The Economic Times

Barack Obama campaigned for Democratic candidates in Ohio and Michigan ahead of the November 3 US midterm elections, criticising Donald Trump and Republican allies over campaign tactics, living costs and governance. He defended Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton and Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed as Democrats seek to mobilise voters in key battleground states.

Protests over rising living costs, education funding, public services and political accountability swept France, Italy, Belgium and Albania on Saturday. Clashes erupted in several cities, prompting police to deploy tear gas, water cannons and reinforcements. France recorded the largest mobilisation, while Albania saw renewed anti-government unrest targeting Prime Minister Edi Rama.

As Diwali approaches, urban Indian households are hiring professional organizers to help them declutter and organize. Companies like Joy Factory and Messmerize report significant growth in festive bookings compared to last year. The demand for such services not only peaks during festivals but is also becoming a year-round requirement. Organizers focus on sorting belongings and creating organized spaces rather than deep cleaning homes.

In Ohio, former Democratic senator Sherrod Brown will attempt a comeback against incumbent Republican Senator Jon Husted, while the race for governor will be contested between Democrat Amy Acton and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, a former presidential candidate in 2024.

US midterm elections 2026: Donald Trump also rallied for Republicans in competitive races in Alaska, Iowa, Montana and South Carolina. He is set to visit Mississippi on Monday.

Brighton is competing well in the Premier League, currently scoring the most goals in the league. The team has achieved impressive victories and is performing well under manager Fabian Hurzeler. While playing in the Conference League, their squad depth could be tested due to the demands of the schedule. Recent signings have proven effective, contributing to the team's success.

Kimi Antonelli is poised to potentially win the Formula One championship at the US Grand Prix. With a solid performance during practice, he showed remarkable speed against his competitors. His win, coupled with specific finishes from his rivals, could secure the title for him. The final races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will further influence the championship outcome.

The United States is cutting back on diplomatic staff in the Middle East amid increased threats from Iran. Recent intelligence assessments indicate potential plots against American representatives that have reached advanced stages. This decision follows warnings about renewed military action, which could escalate tensions further in the region. Non-essential personnel are being evacuated from various countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurated two new rail sections on Saturday. These new connections between Satna-Devendranagar and Rewa-Churhat will improve regional transportation. A new passenger train service was also launched to facilitate travel in the Vindhya region. Ongoing railway projects with significant investment aim to enhance infrastructure and connectivity statewide. The developments are expected to boost local economies and transp

P V Sindhu secured her place in the Super 750 finals after a closely contested match against Hina Akechi. The match took place at the French Open and lasted for an hour and 13 minutes. Sindhu won the match with scores of 21-10, 20-22, and 21-16. This victory marks Sindhu's second Super 750 final this year, following her Japan Open win. She will now compete against Korea's world No.

Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbapp will face off in a vital match between Barcelona and Real Madrid. This match occurs shortly before the prestigious Ballon d'Or ceremony on Monday night. Yamal has been impressive this season, helping Spain win the World Cup and excelling in club play. Mbapp has also shown his scoring prowess, helping his team remain competitive.

With Donald Trump approval ratings touching historic lows, he has left little doubt, despite his public claims to the contrary, that he sees the straight line voters are drawing between his foreign policy and their cost of living.

US national intelligence chief Jay Clayton indicated that Iran has intensified its targeting of US citizens. Following this, Washington ordered non-essential embassy staff to leave Saudi Arabia for safety concerns. This decision was made amid heightened attacks from Yemen's Houthis against the kingdom. These attacks have occurred almost daily this month, including one that was particularly deadly.

Saudi Arabia's civil defence agency issued warnings of potential danger for several western provinces including Mecca. The alerts concerned major cities like Jeddah, Taif, and Yanbu and were quickly rescinded. Residents were advised to seek safety as Yemeni Houthis targeted the kingdom's infrastructure in recent conflicts. Interceptions of ballistic missiles aimed at Taif and Yanbu were reported on the same day.

Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva engaged in a heated debate on cost of living. Both candidates aimed to win over undecided voters ahead of a tight election runoff. Bolsonaro criticized Lula's past while emphasizing his proposals for security and welfare. Lula defended his minimum wage increases and highlighted progress in reducing hunger in Brazil.

During a rally in Florida, Trump claimed he stopped a potential war between India and Pakistan through tariffs. He expressed that these actions prevented escalation following the Pahalgam terror attack. Trump mentioned the shooting down of eleven planes as evidence of conflict, which he alleges he resolved without UN involvement. Despite his assertions, India has consistently rejected Trump's claims of brokering peace between the two nations.

German companies are planning significant growth in India over the next three to five years. Piyush Goyal emphasized partnerships in technology co-creation and skill development for Indian youth. During his visit to Germany, he met with various industry leaders to discuss investment opportunities. There is a focus on expanding German manufacturing and research capabilities in India. Promising sectors for collaboration include electronics, automobiles, and smart manufacturing.

She just keeps on going!: Trump loses patience at reporter as he defends Vivek Ramaswamy's ad

Microducks are new open-source robots created by Pollen Robotics and showcased by Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang. The robots generated significant interest and received over 20,000 preorders shortly after their demonstration. These devices perform various playful actions on command and are set to be delivered before Christmas. Their appeal extends to both children and adults, demonstrating versatility as a toy.

'No one is above the law': Hunter Biden Laptop saga returns; 2 Ex-FBI officers charged for lying

Farmers cultivating opium poppy are now facing stricter yield requirements as the Central government mandates a rise in minimum morphine output. For the upcoming 2025-26 crop year, the yield must increase from 4.2 kg to 4.4 kg per hectare, with a further escalation to 5.9 kg per hectare in 2026-27.

India has reintroduced anti-dumping duties on titanium dioxide imports from China due to material injury caused to domestic producers. This action follows a recommendation from the Directorate General of Trade Remedies, which concluded that Chinese imports were sold at dumped prices. The duties will be effective for five years unless revoked or amended. This decision comes after the Calcutta High Court ordered a reconsideration of a previous duty case.

After losing his job during the Covid-19 pandemic, Los Angeles resident Brandon Hurst began selling plants from his apartment to make ends meet. What started as a small side hustle grew into a multimillion-dollar business, powered by TikTok Shop livestreams, loyal customers and an unusual auction model. Today, his plant business employs 24 people and processes around 1,000 orders a day

Janata Dal (United) has terminated Anant Singh's primary membership for six years due to his actions. Anant Singh campaigned for Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Singh against the partys nominee Neeraj Kumar, exacerbating conflicts. Union Minister Lalan Singh attempted to mediate between Singh and Kumar, as tensions have increased over the years. The party acted after repeated violations of directives and derogatory remarks against leadership.

Omar Abdullah said the lieutenant governor would fix a time for the exercise, following which the expansion would take place. Abdullah appealed to party colleagues and MLAs not to approach him or National Conference president Farooq Abdullah for ministerial berths, saying the list had been finalised after consultations.

On October 30, the opposition INDIA Bloc plans to conduct a public impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. This event will feature a mock Parliament with all opposition MPs and leaders present at Hotel Ashok. Following this, a 'Dilli Chalo march' to Ramlila Maidan is scheduled for November 1 to protest against vote irregularities.

In a small Greek restaurant in Cambridge my journey of love began. Rajiv and I created a world filled with love, laughter and memories. On 10th November, I share that world with you, Gandhi said in her first post on X, accompanied by a video of her browsing through her book, Belonging: A Journey of Love.

Elections for the Mahbubnagar-Ranga Reddy-Hyderabad and Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda graduate constituencies are scheduled for early next year. Leading parties like Congress, BRS, and BJP are preparing vigorously for these elections. Congress has already announced candidates and strengthened its presence in the respective constituencies. The BJP plans to field a strong candidate for Mahbubnagar-Ranga Reddy-Hyderabad while still searching for one in Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena's MP, Sanjay Raut, claimed that it was a BJP MLC who leaked the audio tape, where a woman, purportedly a BJP leader, was heard saying that Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde received ?500 crore from the BJP to manage Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil during the 2024 elections. The BJP has hit back, claiming that it was the UBT Sena that manufactured the tape to create discord between chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy CM Shinde.

Protests against school funding and living costs drew over 400,000 people across France on Saturday. The Paris march started peacefully but escalated into clashes with police using tear gas and water cannons. Arrests included those accused of preparing for violence, further increasing tensions surrounding President Emmanuel Macron's government. Protesters demand better educational conditions and higher wages as inflation rises.

Leading political parties in Uttar Pradesh are preparing for the upcoming assembly elections as smaller parties join the campaign. Nishad Party leader Sanjay Nishad is demanding BJP fulfill its promise of reservation for his community. Azad Samaj Party leader Chandra Shekhar Azad is organizing a large rally in Lucknow to assert his party's position.

Homeowners are considering rice husk panels as a viable alternative to conventional wood siding due to their durability. These building materials are designed to resist moisture, decay, and fire, making them suitable for various climates. Their use is already expanding in regions prone to wildfires and severe weather, showing versatility for other applications. However, initial installation costs may be higher than traditional materials, which could affect widespread adoption.

According to investigators, arrested accused Sameer allegedly acted as a coordinator between Anil Pandit and shooter Rehan. He was in online contact with Pandit and allegedly relayed his instructions directly to Rehan. Investigators suspect that Sameer also provided funds to the shooters and coordinated arrangements for them, including the supply of weapons.

The violence that started Friday continued till Saturday early morning. Houses of MLAs Ninong Ering and Oni Panyang, and BJP state president Kaling Moyong were vandalised by the protestors, chief minister Pema Khandu said. Earlier, four women were injured when security personnel fired tear gas shells at protesters demanding the release of 10 people detained during a 12-hour bandh called to oppose the dam project.

The Indian Navy marked a key development in enhancing its underwater capabilities with the AIP system. The inauguration of the 'Setting to Work Phase-2' activity took place in Hazira, Gujarat. This advancement will significantly improve the endurance of diesel-electric submarines during underwater operations. The AIP energy module will undergo rigorous testing before integration into Kalvari-class submarines by 2027.

Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla have filed an appeal in the Allahabad High Court challenging their death penalty. They were convicted for the murder of Saurabh Rajput, whose body was disposed of in a blue drum. The trial court described the case as one of the rarest of rare types. Their appeal argues that evidence presented was circumstantial and insufficient for a conviction.

India weather news: The India Meteorological Department has issued warnings for heavy to very heavy rainfall across several states. Heavy rainfall is expected in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry over the next few days. Thunderstorms and gusty winds are forecasted in various regions, including Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Additionally, Odisha is preparing for the potential impact of cyclone Arnab approaching the coast.

Manipur's Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has revealed the creation of a community representation committee, an essential step towards fostering harmony and inclusive development among the state's diverse groups. This announcement coincided with the opening of the Hill (Tribal) Chiefs' Guest House in Imphal, intended to strengthen ties between hill and valley communities and encourage involvement in cultural celebrations, ultimately promoting mutual respect and understanding in Manipur's v

Irans ambassador to Pakistan stated that Iran is willing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the US lifts its naval blockade. The June agreement, brokered by Pakistan and Qatar, aimed to ease tensions and restore shipping in the strait. Although Iran expressed readiness to negotiate, the US continues its blockade, complicating diplomatic efforts. The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed by several countries, is also under consideration by Tehran.

Odisha's Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced preparations for cyclone Arnab, expected to make landfall on October 28. The India Meteorological Department forecasts heavy rainfall and rough seas in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Specific responsibilities have been assigned to various departments for coordinated disaster response measures. The government aims for zero casualties during the impending weather event.

Brazil Presidential run off: Lula, who at 80 is one of the world's oldest heads of state, is Brazil's 35th and 39th president, having served from 2003-2010 and again since 2023. Bolsonaro, 45, aims to return his family name to power while his father serves time for attempting a coup to prevent the end of his 2019-2022 presidency.

Police arrested Pranjal Thakran in Indore for his involvement in the October 18 shooting targeting Tiger Shroff. Investigations revealed that the assailants were informed about police movements via television updates. Two firearms related to the attack were recovered in Surat during targeted raids by security forces. Eleven individuals have been arrested, including direct shooters and their logistical supporters from various states.

Chargesheets have been filed against 65 individuals involved in cases of illegal Pakistani nationals in Jammu division. Investigations revealed that some Pakistani nationals had fraudulently obtained Indian identity documents while illegally residing in various districts. The Special Crime Wing conducted a thorough investigation and traced multiple families originally from Sindh, Lahore, and other regions in Pakistan.

N Chandrababu Naidu accused YSRCP of attempting to disrupt local body elections through violence and criminal activities. He alleged that YSRCP members created disturbances and intimidated candidates in various locations. Naidu claimed YSRCP was spreading fake propaganda and had filed fake litigations in court. In response, YSRCP leader Ambati Rambabu asserted the ruling government was undermining democracy and facilitating violence.