COVID19
US household debt rises to $19.1 trillion in Q3, delinquencies edge higher: New York Fed
US household debt rises by $334 billion to $19.1 trillion in Q3, while troubled borrowing edges up to 5% of total debt, according to the New York Fed. Despite rising mortgage, auto and credit card delinquencies, overall credit quality remains relatively stable, with student loan defaults continuing to increase.
Farmer's son from small Tamil Nadu village builds Rs 1.5-crore software business after quitting nine-year Chennai IT career & starting with just two laptops
Eswaran Arumugam started his software company, Yaa Creations, in Tamil Nadu with Rs 1 lakh borrowed from his brother and just two laptops. After facing financial difficulties, Covid-19 disruptions and Rs 5 lakh in debt, he gradually expanded the business. Based in Rasipuram, Namakkal, the company now has 26 employees, clients across seven countries and undertook projects worth Rs 1.5 crore in 2025, as per a YourStory report.
Suvendu Sarkar rolls out Diwali bonanza for Bengal babus, hikes IAS allowances by 50%
The Suvendu Adhikari-led West Bengal government has announced a range of benefits for its IAS officers, including a 50% hike in monthly sumptuary allowances for senior officials, education loans of up to Rs 50 lakh for children's studies in India and abroad, and expanded foreign travel benefits under LTC. The package also includes housing, electricity and post-retirement benefits, along with allowances for official work-related expenses.
India's investment outlook strengthens as credit, exports rebound; inflation relief likely: HSBC
India's investment outlook is improving as credit growth and corporate revenue increase, pointing towards stronger private capital spending. The report from HSBC highlights that funds to the commercial sector have risen significantly compared to previous years. Additionally, rising services exports have helped maintain a steady current account deficit in the economy. However, challenges such as weak rural demand and inflation continue to impact households and corporate margins.
Who are Chennai’s ‘Famous Five’? Meet Cognizant employees serving special meals at old-age homes and orphanages
In Chennai, five employees from Cognizant Technology Solutions dedicate their weekends to serving the community through volunteer work. Since the inception of their initiative in 2020, they have successfully hosted 88 meal events for those in old-age homes and child-care centres, aided by the generous support of nearly 200 contributors.
Nithin Kamath says speculative craziness brought more people into US markets: ‘Nothing expands markets like greed, FOMO
Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath highlighted the rapid transformation of US financial markets since COVID-19, driven by crypto, derivatives, NFTs and prediction markets. While speculative trading attracts new investors and expands financial participation, Kamath warned that easy access to high-risk investments could harm individuals and society.
European Union sues IBM and two European companies over troubled border system: Report
The European Union has initiated legal proceedings against IBM, Atos, and Leonardo for delays in the Entry/Exit System. EU-Lisa reported these delays occurred during the system's development, not affecting its operation. The consortium was awarded a contract in 2019 for implementation and maintenance. In a letter from October 2021, the companies contested a fine imposed on them. They cited external factors like the COVID-19 pandemic as reasons for the delays.
Kotak eyes ₹4,500 crore fundraise to deepen bets on India's real estate market
Kotak Investment Advisors plans to raise ₹4,500 crore through its 16th real estate fund. This fund will focus on investments across India's real estate market, encompassing residential and commercial properties. The fund will utilize both debt and equity while targeting institutional capital to enhance liquidity for developers. It aims to conduct multiple transactions primarily in major cities and select tier-II locations.
Rich countries benefitted more from COVID-19 vaccine's return on investment than poor ones: Study
COVID-19 vaccines generated economic benefits worth USD 60 to USD 809 for every dollar invested in their development and distribution, a global study of 173 countries has found. However, high-income countries gained more due to earlier access and faster rollouts, while delayed vaccine availability limited benefits in poorer nations.
Who is Harmeet Dhillon? Trump-appointed civil rights chief resigns after Republican midterm losses
Harmeet Dhillon, previously serving as Assistant Attorney General, has stepped down following the Republican Party's setbacks in the midterm elections. A well-known civil rights attorney appointed by Trump at the DOJ, Dhillon's resignation marks the first departure among senior DOJ personnel after Democrats' victories. With a strong focus on civil liberties and free speech, her exit hints at potential shifts among political appointees during this transitional phase.
US midterm elections 2026: Democrat Amy Acton defeats Indian-American Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio governor's race
Democrat Amy Acton has won the Ohio governor's race against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy. The contest was significant as it allowed Democrats to reclaim the governor's office after two decades. Previous Republican Governor Mike DeWine was barred from seeking another term due to term limits. Ramaswamy, who received endorsements from Donald Trump, was the party's nominee. Acton was previously recognized for her leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic.
US job openings increase sharply by 333,000 in September
In September, the US saw a notable increase in job openings, showing a rise of 333,000. Layoffs fell to 1.641 million, providing evidence of a resilient labor market. Hiring activities also increased, reflecting a hires rate rise from previous months. However, concerns regarding the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran may be impacting hiring decisions. Economists maintain that the labor market remains characterized by stable demand and low layoffs.
At 19, Udaipur teen builds Rs 1 crore chocolate brand. How his business sells 2 tonnes of chocolate made from fruits and spices
At just 19, Digvijay Singh from Udaipur turned his chocolate-making passion into a successful brand named Saraam during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through self-taught skills from YouTube and experimentation with local ingredients, his brand achieved remarkable success, reaching Rs 1 crore in revenue by 2023, thanks to strong partnerships with local businesses and innovative flavors that distinguish his products.
Euro zone countries are integrating faster with US than with each other, ECB says
Euro zone countries are experiencing increased economic integration with the United States compared to internal collaboration. The European Central Bank highlights concerns about economic vulnerabilities amid geopolitical tensions. Barriers to cross-border investment with the US have declined significantly since 2014. Research indicates that fragmented capital markets diminish economic resilience during shocks like COVID-19. A lack of integration may exacerbate investment reductions in times of rising oil prices.
China's international criticism on Covid toughened its attitude: Foreign Secretary
Vikram Misri indicated that international condemnation impacted China's approach to the Covid-19 pandemic effectively. He noted that China perceived itself as being unfairly blamed for the outbreak. Misri explained how returning to China involved a strict 21-day quarantine during the pandemic period. The restrictions further complicated diplomatic relations, especially during the Galwan clash in 2020. China's response also affected global supply chains, creating challenges for various countries, including India.
Global criticism during COVID-19 hardened China's attitude towards world: Foreign Secretary Misri
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri addressed the challenges faced by India during the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that China felt stigmatised by the international community for the virus. Misri reflected on his experience as Ambassador during the India-China confrontation in Galwan Valley. He highlighted the importance of coordination in Operation Sindoor, which included multiple government agencies. Additionally, he expressed his connection to his Kashmiri Pandit heritage and community resilience.
Patrick Stewart, best known for Captain Picard in Star Trek, turned Shakespeare into a daily ritual during lockdown; how his wife's idea became a viral project
During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in March 2020, he began recording himself reciting Shakespeare's sonnets. The idea during a walk with his wife, Sunny Ozell. Stewart began reciting a Shakespeare sonnet aloud when Sunny noticed what he was doing. She asked him to repeat the lines and then recorded it. After watching it, she suggested sharing it online. The video surprisingly got a positive response.
Singapore layoffs hit highest level since 2020 in third quarter
Singapore recorded 4,800 retrenchments in the third quarter of 2026, the highest level since late 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. The rise, driven by business reorganisations, came despite overall employment growth of 27,700 during the quarter. The Ministry of Manpower flagged emerging weaknesses in parts of the labour market, with more companies indicating plans to retrench employees over the next three months.
Dolly Parton’s father inspired her to help millions of children read; her foundation has gifted over 330 million books
Dolly Parton's philanthropy was deeply influenced by her childhood experiences and her father's struggles with literacy. She established the Imagination Library in 1995 to promote reading among children, providing over 330 million books. Her educational initiatives also targeted high school graduation rates, significantly decreasing local dropout rates. Parton contributed to disaster relief efforts after wildfires in Tennessee and funded COVID-19 vaccine research.
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