The Economic Times

Qatari mediators arrived in Tehran to support ongoing negotiations between the US and Iran regarding nuclear issues. US President Donald Trump expressed optimism that the conflict with Iran would conclude soon. However, he did not elaborate on how the resolution would take place during the upcoming elections. Iran maintains its stance on nuclear demands while seeking relief from economic sanctions imposed by the US.

Pentagon officials have requested several NATO countries to tone down their public statements regarding Russia's threat. These requests are primarily directed towards Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Concerns have arisen over comments suggesting Russia is cornered due to its stalled invasion of Ukraine. As the Trump administration seeks a negotiated end to the war, pressure is applied on Ukraine as well.

he founded the influential label Maybach Music Group, boosting the careers of signees like Wale, Meek Mill and French Montana.

The US Federal Communications Commission intends to vote on banning Chinese telecom firms from accessing US phone numbers. Concerns around national security have led to this potential decision against companies like China Mobile and China Telecom. The measure aims to prevent illegal robocalls and protect US telecommunications. China has opposed this likely ban, asserting it undermines legitimate business practices.

The Election Commission of India plans multiple timeline extensions for the special intensive revision of electoral rolls. Bihar completed its process quickly, but most other states needed additional time. Delhi has the most extensions, now totaling over 176 days. Several states, including Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, are facing delays in finalising their electoral rolls. These prolonged timelines reflect ongoing issues with voter application discrepancies and entry verifications.

The direction came after the court was informed about alleged irregularities in the filing of Form 7 applications, including instances in which a large number of objections were submitted against voters belonging to a particular community.

Israel's recent inconclusive election has left major political blocs short of a governing majority. Gadi Eisenkot, the opposition leader, may challenge Benjamin Netanyahu with the help of Arab parties. The two main Arab parties, Ra'am and the Joint List, hold a combined 19 seats in the Knesset. While some Jewish opposition figures reject Arab support, Ahmad Tibi has offered assistance for a minority government.

Amit Shah praised CM Yogi Adityanath's law-and-order record and implementation of central welfare schemes, amid speculation over differences between the state leadership and the BJP's central leadership. Addressing BJP's state executive meeting in Lucknow, Shah asked party workers to put aside all doubts and distractions and focus single-mindedly on the party's victory.

Akhilesh Yadav highlighted the Samajwadi Party's recent successes in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council elections. He believes these results reflect the BJP's diminishing political strength in the state. Yadav pointed out that BJP lost significant ground in Varanasi, emphasising that the party is vulnerable as elections approach. He also accused Yogi Adityanath of sacrificing Varanasi for Gorakhpur's gain.

Watching mesmerised as the purohit at a friend's Durga Puja rhythmically waved the silver oil lamp with multiple wicks before the goddess, and then in succession, a silver camphor lamp, incense sticks, red cloth, conch shell, flowers and a silver-handled fly-whisk while incessantly ringing a bell with his other hand, I noticed that the dhak-drum beats changed subtly at every phase of the arati. For the first time I figured the dhaki (drummer) was doing a duet with the priest.A few days later, an

The Opposition INDIA bloc has postponed the mock impeachment event against chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to Saturday due to rain. Leaders resolved to ensure Sundays rally at Ramlila Ground will demonstrate their strength and support. Rahul Gandhi accused the home minister of attempting to prevent people from reaching the rally. The event will include a march from Minto Road to Ramlila Maidan as planned.

If you are looking for spooky but good Halloween wishes to share with your friends or on social media then you are at the right place. Choose a funny greeting for the group chat or a warmer message for someone you miss. The collection includes short Happy Halloween notes that work with costume pictures and party invitations.

Piyush Goyal emphasized that Indian talent should be viewed as a global brand alongside established names. He called for Indian businesses to enhance their competitiveness and focus on quality. Goyal mentioned the importance of promoting domestic products without restricting consumer freedom. He also outlined challenges posed by international competitors like Vietnam and Malaysia. Additionally, he stressed that work ethic contributes significantly to success in Indias economy.

The Supreme Court has instructed the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to create enforcement measures. These measures aim to prevent unauthorised sharing of live-stream court recordings. The court is hearing a PIL focused on exploitation of such recordings on digital platforms. Suggestions for official recordings to be authenticated through digital means were discussed during the hearing.

Arunachal Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein addressed ongoing protests against the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project. He mentioned the importance of responsibly utilising the state's rich natural resources to boost economic growth. Prohibitory orders were implemented in response to violent protests, leading to numerous arrests. Mein emphasised the necessity for dialogue with stakeholders to resolve concerns. He encouraged youth involvement in fostering a peaceful and developed Arunachal

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has issued new guidelines for GST enforcement officers. These guidelines include stopping arrests and minimizing roadside inspections based on specific intelligence. Furthermore, show-cause notices will not be issued for amounts less than 10,000. The board aims to simplify compliance and reduce litigation for businesses. These changes are part of the enforcement reform agenda following the 57th GST Council meeting.

During a gathering in Banaskantha, Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke passionately about his commitment to serving the public. He took jabs at the Opposition for supposedly finding enjoyment in moments of national distress and causing unrest. Modi assured farmers that the government is ensuring a steady supply of fertilizers at reasonable prices, even amid global price fluctuations due to conflicts in the Gulf, promising ongoing support for their welfare.

In Manipur, ethnic violence has led to significant casualties and displacement since May 2023. The Suspension of Operations agreement with Kuki militant groups has faced opposition by the Meitei and Naga communities. Several SoO cadres are accused of involvement in recent conflicts and violence. The future of the SoO agreement remains uncertain, raising concerns among local communities. Assembly elections will soon bring these issues to the forefront of political debate.

Isro successfully launched its GSLV-F18 rocket carrying the 2,250-kg NVS-03 satellite from Sriharikota at 11:51 pm on Friday. The mission aims to strengthen India's indigenous NavIC navigation system through upgraded satellite capabilities, including an indigenous atomic clock and the addition of the L1 frequency signal alongside existing L5 and S-band signals.

Thirty-six Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended in Dhubri for allegedly entering India without valid documents. Authorities received a tip-off regarding a potential mass transit of infiltrators through the area. The arrests took place early in the morning at the Jogamaya ferry ghat of the Brahmaputra river. The individuals all came from Chapai Nawabganj in Rajshahi division of Bangladesh. Investigations are ongoing as police conduct document scrutiny and questioning.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa is demanding answers regarding the validation of questionable voter registration forms. An investigation disclosed that 13,779 forms were wrongly included on the voter list, with 10,470 of these receiving improper approval. This situation has prompted scrutiny of both past and present district election officers, with clarifications anticipated from those overseeing the registration procedures.

Threes zodiac signs are expected to get positive vibes from the universe. The festival may be spooky but it will turn to joy for them if they focus on the right things.

Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested ten individuals in Shopian district for their involvement in a terror financing network. The accused were connected to various online financial transactions suspected of funding terrorist activities. Investigations indicated these individuals were raising money from the public to support terrorists like Lashkar-e-Taiba. Additionally, the funds were allegedly used for logistical support, including providing smartphones for terrorist operations.

Foreign secretary Vikram Misri is scheduled to visit Kathmandu to prepare for Balendra Shah's visit to India. Shah's visit will mark his first trip abroad as Prime Minister of Nepal, occurring in late November. Several India-funded projects are expected to be inaugurated, and new projects will be launched during this visit. Nepal is likely to request additional Indian investments in various sectors, including hydropower and hospitality.

West Bengal authorities have evacuated 12,000 residents due to rising water levels in the Sankosh River. Assam is monitoring vulnerable districts like Dhubri and Kokrajhar closely for any potential impact. A glacial lake outburst flood in Bhutan led to significant increases in the river's water levels. Local disaster response forces have been mobilized to enhance emergency readiness in affected areas.

Between 2011 and 2023, India successfully elevated about 496 million people from poverty, showcasing a significant reduction in those living below the poverty threshold. A steep decline in extreme poverty reflects improved living conditions. However, income inequality lingers across different job sectors and regions. The World Bank forecasts ongoing reductions in poverty levels, but at a more gradual rate than before.

In a significant move, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has initiated the National Social Security Board, designed to improve welfare for unorganised and gig economy workers. This board will advise on the rollout and supervision of important social security programs. Scheduled to meet three times annually, it will also manage policy discussions and oversee the financial aspects of the Social Security Code.

Sakina Ittoo raised concerns regarding frequent traffic stoppages on the Srinagar-Anantnag-Kulgam-Qazigund National Highway. She emphasised the negative impact on ambulances and students during Army convoys. Ittoo called for practical traffic management measures that prioritise public well-being alongside security. The practice of stopping vehicles has been described as harassment and humiliation by locals and politicians. Ittoo appealed to authorities to balance security needs with the needs of

Bayern Munich will host Borussia Dortmund this Saturday in a highly anticipated Bundesliga match. Recently, coach Vincent Kompany was hospitalized, creating an emotional atmosphere within the team. Despite injury struggles and personal losses, Bayern aims to maintain focus on the game. Harry Kane, who recently won the Ballon d'Or, expressed pride in the achievement while emphasizing team effort.

By September 2026, the Centre's fiscal deficit had escalated to 7.14 lakh crore, exceeding last year's figures. This increase is fueled by a 10.7% rise in total expenditure, largely a result of heightened capital spending and food subsidies, while petroleum subsidies sharply declined. Gross tax revenue, however, saw a modest growth of 6.1%, even with lower excise duty collections attributed to tax reforms.

The Centre has extended the customs duty exemption on cotton imports until December 31, 2026, from the earlier deadline of October 31, 2026, to augment cotton availability for India's textile sector.The extension is expected to help reduce input costs across the textile and apparel industry, providing relief to manufacturers and consumers while taking into account the interests of domestic farmers, the government said.The measure is also expected to have a positive impact on the domestic textile

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has released a statement detailing its administrative functions concerning the National Company Law Tribunal's hiring process, amid Supreme Court unease about possible meddling. The ministry reassured that the NCLT retains independent control over its personnel appointments, with the recruitment authority resting with the NCLT president. Furthermore, the Supreme Court hearing brought to light issues around outsourcing recruitment of administrative staff.

Four American cities will receive substantial federal funding to improve public safety and reduce violent crime. Jacksonville, Baton Rouge, Jackson, and St. Louis have been selected for this initiative. Each city faces distinct challenges, including police staffing shortages and technological needs. The funding will enhance local law enforcement strategies tailored to community requirements. Details regarding the specific allocation of funds will be announced shortly.

Shraddha Kapoor news: In the film Eetha, Shraddha Kapoor brings to light the extraordinary life of Lavani legend Vithabai Narayangaonkar. Overcoming significant obstacles, Vithabai gained fame in Maharashtra's folk theatre and was honored with the title 'Empress of Tamasha' for her steadfast dedication. Her passing led to the creation of a prestigious award to celebrate her contributions, solidifying her influential role in shaping Maharashtra's cultural heritage.

Census operations in Manipur are currently on hold after a decision made by the Central Government. The deferment follows protests for updating the National Register of Citizens before conducting the census. Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting to review the situation in Manipur, which led to this decision. The Manipur High Court has also temporarily paused all census-related activities until further notice.

Ajay Devgn has filed a petition in the Bombay High Court against the FDA's show-cause notice. The notice involves his advertisements for 'Vimal Elaichi', linked to banned products in Maharashtra. FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe confirmed completed investigations regarding violations by several actors. Similar notices were issued to Shah Rukh Khan and Tiger Shroff for the same reason. The court is scheduled to hear the matter on November 4.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has raised the upper age limit for direct recruitment to government jobs by five years, offering relief to thousands of aspirants. The revised limits vary by recruitment category, post and reservation status, and will remain in force for five years from October 30, 2026.

Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, has reportedly suffered a $6.3 billion security breach, with analysts suspecting North Korean hackers were behind the theft. However, its US affiliate, Binance.US, has said it was unaffected by the incident, assuring American customers that their funds remain safe and services are operating normally.

'Obama, not Trump!': Barack Admin first probed Omar's 'sham' wedding, Feds had proof; report claims