The Economic Times
Elections 2026National / The Economic Times
The International Monetary Fund forecasts a global GDP growth of over 3% for 2026 driven by strong AI investment. Despite this growth, downside risks are increasing, leaving many countries vulnerable to rising debt. Key oil-producing nations are expected to face significant recessions due to ongoing conflicts. The outlook for developed economies such as the US and Eurozone is more stable, with growth revisions.
The International Monetary Fund has updated its global growth forecast for 2026 to 3.1 percent. Concerns remain about the economy's resilience amidst geopolitical tensions and depleting oil inventories. Advanced economies are projected to grow more slowly, while emerging markets may face slowdowns. Inflation is expected to remain high, impacting consumer prices worldwide. Policymakers are urged to strengthen fiscal measures and manage inflationary pressures effectively.
US President Donald Trump condemned the Houthi rebels for their recent attacks on Saudi Arabian targets. He stated that the Houthis are misbehaving, and Washington may consider military actions alongside Saudi Arabia. The Houthi militia has targeted key airports, leading to deadly incidents in the past week. Regional diplomatic efforts continue amid increasing tensions in Yemen. Saudi Arabian authorities intercepted attacks on military bases while advising residents to remain vigilant.
RJ Mitte death reason: Breaking Bad actor RJ Mitte, who played Walter White Jr., has died in Texas at the age of 34. A county official told TMZ the death was a suicide, and law enforcement said the investigation is ongoing. His representatives called him a beloved actor and disability rights advocate.
Brent crude futures fell 61 cents, or 1.05%, to $105 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures declined 92 cents, or 1.05%, to $93 a barrel. Brent settled at $106.65 a barrel on Monday, its highest level since September 15. Oil prices have surged more than 70% this year as the US war on Iran rattled global energy markets.
On Monday afternoon, a fatal incident occurred at Six Flags Over Georgia, where one person died. Several others sustained injuries, prompting an immediate response from local authorities and the park. The cause of the death and the injuries remains under investigation by the police department's major crimes unit. In recent news, other Six Flags parks have faced lawsuits related to injuries and fatalities from roller coasters.
The International Monetary Fund has increased its growth forecast for India to 7% for 2026, citing strong domestic demand. The forecast for 2027 has also been upgraded, suggesting continued economic momentum. Despite higher oil prices, India has shown resilience compared to other economies facing challenges. The IMF's assessment indicates that India stands out among emerging markets with a favorable growth outlook.
President Droupadi Murmu appointed four new Governors for the states of Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Odisha, and Sikkim. Om Prakash Mathur has been reassigned as Governor of Keralam while Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar is now Governor of Tamil Nadu. Sudha Yadav, an OBC leader, will head Karnataka after her tenure in the Lok Sabha. Dhal Singh Bisen, an Ayurveda practitioner, will take charge of Uttarakhand.
Donald Trump stated that the United States is evaluating potential actions against Iran amid recent allegations. The UK government and allied nations condemned Iran's purported hostile activities and attributed involvement in an incident. Joint statements emphasized the need to address Iran's use of covert networks and proxy actors for destabilization. Meanwhile, Iran dismissed the allegations as baseless and a fabrication aimed at deflecting scrutiny from other geopolitical issues.
The Reserve Bank of India on Monday tightened rules on rupee non-deliverable derivative contracts, limiting overseas clients to using them only for hedging, and widened a 20% cash reserve requirement to banks' own rupee currency hedges.
Over 40 publishers have united in the SPUR coalition to protect their content from unauthorized AI usage. This initiative includes prominent outlets like The New York Times and the Financial Times. Recent legal actions have aimed at stopping AI companies from using copyrighted materials for training purposes. SPUR is also working on ways for publishers to track content usage and enforce licensing.
RJ Mitte, best known for portraying Walter White Jr. in 'Breaking Bad', has passed away at 34. His role drew from his personal experiences with cerebral palsy, which he advocated for extensively. Mitte also acted in the 2021 film 'Triumph', showcasing a high school wrestler with disabilities. His death, confirmed by his talent agency, occurred in Brownsville, Texas, though details remain undisclosed.
Aam Aadmi Party has organized a one-day hunger strike scheduled for October 15 against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Leaders and workers from across Delhi will gather at the party office to observe this protest. The decision was made during a meeting attended by various party leaders including Sanjay Singh and Saurabh Bharadwaj. Previous protests have been peaceful, following the Gandhian tradition, intensifying demands for Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
Rahul Gandhi has invited INDIA bloc MPs, civil society members, and student organizations for high tea. This event is scheduled to take place at his residence on Tuesday, 13th October. A joint press conference of INDIA leaders will occur in the afternoon preceding the tea event. The invitation follows a significant March for Democracy that included prominent opposition leaders.
Harvard Club of India clarified its position regarding recent protests in New Delhi and related police actions. An Executive Committee member stated that any released statements do not reflect the Club's official views. The Club emphasized that its charter prohibits political statements on behalf of Harvard University alumni. Individual expressions by alumni do not represent the Club or its institutional stance.
Investors from the United States, China, and India have shown interest in a new port project in southern Peru. This port, expected to cost approximately $844 million, aims to accommodate large vessels for international shipping. Regional officials confirmed that multiple companies are exploring partnership opportunities for the project. A timeline for construction and additional investments has yet to be finalized.
The MSCI Asia Pacific Index declined 0.3% with equities in South Korea slipping over 3%. That came after a US gauge of chipmakers fell 2.7% Monday, while the Nasdaq 100 Index lost 0.7%.
On Monday, Indian equities dipped as crude oil prices surged dramatically after recent attacks on Saudi Arabia. The NSE Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex reversed their earlier positive trajectories, influenced by notable foreign selling. Additionally, worries over the rupee's stability and continual sell-offs from foreign investors decreased market optimism. A reported 1.2% rise in Brent crude intensified fears of potential supply interruptions.
Prime videos next act: ads, MX player and the big-screen bet | The Brand Equity Show
In a significant financial shift, India's government bond yields have hit a three-and-a-half-year high of 7.39%, primarily due to the central bank's strategy to minimize liquidity. Over the past month, the yield on the 10-year benchmark has surged by 38 basis points. The Reserve Bank of India plans a bond sale of
Equity mutual fund inflows reached a five-month high in September with 38,306.55 crore invested. Small-cap and mid-cap funds attracted significant interest from investors despite market instability. Debt funds faced substantial outflows of 1.83 lakh crore primarily from liquid and money market schemes. The industry's total assets under management decreased by 5.1% as of September 30. Gold ETFs saw inflows surge to 4,451 crore amid increased investor interest in safe-haven assets.
US Stock Market update: Micron Technology fell 3.9 per cent, Advanced Micro Devices dropped 2.3 per cent, Broadcom slid 1.9 per cent and Nvidia gave up 1.3 per cent.
Mallika Srinivasan and her daughter, Lakshmi Venu, look for a fair resolution regarding family wealth disputes. Their disagreement involves Venu Srinivasan and Sudarshan Venu concerning wealth distribution within the TVS Group. They emphasize that no equitable settlement has been reached despite ongoing discussions. The family believes transparent valuations and mutual consent are necessary for resolution. Management roles and economic ownership must be clearly distinguished in their negotiation
Maharashtra Charity Commissioner has mandated that Sir Dorabji Tata Trust respond to governance allegations by October 19. Trust members Venu Srinivasan and Vijay Singh have raised concerns over governance lapses. They questioned the trust's recent involvement in Tata Sons' commercial decisions and Noel Tata's role as trustee. Seven Tata Trusts have filed caveats in response to the growing governance dispute.
India's retail inflation increased to 5.54% year-on-year in September, the highest since January. This rise is attributed to higher food prices, particularly onions and other essentials. Economists predict inflation could approach 6% in the coming months, influencing upcoming policy decisions. The Reserve Bank of India has indicated a likelihood of rate hikes due to ongoing price pressures. Rural areas experienced sharper inflation increases, outpacing urban regions this month.
Early investors GIC & IFC jointly hold 30% in Bandhan Financial Services (BFSL), keen to exit. PE funds tapped too to gauge strategic interest. BFSL, led by Bandhan founder Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, has been working with advisers Jefferies to find strategic investors for 25-32%.
India's top 10 listed blue-chip companies are experiencing a decline in market capitalisation share. This decline is attributed to sustained foreign portfolio investor selling and large-cap stock underperformance. The top 10 companies now account for around 17.65% of the total market capitalisation as of October 9. Despite this, domestic flows are supporting the broader market and smaller companies are outperforming large caps.
OpenAI and its backer, Microsoft, also face similar copyright claims from prominent authors and news organizations, including the New York Times.
Reddit-Perplexity AI clash: The case is part of a wave of copyright cases targeting AI companies over their alleged use of protected content for AI training.
Christa Pike was hospitalized after surviving two doses of pentobarbital as the state tried to execute her for the 1995 stabbing death of classmate Colleen Slemmer.
Selma Blair arrest: It's not the first time Blair has had issues aboard a plane. In 2016, Blair apologized for making statements she later regretted during a flight from Cancun to Los Angeles. She said she had mixed alcohol with medication, causing her to black out.
US Midterm elections 2026: Republican have a gaping financial advantage over their Democratic counterparts a disparity that has been a rare bright spot for a party that is bracing for major potential losses amid deep voter frustration over the president's performance, stubbornly high prices and the unpopular war with Iran.
RJ Mitte, the actor famous for his role in Breaking Bad, has died at the age of 34. Mitte was an advocate for disability awareness, promoting inclusion for people with disabilities throughout his career. Known for playing Walter White Jr, he drew on his experiences living with cerebral palsy to raise awareness.
On October 21 and 22, 2023, the Orionid meteor shower will be visible in Indonesia. People can expect to see shooting stars without any tools and without city lights. The best viewing time will be after the Moon sets around 2:30 a.m. While in cities like Jakarta and Makassar, finding a dark place will enhance visibility. Adjusting to darkness for 30 minutes will help catch more meteors in the sky.
'Political intimidation!': Ilhan Omar vs. Trump escalates over 'weaponization' of law enforcement
The Supreme Court has asked the government to address high markups on medicines and medical devices. The court questioned the decision to limit recent price controls to anti-cancer drugs alone. Concerns were raised about the inflated prices of common medical devices such as cardiac stents. The court emphasized the importance of controlling medicine prices for the benefit of patients. Further hearings on this matter are scheduled for October 27.
The Centre will collaborate with states to create standard procedures for handling arrest cases. Starting April 1, 2027, an invoice management system will be mandatory, minimizing human errors during digital matching. A quarterly review of GST refund risk assessment will also be implemented to maintain consistency across jurisdictions. The proposed changes aim to decriminalize several GST offences and decrease litigation for businesses.
BMI has raised India's economic growth forecast for 2026-27 to 7.5% from the previous estimate of 6.8%. The agency cites strong growth momentum and ongoing investment in artificial intelligence as key factors. However, risks from rising oil prices and potential El Nino disruptions could negatively impact growth. Additionally, the forecast for 2027-28 has been adjusted down to 6.3%, reflecting concerns for household consumption.
Four opposition parties in Israel are collaborating to remove Benjamin Netanyahu from power in the upcoming election. While they agree on ousting Netanyahu, their commitment to alter policies regarding Palestinians is uncertain. Notably, key leaders within the alliance maintain strict positions against Palestinian statehood and support for settlements. The potential shift in government may not lead to significant changes in the treatment of Palestinians.
Michele Tafoya, a former sportscaster, is running for the Senate in Minnesota with a focus on accountability. Her campaign emphasizes fiscal responsibility, government transparency, and family-oriented policies while criticizing corruption. Tafoya's financial disclosures reveal a wealth significantly higher than her opponent, Peggy Flanagan, raising potential voter concerns. Flanagan has highlighted her background, focusing on economic issues affecting everyday families.
Eddie Murphy quote of the day: You dont have to prove youre the funniest person in the room - Eddie Murphy is an American comedian, actor, writer and producer born on April 3, 1961, in Brooklyn, New York. He first gained widespread attention after joining Saturday Night Live in the early 1980s, where his impressions and comic performances helped establish his reputation. He went on to star in films including 48 Hrs., Trading Places and Beverly Hills Cop.
Speaking to ET, Nikolaus Lang, managing director & senior partner at BCG highlighted the Indian market as the biggest draw for investors amid a sweeping global realignment. He, however, stressed on sustained focus on infrastructure development, skilling and cost competitiveness for India to further enhance its manufacturing footprint on a global scale.
Farmers in India are likely to reduce wheat planting this winter due to water scarcity and low minimum support prices. Regions such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh may see the most significant impact from these conditions. The state governments are encouraging farmers to consider crops that require less water, which may lead to a shift in crop choices.

23 C