GIG WORKERS REST STOPS
Every day is a sale day as India picks up shopping occasions from the world
Retailers in India are adopting international shopping festivals such as Singles' Day and Thanksgiving to enhance consumer spending. Brands like H&M, Puma, and Levi's are participating in these promotional events. These new shopping occasions aim to counter traditional post-Diwali consumption lulls. Marketers report increased participation and footfall in malls during these promotional periods. Events like Black Friday have already seen a positive impact on sales across various retail sectors.
Andhra Pradesh inks 9 MoUs for Rs 4,100 crore space-defence push
At the 31st CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam on 12-13 November 2026, the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board signed nine MoUs covering rocket engines and test beds, satellites, missiles, explosives, aerospace manufacturing, flight training and heliports. Eight of them propose investments totalling Rs 4,100 crore and 6,865 direct jobs on about 1,472 acres in Sri Sathya Sai, Tirupati, Nellore and Visakhapatnam. The ninth is a five-year strategic partnership with Pawan Hans to develop and operate heliports across the State.
Stuck for hours in the ground stop? Unlike Europe, the US won’t pay you cash for the delay; here’s why
On November 13, 2026, thousands of travelers faced significant disruptions due to a nationwide FAA ground stop. Airlines are not responsible for compensation since the disruption stemmed from an Air Traffic Control failure. Travelers are entitled to full refunds if a flight is canceled or significantly altered. Additionally, airlines must provide basic amenities to delayed passengers on the tarmac.
Did flights resume after FAA ground stop? Here's what to know if you are travelling with American, Delta, United and JetBlue
Flights in the United States have resumed after a nationwide ground stop was lifted by the FAA. The delay, caused by a telecommunications outage, resulted in thousands of cancellations and delays. Major airlines like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and JetBlue have implemented travel waivers for affected passengers. Recovery efforts are expected to take several days as airlines work to reposition aircraft and crews.
Does travel insurance cover the FAA ground stop? What to check in your policy before you file a claim
Does travel insurance cover FAA delays? Travel insurance should not be the first place passengers look for their money. Under US Department of Transportation rules, passengers are entitled to a cash refund when an airline cancels their flight and they choose not to travel or accept an alternative. This protection applies even when the FAA caused the disruption.
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Telangana implements gig worker rules, mandates minimum pay, social security benefits
The Telangana government has launched the Telangana Platform-Based Gig Workers Rules, which establish rights for gig workers. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy introduced the legislation during a ceremony with Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad. The new rules include provisions for social security benefits, minimum remuneration, and protection against arbitrary account deactivation. Shaik Salauddin from the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union emphasized the need for effective implementation of these rights.

Rahul Gandhi calls out ‘fascists’ at Bharat Summit, launches Telangana gig workers’ welfare scheme
Addressing the Bharat Summit 2026 in Hyderabad, Gandhi hit out at what he termed "fascists" in business, academia, and politics, asserting that they tend to scream and refuse to listen while the humble majority remains quieter.

Telangana to provide gig workers Rs 5 lakh accident cover, Rs 10 lakh health insurance: Rahul Gandhi
Telangana has announced a new welfare scheme aimed at supporting gig workers in the state. The initiative includes accident insurance amounting to Rs 5 lakh and health insurance of Rs 10 lakh. Workers will receive 1% of each transaction for their deliveries directly into their bank accounts. This payment will be facilitated through a dedicated gig workers' board.

Congress believes in making workers partners, will stand by gig workers: Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad
Congress and Telangana government have launched the Gig Workers’ Social Security and Welfare Scheme in Hyderabad. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi emphasized the importance of data rights for gig workers during the event. He noted that workers currently lack access to their work-related information from digital platforms. Additionally, he addressed the challenging working conditions faced by gig workers while promising improvements.

FAA ground stop: Why did flights continue at smaller airports as major US airports shut down?
The FAA's November 13 ground stop disrupted thousands of flights across the US, but aircraft continued to be spotted at two smaller Colorado airports. Their use for flight training and general aviation, where pilots often operate under visual flight rules, helps explain the activity. However, such flights were not automatically exempt from the nationwide restrictions.

FAA Ground Stop nationwide reason: Why are all flights across U.S grounded first time since 9/11-September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks? United Airlines, American Airlines say when will operations resume
FAA Ground Stop: This is the first nationwide ground stop since January 2023 when a key FAA computer system malfunctioned. Before that the last time had been after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

'Says everything you need to know about this President': Photo showing Trump's White House ballroom's size draws backlash from House Democrats
House Democrats have criticized the size of the new White House ballroom, comparing it to the existing structure. US Representative Morgan McGarvey raised concerns about Americans struggling with inflation while Donald Trump focuses on the project. The ballroom is part of President Trump's renovation efforts for the White House, having faced legal challenges before proceeding.

MeitY flags physical AI data; US data centre woes may help India
Happy Friday! MeitY is examining how home services platforms collect household data to train physical AI models.This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.

Brooklyn bridge collapse: What are the nationalities of the people killed?
Eight people, including two children, died after a three-story building collapsed in Brooklyn, New York. Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed the deaths and said 18 others were injured. Authorities have not disclosed the nationalities of the victims. Rescue crews continue searching the rubble as investigators work to establish the cause.

MeitY examines data collection by home services platforms for physical AI training
The consultation comes amid growing interest among AI and robotics developers in first-person video and sensor data, which can help train machines to understand and replicate human actions in real-world environments. Such recordings capture how people perform routine activities, providing training inputs for robots designed to undertake physical tasks.

Noah Kahan Last of the Bugs World Tour 2027: Who is Noah Kahan? Here's complete schedule with 31 shows
Noah Kahan has announced his Last of the Bugs World Tour 2027 a few days back. The shows will be held in North America, Europe and the UK. Around 31 shows will be organized in total. The tour comes after his fourth album The Great Divide charted at number one on the Billboard 200.

MeitY probes physical AI data use; Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang resigns
MeitY is reviewing the practice of collecting first-person video and sensor data from gig workers to train physical AI models. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.

Lights, camera... microdrama! Big showmen hooked on new gig in town
India's microdrama industry is experiencing significant growth, attracting investments from major entertainment companies and creators. Aamir Khan Productions and Excel Entertainment are launching a microdrama venture to produce high-quality content. Partnerships with creators and telecom companies will enhance the platform's offerings as the market expands. Despite challenges in monetization and audience retention, viewership for microdramas continues to rise steadily.

From free internet upgrades to sneakers: The brands cashing in on GTA 6 before it even launches
Grand Theft Auto VI is set for release on November 19, 2026, and pre-loading begins on November 10. Internet providers like Spectrum and Xfinity are offering free speed upgrades to facilitate quicker downloads. Nike is reportedly collaborating with Travis Scott and Rockstar Games to launch a special sneaker collection for the game. The collection may feature three Air Force 1 Low sneakers priced at $130 each.

Fires, protests, pollution: How Apple's supply chain woes in India have caused troubles over the years
Three contract workers lost their lives due to asphyxiation at a Tata Electronics factory in Hosur. This incident has prompted investigations by the companies involved and the Tamil Nadu state government. Recent years have witnessed various operational issues at Apple supplier facilities, leading to heightened scrutiny. Apple's supply chain in India continues to face challenges amid efforts to diversify from China.

Your Social Security check faces a 22% cut risk: The funding shortfall that could cost retirees $2,700 a year
Social Security’s 2032 warning: Millions of retirees could receive smaller monthly checks if the retirement trust fund runs out of reserves. Payroll taxes would still finance payments, but cover only 78% of scheduled benefits, according to trustees. Congress could prevent the reduction through legislation. Until then, workers may need additional retirement savings through 401(k) plans and IRAs.

Social Security payroll tax cap rises to $192,300 in 2027: How much more will high earners pay from their paychecks, who will be affected, and what does it mean for your take-home pay?
Social Security taxes will take a bigger bite out of some high earners' paychecks in 2027. The taxable income limit is rising to $192,300 from $184,500, meaning another $7,800 of wages will be taxed. Workers earning above the new limit could pay up to $483.60 more next year. The increase comes as retirees are set to receive a 3.6% benefit boost.

Lenskart, Nykaa, PhysicsWallah see Q2 profits surge
New-age companies Nykaa, Lenskart, and PhysicsWallah reported strong numbers for the September quarter. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.

Gig workers may get social security benefits through 2% transaction levy on businesses
The government is considering implementing a 2% transaction-based levy on aggregators to support social security for gig workers. This levy will fund benefits such as insurance, health, and maternity support for over 12 million workers. There is a consensus that this approach ensures fairness among different types of aggregators. The new scheme is expected to be launched in 2027, requiring gig workers to meet specific work criteria.

ETtech Explainer: Food delivery, ride-hailing firms differ on gig worker welfare levy calculation
Food delivery and quick-commerce companies such as Zomato and Swiggy are seeking a levy based on the value of transactions facilitated through their platforms, while cab and bike-taxi aggregators such as Uber and Rapido want it to be calculated on their own turnover rather than the total value of rides facilitated.

Premji's deeptech bets; Razorpay gets IPO nod
Happy Thursday! Premji Invest is stepping up its bets on defence and aerospace manufacturing.This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.

Centre sets up social security board to frame welfare schemes for gig workers
In a significant move, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has initiated the National Social Security Board, designed to improve welfare for unorganised and gig economy workers. This board will advise on the rollout and supervision of important social security programs. Scheduled to meet three times annually, it will also manage policy discussions and oversee the financial aspects of the Social Security Code.
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