The Economic Times

Pakistan's parliament approved emergency and governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to escalated violence and terrorism. This move follows weeks of political tensions and is seen as a federal intervention. The federal government's resolutions were passed after debates involving both treasury and opposition members. Amnesty International raised concerns over potential human rights abuses amid these emergency measures.

The Karnataka Cabinet has decided to file a special leave petition in the Supreme Court. This petition aims to challenge the recent High Court ruling on increased SC/ST reservation. The ruling reduced the overall quota in education and jobs back to 50%. Officials will evaluate the implications for current and future recruitments based on this decision. Discussions regarding the reservation framework may also involve the Union government's role.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized India's shift towards proactive measures against terrorism originating from Pakistan. He noted that the effectiveness of India's security forces in neutralizing threats within a year is significant. Singh highlighted the importance of individual vigilance in combating lone-wolf attacks and other emerging security threats. He called for integrating advanced technologies with traditional defense strategies to address evolving challenges.

Krafton India has officially rebranded BGMI Lite to BGMI Air, driven by an impressive surge in pre-registrations, which exceeded 10 million on the Google Play Store. While a precise launch date remains unannounced, the developer anticipates a possible release in 2026, complemented by an open beta phase to gather player insights. Notably, BGMI Air will operate separately from the original BGMI game.

In an effort to address soaring shipping costs, the Trump administration is evaluating the possibility of easing restrictions on sanctioned vessels. These limitations have heavily influenced rising tanker freight rates, affecting the dynamics of global oil markets. The proposed changes aim to clarify the vessels eligible for transporting legally traded crude and refined products, though challenges may arise that could undermine the effectiveness of this initiative.

Michelle Obamas Girls Opportunity Alliance has pledged more than $1 million to support 25 organizations across 15 countries working to improve girls education and opportunities. From a $2.5 million fundraising plan to a $102 million initiative for military families, heres a look at her major efforts and how they aim to make a difference.

Election authorities are conducting special enrolment drives across various regions to help eligible voters register. These registration efforts are intended for individuals whose names are missing from the electoral rolls. Citizens are encouraged to check their names and file applications as needed. Voters can seek assistance from Booth Level Officers or designated helpdesks during specific periods. The administration aims to ensure all eligible voters are included in the electoral rolls.

Central Park in Connaught Place will be closed for the general public on October 16 and 17. The New Delhi Municipal Council has issued a notice mentioning the closure due to administrative reasons. This decision precedes the CJP's planned 'Lehra do Tiranga' march in the area. Visitors planning to access the park on these dates should be aware of the closure.

A person was killed and another injured in an ambush by suspected militants in Manipur. The attack targeted civilians traveling to Phaikoh for essential goods and occurred in Kamjong District. One victim, Hatneikim Haokip, is believed to have died immediately, while her husband sustained injuries. Two other civilians involved in the incident are currently unaccounted for and their fate remains unclear.

Four workers lost their lives in a devastating explosion at Kovika Dyes & Intermediates factory in Gujarat. The tragic incident happened during pipe-fitting work near a boiler vessel, raising concerns about safety. Preliminary investigations suggest a pressure burst may have caused the explosion, with forensic teams now examining the site. Police are registering an accidental death case and conducting post mortem examinations of the victims.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar participated in a panel discussion on global connectivity in Abu Dhabi. He highlighted India's strategy to bolster domestic capabilities and establish reliable international partnerships. Jaishankar also held meetings with officials from Georgia and the UAE to discuss expanded collaboration. The discussions focused on trade, tourism, culture, and strengthening diplomatic ties between the nations. The engagements reflect India's proactive approach to navigat

In a recent post on X, Elon Musk proposed the intriguing notion of launching an Amazon rival, sparked by frustrations over Amazon's obstruction of Grok bots from placing orders. This latest comment underscores Musk's continuing rivalry with Jeff Bezos in both tech and space industries, while users on X share their excitement about the potential new service, reflecting the competitive and innovative landscape of e-commerce.

Apple is set to launch its innovative foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, for pre-orders in India starting October 16. This device price starts at Rs 2,99,900 for the 256GB version, with the premium model priced at Rs 4,49,900. Shoppers have the choice of two striking colors and four different storage capacities. Customers can easily place pre-orders via Apple's online store, and the official launch will take place on October 23.

Gold rate on Thursday jumped but experts have pointed out a few factors that may cause worry for investors.

The Karnataka Food Safety Wing has conducted inspections of sweet manufacturing and retail outlets across the state. During these inspections, officials issued show-cause notices to 10 operators for various violations. Some violations include poor hygiene and the absence of valid FSSAI licenses. The department has collected 125 samples for safety analysis to ensure compliance with food safety standards. Future enforcement drives will continue to monitor sweet manufacturers and vendors strictly.

The United States can access up to $100 billion in loans for developing its critical minerals industry. Despite this financial resource, it struggles to compete with Chinas established dominance in rare earth processing and supply chains. Creating processing facilities and refining capacity requires long-term investments and strategic planning, which many private investors find unattractive.

India's edible oil imports fell by 7 percent in September, totaling 15.44 lakh tonnes. The decline was attributed to a sharp decrease in crude sunflower oil shipments, which dropped significantly. However, total edible oil imports increased by 3 percent for the first eleven months of the oil year. Refined oil imports saw a notable decline, while crude edible oil imports rose substantially during the same period.

Sarbananda Sonowal addressed a large gathering at the BJP's Jan Jagaran Rally in Dibrugarh. He asserted their commitment to India's unity, sovereignty, and security while criticizing the Congress party. Sonowal claimed the opposition spreads misinformation and undermines national progress, challenging their stance on the electoral rolls. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his vision of a developed India.

Christine Lagarde is likely to be appointed as the chair of the World Economic Forum next month. This change would require her to step down from her position as European Central Bank chief. Following Lagarde's exit, there will be a reshuffle within the ECB due to upcoming political changes in France. The WEF board is scheduled to meet on November 2 to discuss her potential role.

FASTag-based parking payments at Indira Gandhi International Airport were temporarily halted after misuse was identified. Authorities found that the parking operator misused the smart tag for vehicle entry control instead of fee collection. Concerns were raised by former NITI Aayog Vice-Chairperson Rajiv Kumar, highlighting passenger inconvenience. The Indian Highway Management Company Limited mandated that such restrictive practices must be discontinued immediately.

U.S. unemployment benefits applications slightly increased, with initial claims rising to 199,000 for the past week. Despite the increase, layoffs remain historically low, indicating job security for many workers. Hiring nonetheless showed sluggish trends, as evidenced by a disappointing 29,000 jobs added in September. While the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.2%, general confidence in the economy persists among employers.

The Election Commission of India recently announced a Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls in 17 states. This revision will implement Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, with January 1, 2027, as the qualifying date. The move comes amid legal challenges and widespread protests from opposition leaders regarding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision process.

Punjab recorded 174 stubble-burning incidents between September 15 and October 13, 2026, up from 134 during the same period last year. Satellite monitoring detected 51 farm fire events on October 13 alone, with Amritsar and Tarn Taran accounting for most of the days cases. The rise comes as paddy harvesting accelerates, raising concerns over seasonal air pollution and Delhis winter air quality.

Jimmy Carter, the longtime Nashville entertainment reporter who interviewed stars such as Dolly Parton and Clint Eastwood, died on October 13 at the age of 73. Reports estimate his net worth at between $500,000 and $1.5 million, although his exact wealth has not been publicly confirmed. Here is a look at his earnings, career and legacy in entertainment journalism.

Sachin Pilot asserted confidence in the Congress forming the next Punjab government, emphasizing the party's united front led by Pargat Singh. He highlighted the lack of a chief ministerial face while affirming that the party would decide leadership after elections, noting strong competition from AAP and the weakened position of SAD and BJP.

Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy has accused Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge of shielding blackmailers in the ongoing controversy. He challenged the state government to investigate the allegations against him involving a sting operation. Kumaraswamy emphasized the selective action of the government while questioning its ties to the involved journalist.

Shreyas Iyer, currently the captain of Indian national T20 cricket team. His Mumbai home is located on the 48th floor in Lower Parel area. Reportedly the house costs approximately 12 crores. His luxurious home features a dedicated gym, gaming room and a seperate sneaker room.

The rupee concluded the day on Thursday with a gain of 10 paise, reaching 95.05 against the dollar. This strengthening occurred as forward premiums climbed to levels not seen in more than four years, creating a climate of uncertainty. The Reserve Bank of India took actions that impacted substantial forex derivatives, elevating hedging expenses.

Iran's army reported a fire on an oil tanker in the eastern Strait of Hormuz. The vessel was allegedly disabled its tracking systems before entering a restricted area. The situation arose in the Gulf of Oman, where such incidents can escalate tensions. Authorities have characterized the tanker as a rogue vessel.

Jackie, a well-known bald eagle from Big Bear Lake, passed away due to bird flu. A necropsy revealed that bird flu caused severe complications and other overlapping health issues. While rodenticides were found, they were not the primary cause of her decline. Jackies remains were cremated to prevent the spread of avian influenza. Meanwhile, her longtime partner Shadow remains healthy and was recently seen with a new female.

The UK government has declared a severe drought in southern England, impacting many counties. Extreme weather and a record-breaking summer have caused water shortages across the region. Reservoir levels have dropped significantly, which is concerning for local communities. Farmers and fire services are facing increased challenges due to the dry conditions. Monitoring and consumption restrictions are being implemented as the drought persists into autumn.

L Murugan has resigned from the Union Council of Ministers to focus on strengthening the BJP in Tamil Nadu. President Droupadi Murmu accepted his resignation on Thursday after Murugan expressed his intentions. His resignation raises speculation about a possible reshuffle within the Union Cabinet. Earlier, he submitted his resignation on Tuesday, emphasizing the significance of his return. This decision indicates his commitment to enhancing the party's presence in the state.

Recent surveys reveal a troubling trend: Gen Z's mental health is deteriorating, with many grappling with depression. A mere 44% of young adults perceive themselves as thriving, a stark drop since 2010. Factors like economic strain and social media pressures intensify feelings of dissatisfaction. Moreover, this demographic struggles more than their older counterparts in achieving financial independence and personal aspirations, who are experiencing a boost in life satisfaction.

India and Canada will conduct the next round of negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in early November. The fifth round of negotiations was recently completed on October 9 in Canada. Discussions between Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Canadian counterpart Maninder Sidhu highlighted the need to advance these negotiations. Both countries hope to conclude the talks by the end of this year.

Wholesale inflation rose unexpectedly in September due to significant increases in fuel costs and other goods. The Labor Department reported a 6.3% rise in the producer price index compared to last year. Month-to-month wholesale prices increased by 1.3%, marking the largest monthly jump since March 2022. Core prices also saw a notable rise, up to 5% from the previous year.

The government signed contracts worth Rs 4,106 crore for the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. One contract is for a GSAT-7C satellite to improve communication capabilities. The other is for Varunastra torpedoes designed to enhance anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Both contracts aim to promote self-reliance in defense manufacturing in India. This move aligns with the governments Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-India initiatives.

A building collapsed following an explosion at a house in the Sarnath area of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Police officials reached the spot, and further details about the incident are awaited.

Ukraine has depended on SpaceX's Starlink for military communications since Russia's invasion began in February 2022. Connectivity disruptions raised concerns about military operations and civilian protection during intensified Russian attacks. Officials reported that restrictions affected drone operations meant to intercept incoming threats effectively. The distinction between Starlink and Starshield has generated questions about authority and responsibility in conflict scenarios.

Weather Tomorrow: On October 16, the India Meteorological Department has announced a weather alert affecting several states across India. While Delhi and Haryana are likely to enjoy warm and dry spells, residents of Himachal Pradesh should prepare for light rain showers. In Bihar, temperatures could soar to around 34C under mostly sunny skies. Additionally, Uttarakhand is under thunderstorm warnings with the possibility of isolated rainfall, so stay updated with local forecasts.

Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy has accused Chief Minister DK Shivakumar of orchestrating a sting operation against former CM Siddaramaiah. Kumaraswamy referred to Shivakumar as the 'Sting Samrat of Karnataka' and demanded action against those involved. He claimed that the Congress high command was misled in this conspiracy to remove Siddaramaiah. Additionally, Kumaraswamy alleged that police harassment was targeted at JD(S) cadre instead of investigating him.