India falls to 131st rank in World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Index 2025, due to slow progress in gender parity and challenges in political representation and economic participation of women. Despite a slight improvement, the country's score is below global and South Asia averages. Published annually, the Global Gender Gap Report highlights India's struggle for gender equality.
The highly anticipated sequel to De De Pyaar De, starring Ajay Devgn, is set to open with a strong start based on advance booking trends. Fans are excited for the new story and familiar faces, and the film has already earned impressive numbers in just 24 hours. A new character in the mix adds an intriguing twist.
Delhi's air quality has reached 'severe' levels, prompting the implementation of Stage III of GRAP by CAQM. This includes restrictions on vehicles, construction, and other emission sources. The Delhi Police has released a list of allowed and banned vehicles, with a focus on essential services and goods.
Amazon’s latest round of layoffs has hit New York City hard. According to official records from the New York State Department of Labor, the company has slashed 660 jobs across nine corporate office locations in Manhattan during its massive October job reduction drive.
The Indian markets are experiencing a buoyant session today, with the benchmark indices led by the tech sector. The Nifty has crossed the important 25,900 mark and the Sensex has gained over 700 points. The small, midcap indices are also performing well. The positive sentiment is attributed to the Bihar exit polls and signs of progress in India-US trade talks, with tech leading the charge.
Zhong Huijan, the third-richest self-made woman in the world and 16th richest person in China, has achieved success as the co-founder of Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group. Her leadership has propelled the company to become the top producer of psychotropic drugs in China and venture into other areas like oncology and anti-diabetic medicines. Her net worth has increased during the pandemic.
Jimmy Kimmel's childhood friend and bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III, passed away at 59. They had been friends since age 9 and worked together for almost 20 years. Cleto was a talented musician from a musical family and a beloved member of Kimmel's show. Kimmel canceled his show and shared a heartfelt tribute on social media.
Zubeen Garg’s final film Roi Roi Binale has made history by becoming the highest-grossing Assamese movie ever, collecting ₹16.66 crores within just 12 days of release. The musical love story, directed by Rajesh Bhuyan and co-produced by Garima Saikia Garg, has captivated audiences across India with sold-out screenings and rave reviews.
Four exit poll agencies have not yet released their predictions for the Bihar Assembly elections, which had a high voter turnout of over 71%. The final phase of voting had 1,302 candidates competing in 122 constituencies across 20 districts, with female voters outnumbering men by 9%. Other exit polls suggest a clear win for the NDA.
India's Q2FY26 auto sector performance was mixed due to festive season, rare earth supply issues, and GST cut. Kotak Institutional Equities remained 'cautious' due to structural headwinds in passenger vehicle sales. Weak demand in passenger vehicles, but strong growth in two-wheelers. Northern and western regions saw recovery, while southern and eastern regions had slower growth.
Jagdish Kataria, father of a victim in the Red Fort Car blast, discussed the incident and expressed uncertainty about it being a terror attack. The victim was waiting for a taxi when the blast happened. A Jaish-e-Mohammed module is being connected to the explosion, resulting in multiple arrests and the discovery of a large amount of weapons and explosives.
The GTRI report advises India to first lift the sanctions on Russian oil and negotiate a rollback of the 25% tariff with the U.S. before resuming trade talks. This would enhance India's export competitiveness and benefit key industries. The report also suggests waiting for the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on Trump's tariffs before finalizing a fair trade deal.
US President Donald Trump seems to be taking a softer tone on the H-1B visa issue, just weeks after sparking outrage by announcing a massive $100,000 fee on visa applications. In a recent Fox News interview, Trump appeared to shift his stance, saying he supports bringing in “talented people” from abroad to take on specialised roles that require advanced skills.
Bihar has recorded its highest voter turnout since 1951, with 66.91% in the first two phases of the assembly election. The state also saw its highest female voter turnout at 71.6%. The results will be announced on November 14, with a total of 7.25 crore people voting. The Election Commission of India has reported a total of 8.5 Lakh polling-related staff, 1.4 lakh polling agents.
Police have detained Maulvi Ishtiyaq, a key figure in the 'white collar' terror module responsible for the Red Fort car blast. He is the ninth person to be detained and was staying in the same university complex where explosives were found. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage to find any links to the suspects. the Maulvi has now been taken to Srinagar for questioning.
Jeff Goldblum's role in 'Wicked' led him to adopt a vegan lifestyle, along with co-stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. He shared the positive effects it had on his body, but experts caution about potential nutrient deficiencies in a vegan diet.
Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi's Jolly LLB 3, directed by Subhash Kapoor, breaks records as the highest-grossing film in the franchise with Rs 116.75 cr at the Indian box office and Rs 170.8 cr worldwide. The courtroom drama will now be available for digital streaming on Netflix and JioHotstar, following the trend of dual platform releases.
BCCI tells Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to participate in domestic one-day tournaments to maintain match readiness for international cricket. Rohit confirms availability for Vijay Hazare Trophy, while Kohli's status remains uncertain. Ajit Agarkar stresses the importance of domestic cricket for all players, including seniors.
Vodafone Idea is in talks with the government to tackle its Rs 78,500 crore AGR debt and secure long-term funding. The recent Supreme Court ruling has given the company the opportunity to review its AGR dues. Despite facing financial challenges, the company has shown progress with reduced losses and plans for expansion.
Women in the Afghan city of Herat have been told to wear a burqa, a full Islamic veil that covers the entire body and face, if they want to enter public health facilities, according to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), cited by the BBC. According to the medical charity, the new rule came into effect on 5 November, and it is already having a visible impact on women’s access to healthcare.
Prem Panicker, a veteran journalist, is leaving Bengaluru after 15 years to move to Kochi. He thanked the city for the happy memories and said that he would be less active online due to the move. Social media users bid him farewell, and some even see Kochi as their retirement destination.
Bollywood actor Dharmendra has been discharged from the hospital after battling breathing difficulties for weeks. Family members Hema Malini and Bobby Deol rushed to take him home, following rumours of his passing. Several Bollywood icons visited him during his hospital stay.
Reliance Infrastructure, a company under Anil Ambani Group, reported a rise in consolidated net profit, profit before tax, EBITDA, and total income in Q2 of FY25. Its net worth also increased by 14% and it plans to raise funds through FCCBs. The company's operational highlights include growth in power distribution and Mumbai Metro ridership, but it faced legal issues.
Valentino Luchin, a celerbated chef from Lafayette, shocked his community in May 2018 when he was arrested for robbing a Citibank branch in Orinda, Northern California, NYT reported. Wearing a black hoodie, sunglasses, and latex gloves, Luchin walked into the bank carrying a duffel bag and pointed a gun at the staff.
A blast in Old Delhi has left the entire nation in shock. Thirteen people were killed and several were injured near the Red Fort, with survivors recounting the harrowing moments. Victims include a cab driver who lost his car, two women on their way to a temple, and a daily-wage worker. The government has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Actor Govinda was rushed to CritiCare Asia Hospital after losing consciousness. He was given an SOS medication and taken to the Emergency ward at 1 AM. Govinda, who had suffered a bullet injury last year, visited veteran actor Dharmendra at Breach Candy Hospital. Rumours about Govinda's health have sparked, while Dharmendra remains in the ICU for respiratory problems.
Haq, a courtroom drama based on the landmark Shah Bano case, has received a lukewarm response at the box office, facing tough competition from Rashmika Mandanna's The Girlfriend. Yami Gautam's performance has been praised, with fans even calling for a National Award. Despite a strong opening and a 91.43% hike over the weekend, Haq's collection dipped with the weekday slowdown.
Delhi's air quality has reached "severe" levels with an AQI of 428, the first time in 2025. The delay in releasing data by CPCB is unexplained. The "severe" AQI poses health risks, leading the Delhi government to announce the closure of schools.
Despite positive macro and earnings, the Nifty is struggling to break through 26,000 levels while experiencing an unprecedented IPO boom. However, concerns about the long-term value of these IPOs, like Lenskart, exist. In an exclusive interview, Devina Mehra, Founder and MD of First Global, shares her insights on IPOs, markets, gold, and global investment, cautioning investors.
India Yamaha Motor has launched the XSR155 and FZ-Rave motorcycles, while also entering the electric mobility space with the Aerox-E and EC-06 models. The company's chairman, Itaru Otani, sees India as a key market for growth and is focused on both premium and electric segments.
Emcure Pharmaceuticals saw a significant increase in net profit and revenues for the quarter ending in September, with Ebitda margins standing at 19.3%. The company's domestic business sales grew by 10.6%, while international business sales increased by 15.8%.
Finolex Cables saw a 28% rise in net profit and 5% growth in revenue in the September quarter. Power cable sales increased by 40%, while electrical wire sales remained stagnant. The introduction of new product categories boosted overall turnover. Production trials at the preform facility will be finished by the year's end.
QED Investors, a US-based VC firm, sees potential in India's fintech market due to fading global crossover capital. Focusing on Series B and C deals, they aim to support founders in building profitable and competitive companies. AI valuations are high, but fintech remains stable. India's progressive regulatory landscape encourages innovation.
Neville Tata, youngest child of Noel Tata and Aloo Mistry, has been appointed as a trustee of Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, solidifying his position in the Tata Group. With a successful career at Trent and Zudio, he is seen as a potential leader for the conglomerate. Known for his humble nature and attention to detail, Neville has strong family ties within the Indian industrial landscape.
Tata Power's net profit for Q2FY26 dropped marginally by 0.8% to Rs 919 crore, lower than analyst estimates of Rs 937 crore. Revenue also saw a 1% decrease to Rs 15,545 crore. However, the company's growth in conventional generation, clean energy, and distribution remains strong.
Bharat Forge Ltd (BFL) saw a 23% rise in net profit due to strong growth in Indian manufacturing and defence sectors. Domestic demand is expected to balance out weak export markets. The transfer of defence assets to subsidiary Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd will aid focus on this segment. European operations are being reviewed and Rs 2,000 crore will be raised for future growth.
BSE reports strong financial performance in September quarter with a 61% increase in net profit and 40% rise in revenues. Cash market trading volumes remain stable while Index Derivatives segment shows growth. Efforts to increase market participation, product development and adoption of longer-dated contracts continue.
Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited, a subsidiary of Bharat Forge Limited, has been awarded a Rs 2,500-crore order from the Ministry of Defence for unmanned and marine systems. This order highlights India's dedication to domestic defence manufacturing.
Vodafone Idea (Vi) is working with the government to reassess its AGR dues after the Supreme Court's ruling. The telco is also engaged in discussions with lenders for long-term funding and is confident that its near-term capex needs can be met through existing resources.
An analysis by the Association of Registered Investment Advisers (ARIA) revealed that only 6 out of 218 enforcement orders issued by Sebi from 2013 to March 2025 were against registered investment advisers. The majority of enforcement actions were directed at unregistered and registered trading call providers.
The GST cess on tobacco and related products may be extended until January 2026 due to pending compensation loans, despite GST rate changes under "GST 2.0." Cess collections have decreased by 33%, and officials believe it will take longer to repay the loans. The GST Council will decide on the cess and may introduce a new levy to maintain taxes on harmful goods.
The government launched a new app and portal to connect workers with employers and collect "Building and Other Construction Workers Cess". A national conference discussed a proposed Act to regulate the placement ecosystem and establish a single national register for private placement agencies. This will enhance transparency and accountability in the job matching process.
India is focused on securing a favorable trade deal with the US while safeguarding the rights of its farmers, fishermen, workers, and dairy sector. Diversification efforts include EU's approval of 108 fisheries establishments and talks with Russia.
Salesforce plans to train 100,000 students in AI technologies by 2026 in collaboration with India AI Mission and SmartBridge. The goal is to address the growing demand for AI-ready talent and add $1.7 trillion to India's GDP by 2035. The programme will be rolled out in academia and industry, with a structured learning framework and focus on building practical expertise in autonomous AI solutions.
The government is proposing a new methodology for substitution of factories in the Index of Industrial Production to improve its accuracy and relevance. The new series, based on 2022-23, will be released in May 2022. Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback. The new factory must have similar production, GVA/GVO, and operate for 12 months.
Noel Tata's son Neville and Titan veteran Bhaskar Bhat were appointed as trustees of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust for a three-year term, effective November 12. Venu Srinivasan was also appointed as trustee and designated as vice chairman. This marks an expansion of Noel Tata's influence and Neville's rise within the Tata ecosystem.
Hiranandani Communities, a part of the Niranjan Hiranandani Group, has entered the senior living segment with the launch of 'Elements' at Hiranandani Parks, Oragadam. The project, developed in collaboration with GTB Developers, will feature 400 residences and has a development potential of one million sq. ft.
Efficient charging infrastructure is crucial for the expansion of electric vehicles, especially in high-demand areas. However, low utilization rates at charging stations pose a challenge for investment returns. Industry experts suggest focusing on building charging networks in dense urban centers and commercial hubs before expanding to highways and smaller towns.
Ikea India's revenue saw a 6% rise to Rs 1,860.8 crore in FY25, with a 12% growth in Ebitda. The company aims to turn profitable in two years due to its expanding reach and online presence. Its popular products include the Brimnes Day Bed and Billy Bookcase, offering over 6,500 home furnishing options. The CEO sees a long-term potential in making homes functional and beautiful.
