The Economic Times

BJP will hold a significant meeting to discuss organizational priorities and strategies for upcoming Assembly elections. The meeting will involve state in-charges and co-in-charges from North India, including Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Nitin Nabin will chair the gathering, focusing on electoral strategies and organizational preparedness. Another two-day meeting is scheduled in Mathura to strengthen their approach for the Uttar Pradesh elections.

Market experts project cautious optimism for Indian equities as valuations become less demanding and earnings growth aligns. Large-cap stocks appear more favorable compared to mid- and small-caps, which require prudence. Preferred sectors include financials, manufacturing, and consumer discretionary, while technology remains divisive. Investors are advised to avoid slow-growth sectors and overpriced mid-caps. Overall, low-teens returns are anticipated amid various global risks and economic condi

The Senate has passed a bipartisan bill that aims to regulate college sports and athlete payments. This legislation seeks to address the chaos in the industry caused by increased athlete payments and frequent transfers. New protections for student athletes are included, such as caps on agent fees and health insurance guarantees. Critics argue that the bill does not do enough to protect athletes or limit excessive spending.

The dollar remained stable near a two-month peak while traders closely monitored upcoming US economic reports. Oil prices experienced a slight uptick, with Brent crude futures approaching $106 per barrel amidst market volatility. Meanwhile, US Treasury yields hit multi-year highs, impacting the dollar's strength. Anticipated economic metrics could pave the way for additional Federal Reserve rate hikes this month.

Satinderjeet Singh, known as Goldy Brar, has been added to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. A reward of up to USD 1 million is offered for information about his arrest. He is the North American leader of the Lawrence Bishnoi Organized Crime Group involved in numerous violent crimes. Singh maintains networks in California, Canada, India, and Mexico, making him a dangerous fugitive.

Colombia's government is engaging with the International Monetary Fund to secure financial assistance amid ongoing fiscal challenges. President Abelardo De La Espriella has directed his economic team to pursue potential agreements beneficial to the nation's finances. The country is exhibiting increased borrowing in response to a widening fiscal deficit this year and next. The IMF is currently conducting institutional visits to assess the situation and explore financing options.

Weather today September 29: IMD has issued a heavy rain alert for South Interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Assam and the northeast states of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura for September 29. A deep depression over the Andaman Sea is crossing into Myanmar and moving towards the northeast Bay of Bengal.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has ordered an assessment regarding financial distributions to national associations. This initiative follows requests from UEFA and CONCACAF for a $2.1 billion payout. Each of FIFA's 211 member associations may receive at least $10 million in the next cycle. Infantino emphasized the need for proper governance and transparency in any financial decisions made. The FIFA Council is set to review these proposals on October 15.

Christa Pike is set to be executed in Tennessee, becoming the first woman to face execution in over 200 years. After being on death row for more than three decades, she expressed peace about her fate. Pike and her boyfriend were convicted of the brutal murder of their classmate Colleen Slemmer in 1995. Recent discussions surrounding her clemency request have been met with opposition from Slemmers mother.

India is participating in a three-day meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Islamabad, which began on Monday. This meeting aims to prepare for the Council of Heads of State summit scheduled for August 2027. Pakistan's National Coordinator is leading the discussions to enhance cooperation among member states during its chairmanship. Various issues related to SCO cooperation and coordination will be addressed in the meeting.

Dhiraj Bommadevara won against Cheng Hsiang-Hui with a score of 6-2 in the Round of 16. Neeraj Chauhan achieved an upset victory over Kim Je Deok, finishing with a score of 6-4. Dhiraj had previously defeated Girvin Garcia without losing a set. Kishore Kumar Anbarasu's surfing campaign ended after losing to Toby Espejon in the quarterfinals.

The Centre plans to amend the Information Technology Rules to restrict children under 18 from opening social media accounts. During a Supreme Court hearing, officials acknowledged the risks children face in the digital environment. The government has agreed to make it mandatory for intermediaries to prevent minors from registering on these platforms. Existing guidelines will be reinforced through new statutory measures.

In the last two years, systematic investment plans have shown remarkable performance, with small-cap funds leading with an average return of 14.25%. Retail investor monthly contributions saw a noteworthy increase of about 37% between August 2024 and August 2026. Additionally, midcap and multi-asset allocation funds managed to produce solid returns of 8.51% and 7.85%, respectively, generally exceeding the SIP returns of their benchmark indices.

President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson plan to meet with AI executives at the White House. The discussion will focus on balancing innovation with the need for oversight amid growing public concern. Lawmakers face pressure to introduce regulations to govern the rapidly evolving AI sector. Companies are concerned about their operational practices being scrutinized by proposed legislation.

Coforge has appointed Akhil Kumar Gupta as its new chairperson and non-executive independent director. This decision comes after the resignation of former chairman O P Bhatt amid controversies surrounding board evaluations. The internal audit revealed discrepancies that affected Coforge's market value significantly. Additionally, the nomination and remuneration committee chairperson D K Singh resigned shortly after. The company aims to stabilize its governance structure following recent boardroo

Equity-index futures for Asia were mixed, while contracts for US stocks edged higher after the S

US and Iranian officials are participating in renewed efforts to negotiate a ceasefire to end the ongoing conflict. Recently, Iran proposed a seven-day ceasefire plan, aiming to restore maritime traffic and discuss nuclear issues. Although President Donald Trump rejected Iran's proposal, he indicated that further negotiations would take place this week. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated that their conditions must be met for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

India's primary market is thriving with a significant increase in the number of IPOs and issue amounts. In contrast, the secondary market has experienced notable declines in equity indices. While foreign investor interest in listed stocks has dwindled, they remain active in the IPO space. Several leading companies have successfully gone public, contributing to the primary market's resilience.

Several Indian companies are emerging as significant players in the AI infrastructure sector, according to Goldman Sachs. These 'AI Enablers' span industries such as power, data centres, and semiconductors. While the Nifty index has fallen, this group of companies has experienced substantial gains. However, their valuations remain high, with a noted premium over MSCI India. This trend signals a changing investment landscape within the Indian market.

Yields on the 10-year benchmark government bond have increased to their highest level since April 2024. The rise in yields follows a surge in oil prices and higher global yields. The Reserve Bank of India is taking measures to manage liquidity in the banking system with open market operations. Traders are experiencing losses due to rising yields impacting previously purchased bonds.

Securities and Exchange Board of India has cleared Gautam Adani and family of MPS violations accusations. While it imposed a penalty of 20 lakh each on two individuals for misinformation. The cases involve Adani Enterprises, Adani Power, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, and Adani Energy Solutions. Sebi found insufficient evidence linking the Adani family effectively controlling certain foreign investments.

Gold and silver prices fell sharply on Monday, leading potential buyers to postpone purchases for upcoming festivals. Silver futures dropped significantly, while gold futures also experienced a notable decline on the MCX. The current correction in prices has made buying more affordable, but customers remain hesitant. Jewellers indicate that purchases typically happen in a rising market rather than a falling one.

Kopi Kenangan is exploring the possibility of an initial public offering that could significantly increase its valuation. The company, which is currently profitable, has more than 1,300 locations across multiple countries. Major investors, including Serena Williams and Jay-Z, contributed to the company's growth with $234 million in funding. As part of its expansion plans, Kopi Kenangan aims to add around 550 locations by 2026.

AI safety debate has divided the industry, with the heads of Anthropic and OpenAI championing a coordinated slowdown of Artificial Intelligence development to let safety efforts catch up. However, Nvidia may have a plan.

Donald Trumps approval rating has reached 37%, marking the lowest level for an incumbent president ahead of midterms. Concerns about the economy are prominent, as 65% of voters perceive it to be weak. Additionally, 60% of respondents believe Trumps policies have exacerbated economic issues. Historical comparisons with George W. Bush's ratings have been made, highlighting voter sentiment. The poll reflects the current public opinion as the midterm elections approach.

In 1989, European Space Agency's Hipparcos mission looked to understand positions, distances, motions, brightness and colors of stars for the first time. In 1993, the operations were ceased after the fulfillment of the mission goals.

Blood Pressure tablets FDA chlorthalidone dissolution testing recall: Chlorthalidone medication is prescribed to keep the blood pressure in check. The pills generally decrease the water and salt in the body through uptick in urine flow.

Bronck House, built in 1663, is the oldest house in upstate New York located in Coxsackie. Pieter Bronck established his family home after settling on 1,900 acres and has served various functions over centuries. The Bronck family and their descendants contributed significantly to local history, including supporting the Patriot cause during American Revolution. The property has remained open to the public since 1939 and showcases early Dutch architecture.

Quote of the day by Kevin Costner stresses on the need to relax and not worry too much about small problems. And in turn, ignore important parts of life. The saying talks about misplaced energy, neglected priorities, distraction and human nature. The quote encourages people to review their worries, value relationships, accept what they cannot control and focus on family, personal goals, health and inner peace.

A cash deposit exceeding $10,000 in a single day triggers an automatic report to the federal government. Financial institutions do not make this decision based on suspicion or branch policy. The Bank Secrecy Act mandates it. When an individual or business deposits large sums of physical currency, the bank must file a Currency Transaction Report (CTR), specifically FinCEN Form 104, alongside IRS Form 8300.

US stocks declined on concerns over rising oil prices and higher Treasury yields affecting the market. Investors are cautious due to uncertainty surrounding a potential Iran war peace deal negotiations. Federal Reserve officials hinted at possible interest rate hikes if inflation continues to rise significantly. Nvidia shares surged after announcing a record $150 billion share buyback, while Tesla shares dropped after a lowered price target.

In astrology, Scorpio is linked to deep emotions, trust and intense connections. Surface-level conversations may feel less satisfying during this period. Old relationship problems could come up again. Feelings from the past may be harder to ignore. For some zodiac signs, an ex could reappear or an unfinished conversation may finally return.

In his first job in 1978, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, at the age of 15, used to wash dishes at Dennys. Later, he was promoted to the role of busboy. Now, the advanced chip manufacturer company's CEO is worth billions of dollars.

A recent study examined how coffee consumption affects mood and gut health in regular drinkers. Researchers found that both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee influenced psychological measures and gut bacteria. Although changes were noted, the study did not conclusively prove coffee's benefits for mental health. The influence of gut bacteria on brain signaling after coffee consumption posed new scientific inquiries. Larger and longer studies are necessary to further understand these interactio

The Supreme Court directed the Election Commission to decide within three months the dispute between rival All India Trinamool Congress factions over the party name, symbol and organisational control. The sides have four weeks to complete pleadings.

A woman has recalled how her parents stopped her from attending Delhis Lady Shri Ram College for Women despite her earning admission on merit, citing concerns about her safety. She said the decision once felt deeply unfair, but recent events near LSR have made her reconsider their fears. Her LinkedIn post also questioned whether restricting womens access is the answer to safety concerns.

There is no number that suddenly makes a person rich. Still, Americans have a figure in mind. A 2025 Charles Schwab survey found that people believe an average net worth of $2.3 million is needed to be considered rich. That is a useful glimpse into how Americans view wealth, but it is not a fixed rule. Two households with the same amount of money can have very different financial lives.

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has asked states to prepare rabi crop plans based on water availability and soil moisture, with water-stressed areas prioritising less water-intensive crops. He also called for higher cultivation of pulses and oilseeds to reduce Indias import dependence, while flagging drought conditions in Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Prices of key pulses including chana, moong, tur and matar have risen sharply over the past month, with wholesale rates increasing up to 11%, according to IPGA data. Industry executives attributed the surge to growing concerns over crop deficits, moisture stress, lower Australian supplies and stronger festive demand.

In a spectacular turnaround, Nick Walker clinched the Mr Olympia title in 2026, following a sixth-place finish the previous year. His victory was largely attributed to a strategic high-carbohydrate diet, which he implemented to optimize muscle glycogen levels and enhance his overall appearance. Drawing from past competition insights, Walker adhered to a disciplined meal plan, solidifying his remarkable achievement in the bodybuilding realm.

Trade between India and the UAE settled in local currencies has reached double digits, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said Monday. Bilateral trade is also nearing pre-war levels and is expected to recover in coming months. Goyal said businesses are increasingly recognising the benefits of rupee-dirham settlements amid geopolitical disruptions.

The five suspects, who haven't been named, were initially held over suspected explosives offenses, and later also arrested on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism. Police said the men are all British nationals from London and in their 20s.

October 2026 could bring a financial turning point for three zodiac signs. Venus and Mercury are both retrograde during the month. In astrology, these periods can bring old opportunities back into focus. For these three signs, money and success could become important themes.

The Income Tax Department on Monday searched multiple Mumbai locations linked to Panorama Studios and film producers Kumar Mangat Pathak and Vashu Bhagnani over suspected irregularities involving foreign remittances and alleged tax evasion, sources said. Officials examined financial records and overseas transaction details as part of the ongoing probe.

Government agencies have recently begun to share the wider restrictions with affected people, which include prominent startup founders as well as the heads of strategically important companies in AI-related fields, people familiar with the matter said. Direct relatives such as spouses and children of certain AI and chip executives, whose work is considered paramount to state security, are now required to obtain approval from Beijing before going abroad even for short trips, the people said.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to visit Japan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey in October and November, but there is no confirmed schedule yet for a trip to India despite an invitation from New Delhi. While speculation continues over a possible India visit later this year, people familiar with India-Bangladesh ties said no date has been finalised.