The Economic Times

Migrants are increasingly turning to the risky alternative offered by smugglers to travel by sea to avoid heavily guarded land borders. Small boats called pangas leave Baja in the dead of night and sometimes travel hundreds of miles north.

Wall Street ended sharply lower on Friday, with CoreWeave, Broadcom and other AI-related technology stocks under renewed pressure, while a jump in oil prices spooked traders heading into the weekend.The Nasdaq extended losses from earlier in the week, hammered by concerns that debt-laden AI infrastructure companies may not turn profits in time to repay debts, particularly with borrowing costs expected to rise.Nvidia-backed CoreWeave slumped, also adding to recent losses. The data center operator

Pope Leo had the lower lobe of his right lung removed after doctors identified a suspected cancerous nodule. The surgery confirmed he had adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Canada on December 11-12 to enhance bilateral relations. The trip aims to focus on key areas of cooperation such as trade, energy, and technology.

Reliance Industries expressed its openness to competition within India's satellite communications market. The company welcomed Starlinks entry while emphasizing the need for compliance with Indian regulations. Reliance stated that its satellite services are awaiting necessary government approvals for operations. Elon Musk claimed that oligarchs are blocking Starlink's entry into India, which Reliance addressed in its statement. Other satellite operators also continue to seek Indian government cl

Gabriella Rothberg, a 17-year-old scientist, is working on genetically engineering tomatoes to taste like beef. These tomatoes aim to provide iron while retaining the nutritional benefits of plants. The project is associated with Maddison Marshall, a PhD candidate at the University of Miami. Rothberg has documented her experiments on social media, showcasing the growth process of these tomatoes.

Panasonic has recently appointed Japanese executives to senior roles in its Indian operations. The company is restructuring its leadership back to an expat-led model after focusing on Indian leadership. Former executives, such as Manish Sharma and Sandeep Sehgal, have left the company, leading to significant changes in strategy. Panasonic has downsized its operations and streamlined its product offerings to focus on air-conditioners.

The Foreign Exchange Dealers' Association of India (FEDAI) has directed banks not to convert foreign currency remittances into rupees without specific instructions from the sender or beneficiary. The move follows concerns that intermediary banks were converting dollars at unfavourable exchange rates, leaving small exporters and individuals receiving overseas payments with less money. Banks have also been asked to ensure transparent forex service charges and disclose currency conversion rates on

NITI Aayog is exploring policy measures to improve the manufacturing capabilities of medical and dental devices in India. The meeting included domestic manufacturers, government officials, and experts from IIT Delhi and IIT Mumbai. Key challenges such as regulatory hurdles and cost disadvantages faced by Indian manufacturers were discussed extensively. The industry body AiMeD emphasized the need for simpler regulations and financial support for local manufacturers.

With these approvals, the cumulative investment approved under the scheme has reached 3,687 crore to date to help transform ITIs into modern, industry-aligned and future-ready skill institutions.

Major US banks are experiencing their longest weekly losing streak since the 2008 financial crisis, driven by mixed quarterly earnings and rising inflation. The KBW Bank Index has fallen about 13% since its August peak, continuing a trend of losses. Concerns about artificial intelligence disrupting financial services contribute to the negative sentiment toward the sector. Analysts highlight challenges involving elevated interest rates potentially slowing economic growth.

Niti Aayog vice-chairman Ashok Lahiri stressed the need for rapid economic reforms and structural changes to help India become a developed nation by 2047. Technological progress is needed to compete with the rest of the world, he said.

Indias 1,200-tonne gold refining industry could unlock new export opportunities through GIFT City, Gujarat, following the introduction of responsible sourcing and audit guidelines by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA). The framework sets standards for refiners seeking Good Delivery accreditation to trade gold through the India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX). The move aims to strengthen global confidence in Indian-refined gold through supply chain transparency,

India aims to become a $30 trillion economy by 2047, from its current size of around $4 trillion. The country's gross domestic product (GDP) grew 7.8% in the June quarter, exceeding expectations.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Mumbai on October 20. They will discuss ways to enhance the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership between India and the US. Rubio's visit marks his second trip to India this year as both countries negotiate a trade deal. Jaishankar will also host UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan during this time.

The Supreme Court has mandated the central government to provide details on the implementation of menstrual hygiene rights. This ruling emphasises that menstrual hygiene is crucial for Article 21 of the Constitution. The court is apprehensive about the effective execution of this directive in remote areas. Chief secretaries from non-complying states may face contempt proceedings for failing to respond.

India has recently indicated its readiness to engage in discussions on plurilateral agreements within the WTO framework. This shift follows India's previous firm stance against such negotiations due to a lack of explicit mandate. While some international partners view this as a promising development, others remain skeptical about India's intentions. It faces increasing pressure from various nations to drop its obstructionist position towards existing agreements.

India's luxury market is projected to surpass $12 billion by 2028, reflecting a significant shift in consumer behavior. Millennials and Gen Z account for nearly half of the active luxury consumer base, estimated at 20 million. While traditional markers of luxury are fading, there is a growing emphasis on personal connections and tailored experiences. The contemporary luxury consumer engages with brands primarily through social media and digital platforms.

A significant selloff in semiconductor stocks affected major US indexes amid rising concerns regarding AI investment returns. The Nasdaq 100 dropped by 1.8%, continuing its longest losing streak since 2008. Market participants are questioning if AI infrastructure investments will yield profitable returns despite strong demand for chips. Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh maintained a neutral stance on interest rates during discussions at the IMF meetings.

YSRCP leader YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has changed his stance by supporting youth protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar. This shift suggests potential political shifts and realignments ahead of upcoming elections. Reddy's aggressive position against the Election Commission also indicates an evolving political strategy and outreach to various political factions. Speculation about a possible alliance with the Congress-led INDIA bloc has emerged following his recent meetings.

Transforming old festive gift boxes into functional home items can significantly enhance your organization efforts. They can be great for storing little treasures or as memory boxes for special keepsakes. Giving these boxes a new life as gift packaging not only adds a personal touch to your presents but also contributes to waste reduction. Just ensure to check for any damage or musty smells before reusing them creatively.

The White House announced investments of over $330 billion from India as part of total investments. This total is reported as $10.871 trillion from various countries and private industries. Specific investments included $310 billion and $20.5 billion, plus a $15 billion steel plant by Essar Group. US President Donald Trump previously mentioned Reliance Industries' $300 billion investment in Texas.

Indias Uniform Civil Code (UCC) debate raises questions about equality and the exclusion of LGBTQ+ citizens from legal recognition and protections. Drawing on Supreme Court judgments and constitutional principles, the article argues that a civil code rooted in gender justice must also recognise transgender persons and same-sex couples. The authors contend that true uniformity requires equal rights in marriage, adoption, inheritance, maintenance and family recognition for every citizen.

The Election Commission of India experienced extensive administrative changes with the transfer of chief electoral officers between 2025 and 2026. Nearly 20 CEOs were replaced, marking the highest transfer rate in a short period. Most transferred officials served less than two years in their positions, deviating from the customary tenure of three years. Concurrently, senior officials at the ECI, such as deputy election commissioners, also saw notable reshuffling.

Former Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani has been admitted to Apollo Hospital in Delhi.

India Women began their T20I series against Zimbabwe with a four-wicket win in Raipur. After losing early wickets and facing pressure, Deepti Sharma and Niki Prasad revived the innings. They formed a crucial partnership, helping India chase down the target of 115 runs. Deepti scored 49 runs while Prasad remained unbeaten at 39. The team will play the second match in Raipur on October 18.

From 'Jantar Mantar Chalo', where players can choose between a protester and police personnel to 'Bhaag Neha Bhaag' inspired by AISA president Neha Bora's attempts to reach Jantar Mantar, game creators are turning the political developments into gaming experiences.

CoreWeave Inc. is navigating turbulent stock trends due to climbing bond yields and investor trepidation over its debt, raising fears of default. Although a temporary boost followed optimistic comments from Nvidia's CEO, the overall sentiment leans towards caution. Analysts believe that while funding needs are pressing, robust AI demand could mitigate rate worries. Furthermore, CoreWeave's alliance with Nvidia may be a vital source of financial support in these unpredictable conditions.

The Indian men's selection committee has announced the squads for the upcoming tour of New Zealand. Shubman Gill will captain the team in the first three ODIs and the Test series. Shreyas Iyer will take charge for the fourth and fifth ODIs, while KL Rahul serves as vice-captain for the Test matches. The ODI series will begin on November 4, followed by two Tests later in the month.

The Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) suspended operations at a railway base kitchen in Lucknow and cancelled the food registration of an establishment in Saharanpur after inspections uncovered food safety and hygiene lapses. The drive covered 41 railway catering units and two airline food suppliers. Officials seized 978 kg of unlabeled food items in Kanpur Nagar and collected 26 samples for laboratory testing.

India has instructed oil marketing companies to cease sugar diversion for ethanol production by the year 2026-27. This decision arises amid rising sugar prices and concerns over domestic sugar supply due to poor rainfall. Ethanol from sugarcane juice and other sugar-based feedstocks will not be included in the latest tender. The government aims to boost domestic sugar production and curb oil imports as part of its policies.

Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals reported a 65 percent increase in consolidated net profit for the September quarter. The company's revenue from operations also jumped by 18.15 percent compared to the previous year. Significant revenue growth was achieved in the electric consumer durable segment, especially in fans and appliances. Overall, the company's total income surged by 18.24 percent in the same period.

New modelling suggests that eliminating modifiable health risks could add 12 years to healthy life expectancy at birth by 2050. Realising even part of this potential will require making prevention part of everyday life.

Inside the Bharat D2C Conclave 2026, which brought founders, investors and policymakers together to discuss the business decisions shaping Indias direct-to-consumer (D2C) ecosystem, from scaling revenues and expanding distribution to using customer data and navigating regulatory requirements.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the importance of creating sustainably investable cities in India. She proposed a combination of public investment alongside private capital to achieve these goals. Various urban development initiatives have been established to support this approach effectively. The Urban Challenge Fund aims to improve municipal finances and is pivotal for project preparation. Overall, the strategies discussed will enhance urban planning and infrastructure developm

The Diplomat Season 4 leaves Kate and Hal facing a choice that could reshape their future. The finale raises questions about their loyalties, and where the Netflix thriller can go next.

Aides of AISA chief Neha Bora claimed she was taken to an unknown location after being detained by Delhi Police while on her way to the Lehra Do Tiranga protest at Connaught Place. A post on her X account questioned her whereabouts and described the incident as once again, an abduction. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke was also detained, while heavy security was deployed across Connaught Place amid protests and traffic restrictions.

Shardiya Navratri 2026 Day 7 honours Maa Kalaratri: On October 17, 2026, devotees will celebrate the seventh day of Sharadiya Navratri, honoring Maa Kalaratri. Essential rituals such as cleansing the puja area, lighting a diya, and performing aarti will take place. The fasting menu will feature fruits, milk, and items like Makhana and Sabudana while family and friends exchange wishes.

Alina Habba has accused Ric Grenell of failing to deposit a $5.6 million Kennedy Center donation from her husband, Turkish businessman Turhan Mildon. As the White House examines the allegations, Kennedy Center records show a $270,000 pledged donation but no contribution close to $5.6 million. Heres how the dispute connects to a $17.6 million business deal and their shared Venezuela ties.

Zelensky had been asked if Trump was lashing out at the Ukrainian leader as a way to deflect from his own political strife ahead of next month's midterm elections as he is bogged down with Iran and diesel prices have soared.

China said it was ready to work with India to allay its concerns of rising trade imbalance. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the trade imbalance was due to China's restrictions in market access to Indian goods and services. She said that India has not resorted to punitive tariffs to reign in large trade imbalances and prefers negotiations despite the process being time-consuming.

Chennai-based startup founder Tejas Parthasarathi Sudarshan pitched two artificial intelligence ideas to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a Chennai Metro journey, getting around 90 seconds to present his proposals. The Winsen Labs founder suggested connecting students with real-world government projects and creating a unified AI-powered platform to simplify access to public services. He was among 17 startup founders shortlisted by SPI Chennai for the interaction.

Cult.fit has received Sebi observations for its proposed IPO, comprising a fresh issue of up to Rs 950 crore and an offer for sale. Revenue rose 36.26% in FY26, while adjusted EBITDA margin improved significantly as fitness operations expanded nationwide.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Mumbai on October 20 to discuss ways to strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. Rubio will visit India from October 17 to 22, with energy cooperation among the key areas on the agenda. Jaishankar will also host UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Mumbai on October 19 and 20.