The Economic Times

Himadri Speciality Chemicals Ltd is implementing a growth strategy focused on capacity expansion and investment. The company plans to invest in lithium iron phosphate, speciality chemicals, and carbon nanotubes. This investment aims to build a strong foothold in the energy transition economy and enhance profitability. Additionally, the company seeks to strengthen its position in high-performance carbon black and expand its global presence.

The Indian rupee ended its eight-session-long winning streak, closing down 0.4% at 94.8175 per dollar. Concerns over escalating oil prices amid the Middle East conflict contributed to global market volatility. Brent oil prices reached $112.40 per barrel, impacting India's economy due to high crude imports. The Reserve Bank of India faced pressure on whether to defend the currency amid these pressures.

A report reveals that nearly 58 percent of engineers desire to transition into forward-deployed engineering roles. Despite this interest, nine in ten engineers are not aware of pathways for upskilling. Furthermore, most engineers feel unclear about the FDE role and career advancement opportunities. Indian enterprises are anticipating a growing demand for FDEs by 2030, particularly in multinational companies.

Willis Whitfield's innovative cleanroom concept emerged at Sandia National Laboratories to combat contamination issues in engineering. By introducing a system of filtered air that flowed continually, he created cleaner workspaces, profoundly impacting semiconductor manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and space endeavors. His approach dramatically lowered airborne particle concentrations, establishing a new standard for contamination management that influences practices today.

US Midterm election 2026: More than 11 million Americans had voted early in the 2026 US midterm elections by October 20, ahead of the November 3 polls. With voter registration deadlines, early voting schedules, identification requirements and mail-in ballot rules varying by state, voters must check local election guidelines to ensure they can cast their ballots.

India's copper demand rose to 2,100 kilotonnes in FY'26, reflecting a 12% increase from the previous year. This growth was primarily driven by strong performance in the infrastructure, automotive, and construction sectors. The infrastructure sector experienced a notable 29% year-on-year increase, contributing significantly to domestic consumption. In contrast, the automotive sector rebounded with a 14% rise following previous declines.

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US State Secretary Marco Rubio concluded his visit to India, focusing on strengthening economic and strategic ties. He held discussions with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar about a proposed bilateral trade agreement between both nations. Energy cooperation was also a key topic, including India's imports of Russian petroleum and increasing energy purchases from the US.

Poonam Dhillon has openly countered accusations of misappropriating CINTAA's fixed deposits amid current management conflicts. Upasana Singh alleged that money from a fixed deposit account was improperly accessed despite it being intended to remain untouched. Poonam refuted these claims, affirming that all financial dealings are transparently documented for committee review.

Barclays reports a 12% rise in third-quarter pretax profit to 2.3 billion, broadly meeting expectations, and announces a 500 million share buyback. Strong equities trading and stable costs offset weaker fixed-income revenue, as investors assess the outlook for UK bank taxation.

The first case of Shamonda virus infecting a human being has been reported in France, causing the death of an infected individual. Health authorities have indicated there is currently no threat to public health overall. The virus primarily affects livestock, especially cattle, and is transmitted by biting midges. Previously, it was believed to be non-transmissible to humans until this incident.

India is focusing on connectivity initiatives such as the International North-South Transport Corridor and the IMEC. Geopolitical tensions have challenged India's ambitions to establish reliable connectivity with Europe. In contrast, the China-Europe freight network significantly expands trade routes across Eurasia. The expansion provides multiple routes and helps mitigate disruptions in maritime transport. A shift in India-China relations may further enhance India's connectivity options with Eu

Rutgers University recently performed a groundbreaking experiment on agrivoltaics to assess soybean yield productivity beneath solar panels. The results were promising, as both single and double-panel systems outperformed non-panel plots. However, given the preliminary data, ongoing research is crucial. The unique dry conditions experienced in 2024 required additional irrigation, influencing the experiment's results. Continued evaluation will uncover the long-term potential of integrating agricu

Adani Energy Q2 Results: Revenue from operations in the reporting period rose 53% YoY to Rs 10,076 crore.

Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Ltd has begun construction for a significant coal gasification project in Odisha. The project involves an investment of Rs 25,000 crore, aimed at producing technical grade ammonium nitrate. Most tenders have been awarded, with Rs 15,000 crore worth of contracts already distributed. Major work is divided between BHEL and Larsen & Toubro for specific project packages.

Breeder, directed by Alex Goyette, will release in US theaters on October last. The film follows Russell, a college student who finds unexpected sponsorship from an unusual dog breeder named Patti. As Russell arrives at Patti's ranch, he realizes her intentions is not just animal breeding.

SBI Securities has launched an exciting financing option for the highly anticipated IPO of Jio Platforms Ltd. Investors can secure up to 60% funding for their subscriptions, with the IPO set to open for bids on October 21. The impressive demand already seen indicates a surge in interest, prompting several brokerages to engage new clients. This event could usher in a wave of new investors into the market.

Global crude oil freight rates are rising due to war-related risks in the Strait of Hormuz and increased ship-to-ship transfers. Goldman Sachs reports that shipping costs are significantly higher than they were a year ago. Asian refiners are particularly pressured, facing potential profit margin reductions as they may pass costs to consumers. The increased freight costs could lead to lower refined fuel output and rising global fuel prices.

Driving licence new rules: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed changes to driving licence rules, including raising the safe-driving tutorial pass mark from 60% to 75% and waiving fees for select online services linked to Aadhaar authentication. The draft also proposes new deadlines for updating licence details, changes to accepted documents and a simplified application process. The rules will take effect after the final notification.

India Post has reported a revenue of Rs 4,202 crore for the second quarter ending September 30, 2026. This marks a growth of 25 percent compared to the same quarter in the previous year. The revenue growth was primarily driven by a 71 percent increase in parcel services. Additionally, Postal Life Insurance and International Business also saw substantial growth rates.

Husband gets divorce under reciprocal cruelty grounds available under Hindu Marriage law but with Rs 36.25 lakh permanent alimony; Patna HC order explained in this article.

In 1971, the Stanford Prison Experiment, led by Philip Zimbardo, sought to investigate how individuals behave when assigned specific social roles. College students were designated as either guards or prisoners, resulting in significant psychological impacts. The Netflix adaptation, 'New Stanford Prison Experiment,' immerses 30 participants in a real prison for two weeks while ensuring their safety.

IRCTC Train Ticket Booking Confusion: Two passengers claimed the same confirmed seat, S7, berth 57, in a viral train video. TTE Jitendra Mishra resolved the confusion by explaining that one passenger's ticket had been upgraded to a higher class through the Indian Railways auto-upgradation facility.

Rithvik Jothi Raj, a talented actor embarked on an entrepreneurial journey with friends via video chats. They created a website that offers products and online courses. Although Rithvik is skilled in coding and has a keen interest in robotics, the website is still in its initial stage.

The anticipated IPO of Jio Platforms is likely to reshape valuation assessments for both Reliance Industries and Bharti Airtel. With Jio's market debut, Reliance may witness a decrease in its holding-company discount. Meanwhile, Airtel stands to gain from rising telecom tariffs, boosting average revenue per user and overall profitability. The enthusiasm from investors towards Jio's IPO highlights strong market confidence in the sector's trajectory.

Amagi Media Labs shares dropped on Thursday after the company disclosed a cyber extortion attempt involving allegedly obtained operational and network configuration data. The company is investigating the claim with external cybersecurity experts and legal counsel, while stating that services remain unaffected and no material financial impact is expected at this stage.

Michael Burry is betting against Nvidia, Palantir, Tesla and Micron amid concerns over AI valuations, chip depreciation and memory supply cycles. His warnings about a potential AI bubble have intensified as investors weigh surging stock prices against heavy AI spending and future revenue prospects.

The gold loan market in India is on a rapid growth trajectory, fueled by true demand alongside possible financial distress among borrowers. According to the Reserve Bank of India, there's significant annual growth in gold loans issued by banks and NBFCs. Heightened competition might bring challenges in assessing borrower viability and repayment options. While regulatory changes aim to create a stable environment, they could introduce operational hurdles for lenders.

Japanese investors extended their foreign bond selling streak to five weeks through October 17, offloading 161.6 billion yen of long-term debt as US Treasury yields retreated from 24-year highs. Year-to-date net disposals reached 5.18 trillion yen, the highest for the comparable period since 2022, while overseas equity buying continued.

The growing influence of AI and LLMs on purchase decisions is significant across various consumer touchpoints. Brands are now required to optimize content for both human and AI consumption to compete effectively. Marketing leaders are rethinking traditional media-budget allocation strategies in response to these changes. Personalisation and an integrated approach to agentic marketing are emerging as critical priorities for brands moving forward.

Retail traders in India are reducing their leveraged bets on stocks as the market showcases a decline. Recently, borrowed positions dropped to 1.56 trillion rupees after a record high in September. The NSE 500 Index has decreased almost 9% from its peak, pushing small- and mid-caps down significantly. Furthermore, higher interest rates and persistent oil prices have added pressure to the equity market.

Indias real estate sector recorded 24 transactions worth $705 million in the September quarter, down 76% in value year-on-year, as large-ticket deals and capital-market activity weakened. Private equity remained the biggest contributor, accounting for 79% of deal value, with investors favouring commercial assets and residential development platforms offering predictable cash flows.

Dearness relief hike: The Bharat Pensioners' Samaj has formally addressed a letter to the cabinet secretary concerning the urgent need for a dearness relief hike for pensioners. They stress the importance of timely disclosures to support pensioners reliant on such adjustments. With expectations for a DR increase of 3% to 4%, many hope for this announcement before Dussehra, as any delay has caused disappointment among those looking to better manage their festive expenses.

The BJP has cited a Fox News digital investigation alleging links between protests in India demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumars resignation and unrest in France and Albania. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari accused the Congress of coordinating with Progressive International, alleging a regime-change plot. The Congress had not immediately responded to the allegations.

The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest is gearing up for digital debut. Despite mixed reviews, the film has shown steady box office performance, amassing over Rs 70 crore in India. Notably, it ranks as the third-highest-grossing film for Tamannaah Bhatia and the fourth for Sidharth Malhotra. Directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra, it delves into Indian folklore with a supernatural twist. Read on!

Cockroach Janata Party activists Saurabh Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released after being detained for a protest. A court accepted their bonds while ensuring they maintain peace and abide by the law. They are required to appear at future hearings related to the enquiry. The Delhi Police Crime Branch continues to investigate their actions in the October 13 incident. Further court proceedings are scheduled for October 23 regarding this matter.

Maharashtra will hold elections for five Legislative Council seats, with 182 candidates competing on Friday. Polling will occur from 8 am to 4 pm, and the vote counting scheduled for October 27. The elections include three Graduates' and two Teachers' constituencies across the state. A total of 10,68,072 voters are registered at 2,419 polling stations. The election machinery is prepared to conduct the polls fairly and transparently.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3 will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on November 11, 2026, with four episodes. The remaining episodes will arrive on November 18 and 25. The new trailer teases a massive war as Sauron seeks to create the One Ring and conquer Middle-earth.

A special investigation team led by Justice Anindita Roy Saraswati is assigned to probe the Durga Puja stampede. The incident occurred on October 17 and led to 19 fatalities and numerous injuries. The team intends to investigate the crowd dynamics and organizational preparedness at the event. They will scrutinize various forms of evidence, including CCTV footage and police records.

Akhilesh Yadav has alleged that the BJP is engaging in illegal activities to secure victories in upcoming elections. He claims that BJP members are pressuring officials and educational institutions to sway election outcomes. Yadav warns that those involved in these alleged crimes will face legal repercussions, including potential jail time. He emphasizes that no one will escape accountability for their actions during this electoral process.

Delhi Police has denied permission for singer Diljit Dosanjh's concert scheduled for October 30. This decision raises concerns regarding the Delhi leg of the RuPay Aura India Tour. The concert was initially set for November 1 before being rescheduled to October 30. Fans had begun purchasing tickets through BookMyShow, with previous sales dates announced. Further information on the implications of this denial is awaited from BookMyShow and Dosanjh's team.

Barclays is cutting around 5,000 jobs, or 5% of its workforce, this year as it deploys technology, including artificial intelligence, to reduce fixed costs and improve returns. Chief financial officer Anna Cross said 1,000 job cuts have already been completed, with another 4,000 expected by the end of the fourth quarter.

Kirill Dmitriev, an envoy of Russian President Vladimir Putin, told an economic forum in Istanbul on Thursday that the undersea Nord Stream gas pipelines, damaged by blasts.

West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh criticized the Cockroach Janata Party's Gen Z movement as a scam. He argued that illegal actions will be met with accountability, regardless of the operating name. Ghosh addressed recent court matters related to Gen Z activists, noting their release conditions. He also commented on a stampede investigation at the Durga Puja pandal that resulted in fatalities.

During the festive seasons of Navratri and Durga Puja, India saw a notable rise in the popularity of fasting meals and traditional sweets. Swiggy reported that dishes made with sabudana and vrat thalis were top picks among customers. Rasgulla stood out as the most ordered sweet, with orders significantly up from last year. This surge reflects the importance of food delivery services in honoring cultural festivities.