scheduled for updates.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Germany's Merck KGaA have struck a deal to cut the cost of in-vitro fertilization drugs in exchange for protection from tariffs. The agreement also includes Merck offering new drugs at the same prices as in other developed countries, and expanding insurance coverage for fertility care.
Motilal Oswal has chosen 10 stocks this Diwali with potential growth of up to 38%. These include State Bank of India, Bharat Electronics, Mahindra & Mahindra, Swiggy, Indian Hotels, Max Financial, Radico Khaitan, Delhivery, LT Foods, and VIP Industries. The brokerage sees strong growth potential in these stocks due to factors such as government reforms, product launches, and market share gains.
"Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1" has been a blockbuster hit, earning high praise for its stunning visuals and gripping storyline. However, the film's success was questioned when its second week saw a decline in collections. Director-actor Rishab Shetty faced immense challenges in creating the film, with a massive budget and shooting in real forests with a large crew.
Reliance Industries to announce second quarterly results for FY 2026 today, expected to show 13-14% year-on-year EBITDA growth. JPMorgan predicts 14% rise in consolidated EBITDA, driven by improved O2C margins and telecom tariff hikes. ICICI Securities expects 8% y-o-y increase in PAT, with retail segment earnings up 10%. Axis Capital estimates 10% y-o-y revenue growth and 14% y-o-y EBIT
Economists estimate that the number of Americans filing for jobless benefits dropped last week, despite lackluster hiring and the ongoing government shutdown. The labor market remains stagnant, with low layoffs and hiring, and small businesses showing signs of a slowdown. The unemployment rate remains high at 4.3%, and the number of people receiving benefits after initial claims has not improved.
Trump warns of potential military action against Hamas if it continues targeting civilians in Gaza. This comes after his comments on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the need for Hamas to comply with the US-brokered peace agreement. He stresses that the group must surrender its weapons and warns of decisive action if they fail to do so.
India and the US are discussing strengthening their energy relationship, but the Ministry of External Affairs did not confirm or deny Trump's statement about India stopping Russian oil imports. Russia is now India's main oil supplier due to discounts after their invasion of Ukraine. India aims to double energy purchases and diversify sourcing, despite Trump's tariffs.
PM Narendra Modi inaugurated two greenfield industrial parks in Andhra Pradesh, with an investment of Rs 4,920 crore, to establish the state as a major industrial hub. He emphasized India's ambition to become a "Viksit Bharat" by 2047, driven by its growing manufacturing prowess. These parks, along with 12 others, aim to attract Rs 21,000 crore in investment and create 1,00,000 jobs.
India is experiencing a transformative shift with the emergence of Global Legal and Compliance Centres (GLCCs), which serve as both support systems and drivers of legal innovation and governance excellence. These centres, with a workforce of 6,000 lawyers across sectors, have become crucial hubs in guiding global business decisions.
Tarun Garg, the new MD and CEO of Hyundai Motor India, has a successful history of turning the company around during a tough time. He aims to tackle challenges such as competition and the need for diversification and focus on alternative fuels. His goal is to improve profitability, not just market share.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman addressed concerns about the upcoming Adult mode for ChatGPT, stating that they will prioritise the safety of teenagers over their freedom. The policy will have varying restrictions for different users, including those with mental health issues. Altman also announced that more adult content, such as erotica, will be allowed for verified adults in December.
L&T Finance aims for growth in two-wheeler, personal, and gold loans in H2FY26, driven by GST demand and branch expansion. CEO Sudipta Roy talks about their digital push and plans to become a fully retail-focused lender in 3 quarters.
Titagarh Rail Systems (TRSL) plans to increase production of passenger coaches from 12 to 240 coaches in FY27, driven by orders for Vande Bharat sleeper trains and metro projects. By 2028, the company aims to produce 850 coaches per annum. The PRS division constitutes 62% of the company's order book, and is expected to contribute 50% to total business in 4-5 years.
Rolls-Royce and Bharat Forge have joined forces to produce fan blades for the Pearl 700 and Pearl 10X engines, in line with Rolls-Royce's plan to increase its sourcing from India by 2030. This partnership will enhance India's manufacturing capabilities and provide precision aerospace components for the global supply chain.