The Economic Times

The World Health Organization (WHO) urges countries to expand their efforts to prevent lead exposure, especially to children who are vulnerable to its toxic effects. Lead exposure is estimated to contribute more than 3.5 million preventable deaths globally every year. The health body pointed out that 3.5 microgrammes can be associated with reduced intelligence, behavioural disorders and learning difficulties in children.

Supreme Court has notified Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav about a legal plea. The plea challenges opposition leaders' march to the court over electoral roll issues. This march took place on October 12 and was halted by police barricades. Following this, leaders gathered inside the Supreme Court complex, resulting in a significant audience and disturbance.

The IMF has warned that a prolonged Middle East war and renewed disruptions to energy production, shipping routes and critical infrastructure pose the biggest risks to economies across the Middle East and Central Asia. With energy buffers thinning, the lender expects a sharp regional contraction in 2026, followed by an uneven recovery in 2027.

Over a span of 13 years in Grand County, Colorado, dedicated conservation efforts have led to a remarkable surge in cutthroat trout populations, rising from 123 to an astonishing 1,425 fish in select streams. This success stems from the strategic removal of invasive brook trout through electrofishing and the introduction of genetically modified fish.

A consumer commission in Aligarh has directed State Bank of India (SBI) to pay Rs 2 lakh to a woman whose son died after the bank failed to deduct a Rs 100 insurance renewal premium despite sufficient funds in his account. The insurer had denied the claim, saying it had not received the premium or issued a policy for the disputed period. SBI must also pay Rs 5,000 in compensation and Rs 5,000 towards litigation expenses, with interest at 7% per annum.

Lake Mattamuskeet in North Carolina has seen a dedicated restoration initiative aimed at curbing the invasive common carp's adverse effects on aquatic life. Launched in 2019, the program employed historical removal strategies to diminish carp numbers. Although some progress was detected, studies revealed the remaining carp were not a significant ecological threat. This case underscores the inherent challenges of ecological restoration and the efficacy of traditional approaches in sustaining biod

A delegation of women BJP MPs, led by Roop Kumari Chaudhary, plans to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. They will demand action against Congress MP Bimol Akoijam amid sexual harassment allegations. Akoijam was recently dismissed from his teaching position at JNU following these allegations. Multiple female students had accused him of making inappropriate remarks and attempts at harassment. An FIR has been registered against him based on these complaints.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated five development projects worth Rs 3,350 crore in Ladakh on Thursday. The projects include a new Leh airport terminal, the 298-km Nimmu-Padum-Darcha Road, a hydropower project, a transmission line, India's first petroglyph conservation park and 40 water bodies under Project Him Sarovar, aimed at improving connectivity, energy infrastructure, heritage conservation and water security.

Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders have filed a petition with the Supreme Court regarding voter deletions. The petition challenges the actions taken by the Election Commission of India during the Special Intensive Revision process. These leaders are raising concerns about irregularities in modifying electoral rolls, including voter entries. They are requesting an independent audit to examine these changes thoroughly.

Yadav had earlier secured some relief from the top court on October 7, when he proposed selling his ancestral property to settle the outstanding dues in a series of cheque-bounce cases that have been going on for years.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath attacked Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav over his alleged routine of waking at noon. Such a person, according to the CM, cannot meet the needs of the public. He also quipped about representatives who, after winning elections, never return to their constituencies. Adityanath also talked about the need for elected representatives to work with the public to ensure effective rendering of services.

The Indian Navy will induct INS Samarthak at Karwar on October 16, 2026. Built by L&T, the 107-metre multi-purpose vessel is designed for maritime surveillance, weapons trials, unmanned-system operations, naval training, towing and disaster relief. Equipped with guns, anti-submarine systems and electronic countermeasures, it is the first of two vessels being built under an Rs 887-crore contract.

Indian IT stocks have rebounded sharply. The Nifty IT index has risen 8%, adding Rs 82,500 crore to the sector

The incident was reported from a private school in Peshawar. All the 17 children killed were aged 13 or younger. The 18th deceased was a female teacher, the Express Tribune reported citing Muhammad Asim, spokesperson for Lady Reading Hospital (LRH).

At a Defence Conclave 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh underscored India's resilience in fostering peace. He referred to the decisive actions taken against terrorism orchestrated from Pakistan, such as surgical and airstrikes. Singh pointed out the transition to a self-reliant, forward-thinking defense strategy and warned of robust consequences for any future terrorist endeavors. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reforms with significantly improving national security confidence.

IDBI Bank shares plunged as investors booked profits after a nearly 13% rally in the previous session following the Cabinet

A recent study reveals that climate change and El Nino greatly influenced Hurricane Polo's intensity. The research shows climate change added about 6 mph to Polo's strength compared to 5 mph from El Nino. Without these factors, Polo would still have been a powerful storm. Scientists emphasize that climate change significantly increases the frequency of such severe hurricanes. This research highlights the profound impact of climate change on storm dynamics.

Alexandros Paporakis has been arrested for reportedly plotting a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in US. He is said to follow white supremacist ideologies and violent intentions that he shared with a colleague raised red flags.His murderous plan was disrupted when his faulty rifle failed to fire.

North Korea has conducted underwater-launched missile tests using a newly unveiled submarine in its eastern waters. The military aimed to demonstrate the reliability of its nuclear deterrent capabilities and assessed underwater combat systems. These tests signal the beginning of operational readiness for the submarine, which could pose a significant threat to South Korea and the U.S.

Congress criticised the Centre over the VB-G RAM Act, saying it guarantees only technology-driven exclusion, centralisation and emasculation of gram panchayats. The party spokesperson alleged the scheme implements additional workdays above the erstwhile Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The party also accused the Centre of bulldozing the bill through parliament and alleged that the Act excludes millions from Adivasi and tribal communities.

India will begin their T20 series against Zimbabwe under the leadership of Smriti Mandhana on Friday. The series marks the first bilateral encounter between the two teams in history. India is looking to improve their performance in T20s after recent World Cup exits. Zimbabwe enters the series on a high after their recent ODI victory over West Indies. Both teams will follow the T20 matches with three ODIs in Vadodara.

The Supreme Court has dismissed the Tamil Nadu government's plea challenging a Madras High Court order on reservation for converts to Islam. The top court upheld the ruling that a person converting to Islam cannot claim reservation under the Backward Class (Muslim) category solely on the basis of conversion, stating that social backwardness cannot be transferred from the Hindu social order to a non-Hindu social order.

US President Donald Trump is expected to decide within the next 10 days whether to invoke Russia sanctions provisions that could expose India and other buyers of Russian oil and gas to tariffs of up to 100%. US Ambassador Sergio Gor said the decision rests with Trump, while expressing confidence that India and the US would conclude a trade deal.

Canara Bank shares fell sharply on Thursday despite reporting an 8% year-on-year rise in Q2 FY27 standalone net profit to Rs 5,175 crore. Brokerages remain divided, with Morgan Stanley retaining an Underweight rating, while Motilal Oswal and JM Financial recommend buying the stock.

Central Railway has sought approval to divert around 6.5 hectares of forest land in Maharashtra for a 32.23-km fourth railway line between Kalyan and Asangaon. Estimated to cost Rs 1,619.96 crore, the project aims to ease congestion, increase train capacity and improve operations along the busy corridor shared by suburban, long-distance and freight services.

Rohit Sharma, the legendary former captain of the Indian cricket team, has made his television debut with an exciting new show. His opulent Mumbai apartment, priced at Rs 30 crore, boasts an expansive 6,000 sq ft layout. This luxurious abode includes generous living areas, a mini-theatre for family movie nights, and a temperature-controlled swimming pool.

The trade agreement between India and the United States is close to fruition, with major issues largely settled. US Ambassador Sergio Gor conveyed optimism about achieving a swift conclusion as negotiations advance. For the past eighteen months, both countries have explored trade impediments and tariffs, focusing on particular products and their rates. The impending visit from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio could further facilitate this trade pact.

Rajinikanths Jailer 2 hit theatres on October 15, 2026, generating buzz among fans and mixed reactions from viewers. While some praised its dark humour, action sequences, background score and climax, others felt the second half lacked comedy. With speculation surrounding its digital premiere and a possible November release, fans are now waiting for an official announcement about when and where they can stream the action thriller after its theatrical run.

Life Insurance Corporation of India is set to launch three new insurance products on October 19, 2026. These offerings, namely New Jeevan Dhara-II, Health Shield, and New Cancer Cover, have been designed to cater to various financial needs like retirement funds and health insurance. Customers will have easy access to these plans online via LIC's official portal, promising a boost in financial stability for families.

Mumbai Police have issued a Leave India Notice to actor Imran Khan, requiring him to leave by October 28. Imran Khan participated in a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He was detained for attending a demonstration at August Kranti Maidan without being an Indian citizen. The agitation raised concerns regarding the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Air Indias Frankfurt-Delhi flight AI2030 was diverted to Jaipur after Mumbai ATC detected hijack transponder code 7500, prompting extensive security checks. The pilots reportedly said the flight was operating normally. While the aircraft and crew were cleared to continue, aviation and security agencies are investigating the alert. Senior Boeing 787 pilots say accidentally entering the code is extremely unlikely because each digit must be set manually.

The Delhi Income Tax Appellate Tribunal quashed the assessment against Mr. Sehgal regarding alleged undisclosed cash. The Income Tax Department claimed he received Rs 1.70 crore in cash from a property sale. However, the tribunal noted that the evidence did not sufficiently establish the cash transactions. The tribunal observed that proper cross-examination of involved parties was not conducted.

TSMC is expected to report its sixth consecutive quarter of record earnings, driven by surging AI chip demand and technology investments. Analysts forecast a 65% profit increase, while investors await updated guidance amid interest-rate concerns and expanding global manufacturing plans, including major US investments to strengthen semiconductor production capacity.

BHEL shares fell 4.3% after rallying on strong Q2FY27 results, even as Nuvama and JM Financial retained their Buy ratings and raised target prices. Brokerages cited margin expansion, improved execution, a healthy order book and favourable thermal power prospects.

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He accused the government of meeting protestors with brute force and pointed to the Constitutional rights to freedom of speech and protest. Choudhary also raised concerns on youth unemployment and opposed the Waqf Boards proposed standardised themes for Friday sermons.

The IMF warned that Asias economic growth may slow to 4.4% in 2027 amid energy price shocks, Middle East conflict, AI market correction risks and rising bond yields. It urged central banks to prioritise price stability and governments to provide targeted fiscal support while managing inflation and debt pressures.

A 19-year-old man from Palatine, Illinois, has been arrested over an alleged mass shooting plot that may have targeted a Hindu temple in Aurora. Police said investigators examined electronic communications and a manifesto containing white supremacist views and hatred towards Indians.

Pakistan pilots along with some other nationals have been banned by Air France, United Airlines and Smartwings. The rules apply to pilots and cabin crew, including those with dual citizenship, and have come under scrutiny after an Ethiopian Airlines flight returned to Addis Ababa to replace an Indonesian pilot.