The Economic Times

Gandhi, Shastri Jayanti: President Murmu, VP Radhakrishnan pay tribute at Raj Ghat, Vijay Ghat

Putin praises Modis efforts to end Ukraine conflict, says he shared very good ideas

Donald Trump and JD Vance are ramping up campaigning in Republican-leaning states ahead of the November 3 midterms, as GOP leaders try to boost turnout and enthusiasm amid concerns over the economy, affordability and the Iran war. Trump has promised a near-daily campaign sprint, while Republicans are also targeting races in Texas, Florida, Oklahoma and other states that have become more competitive.

India's economic growth is projected to slow to 5.5-6% in the second half of 2026-27. This slowdown follows a robust growth of 7-7.5% in the first half of the financial year. Combined capital expenditure growth is expected to moderate significantly from 13.2% to around 4% in the latter months. Additionally, the central government's capital expenditure growth will weaken due to a declining fiscal position.

Cockroach Janta Party plans to initiate a nationwide protest starting in Mumbai demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The movement aims to highlight the perceived undermining of the electoral process and the right to vote. Party spokespersons emphasize the necessity of ensuring a level playing field for the youth of India. They anticipate a peaceful protest while expecting full cooperation from the Mumbai Police.

On October 2, 2026, players of Garena Free Fire MAX in India can look forward to exciting unlockable rewards through redeem codes. These codes may offer a variety of prizes including diamonds, exclusive weapon skins, and stylish outfits. To successfully redeem, players should access the Garena Rewards Redemption website, log in, and carefully input their codes. It's important to act swiftly since these codes come with limited availability.

Trump and Vance are actively campaigning in Republican strongholds as midterm elections approach next month. They seek to energize their base and improve GOP candidate chances amid growing competition for Congressional control. The political landscape shows increasing anxiety among Republican leaders due to low approval ratings for Trump's administration. Trump emphasizes the need for better promotion of their achievements to combat negative perceptions.

Rajinikanths iconic Raghavendra Mandapam in Chennai has returned to the spotlight following reports that the property could be developed into a three-star hotel. Amid the reports, an old video has resurfaced in which the actor said the property would go to the Raghavendra Public Charitable Trust after his lifetime, with its earnings benefiting the people of Tamil Nadu.

India and Australia are looking to accelerate negotiations on their Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell discussing cooperation in pharmaceuticals, services, investment, agri-tech and critical minerals. The two sides also reviewed implementation of their existing ECTA and are working towards a bilateral investment treaty.

India and Bulgaria have called for early implementation of the India-EU free trade agreement, saying it could significantly deepen bilateral economic ties. The two sides also reviewed cooperation in trade, investment, AI, space, defence, science and technology, while discussing wider regional and global issues.

Entry and exit at 11 metro stations in New Delhi will be closed until further notice. This closure is in response to heightened security measures before a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Delhi Police has denied permission for the protest scheduled on October 2 at Jantar Mantar. Interchange facilities will remain operational at selected stations despite the closures.

Weather Today: Today, various regions across India will be affected by rain, thunderstorms, and lightning, appearing as a stark contrast to the clear and dry weather found in places like Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile, areas such as Bihar, Chandigarh, and Haryana are expected to remain dry without any warnings from the India Meteorological Department until October 5, indicating diverse weather patterns throughout the nation.

AAP leaders Atishi and Sanjay Singh have appealed to people to join a proposed October 2 protest at Delhis Jantar Mantar over the Election Commissions functioning and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Delhi Police had not granted permission for the gathering and tightened security around the area. A parallel protest has also been announced in Mumbai.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu honored passengers who intervened during the flydubai flight incident in a meeting. Passengers recounted how they restrained the co-pilot after he attacked Captain Smit Machchhar, which prevented a potential disaster. The flight was diverted and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the attack. Investigations revealed that the co-pilot underwent radical Islamist indoctrination and appeared suicidal.

More than 4,000 individuals connected to drug trafficking have been arrested in Jammu and Kashmir since April. The police have registered over 3,200 drug-related cases during this campaign. Significant progress has been achieved in property attachments and cash seizures linked to the drug trade. The campaign aims to eradicate substance abuse among the youth and promote peace.

Taiwan is set to receive its first two F-16V fighter jets from a delayed US order for 66 aircraft, strengthening its air force amid rising Chinese military pressure. The $8 billion Lockheed Martin deal, approved in 2019, will expand Taiwans F-16 fleet beyond 200 jets. Delivery has faced software and other production-related delays, raising concerns over US arms commitments.

On Friday, a tragic accident occurred on the Samruddhi Highway near Dhamangaon, resulting in multiple casualties. A truck crashed into a Bolero pickup van, killing five and injuring twenty others. The incident took place at approximately 12:45 am on Channel 97 of the expressway. Injured individuals were initially transported to Dhamangaon Rural Hospital before being referred to Wardha Medical College for further treatment.

Happy Gandhi Jayanti 2026: Gandhi Jayanti, observed on October 2, highlights the transformative teachings of Mahatma Gandhi centered around truth and non-violence. This day invites everyone to engage in acts of kindness, compassion, and unity. It's an opportunity to reflect on how even the smallest gestures can create meaningful change. Gandhi's lasting influence continues to motivate individuals across generations to uphold these essential principles in their lives.

Captain Smit Machchhar was attacked by his co-pilot during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. After being stabbed, he managed to unlock the cockpit door, thereby saving all passengers aboard. Police later identified the co-pilot as having undergone radical Islamist indoctrination and exhibiting suicidal tendencies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Machchhar's actions as heroic and crucial to preventing a disaster.

With the end of his illustrious NFL journey in sight, Aaron Rodgers readies himself for a formidable challenge against the Steelers. Pittsburgh's troubles on the road, particularly in AFC North matchups on Thursdays, add to the tension. Their 150th clash brings the rivalry full circle. Meanwhile, Rodgers contemplates his personal life and the emotional ties to his wife, Brittani, shedding light on their shared history.

Saudi Arabia has handed over the Omani flydubai co-pilot accused of stabbing Captain Smit Machchhar and attempting to crash Flight FZ1073 to the UAE. The Dubai-Tel Aviv flight made an emergency landing in Tabuk after plunging thousands of feet. Investigators are probing the motive, possible terrorism links and an alleged Iran connection as Netanyahu and Trump weigh in.

India's women's recurve archery team secured its first Asian Games gold by defeating South Korea in the final. The Indian team included Ankita Bhakat, Kirti Sharma, and Kumkum Mohod, showcasing exceptional skill during the match. After the first two sets ended in a tie, India took the lead in the third set. The final set also ended in a tie, confirming Indias victory.

Brazil's national football team has arrived in Kolkata for an upcoming friendly match against India. The match is scheduled to take place at Salt Lake Stadium on October 3, marking a significant event in Indian football history. Advanced security arrangements are being implemented to prevent issues such as ticket black marketing. The West Bengal government is also upgrading infrastructure, aiming for a World Cup-like experience.

Vladimir Putin acknowledged Narendra Modi's commitment to ending the Ukraine conflict and praised his ideas for resolution. Modi has maintained a humanitarian stance while advocating for dialogue to achieve peace. The Russian President expressed gratitude for Modi's ongoing support to resolve the situation. Both leaders have discussed enhanced cooperation in various sectors during their recent meetings. Modi indicated India's willingness to aid in meaningful peace efforts between the involved pa

G20 trade ministers met in Milwaukee but failed to reach an agreement on overproduction of goods. The Trump administration accused various countries, especially China, of flooding markets, affecting competition. Tensions between the US and Canada escalated after new tariffs were imposed, raising concerns about trade relations. Discussions on forced labor also did not lead to a consensus among the participating countries.

India aims to secure medals in various sports during Day 13 of the Asian Games. The Indian women's hockey team competes against China for the gold medal at 3:30 pm IST. Several boxers will fight for gold, including Lovlina Borgohain and Parveen in their respective finals. Archery events will feature India facing China and Japan in semifinals today.

Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney has fast-tracked the proposed 1-million-barrel-a-day Pacific Link oil pipeline, aiming to reduce Albertas dependence on US markets and open access to growing Asian buyers. The $25 billion-$31 billion project could reshape Canadian crude flows, strengthen Pacific exports and support Carneys push to make Canada an energy superpower while easing tensions with Alberta.

US Stock Market outlook: S&P Futures were up by 0.13 per cent, Dow Futures jumped 0.09 per cent, Nasdaq futures climbed 0.25 per cent, Russell 2000 futures rose 0.16 per cent.

Canada and India are targeting an increase in bilateral trade, aspiring to reach USD 70 billion in five years. Ongoing negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement are expected to conclude soon. Recently, the fifth round of negotiations is planned to take place in Ottawa on October 5. Both nations have emphasized the importance of collaboration in energy and critical minerals for economic growth.

US Fed Interest Rate Forecast: Benchmark 10-year Treasury note yield touched a 24-year high before falling back to around 5.24 per cent. Higher long-term bond yields show market participants expect strong economic growth and a higher Fed policy rate

ChatGPT maker has been conducting a broad review of the activities of its AI models after the accidental hacking of Hugging Face. OpenAI is searching through roughly 50 petabytes of data as it works to understand the full scope of its rogue agent activity.

Katie Miller is a conservative podcaster who is married to Stephen Miller, one of President Donald Trump's closest advisers.

Nike earnings statement shows that the company projected sales in the current fiscal year would fall by high-single digits. Nike reported a two percent drop in quarterly profits to $712 million. Revenues fell four percent to $11.2 billion for the quarter ending August 31, the first quarter of Nike's fiscal 2027.

Nike stock after NKE earnings: Nike stock is down after the company reported a quarterly revenue miss and forecast a high-single-digit revenue decline for fiscal 2027. Nike also announced layoffs as part of a restructuring plan expected to generate about $2.5 billion in savings through fiscal 2031.

A recent AP-NORC poll shows Donald Trump's approval rating has plummeted to 31%, reflecting increasing public dissatisfaction. With midterm elections on the horizon, voters voiced their worries about the economy and rising prices, emphasizing 17% approval for Trump's management of cost of living. In response, White House spokesperson Davis Ingle defended Trumps record by pointing out his significant policy achievements that could influence the forthcoming elections in November 2026.

Bitcoin (BTC USD) price target: Citigroup has increased its 12-month Bitcoin price target from $82,000 to $113,000 due to favorable market conditions. The bank expects $5 billion in crypto investment product inflows over the next year as advisers increase allocations. Spot Bitcoin ETFs have started seeing renewed inflows after significant outflows earlier this year.

'Depression like 1929, if Democrats get in': Trump drops dire warning ahead of Midterms 2026

Malaysia Airlines MH370: Malaysia Airlines changed flight numbers MH370 and MH371 following the aircraft's disappearance in March 2014. The aircraft, carrying 239 people, vanished during its journey from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Extensive search operations were conducted in the Indian Ocean, but the main wreckage remains undiscovered.

Congress has cleared a bill that would give Social Securitys key claiming ages new names. The proposal would call 62 the minimum monthly benefit age, 67 the standard monthly benefit age, and 70 the maximum monthly benefit age. The ages themselves would not change. The goal is to make the benefit trade-offs easier to understand before workers decide when to claim.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the Trump administration is working with India to finalise a bilateral trade deal, but an agreement is not imminent. Greer said he had a very constructive conversation with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal at the G20 trade ministers meeting and that officials remain engaged.

Federal Reserve Vice Chair Philip Jefferson stated that he sees no immediate need for further interest rate adjustments. He emphasized that future decisions would depend on analyzing economic data trends and risks. Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari expressed uncertainty regarding the timing of the next rate hike amidst strong economic performance. Both officials acknowledged the ongoing challenges of managing inflation that exceeds the 2% target.

The Bezos Earth Fund has committed $25 million to enhance conservation efforts across five Pacific island nations, now totaling approximately $63.3 million dedicated to preserving marine ecosystems. This initiative strives to safeguard at least 30% of the oceanic territories by 2030, aligning with Jeff Bezos' ambitious $10 billion climate pledge. As the deadline nears, over $7 billion remains available for impactful distribution.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi questioned the Election Commission over changes to online Form 6, asking who ordered Tata Consultancy Services to implement them and who approved them at TCS. Gandhi also asked whether the company was pressured. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh separately alleged the changes were aimed at removing Gen Z voters.

Neighbours in Mumbais Chembur have rallied around Flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar after reports that he fought back against an alleged cockpit attack during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. As his parents travelled to Saudi Arabia, residents recalled Machchhars Mumbai upbringing, aviation journey and years as a SpiceJet pilot.