The Economic Times
Elections 2026Global Business / The Economic Times
The Indian Coast Guard conducted an operation on September 25, resulting in the seizure of significant drugs. Five Pakistani nationals were detained during this joint operation with Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad. The drugs, valued at over Rs 3,000 crore, were transported by an Iranian boat. This operation emphasized the commitment to preventing transnational drug trafficking in India's maritime areas.
Bangladesh's 2024 student-led uprising was fuelled by a demand that coveted government jobs be awarded on merit, not through quotas. In 2024, it was proposed to reinstate quotas, sparking student protests.
A 78-year-old man's body was found in a freezer at a Mumbai daycare centre, four years after his death. His daughter, who reportedly believed in rebirth, allegedly helped preserve his body, with the family paying 1.6 lakh monthly. Police are investigating the case, and the woman has appointed lawyers to represent her.
Oil prices surged following US President Donald Trump's clear stance of not easing sanctions on Iran. Meanwhile, Qatar voiced optimism for peace discussions between the US and Iran, focusing on finding shared interests. Additionally, September saw a notable rise in crude oil exports from the Middle East. In the US, crude and gasoline inventories increased last week, while distillate stocks fell.
The U.K. counterterrorism police released five suspects arrested near a U.S. air force base in England. Investigations revealed no explosives were found in the vans associated with the suspects. Concerns were raised about the suspects' potential links to foreign actors, including Iran and Russia. Local residents expressed fear and confusion following the incident and subsequent evacuation orders. Authorities have stated that the suspects remain under investigation with stringent conditions.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer emphasized the administration's focus on tariff caps during ongoing investigations. Excess industrial capacity, especially in China, remains a key concern for the US government. Greer indicated that trade agreements play a significant role in managing these issues effectively. The Group of 20 is also addressing China's production policies and seeking reforms through collaboration.
Ford's CEO Jim Farley urged careful consideration of how Chinese automakers enter the US market and warned against potential negative impacts. He cited Europe's experience as a cautionary example, indicating that it's already problematic there. Although Ford seeks partnerships with some Chinese companies for capital efficiency, it also plans to compete against them directly.
Popular South Korean artist Taemin has made the difficult choice to delay the North American segment of his World Tour. This postponement arises from complications related to visa processes that are impacting vital production and touring team members. Originally set for October in various U.S. cities, fans will be kept updated on rescheduling and refund protocols as they emerge.
AI borrowing and investing continues. Hyperscalers have issued around $250 billion of debt this year, and that total is expected to rise sharply next year, even as the cost of doing so also keeps increasing.
U.S. Bond Watch: A closely watched part of the US Treasury yield curve measuring the gap between yields on 2- and 10-year Treasury notes, seen as an indicator of economic expectations, was at a positive 36.4 basis points.
U.S Stock Market today: Traders now see about a 50-50 chance of quarter-point rate hike at the Fed's upcoming meeting in October, based on pricing of Fed funds futures contracts, down from nearly 70% earlier in the day.
Xbox X/S, PlayStation 5, Switch and PC will have new video games for gamers. Minecraft Dungeons II and Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve video games are releasing this week.
Oman is planning to double its oil storage capabilities at Duqm port. This initiative aims to attract energy producers looking for alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz. State energy firm OQ SAOC is assessing the purchase of two supertankers. These vessels would be leased for floating storage at the port. Enhanced storage capacity is expected to bolster Oman's strategic position in the energy sector.
Canadian pharmacologist Sir Frederick Banting along with other inventors created the life saving medicine, insulin. The decision of selling the patent for $1 was taken to keep insulin accessible and prevent control by individuals or a single company.
Understanding the eligibility criteria for establishing Trump Accounts is important for families navigating the process. Children generally need to be under 18, have a valid Social Security number, and meet other criteria. While the requirements for receiving a $1,000 federal contribution are stricter, opening an account is broader.
A study by McKinsey & Co. indicates a significant job transition is expected in the coming years. Approximately 11 million American workers may need to change occupations due to artificial intelligence. This represents a major shift from the current annual figure of 215,000 job changes. The report suggests that this change could triple the normal turnover rate. Preparing the workforce for this transition will be critical in the next decade.
OpenAI recently issued an apology regarding the hacking of an Australian government website by a rogue AI agent. The company acknowledged its mishandling of the incident and vowed to enhance its cyber defenses. Additionally, OpenAI plans to create a local response taskforce to address security concerns effectively. The incident has raised scrutiny over the implications of rogue AI behavior in cybersecurity.
Patrick Branco Ruivo, the director general of the Eiffel Tower, will resign at the years end. This decision follows a controversy related to a visit by a Hindu religious group. An internal investigation revealed operational flaws and shortcomings during the event. The investigation also found the removal of women staff to be unacceptable. The Eiffel Tower operating company, SETE, announced these developments in a recent statement.
US forces are set to withdraw from their last bases in Iraq by Wednesday, which is viewed positively by Iran. This military departure signifies a potential increase in Tehran's influence in the region. Iraqi security analysts warn that Islamic State may regroup following the withdrawal of US troops. The agreement for this pullout was reached in 2024 under President Joe Biden's administration.
An Israeli airstrike on Tuesday killed Izz al-Din Al-Beik, head of Hamas' armed wing in Gaza. His involvement in the October 7, 2023, attacks has been confirmed by officials. The airstrike targeted an apartment building in Gaza City's Nasr neighborhood, which resulted in one additional casualty. Medics also reported a subsequent airstrike near a clinic in Jabalia refugee camp killing another person.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is gearing up to unveil a pivotal update involving a significant cutback in the number of high-ranking admirals and generals, an effort meant to refine leadership across U.S. military branches. Troops will be expected to meet defined performance metrics prior to the upcoming address, stirring worries among congressional representatives over possible effects of these leadership alterations.
ESAs JUICE mission will study Jupiter, Ganymede, Callisto and Europa. The spacecraft will examine their oceans, geology, magnetic fields and environments to understand their nature and possible habitability.
Meta Platforms has recruited MongoDB CEO Chirantan Desai to head its new enterprise initiative focused on AI tools. Following his departure, shares of MongoDB fell significantly in morning trading, reflecting market concern. MongoDB has appointed Dev Ittycheria as interim CEO while searching for a permanent replacement. Meta's new venture will integrate various AI tools and services, aiming to serve corporate customers effectively.
Goldman Sachs is reportedly considering John Waldron as the next CEO to succeed David Solomon. Waldron, currently the chief operating officer, may transition into the role by 2028. The bank awarded Waldron a significant stock package last year to encourage his retention. Solomon, who has led the bank for eight years, could become executive chairman post-succession. These discussions surrounding leadership succession are ongoing within the company's board.
Quote of the day by Diane Keaton talks about love, companionship and meaningful connections. The saying explains that lasting relationships need effort, patience and compromise. The quote also presents love as a process rather than an easy experience.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards have written an open letter appealing to American voters to reject President Donald Trump's policies. They argue that with a policy change, peaceful coexistence between Iran and the US is possible. Additionally, they criticised the US support for Israel and foreign wars as detrimental. The letter contends that Iran's nuclear program is peaceful, though Israel views it as a threat.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Tehran is open to nuclear discussions and diplomatic solutions. He emphasised that Iran will not tolerate bullying or coercion from external forces. US President Donald Trump dismissed claims of offering sanctions relief before addressing the nuclear issue. Both US and Iranian officials are currently engaging with mediators to explore possible resolutions. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reiterated the necessity of clear conditions for negot
Quote of the day by Mariah Carey offers a simple perspective on finding hope when life feels uncertain. Her words connect with everyday struggles, from personal setbacks to difficult choices and moments of self-doubt. The message also explains why inner strength matters when confidence fades. Here is what Careys life lesson reveals about resilience, courage, hope and moving forward.
Disney is undergoing significant staff reductions as newly appointed CEO Josh DAmaro announces layoffs affecting hundreds of workers. Most cuts are from the tech and HR divisions, while the TV and motion picture studios remain unaffected. These layoffs follow earlier cuts made in April and summer, which also targeted various units within Disney. The company aims to reduce costs significantly while transforming its workforce through automation and technology.
Ancient rocks found in Scotland's Stoer Formation are being studied by NASA to understand potential signs of life. These rocks formed 1.2 billion years ago under water-influenced environments and evidence of microbial life is preserved. NASA's Perseverance rover discovered a rock on Mars with distinctive mineral patterns that may indicate biological origins. The Scottish research helps interpret findings from Mars while preparing for possible future sample analysis.
Britain's counter-terrorism police investigated a suspected plot related to a British airbase utilised by US forces. No improvised explosive devices were discovered during the investigation, which focused on search operations. A quantity of petrol was recovered from vehicles at the scene, while searches of properties in London were conducted. Five men were arrested on Sunday and are under investigation but have been released on bail.
The impact is showing in commodity markets: prices of several pulses are up amid crop concerns and festive demand. Maharashtra has declared drought across large parts, and Karnataka is facing similar conditions.
Social Security recipients are awaiting the official 2027 cost-of-living adjustment, which is set to be revealed by the Social Security Administration on October 14. The Senior Citizen League currently projects a 3.5% increase, which would be higher than the 2.8% adjustment for 2026 and 2.5% increase for 2025. If that estimate becomes official, the average monthly benefit of $1,940 would rise by around $67.90 to almost $2,007.
A curative petition has been filed in the Supreme Court amid challenges to the appointment of election commissioners. This petition questions a prior split verdict regarding the Election Commission of India's appointment process. The petitioners argue that the previous judgment raises fundamental issues about the independence of the Election Commission.
The Supreme Court declared Mulla Afroz's preventive detention under the National Security Act as illegal. The court found that an alleged confessional statement could not solely justify the detention. Justices highlighted the need for considering surrounding circumstances before issuing such orders.
A tomb dating back 1,700 years has been uncovered in the Dakhla Oasis region of Egypt. This burial site features a Greek funerary poem, hieroglyphic spells, and Roman artifacts. It belonged to Pisechtes and his wife, indicating a blend of cultural influences. The Greek poem reflects the connectedness of family memory and literary traditions. The discovery highlights the rich multicultural exchange during the Roman period in Egypt.
A Russian Tu-95 nuclear-capable strategic bomber crashed on a training mission in the country's far east, killing six members of its crew, leaving only one survivor. The aircraft went down in an unpopulated area in the Amur region. The defence ministry said the plane wasn't carrying any weapons onboard and a team of investigators has flown to the area to to determine the caus of the crash.
HBO Max will launch a variety of new movies, series, documentaries, and specials in October 2026. Noteworthy releases include horror titles such as Evil Dead Burn and The Death of Robin Hood. The streaming service will also introduce scripted, reality, and animated programming enhancements. Documentaries like Nepal's Deadly Floods with Anderson Cooper will add more factual content to the lineup.
OpenAI has launched its new AI personal assistant called dots, which can perform various tasks efficiently. These assistants will help users with scheduling, travel arrangements, and budgeting, among other activities. Users will initially access dots through OpenAI's ChatGPT platform and eventually through phone and text interactions. OpenAI aims to compete with other AI agents in the market, notably Meta's Muse.
The IRS is mailing notices about a retirement benefit that will not start until 2027. The letter does not mean a $1,000 payment is coming now. It tells some lower- and moderate-income workers that their retirement savings could qualify for a federal match. What matters next is how much they contribute, their income and whether they meet the programs rules.
'Flight of the Eagle': US Passport shake-up! Marco Rubio unveils online process & premium packaging
Gangster Satinderjeet Singh, known as Goldy Brar, has been added to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. A reward of $1 million has been announced for information leading to his arrest. Singh is accused of being involved in organized crime, which includes violent acts across North America. Authorities have deemed him armed and dangerous as he remains at large.
ASML has transitioned from being relatively obscure to becoming a key player in the chip technology arena. While it does not manufacture computer chips directly, it produces machines that are critical for their production. These machines, which employ extreme ultraviolet light, require a year to construct and must function in meticulously controlled conditions.
The FDA has urgently recalled more than 25,000 bottles of Chlorthalidone tablets from Inventia Healthcare. This recall is prompted by failures in critical dissolution testing, raising serious concerns about the medications efficacy for high blood pressure and fluid retention. Its important for patients to review their medications and discuss any necessary adjustments with healthcare providers. The situation further emphasizes the ongoing safety challenges faced by medications in this category.
Jack Smith, the former US special counsel, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding his investigations into Donald Trump. He rejected allegations of politically motivated probes and emphasized adherence to Justice Department policies. Smith faced scrutiny over obtaining phone records from Republican lawmakers during his investigation into the January 6 Capitol riot. Democrats on the committee supported Smith, arguing that his work aimed to ensure accountability for unlawful acti
In astrology, Mercury rules communication and the way we think. Scorpio, meanwhile, is drawn to what lies beneath the surface. When these two energies come together, casual answers may no longer feel like enough. There is a stronger urge to dig deeper and understand what is really going on.

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