The Economic Times

Indias external financial position improved marginally in Q1 FY27, RBI data showed. External debt rose $15.4 billion to $778.2 billion, while the debt-to-GDP ratio eased to 20.8%. Net international liabilities increased to $220.3 billion but remained below year-ago levels.

Gandhi Jayanti 2026 Theme, History: October 2 marks the 157th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, whose leadership, Satyagraha and commitment to non-violence played a major role in Indias freedom struggle. The day is observed as a national holiday in India and is also recognised by the United Nations as the International Day of Non-Violence, highlighting Gandhis enduring global legacy.

India's total external debt rose by USD 15.4 billion to reach USD 778.2 billion by June 2026. The external debt-to-GDP ratio showed a slight improvement, decreasing to 20.8 percent. Long-term obligations grew to USD 624.7 billion, while short-term debt slightly increased to 19.7 percent of overall external debt.

Prime Video is set to release a diverse lineup in October featuring horror, action, and romance projects. Mike Flanagans adaptation of Stephen Kings Carrie will premiere on October 7. Chris Pratt returns in The Terminal List Season 2, launching on October 21 as well. Additional films like Love of Your Life and Masterplan will debut during the month.

The US economy grew at a 2.2% annual pace in the second quarter, up from the governments earlier 1.5% estimate, as consumer spending and business investment remained strong. Consumer spending rose 3.8%, while business investment excluding housing increased 9%. Surging imports, however, trimmed nearly 1.7 percentage points from GDP growth.

Bank credit growth strengthened across major sectors in August, with personal loans rising 16.9% year-on-year to 72.9 lakh crore, up from 11.9% a year earlier, RBI data showed.

Introducing the conference, Manju Dixit, All India Women Convener of BKS, called for a change in the traditional perception of women farmers.

In August, banks lowered the weighted average rate on fresh rupee term deposits to 5.67%. At the same time, the average lending rate on new loans increased to 8.61%. Public sector banks experienced a decrease in deposit rates, while private banks faced a similar trend. Lending rates varied based on loan types, with personal loans seeing a significant increase.

Indian exporters will continue to receive upgraded insurance protection against buyer payment defaults until March 31, 2027. The expanded coverage is part of an initiative to support exporters during ongoing challenges. Previously, the eligibility was set to expire after September 30, affecting shipments to West Asia.

In the quest for a serene life, many young individuals are flocking to Rishikesh, opting for a lifestyle far removed from urban chaos. This wave includes entrepreneurs launching cafs, homestays, and pursuing remote work. Bengaluru woman Asha Mane, discusses the hurdles and financial aspects of settling in such towns while underscoring the importance of community engagement and diverse job prospects available in Rishikesh.

HDFC Bank has appointed V.N. Srivatsan as its Chief Compliance Officer for a three-year term, effective from his joining date on January 4, 2027. Srivatsan, currently Head Compliance: Overseas Banking and Subsidiaries & Data Privacy Officer at ICICI Bank, has around 34 years of professional experience, including 25 years in BFSI.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs, currently serving a 50-month sentence, is reportedly viewing the documentary 'Sean Combs: The Reckoning,' produced by Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson. Despite having been critical of the project, Combs now accesses it via a specially modified tablet. The documentary, which dives into his career and controversies, has faced scrutiny and legal challenges over the use of his footage, keeping public interest in his legal issues alive.

IIBX will open its own bullion vault in Kolkata by Diwali, enabling West Bengal jewellers to take local delivery instead of sourcing bullion from Chennai or GIFT City. The move is expected to cut logistics costs and delivery times, as the industry navigates high gold prices, falling volumes and export growth opportunities.

India's gems and jewellery sector currently accounts for 8% of global exports but can expand into new product categories. NITI Aayog's Pravakar Sahoo emphasized the need for greater value addition and improved global market presence. Collective efforts are essential among industry players, government, and consumers to ensure competitive growth in the sector. Enhanced transparency regarding diamonds can improve trust and boost consumer confidence in India.

NHAI to begin special quality inspections for 17 under-construction National Highways projects due to their substantial cost discounts. These inspections are in addition to regular quality checks intended to identify construction issues early. A second round of inspections will take place after six months to verify quality and progress. The selected projects encompass various states and include significant infrastructural developments.

Karnataka's new Textile & Apparel Policy aims to attract significant investments while creating numerous jobs over the next five years. The government has designated 34 focus taluks for additional support to promote regional industrial growth. New incentives will also be provided for silk yarn production to enhance the value chain. Special incentives are planned for eligible units in the PM MITRA Park in Kalaburagi.

An Indian national and former SpiceJet pilot was captain of the flydubai flight that made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a reported cockpit confrontation. Smit Machchhar, who joined flydubai in 2022, was injured but reportedly regained control of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 before it landed safely in Tabuk with around 174 passengers onboard.

Sylvester Stallone recently opened up about his troubled childhood marked by an abusive father and emotionally distant mother. He recounted instances of violence due to minor mistakes, including an incident involving being kicked for forgetting bread. The actor expressed that he became adept at anticipating his father's anger to protect himself. Stallone noted that affection was notably absent from his upbringing, especially from his mother, Jackie Stallone.

Air France-KLM is set to increase its weekly flight frequency in India from 42 to 54. This decision aligns with the growing demand for passenger travel throughout the region. Additionally, the company intends to explore partnerships for sustainable aviation fuel production in India.

Tahir Raj Bhasin gained limelight with his debut film, the 2014 Rani Mukerji-starrer Mardaani. Despite playing an antagonist, the actor became a fan favourite and gained critical acclaim for his performance as Karan Walt Rastogi in the crime drama. Bhasin recently recalled how, despite coming from a family full of Air Force officers, he walked a different path.

India's women's hockey team secured a significant victory against South Korea with a score of 2-0. Ishika Chaudhary and Salima Tete scored the goals to ensure their place in the final. The team's next challenge is a match against defending champions China. India dominated possession throughout the match and earned numerous penalty corners. South Korea attempted a late comeback, but India's defense remained strong to secure the win.

Indias economy is set to grow 7% in FY27, according to S&P Global, which sees domestic demand, private investment, manufacturing, trade, energy security, renewable power, digital infrastructure and technology shaping Indias next phase of economic growth.

Predictions for the 2026 Nobel Prizes in science highlight significant contributions in areas like GLP-1 research and cancer therapies. Carl June is mentioned for his role in developing CAR-T cell therapy for cancer treatment. Researchers Emmanuel Mignot and Masashi Yanagisawa are noted for their work on orexin related to sleep regulation. Optical coherence tomography and lipid nanoparticle technology are also strong candidates for recognition.

Mumbai recorded its strongest-ever September for property registrations, with 12,560 transactions, up 4% year-on-year, according to Maharashtra registration data. Stamp duty collections, however, fell 4% to 1,242 crore, reflecting a change in the mix of transactions.

Narendra Bhooshan has been appointed as Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Previously, he was the Secretary for the Department of Land Resources. His appointment follows the retirement of Tanmay Kumar from the position. Dilip Kumar is also set to be reassigned from his role as Director General in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Lord's Mark Industries Limited has successfully secured regulatory registration from the MHRA for its innovative haemodialysis machine, paving the way for its expansion in the UK's healthcare technology sector. With plans to commence exports in January 2027 and potentially establish its own dialysis centres, this milestone signifies a crucial step towards creating a comprehensive renal-care ecosystem, manufactured by Renalyx Health Systems Pvt. Ltd. for both institutional and home usage.

India Mobile Congress 2026, scheduled to take place in New Delhi from October 7 to 10, centers on enhancing global connectivity. With themes like growth, opportunity, trust, and future-building, the event will bring together top industry leaders to discuss advancements in technology and government initiatives aimed at establishing scalable digital frameworks for the future.

Motivational Quote of the Day by Audrey Hepburn: The inspiring quote defines happiness and beauty. The timeless quote features that real happiness has a positive way of improving an individual's beauty than physical appearance alone.

The US military has finished withdrawing all troops from Iraq, marking the end of a 12-year mission. This withdrawal culminated in the handover of an air base in northern Iraq to local authorities. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi described the event as the beginning of a new sovereign phase for Iraq. However, concerns arise regarding the future of Iranian-backed militias in the region.

Build Communities, Not Followers YouTube India MD Gunjan Soni's formula for Creators

Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 139 in the first ODI against the West Indies, achieving his 55th ODI century. This performance led him to climb to second place in the ICC ODI batting rankings. Shubman Gill remains at the top after also scoring a century in the same match. Additionally, several players like Temba Bavuma and Kusal Mendis made notable advancements in the rankings.

The Union Cabinet has approved a significant Rs 1.86 lakh crore scheme for upgrading the electricity grid. This initiative aims to evacuate 135 GW of renewable energy and establish 50 GWh of battery energy storage. New transmission lines will be awarded through Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding, ensuring efficient project delivery. Additionally, renewable energy developers will receive support for battery energy storage projects.

AIMRA is organizing a 'No UPI Day' on October 2 to protest against the proposed Merchant Discount Rate. The proposed charges are anticipated to burden small businesses and reduce their profit margins significantly. Retailers argue that routine digital payments should remain free for micro and small enterprises. The association demands the reconsideration and withdrawal of the proposed 0.4% MDR.

Pour Over Coffee Roasters intends to expand to nearly 100 cafs by 2030 while focusing on its roasting business. The company is exploring franchise opportunities with established hotel and restaurant operators for growth. POCR currently operates four outlets and plans to add three more by the year's end.

Steel Authority of India has airlifted a 1-metric-ton sample of coking coal from Mongolia for testing. This trial was initiated as part of India's effort to reduce reliance on Australian coal imports. Transporting coal from Mongolia poses significant logistical challenges, especially due to India's strained relations with China.

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Rs 1.86 lakh crore Green Energy Corridor Phase-III scheme to build transmission infrastructure for evacuation of up to 135 GW of renewable power and deploy 50 GWh of battery storage, as India prepares its grid for a sharp expansion in non-fossil energy capacity.

Lil Waynes latest video message to a friend has taken fans by surprise as he affectionately referred to Madi Cannon as his fiance. This announcement comes on the heels of earlier denials of their engagement and a brief public split. Madi, a popular social media influencer, has rekindled her relationship with Wayne, who has four children from previous relationships, including one with ex-wife Toya Johnson.

In many Indian families, unique traditions are cherished and passed down through the years. A particularly noteworthy practice involves encasing remote controls in plastic to keep them clean and fully operational. Advocates of this custom argue it's a practical solution to prevent grime and spills. This topic sparked lively conversations on Reddit, with users recounting their own quirky household rituals that outsiders might find odd yet meaningful in Indian culture.

Aramco Trading concluded a tender for 10 million barrels of Khafji crude, attracting interest from Asian refiners. South Korea's GS Caltex and China's Shenghong Petrochemical each purchased 2 million barrels through this tender. Additionally, India's Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd, Indian Oil Corp, and Reliance acquired 2 million barrels each. The crude oil is scheduled to be loaded via ship-to-ship transfers at Fujairah from late October to November.

As FY27 progresses, India's fiscal deficit climbed to an alarming Rs 7.10 lakh crore within the first five months, representing 41.9% of the projected budget for the year. The total receipts amounted to Rs 13.68 lakh crore, aligning at 37.5% of the total budget. Meanwhile, government spending hit Rs 20.78 lakh crore, with major subsidies also rising to Rs 1.87 lakh crore amidst continuing fiscal challenges.

A Texas woman claims her former employer sabotaged her new job after she resigned for a 40% salary hike. Three days before joining, the offer was withdrawn following a cease-and-desist over an alleged non-compete she says she never signed. She claims PDF metadata showed the document was created after her resignation and accused her ex-boss of forging her signature, prompting Reddit users to suggest legal action.

New Delhi: The government's new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE-III) norms give the automobile industry a clear plan for future technology investments. Industry representatives said the norms aim to balance environmental goals with flexibility for companies. The new framework is also expected to encourage the use of flex-fuel vehicles and biofuels.Welcoming the notification, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) President Shenu Agarwal said the five-year framework provides predi

Digital lenders in India experienced a notable 28% increase in their personal-loan portfolios over the past year. The number of outstanding loan accounts slightly decreased to 5.64 crore, indicating a shift towards larger balances. New loan sanctions also surged by 50%, highlighting a strong demand for personal loans. Borrowers with limited credit histories and younger customers contributed significantly to this growth.

Indian companies' credit profiles showed resilience during the first half of fiscal year 2026-27. Despite the energy shock from the West Asia conflict, rating actions remained limited to a few issuers. The supportive domestic environment contributed to sustaining household purchasing power and controlling inflation. Strong revenue growth was noted across various sectors, with significant upgrades in investment-linked domains.

At the MTV Video Music Awards, Taylor Swift unveiled her latest music video for 'Patient Zero,' a captivating narrative of a toxic romance featuring Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell. Centered around a striking Brutalist mansion, the video symbolizes the icy relationship between the characters. With elements of gothic storytelling and psychological thrills, the visuals deeply engage viewers in a multifaceted emotional experience.