The Economic Times

Gangaur 2026 Date: Gangaur 2026, a significant Hindu festival honouring Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, will be celebrated on Saturday, 21 March. Observed primarily in Rajasthan and other northern states, it is a time for women to pray for marital happiness and an ideal life partner. The festivities include fasting, devotional rituals and traditional folk practices, culminating in the ceremonial farewell of Goddess Gawarja.

Kolkata Knight Riders face a setback as pacer Harshit Rana is expected to miss a large portion of the upcoming IPL. He is recovering from knee surgery. This adds to KKR's existing fitness concerns. Matheesha Pathirana is also nursing a calf strain. Mustafizur Rahman is unavailable. Blessing Muzarabani has been signed as a replacement.

The head of the International Maritime Organization has stated that naval escorts will not fully guarantee the safety of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Military aid is not a long-term or sustainable answer for keeping the strait open. This is according to Arsenio Dominguez speaking to the Financial Times. The organization seeks other solutions.

UAE air defence is intercepting missiles and drones from Iran. A tanker near Fujairah sustained minor damage from an unknown projectile. A drone strike ignited a fire at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone. Emergency teams are working to control the blaze.

UP Board Class 10 and Class 12 answer sheets are being evaluated starting March 18. This process will be under high security with digital systems for accuracy. Results for the 2026 examinations are anticipated in the second week of April. Students can check their scores online on the official UPMSP and UP results websites.

Afghanistan's cricketers have voiced outrage following a reported Pakistani airstrike on a Kabul hospital, allegedly killing hundreds. Star players like Rashid Khan condemned the incident as a war crime, demanding an investigation. Pakistan denies targeting civilians, claiming strikes were on militant infrastructure. The incident marks a significant escalation in border tensions.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal will withdraw the Jan Vishwas Bill in the Lok Sabha. The House will proceed with voting on demands for grants for the fiscal year 2026-27. Key ministries including Railways, Agriculture, and Home Affairs will be discussed. Several parliamentary committees will present important reports.

Dhurandhar 2 Release Date: Get ready for 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge,' hitting cinemas March 19, 2026, during major festivals. Starring Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, and Sanjay Dutt, this espionage thriller dives deep into revenge tied to the 26/11 attacks. Filmed across India and Thailand, the epic 235-minute film will later stream on JioHotstar, concluding the duology.

Former India and Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Rohit Sharma has officially joined the five-time champions' squad ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, once close allies, are now engaged in escalating conflict. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring militants, leading to recent air strikes. The TTP, a Pakistani militant group, is at the center of the dispute, with both sides denying harboring enemy fighters.

Garena Free Fire Max players can snag free in-game items using redeem codes released regularly. These 12-character alphanumeric codes are time-sensitive and can only be used once. Players should visit reward.ff.garena.com to log in and enter codes promptly to claim their rewards before they expire.

A viral Zoom call video featuring an employee wearing a neem face mask during a team meeting has ignited a debate on workplace professionalism. While some older professionals deem it unprofessional, younger voices and managers defend the relaxed approach, highlighting the evolving post-COVID work culture and Gen Z's questioning of traditional norms.

India has strongly responded to Pakistan at the United Nations. India accused Pakistan of fabricating Islamophobia narratives while neglecting its own religious freedom record. India highlighted its own large Muslim population and its history of religious harmony. The nation called for a global focus on combating hatred against all faiths.

Canada is increasing its crude oil output by 140,000 barrels daily starting in April. This move supports a global effort to stabilize energy markets amid disruptions from the Iran conflict. The additional oil comes from planned expansions in Alberta's oil sands. This boost aims to ease supply pressures and market volatility affecting global energy routes.

Chennai Weather Today: Parts of Tamil Nadu are set to experience rain and thunderstorms today, March 17, due to multiple atmospheric circulations. While the Western Ghats and southern districts may see light to moderate showers, other areas are expected to remain hot and dry. Rain is forecast to shift to delta districts by March 18.

Irans navy has warned of deadly retaliation after a warship was attacked and sank near Sri Lanka, killing dozens of sailors. Shahram Irani said Iran would respond to the incident, vowing to punish those responsible. Iranian officials, including Amir Hatami, blamed the United States for the attack on the IRIS Dena, calling it a war crime and a violation of international law.

The conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel entered its 18th day with intensifying military action and rising concerns over global energy supplies and security. Israeli and US strikes continued in Iran and Lebanon, while Iran launched drone and missile attacks on regional targets, including oil facilities and cities in the Gulf.

Afghanistan-Pakistan War: Fierce fighting between the South Asian neighbours, who were close allies earlier, erupted last month with Pakistani air strikes in Afghanistan that Islamabad said targeted militant strongholds.

Telangana, Andhra Weather Update: Telangana faces potential intense thunderstorms and hailstorms on Tuesday, with Hyderabad expecting scattered rain and gusty winds later. This follows heavy rain that caused damage across several districts. Temperatures are predicted to drop in the coming days, offering some relief from the heat.

Iranian strikes hit Gulf states, impacting US and Emirates military bases. Democrats report no imminent threat justified the war. President Trump was warned of potential retaliation against US Gulf allies. Intelligence assessments indicated Iran's response was a possible outcome. Iran has halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, causing energy prices to spike.

Walt Disney has appointed Debra OConnell as chairman of Disney Entertainment Television. This move consolidates streaming, film, and television businesses. Sean Shoptaw, executive vice president of games, will also join the entertainment segment. Both OConnell and Shoptaw will report to Dana Walden, who becomes chief creative officer on March 18. This leadership update aims to streamline Disney's entertainment operations.

Diesel prices in the United States have surged past five dollars a gallon for the second time in history. This spike is driven by supply disruptions in the Middle East due to ongoing conflict. Experts warn this could impact global economic activity and consumer costs. The situation puts pressure on President Donald Trump's Republican Party ahead of upcoming elections.

US President Donald Trump vowed Monday to ake Cuba as the communist island plunged into darkness under a total power blackout linked to a crippling oil embargo imposed by Washington. The New York Times reported Monday, relying on anonymous sources, that Trump administration officials have signaled to Cuban officials that the US wants President Miguel Diaz-Canel to be removed from power.

Samsung Electronics' biggest union is threatening to halt chip production. Workers are voting on a strike planned for May. This could impact global semiconductor supplies. Union members are demanding better pay and bonuses. They feel gains from the booming chip industry are not reaching them. Samsung has offered wage increases and special bonuses.

Donald Trump said the conflict involving Iran could end soon and would result in a safer world, adding that economic impacts like market fluctuations are a small price to pay for security.

Thought of the day highlights a quote by Bernard Meltzer about friendship. The message explains how a true friend accepts flaws and still values the relationship. The Thought of the day meaning focuses on honesty, trust, and support between people. The Thought of the day relevance shows why the idea still matters today.

Why has Israeli PM not attended last seven crucial cabinet meetings, and is Benjamin Netanyahu critically injured or really dead? Rumors spread on social media during the Israel-Iran war. Videos, AI deepfake claims, and Netanyahus absence from cabinet meetings triggered speculation. Israeli PMO and a Jerusalem cafe said the prime minister is alive and fine.

Nancy Guthrie missing case investigation latest big update shows new evidence review in the disappearance of Savannah Guthries mother. FBI recovered camera thumbnails, investigators checked earlier surveillance dates, and authorities warned the suspect could target others while the search continues.

Donald Trump gave what appeared to be private details about Congressman Neil Dunn's poor health.

Quote of the day by Ludwig von Mises: Economist Ludwig von Mises issued a stark warning. He stated that humanity faces doom if war is not abolished. Mises emphasized collective responsibility for peace. His message highlights the urgency of diplomacy and cooperation. The choices made today will shape mankind's future. This call to action underscores the value of peace.

Why are US stock market indexes up now, and will Nasdaq, S&P 500 and Dow Jones continue to move upwards or sink again? Wall Street moved higher as investors returned to AI stocks. Meta, Nvidia and chip companies gained. Lower oil prices and economic signals also supported markets as investors watched Federal Reserve policy.

Haryana government has decided against prosecuting Ashoka University's Ali Khan Mahmudabad for an alleged objectionable Facebook post. The state informed the Supreme Court of this magnanimous, one-time decision, effectively closing the matter. The court, however, cautioned the professor to be more mindful of his future statements given the sensitive nature of such issues.

In a surprising twist, Kyiv was the target of an unprecedented drone attack in broad daylight. Thankfully, Ukrainian air defenses were on high alert, managing to intercept the majority of the drones. These were not just any drones; they were equipped with sophisticated communication systems, raising the stakes of this daytime incursion.

I'm a feminist, but I think that romance has been taken away a bit for my generation, Emma Watsons quote, reflects the modern balance between independence and emotional connection. It highlights how feminism empowers individuals while recognizing that traditional romantic gestures may feel diminished in contemporary society. It encourages embracing both empowerment and intimacy, showing that advocating for equality does not mean sacrificing love, tenderness, or meaningful human connection.

A parliamentary panel suggests boosting bank and NBFC co-lending to help MSMEs access cheaper credit. It also proposes listing profitable regional rural banks and reinforcing state-run general insurers. The committee highlighted a significant credit gap for small businesses and a decline in insurance penetration. Recommendations include developing climate risk insurance and using business correspondents to reach rural areas.

French philosopher Albert Camus's profound quote, 'Man is the only creature who refuses to be what he is,' encapsulates humanity's constant quest for identity and meaning. Despite facing hardship, Camus championed truth and justice, influencing 20th-century thought with works like 'The Stranger' and 'The Myth of Sisyphus,' urging us to confront life's uncertainties.

India has updated its foreign direct investment policy. Investments from countries sharing a land border now face stricter government scrutiny. Overseas companies with up to 10% Chinese shareholding can invest via the automatic route, subject to limits. However, entities registered in China or other bordering nations require government approval. This change aims to regulate investments from neighboring countries.

As per the draft guidelines, a bona fide victim, being an individual person and having lodged a complaint involving gross loss of an amount up to Rs 50,000 on account of fraudulent electronic banking transaction (s), would be compensated 85% of the net loss amount (calculated after reducing recoveries made, whether before or after paying the compensation, from the gross loss amount), or Rs 25,000, whichever is less, once during his or her lifetime.

As the US-Israeli confrontation with Iran stretches into its third week, the repercussions are reverberating through the global oil markets. In a show of defiance, Iran has recently targeted both the UAE and Bahrain with drone strikes.

The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry has approached the Reserve Bank of India. They are seeking increased credit for small businesses. The chamber also wants the RBI to resolve issues with letters of credit. Inconsistent handling of document discrepancies by banks is a concern. Unfair practices by rating agencies are also highlighted. Clearer guidelines for banks are requested.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly criticized the Election Commission of India. She labeled the recent bureaucratic and police reshuffles as anti-Bengali and anti-women. Banerjee specifically highlighted the removal of the state's first woman chief secretary. She questioned the timing and nature of these decisions, asserting that the government in Bengal will not change.