People familiar with the matter said Honda plans to cut costs by 20% and halve development time in a collaboration with Tata Technologies. Honda is seeking Tata Technologies' support after its management failed to reach agreement on Indian suppliers.

S&P Global Market Intelligence chief economist Tim Moore said UK services output expanded modestly in September but at a slower pace than in August. Weak demand and rising inf have damped firms' business expectations for the year ahead. New orders rose only marginally in September, the weakest pace in three months. Firms cited geopolitical tensions, tighter household budgets and higher borrowing costs as headwinds to sales. Tech services demand remained resilient. Some firms continue layoffs and cost-cutting; services employment has fallen for a second consecutive year, though the reduction in jobs in September was the smallest since October 2025. Hiring demand exceeded available labour supply, helping to underpin the jobs market. Middle East conflict-driven fuel price spikes pushed input-cost inf higher in September, prompting services firms to raise prices at the fastest pace since May and heightening concern about an economic slowdown around mid-2026.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced a snap election for Nov. 29 after parliament rejected the government's emergency housing measures designed to quell nationwide protests over rising housing costs. Sánchez's minority government, already strained by recent deadly floods and an immigration crisis, failed to secure sufficient votes for the housing package.