The Economic Times

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the Trump administration is working with India to finalise a bilateral trade deal, but an agreement is not imminent. Greer said he had a very constructive conversation with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal at the G20 trade ministers meeting and that officials remain engaged.

The National Company Law Tribunal rejected Uniton Infras plea seeking insolvency proceedings against Shapoorji Pallonji & Co over an alleged Rs 4.31 crore default linked to road resurfacing work in Nellore. The tribunal said one invoice fell under the Covid-era ban on bankruptcy filings, while the remaining claim was below the Rs 1 crore threshold.

Federal Reserve Vice Chair Philip Jefferson stated that he sees no immediate need for further interest rate adjustments. He emphasized that future decisions would depend on analyzing economic data trends and risks. Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari expressed uncertainty regarding the timing of the next rate hike amidst strong economic performance. Both officials acknowledged the ongoing challenges of managing inflation that exceeds the 2% target.

India's economy is experiencing significant growth, highlighted by a 14.7% increase in goods and services tax collections in September. Car sales surged by 21% year-on-year, indicating strong consumer demand during the festive season. Manufacturing activity is robust, contributing to a rise in the HSBC Purchasing Managers Index to a seven-month high.

In a surprising move, Alex Karp, the CEO of Palantir Technologies, has acquired a substantial forested region in Hrjedalen, Sweden, for 235 million kronor, about $22 million. Local hunters, caught off guard, learned their hunting leases were revoked. This acquisition highlights Palantir's controversial footprint in defense tech, as Karp intends to focus on land preservation and sustainable forestry initiatives, blending environmental efforts with corporate responsibility.

Indias factory workforce crossed 20 million in 2024-25, driven by gains in West Bengal, Telangana, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh and sectors such as food products and electrical equipment. Industrial GVA rose 9.6% to Rs 26.9 lakh crore, while average earnings increased to Rs 3.8 lakh. Productivity edged up to Rs 11 lakh per worker.

Weekend demand at city hotels in India is improving, driven by rising staycations and increased domestic travel. Occupancy levels have significantly increased in 2026, with Mumbai and New Delhi recording substantial gains. Major hotel chains like Radisson and Ibis report favorable trends in occupancy rates and average daily rates. This shift in consumer behavior marks a notable change in the hospitality landscape post-Covid-19.

Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee criticized the Election Commission of India over electoral irregularities. They claimed that deletions in the electoral roll surpass winning margins in about 150 assembly seats. Abhishek Banerjee challenged the Election Commission to disclose complete records for independent examination. Mamata Banerjee raised concerns about the statutory immunity of the chief election commissioner under the new law.

The government is seeking to channel more pension savings into Indias long-term infrastructure needs, with PFRDA chairman S Ramann saying the regulator is exploring additional avenues, including direct exposure to large projects. CEA V Anantha Nageswaran called pension savings patient, long-duration capital suited to financing long-lived infrastructure assets.

Vedanta Oil and Gas is increasing investment in Rajasthan to enhance crude output from existing wells. The company aims to invest approximately $200 million in 2026-27 across several fields in the region. Further, Vedanta plans to develop a new hub for gas growth in the northeast region. Enhanced-recovery techniques are being employed to increase production efficiency from their wells.

The finance ministry expects Indias real GDP to grow 7.3% in Q2 FY27, above the RBIs 6.4% forecast, but warned that global uncertainties could weigh on investment. US trade relations, tariff pressures, crude prices and the lack of an India angle in global AI developments are clouding investor interest.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal held a productive discussion with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on early conclusion of a mutually beneficial interim trade agreement between India and the US. The meeting came alongside PM Narendra Modis conversation with President Donald Trump and Goyals participation in the G20 trade ministers meeting.

Indias manufacturing activity accelerated to a seven-month high in September, with the HSBC PMI rising to 55.1 from 52.8 in August as stronger domestic and export demand lifted new orders and output. Factory production posted its sharpest expansion in four months, while hiring resumed and business sentiment improved.

West Bengal is preparing to create a land bank from closed Central PSUs, State PSUs, and sick industries. Several parcels of land have been identified, but challenges include legal issues and encroachments. An industrial policy meeting was conducted by a group of ministers led by the industry department. The strategic blueprint, named Project BhoomiShakti, aims to promote investment-ready industrial land.

As inflation fears and mounting debt pressure rise, government borrowing costs have soared to unprecedented levels. The US Treasury yield, now the highest since 2002, signifies a shift in global market dynamics. These increasing bond yields adversely affect loans for families and businesses, posing challenges for governmental finances. Intervention by central banks could be on the horizon to maintain fiscal order, especially with future artificial intelligence-related bond issues looming.

Emirates flight EK31, an Airbus A380 flying from Dubai to London Heathrow, was diverted to Frankfurt after a passenger suffered a medical emergency on board. The aircraft landed safely and the passenger was taken for further medical care. The diversion came just days after a separate flydubai flight to Israel was forced to make an emergency landing after its co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain.

Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, was briefly detained by Mumbai Police on Marine Drive. This occurred a day before a planned protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The CJP's initial protest at Shivaji Park was denied permission due to various concerns. Following this denial, Dipke announced a mass voluntary arrest campaign to continue their efforts.

Ryan Roslansky, who headed Microsoft's M365 apps, has decided to leave the company. He previously served as LinkedIn CEO until this year, after stepping down from that role. His departure is due to the requirement of being based full-time in Redmond, while his family resides in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dan Shapero will continue as LinkedIn CEO, reporting to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.

Global bond market volatility led to declines in stock indexes, with the S&P 500 on track for consistent losses. Oil prices rose, contributing to persistent inflation, while economic reports indicated US resilience despite challenges. The 10-year Treasury yield hovered near a 2002 high, raising concerns for real-estate stocks. Technology stocks demonstrated some strength, aided by Micron Technologys better-than-expected quarterly profit.

Delhi High Court has ruled that foreign nationals do not have an inherent right to enter India. The court stated that holding a visa does not guarantee unconditional entry into the country. A woman's plea for entry was dismissed after concerns about her travel history were raised.

Indranil Sen, a former minister, is under investigation for awarding tenders to close associates for personal gain. The Enforcement Directorate claims around Rs 30 lakh was transferred to Mamata Banerjee, which Sen described as a royalty payment. It is further alleged that Sen's company collected large sums from the public for preview shows of Durga Puja. The investigation revealed over one lakh tickets sold, with funds misappropriated.

ICC ODI World Cup 2027 Full Schedule: The tournament will begin on October 2, 2027, with the qualifying Super Series in Windhoek before the main group stage starts on October 7. India and Pakistan are among the teams in Group A, with their match scheduled for October 10. The tournament will progress through the Super 7 phase before the semi-finals and November 21 final in Johannesburg.

Adani Group has projects worth Rs 2.6 lakh crore completed or underway in Maharashtra, with its overall investment blueprint exceeding Rs 6 lakh crore. Investments span energy, aviation, data centres, urban redevelopment and transmission, alongside major Mumbai infrastructure projects.

After Russia warned NATO that it could use nuclear weapons if the alliance tried to isolate Kaliningrad, Russian foreign policy strategist Sergei Karaganov issued another stark warning. Karaganov said Moscow could initially use conventional weapons but would go nuclear if European countries continued backing Ukraine and refused to surrender, warning there would be little left of some European countries.

Madan Mitra, a veteran politician, voiced his increasing disillusionment with the current state of politics. He highlighted that politics has become a refuge for anti-social elements, which has frustrated him. Mitra is contemplating a gradual withdrawal from active politics as he feels alienated from the political environment. His comments reflect a broader critique of the declining political standards in Bengal.

From MSME finance and AI skilling to blended capital and climate investment, AVPN CEO Naina Subberwal Batra explains why coordination is becoming critical to Asias development agenda.

Christa Pike survived a failed execution in Tennessee after two doses of lethal-injection drugs were administered. The death row inmate had suffered severe childhood trauma, with an expert saying she experienced more severe adverse events than 99% of the US population. Pike was subjected to repeated sexual abuse and rape as a child before she was convicted of killing 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer in 1995.

India's rice production is expected to decrease, while global demand is projected to rise significantly. The country possesses sufficient surplus stocks to address international market needs. Other major rice-producing nations are under pressure, which presents opportunities for Indian exporters. Challenges such as rising fuel and fertilizer costs continue to impact the global rice market. This situation could enhance India's status as a key player in the international rice trade.

Smit Machchhar, a daring Flydubai pilot, is receiving widespread recognition for his exceptional bravery during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. He bravely subdued his co-pilot, who posed a threat, sustaining injuries in the process. Currently, he is recuperating in a Saudi Arabian hospital, while heartfelt prayers for his swift recovery resonate throughout India.

Wall Street encountered a downturn as escalating Treasury yields affected investor confidence in high-priced stocks. Despite solid performance from the software sector buoyed by favorable earnings, the shadow of rising interest rates looms large. September saw the S&P 500 and Dow post monthly losses, while the Nasdaq thrived on AI optimism.

On Thursday morning, Wall Street's leading indexes surged right from the start, with software companies driving the market higher.

The US State Department waived human rights conditions for Egypt's military aid of over $300 million. This decision aligns with Egypt's support during the US military operation in Iran. For years, Egypt has received about $1.3 billion annually in military aid from the US. There have been previous tensions over human rights issues concerning Egypt's record.

India's exports of motor cars and heavy waters have seen significant growth since the trade agreement implementation. The trade and economic partnership agreement with EFTA has created market access for the majority of India's exports. The EFTA countries have committed to invest USD 100 billion in India over 15 years.

Sebi has revamped its Document Number Verification System, making a letters subject matter mandatory for authentication. The upgraded system aligns with Sebis E-Office format and lets recipients verify physical letters, notices and show-cause notices issued by the regulator.

The pound has hit a three-month low against the dollar, triggered by mounting economic apprehensions. Investors are anxious about the effects of soaring oil prices and persistent inflation on market stability. The FTSE 100 index has notably declined, reflecting burdens in government borrowing. Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey confront escalating gilt yields.

British 30-year government bond yields have surged to their highest level since early 1998. This surge follows a significant increase in U.S. Treasury yields despite steadied oil prices. Short-dated gilt yields also rose sharply, reflecting concerns about the UK's fiscal vulnerabilities. Investors anticipate possible interest rate hikes by the Central Bank in November or December. The financial market is reacting to ongoing economic pressures like rising food and energy prices.

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar led a protest outside the Election Commission of India office in Bengaluru with his Cabinet. He accused the BJP of submitting numerous Form 7 applications to delete eligible voters from electoral rolls. Shivakumar highlighted that many targeted voters belonged to minority communities and other marginalized groups. He demanded a timely investigation into the allegations and requested immediate action from election officials.

Jio Platforms is on the verge of launching what is projected to be the largest public offering in India, targeting USD 3.8 billion. International roadshows spearheaded by Akash Ambani and Isha Ambani have garnered interest. Following approval from Sebi, Jio Platforms plans to release new equity shares, constituting about 2.9 percent of its base.

BMW plans to eliminate around 8,000 jobs in Germany as part of its cost-cutting restructuring plan. The German luxury automaker aims to enhance competitiveness amid challenges such as weak demand and increasing Chinese competition. It intends to cut management roles by 20% and streamline its organizational structure while focusing on enhanced artificial intelligence.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday finalised its July proposal to simplify bank shareholding rules, allowing eligible mutual funds, insurance companies and pension funds to seek one-time approval for subsequent acquisitions of major shareholding of up to 10 per cent in the same bank.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India has temporarily suspended the draft offer documents for Inox Clean Energy's upcoming initial public offering. The company aims to raise a substantial Rs 10,000 crore, including new equity shares and a sell-off from its promoters. With operations in renewable energy and solar manufacturing across India and Africa, this IPO is set to bolster its position in the expanding green energy market.

Smit Machchhar stabbed mid-air: The Flydubai Omani co-pilot who attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar was an extremely religious persona and refused to shake hands with women, a colleague reportedly said. The accused staffer had very strange behaviour and he used to pray a lot. The pilot attacked Smit Machchhar but the brave pilot despite being injured saved the lives of hundreds of passengers on Flydubai flight FZ1073.

Anup Bagchi has been appointed managing director and CEO of HDFC Bank, effective October 27, 2026. He transitions back to banking after a three-year stint at ICICI Prudential Life Insurance. Bagchi's extensive experience spans various roles in retail, corporate, and investment banking sectors. The Reserve Bank of India approved his appointment and he will also become an additional director at the bank.

Sebi orders stock brokers to display investor awareness messages on websites and trading apps under Project Jagrook. From November 1, apps must show Sebi messages and risk disclosures on alternate days, strengthening digital investor education and risk communication.

In a significant meeting, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal engaged with European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic to review the status of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement. Following discussions at the G20 Trade Ministers' gathering, they emphasized the anticipated signing of this agreement by year-end, which seeks to boost market access and diminish trade barriers, facilitating yearly trade exceeding 180 billion euros between India and the EU.