Photos: Diwali celebrations light up India and its global diaspora
Celebrations feature fireworks, prayers, reunions, rangoli designs, feasting, and the sharing of sweets and gifts.
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Rent-a-grandchild: Businesses offering companions to elderly grow in India
A small but growing number of firms selling what families once took for granted: someone to take care of the seniors.
Electric auto rickshaws reshape India's roads
HYDERABAD, India — Every 90 seconds, an electric three-wheeler rolls off the production line at an Indian factory, underscoring a transformation that has made the country the largest market for battery-powered auto rickshaws.
· Agence France-Presse
Environmentalists criticise choice of Earthshot prize venue owned by fossil fuel firm
Mumbai facility is part of Reliance Industries, owner of world’s biggest oil refinery and funder of controversial mega-zooThe Prince of Wales’s Earthshot prize will host its forthcoming annual awards ceremony at a venue owned by the billionaire Ambani family conglomerate, drawing criticism from conservationists over…
· Rebecca Ratcliffe, Gloria Dickie
What is Diwali, the Festival of Lights, and how is it celebrated?
Diwali is the most important festival of the year in India, particularly for Hindus, and widely marked by prayers, family gatherings and the lighting of fireworks.
· Associated Press
World No.1 Rybakina withdraws from WTA Finals due to virus
LOS ANGELES, United States — World number one Elena Rybakina withdrew from the WTA Finals at Indian Wells on Saturday due to a viral illness.
· Agence France-Presse
Japan tourism industry steps up push to draw Indian visitors
Hotels and operators offer tailored services as spending surged 39% in 2025
· MAYUKO KURIHARA
Credit Saison, ADB to partner on loans for Asia's small businesses
Japanese financial services company to leverage expertise gained in India operations
· Staff Writer
Air in India’s capital ranked world’s most polluted on eve of Diwali
New Delhi ranked as the world’s most polluted major city on Saturday morning, according to Swiss group IQAir, as the Indian capital faced severe pollution forecasts a day before Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. India has ordered schools in and around Delhi to offer online classes and encouraged people to wor…
· Reuters
‘My thought was always: he will be killed next’: Sonia Gandhi on marrying into an Indian political dynasty and her husband’s assassination
She came from humble Italian origins to join India’s ruling family. Then both her mother-in-law, Indira Gandhi, and her husband, Rajiv, were brutally murdered. In a rare interview, the politician talks about her reluctant rise to power, Narendra Modi’s repressive regime – and why youth protests give her hope for the…
· Hannah Ellis Petersen
Shoulder to shoulder: Former India envoy to UAE tells of trust and transformation of ties in new book | The National
Navdeep Suri traces the history of the UAE's 'most consequential partnership' with India
· Ramola Talwar Badam
Budget-friendly one-pot pulao is packed with veggies and full of flavour
Helly Raichura's simple, family friendly dish is full of fragrant Indian spices and perfect for celebrating Diwali.
By all memes: why Asia’s Gen Z are revolting
All across Asia, anti-establishment protests have been flaring up, led by a generation that came of age in the digital era. Memes are mobilising a young, permanently online cohort against specific government policies, insults and injustices – its many members determined to seize their own destinies before the future…
· Aidan Jones
Japan convenience store chain Lawson details first India store in Mumbai
Operator lays out plans for market entry after rival 7-Eleven's exit in September
· Staff Writer
Days after the midterms, Anthony Albanese will have a chance to meet with Trump as he picks up the pieces | Tom McIlroy
Between Cop31 in Antalya and a visit to China, the prime minister is expected to sit around a table with the leaders of the US, India and JapanGet our daily political email, free app or daily news podcastJust a few weeks ago, Anthony Albanese and his closest advisers thought the possibility of a meeting of the Quad …
· Tom Mcilroy
‘City of immigrants’: Who is Nithya Raman, the Los Angeles mayor-elect?
The two biggest cities in the US will now be led by Indian-origin immigrants - both democratic socialists.
· Stephen Quillen
A brief history of Indian-Chinese cuisine, plus 3 popular dishes taste-tested
In India, dishes that feature Szechwan – not Sichuan – and Manchurian sauce might suggest Chinese roots, but they tell a distinctly local story. Known as Chindian or Indian-Chinese cuisine, this culinary style emerged from Chinese migrant communities in Kolkata, where cooks adapted their recipes to local ingredients…
· Lisa Cam
Serving authentic Sichuan flavours in Mumbai | South China Morning Post
In Mumbai, Chef Zhang Yajun has been serving authentic Sichuanese cuisine at the China House restaurant for two decades.
Homes and temples glow across India as Diwali celebrations begin
Millions of Indians are marking the festival of lights with glowing lamps, fireworks and traditional sweets.
· Bbcnews
UK jailing of Indian sailor over Russia sanctions sets off ‘perfect storm’
Captain Ajay Pant was in international waters when his allegedly 'shadow' tanker was captured by British soldiers.
· Ruchi Kumar
WTA Finals: Rybakina targets repeat as Sabalenka seeks elusive title in Indian Wells | The National
We look at the main talking points ahead of the season finale
· Reem Abulleil
Global Management Dialogue 2026
Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia news and expert analysis published by Nikkei, an award-winning independent provider of quality journalism.
‘Every day, someone loses a hand or a leg’: the brutal reality of India’s textile recycling industry
In Panipat, 1m tons of used clothing a year are turned into products for global brands, but dangerous machinery and few safeguards mean life-changing injuries are commonFor three months, Suraj Kumar’s job was to feed discarded clothes into shredding machines in Panipat, an industrial city in the north Indian state o…
· Anjul Behal in Panipat. Photographs by Elke Scholiers
Adnoc signs new agreement to supply LNG to India's Gujarat Energy | The National
Deal represents first sale of hydrocarbons from XRG’s international portfolio
· Fareed Rahman
Delhi braces for ‘pollution season’ as smog shrouds India’s capital – in pictures
The air quality index in Delhi has already soared above 650, more than 30 times the limit the World Health Organization deems to be safe Continue reading...
Why is Iran exempting India, China, Qatar, Iraq from Hormuz restrictions?
Tehran says ships from four countries can cross Hormuz freely, but analysts say the deals carry political risks.
· Nils Adler
India as an AI hedge? The country's stocks could see robust inflows as markets globally tank
Over the last month, India's Nifty 50 has gained nearly 9%, while markets with heavy AI exposure, including the U.S., Japan, South Korea and Taiwan are deep in the red.
· Priyanka Salve
WTA privacy concerns resurface after Jessica Pegula hot-mic incident involving Mirra Andreeva | The National
Conversation took place after a practice session between players ahead of the upcoming WTA Finals at Indian Wells, which the tournament’s official channels were livestreaming
· Reem Abulleil
India's IT lobby chief warns grads could struggle to find jobs due to AI
Threat to traditional business model means new skills will be required
· SAYAN CHAKRABORTY
Shin Ramyun takes to the streets of India
Nongshim is boosting brand awareness and expanding its market presence by bringing its signature spicy ramyeon closer to Indian consumers. From Oct. 30 to Nov. 22, a Shin Ramyun food truck will tour four northeastern cities, including Guwahati, Shillong, Aizawl and Agartala, visiting 20 locations such as university …
· Jung Young-seon
India-born leftist Nithya Raman becomes LA mayor, beating incumbent Karen Bass
Democratic socialist Nithya Raman ousted incumbent Democrat Karen Bass to become the next mayor of Los Angeles, ending a heated race that saw the one-time allies spar over frustration with the status quo. Bass called Raman on Thursday to concede, after the latest numbers showed Raman with 52 per cent of the vote aga…
· Agence France-Presse
Nithya Raman: Who is the Indian-born politician tipped to become next Los Angeles mayor? | The National
Urban planner and Democratic socialist worked with NGOs for slum dwellers' rights in Delhi before settling in US
· The National
Iran Carves Out Strait Of Hormuz Exemptions For China, India, Iraq, Qatar
Iran Proves Willingess To Re-Engage In Nuclear Talks, Despite Public Stance: NYT Update(1219ET): Tehran has made clear it will not stop the war, or the assaults on internatinal shipping in the Strait Of Hormuz, unless its 'seven conditions' are met. It has also said time and again that the nuclear file is an issue f…
· Tyler Durden
From Ramayana to RRR: The most expensive Indian films ever made | The National
As Nitesh Tiwari's two-part epic sets a new benchmark, we look at the blockbusters with the biggest reported budgets
· David Tusing
Besieged Labor MP’s alleged debts mount under fresh legal threat
AvidSys, the Indian-Australian-owned Guatam family business, sent Jagadish Krishnan a letter of demand in June, seeking $1.93 million.
· Hamish Hastie, Connor McGoverne
US sanctions Indian and Turkish firms accused of helping Iran
US Treasury says Indian couple faked ship registries for countries including Guyana and Laos to help Iranian tankers.
India's costliest film retells a beloved Hindu epic - but divides critics
Easily the most anticipated Bollywood film of the year, Ramayana: Rise of a Legend is the first of two parts.
· Bbcnews
Bangladesh’s ousted PM Sheikh Hasina says she’ll return from exile despite facing death sentence over deadly protest crackdown
Ousted Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina says she will return from exile in India in December, despite facing a death sentence over a deadly crackdown.
· Associated Press
Has India’s democracy failed its Muslims? Jailed scholar triggers debate
Sharjeel Imam questioned foundational ideas of India's nationalism in interview with The Quint, inspiring heated debate.
· Nadim Asrar
WTA Finals 2026: Players, groups, schedule and prize money as Rybakina defends title | The National
Season set to conclude in style at star-studded event in Indian Wells
· Andy Lewis
India’s $22 billion defense push can’t hide its missing fighter jets
India’s military modernization drive has a core problem. While officials keep approving billions of dollars in new weapons, the country’s aerospace industry is struggling to deliver aircraft ordered years ago The gap raises questions about the country’s industrial capacity, its dependence on foreign technology and i…
· Saima Afzal
Dubai’s Tresind Studio is UAE's lone entry on world’s 50 best restaurants list | The National
Acclaimed Indian fine-dining restaurant is led by chef Himanshu Saini
· Evelyn Lau
India expands crude imports with UAE emerging as a major supplier | The National
UAE providing 15 to 20 per cent of India's total energy imports, top official tells The National
· Fareed Rahman
Indian capital doubles parking fees, asks 50% remote work to curb pollution
Experts say successful implementation remains challenging, call for year-round actions
· KIRAN SHARMA
Inside India newsletter: India weighs a tax cut to win over foreign investors. Will it work?
Foreign investors are losing their appetite for Indian equities, with their holdings touching an all-time low of 14%.
· Priyanka Salve
Fast-growing India is the next North America for Japan's Marubeni: CEO
Omoto says trading house needs 10-fold expansion to capture consumer, industrial demand
· Staff Writer
A former Ambassadors Clubhouse chef is really cooking at this thrilling Indian revamp
Passerine is a delicious, cozy counterpoint to the city's trendy, over-the-top Indian spots.
· Steve Cuozzo
Hidden gem in Los Angeles named the best Indian restaurant in America
No Michelin stars for this trucker hangout — not yet, anyway.
· Bianca Zalben
Burrage receives support after online death threats
Britain's Jodie Burrage is receiving support from WTA staff at an event in India after being sent death threats on social media.
· Bbcsport
Ramayana: Rise of a Legend review – India’s most expensive film ever becomes spectacular, huge-scale epic
Based on the ancient classical poem about Rama, the avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, this three-hour blockbuster is highly enjoyable Here is a thoroughly engaging, rousing and spectacular Indian epic melodrama from director Nitesh Tiwari, with music by Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman, based on the ancient classical poem ab…
· Peterbradshaw