The Economic Times

How Congress is undermining healthy democracy in India, PM Modi slams India Bloc

A North Central Railway employee challenged his transfer from Prayagraj to Fatehpur after claiming his senior officer approved two extra days of leave through a WhatsApp 'OK'. The Allahabad bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal ruled that the message did not conclusively establish official leave sanction and upheld the transfer, accepting the Railways' administrative justification.

In a significant move towards online safety, Greece's parliament has enacted a law banning social media usage for children under 15, set to take effect on January 1, 2027. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis highlighted the importance of implementing age verification methods to safeguard minors. This initiative, in collaboration with six other EU countries and the European Commission, aims to assist parents in controlling their children's social media habits.

Polling for eight Bihar Legislative Council seats witnessed a significant turnout during the initial hours. Saran Teachers' constituency recorded the highest turnout, while several constituencies faced intense competition. Voting began at 8 am and will conclude at 4 pm today. The event includes a combined electorate of over five lakh voters across numerous polling stations. Counting of votes is scheduled to take place on October 27.

Sudhanshu Trivedi took aim at Rahul Gandhi, alleging his foreign trips involve unsavory characters and undermine India's reputation. The BJP figure criticized Gandhi for compromising the stature of opposition leadership and pointed to recent Congress electoral defeats as a sign of faltering leadership. He referenced Barack Obama's book, questioning Gandhi's readiness for political challenges and raised alarms about the influence of foreign-funded groups on Indian democracy.

IndusInd Securities has announced the appointment of Rajeev R Srivastava as its new managing director and CEO. He brings nearly 25 years of experience in banking and financial services to the role. Srivastava aims to modernize the firm and enhance its investment platform while utilizing data and artificial intelligence. His priorities include improving client experience and expanding the company's geographical reach.

Witnessing most callous, corrupt: Kamala Harris rips Trump administration in fiery midterm speech

Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission has extended the nomination period for four Urban Local Bodies. This decision follows a directive from the Supreme Court after incidents of violence during the initial nomination process. YSR Congress Party raised concerns regarding the safety of their candidates, resulting in the court's intervention. The final list of candidates will now be published on October 25 before the elections are held on November 1.

A Chandigarh lawyer spent Rs 19,500 on a taxi to reach Jaipur after IndiGo cancelled his flight the night before a court appearance. The consumer commission ordered the airline to pay Rs 7,352 with interest and Rs 7,000 in compensation.

Piyush Goyal held meetings with Bayer and Fresenius executives to discuss investment opportunities in India's healthcare sector. During these discussions, Goyal explored Bayer's expansion plans and potential collaborations in healthcare. He also examined how Fresenius can leverage India's skilled workforce for the healthcare market. Additionally, Goyal engaged with Knauf Group regarding sustainable construction materials and manufacturing operations in India. These meetings highlight India's gro

Khargeswar Rabha, a Deputy Superintendent of Police in Assam, was found dead in a hotel room. He checked into the hotel during the Durga puja festival and was discovered after several days. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death, which may be linked to health issues. His body has been sent to Bongaigaon Medical College for post-mortem examination.

Huge crowds gather at Varanasis Nati Imli to witness Ram-Bharat reunion

Akhilesh Yadav asserts PDA will advance social justice, predicts BJP's fall

Part-time politician remark sparks war of words between Pawan Khera and Shivraj Chouhan

Hindustan Zinc shares fell sharply on Friday after India issued permits to import 6,500 metric tonnes of silver over the next six months to meet festive-season demand. The move could ease domestic premiums amid weak demand, while silver futures declined around 3%. The stock is down over 18% so far in 2026.

WhatsApp New Rule: WhatsApp and Telegram users may face account restrictions from January 1, 2027, under the government's proposed SIM-binding rules. Here's how the requirements could affect users who remove their registered SIM cards, use secondary devices or rely on eSIMs.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7 occurred in Tangnezong district, Nakchu, northern Tibet. Initial reports indicate that 16 people died, while dozens sustained injuries due to the quake. Over 300 houses have reportedly collapsed, with rescue operations currently underway in the affected areas. Emergency response teams have been activated to assist those impacted by the disaster.

On Thursday night, a part of the ceiling at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus collapsed, injuring two passengers. The incident took place near the booking hall during ongoing redevelopment work aimed at modernizing the station. The injured individuals were swiftly transported to St George's Hospital for medical attention and treatment. Authorities confirmed that both suffered various injuries, requiring medical intervention.

India's business activity expanded at its fastest pace in four months through a strong services-led pickup. The Composite Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 56.7 in October, exceeding forecasts due to increased orders. Despite this growth, hiring remained stagnant as companies managed workloads with current staff. Price pressures eased, resulting in lower input-cost inflation across both sectors. Overall, business confidence improved but remained below the average for the year.

Cockroach Janata Party activists Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ajinkya are scheduled to appear before the SEM court. The Crime Branch had summoned them for questioning after their involvement in a protest at Jantar Mantar. They did not comply with the previous summons and sought additional time from the authorities. The SEM court ordered their release pending further inquiries while stipulating conditions to maintain peace.

Elon Musk has contributed more than $445 million to the US election cycle, backing Republicans ahead of the November midterms. His America PAC is spending heavily on competitive Senate and House races as the party seeks to retain control of Congress, while Musks business interests and political influence remain under scrutiny.

Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd. has completed the delivery of the Nagastra 2 anti-tank loitering munition system. This system includes advanced features such as day-and-night surveillance cameras and an Electronic Counter-Countermeasures system. The Indian Army issued an order in 2025 for approximately 450 NAGASTRA-1R loitering munitions. The Nagastra-1R system is designed with over 80% indigenous content, emphasizing self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

Ishan Kishan, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter, has been ruled out of the second T20 International against New Zealand due to a low grade right adductor strain he suffered in the first match. The BCCI has confirmed this news and is actively monitoring his recovery. In their last outing, India secured a victory over New Zealand by four wickets, although there is no information yet on how long Kishan's recovery will take.

KPMG Australia breached its contract with Services Australia by transferring sensitive material outside the secure government environment, prompting consideration of termination of their engagement. Although no data breach occurred, Services Australia has not awarded new audit work to KPMG since the incident, which raised significant concerns about the firm's trustworthiness and compliance with data protocols.

On October 23, 2026, Garena Free Fire MAX will release special redeem codes for Indian players, allowing access to exciting in-game rewards like diamonds and character items. Players need to visit the official Garena Rewards Redemption website to redeem these codes, which are only available for a limited time and may expire quickly.

Delhi High Court has refused to halt the October 23 theatrical release of Doosra following a plea by former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly over alleged violation of his personality and commercial rights. The filmmakers say the sports drama is not a biopic, while the court has listed the matter for further hearing on Friday.

eMudhra will exit its global SSL/TLS certificate business following a security incident involving compromised private keys linked to eight intermediate Certificate Authority certificates. The segment contributes about 1% of its global revenue. The development follows a sharp 37% decline in eMudhra shares over the previous two trading sessions.

Anahat Singh school name: Anahat Singh, a student of The British School in New Delhi, has made headlines after defeating eight-time world champion Nour ElSherbini at the Silicon Valley Open in the US. The 18-year-old Indian squash player won in straight games to reach the quarter-finals. From becoming the first Indian woman to reach the Asian Games squash singles final to winning the 2026 World Junior Squash Championships title, Anahat has continued to break records on the international circuit.

Karnataka is experiencing severe Kharif drought, affecting nearly 58 lakh hectares of land. Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara has reached out to Prime Minister Modi for Rs 20,585.73 crore in relief. Affected crops include maize, cotton, and sugarcane, with significant losses reported. The memorandum also requests funds for drinking water and nutrition support for vulnerable groups. Parameshwara emphasized the urgency to support farmers in their time of need.

The Supreme Court blocked the use of student IDs for voting in New Hampshire during midterm elections. A Republican-backed law eliminated student IDs as an accepted form of identification for voters. This decision emerged following a judge's guidance that allowed their use temporarily. New Hampshire's state representative stated the law aims to strengthen voter identity verification.

Rapido News: Pune District collector Jitendra Dudi has asked the city police commissioner to remove Rapidos bike taxi option from the app after an FIR was registered over alleged unauthorised operations. Autorickshaw unions are demanding stricter enforcement of the order.

Airbnb has announced new rules that limit hosts to reasonable checkout requests, effective November 20. Guests will no longer need to complete chores typically reserved for professional cleaners during checkout. These changes aim to create better expectations between guests and hosts regarding cleaning fees. Additionally, Airbnb requires that hosts disclose all house rules clearly in their listings before bookings.

India criticised Pakistan at the United Nations over alleged discrimination against religious minorities, citing shrinking minority populations and violations of their rights. Indian diplomat Bhavika Mangalanandan also questioned a UN report on funeral rights during exceptional circumstances, accused it of selective treatment and recalled Pakistans refusal to accept soldiers bodies during the 1999 Kargil conflict.

A video filmed inside Brazils Casa de Pedra cave has captured an unusual sight, with a waterfall appearing to pour straight out of a rainbow in the sky. The footage shows water falling from a crack in the rock above the cave entrance, while a colourful solar halo circles the Sun and another rainbow-like arc appears nearby. Located in Iporanga, Sao Paulo state, the cave is part of Alto Ribeira Tourist State Park and is known for its enormous entrance, which rises around 170 to 200 metres high. He

US President Donald Trump said Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, defending his administration's pressure campaign against Tehran.

US President Donald Trump recently declared that imports of wind turbines pose a threat to national security. The declaration followed a Commerce Department investigation focusing on cybersecurity issues related to foreign-made equipment. Trump cited concerns regarding foreign reliance and interruptions to radar systems and air traffic operations. Instead of imposing immediate tariffs, he directed trade officials to negotiate with partners.

FIFA has commenced the bidding process for US media rights to the upcoming 2030 and 2034 World Cups. The bidding deadline is set for November 19, aiming to attract innovative broadcasting proposals. FIFA is also evaluating the future of hydration breaks introduced during the last World Cup due to their controversy. While the 2026 World Cup saw significant viewership, factors for 2034 remain under consideration.

Bengaluru weather today: Bengaluru is likely to receive rain and thunderstorms on October 23, with the IMD forecasting heavy rainfall across South Interior Karnataka through October 25. Coastal Karnataka and North Interior Karnataka are also under weather warnings. Check the latest Karnataka weather forecast and weekend rain alert.

Casio's new G-Shock GMC-2500 series features a magnetic minute hand designed to withstand hard knocks, 200-metre water resistance and a stopwatch. The five analogue watches come with stainless-steel or resin-band options and will launch in Japan in November 2026.

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said India accounts for less than 3% of global carbon emissions despite representing 17% of the world's population. Speaking in Berlin, he said Europe's per capita emissions and environmental impact were seven to eight times higher than India's.

SpaceX has stated that any potential merger with Tesla will require Elon Musk's approval. Despite Musk's recusal from talks due to conflicts of interest, his endorsement raises concerns. Analysts believe a merger is likely, although opinions vary on shareholder compensation. Musk's recent comments have caused issues that may lead to delays in the process. The special committee and board of directors will review and approve any potential combination.

Qatar Energy has signed a significant liquefied natural gas agreement with Cheniere Energy to purchase 4 million metric tons annually. The deal ensures supply flexibility as tensions in the Strait of Hormuz could affect exports. Two million metric tons per year will come from Cheniere's Sabine Pass facility, while the remaining will be sourced from Corpus Christi.

Gold prices took a hit on Friday amid strong indicators of US economic growth and climbing oil prices. Spot gold prices sank to their lowest since August, and US gold futures mirrored the drop. Positive employment figures showed a decrease in unemployment claims, hinting at stronger job growth in October.

German building materials company Knauf Group plans to invest an additional 350 million in India to set up four new manufacturing plants, Managing Partner Murat Akyildiz said after meeting Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.

Nepal will receive $20 million in aid from the UN's climate loss and damage fund after devastating floods. The floods, which occurred in August, resulted in approximately 1,500 fatalities and thousands missing. Essential infrastructure, including roads and schools, suffered massive damage, with estimated losses reaching about $2.7 billion. The reconstruction costs could exceed $4.7 billion, as reported by the Nepalese government.

Chennai school holiday today: Chennai and neighbouring districts remain on alert as the IMD forecasts very heavy rainfall across Tamil Nadu from October 23 to 26, followed by heavy rain until October 29. Some schools have announced closures amid continued downpours and flood risks. Check the latest school holiday updates, district-wise advisories and the seven-day Tamil Nadu weather forecast.

India's Nitesh Kumar defeated compatriot Pramod Bhagat 21-18, 21-16 to win gold in the men's singles SL3 badminton event at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya on Friday. Bhagat, a two-time Asian Para Games gold medallist, settled for silver.