The Economic Times
Elections 2026Global Business / The Economic Times
New US tax rule gives car buyers a chance to save money. People can get a tax deduction on car loan interest if they buy a new vehicle made in the US. But not everyone qualifies. Income limits and rules apply. This benefit may help some buyers save a small amount of tax each year if they meet conditions.
Karnataka's deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar has requested the central government to reconsider building height limits near Bengaluru's airports. This move aims to boost urban development and real estate growth. The state seeks parity with cities like Hyderabad and Mumbai. Discussions are underway with the Union Civil Aviation and Defence ministries.
Karnataka is set to partner with Japan for smart city development in Bengaluru. Japanese firms will help design and implement solutions for urban issues. The state aims for high-impact outcomes in water, waste, and energy management. This collaboration will involve identifying challenges and deploying solutions through Japanese private sector participation. Focus areas include energy, wastewater, mobility, and disaster management.
Health experts urge immediate action for dog bites due to rabies risk, emphasizing thorough wound cleaning with soap and water for 15 minutes. Prompt rabies vaccination and potentially rabies immunoglobulin are crucial, especially for severe bites. Tetanus protection and antibiotics for infection are also vital steps.
The Indian Army's Southern Command recently concluded 'Amogh Jwala', a 13-day exercise. This drill validated advanced technology in mechanised warfare across multiple domains. Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth witnessed the culmination, praising troop professionalism. The exercise focused on integrating land, air, cyber, and space capabilities. It demonstrated modern warfare concepts and force structures. New operational procedures and protocols were tested.
The Quote of the day attributed to Charles Spurgeon reflects that while the future may hold uncertainties, strength lies in how one chooses to live and respond in the present.
XRP price prediction: XRP has finally moved past $1.50. Its future price depends on the CLARITY Act. This bill could classify XRP as a digital commodity, similar to Bitcoin. This legal clarity is crucial for big institutions to invest. If the bill passes, XRP prices could significantly increase. However, disagreements over stablecoin rewards are delaying the bill's progress in the Senate.
Quote of the day by Socrates: What does Socrates, the Father of Western Thought, really mean about change and building the new? This powerful quote reveals that real transformation begins when energy shifts from resistance to creation. Socrates emphasizes that fighting old habits or past failures limits progress and growth. Instead, focusing on building new systems, ideas, and actions drives meaningful and lasting change. This philosophy aligns with modern self-improvement strategies and product
Nine-month-old Nala-Rose Fletcher from Folkestone is critically ill with meningitis at Evelina London Childrens Hospital amid a growing outbreak in Kent. She reportedly contracted the MenB strain, making her one of the youngest affected. UK health officials confirm 15 cases so far, with vaccinations and antibiotics being urgently deployed to protect students and local communities.
India leads in reducing child deaths. A UN report highlights India's success in improving child survival. Significant drops in under-five and neonatal mortality are noted. Targeted health interventions and expanded immunisation are key drivers. India's efforts demonstrate effective public health strategies for better child outcomes.
Quote for the day: Sren Kierkegaard, a pioneer of existentialism, believed life is understood in hindsight but lived in the present. His quote Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards emphasizes making choices with limited clarity and accepting inherent uncertainty. This encourages individuals to act and grow, discovering meaning through experience and personal responsibility.
Eid al-Fitr 2026, widely known as the Festival of Breaking the Fast, marks a period of spiritual renewal following a month of discipline and devotion. The day begins with special congregational prayers at mosques, followed by celebratory meals, charitable giving (Zakat al-Fitr), and social visits. Families dress in new attire, exchange gifts and enjoy traditional sweets together.
The Delhi government has decided to prolong the existing liquor policy for an additional year. This action reflects the ongoing efforts to develop a new policy framework. During this extension, retailers will benefit from renewed liquor licenses, while newcomers can apply under the current guidelines.
X down and when will it be back up? Users in India reported issues accessing feeds, links, and timelines. Downdetector showed over 1,200 outage reports. The disruption affected mobile and desktop services. No official update was issued. Reddit also faced a similar outage at the same time.
India's tax landscape has experienced a remarkable upturn, with net collections reaching an impressive 22.80 lakh crore as of March 17, 2026, marking a notable 7.19% growth compared to the previous year. The surge can be attributed to robust performances in both corporate and non-corporate tax sectors. While gross collections soared, the trend of refunds showed a decline.
Some people are refusing to pay taxes to protest the government, but this can cause serious trouble. You may face fines, jail, or other penalties if you dont pay. Experts say this is risky and not a smart choice. There are safer legal ways to protest, like sending a protest letter while still filing your taxes properly.
TVK chief Vijay has put an end to speculation regarding coalition discussions ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls. With a resolute tone, he affirmed his party's stance on governance and stressed their allegiance to secular values.
South Pars gas field fire: the worlds largest gas field on fire is disrupting global energy supply and markets. Holding nearly 10% of global natural gas reserves, this Iran-Qatar field faces major damage after strikes. The South Pars gas field fire is already pushing gas prices higher and raising supply fears. European natural gas prices showed immediate upward movement. Asia, Europe, and emerging markets all rely on stable gas supplies. Liquefied natural gas shipments from Qatar, which shares t
Why is gold price down by 3% and silver by 4%, and will precious metals continue to nosedive or bounce back again? Gold and silver dropped due to a strong dollar, rising oil prices, and rate outlook. Inflation fears linked to war and policy stance are shaping direction.
Tulsi Gabbard on Wednesday named Russia, China, North Korea and Pakistan as the biggest nuclear threats to the United States, flagging rising concerns in Washington over deterrence and global security dynamics, according to Reuters.
US recession warning 2026: Fears of a US recession are escalating as Moody's Analytics forecasts a 49% chance of a downturn within a year, a figure potentially rising above 50% due to the Iran war's impact on oil prices. A weakening labor market and softening consumer sentiment are key drivers, with rising energy costs exacerbating economic pressures.
Iran's President has declared the death of Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib, with Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, claiming responsibility for the targeted strike during the night. This bold move signals a new chapter in regional tensions, with Israeli leadership pushing for heightened action against key Iranian officials as the volatile situation continues to unfold.
A rare confluence of two powerful jet streams is creating a highly dynamic atmosphere over the Indian subcontinent, leading to severe weather alerts. Climate scientist Dr. Pradeep warns of intense thunderstorms, hailstorms, and dust storms due to this unusual overlap. The IMD has issued red and orange alerts for several states, urging vigilance as conditions could escalate quickly.
By its very nature, history is always a one-sided account, Dan Browns quote from The Da Vinci Code, shows that history is often told from only one perspective. What gets recorded can be influenced by bias, opinion, or context, so it may not tell the whole truth. The quote encourages us to think critically, ask questions, and consider different viewpoints, both in history and everyday life.
A Hyderabad doctor suggests 7,000 steps daily is ideal for a longer life. This target significantly reduces risks of early death and heart disease. Benefits extend to mental health, lowering dementia and depression risks. Chronic disease risks also decrease. This achievable goal emphasizes increased movement for better health.
Humayun Kabir's new party, Am Janata Unnayan Party, has revealed its first list of 15 candidates for the West Bengal assembly elections. The party plans to contest 182 seats. A Muslim candidate will challenge Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the Bhabanipur constituency. Kabir himself will contest from two seats in Murshidabad district.
Tax scams are rising in 2025 as fraudsters use AI and fake messages to trick people. Many Americans are losing money during tax season due to confusion and urgency. Scammers target refunds, personal details, and payments. Knowing common scams and staying alert can help people avoid fraud and keep their money safe while filing taxes this year.
The Spider-Man trailer begins with Peter Parker contemplating the consequences of Doctor Stranges spell, which wiped his identity from everyones memory. In its wake, the once-celebrated hero is left to navigate life in isolation.
The 2025 overtime tax deduction sounds like tax-free money but comes with strict rules. Not all overtime pay qualifies, and many workers may miss out due to confusion. Only a small part of extra pay can be claimed, and eligibility depends on job type and income limits. Understanding the rules and keeping records is important to avoid mistakes.
US wholesale inflation was hotter than expected in February on a services cost boost, government data showed Wednesday, in an indication of producer prices before the start of the war in the Middle East. The Producer Price Index (PPI) rose by 0.7 percent on a month-on-month basis, said the Labor Department.
Bangladesh's ruling party, the BNP, is under scrutiny for alleged outreach to Islamists. This recalls the 2001-06 BNP rule. Senior leaders met jailed Islamists. Religious affairs minister Kaikobad is reportedly building new links. This period saw a rise in extremism and radical groups. Jamaat-e-Islami acted against India's security interests. They coordinated with Pakistan Army and ISI for cross-border terror.
National Sloppy Joe Day, observed on March 18, celebrates the iconic Sloppy Joe, a messy yet flavorful dish loved for generations. The day recognizes its lasting popularity and cultural significance, encouraging people to enjoy and experiment with the dish while appreciating how it transformed everyday meals into something memorable.
Recent controversies surrounding explicit song lyrics in Indian cinema are not new. Several Hindi film songs, from Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai to Badshah's Tateeree, have faced criticism, protests, and even bans for suggestive or double-meaning content, highlighting a recurring tension between mass appeal and societal norms.
Maharashtra Assembly has unanimously passed a bill to tackle rising air pollution. The Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026, will increase environmental taxes on older, polluting vehicles. This move aims to encourage cleaner vehicles and boost revenue for road safety and infrastructure. The bill also offers relief to the industrial sector, capping motor tax on crane vehicles.
Pune braces for a spell of light rain and thunderstorms over the next 48 hours, with the IMD issuing a yellow alert. Expect partly cloudy skies turning cloudy with chances of drizzle, lightning, and strong winds from March 18th. Thunderstorms with rain are predicted throughout March 19th and 20th, urging residents to stay cautious.
Ram Pada Jamatia has been elected unopposed as the new Speaker of the Tripura Assembly. The election became necessary after the passing of the previous Speaker. Jamatia, a senior BJP legislator, was proposed by the ruling alliance. He is the second tribal leader to hold this prestigious position since Tripura became a state.
Families who chose jobs over cash for Noida International Airport land are protesting. They were promised employment but now face uncertainty with private contractors. Protesters seek direct jobs with the concessionaire, Yamuna International Airport Private Limited. Officials assured concerns would be addressed. This situation impacts hundreds of families awaiting promised opportunities.
Combat seasonal cough and flu with six proven natural remedies, ranging from the anti-inflammatory power of ginger and honey to the soothing effects of Mulethi and Tulsi. These traditional Indian solutions focus on clearing congestion and reducing throat irritation to help you stop coughing and sneezing naturally throughout 2026.

19 C