The Economic Times

Indian Railways will partially or fully close several PRS counters across Delhi-NCR on November 8 for Diwali 2026. Some offices will provide limited evening services, others will shut from 2 pm to 8 pm, while six locations will remain closed for the entire day. Passengers should check their reservation office timings before travelling to book train tickets.

Siddaramaiah, a Congress member, has denied any connection to a circulating sting operation video. He claims the video is a fabricated attempt to blackmail and defame him. Siddaramaiah has filed a police complaint and obtained a court injunction against further dissemination of the video. Home Minister Priyank Kharge confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and urged those with evidence to come forward.

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra highlighted the challenges faced by central banks due to global uncertainties and supply chain issues. He noted the elevated global inflation and lower growth forecasts impacting monetary policy decisions worldwide. India entered this phase with strong macroeconomic fundamentals, maintaining growth at 7.8% despite rising inflation levels. The RBI's goal remains to achieve price stability while ensuring financial market order and health.

India has initiated a national action plan for inland small-scale fisheries to increase fish production. The plan aims to achieve a target of 30 million tonnes over the next five years. It will focus on improving livelihoods and sustainability amid climate change challenges. Stakeholder consultations will be conducted to finalise the plan, which covers diverse aquatic ecosystems.

Thomas Markle Sr. has been accused of possessing child sexual abuse images by his son, Thomas Markle Jr. Meghan Markle expressed distress over the allegations and highlighted their impact on her family. She confirmed that authorities were informed of these allegations in 2018, during her wedding preparations. The strained relationship between Meghan and her father has been ongoing for years, largely due to prior controversies.

Gas prices have climbed above $4 per gallon nationwide as the Iran war disrupts global oil supplies, putting October on track to become the most expensive October ever for US drivers. The national average reached $4.29 on October 23, while drivers in California, Hawaii, Nevada and Washington are paying an average of at least $5 per gallon.

Large parts of northern India have transitioned to a hotter and drier climate over the last 70 years. A study indicates significant shifts in climate zones across India between 1951 and 2020. Regions in northwest India have seen an increase in the hot semi-arid zone while peninsular India has become wetter. The research emphasizes the importance of monitoring agricultural timings in affected areas.

A viral video allegedly showing a child consuming drugs in Kapurthala, Punjab, has prompted criticism from Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Congress leaders over the state's drug problem. Badal accused the AAP government of failing to protect vulnerable children, while Congress leader Bawa Henry also raised concerns. Authorities reportedly arranged hospital treatment for the child, whose age and the circumstances surrounding the footage remain unverified.

Demonstrators plan to take to the streets again Saturday to denounce the high cost of living. Students, members of the CGT labor union and activists from the yellow vest movement, whose demonstrations against social injustice shook France in 2018 and 2019, are all set to join.

Sumit secured the gold medal in the men's javelin throw event at the Asian Para Games 2026. Mahendra Gurjar achieved silver with a new Games record in his category. Sandip Sanjay Sargar earned bronze, also setting a new Games record. India had a successful campaign overall, securing numerous medals across various sports disciplines. This performance reflects the country's strong support for athletes through programs like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme.

Lahore was ranked the world's most polluted city on Friday after its AQI reached 410, a hazardous level, according to IQAir. The platform reported that PM2.5 pollution was 45.2 times the World Health Organisation's annual guideline value. The city and other parts of Pakistan's Punjab province face recurring smog between October and February, prompting health experts to advise residents to limit exposure to polluted air.

Gold rate today: China's gold jewellery demand has remained under pressure so far in 2026, recording its weakest first-half demand in tonnage terms since 2006, according to a recent World Gold Council report.

Senior officers from the Election Commission of India conducted a review of the poll preparedness in Manipur. During the review, representatives from all 16 districts presented their election readiness to the delegation. The final electoral rolls revealed an increase in registered women voters compared to men, contributing to a higher gender ratio. Ongoing ethnic violence has led to significant casualties and displacement within the state.

Bomb threat email to Mumbai Mayor targets Amitabh Bachchans bungalow Jalsa, Diljits concert

Simone Biles has sold her Houston-area home for an estimated $1.08 million to $1.24 million after listing it for $1.275 million. The Olympic gold medalist broke down in tears while explaining her emotional attachment to the property, where she spent six years and made countless memories. She revealed that she and her husband Jonathan Owens built a custom Texas dream home.

An anonymous employee has claimed on Reddit that his company gave him 10 days to return from abroad and work from the office, despite his plans to travel home a month later. After spending heavily on a last-minute flight, he said he was fired shortly after arriving, with HR citing policy violations and older workplace issues. The company reportedly paid severance equivalent to 10 weeks' salary, sparking debate over return-to-office mandates and workplace fairness.

UK leader Andy Burnham emphasized the need for better emergency preparedness for citizens during a wildfire summit. The new 'Be Ready' campaign encourages households to stockpile essential supplies for unexpected disruptions. This initiative aligns with ongoing concerns regarding food security and recent cyberattacks impacting major supermarket chains. Burnham's statements follow the approval of controversial drilling plans in a North Sea gas field.

A 16-year-old student, A. Akilan, allegedly died by suicide due to harassment for consuming beef at school. His mother reported that the harassment began after a teacher's inquiry about beef consumption. Akilan faced physical assaults and derogatory remarks from classmates, while complaints were ignored by the school authorities. The Peelamedu police registered a case against the teacher and headmaster for abetment of suicide.

Hearings for more than 43.82 lakh notices issued to electors in Karnataka have been completed recently. The final electoral roll is scheduled to be published on October 27 as per the Election Commission's timeline. A total of nearly 26 lakh applications were received between June 16 and October 22. Forms for enrolment, objections, and corrections have been processed on a priority basis.

A Bengaluru dads post about his sons school trip to Malaysia has sparked nostalgia online. While his son will explore Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi with a stay at a Marriott hotel, the father recalls his childhood school trips involving sleeper-class train journeys, Himalayan treks and nights spent in tents.

Indian government bonds have experienced their worst decline in thirty years, falling consecutively for ten weeks. Rising crude oil prices and a hawkish central bank stance have impacted the market negatively. The benchmark repo rate was recently raised to 5.5%, with further increases expected. The 2036 bond yield rose to 7.4740%, indicating a broader trend of increasing yields. These developments may significantly affect India's import bill and inflation outlook.

India's Business Confidence Index has risen to 107.8 in the second quarter of this fiscal year. The survey included 502 companies across six major cities, reflecting both large firms and MSMEs. All four key parameters evaluated by the index showed gains when compared to the previous quarter. NCAER indicated that confidence improved in expectations of economic conditions and financial health.

India is restructuring its defense framework by developing a military Artificial Intelligence layer and scaling up missile production. The Integrated Air Command and Control System is being fully networked across platforms to enhance air defense. While legacy systems are upgraded, older platforms are now useful against drone warfare. Defence officials are prioritizing indigenous ballistic missile production to reduce costs.

India is set to develop a Civil Defence network with a joint training program involving the Indian Army. This initiative will initially provide specialised training for 600 Master Trainers across 12 states and Union Territories. The training will focus on threat awareness, emergency response, and communication modules. Following this, Master Trainers will train 100 Civil Defence volunteers each in their areas.

The Supreme Court has officially ruled that student IDs will not be accepted for voting purposes in New Hampshire. This decision is in light of a law signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte, which disqualified student IDs as valid identification for voters. A federal judge had previously acknowledged student IDs as sufficient alongside other verification methods.

ICICI Bank and Indian Bank have raised fixed deposit interest rates for select tenures effective October 23, 2026. Indian Bank also adjusted its rates, increasing FD rates on their special 555-day and 777-day FDs.

Jio Platforms has achieved a remarkable milestone, garnering over one crore applications for its upcoming initial public offering. This surge signifies a burgeoning interest from India's retail investors in technology sectors. With the IPO set to debut on October 28, maintaining this enthusiasm is crucial. The communication strategies employed mirror those found in consumer marketing, urging potential investors to evaluate their financial objectives carefully before engaging with the IPO.

NASA is preparing for a press conference to share important updates on the Artemis program. The focus will be on the upcoming Artemis III mission and its objectives. Additionally, details regarding future lunar landings under Artemis IV are expected to be unveiled. NASA aims to return astronauts to the Moon by 2028, exploring the lunar south pole for scientific research.

Defence Secretary said, our exports have reached an all-time high of 38,424 crores, which is about 3.6 billion euros, and I was reading a Bloomberg report yesterday, which said that suddenly over the last year, India became the third largest exporter of arms to Europe, mainly because of the Rearm Europe initiative.

In the early 1800s, Squire Whipple revolutionized bridge engineering with his mathematical approach. His creation, the Whipple truss bridge, ingeniously incorporated cast and wrought iron, making construction both economical and sturdy. Whipple published pivotal calculations that elevated bridge engineering to a refined science. Dishearteningly, he did not receive any financial reward from the State of New York for his innovations, yet his designs continue to inspire countless bridges.

During a recent meeting, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for strengthened collaboration with India, zeroing in on advancements in AI and space technology. He pointed out potential synergies in manufacturing automation and data analysis. Karnataka's Chief Minister DK Shivakumar invited Polish participation in the 2027 Global Investors Meet, stressing the importance of joint ventures in renewable energy and advanced manufacturing, given Bengaluru's pivotal role in tech innovation.

A retired decorator from Surrey has sold 41 complete Pokemon card sets for 1.56 million (approximately Rs 18.5 crore), nearly six times the auction houses 270,000 (approximately Rs 3.2 crore) estimate. The collection had remained in his attic for 15 years before a newspaper report about a valuable Pokemon card prompted him to seek a valuation. One set he originally bought for around 300 (approximately Rs 35,500) later fetched 75,000 (approximately Rs 89 lakh).

India's foreign exchange reserves fell by $5 billion to reach $721.02 billion for the week ending October 16. Previously, reserves declined by $8.578 billion to an amount of $726.027 billion. The decline in reserves reflects ongoing economic conditions impacting forex stability within the country. This trend indicates a continued volatility in India's foreign exchange market and its implications for the economy.

At just 30 years old, S Meghana has chosen to retire from all forms of cricket, reflecting on her valuable journey within the sport. She made her international debut for India in T20 matches in 2016 and transitioned to ODIs in 2022. Grateful for her experiences, Meghana plans to nurture future talent and remain active in the cricket community, having also played in three Women's Premier League seasons.

Indians can explore job opportunities in Japan through the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) programme in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, agriculture, nursing care and food services. Applicants generally need to pass a Japanese language test and an occupation-specific skills examination. Here is how to understand the visa routes, find legitimate employers, estimate living costs and avoid recruitment scams.

A businessman in India lost Rs 5.85 lakh after opening a malicious APK file disguised as a wedding invitation. The victim opened the file received through WhatsApp, which compromised his smartphone without his awareness. Subsequently, unauthorized transactions began to occur from his bank account, leading to significant financial loss for him. Investigators are now looking into the circulation of malware through WhatsApp among victims.

UP man dussehra mela business idea: A man from Uttar Pradesh claims he earned a net profit of around Rs 95,000 by selling light-up swords at a Dussehra mela. He said he invested Rs 35,000 in toys and swords, generating total sales of Rs 1.8 lakh during the festive period.

L.V. Hull, a dedicated domestic worker and artist, acquired a modest home in Kosciusko, Mississippi, in 1974, infusing it with her unique art. While the house blossomed into a celebrated art destination, it fell into neglect after her death in 2008. Restoration efforts have since revitalized it, marking its place as the first historic home of a Black woman visual artist. Visitors are now welcome at the newly opened L.V.

The ET HR Excellence Awards 2027 celebrates the pivotal contribution of talent acquisition leaders to organizational success. By implementing efficient hiring strategies, these professionals not only enhance their credibility but also demonstrate their significant influence on refining recruitment practices, workforce planning, and developing sustainable talent pipelines that align with long-term business objectives.

Chia seeds are tiny but they pack a surprising amount of nutrition. Soaking them overnight makes them easier to digest and unlocks their benefits faster. If you have been skipping this habit, here is what you are missing out on.

Sukhbir Singh Badal, the chief of Shiromani Akali Dal, voices concerns over the governance of Punjab by AAP and Congress. He emphasizes the need for a reunion with other parties that align with their ideology. Badal also highlights issues surrounding the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota and calls for the dismissal of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Infosys has declared an interim dividend of Rs 26 per equity share for its shareholders. The record date for this dividend is set for November 3, with payment scheduled for November 11. This announcement follows a final dividend of Rs 25 per share declared in June.

The English Court of Appeal has dismissed India's challenge to an arbitral tribunal's jurisdiction over a dispute brought by Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority under the India-UAE Bilateral Investment Treaty. The dispute concerns the cancellation of a bauxite supply agreement for an Andhra Pradesh aluminium project involving RAKIA and the Penna Group.

We just keep bowing down: Khera slams China policy after ITBP DG confirms Arunachal face-off