The Economic Times
Elections 2026Economy / The Economic Times
India and Mexico have initiated negotiations for a preferential trade agreement to enhance bilateral trade and investment. The agreement aims to create new economic opportunities while addressing market access, customs procedures, and trade facilitation. Discussions included organising a Mexican business mission to India in early 2027 to improve commercial ties. India had a trade surplus with Mexico, largely due to exports in autos and pharmaceuticals.
ArisUnitern RE Solutions will oversee the second phase of a commercial project in Santacruz, Mumbai. This phase includes retail shops and small office spaces, covering approximately 0.56 lakh square feet. The gross development value of the project is estimated at Rs 250 crore, with all necessary approvals in place. Unitern's mandate, lasting 18 months, will involve project execution and material procurement.
School Assembly Headlines: Cyclone Arnab has made landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast, causing significant evacuation efforts in Odisha. The Union Cabinet has approved a hike in dearness allowance for central government employees starting from July 1, 2026. India has officially invited Pakistan to attend a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting scheduled in New Delhi. Meanwhile, a train collision in Spain has resulted in multiple fatalities, reportedly killing at least 39 people.
In North Carolina, marine biologists are transforming sunken tugboats and concrete pipes into artificial reefs, enhancing the habitat for numerous fish species. These initiatives not only boost marine biodiversity but also show that artificial reefs can effectively replicate natural ecosystems. Current research emphasizes the positive impact these structures can have on fish communities, offering a sustainable way to utilize discarded materials while supporting marine life.
Railway charging point timing: The Railway Board has directed all railway zones to switch off mobile phone and laptop charging points in train coaches between 11 pm and 5 am after a passenger's power bank exploded while charging on a South Eastern Railway train. The board has ordered staff training and surprise inspections to ensure compliance with the fire safety rules.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal engaged with HD Hyundai's Chairman in Seoul to discuss a significant shipyard project. The proposed USD 4 billion greenfield shipyard will be located in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. A joint working group is tasked with overseeing the project development and establishing a joint venture structure. Once operational, the shipyard aims to enhance India's competitiveness in global maritime markets.
Hollywoods Sexiest Man Alive Noah Wyle, 55, has revealed why he loves washing dishes at home with his wife, Sara. In an interview with People, The Pitt star called himself the dish maven and described the chore as therapeutic. He joked that washing dishes lets him zone out, think freely and even hide from activities he would rather avoid.
Amit, who is the Vice Chairman and Joint Managing Director of Bharat Forge Ltd, has been closely associated with the Kalyani Group's businesses for over 25 years and has led the Group's expansion into aerospace, defence, electric mobility and advanced materials, a statement said.
Bar and coin demand, meanwhile, has reportedly moderated as price momentum has eased, tempering some of the investment-related buying seen during the earlier price rally.
Airlines globally face challenges in fuel cost hedging as prices remain elevated due to geopolitical tensions. Major airlines like AirAsia and Ryanair have halted new hedges, anticipating further fare increases. Higher fuel costs may push ticket prices up by 15% to 20%, straining consumer willingness to pay. Many US and European airlines have reduced hedging, exposing them to market fluctuations.
The Centre aims to amend the Digital Personal Data Protection law to address concerns raised by news publishers. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the law does not limit press freedom. This response follows a Supreme Court notice regarding a petition from the Digital News Publishers Association and others. Publishers argue the lack of exemption for journalism could jeopardize investigative reporting and confidential sources.
India's Index of Industrial Production for September recorded a growth rate of 6.7%. This figure represents a decline from August's 8%. Key contributors to this growth include the manufacture of motor vehicles and electrical equipment, among others. The manufacture of rubber and plastics also played a significant role in September's performance. These statistics were released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
Susan Saint James, the Emmy-winning actress known for McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie, has died at 80 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. A 1977 People magazine cover featuring her helped her niece, Christa Miller, discover a family secret about her biological father, eventually leading to a reunion. Saint James later became one of Millers biggest supporters as she built her acting career, including her role in Shrinking.
Social media user Unnati shared an old video of Elon Musk pitching Teslas $109,000 Roadster in 2008, when the company was nearing bankruptcy. Musk explained how revenue from expensive cars would fund affordable electric vehicles. During the crisis, SpaceX secured a major NASA contract, while Tesla investors provided crucial funding to keep the automaker running.
Hindustan Unilever has raised prices by around 7.5% in response to rising input costs across its portfolio. Despite these increases, consumer demand remains strong in both urban and rural areas of India. The company is focusing on balancing further price adjustments with cost savings through procurement and supply-chain efficiencies. Positive indicators of economic resilience include electricity demand and GST collections, alongside improved rural demand.
Savannah Chrisley recently shared on her podcast that she is expecting her first child with fianc Jason Galanis. Galanis, a businessman with a criminal history, was previously sentenced over fraud schemes. Their relationship began in July last year, and the pair got engaged in December 2025. The wedding was postponed to May 2027 after Chrisley's pregnancy announcement.
Abhishek Sharma's impressive century against New Zealand allowed him to retake the No. 1 position in T20I batting rankings. He scored 113 runs off just 38 balls, leading India to victory in Wellington. Meanwhile, Ishan Kishan fell to third place due to his absence from the matches because of injury. Marco Jansen became the top-ranked all-rounder and bowler in the Test category after his recent performance.
Michigan MI-10 election 2026: Michigans 10th Congressional District is an open-seat race between Republican Michael Bouchard and Democrat Christina Hines after incumbent John James left to run for governor. The Republican-leaning seat remains competitive because of its recent close elections and suburban electorate, with affordability, healthcare, abortion, immigration and manufacturing likely to shape a contest that could matter for control of the House.
As Indian enterprises branch out to international markets, a fragmented payments ecosystem, non-compatible with the local payment rails, can be a major roadblock. PRISMs journey to global markets, and its partnership with Adyen, highlights how a unified payments platform can mitigate the pain points and help businesses integrate local payment experiences with global scale seamlessly. Read on!
South Korea fined Alphabet's Google and Apple a total of 63.7 billion won for market abuse. The Korea Media and Communications Commission investigated their practices regarding app store payment systems. Both companies were found to have delayed app reviews and charged excessive commissions. The ruling allowed South Korean developers to utilize external payment links. This marks a significant step in regulating foreign tech companies' practices in the country.
TVS Motor Company achieved its highest quarterly sales in the September quarter, largely due to electric vehicle demand. The companys electric two-wheeler sales rose by 133% to 1.86 lakh units. Overall two- and three-wheeler sales increased by 27%, totaling 1.9 million units. Revenue surged 44% to a record Rs 17,103 crore, while profit after tax grew by 52%.
Banks in India will generally remain open on Thursday, October 29, for Karwa Chauth celebrations. Only bank branches in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, are set to close for the festival. Customers in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru should verify their local branch's holiday status beforehand. Digital banking services, including mobile banking and ATMs, will remain accessible even if branches are closed.
The metals-to-oil conglomerate's profit in Q2 was boosted by higher base metal prices. Vedanta attributed its robust Q2 show to higher commodity prices and favourable foreign exchange movements, among other things.
Bengaluru-based Chartered Accountant Meenal Goel revealed how her annual salary rose from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 24 lakh in five years. After switching companies twice and receiving hikes within the same organisation, her biggest jump came in year five, when her pay increased by approximately 84%. She urged professionals to recognise their worth and seek better compensation.
UK budget today: UK Chancellor John Healey will deliver his first Budget today, with the key announcements expected on income tax, fuel duty, pension payments and household energy bills. John Healey is set to deliver his first Budget this afternoon, with the chancellor expected to outline the proposals at approximately 12.30pm.
With the festive season just around the corner, indulgent desserts often pack on the calories. However, Mumbai-based dietitian Simran Kaur presents a guilt-free shahi tukda recipe that eliminates oil and sugar for a healthier treat. Prepared in just ten minutes, this easy recipe features multigrain bread, low-fat paneer, and aromatic kesar milk, garnished with crunchy pistachios, making it perfect for surprising unexpected guests.
Comedian Harsh Gujral took social media by storm with a hilarious tale about crime in Uttar Pradesh. At an awards show, he entertained the audience with a quirky exchange involving a banana seller in Lucknow, who boldly declared that crime was a thing of the past. Present at the event was Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who couldn't help but laughed at the punchline.
Hamtramck Disneyland is a vibrant outdoor art installation designed by Dmytro Szylak in Hamtramck, Michigan. This ambitious project sprouted after Szylak's retirement from General Motors and blossomed over nearly thirty years. After his passing in 2015, a collective effort was initiated to save the declining artwork. In 2016, Hatch Art stepped in to restore various structures, encouraging community involvement through annual volunteering opportunities.
Hyundai Motor India reported a profit drop of 24% in the second quarter due to increased raw material costs. Rising commodity prices for materials like copper and steel squeezed profitability despite strong vehicle demand. The company's profit after tax for the quarter was Rs 1,196 crore, down from Rs 1,572 crore the previous year. Total revenue increased significantly to Rs 20,696 crore, marking a record quarter.
The Avengers: Doomsday release date in India has just been revealed. In a video addressed to their Indian fans, Hollywood stars Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr, who star as Steve Rogers and the antagonist Dr Doom in the much-awaited film, revealed that the movie would release in India a day early.
Israel election news: Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar Party, aims to challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in elections. Election polls indicate that neither political bloc may secure a parliamentary majority needed for governance. Eisenkot focuses his campaign on security, governance, and military decision-making against Hamas and Hezbollah. His military background and rejection of Arab party inclusion pose challenges in forming a government.
On Wednesday, the Union Cabinet approved several key development schemes with a total allocation of Rs 29,267 crore. This includes Rs 10,016 crore designated for the Dearness Allowance for employees. Additionally, a significant allocation of Rs 10,000 crore is made for the Container Manufacturing Promotion Scheme. The Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme received an outlay of Rs 1,856 crore for its initiatives.
K Hospitality plans to reach Rs 6,000 crore in system-wide sales by 2029-30 as it expands its operations. The company will focus on growth through its restaurant, QSR, and institutional food service businesses. K Hospitality aims to open around 40 new restaurants in major metropolitan areas this financial year. The firm intends to invest approximately Rs 100 crore in this restaurant expansion.
City Pulse Multiventures has reported a net profit of Rs 23.49 crore for the April to September period. The revenue from operations during this time reached Rs 1,613.75 crore, reflecting company growth. Their business interests include renewable energy, education, and cinema exhibition, among others.
PVR INOX has approved a new capital allocation and dividend distribution policy to reward shareholders. The company aims to return about 30% of its surplus cash flow via dividends or share buybacks. This decision follows a record earnings quarter attributed to strong film content and increased consumer spending. Previous results also showed the box office collections for September rising significantly compared to the previous year.
Lamar Odom has joined OnlyFans to connect more closely with fans and share untold stories from his life. Although he has not revealed specific details about his planned content, he has promised subscribers surprises as he begins this new chapter.
Geopolitical risks and supply-chain disruptions are major barriers to private sector capital expenditure growth. A survey indicates that banks anticipate over 9% growth in industrial credit in the coming months. Public sector banks exhibit greater concern over these risks compared to private and foreign banks. Key sectors expected to experience credit demand include infrastructure and auto components.
Waaree Energies plans to significantly increase its solar module manufacturing capacity in the United States. The company aims to boost its capacity from 1.6 GW to 4.8 GW by the end of the fiscal year. This expansion is driven by demand from data centres and new import regulations. Waaree expects to source more supplies locally within the U.S. for better efficiency in operations.
Indian Railways has proposed dropping the Prayagraj prefix from Chheoki, Rambagh and Sangam stations to prevent passenger confusion, particularly during the Magh Mela. The proposal has been sent to the Railway Board for approval, while Prayagraj Junction will retain its existing name. The move follows complaints of passengers confusing the stations and missing trains.
The party's national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad's remarks came after the INDIA bloc decided to hold its planned 'public impeachment' of CEC Kumar later this week at the official residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
The Student List has achieved a parliamentary majority in Serbia, marking a significant shift in the political landscape. Comprising various professionals, they are now tasked with selecting government leaders and forming a cabinet. With rising public and private debt, the incoming government faces crucial economic challenges ahead. They must also navigate complex issues of governance and foreign policy regarding relations with Russia and Europe.
Ranjani Iyengar of Pink Whistle Man has revealed the creative process behind Anirudh Ravichander and Kavya Marans wedding invitation. The handcrafted wooden keepsake box features intricate carvings, hand-painted details and an understated white-and-blue palette chosen by the couple. Their wedding celebrations are reportedly planned in Greece on November 10 and 11, followed by a Chennai reception on November 21, with prominent political, business and entertainment guests expected.

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