The Economic Times
Elections 2026Global Business / The Economic Times
Pakistan Navys PNS Hunain sustained severe damage after colliding with the Indian Navys INS Kolkata in the North Arabian Sea, with the Pakistani vessel returning to harbour for repairs. The two sides have offered conflicting accounts of the incident. Indian sources highlighted the vessels considerable size difference, noting that INS Kolkata weighs nearly three times as much as PNS Hunain.
At least 48people have died in southern Nigeria after consuming a local alcoholic drink. Around one hundred others are receiving medical treatment for suspected methanol poisoning. Officials reported the incident occurred in Odigbo and Irele local government areas. Police have arrested fifteen individuals in connection with the deadly concoction. Investigations are ongoing into the production of the unsafe drink.
The Federal Reserve has made headlines by increasing its policy rate target range, amid calls from President Trump for lower interest rates within the country. Market analysts are now predicting further increases in the coming months, influenced by ongoing geopolitical issues and inflation worries. Such dynamics hint that interest rates might remain high for the foreseeable future.
US President Donald Trump will host Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 24 for their second meeting this year, with trade, Taiwan, Iran, artificial intelligence and fentanyl flows among key issues. Washington is seeking trade wins, while Beijing wants further tariff relief and concessions as tensions between the two powers persist.
A social media post claiming that the Centre has ordered the consolidation of nine public sector banks into three entities has been debunked by PIB Fact Check. The fabricated notification falsely presented the proposed mergers as a Finance Ministry Gazette order. The claim comes months after another fake PSU bank merger graphic circulated online, while Indias actual 2019 consolidation involved 10 banks.
US Federal Reserve chair Kevin Warsh delivered the interest rate hike this week that many economists think surging inflation required, defying President Donald Trump -- but questions about the central bank chief's credibility linger. The White House insists that any inflation is due to the previous administration, with Trump advisor Kevin Hassett saying earlier this week that there was no need for a rate hike to tackle it.
India is set to face its driest monsoon in 17 years as El Nio curtails rainfall. This deficit threatens crop yields and increases food price risks across the nation. Forecasters predict a significant rainfall shortfall for the current monsoon season. The government is taking measures to manage rising food costs and ensure supplies. Farmers depend on these rains for irrigation and their livelihoods.
Russia began voting Friday in a three-day parliamentary election, the first since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The 450-seat State Duma vote is being closely watched by the Kremlin for signs of public support and war fatigue, amid tight political controls and limited anti-war opposition.
Amazon Prime FTC settlement refund: Amazon Prime is set to enhance customer satisfaction with expanded refunds of up to two hundred dollars. Starting October 1, 2026, millions more customers will automatically qualify for these payments. Those who were previously eligible could receive an extra one hundred forty-nine dollars. The FTC has also issued warnings about possible scams.
Disney has named insider Adam Smith chairman of its streaming business as the entertainment giant sharpens its focus on Disney+ and Hulu. Smith will oversee strategy and development for its global streaming, advertising technology and emerging technologies.
An F-16 fighter jet crashed in rural Michigan on Thursday after its pilot safely ejected, according to military and local officials. The pilot was taken to a hospital and was conscious and speaking with law enforcement. Nearby residents were temporarily evacuated after authorities reported a hazardous chemical spill from the wreckage.
The United States is expected to postpone announcing new tariffs targeting what it considers excess manufacturing capacity among trading partners until after next weeks planned summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump, Bloomberg News reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
Tata Sons board nominees Noel Tata and Venu Srinivasan clashed on listing and chairman's reappointment. Chandrasekaran's reappointment and listing proposal passed with casting votes. Some Tata Trusts trustees dispute Noel Tata's positions as their collective view. The company faces regulatory pressure to comply with NBFC framework requirements. Disagreements could lead to legal challenges regarding board decisions.
Tata Sons' board reappointed its executive chairman, N Chandrasekaran, for five years. This decision faced opposition from Tata Trusts' chairman, Noel Tata, who deemed it illegal. The dispute arises from differing interpretations of RBI norms and the company's private status. Tata Trusts believes Noel Tata's dissenting vote acts as a veto power. The company must now navigate these challenges and comply with regulatory requirements.
Hard truth of the day by George Orwell: George Orwell questioned who profits when wars begin. He believed wealthy classes initiate conflict for financial gain. This perspective highlights economic interests behind political decisions. Orwell, known for Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-four, died in 1950. His writings explored power, control, and misleading language.
A salt marsh restoration experiment began at Big Egg Marsh in 2002. Scientists raised the marsh with sand and planted thousands of cordgrass seedlings. Early monitoring showed significant vegetation growth and marsh health two years later. Researchers returned in 2021 to assess the long-term success of the restoration. This project highlights the importance of sustained observation for coastal ecosystem recovery.
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's Beverly Crest estate is back on the market. The couple purchased the sprawling property for over sixty million dollars. This massive estate features twelve bedrooms and twenty-four bathrooms across its grounds. It was initially listed for one hundred thirty-five million dollars years ago.
Nestle's most memorable achievement may therefore be its ability to change the way people see an object that would normally disappear at the end of a machine's life. A nacelle that once stood around 100 metres above the Austrian landscape has been brought down to earth and transformed into a compact living space.
After experiencing significant decline, California's kelp forests are now showing promising signs of recovery. Efforts such as the removal of millions of overpopulated purple sea urchins by divers, coupled with the innovative approach of growing kelp in laboratories and planting it underwater, are aiding in revitalizing these vital marine ecosystems. This restoration initiative brings renewed hope for developing resilient kelp habitats and supporting diverse marine life.
Mindset Lesson of the Day by Enrique Iglesias looks at a quieter side of failure: what it can reveal about us after the disappointment fades. His words touch on the moments when rejection, self-doubt or a painful mistake force us to reconsider what we thought we knew about ourselves. What can Enrique Iglesias wisdom teach us about resilience, emotional strength, self-growth, setbacks, acceptance and finding greater strength when life does not go as planned?
Scientists have discovered a massive crater on the Moon that formed after an asteroid or comet fragment struck the lunar surface in 2024. Measuring about 728 feet across, it is the largest known recent lunar impact crater and is three times larger than the previous record-holder, bigger than Rome's Colosseum. The discovery could help scientists understand lunar soil and assess risks to future Moon bases.
Gabby Goodwins entrepreneurial journey began when she was 5 years old and repeatedly returned from school without her hair barrettes. After her mother, Rozalynn, shared her frustration on social media, the familys pastor suggested creating barrettes that would not get lost. Gabby continued asking to begin a science project, and she and her mother eventually developed GaBBY Bows, a double-sided barrette, after failing to find a suitable product. Their efforts grew into a business involving produc
Toni Morrison explored human nature's complex desire for control. Her powerful quote illustrates how repression binds both the oppressor and the oppressed. This Nobel laureate's observation highlights the unintended consequences of restricting others. Morrison, a celebrated American writer, profoundly shaped literature with her prose.
A Greek literature professor researching ancient manuscripts at Utrecht University discovered a tiny parchment fragment containing part of Homer's The Odyssey. Believed to date to around 300 A.D., the 2.6-by-3-inch fragment describes the dramatic episode involving Odysseus, Helios and the sun god's sacred cattle. Researchers believe it may have belonged to a small edition of the ancient epic produced in Egypt.
Earth's breathable atmosphere is a temporary phenomenon, experts predict. Computer simulations show oxygen loss within one billion years, long before the sun ages. This event will render the planet uninhabitable for oxygen-dependent life forms. Anaerobic organisms, however, will likely continue to survive in oxygen-free environments. This research also impacts the search for alien life on exoplanets.
Pranav Goel, a four-year-old from Saharanpur, has achieved remarkable feats in mathematics. He can recite numbers up to googol and organize Indian states on a map. International Book of Records awarded him the Super Talented Kid title. His teacher is preparing him for future record-breaking attempts. Pranav's fascination with numbers began at a very young age.
The United States approved visas for Iran's core delegation to attend the UN General Assembly. This includes President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The delegation faces travel restrictions and prohibitions on certain purchases. This decision comes amid a protracted conflict and sanctions against Iran. The US also denied visas to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his delegation.
North Carolinas protected oyster reefs generated $1.70 in benefits for every $1 invested while producing larvae that help replenish oyster populations that fishermen can harvest.
The Queens Green Canopy was created to mark Queen Elizabeth IIs Platinum Jubilee and encourage tree planting across the nation. Launched in 2021, the initiative brought together communities, charities, councils, cities, businesses and homeowners to plant healthy native trees and record them on a special interactive map. Following the Queens death on September 8, 2022, King Charles III extended the project until the end of March 2023, allowing further plantings in her memory.
Beavers are altering England's waterways by building dams and canals. These structures increase water storage and slow down river flows significantly. Studies show reduced peak flows after beaver reintroduction in several locations. The Essex Beaver Project stored millions of litres of water in new ponds.
Chinas 480-meter fish bypass is turning an engineering barrier into a route for wildlife. Built alongside a 134-kilometer canal, the passage helps migratory fish move between habitats that had become separated by human infrastructure. Instead of changing the entire waterway, engineers created a dedicated corridor where fish can navigate around the blockage. That small intervention has a larger ecological purpose. Connected waterways give fish access to breeding, feeding and seasonal habitats.
A USDA-led study found that specially produced biochar retained more than 99% of PFOS in laboratory soil experiments. The same research programme is exploring biochar made from agricultural waste and invasive black mustard for other water-treatment applications.
For Hetfield and his family, the decision was also presented as a way to maintain agriculture and the scenic character of the ranch. In a statement reported by KQED and CBS San Francisco, the Hetfields said they viewed the arrangement as a community benefit and wanted agriculture to remain on the ranch for a very long time.
An Arizona man lost his $450,000 Mesa home after falling $977 behind on HOA fees. Toby Newton said he lost his job and was diagnosed with diabetes before missing quarterly assessments. Despite proposing payment plans, foreclosure proceedings began, and the home was eventually sold to the HOA for $8,172. The case came as Arizona changed its HOA foreclosure rules in 2025.
The UN experts said they found reasonable grounds to believe US forces were responsible for an attack on the Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School in Minab, where more than 150 people were killed, including around 120 school children, according to Iranian officials.
In December 1900, lighthouse keepers James Ducat, Thomas Marshall and Donald McArthur disappeared from the Flannan Isles Lighthouse on Eilean Mr in Scotlands Outer Hebrides. Their absence was discovered on December 26 when the tender Hesperus reached the island after an earlier attempt had been delayed by poor weather. The lighthouse was empty, yet the station appeared largely maintained, while damage at the western landing suggested severe conditions. An investigation concluded that the men may
Libra season arrives on September 22, placing greater emphasis on relationships, collaboration and restoring balance. The Aries Full Moon on September 26 may bring situations that have been unfolding for months to a decisive moment. A day later, Mars moves into Leo, shifting the energy away from contemplation and toward confidence, initiative and action.
What if the road beneath your feet was made partly from the rubbish you threw away? In Tasmania, that idea became real in 2018. Engineers built an experimental stretch of road using about 530,000 plastic bags, 168,000 glass bottles and 12,500 discarded printer cartridges. The materials were processed and added to the asphalt, turning household and industrial waste into part of the road itself. It was an unusual way to tackle two problems at once: waste and the demand for new road materials.
NASA has unveiled the discovery of a significant new crater on the Moon, resulting from a recent impact by a comet or asteroid. Measuring 728 feet in width and plunging 141 feet deep, this geological marvel was identified through data collected by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Such substantial impacts are rare, occurring approximately once every century, giving scientists much to study.
Scientists have implanted human brain organoids into specially engineered mice. These human cells survived and connected with the animals' existing nervous systems. This new model allows observation of human brain cells within a living organism. It could aid research into conditions like autism and epilepsy more effectively. The technology offers a valuable intermediate step before human clinical trials.
China is creating a vast airspace security zone around Beijing. This permanent restricted area will take effect from September twentieth. Only commercial, approved business, and emergency flights will be permitted. The zone follows a recent aircraft crash into a Beijing skyscraper. This measure aims to strengthen capital region airspace security management.
William LeFaivre discovered an opportunity for invention while learning to ski as a third grader. Struggling to keep his skis parallel, he developed Ski Sense, a sensor network that uses Bluetooth technology, lights, and a helmet vibrator to provide skiers with real-time alignment feedback. The invention evolved through testing, redesigns, and solutions to challenges involving sensor positioning and snow build-up. William ultimately received U.S. Patent 11,724,168 B1 on August 15, 2023, with pro
In 2019, New York restaurants were taking part in an unusual environmental effort: recycling discarded oyster shells for use in rebuilding New York Harbor's historic oyster reefs. The Billion Oyster Project was collecting shells, raising baby oysters and working with students and volunteers as part of its goal to restore 1 billion oysters by 2035.
In 1890, eighty European Starlings were introduced to Central Park, leading to a population explosion across North America. Over the span of just 130 years, these birds have shown remarkable local adaptability, as indicated by genetic studies. Although their numbers have faced a decline, the evolutionary insights gained from their rapid success present a significant opportunity for understanding the foundations of biodiversity.

26 C