The Economic Times
Elections 2026Top News / The Economic Times
The Ministry of Education is establishing five Centres of Excellence for classical languages across different universities. These centres aim to enhance research, digitization, preservation and dissemination of Assamese, Bengali, Pali, Marathi, and Prakrit. Chief Ministers from various states have expressed their support for these initiatives and highlighted their significance. The approval signifies a commitment towards preserving India's rich linguistic heritage.
Sebi is actively investigating position limits for non-agricultural contracts to improve market liquidity and depth. Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey has highlighted the importance of phased physical settlement for agricultural commodities. The organization is focused on addressing structural issues and increasing technology integration in commodity markets. Furthermore, Sebi plans to expand its educational outreach through Project Jagrook to better inform market participants.
Bayer has announced a significant investment of $2.2 billion to establish a new pharmaceutical site in New Albany, Ohio. This project follows over $7 billion in investments by Bayer in US pharmaceutical research and development. The facility aims to focus on critical areas including cancer, heart, and kidney care. It is expected to create around 600 permanent jobs and 1,500 construction jobs during its development.
100 acres reclaimed from Delhis landfill sites: CM Rekha Gupta at Okhla
Farmers in Latur district are facing a severe fodder crisis due to a lack of rainfall. Many are forced to harvest sugarcane crops to feed their livestock amidst deteriorating conditions. As a result, milk production has significantly decreased, impacting farmers' incomes. The Maharashtra government has declared a drought in majority of its talukas and announced relief measures. Local farmers are appealing for official fodder camps to be established urgently.
Union Minister Amit Shah stated that the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita will ensure case resolutions within three years. He emphasised improvements in India's criminal justice system compared to its previous delays. Shah criticised the Congress for hindering the formation of an independent cooperative ministry for 75 years. The minister highlighted Prime Minister Modi's significant contributions to milk production improvement in India.
Five National Peoples Party MLAs in Nagaland have formally merged with the Naga Peoples Front, taking the NPFs strength in the 60-member Assembly to 39. The merger, effective October 1, further consolidates the NPFs dominance after it absorbed most NDPP legislators last year.
A district consumer commission in Thiruvananthapuram has ordered a cooperative bank to pay a widow over Rs 14.15 lakh after it blocked her access to four matured fixed deposits worth more than Rs 13.8 lakh. The bank had allowed her to withdraw only Rs 50,000 from her own savings account, citing an internal enquiry and restrictions placed by cooperative authorities. The commission ordered the bank to pay her Rs 14.15 lakh
Priyanka Kakkar has resigned from Aam Aadmi Party and joined the Congress party during an event. She expressed her inability to continue defending AAP's actions and leadership. Along with her, former MLA Shyam Sundar Sharma and Rajat Rakesh Tandon also joined Congress. Kakkar praised Rahul Gandhi for his authenticity and commitment to issues affecting the public. The Congress party welcomed the new members, emphasizing their impact on upcoming elections.
IAF chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has ruled out creating a separate drone force, saying unmanned systems and loitering munitions should remain integrated with the Indian Air Forces existing weapons and platforms. He described drones as an evolutionary capability for the force and said their numbers, types and operational use are being expanded.
Drones are evolutionary, not...: IAF chief rules out separate drone force, stresses integrated Ops
Suvendu Adhikari has alleged that Mamata Banerjee misrepresented her leg injury during the 2021 elections. He stated that reports from the hospital confirmed no fracture was present. After the bypolls on October 6, Adhikari intends to reveal documents supporting his claims. He called for the minority communitys support during his campaign in Nandigram. Adhikari aims to honor the memory of Chandrnath Rath and assure development in the area.
India's cautious approach towards cryptocurrencies emphasises the importance of underlying technologies like distributed ledger and tokenisation. RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra expressed concerns regarding monetary sovereignty and its effects on capital flows. While domestic payments are efficient, challenges remain in cross-border transactions, which may benefit from central bank digital currencies. The rising public debt and bond yield movements reflect the increased spending attributed to artif
India should focus on taxing capital income, such as corporate profits and dividends, to address inequality. Economist Daniel Waldenstrom supports taxing capital income rather than imposing wealth or inheritance taxes. He suggests that high taxes may discourage saving and investment, which is crucial for economic growth. Broader access to education and a stronger pension system can help include more people in economic gains.
India is planning to finalize a significant multi-role fighter aircraft deal by the end of this financial year. The proposed acquisition involves purchasing 114 Rafale fighter jets to enhance the Indian Air Force's capabilities. Current negotiations are focused on price and other important issues related to the procurement. The Chief of Air Staff emphasized the need for increased air power and self-reliance in manufacturing capabilities.
G20 trade ministers focused on preventing unfair manufacturing practices caused by government-supported large production capacities. Discussions included addressing predatory pricing and overcapacity threatening fair trade in countries like India and the US. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted India's advantages for data centers, including low costs and tax benefits. He emphasized that India's renewable energy availability further enhances these advantages for global investor
PK Mishra emphasized the need for India to remain open to global markets while enhancing economic resilience. He indicated that domestic production could be more expensive than imports, which highlights the need for a better risk assessment. Businesses are increasingly postponing investments and diversifying suppliers due to economic uncertainties. Mishra underlined that building domestic capabilities must focus on competitiveness rather than merely substituting imports.
PM Modi is alleged to have knowledge of restricted access within the Election Commission's IT division. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claimed that complaints have been filed regarding this issue. The two election commissioners have expressed concerns about a lack of transparency in the electoral registration process. Allegations of central control by the Prime Minister and Chief Election Commissioner have surfaced recently.
Karnataka is facing a severe drought situation affecting farmers and the general public. Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has requested Rs 3,705.30 crore for relief under NDRF norms. The Central Inter-Ministerial Drought Assessment Team is visiting to assess the situation over three days. Water shortages across urban areas have been reported, and farmers are demanding higher prices for their produce.
A tremor measuring 3.3 magnitude occurred in Maharashtra's Hingoli district, recorded at 7.46 am. This seismic event originated from the Gadhala area of Aundha Nagnath tehsil. Residents expressed brief concern, but initial reports confirmed no casualties or property damage. The region has faced intermittent seismic activities over the past six years, with previous major tremors causing minor structural damage.
Shoaib Akhtar has announced he will not take any role with the Pakistan Cricket Board in the near future. His mother advised him to avoid involvement in cricket politics, which he intends to follow. While he wishes for the best for Pakistan cricket, he is not interested in a chief selector position. Currently, Shoaib is on a private visit to Houston and remains critical of PCB operations.
A Thiruvananthapuram consumer commission ordered Eureka Forbes to pay Rs 19,490 to a customer after his Rs 11,490 water purifier broke down within four months of purchase. The company had refused free repair, claiming the faulty filter fell outside the one year warranty, and asked for Rs 2,500 extra. The commission found deficiency in service and ordered tp pay Rs 19,490
Securities and Exchange Board of India will release a framework regarding changes to the Closing Auction Session mechanism. The regulator reviewed comments on its consultation paper about market timings and settlement methodology. Sebi intends to address specific issues related to derivatives settlement prices after consultations. Regulatory measures for corporate bond derivatives are also being developed to promote market growth.
Four women in Karachi are taking to motorcycles for food delivery work to support their families. They have each faced personal challenges that motivated them to seek financial independence. The growing demand for home delivery has created opportunities for them within the city's busy landscape. Initiatives are emerging to help more women overcome transportation barriers in their professional lives.
David Rivera, a former congressman, received a 10-year prison sentence for unregistered lobbying for Venezuela. He was convicted for money laundering and failing to register as a foreign agent. During his trial, Marco Rubio stated they were once close friends but he knew nothing about the contract. Rivera claims his lobbying efforts aimed to undermine President Maduro rather than assist him.
The 11th annual general meeting of the Asset Recovery Interagency Network took place in New Delhi. Key topics included tracing illicit assets, confiscation, and asset management strategies. India shared its experiences in asset restoration under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The presidency was handed over to Singapore for the upcoming year, emphasizing the importance of trust in collaborations.
India secured a gold medal in the men's cricket event at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. They achieved this victory by defeating Pakistan by 19 runs in the final match. Batting first, India scored 211 runs for six wickets, aided by strong performances from Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma. The duo's explosive batting included half-centuries that significantly influenced the game's outcome.
P K Mishra highlighted the impact of geopolitical tensions on global markets and economic vulnerabilities. He mentioned that India is diversifying its energy imports to reduce vulnerabilities and ensure economic stability. The need for macroeconomic resilience through fiscal space and adequate foreign reserves was also emphasised. Mishra pointed out the importance of critical minerals for the future of advanced manufacturing and sustainability.
Abhijeet Dipke expressed concerns about his X handle potentially being removed following a restricted post. He thanked former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her support of the Cockroach movement. Banerjee's endorsement came during a recent protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Cockroach Janata Party plans a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10 if demands are not met.
A byelection is set for October 6 in the Thattanchavady Assembly constituency of Puducherry, following AINRC leader N Rangasamy's decision to vacate his previous seat for another area. The party has nominated former legislator Ashok Anand, enjoying support from various political groups. The competition includes candidates from DMK, CPI, and Congress, all vying for votes. Election results will be revealed on October 9, with campaign activities already in full swing.
IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh has indicated that India could examine foreign fifth-generation fighter options if the indigenous AMCA programme is delayed. Russia has offered its Su-57 fighter, although Singh said no decision has been taken. The IAF is also seeking to expand its fighter fleet as squadron strength remains below the authorised level.
The Supreme Court is disturbed by a trial judge's unsolicited advice about bail jurisprudence. After rejecting a bail petition, the top court ordered the trial court to conclude proceedings within three months. The trial judge requested additional time to finish the trial and included unsolicited advice in the communication. The Supreme Court emphasised that it is not the judge's role to advise on bail matters or timeline.
Kumkum Mohod achieved notable success by winning gold medals in both individual and team archery events. She became the first Indian woman to secure an individual recurve gold at the Asian Games. Her triumph included defeating her idol, Olympic champion Kang Chaeyoung, in the quarterfinals of the competition. Kumkum's achievements also secured a quota place for India in the upcoming Olympic Games.
Pargat Singh, the newly-appointed president of Punjab Congress, aims for a united approach despite past factionalism. He expressed respect for his predecessor, Raja Warring, and highlighted team collaboration for future decisions. Singh emphasized the need to restore democracy in the country and sees the party as a collective effort under Rahul Gandhi's leadership.
Sanjay Malhotra highlighted the need for vigilance regarding financial vulnerabilities at the Kautilya Economic Conclave. He emphasized that banking and financial stress can develop suddenly yet take years to resolve. Malhotra pointed out the interplay of geopolitical and economic factors complicating current financial stability predictions. He stressed the Reserve Bank of India's role in maintaining financial resilience through appropriate regulations and supervision.
Rahul Gandhi has initiated the 'Satyagraha' program to unify diverse protests occurring throughout India. This initiative seeks to bring together stories of individuals fighting for their rights, including land and womens rights. Gandhi encourages people to share their experiences through a dedicated website. He emphasized his responsibility to support these movements as the Leader of the Opposition. The central aim is to organize protests and facilitate collaboration among various groups.
Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara announced that drought-related losses may significantly increase. Assessments have been completed for many taluks, revealing substantial financial impacts due to the drought. Central teams are set to evaluate the situation in different regions across the state. Recent rainfall will not dramatically alter the drought assessments, as crop losses occurred earlier this year. The state plans to submit a final memorandum once all evaluations conclude.
Captain Smit Machchhar was the pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073 when a violent incident occurred. He sustained injuries after the co-pilot attacked him in the cockpit. Despite his condition, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door for crew intervention. The flight was safely diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia following the altercation. Both Indian and Israeli leaders have praised Machchhar for his actions during the emergency.
Neeraj Chauhan clinched a bronze medal in the men's individual recurve event at the Asian Games, triumphing over teammate Dhiraj Bommadevara with a score of 6-4 in the play-off. Dhiraj had previously faced defeat against Lee Woo Seok, while Neeraj was bested by Junya Nakanishi. This accomplishment marks Neeraj as the second Indian male to earn a medal in this category, showcasing the increasing prowess of Indian archers globally.
The co-pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073 attacked the pilot with an axe in the cockpit. He attempted to gain control of the aircraft during the incident. The United Arab Emirates prosecutor general has announced that investigations are currently ongoing. Authorities are looking into the motives behind this attack and any possible connections.

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