SEPTEMBER CORN PRODUCTION ERRORS
USDA to launch AI tool to check crop production data after errors
After the USDA discovered errors in its corn data from September, officials determined the AI tool would have flagged the problem and decided to use it on the crop production report due on November 10, USDA Under Secretary Scott Hutchins said in an interview.
India's apparel production falls 5.6% in H1 FY27 as weak US demand, high costs hit manufacturers
India's apparel production contracted 5.6% year on year in April-September, extending its decline to nine consecutive months as subdued US demand and rising cotton and polyester prices weighed on manufacturers. Textile production, however, grew 13.1% during the period, supported by stronger demand for yarn, fabric and home textiles.
World of Warcraft Forever server status: Are WoW Forever servers down today? Latest server maintenance, login issues, outage reports and when will servers be back online?
Are World of Warcraft servers down right now? World of Warcraft Forever servers are showing operational status on November 6, but players continue to report problems across the game. Blizzard's official status page lists no outage for Friday. However, fresh forum complaints mention character creation restrictions, layering problems and unavailable services. The reports raise questions about server stability just two days after the game's global launch.
Supreme Court agrees to hear DMK leader's plea challenging rejection of election petition
The Supreme Court agreed to hear a plea by DMK leader K R Periyakaruppan regarding the election results. Periyakaruppan is contesting TVK candidate R Seenivasa Sethupathi's victory by one vote in Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The Madras High Court had previously rejected Periyakaruppan's election petition challenging the results declared on May 4. The plea argues that a significant number of postal ballots were rejected, affecting the results.
Gokaldas Exports Q2 profit surges 410% to Rs 41 crore on favourable base, revenue up 13%
Gokaldas Exports reported a 410% year-on-year rise in Q2 FY27 net profit to Rs 41 crore, supported by growth in India and Africa operations, improved product mix and productivity gains. The company also reduced its net debt.
Trusted names, new game: India's FMCG giants reload old guns for changing tastes
India's FMCG companies are expanding into new product categories by leveraging the trust associated with their established brands. Hindustan Unilever has launched Horlicks Protein Powder, targeting consumers seeking protein-rich products. Emami is introducing new products across baby care and specialized scalp care under its existing brands. Marico has entered the shampoo market with Parachute Advansed Protein Shampoo, capitalizing on its hair-care equity.
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Novelis to begin shipping from US Aluminium unit in June quarter
The plant is currently being commissioned and is expected to begin shipments in the June quarter of the next fiscal year, Novelis said in its investor presentation on Thursday. The plant produced its first coil on the cold mill in September.
Middle East crude oil premiums tumble to pre-war levels amid ample supply
Middle Eastern crude exports have increased in September and October, leading to declining spot premiums. Dubai's cash premium to swaps fell to 65 cents a barrel before recovering slightly. Murban crude exports reached a record of 2.4 million barrels per day in September. Asian refiners have shown reduced purchasing interest due to cooling refining margins. Competition with West African crude is intensifying as sellers offer steeper discounts to attract buyers.
FDA flags persistent data-integrity lapses, insanitary conditions at Indian drug facilities
The US FDA continues to identify serious data integrity issues in Indian pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. During inspections, inspectors found discarded documents related to key manufacturing processes, highlighting compliance concerns. To ensure safe medicines, drugmakers are urged to scrutinize their supply chains and monitor suppliers effectively. Additionally, human errors contributed significantly to production incidents, affecting operations and batch release timelines.
LIC net profit jumps 20% YoY to Rs 12,076 crore on higher premiums
Life Insurance Corporation of India reported a 20% year-on-year increase in net profit for the September quarter. Net premium income rose by 16.2% to ₹1.47 lakh crore during the same period. Despite investment challenges, the company's profit growth remained strong due to higher premium income. The value of new business also increased significantly, reflecting improved margins across product categories.
Big FMCG companies outgrow market as smaller rivals get squeezed by costs and slowing rural demand
India's fast-moving consumer goods sector has experienced a slowdown in volume growth amid rising costs. Rural demand has weakened, impacting smaller regional manufacturers while larger companies thrive. Hindustan Unilever, Marico, and other major firms reported robust growth figures. Smaller players are particularly vulnerable due to their limited capacity to manage current challenges.
Rs 600 for 1,000 km journey: Nitin Gadkari proposes Rs 3 per unit for EV charging at night and Rs 5 during the day to boost EV adoption
Nitin Gadkari recommended varying electricity rates for electric vehicle charging to enhance usage in Maharashtra. He indicated that costs for traveling in electric vehicles are significantly lower than petrol or diesel cars. Gadkari mentioned the potential for solar power to support cheaper night-time electricity. He provided updates on alternative fuel technologies including electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles. Additionally, Gadkari discussed biofuels, biogas, and their role in environmental sustainability.
Emami bets on brand extensions to enter newer consumer categories
Emami is leveraging its established brands like BoroPlus and Kesh King to enter new consumer segments. The company has launched the FromMaa range for baby-care and Kesh King Scalp First for scalp-care. Both product lines are introduced through modern trade and e-commerce channels. Additionally, Emami's strategic investments in newer consumer businesses have shown significant growth recently. These initiatives help diversify the company's portfolio and reach a wider audience.
Ripik.ai in talks to raise Rs 150 crore from Gaja Capital
The startup deploys its hardware and software systems at large manufacturing and industrial units, including cement and steel plants, using cameras, sensors and proprietary AI models to monitor equipment, materials and production processes. It counts Accel and Venture Highway (now merged with General Catalyst) among its existing investors.
End of reign of error? Expect Veto Corleone
Donald Trump finds himself navigating turbulent waters post-midterm elections, with his policies under intense scrutiny, particularly regarding inflation and tariffs. While his presidential veto carries weight, concerns rise over its practicality in effective governance. The looming two years threaten potential institutional sabotage, leaving the future of Trumpism hanging in a balance as it grapples with ongoing grievances and dwindling electoral support.
Lenskart outlines roadmap for 25% Ebitda margin, says growth will take priority
In its shareholders' letter for the July-September quarter, the company said its strategy centred on controlling the entire value chain, from manufacturing frames and lenses to selling products directly to consumers, allowing it to retain margins otherwise distributed among suppliers and retailers.
Bayer CropScience Q2 profit rises 9% to Rs 166 crore despite 19% decline in revenue
Bayer CropScience Ltd has announced an impressive 8.84% growth in net profit, totaling Rs 166.2 crore for Q2 FY27. However, total income saw a 19.4% decline year-over-year, attributed to ongoing market challenges. Factors such as unpredictable monsoon patterns have disrupted both sowing and crop protection demand. In response, the company emphasizes efficiency improvements and portfolio enhancements, while the board has declared an interim dividend of Rs 90 per share.
Amul raises butter, ghee prices: Check new prices and reason
Amul has increased the prices of ghee and butter ahead of Diwali, with a 1-kg ghee carton becoming costlier by Rs 50 and a 500-gm butter pack by Rs 15. The revision comes amid higher demand for branded ghee and reported supply shortages, particularly of cow ghee, across several markets.
Drought threatens India's 20% ethanol blending target as food takes priority
India faces a significant challenge in its ethanol production due to the lowest monsoon rainfall experienced in over a decade. This situation has prompted New Delhi to prioritize food security over its ethanol blending targets. Estimates suggest that the ethanol blending ratio may decrease this supply year from 20% to around 15%. Producers are being squeezed by increased corn prices and reduced purchasing prices for ethanol.
Apple’s robust India quarter; Giva’s $100 million funding
Apple posted record sales in India in the September quarter. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
No water to sow, no respite at the grocery store: India's prolonged food inflation worry
Indian farmers face challenges in sowing winter crops amid dwindling water supplies from a weak monsoon. Amarsingh Gushinge's village experiences a significant rainfall deficit, impacting crop planting decisions. Food inflation could worsen as key staples see rising prices, aggravating the economic strain on households. The Reserve Bank of India may respond with interest rate hikes to combat rising inflationary pressures.
Corning operationalises Pune optical plant; capacity expansion planned by 2027
The company’s other plant in Chennai, has begun production of finishing glass for the first time in India. Inaugurated in December, 2025, it is currently undergoing validation by original equipment manufacturers (OEM), and will commence commercial production within the next few quarters, Pillai said.
US manufacturing strengthens in October, input prices stay high
US manufacturing activity accelerated in October, with the ISM manufacturing PMI rising to 55.5 from 54.5 in September, beating Reuters-polled economists' expectations. Strong consumer and AI-related business spending supported growth, but factory input prices remained elevated at 75.2, reinforcing concerns that US inflation could stay above the Federal Reserve's 2% target.
California has 52 seats in the House of Representatives. When will results be declared after Trump admin asks Supreme Court to block counting mail-in ballots?
Donald Trump's administration asked the US Supreme Court to temporarily block California from counting mail-in ballots from more than 20,000 registered voters who federal officials allege are likely non-US citizens.
Deepinder Goyal’s Temple claims it beat Apple Watch, Oura, Whoop on heart-rate accuracy test
Temple funded, ran and analysed the study. The white paper, which has not been peer-reviewed, was a single-site study in Gurugram, with one session per participant and treadmill running only. Cycling, strength training, outdoor running, and everyday activity were not tested.
ET Product of the Year Awards 2026: Categories recognising products driving market impact
The Economic Times Product of the Year Awards 2026 celebrate cutting-edge innovations that make a substantial difference in the market and attract customer loyalty across diverse industries. Categories feature Enterprise SaaS, FinTech, Cybersecurity, as well as consumer goods such as banking solutions and smartphones. Judging criteria prioritize market presence, adoption rates, creativity, and execution excellence, with an emphasis on quantifiable achievements.
Air India Express flight crew's lapse probably led to runway incursion at Goa airport in April this year: AAIB
Air India Express flight crew failed to follow air traffic controller instructions during an incident at Dabolim airport. A Navy fighter jet was taking off when the Air India plane misinterpreted communication, leading to a runway incursion. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau highlighted the need for improved communication procedures among air traffic controllers. Recommendations include crew counseling and better training for personnel involved in the incident.
Vedanta Aluminium reports 41% revenue growth to Rs 22,066 crore in September quarter
In the September quarter, Vedanta Aluminium experienced a remarkable 41% growth in revenue year-on-year. Despite predictions of falling aluminium prices, production is on the rise due to enhanced capacity. The company forecasts a reduction in production costs by 6% by year's end. Operational enhancements indicate that earnings will still rise, positioning Vedanta positively amid shifting market conditions.
In 1913, a Corning physicist baked a cake in a cut-down railway-lantern glass jar; the experiment helped lead to heat-resistant cookware
In the early 1900s, the invention of heat-resistant glass marked a significant advancement, initially intended to safeguard railway lanterns from damage due to thermal shock. This remarkable creation serendipitously led to the formulation of PYREX cookware after a 1913 baking trial. Scientists at Corning fine-tuned this glass and launched a pie plate in 1915, which quickly became a staple in American kitchens.
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