The Economic Times

Rahul Gandhi addressed Congress workers in Margao, South Goa during the party's 'Goy Rakhon Yatra'. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others of undermining the Constitution through vote theft. Gandhi emphasized that this action represents an attack on democratic principles and the sacred duty of citizens. He stated that the Congress party would not accept these alleged actions. The remarks highlight ongoing tensions regarding electoral integrity in the country.

Schools closed on October 19: Schools in several Indian states will remain closed on Monday, October 19, 2026, due to festive holidays, including Durga Puja, Maha Navami, Ayudha Pooja and Vijayadashami. Schools in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand will also remain closed, while Telangana schools covered by the Dasara vacation will continue their break. Students and parents should check state-wise holiday schedules and official announcements for the latest updates.

The recent discussions at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank left developing nations feeling uncertain about their futures. Delegates raised alarm over growing debt, inflation, and the burgeoning influence of artificial intelligence, but found themselves without significant solutions. These urgent concerns, alongside geopolitical issues and diminishing aid, paint a challenging landscape for low-income countries as both organizations strive to balance AI advancements with their commit

Five individuals, including an 11-year-old boy, were killed in a car collision with a bus in Beed district. The accident occurred while the car swerved to avoid potholes on the highway. Victims were residents of Majalgaon and were en route to Tuljapur during the incident. Locals protested the poor road conditions, alleging that substandard maintenance caused the dangerous potholes.

The Union law ministry has notified rules to address violations of court-fee and stamp-sale provisions in Union territories. The 2026 rules establish a framework for complaints, adjudication, financial penalties and appeals, following amendments under the Jan Vishwas Act, 2026, which replaced criminal punishment with monetary penalties for minor, non-fraudulent violations.

India's services trade surplus has declined as imports grew faster than exports, leading to concerns about foreign exchange earnings. In September 2026, net services exports fell by 10 percent to USD 16.9 billion. Despite strong growth in merchandise exports of 23 percent, the services sector faces challenges. While cumulative net services exports increased during the first half, their sustainability is uncertain.

Delhi-Patna Vande Bharat: The Indian Railways will operate a tri-weekly Vande Bharat Express festival special from New Delhi to Patna Junction. Services begin on October 21 and run until November 26, coinciding with Diwali and Chhath Puja. The special train features 16 chair-car coaches and will stop at six stations along the route. Two additional trips are scheduled prior to the service commencement on October 16 and 18.

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi criticized the United States for its aggressive actions against Iran and emphasized the need for credible guarantees. He stated that Iran remains open to dialogue, rejecting coercion and threats from the US. Furthermore, the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister highlighted the importance of ending regional hostilities to achieve lasting peace.

Krishnamurthy V Subramanian has criticized Pakistan's claim of returning to global financial leadership. He clarified that the IMF and World Bank chair is ceremonial and rotates annually among member countries. Pakistan is set to assume this position for the first time since 1953 in 2027. The country's economy has been dependent on loans from the IMF to address financial challenges.

Rush, Arkansas, experienced a boom during World War I, driven by high zinc demand which transformed it into a bustling mining hub. Essential amenities like hotels and stores emerged to support the growing population and mining activities. However, post-war economic shifts resulted in a steep decline, reducing the community to just 344 residents by 1920.

In 1932, Dale Kleist, while researching the process of sealing glass blocks, inadvertently discovered the art of producing fine glass fibers. This breakthrough was pivotal in the creation of fibreglass insulation, which revolutionized manufacturing. Teaming up with Jack Thomas and Games Slayter, they refined the glass fiber production technique, ultimately leading to the establishment of Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation in 1938.

A tragic stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal led to 19 fatalities and 25 injuries. A committee led by a Calcutta High Court judge will investigate the incident. Compensation cheques of Rs 25 lakh will be given to each family of the deceased. Inspections of Durga Puja pandals across Kolkata are being conducted to enhance safety measures.

The Election Commission of India informed the Delhi High Court about two voters whose names were removed from electoral rolls. These voters could not complete the enumeration process for Special Intensive Revision due to a change of address. They sought to restore their names without using Form 6, but the court clarified their options. The court dismissed their plea and stated their concerns about false declarations were misplaced.

A pioneering dairy farmer in northern New York is merging the realms of agriculture and solar energy by partnering with a solar developer on a transformative agrivoltaics initiative. This groundbreaking design features ample spacing between solar panels, enhancing operational efficiency for farming tools. Expected to generate consistent revenue, the project aims to sustain existing agricultural work.

A microphone announcement warning that the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata could collapse may have triggered panic, contributing to a stampede that killed 19 people and injured 25 on Saturday. Police are examining a video of the warning while investigating alleged crowd-management lapses, confusing announcements and the sudden rush for shelter from rain.

New York City's ferry service has seen significant growth, now serving around 7.4 million passengers. To keep fares affordable amidst increasing demand, public funding remains essential. Over the years, rising ridership and fare revenues have lowered the subsidy needed per trip. NYCEDC is committed to balancing operational costs with equitable access, offering seasonal services and discounts to boost passenger numbers from diverse income groups.

The United States has struggled with funding for its Agricultural Quarantine Inspection program due to fee shortfalls. In 2011, the program had an $861 million budget but collected significantly less in fees. Inspection fees were insufficient because legal restrictions limited cost recovery from various users. Reforms have been introduced to update fee structures and improve collections. These measures, however, do not fully address the root funding issues of the program.

BJP MP Kangana Ranaut on Sunday criticised Opposition parties over calls for regime change, saying their actions reinforce the need for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strong leadership. Citing unrest in France and global conflicts, she also condoled the deaths of 19 people in a stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata.

Assam Police intends to appeal bail orders granted to Amritprava Mahanta and Sandipon Garg in the Zubeen Garg case. Special DGP CID Munna Prasad Gupta confirmed that proceedings are progressing rapidly in a fast-track court. Mahanta and Garg are accused in the death investigation of the late singer, who died in a scuba diving accident. The Gauhati High Court previously granted bail to both individuals in October 2025.

Gold Point, once a thriving mining community in Nevada, experienced significant population decline after mining operations ceased. The town, originally known as Lime Point in 1868, transitioned to focus on gold-mining in the late 1920s. Following World War II, mining activity diminished and finally ended in the 1960s with a shaft collapse. Today, the settlement has adapted to tourism, with remaining buildings and a museum preserving its mining history.

Hoardings portraying several individuals as Ravana were placed at various locations in Lucknow before Dussehra. The Sanatan Raksha Sangathan was responsible for putting up these hoardings in prominent areas. Featured figures included Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and Elon Musk, among others. Following this, Samajwadi Party workers took down the hoardings in response. The event drew significant attention from passersby and raised various reactions in the city.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka will compete in the opening match of the 2026 ODI Tri-Series. The match will begin at 1:30 PM IST and will feature a double round-robin format. Weather conditions in Rawalpindi are favorable for batting and run-scoring is expected to be easier. The Sony Sports Network will broadcast the match live in India for the audience.

A mountaineering team from West Bengal successfully completed four significant ascents in eastern Ladakh. The team climbed the challenging Chang Chenmo Kangri, proposing new names for three newly scaled peaks. Led by veteran climbers, the team executed the expedition without fixed ropes or porter assistance. Their achievement highlights the importance of teamwork and self-reliance in extreme conditions. Each ascent represents a collective accomplishment for the Sonarpur Arohi club.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to attend the SCO CHG meeting in Dushanbe on October 19 and 20. The meeting will focus on enhancing multilateral cooperation among SCO Member States in various sectors. Areas of discussion will include trade, economy, investment, and cultural exchanges. This forum will also provide India a platform to promote ongoing cooperation initiatives.

India needs to maintain policy credibility and continuity to sustain foreign investment inflows, as strong economic growth alone may not be enough to reassure global investors about the country's long-term business environment, highlighted Kyunghoon Kim, Head of the India and South Asia Team at the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP).

I never did that with a man before: Trumps bizarre remark about senator Husted at Kentucky rally

Braj Mohan Ram was sworn in as the 28th Governor of Odisha during a ceremony at Lok Bhavan. The oath of office was administered by Chief Justice Harish Tondon in the presence of notable dignitaries. Ram is a three-time Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from Jharkhand's Palamu district. He succeeds Hari Babu Kambhampati, who held the position before him. Ram was appointed by President Droupadi Murmu on October 12.

The NYC Wine and Food Festival recently featured an event highlighting Indian cuisine with renowned chefs. Maneet Chauhan and Chef Vijaya Kumar hosted 'Flavours of Bollywood', showcasing various regional dishes and street food. Guests enjoyed diverse offerings like idlis, butter chicken, and malai ice cream, emphasizing the depth of Indian culinary heritage. The event attracted attendees from various states and celebrated the upcoming Diwali festival.

Kolkata pandal stampede: Authorities arrested several individuals connected to the stampede at Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal. The incident resulted in 19 fatalities and many injuries needing treatment. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the injured in hospitals. Compensation for families of the deceased and injured has been announced by the state government.

Sunil Gavaskar emphasized the need for India to strengthen their bowling attack in the recent T20 series. He highlighted that Hardik Pandya is irreplaceable and suggested exploring players who can take on different roles. Gavaskar also mentioned Naman Dhir's contributions with both bat and ball, advocating for four specialist bowlers in the playing XI. Aakash Chopra pointed out that Abhishek Sharma was not at his best during the matches.

Two crew members died after a Saudi AH-6i helicopter crashed in the Najran region near the Yemen border due to a technical malfunction, the Saudi-led coalition said Sunday. The Houthis had claimed a day earlier that they shot down a Saudi Apache helicopter in the area, leaving it unclear whether both accounts concerned the same aircraft.

Ayan Lochab was the top buy at the KCL Season 2 auction, joining Jhajjar Jaguars for Rs 17.4 lakh. Bharat Hooda and Naveen Goyat also secured high-value contracts with Karnal Kings and Kurukshetra Knights, respectively. Other notable purchases included Rakesh Singroha by Faridabad Fighters and Sumit Sangwan by Sonipat Stars. The auction showcased the franchises' commitment to enhancing their teams with quality players.

Two-time Formula One world champion Mika Hakkinen believes India deserves a return to the F1 calendar, citing the country's huge fan base and business opportunities. In an exclusive interview with PTI, he also praised Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, Max Verstappen's resurgence with Red Bull and Lewis Hamilton's performances for Ferrari.

Rajinikanths action drama Jailer 2 is currently taking the box-office by storm. As per reports, the film has crossed Rs 150 crore within just four days of release. In light of the movies success, the performance of many actors in the movie, including veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty, has been praised. In an interview, his son revealed how his father once had no home and struggled a lot before rising to superstardom in the 1980s.

In Malaysia, CryptoBilis faces an investigation after numerous customers experienced thefts from hardware wallets. Reports from Ledger SAS link these crimes to a group of criminals who modified the wallets. Victims' losses total over $90 million, raising red flags among cybersecurity experts who emphasize the vulnerabilities present in cold wallets meant for cryptocurrency storage. These events stress the critical need for improved safety mechanisms in the management of digital assets.

At a recent CBS News town hall, Vice President JD Vance confronted voter concerns regarding Donald Trump's policies. He engaged with issues such as soaring gasoline prices, the ramifications of the Iran war, and strategies for immigration enforcement. Vance admitted some troop deployment errors, linking high gas costs to recent conflicts while stressing the importance of accountability in addressing ongoing immigration challenges.

What Does Infosys Today Look for When Hiring People? Infosys CTO Rafee Tarafdar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences after a tragic accident occurred in Gwalior, resulting in the loss of thirteen lives. Nearly forty others were injured when a truck crashed into devotees waiting near a temple early on Sunday. He announced ex gratia relief payments of Rs 2 lakh for the deceased's families and Rs 50,000 for each injured individual.

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari criticized supporters of violent protests, asserting their goals are often related to regime change. He emphasized that such actions are forceful and undemocratic, urging believers in democracy to resist anarchists. Bhandari's comments followed remarks from various public figures discussing regime change amid ongoing protests. The protests were sparked by allegations concerning electoral roll irregularities.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit India next week to strengthen bilateral relations and discuss trade issues. His meetings will take place in Mumbai and Jamnagar, focusing on investment and energy. The two countries have faced considerable delays in finalizing a trade agreement due to several ongoing challenges.

Sensex and Nifty extended gains for a second straight session on Friday, led by IT stocks, which rose for a fourth consecutive session, along with buying in auto, metal and PSU banking stocks. Niftys recovery could continue as long as it holds above the crucial 22,75022,800 support zone.

Orionids meteor shower peaks in mid-October and is known for bright meteors visible in the night sky. The meteors originate from comet 1P/Halley, which sheds debris when it approaches the Sun. Observers are advised to find dark locations away from city lights to view the meteors effectively. The radiant for this shower is located just north of Betelgeuse in the constellation Orion.

In September 2026, Central Bank of India reported an impressive net profit hike of 21%, totaling 1,469 crore. This boost was largely attributed to strong loan growth, even as other income declined. The bank's net interest income surged by 26% to 4,146 crore. Additionally, total income rose by 15% to reach 11,737 crore, with the cost-to-income ratio improving to 58.95% from 62.42% a year prior.

Kolkata Police have arrested seven people, including Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja committee office-bearers, after a stampede killed 19 people and injured 25. The arrests include those involved in pandal construction, crowd control and private security. Police have registered a suo motu culpable homicide case as Bengal orders safety inspections.

Embracing guilty pleasures can lead to personal enjoyment without the burden of embarrassment. Social norms often pressure individuals into justifying their entertainment choices. The author describes watching Ganji Chudail videos as a source of amusement and relaxation. Participants in this culture often perform guilt and apologize for simple pleasures. Finding joy in leisure activities can provide much-needed relief from everyday stresses.