The Economic Times
Elections 2026National / The Economic Times
Keralites with loved ones in West Asia are deeply worried about the current turmoil. Fears about their family's safety and job stability for expatriates have intensified. The state's economy, which leans heavily on remittances, could experience significant challenges. Many residents are fervently wishing for a quick end to the hostilities.
Summer House: Speculations involving Amanda Batula and West Wilson have been clarified after the Summer House stars shared a joint statement. The rumors began after reports from DeuxMoi and gained traction due to Wilsons past with Ciara Miller and Batulas split from Kyle Cooke. Cast reactions, social media hints, and fan discussions intensified the situation.
India's Air Force is set to acquire unmanned stealth fighters. This initiative will create a Rs 39,000 crore opportunity for domestic industries. The Defence Ministry has approved a collaboration model involving private sector partners. The Defence Research and Development Organisation will lead the development. Six prototypes will be built, followed by serial production of over 60 aircraft.
The April full moon, popularly known as the Pink Moon, will illuminate the night sky on April 1, 2026. Heres everything you need to know about the April full moon, its timing, significance, and why it isnt actually pink.
Japan's Foreign Ministry is launching a new center to help Japanese companies invest in India. This initiative aims to overcome challenges like complex regulations and tax systems. The center will also foster cooperation in AI, startups, and critical minerals. This move supports a goal of 10 trillion yen in private sector investment by 2035.
India is rapidly advancing its drone capabilities, moving from reconnaissance to multi-role combat. While indigenous designs like Nagastra-1 show promise, the nation faces a significant challenge in scaling up production to match global powers. Future success hinges on boosting manufacturing capacity and developing swarm warfare tactics for sustained, drone-intensive conflicts.
France expresses surprise at Donald Trump's criticism regarding US military overflights. The French presidency confirms its stance has not changed since the conflict began. Unlike Spain, Paris has not officially banned US aircraft involved in the conflict. French military stated US support jets used a southern air base with guarantees they were not involved in Iran strikes.
Warren Buffett latest move is drawing global attention in 2026 as markets stay volatile and the S&P 500 remains near elevated levels. Berkshire Hathaway has restarted stock buybacks after nearly two years. This is a major signal. It reflects selective value investing, not a full market recovery call. Buffett is still active and recently made small new investment. His strategy shows strong confidence in long-term stock market growth. However, he remains cautious in the short term. The Warren Buff
Being perfect is being flawed, accepting it and never letting it make you feel less than your best. This quote by Jessica Alba redefines perfection as self-acceptance rather than flawlessness. It emphasizes the idea that imperfections are a natural part of being human and should not diminish self-worth. The message resonates widely today, especially in a world shaped by social media pressure and comparison, offering reassurance that confidence comes from embracing flaws while continuing to grow.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has announced its fourth list of candidates for the upcoming elections. Thirteen names have been released, with six constituencies still awaiting nominations. Notable inclusions are Soma Thakur and former IPS officer Debashis Dhar. The party has also changed its candidate for Manynaguri.
April Fools' Day is a global tradition of pranks and hoaxes. Its origins are debated, with links to 15th-century France and ancient Roman festivals. Modern celebrations see media and brands participating in elaborate jokes. People enjoy lighthearted trickery at home, school, and work. This unofficial holiday continues to entertain.
Jet fuel supply to the UK is under pressure as Middle East shipments slow. Airlines may face higher costs and possible shortages if disruption continues. Europe is searching for fuel from other regions. Prices are already rising and supply routes are changing. The UK government says shipments are still arriving, but industry experts warn the situation could affect flights and travel plans soon.
Who is Bryon Noem, former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem husband, and why is he being accused of leading a secret double life? A media report claims he used a pseudonym to communicate with fetish models, shared photos in womens clothing, and allegedly made payments to sex workers. National security experts warned the alleged activity could create blackmail risks linked to his spouses former government role, while his family said they were blindsided.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigned in Palakkad, Kerala. He focused on sexual assault allegations against local Congress leaders. The BJP sees Palakkad as a key seat. BJP candidate Sobha Surendran faces Congress's Ramesh Pisharody. The CPI(M) backing an independent is causing concern for Congress. This election is a tight contest.
Gold price prediction: Why Goldman Sachs says gold could touch $5,400: Gold prices today jumped 1.4% to $4,572 per ounce, yet March remains on track for a steep 13.3% monthly drop, the worst since 2008. Investors are watching closely as inflation fears rise and U.S. interest rate expectations shift. The Iran conflict and rising oil prices are driving market volatility, pushing gold demand as a safe-haven asset. U.S. dollar strength also weighs on global bullion buyers. Despite short-term dips, f
The Supreme Court is reviewing President Donald Trump's order to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. This principle, based on being born on U.S. soil, is enshrined in the 14th Amendment. Most countries follow citizenship based on parents' nationality. The administration argues a specific phrase in the amendment allows this denial.
Lamar Odom death: Lamar Odom is back in global headlines following the release of Netflixs documentary Untold: The Death & Life of Lamar Odom, which revisits his NBA career, addiction struggles, and near-fatal overdose. The dramatic title has led to widespread online confusion, with many users mistakenly searching whether he has died.
US President Donald Trump's shifting stance on military operations against Iran has confused many. He has sought help from allies then declared independence. Threats of strikes were followed by postponements. This unpredictability has led to public criticism and social media mockery. Polls show a divided American public on his handling of the conflict.
Delhi recorded its most polluted March in four years. The city also saw its wettest March in three years and its hottest since 2022. Weather patterns were unusual with rain and heat. Pollution levels remained high throughout the month. Experts noted a shift towards gaseous pollutants like ozone. Meteorological conditions contributed to the elevated pollution.
Many people rush to file taxes close to the deadline and make costly mistakes. Simple errors like wrong details, missing income, or late filing can delay refunds or add penalties. Experts suggest checking all information carefully and reviewing the return once more. Some last-minute steps may still help reduce taxes if done before the final filing deadline.
In his first televised interview since stepping down in January as Berkshire Hathaway's chief executive, Buffett told CNBC he has not spoken with Gates since the U.S. Department of Justice released documents in February, showing that Gates and Epstein met repeatedly to discuss philanthropy following Epstein's 2008 guilty plea to Florida prostitution charges.
Golf legend Tiger Woods faced arrest after a car crash. He failed sobriety tests and had prescription painkillers in his possession. Woods told authorities he was distracted by his phone. This incident marks another challenge for the golfer. He was charged with DUI and other offenses. Woods was released on bond.
Claude Code, Anthropics top AI agent, just suffered a major source code leak. Version 2.1.88 exposed 512,000 lines of TypeScript, revealing memory architecture, orchestration logic, and 44 hidden features. The AI platform alone drives $2.5 billion in annual revenue, with 80% from enterprise clients. Competitors can now study background agents, autonomous daemons, and persistent memory systems. Security risks spike as malicious actors may exploit exposed Hooks and npm dependencies. Users must mig
What is conversion therapy, why was it banned in Colorado and what does Supreme Court ruling say? The Supreme Court conversion therapy case reviews a Colorado law that banned conversion therapy for minors and examines free speech rights for therapists. The ruling may affect conversion therapy Colorado laws and similar bans in more than 20 states, while mental health research, legal arguments, and LGBTQ youth protections remain central to the ongoing debate.
America's Precision Strike Missile and AI targeting systems are being tested in the Iran conflict. New drones are adapting enemy tech. Iran demonstrated long-range strike capability. This war is a laboratory for future warfare, shaping how weapons are developed and used.
IIT Bombay has pioneered a patented biomass gasification technology, transforming dry leaf waste into cooking fuel. This innovation significantly cuts LPG use by 30-40% on campus, with the staff canteen already benefiting. The system, refined over years, produces clean-burning producer gas, offering substantial cost savings and environmental benefits, with plans for wider hostel deployment.
Oracle stock (ORCL) rising today: Oracle stock (ORCL) jumped over 2.4% today, even as layoffs hit key teams. Investors are not reacting to job cuts alone. They are focusing on Oracles aggressive AI strategy and expanding cloud business. The company is cutting costs to fund expensive AI infrastructure. That move improves margins over time. At the same time, new AI platforms for U.S. federal agencies signal strong future revenue. Oracle stock (ORCL) is still down 27% this year. Markets are betting
Tax refunds in 2026 are not as big as many people expected. Average refunds increased only slightly, confusing taxpayers. Smaller refunds may happen due to withholding changes, credit limits, unpaid debts, and uneven tax benefits. Some workers already got tax relief in their monthly paychecks. Higher earners and overtime workers may still see larger refunds, while others may notice only small increases.
Indian refiners have been looking to purchase a few cargoes of Iranian oil on water following the recent sanctions waiver by Washington.
Indian apparel exports saw modest growth, impacted by US tariffs. A weaker rupee helped boost earnings in local currency. Shipments to the UK and UAE provided some relief. ICRA forecasts stronger revenue growth and improved financial health for exporters in the coming year. Geopolitical risks remain a concern for the sector.
NASAs Artemis II mission is getting ready to make a major step in human space exploration, sending astronauts around the Moon for the first time in over 50 years. Scheduled for April 1, 2026, the 10-day mission will launch from Kennedy Space Center aboard the Space Launch System rocket with the Orion spacecraft. The mission supports NASAs long-term goal of establishing sustained lunar presence and advancing exploration toward Mars and beyond.
Miuccia Pradas statement offers a refreshing perspective on individuality and choice. By rejecting labels and embracing personal preference, it encourages a more authentic way of living.
US stock market surge today as the Dow Jones jumps over 300 points, the S&P 500 climbs above 6,400, and the Nasdaq leads with strong gains. Stocks are rising despite the Iran war and oil price shock. Investors are reacting to signals from Donald Trump about a possible de-escalation near the Strait of Hormuz. Oil remains volatile but not spiking further. Treasury yields are falling. Tech stocks are leading the rally.
France and Italy are now refusing to support US-Israeli military actions in Iran. This follows Spain's earlier decision to close its airspace. US President Donald Trump has criticized NATO allies for being unhelpful. He specifically mentioned France for not allowing military supplies to fly over its territory. Italy also denied landing permission for US military aircraft.
Switching jobs can change what happens to your 401(k) savings. Small balances may be cashed out, while others may move to an IRA automatically. Traditional and Roth accounts follow different rules, especially when rolling money over. Some funds must be invested to grow. Current limits make Roth rollovers harder, but new proposals aim to give workers more flexibility.
Taylor Swift has released the official music video for her song Elizabeth Taylor from The Life of a Showgirl era, premiering on March 31 exclusively on Apple Music and Spotify Premium. Instead of appearing herself, Swift pays tribute to the legendary Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor through a montage of archival film clips and public footage.
Oracle has initiated widespread job cuts across its global offices. Employees in the US, India, and other regions received termination emails without prior notice. These layoffs are reportedly to fund Oracle's significant investment in AI data centers. Affected teams include RHS, SVOS, and NetSuite's India Development Centre. Severance packages are offered upon signing termination documents.
Unilever is merging its food business with spice maker McCormick in a massive $65 billion deal. This move aims to reshape the company's focus. Unilever's food division faces challenges from changing consumer habits and market saturation in developed regions. The deal excludes operations in India, Nepal, and Portugal. This significant transaction is set to create a new entity.
The Jal Shakti ministry has released over Rs 1,500 crore for five states under the Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0. This funding for the financial year 2025-26 follows states signing reform agreements. Uttar Pradesh receives the largest share. The mission aims for universal tap water access in rural areas by 2028. This initiative focuses on service delivery and sustainability.

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