The Economic Times

Summer was supposed to be winding down. Instead, parts of the south-central U.S. were still dealing with temperatures close to 104F on September 15. NASAs map showed the heat across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee, while more than 41 million people were under extreme heat alerts.

Scott Bessent is being considered to take on the role of AI czar amid growing concerns. President Donald Trump has indicated plans to appoint an artificial intelligence adviser and create an AI force. Recent discussions between Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng focused on AI regulations and national security. The Treasury has yet to comment on Bessent's potential new position.

Masoud Pezeshkian, in his speech in New York, condemned what he called signs of a bullying mentality from the US and said that Iran would never surrender. On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump, had used the same forum to threaten to annihilate Iran.

President Donald Trumps approval rating on the economy has dropped to just 27% among Americans. Many respondents believe he has worsened economic conditions and manage inflation poorly. Concerns about financial well-being are prevalent, with two-thirds feeling uncertain about their finances.

The Delhi High Court has granted regular bail to former Reliance ADAG Group MD Amitabh Jhunjhunwala in a money laundering case, citing his medical condition and holding that he qualifies as a sick or infirm person under the PMLA. Justice Madhu Jain granted bail against a Rs 1 lakh personal bond and two sureties, with conditions including surrendering his passport and seeking court permission to travel abroad.

Divisions within the Election Commission of India have reportedly delayed the annual Summary Revision of electoral rolls for 2026-27, potentially affecting the timely inclusion of new 18-year-old voters. According to ET, the exercise has not resumed since the 2024 cycle amid the Special Intensive Revision in several states, with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi pushing for its return. The standoff has also reportedly delayed the clearance of annual confidential reports

Recent PISA 2025 results show that Chinese jurisdictions scored an average of 597 points in science. In contrast, the United States achieved a score of 502 points, ranking 13th globally. The assessment included over 760,000 students from 91 countries, highlighting disparities in science skills. Classroom discipline and fewer digital distractions appear to contribute to higher performance in Asia.

The Supreme Court addressed the delay regarding the disqualification of 20 rebel Trinamool MPs during a hearing. A three-member bench urged the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to expedite the decision process. Justice Bagchi referred to the three-month resolution period that has already lapsed for these petitions. The court emphasized the need for a timely adjudication in accordance with constitutional guidelines.

SC issued notice on a PIL challenging gender-based differences in inheritance rights under Muslim Personal Law. A three-judge bench headed by CJI Surya Kant sought responses on the plea seeking equal inheritance and succession rights for Muslim women, including rights in ancestral property, arguing that different entitlements for male and female heirs violate constitutional guarantees of equality and non-discrimination.

The Global South today may be in the front row of the global crisis, but is in the back row of decision-making, Jaishankar said at a meeting of like-minded Global South countries and friends on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

Sendhil Revuluri is running for Chicago Board of Education president with a campaign focused on student learning, community engagement and reality-based budgeting. He has also criticized the current CPS budget and called for greater focus on student progress and a public CEO evaluation process.

The Kargil Democratic Alliance held a similar march in Kargil, where hundreds of people participated, including members of the Socialist Party of India and a group of students from Delhi University.

The BJP has revealed its list of state in-charges and co-in-charges for upcoming assembly elections. Nitin Nabin leads the organizational restructuring, highlighting the inclusion of 21 women leaders in the team. Key appointments include Smriti Irani for Haryana and Chhattisgarh, and Ram Madhav for Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand. The party aims for better coordination within its media team through this restructuring.

S Jaishankar reiterated India's concerns regarding the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act in discussions with Marco Rubio. This legislation poses a potential threat of 100% tariffs on Russian oil purchases, which India heavily relies on. The sanctions coincide with disruptions in global energy supplies due to conflicts in the region. Approximately 45% of India's crude imports were from Russia in August.

The broader themes identified include governance, Jan Vishwas se Jan Aadhaar, delivery, women, youth and effective communication. The remaining themes are expected to be taken up in the next round of the exercise on September 30 and October 1.

Sahil Wakode was found dead in his hostel room after an examination incident involving a mobile phone. CCTV footage shows him interacting with an invigilator shortly before his death, which raises concerns. His family claims he faced caste-based harassment and mental torture from a faculty member, prompting their complaint. Authorities are investigating the professor's actions and the procedures followed during the incident.

Supreme Court judge Justice Dipankar Datta has called the description of Indias judicial appointments system as judges appoint judges a myth, highlighting the executives role in processing and selectively clearing Collegium recommendations. In his separate opinion in the Supreme Courts split verdict on the law governing election commissioner appointments, Justice Datta said executive supremacy cannot replace judicial independence and stressed the need for institutional checks and balances in jud

Milan Pradhan, the Congress candidate for Nandigram, was denied bail by a local court and remanded to custody. The Congress party moved a bail petition on Pradhan's behalf and challenged discrepancies in the BJP candidate's affidavit. Concerns were raised regarding the age and educational qualifications stated by Hasirani Rath, the BJP nominee. Bypolls for Nandigram are set for October 6, with counting scheduled on October 9.

Disney is planning to raise prices for various subscription plans for Disney+ and Hulu in the near future. The ad-free Disney+ plan will see an increase of $2.50, resulting in a new monthly fee of $21.49. Similarly, Hulu's ad-free offering will also face a price hike, including the bundle option.

'Where are Dems?': Moody unloads on Dems over trans athletes in girls sports at fiery Senate hearing

Silver prices have been falling along with other precious metals. A stronger US dollar and expectations of higher interest rates have been putting pressure on the market. Spot silver has fallen 3% to $65.05 per ounce. The higher interest rates can also reduce demand for non-yielding assets, such as silver.

Lonzo Balls NBA future remains uncertain after years of serious knee problems, but the former No. 2 overall pick has not announced his retirement. During an episode of the Ball In the Family podcast, Ball reflected on his nine NBA seasons and said he had given everything he had to basketball. His comments prompted speculation that he was preparing to leave the league. Ball later rejected those reports on X, writing that he was still waiting for a call.

Im done: Hillary Clinton bangs table, yells and walks out as GOP grills over Epstein ties

Medical gaslighting I never anticipated: Witness exposes Canadas COVID Vaccine injury cover-up

Faucis assistant has information: Rand Paul, Johnson erupt after Dems vote no for plea deal

Don't bet on the midterms!': Rubio sends blunt warning to Iran, 'Trump has extraordinary powers'

The three news organizations took the dispute to federal court, filing a lawsuit against Trump and other members of his administration. They argue that the restrictions were imposed in retaliation for coverage the president did not like, which they say amounts to unconstitutional discrimination based on viewpoint. The outlets are asking the court to overturn the ban and allow them to regain access.

US President Donald Trump is preparing to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping for a significant three-day visit. The leaders are expected to discuss ongoing tensions related to trade, technology, and relations with Iran. During their meetings, they may address issues involving Taiwan and arms sales as well. Both sides are likely to announce initiatives to lower tariffs and enhance cooperation on drug trafficking.

A Bengaluru entrepreneur has announced a hiring restriction covering male candidates from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, citing an alleged incident involving a former employee. Karthik SG said the employee had been dismissed after warnings over alleged abusive conduct towards female staff. The announcement drew mixed online responses, with users debating individual screening, workplace safety and state-based hiring decisions.

After Germany sick leave policy row, UK adviser Sir Charlie Mayfield has called for enhanced communication between workers and management during sick leave. He wants employees to choose phone calls over written messages, arguing that such dialogue is essential in tackling rising sick leave costs and preventing employee disengagement in the UK.

A study from Colorado State University and Northwestern University has developed a carbon dioxide-based polyester system designed for repeated chemical recycling. Using bicyclic butane and bicyclic pentane, researchers produced high-molar-mass materials with up to 50 mol% CO2 incorporation. The polymers showed tunable properties, while separate depolymerisation pathways allowed molecular building blocks to be recovered and reused.

When Nish Kankiwala arrived at John Lewis in 2023, the retailer was facing a problem that went beyond a weak set of accounts. The business had recorded three consecutive years of losses. Kankiwala's job was to help change that position while also changing how the retailer worked.

Bitcoin price fell below $84,000 after a morning rally pushed BTC above $87,000. The reversal came as stronger US business activity lifted Treasury yields, while traders also turned their attention to Bitcoins roughly $14 billion options expiry on Friday.

On Wednesday, Melania Trump celebrated the launch of her initiative, Imperia, at the New York Stock Exchange, championing women's leadership and economic empowerment. She emphasized the significant impact women make on the global economy during her remarks. Furthermore, she brought attention to global issues like the reunification of war-separated children. Excitingly, a new docuseries centered on Melania Trump is slated for release in the upcoming fall season.

Incendiamoeba cascadensis, a newly discovered amoeba, can reproduce at temperatures up to 145F. It challenges prior beliefs about the heat limits for complex life. This organism demonstrates unique adaptations that allow it to thrive in extreme conditions. Its discovery has implications for understanding potential life forms on other planets. Researchers suggest that similar organisms may exist in geothermal environments worldwide.

Democratic Sens. Patty Murray and Brian Schatz say the Trump administration plans to allow $725 million to reach the deadline without directing the money toward new projects. They also allege that the White House is redirecting another $2.5 billion, which Congress had approved for global health and development programs, to cover costs associated with winding down USAID.

Michael Kearney made academic history when he earned a bachelors degree in anthropology from the University of South Alabama at 10 years and 4 months old in June 1994. The Guinness Book of World Records confirmed him as the youngest university graduate in history. Kearney had completed high school at six and continued his education rapidly, earning a masters degree in chemistry from Middle Tennessee State University at 14 and another masters in computer science from Vanderbilt University at 18.

Jeffrey Katzenberg is optimistic about artificial intelligence transforming the film industry and enhancing storytelling techniques. He points out that AI can help lower production costs and break down obstacles in filmmaking, potentially leading to a surge in film production and more creativity in narratives. Katzenberg calls for partnerships between AI innovators and artists to foster equitable engagement and anticipates that technology will unlock fresh creative opportunities in Hollywood.

Political strategists predict that by 2028, artificial intelligence will revolutionize campaign operations, allowing for hyper-targeted messaging tailored to individual voters through advanced data analytics. While AI's benefits include rapid fact-checking, it raises significant concerns, particularly regarding deep fakes and misleading political ads. The emergence of AI-driven ads in various races signals a shift in the political landscape, prompting vital discussions about the ethical ramifica

Following significant layoffs in 2026, Amazon is reaching out to its former workforce, offering new job opportunities primarily in AI and cloud computing sectors. Amazon has introduced 'Swami's Boomerang Reengagement Initiative' to attract these ex-employees back, reflecting a broader company trend of rehiring across departments. Amazon has already floated rehiring laid-off employees before.

The Supreme Court of India addressed the constitutional validity of the Chief Election Commissioner Act, 2023. The law excludes the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel for election commissioners, prompting various challenges. Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma expressed differing opinions on the need for a larger Constitution bench. The Centre argued the issues raised were of significant constitutional importance and warranted further examination.

The Modi government's council of ministers convened for a comprehensive four-hour meeting to assess governance and welfare programs. Eight groups were organized to facilitate discussions, allowing Prime Minister Narendra Modi to directly connect with ministers and obtain their insights. The primary goals included improving collaboration, refining planning processes, and reviewing the status of numerous projects.

The Central government has announced a reduction in the basic customs duty on edible oils. Crude soybean oil and crude palm oil duties have decreased to 5% from 10%. Additionally, the duty on refined sunflower oil has been lowered to 22.5% from 32.5%. These changes will apply starting September 24, 2026 as part of a strategy to manage edible oil prices.

RBI Deputy Governor Poonam Gupta mentioned the rupee could stabilize or appreciate after its recent depreciation. She highlighted India's potential to reduce the current account deficit through services exports and remittances. Gupta noted that capital account conditions may improve, supporting foreign investments. She emphasized the RBI's capacity to manage external pressures and maintain orderly exchange rates. The overall outlook indicates a positive trend for the rupee and India's financial

'Why deny biology?': Sen. Kennedy calls out Democrats over men in women's sports at fiery hearing

Have you heard about Senator Bernie Sanders proposal for a new Social Security hike? His plan would add $200 to monthly benefits, which comes to an extra $2,400 a year. The increase would be paid on top of regular Social Security benefits and the annual COLA. There is a catch, Sanders proposal is still a bill, so the extra money is not being paid yet.