The Economic Times

Ajay Bhutoria has been appointed as a public member of California's regulatory board for engineers and geologists. Governor Gavin Newsom announced the appointment, which does not require Senate confirmation. Previously, Bhutoria served as a Commissioner on President Joe Biden's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans. Bhutoria holds a Bachelor of Technology in Chemical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology in Tiruchirappalli.

Karwa Chauth 2026 date and time: Karwa Chauth 2026 will be observed on Wednesday, October 28. The festival is traditionally marked by a day-long fast, evening puja and moon worship, with devotees breaking the fast after sighting the moon. Here are the Karwa Chauth 2026 date, fasting time, puja muhurat, moonrise timing, Chaturthi Tithi and significance.

When it comes to Non-Resident External (NRE) and Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) fixed deposits, understanding their distinct tax implications is crucial. NRE deposits provide tax-free interest earnings in India, making them advantageous for NRIs. On the other hand, interest from NRO fixed deposits incurs TDS.

Satinderjeet Singh, known as Goldy Brar, has been added to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. A reward of up to USD 1 million is offered for information about his arrest. He is the North American leader of the Lawrence Bishnoi Organized Crime Group involved in numerous violent crimes. Singh maintains networks in California, Canada, India, and Mexico, making him a dangerous fugitive.

The United States plans to introduce new visa restrictions targeting individuals involved in international parental child abduction cases. This policy will apply to various officials who impede the resolution of such cases, affecting their families as well. Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the importance of quick resolutions to reunite abducted children with their families. The initiative aims to enhance accountability among countries that do not comply with international obligations.

Navigating overseas property purchases for NRI/OCI children can be complex for Indian parents, entangled in regulations like FEMA and RBI's Liberalised Remittance Scheme. From understanding allowable remittance limits to distinguishing between gifts and loans, families must carefully plan to avoid potential tax and compliance issues. Learn the critical steps to streamline the funding process.

OpenAI and Anthropic are reportedly commanding valuations that translate into roughly 30-38 times price-to-sales, compared with around 3.7 times for the average S&P 500 company.

Beginning 1 October 2026, resident Indian buyers will enjoy simplified compliance when purchasing property from non-resident sellers. They will be able to use their Permanent Account Number instead of obtaining a Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number. This amendment aims to reduce the burden of compliance on individual buyers. Buyers will also be required to provide the seller's contact information and overseas address.

H-1B visa latest: Federal investigators are expanding their probe into alleged abuses of the H-1B foreign-worker program. The investigation focuses on fraudulent hiring, worker exploitation, and potential human trafficking issues. Labor Department Inspector General Anthony DEsposito indicated that a significant case is being built against these concerns. The Trump administration has also moved to tighten controls around H-1B visa hiring practices.

Under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme, Indian investors have the opportunity to participate in US IPOs, including Anthropic. However, the path for retail investors may be fraught with challenges. Many prominent AI firms are postponing their IPOs due to fluctuating market conditions and strategic considerations. To identify true long-term successes, investors must discern between robust companies and those merely capitalizing on the AI craze, remaining vigilant for potential price volatility.

An NRI who spent 23 years in the US has shared why he eventually moved back to Mumbai, saying he felt safer there. After building a career in biomedical engineering, working in the pharmaceutical industry and starting a business, he decided to return following his father's death and to support his ageing mother. His account has drawn supportive reactions online.

Quote of the day by George Washington Carver encourages us to notice a moment that many people never see because they are asleep, busy or distracted. Before sunrise, a forest becomes a meeting place between darkness and light, silence and sound, stillness and movement. Its beauty does not demand an audience, yet it rewards anyone willing to observe it.

Everyone is excited and motivated to play against us, Luis Enrique said on Tuesday. We have to accept it and step out of our comfort zone. Im ready to show that you have to reinvent yourself every day. PSG is not in the best possible form, taking just two points from three games in Ligue 1 and conceding six goals already.

Paris Saint-Germain faces its worst league start in nineteen years after a recent home loss. The team remains winless in three Ligue 1 matches, a concerning statistic. Coach Luis Enrique received a contract extension until 2030 despite the current struggles. He expressed confidence that the team will recover and make up the deficit. PSG now prepares for their Champions League title defense beginning this Wednesday.

Denmark and four EU nations agreed on return hubs in non-EU countries. These facilities aim to send rejected asylum seekers to third nations. The plan hopes to begin sending migrants to these hubs as early as 2027. Human rights groups have criticized these deportation plans for migrants. European ministers emphasised the hubs would abide by international law.

NRI entrepreneur Aniruddha Anjana says three businesses he launched in India after returning from 10 years in the US failed amid unpaid customer dues, a stalled government drone survey project and alleged corruption and blackmail in his restaurant venture. Despite the setbacks, his US business remains profitable, and he says he currently has no plans to start another venture in India.

A Brazilian mother and daughter collected over 8,000 discarded bottles from beaches in 2020. These bottles were then incorporated into the walls of their seven-bedroom home. Sunlight passing through the glass creates a striking glow at sunrise. This project demonstrates sustainability and creativity in construction. The house serves as a functional dwelling and an educational space.

After relocating to India, an ex-NRI prefers to travel by auto-rickshaw for her short commutes. Concerned about the hazardous paths and fast-moving traffic, she opts to spend around one hundred rupees daily to sidestep the stress associated with her return. This decision showcases her sensible method of dealing with urban life's hurdles, prioritizing safety over discomfort.

The construction of the Ayodhya Ram temple is nearly finished, with just the installation of the trust's logo at the top of the Purn Smriti Stambh pending. This last detail is expected to be completed shortly. Additionally, upcoming meetings will focus on the development and operations of the Ram Katha Sangrahalaya, with prepared scripts for museum galleries set to be transformed into video presentations.

The Reserve Bank of India shortened its zero-cost FX swap facility for banks. This action followed substantial foreign deposit inflows from non-resident Indians. Policymakers also considered domestic liquidity effects and fundraising costs. The overseas fundraising supported the rupee, which had reached record lows earlier. These measures have bolstered foreign exchange reserves significantly.

An Indian NRI has shared his financial journey on social media, detailing how his career progressed from a Rs 10 lakh annual salary to a net worth of around Rs 7.5 crore at 37. After moving to the Middle East, he said he accumulated substantial savings, cleared a home loan and bought two additional properties, taking his total Mumbai homes to three.

Bank deposits saw their fastest growth in nearly ten years by July. Overseas Indians deposited about $37 billion in foreign currency accounts. Bank credit growth also accelerated to its fastest pace since June 2024. This surge was driven by corporate demand and MSME lending programs. India garnered nearly $41 billion in total inflows by July 31.

Indian MSMEs in the secondary steel sector can reduce power bills significantly. Switching to renewable energy offers substantial annual savings for these businesses. This transition also helps slash greenhouse gas emissions from steel production. A cluster-based approach makes renewable energy procurement more feasible for MSMEs. Adopting renewables lowers costs and carbon footprints simultaneously for producers.

Based on transaction data for April 2025 to March 2026, the report highlighted an increasingly diversified forex market driven by rising outbound travel, overseas education, corporate mobility and changing payment preferences. Tier 1 cities, including metros, account for 47 per cent of forex demand, while Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities contribute 41 per cent and 12 per cent, respectively.

India and the Southern African Customs Union signed terms to start trade negotiations. This move revives talks after previous rounds stalled between 2002 and 2010. New Delhi seeks tariff relief for key export sectors like automobiles and pharmaceuticals. The union comprises South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and Eswatini. These renewed discussions aim to boost bilateral trade and economic ties.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham appointed Gautam Rangarajan as Expert Adviser. Rangarajan brings extensive experience in corporate strategy and transformation to his new role. Burnham is implementing a vision to do things differently across the country. He has realigned government departments and established a new Office for the PM. Rangarajan is expected to be instrumental in this governmental transformation.

In a working paper titled An Investigation Into Corporate Profits and Investment, co-authored by Prof S Mahendra Dev, chairman of EAC-PM, joint directors of EAC-PM Dr Sri Vatsa Sehra and Dr KK Tripathy and deputy director of EAC-PM Kamil KPS Bhullar, EAC-PM called for policy support to encourage innovation, enahnce R&D spending and promote industry-academia linkage to pave the way for establishment and growth of innovative firms.

India will pursue preferential trade agreements with developing economies like South Africa. This approach opens select product categories instead of deep market access. India is also negotiating preferential trade agreements with Mercosur and exploring options with Mexico. The government emphasizes inclusive stakeholder consultations for all trade pacts. This consultative style contrasts with previous trade negotiation practices.

Perseid meteor shower 2026 peak time: Perseid meteor shower peaks on the night of 12 August into the early hours of 13 August 2026, with viewing conditions described as ideal this year due to a new moon keeping skies dark. At its peak, the shower can produce up to 100 meteors per hour, with the best views coming from locations away from city lights.

Mithilesh Desai, a farmer and entrepreneur from Maharashtra, caught attention after a video showed him speaking with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Revati Sules wedding reception in Delhi. Desai is known as Indias Jackfruit King for his work on jackfruit cultivation, research and processing.

The Indian and Australian navies held discussions in Sydney during the 17th Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks from August 11-12 to boost maritime cooperation and interoperability. This follows the Indian Air Force's participation alongside 21 nations in Exercise Pitch Black 26 and PM Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Australia in July.

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal will visit Chile this month for trade talks. India and Chile are negotiating to expand their existing trade agreement. This new pact aims to cover digital services and critical minerals. Chile is India's fifth-largest trading partner in the Latin American region. India also pursues trade agreements with Mercosur, Mexico, and Kenya.

India's exports saw a 15 percent increase during the first four months of this fiscal year. The Commerce Minister expressed optimism about reaching the $1 trillion export target by 2026-27. Nine free trade agreements have been concluded in the past four years. These agreements have opened many new possibilities for domestic industries.

India's fencing team achieved significant success on day three of the championship. They secured three gold, one silver, and one bronze medal in various events. Kanaglakshmi won gold in women's foil, and Rajendran Shanthimol Sherjin took gold in men's epee. Singh Karan Singh clinched another gold medal in the men's sabre competition. This performance brought India's total medal count to twenty-nine at the event.

India is considering sweeping health insurance reforms to standardise treatment rates, coverage and billing, while expanding a nationwide claims exchange, sources said. A regulatory panel is expected to submit recommendations by year-end as authorities seek to curb medical inflation, reduce fraudulent claims and encourage greater insurance coverage across the country.

Rail Coach Factory Kapurthala is launching nineteen LHB broad gauge passenger coaches for Bangladesh Railway. These custom-designed coaches feature advanced amenities and crashworthy design meeting European standards. The rake includes AC sleeper, AC chair, and Non-AC chair coaches along with power cars. This initiative builds upon a successful cooperation that began in 2015-16.

India has recently enhanced its maritime relations with Seychelles by providing five laser radial boats aimed at improving seamanship training for personnel in the Seychelles Defence Forces. This handover coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's June visit to the country and underscores Indias ongoing dedication to strengthening defense cooperation and capabilities within this vital island partner.

FanCode has secured exclusive digital rights to stream India's upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan. The three-match series will be played in Delhi on September 13, 15, and 17. This acquisition significantly strengthens FanCode's expanding cricket coverage and digital offerings. Fans can watch the matches live on the FanCode app and through various distribution partners. Afghanistan Cricket Board CEO expressed pleasure in extending the partnership for this landmark series.

India's Global Capability Centres are becoming AI hubs, but leadership AI literacy remains low. Most leaders are confident India will lead globally through 2030. However, less than 30% of leaders possess sufficient AI literacy for strategic decisions. GCCs must reskill over 40% of their workforce for this AI transformation.

Kunal Ganjawala, the well-known singer, has shed light on the interesting legacy behind his surname, which relates to his family's historical involvement in marijuana cultivation for medicinal purposes. During the British colonial era, they supplied this crop to the government until the practice ceased around the time of the Quit India Movement. His surname often sparks intrigue and humor, while his family was recognized as licensed pharmacists in those times.

Claude watermark explained What Indian users need to know

Afghanistan will host India for three Twenty20 Internationals in September. The series will take place at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium. Afghanistan has largely played home matches in the UAE due to security concerns. The Afghanistan Cricket Board believes India provides an excellent setting for this event. Indian cricket officials expressed commitment to supporting Afghanistan's cricket growth.

Today's Indian consumers are transforming their financial habits, with a declining focus on food expenditure within their budgets. The trend of premiumization is apparent in sectors like automobiles and consumer goods. A noteworthy increase in spending on travel and experiences is also observed. Meanwhile, financial aspirations have transitioned from just securing stability to actively generating wealth through investments, driven by a vibrant middle class across various cities.

India-US Tariff row: PM Modi-Trump will work it out