The Economic Times
Elections 2026National / The Economic Times
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar requested the Election Commission of India to extend the deadline. He seeks more time for genuine voters to file claims and objections. Nearly 1.08 crore electors were flagged under the ASDDO category in the state. The Chief Minister emphasized that mobility should not lead to disenfranchisement.
General Chauhan emphasised that military might is inherently linked to political intent. He noted that the armed forces serve as a key tool to safeguard national interests, with military leadership crucial for creating deployment strategies and building confidence. Investment during peacetime and thorough training are vital for developing essential capabilities. The lasting strategic significance of Operation Sindoor demands a comprehensive evaluation.
The Bharatiya Janata Party criticised the Congress for its past doubts about the Unified Payments Interface. This digital payment system has become the world's largest real-time platform. UPI transactions have seen a massive increase in volume and value over ten years. The party highlighted its widespread adoption and availability in multiple countries. This growth contrasts with earlier predictions of its failure.
Bangladesh is set to initiate formal negotiations with China regarding the procurement of J-10CE fighter jets. A governmental committee is currently drafting an agreement that could significantly bolster its defense capabilities. The country is reportedly eyeing the acquisition of up to twenty-four aircraft as part of its air force modernization efforts, although specific details on pricing and delivery schedules are still under discussion.
The BJP plans to intensify its outreach in 20-25 constituencies in Kashmir and several seats in Jammu where it failed to win in 2024. The party will appoint constituency incharges and focus on areas including Shopian, Rajpora, Gurez, Rajouri-Poonch and Doda-Ramban.
The National Capital Region, including Delhi, is currently experiencing overcast skies. Commuters should remain vigilant due to possible waterlogging and traffic issues. Unstable weather conditions with ongoing rain events and thunderstorms are anticipated for the upcoming days. Residents are encouraged to carry umbrellas and stay updated on weather forecasts.
A 25-year-old man allegedly used an AI-generated nude image to blackmail a Delhi woman who was a minor when the alleged harassment began. Police said he extorted around Rs 1.2 lakh from her over more than two years and later threatened her family. The accused, Ajay Dubey, was arrested in Delhi while attending a court hearing.
Indian sugar mills may import only half the allowed raw sugar quota. Falling domestic prices have reduced the profitability of these planned imports. Refineries are expected to take most of the available import volume. Domestic supplies are anticipated to rise from mid-October with the new season.
This year, rakhi sales are projected to approach 25,000 crore, with the overall festive trade, including gifts and apparel, likely surpassing 30,000 crore. Many rakhis now celebrate themes such as Viksit Bharat and women's empowerment.
Kangana Ranaut recently shared an Instagram reel that humorously contrasts her English speaking skills with those of Abhijeet Dipke. The reel showcased snippets of both speaking publicly, highlighting their journeys with the language. Ranaut reflected on her own early struggles, while Dipke addressed his English abilities amidst the social media buzz.
A United States military transport plane landed at Moscow's Vnukovo airport Tuesday. The large Boeing Globemaster flew directly from Riga, Latvia, arriving around 0700 GMT. This aircraft had previously arrived in Riga from a US airbase on August 23. The Kremlin stated it had no information regarding the plane's arrival. The last direct US jet flight to Russia from Europe occurred in January.
Sajjan Kumar, who was serving two life sentences in Tihar jail in connection with the 1984 riots, died on August 20. Earlier, he was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Delhi High Court on December 17, 2018, in another case related to the killing of five Sikhs and the burning of a gurdwara during the anti-Sikh riots.
In a bid to strengthen national security, lawmakers are urging the Trump administration to curb American citizen involvement with Chinese and Russian intelligence agencies. Although a 2018 law prohibited military intelligence collaboration, civilian agencies continue to operate without strict oversight. This situation raises alarms about foreign agencies hiring U.S. consultants and accessing cutting-edge technology, especially in light of President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to Washington.
A court hearing for the Shahi Jama Masjid-Harihar temple dispute was postponed to September 29. This postponement occurred due to an interim stay imposed by the Supreme Court in November 2024. The legal dispute began when Hindu petitioners claimed the mosque was built over a temple. Following a court-ordered survey, unrest led to deaths and injuries in November 2025. The matter remains stayed pending further Supreme Court directives.
The Supreme Court has ordered all donations to Shri Banke Bihari Temple to be deposited directly. Every penny donated must land in official donation boxes or the temple treasury. This directive follows allegations of siphoning away of funds from the Vrindavan temple. The court emphasized that any obstruction by sevayats will be viewed very seriously. A transparent mechanism for the temple treasury is to be introduced by the management committee.
Raksha Bandhan is a special occasion to celebrate the bond between brothers and sisters, and festive sweets make the celebration even more memorable. Ghewar, a popular Rajasthani sweet, is a favourite during Rakhi.
The Supreme Court is set to consider setting up a special bench regarding the OBC creamy-layer ruling, which holds significance for the selections of the Civil Services Examination 2025. The govt aims to revert to previous criteria for 958 candidates to ensure fairness for earlier applicants. The court will consult with judges prior to making a decision.
A contingent of nine players from the Kabaddi Champions League is set to don the Indian colors at the upcoming Asian Games. Under the guidance of Dronacharya Awardee Balwan Singh, the team looks to make a mark on the international stage. KCL players expressed immense pride and a sense of obligation to deliver their best, underscoring the league's impact on nurturing kabaddi talent in India.
The Indian Navy is set to welcome its second Diving Support Vessel, Nipun, on August 31. This vessel, developed domestically, significantly boosts India's capacity for deep-sea diving and submarine rescue operations. With advanced diving systems and reliable station-keeping features, Nipun will facilitate intricate underwater missions that align with India's maritime objectives, underscoring the robust growth of the nation's shipbuilding capabilities.
Women who repeatedly ask for permission are not necessarily insecure, indecisive or incapable. In some cases, the behavior may be influenced by learned gender schemas, self-silencing, conflict avoidance and adaptation to social expectations, which can shape how a person approaches decisions and authority.
Indian women cricketers are eager for more accolades as they set their sights on the approaching Asia Cup in the UAE and the Asian Games. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur emphasizes the emergence of a strong winning culture in the team. With aspirations to reclaim the Asia Cup and retain their title at the Asian Games, they are committed to delivering exceptional cricket for their country.
Anima Anandkumar, a prominent AI researcher, applies machine learning to complex problems in physics and science. Her work at Caltech focuses on areas including tensor methods and deep learning for scientific applications. She has previously worked at Amazon Web Services, where she contributed to Amazon SageMaker, and conducted research at MIT and Cornell University. Her work has also explored ways to accelerate scientific simulations, including weather forecasting.
The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission to submit data on pending electoral roll appeals. Tribunals must adjudicate these appeals in a time-bound manner, the court stated. The poll panel must explain steps taken to streamline appeal disposal processes. Additional tribunals may be constituted if required to expedite the process. This directive follows concerns about the timely resolution of voter inclusion and exclusion appeals.
In 2002, NASA intern Thad Roberts and accomplices stole about 17 pounds of lunar samples and a meteorite from the Johnson Space Center, with the material valued at around $21 million. While waiting to sell the Moon rocks in Orlando, Roberts reportedly placed some of them under the sheets during an intimate night with his girlfriend, calling it a symbolic way of making out on the moon. An FBI sting later led to their arrests and the recovery of the stolen samples.
Using aluminum foil in the kitchen is a pragmatic approach to safeguarding your surfaces from messy cooking spills. It conveniently absorbs oil splashes and food drips, which minimizes the need for extensive cleaning afterward. By laying foil around the stovetop, you can create a protective shield against grease accumulation, significantly streamlining your cleanup process. Just swap out the soiled foil for a fresh sheet to maintain ongoing protection.
Rebecca Young was 12 when she designed a solar-powered heated blanket to help people experiencing homelessness stay warm without access to mains electricity. Her school idea later became a working prototype through Thales and Primary Engineer, with 150 blankets being supplied to six homelessness charities across Glasgow.
In 1977, NASA embarked on a monumental quest by launching the Voyager spacecraft, which was equipped with a Golden Record meant to communicate with extraterrestrial life. Curated by Carl Sagan and his team, this interstellar album features a collection of images and sounds that highlight humanity's greatest moments, intentionally leaving out the chaos of the present.
Having achieved its most robust economic performance yet, South Africa's SA20 League has injected $406 million into the country's gross domestic product. This figure illustrates a striking 23% increase in economic influence compared to the previous year. Attendance surged by 13%, while direct spending climbed to $137 million. The league is gearing up for its fifth season, which is scheduled to start in January 2027.
People who frequently stub their toes may not simply be bad at walking. Their experiences can reflect a fascinating interaction between automatic movement, spatial attention, proprioception and sensory prediction. The brain is constantly building an internal estimate of where the body is in space and how it is moving through the environment.
The small black dots you see on windshields are known as frit, consisting of a ceramic enamel that is fused into the glass. This frit serves a dual purpose: it shields the polyurethane adhesive from harmful ultraviolet rays and facilitates heat expansion during production. Moreover, the dot matrix cleverly conceals adhesive lines, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the windshield.
Sri Lanka spinner Prabath Jayasuriya received a reprimand and one demerit point. He breached the ICC Code of Conduct by abusing cricket equipment. This incident occurred on the second day of the Test match against India. Jayasuriya admitted his offense and accepted the proposed sanctions from the match referee. Earlier, two other players were fined for an on-field altercation during the same Test.
India aims for a $55 trillion economy by 2047. This ambitious goal relies on leveraging its young demographic in artificial intelligence. Strategic capital deployment and sustained growth will unlock value across core sectors. Attracting foreign investment and expanding manufacturing are vital for this economic expansion. Dominance in sunrise sectors like space and defense tech will drive this future growth.
Scheduled for 2027, India's Census will implement transformative updates to its data collection methods. The existing category for 'beggars and vagrants' will be removed, integrating these individuals into an 'others' classification. Moreover, natural calamities will join the list of migration factors. The census will aim to collect more parental information to explore demographic trends and interfaith marriages.
In Louisiana, discarded oyster shells are being creatively transformed into living shorelines to combat coastal erosion and rising sea levels. This innovative project collects shells from restaurants, providing a habitat for juvenile oysters to thrive. Studies indicate that these reefs can effectively diminish wave impact during certain flooding scenarios. This community-focused initiative is making strides across Gulf states, presenting an eco-friendly solution for coastal resilience.
New military installations have been sighted on an islet near Antelope Reef. Analysts believe China is building its largest military base there. Construction started in March and April, with new images showing progress. This could support an early warning radar facility for Antelope Reef. The construction strengthens China's military hold on the vital trade waterway.
Kriti Sanon's latest jewellery advertisement has sparked a heated debate online regarding the outfit she wore. Kangana Ranaut shared her thoughts on its appropriateness for the festival, while Sanon countered by emphasizing the deeper emotional ties of traditions over mere clothing choices. She asserted that true cultural respect emanates from the heart and is not confined to what one wears.
Hindu organisations called a half-day bandh in Madhya Pradeshs Dhar, alleging the administration was not following the Supreme Courts directions on the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Complex prayer site. Security was tightened as rallies were held, while officials said the situation remained peaceful and the shutdown would be kept voluntary.
Researchers at Columbia University and Purdue University have unveiled an experimental paint-like coating that can cool surfaces to temperatures below the ambient environment. This cutting-edge material reflects over ninety-six percent of solar energy and effectively radiates heat by utilizing air pockets instead of traditional pigments. Although this promising technology is in the exploratory phase, it is not yet available for commercial use.
The ex-mill price of sugar has declined by 18 per cent to Rs 55 per kg since the government's decision to allow imports and clamp down on speculation and hoarding of the sweetener, Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra said.Ex-mill prices of sugar had shot up to a record Rs 67 per kg last week - a spike Chopra attributed to mills jacking up rates.Ex-mill price of sugar, which were jacked up by mills, have started cooling down. They have declined to Rs 55 per kg and will further drop in the coming days,
Transform your warm bedroom into a blissful retreat with clever strategies. By strategically blocking sunlight when its blazing outside, youll reduce internal heat accumulation. Updating to LED bulbs and ensuring adequate air circulation are key factors too. Adjusting furniture placement and changing your ceiling fans rotation will enhance airflow. These simple adjustments make your bedroom a soothing sanctuary for better sleep.
As American summers heat up, public health risks escalate, prompting researchers to create an innovative coating that cools metal roofs by over forty degrees. This technology was implemented on public structures in Houston in anticipation of a significant global sports event. Remarkably, it works by reflecting sunlight and dissipating heat without consuming electricity, marking a significant step forward in sustainable urban cooling solutions.
After only a 45-minute break, an employee returned to find their CEO furious over a missed call and unanswered messages. Despite the employee having provided a status update, the CEO's reliance on an outdated phone number exacerbated the situation. This altercation ignited discussions around expectations for workplace availability and commitment. Now, the employee is left pondering their future interactions and how best to navigate this tense dynamic.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for boundary talks. These discussions are significant before President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to India. Both officials are designated Special Representatives for the boundary dispute mechanism. They discussed strengthening peace in border areas and improving bilateral ties. The talks aim to address recurring tensions and maintain peace in border regions.

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