The Economic Times

The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation is urging better coordination between Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 and VB-G RAM G. Initiatives discussed include sustainable drinking water sources, groundwater recharge, and management of rural infrastructure. States shared experiences about water conservation and infrastructure maintenance in various regions. Several measures, including Decision Support System utilisation, were emphasised for effective resource management.

India's trade deficit with China has climbed to USD 105.93 billion in the initial nine months of this year. However, it is noteworthy that Indian exports to China saw a remarkable increase of 40.7 percent during this timeframe. Overall, bilateral trade has expanded by 25.4 percent, as Chinas exports to India have also increased.

Upang Lalita Vrat, also known as Lalita Panchami, will be observed on October 15, 2026, during Sharad Navratri. The observance honours Goddess Lalita Tripura Sundari through fasting, mantra chanting, offerings and puja. Devotees can check the Panchami Tithi timings, customary worship steps and religious significance ahead of the festival.

Hundi collections at Tirumala temple dropped to Rs 2.92 crore on the opening day of the Navaratri Brahmotsavams. Approximately 83,322 devotees visited the temple, with a notable drop in pilgrim turnout. Around 3.4 lakh laddus were sold during the festivities, indicating local participation. The temple saw more visitors during the Hamsa Vahanam procession compared to the Chinna Sesha Vahanam.

A Meerut court has sentenced Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla to death for murdering Saurabh Rajput and destroying evidence in the March 2025 blue drum murder case.

Only Gandhi family should rule...: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta slams Congress over dynastic politics

Rekha Gupta questions Punjabs law and order, accuses AAP of failing to tackle drug rackets

After a remarkable 25 years in the West Village, Julianne Moore now calls a newly renovated duplex in Manhattan home. This airy space boasts spectacular city views and several terraces complete with a cozy herb garden. Moore took a hands-on approach in overseeing the renovations, which emphasized cosmetic upgrades and added a pantry. The actress preserved some treasured pieces from her former abode while creatively utilizing IKEA storage solutions.

A post on X has estimated monthly salaries for 17 government positions under the 8th Pay Commission, putting projected earnings at 45,000 for a peon and 3 lakh for a Secretary to the Government of India. The figures are not official. The commission's upcoming Mumbai consultations and its mandate to review government pay and benefits form the wider context.

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a 78-day bonus worth Rs 2,009 crore for at least 11.4 lakh employees, with Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw describing the payout as a Diwali gift for them.

Mizoram plans to enhance tourism's contribution to its economy by leveraging cultural and natural assets. The government is executing tourism infrastructure projects worth over Rs 681.16 crore to support this initiative. Targeting to welcome 10 lakh visitors by December 31, local benefits are prioritized alongside visitor numbers. Various tourism events are scheduled to attract a diverse range of tourists throughout the year.

An American has gone viral after explaining why he plans to move back to India from the US, citing high healthcare costs. He compared a $500 hospital bill in India with a $23,000 bill in America, claiming he had to pay $7,000 out of pocket despite having health insurance.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that Rs 1,370 has been transferred directly to students' bank accounts. This initiative aims to assist with purchasing uniforms, shoes, and school bags. The direct benefit transfer system promotes transparency and ensures eligible children receive their entitled funds. Gupta also highlighted a mobile science learning initiative equipped with laptops for students.

India's 182-day and 364-day treasury bill yields climbed to 18-month highs at Wednesday's auction, while premiums over the RBI's 5.5% repo rate reached their highest levels since November 2022. Investors are factoring in further monetary tightening following the central bank's recent rate hike and hawkish guidance, market participants said.

Yemen's Houthis have vowed to intensify their attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities. They claim to have struck the headquarters of Saudi Aramco in Dhahran. This escalation in hostilities has led to closures at Riyadh's international airport. Saudi-led forces reported intercepting a ballistic missile fired towards Riyadh amid rising tensions. Saudi Arabia's economy faces challenges due to the ongoing conflict and damage to key facilities.

In a recent announcement, the Ministry of Heavy Industries confirmed the extension of the ACC Production Linked Incentive Scheme deadline to November 10, 2026. Manufacturers now have more time to submit technical bids, which will be addressed on November 11, 2026. This initiative seeks to support local ACC manufacturing efforts, ultimately reducing imports and enhancing India's battery production landscape.

A story shared on X contrasts a high-earning executive's reported debts with a cleaner's decades-long approach to saving and investing. The account says rental income from two apartments, a debt-free home and investments helped the 63-year-old prepare for retirement, highlighting the difference between income, assets and net worth. The claims remain independently unverified.

Indian companies are increasingly relying on bank loans as corporate bonds and other borrowing sources become more expensive, with banks accounting for 81% of fresh credit between November 2025 and August 2026, according to Jefferies. Bank credit growth rose to 18% in August, led by corporate borrowing, while non-bank credit growth slowed to 10%.

Aegis Logistics is set to acquire 89.8% stake in Tristar Holdings, based in Dubai, for $809 million. The deal seeks to strengthen Aegis's global footprint in liquid logistics and creating new avenues for business growth. The acquisition is expected to complete by the fourth quarter of FY27.

Calvin Harris is set to launch his 2027 North American arena tour, kicking off in Boston on April 1. The tour features 18 performances in iconic cities such as Chicago and Toronto. Fans can grab presale tickets starting October 19, with general sales available from October 22. His recent shows in the UK and Ireland have received widespread acclaim, reflecting the rising popularity of dance music in the U.S.

Curdled milk need not go to waste if it has split safely and is not spoiled. With a few simple ingredients, you can turn it into delicious festive desserts at home. Make a creamy cheesecake using homemade cream cheese, soft roshogullas cooked in sugar syrup, or rich kalakand flavoured with cardamom and garnished with nuts. These easy recipes offer a sweet way to reduce food waste this festive season.

A 22-year-old Nalasopara gym trainer and social media influencer has been arrested after a 23-year-old woman accused him of rape on the pretext of marriage. The complainant also alleged that he recorded intimate videos of 70 to 80 women and sold them on pornographic websites. Police are investigating the claims. He is also facing a separate case over alleged remarks about Hindu women during Navratri.

Ashok Gehlot has accused the BJP government of delays in the Jal Jeevan Mission affecting 44 lakh households. He highlighted that the state's tap water connection coverage is significantly below the national average. Gehlot also raised concerns regarding the mid-day meal scheme in Sikar, where many schools lack food supplies. Payments for cooks involved in the program have been reportedly delayed for eight months.

Nvidia has committed $250 million in computing resources over five years to advance UK artificial intelligence safety research. Announced by CEO Jensen Huang on Wednesday, the $50 million annual pledge focuses on agentic AI security, supporting initiatives at Oxford, Imperial College London, and University College London.

Having a protein-heavy diet can go a long way in keeping you svelte. As per studies, protein-heavy foods such as lean meat, eggs etc can help you burn calories at a higher rate and also reduce hunger cravings. That way, you eat much less calories than usual and having less calories, automatically improves your chances of reducing your weight.

Set to hit theaters on October 15, Jailer 2 is generating buzz with impressive advance ticket sales. The film dives into the past of Tiger Muthuvel Pandian while safeguarding his family. With special appearances from legends like Mohanlal and Shiva Rajkumar, the excitement is palpable. Here's a quick recap of what all happened in first film, Jailer.

Shreyas Iyer achieved a career-high fourth position in the ICC T20I rankings after scoring his maiden century. India now boasts four players in the top four of the T20I rankings for batters. Kusal Mendis, Sherfane Rutherford, and Sanju Samson also made significant gains in the T20I rankings. Additionally, Roston Chase improved his standing in both T20I bowlers and all-rounders categories.

A viral social media post falsely claimed there was an attack at Rahul Gandhi's residence. Delhi Police clarified that the video was old footage from December 2019. They stated the circulating information was misleading and urged users to verify facts. Legal actions are being initiated against accounts spreading misinformation and false claims. The authorities emphasized the importance of relying on official channels for accurate information.

Lighthouse Learning has taken ownership of Pathways School, Gurugram, and renamed it PSG Clifton International School. The move follows a partnership with UK-based Clifton College, marking the institutions first international collaboration in its 164-year history.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stated that India seeks to improve relations with China, ensuring fair deals. Bilateral trade between India and China reached USD 127.7 billion, which reflects significant growth in exports and imports. Furthermore, Goyal expressed concerns regarding the widening trade deficit and tightened FDI policies due to geopolitical tensions. India experienced supply chain vulnerabilities during Covid, leading to a focus on self-sufficiency.

European shares increased modestly as the pan-European STOXX 600 index recovered from previous losses. ASML's strong demand led technology stocks to gain, while concerns about geopolitical risks remained. Oil prices rose following attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which limited gains in equities. The market also awaits US consumer price index data that could impact interest-rate projections.

A viral advertisement by the Australian Hotels Association uses exaggerated scenes to illustrate how the departure of migrant workers could affect everyday life, from coffee shops and supermarkets to restaurants, hotels and elderly care. The video emerges amid a political debate over immigration levels in Australia and proposals to reduce migration.

Indias second Vande Bharat Sleeper is set to launch on Bengaluru-Mumbai route this month. With travel time dropping to under 16 hours from the current 24, passengers stand to save around 8 hours per trip. Here are the timings, stops and everything else confirmed so far.

Hyundai Motor Group plans to invest $15.5 billion in India over the period of 2026 to 2032. This initiative aims to strengthen local manufacturing and expand research and development facilities. Attracting global interest, especially with competitors like Toyota and Suzuki also enhancing their footprint, Hyundais success hinges on optimizing logistics and harnessing skilled labor for maximum output.

Salaries in India are projected to increase by 9.1% in 2027 after a 9% rise in 2026. Non-banking financial companies are expected to lead in salary growth with an increase of 10.1%. Employers face challenges in retaining talent amid rising attrition rates and the implementation of the Wage Code. AI skill demand is growing as companies adopt AI productivity tools at a significant pace.

Wife wins divorce and Rs 10,000 monthly maintenance after proving husband is incapacitated from having physical relationship; Kerala HC order explained

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said stable conditions along the Line of Actual Control are essential for normalising India-China relations, warning that border disturbances will have consequences. He linked expanded trade and investment ties to peace along the border, while flagging China's trade surplus and India's concerns over market access.

Asian investors are increasing allocations to hedge funds amid volatile bond markets, uneven equity performance and concerns about traditional portfolio strategies. Multi-strategy, macroeconomic and quantitative funds are gaining traction as investors seek diversification and more resilient returns across market cycles.

Will expand our military operations if: Yemen's Houthi warns further escalated fighting in Saudi

Indian families keep just 14% abroad, global peers 30-40%: Prithipal Singh on going global

JioHotstar has partnered with NBCUniversals The Peacock Hub for the ninth and final season of Koffee With Karan, hosted by Karan Johar, premiering October 14. The collaboration marks a shift from distributing global content to supporting Indian originals, reflecting growing international interest in homegrown intellectual property.

Maharashtra's government has declared drought in over 305 talukas due to a severe rainfall deficit. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that Rs 5,000 will be deposited in farmers' accounts before Diwali. Efforts are being made to prevent coercive loan recoveries from farmers facing hardships. A zero-tolerance approach is being enforced against unauthorized water extraction to ensure drinking supplies.

India is focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence in its power sector to improve reliability and security. The government aims to enhance grid management, demand forecasting, and renewable energy integration with AI. Following the successful achievement of its renewable energy capacity target, India is expanding its electricity infrastructure significantly. Around 7.75 crore smart meters have been installed to better monitor consumption patterns across the country.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the diesel supply deal between United States and Russia as a very risky choice, which runs counter to efforts to force Russia to negotiate with Ukraine. The diesel deal would see Russia supplying more than 300,000 metric tons of diesle to the US and the globe. US president Donald Trump said the deal would lower prices at home. The Italian PM emphasised the need for an authoritative leader for the European Union in the negotiations in relation to the Rus

As I said in my press conference, this is India. Amit Shah ji, take a good look at this. There is no Hindu here, no Muslim, no one of any specific caste; there is no woman, no man. There is one voice, one protest. It is the voice of India, and you are standing against this voice-the Prime Minister is standing against this voice. do not stand against this voice. No one can stand against this voice, Gandhi said.