The Economic Times

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharmas visits to Premanand Maharajs Vrindavan ashram have come under renewed attention following the death of his disciple Rasik Dulari. An allegation that Rs 5 crore was allegedly spent to facilitate Kohlis first visit has been rejected by the cricketers team, which said his visits were motivated by personal faith and reverence for the spiritual leader.

RBI Inflation 2026-27 Forecast: The Reserve Bank of India has updated its inflation forecast for FY27 to 5.2% from 5.0% previously. This revision comes as retail inflation exceeds the RBI's target for three consecutive months. The rise in crude oil prices and food costs is a significant contributing factor. Additionally, a weaker rupee adds to imported commodity expenses and inflationary pressures. El Nio is also expected to impact food supply, further influencing inflation.

RBI GDP Growth 2026: The Reserve Bank of India increased its economic growth forecast for fiscal 2026-27 to 7.1%. The adjustment follows stronger-than-expected domestic activity, particularly a remarkable 7.8% growth in the April-June quarter. Despite this optimistic outlook, elevated oil prices and inflation present ongoing challenges to growth. Global institutions like the World Bank and OECD have also raised their forecasts for India.

RBI Monetary Policy Meeting 2026: The RBI raised the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50%, its first hike in nearly four years, as rising oil prices, a weak monsoon and a weaker rupee threaten to push inflation higher. The move was widely expected by economists.

A rise in futures OI indicates an increase in the number of active, unexpired futures contracts in a security.

Max Verstappen achieved victory at the Malaysia Grand Prix but faces challenges at the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix. Rain and thunderstorms are predicted to affect both the qualifying and the main race in Singapore. Verstappen has struggled at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, where overtaking is notoriously difficult. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton performed well in Malaysia and is hopeful for a strong showing in Singapore.

The US stock market finished on a high note, buoyed by stabilizing crude prices and easing Treasury yields, offering much-needed relief to investors. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq celebrated record closing highs, indicative of a widespread market upturn. With third-quarter earnings just around the corner, excitement is building among analysts and investors, especially with notable announcements from companies like AMD and Constellation Energy.

India's industrial sector has seen significant growth under Modi's leadership, emphasising infrastructure development and reforms. The Vibrant Gujarat Summit initiated a strategic approach to enhance ease of doing business. Recent trade agreements have expanded access to global markets for Indian manufacturers.

S&P Global forecasts a 12-14% increase in financial sector lending despite potential slowdowns in rural areas. Concerns about weak monsoon rains may negatively impact rural incomes and lending. A projected GDP growth of 7% for India in FY27 reflects steady public investment and improved private sector investments. Economic activity remains strong, although headwinds like inflation could constrain momentum.

Freddie Jackson has died, leaving behind a string of R&B classics including 'Rock Me Tonight' and 'You Are My Lady'. But before becoming a Grammy-nominated star, Jackson was working a regular word-processor job after an early music setback. His career changed when singer Melba Moore saw him perform at a New York club.

Warren Buffett advocates for investing in the S&P 500 index fund over picking individual stocks. A consistent investment of $400 each month could yield impressive returns based on historical data. After three decades, this strategy might lead to around $820,000, assuming that past annual returns continue.

The recently opened Barapullah Phase 3 corridor in Delhi was anticipated to enhance travel efficiency, but it has rapidly turned into a traffic nightmare due to inadequate design in merging lanes. With a hefty cost of over Rs 1,635 crore, this project has struggled to effectively manage incoming traffic. Similar challenges have been noted in Mumbai and Bengaluru, highlighting an urgent need to address these infrastructural deficiencies for enhanced public transit.

At 75, Rajinikanth continues to perform action-heavy roles and maintain the energy expected of a much younger star. Ahead of Jailer 2 release, let's have a look at the habits behind his fitness, from a strict food rule involving everyday items to weight training, walking, yoga and meditation. The actor has also spoken about his own food choices, offering a glimpse into the routine he has followed to stay active over the years.

Smriti Mandhana has been appointed as the captain of the Indian Womens Cricket Team for upcoming events. Her leadership experience includes guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru to multiple Women's Premier League titles. Smriti joined the national team in 2013, contributing significantly throughout her career. The team aims to build on past progress under her leadership while entering a new phase. This appointment marks a significant development for women's cricket in India.

The remarks come amid ongoing protests in the New Delhi district, including demonstrations involving the Cockroach Janta Party, student organisations and Congress-led opposition parties near Parliament. Delhi Police has deployed personnel in large numbers to manage the gatherings and prevent any escalation.

Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery brings some of Hollywood's most valuable franchises under one roof, from Batman, Superman and Harry Potter to Game of Thrones, Friends, Dune, The Lord of the Rings and The Matrix. The $110 billion deal also combines two major studios, streaming platforms and vast entertainment libraries.

Opposition MPs, led by Rahul Gandhi, protested near the Election Commission office against the CEC's alleged hand in the SIR events. Gandhi sought to meet CEC Gyanesh Kumar to address allegations of vote rigging. The protest resulted in several leaders being detained by police. BJP slammed the opposition's actions.

The civil aviation ministry requested Adani Airport Holdings Ltd to postpone the planned flight transition to Navi Mumbai. Airlines have opposed the proposed reduction of international flights to this new airport. Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha chaired a meeting to discuss the transition plan with various stakeholders. Subsequent discussions between airlines and Adani Airports are scheduled to take place on October 13 and October 20.

On Tuesday, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit all-time highs, buoyed by falling Treasury yields and easing oil prices. Investors are optimistic as they look forward to the upcoming earnings season, particularly for technology stocks. While many of the Magnificent Seven saw upward trends, Apple and Alphabet experienced minor losses.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has opened applications for a position on the Men's Selection Committee. Interested candidates must have played a minimum number of matches and retired at least five years ago. The committee will be responsible for selecting the Senior National Men's Team as well as identifying and developing new talent. Members will need to scout players, attend matches, and provide performance evaluations.

The 57th meeting of the GST Council, to be chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and comprising state finance ministers, will on October 8 deliberate significant changes to the GST enforcement framework, including removing the arrest powers of GST officers.

India's data centre industry has garnered impressive investments amounting to USD 173 billion since 2021, showcasing a strong upward trajectory. In just the first half of 2026, this sector saw the addition of around 130 MW of new capacity, with expectations of more than 200 MW to launch in the latter half of the year.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently celebrated the remarkable milestone of HAL's Koraput Division delivering its 2,000th aero-engine. This new Shakti engine line is set to manufacture up to 100 engines each year, reinforcing military readiness. He emphasized the necessity of developing indigenous capabilities for defense projects, notably the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, while calling for strengthened ties with MSMEs and educational institutions, highlighting Odisha's pivotal role in the

Himachal Pradesh High Court has quashed an order denying a woman patta for land her father was granted in 1972, ruling that the Nautor Land Rules do not bar married daughters from inheriting land as legal heirs. The court held that a 1980 administrative circular excluding married daughters cannot override statutory rules, and relied on a Supreme Court precedent against gender based exclusion in land allotment.

The Supreme Court has raised concerns regarding stationary vehicles causing accidents on highways. Justices suggested the National Highways Authority of India implement electronic surveillance for tracking these vehicles. Various incidents highlight ongoing issues of illegal parking contributing to road fatalities. The court plans to address encroachments and applications related to this matter on October 13.

A corporate career advisor has urged employees to stop treating paid and sick leave as something to be used only after they become seriously ill. Avreen argued that exhaustion and burnout are valid reasons to step away from work and said unused paid leave is effectively like leaving your salary on the table.

Researchers in Florida's Everglades have turned to creativity in their fight against invasive Burmese pythons by designing robotic rabbits. These high-tech devices mimic the natural movement and warmth of real rabbits, making them better at attracting the elusive snakes. With remote control features and alert systems, these robotic entities promise to transform how these invasive species are monitored, potentially reshaping Florida's wildlife management landscape.

Cathie Wood sees Bitcoin outperforming gold and predicts it could reach $1.5 million by 2030, driven by institutional adoption and AI. Bitcoin has recently outpaced gold, strengthening her bullish outlook. Her stance contrasts sharply with Warren Buffetts longstanding criticism of cryptocurrency, which he has described as highly speculative and risky.

Mayawati announced the reappointment of Akash Anand as the BSP's national coordinator following Ashok Siddharth's retirement. She stated that media reports had exaggerated Anand's past separations from the party. Mayawati emphasised that Anand was never expelled and had played an active role prior to his marriage. The BSP chief expressed confidence that Anand's political future would remain stable after Siddharth's departure from active involvement.

RBI MPC Meeting October 2026: The Reserve Bank of India is expected to consider its first repo rate hike in four years amid rising inflation risks and elevated crude oil prices. RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra will announce the monetary policy decision on October 7 at 10 am. Experts anticipate a 25-basis-point repo rate hike, potentially taking rates to 5.50%.

Bollywood star Ajay Devgn is known to be a very reserved person. Yet, in a chat with adventurer Bear Grylls on his show, the Drishyam 3 star opened up on his bond with his father, the late stunt director Virender Veeru Devgn, admitting that, like many people, he too realised the significance of having parents, very late in life.

Amitabh Bachchan revealed that his renowned hairstyle began as a practical response to industry criticism. Producers viewed his height and facial features as drawbacks, forcing him to grow his hair. This choice evolved into the famous 'Bachchan cut', closely associated with his persona in the 1970s. Hairstylist Hakim Kairanvi crafted this signature look for many of Bachchan's early films.

Harsh Goenka recently shared a throwback photograph from his MBA days, joking that he had no beard then. The image sparked a guessing game on X, with followers trying to identify him and praising his youthful appearance. One user called him the Happiness Brand Ambassador for his humour and million dollar smile. Goenka is Chairman of RPG Enterprises and holds an Economics degree and MBA from IMD, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Eurozone energy inflation has not yet spread broadly to other goods and services, ECB policymaker Olli Rehn said. Rising bond yields may curb economic growth and limit price pressures, though resilient activity and AI investment remain concerns. Markets expect further ECB rate hikes as policymakers balance persistent inflation against tightening financial conditions.

Police detained Congress workers and supporters marching towards the Election Commission to demand the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were prevented from entering the Election Commission office. The protests escalated outside the office as opposition members faced heavy police presence. Congress leader Pawan Khera criticized the police deployment and claimed it undermined democracy in the capital.

Vice President CP Radhakrishnan emphasised the importance of preserving India's ancient knowledge for future generations. He pointed out that Sanskrit plays a significant role in fields like science, literature, and philosophy. Radhakrishnan expressed concern that great texts must not disappear and highlighted the need for accessibility. The National Education Policy 2020 aims to strengthen the focus on Indian knowledge systems.

Traffic restrictions affected major roads in New Delhi during the INDIA bloc's march to the Election Commission. Commuters experienced significant delays, with many stranded for over an hour due to congestion. The police implemented diversions and barricades in response to the protest against the revision of electoral rolls. Alternative routes proved difficult to navigate as vehicles packed tightly along blocked roads.

Ganesh ji doesn't help in wrong things: SP MP Jaya Bachchan on India Bloc protest at Parliament

The upcoming COP31 conference in Antalya, Turkey, is gearing up to tackle pressing climate change and energy challenges. The negotiations will emphasize the importance of electrification to lessen the dependency on fossil fuels and mitigate emissions. However, the contentious issue of phasing out fossil fuels continues to provoke disagreement among nations.

Jeffrey Archer, one of Britains bestselling authors, died at 86 on October 5, 2026, a day before the scheduled release of his final novel, Adam & Eve. Across a five-decade career, Archer wrote 31 novels alongside short stories, memoirs and childrens books and sold more than 300 million copies globally. Here is a look at his final novel, best-known books, major series and literary legacy.

Argentina fans are hopeful for the future of their national team following Lionel Messi's retirement from international football. The team has shown immense potential with impressive victories against Bolivia and Burkina Faso without their legendary player. Coach Lionel Scaloni emphasizes the need for unity and confidence in the new generation of players. Many young talents have emerged, signaling a new era for Argentine football after Messi.

On Sunday evening, Sukhchain Singh, an ASI with Punjab Police, was shot at while returning home. The assailants fired from a motorcycle and fled the scene immediately after the attack. Singh sustained a bullet injury to his arm and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Police officials have initiated an investigation into the shooting incident, which raises concerns over law enforcement safety.

Amritsar Rural Police conducted an operation that resulted in the arrest of a suspect linked to terrorism. The accused, Navjot Singh, was found with an AK-47 rifle and hand grenades. Police stated that the weapons were allegedly smuggled into India via drones from Pakistan. Investigations revealed connections to handlers in both Pakistan and the Middle East.

Nikhil Kamath advice for startups: The Zerodha co-founder expressed agreement with a warning that startups should raise capital soon due to uncertain conditions. A social media post highlighted the importance of securing enough money for the next one or two years. Indias funding environment is experiencing a decline in deal volume but an increase in total funding amounts. The focus is shifting towards larger funding rounds amidst challenging market conditions.