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Elections 2026Top News / The Economic Times
China aims for the COP31 summit to discuss new challenges like tariffs on its clean technology. The country emphasizes the need for climate finance for developing nations as a priority at the conference. Officials have raised concerns over unilateralism and protectionism affecting global climate efforts. China also highlights its leadership in producing renewable energy technology such as solar panels and electric cars.
Pakistan has set a target of landing on the Moon by 2035 as it expands its space programme through cooperation with China. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal announced that Pakistans first astronaut is scheduled to embark on a space mission from China on November 25. The partnership also includes a lunar rover project, while India is pursuing its own human spaceflight and Moon exploration goals.
DDA Narela flats: Delhi Development Authority's Awaas Nivesh Yojana 2026 received a strong response, with more than 2,500 low-income group flats in Narela booked within two hours of online bookings opening on October 20. The scheme offered 2,516 flats at a 25% discount, with tentative prices starting at Rs 14.95 lakh.
Manjeet secured a silver medal in the men's javelin throw F13 with a throw of 61.03 meters. This achievement increased India's overall medal tally to 46 medals during the Games. Earlier, India achieved another podium sweep in men's shot put F46 with Sachin Khilari, Mohd Yasser, and Praveen winning gold, silver, and bronze respectively.
Ravi Kishan urges young people to turn to Ramayan for life lessons
US President Donald Trump asserts that America is experiencing a golden age, despite rising costs affecting citizens. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance acknowledges the frustrations many voters feel due to high gas prices. Economic confidence continues to decline, with inflation affecting multiple sectors. Supporters have mixed feelings about the president's optimistic outlook on the economy.
Asaduddin Owaisi has raised concerns regarding the handling of the Race Course Masjid situation in New Delhi. He emphasised that the mosque holds gazetted Waqf status and should have legal protection. Owaisi urges Union Minister Kiren Rijiju to intervene and halt any potential demolition actions. The absence of a constituted Waqf Board in Delhi has contributed to administrative inaction.
China has claimed it has sovereignty over the Pratas Islands, located strategically in the South China Sea. The Chinese coast guard has been patrolling these waters to enforce what it describes as law enforcement. Taiwan has rejected these claims, insisting that only its people can decide their future. Taiwan's officials believe that Beijing's policy towards the island is becoming more aggressive.
France is experiencing significant protests driven by rising living costs and poor conditions in schools. Recent demonstrations have escalated into violence, resulting in thousands of arrests and clashes with police. Critics say government response to protests has escalated police violence and increased public mistrust. The tradition of public protest in France dates back to the 1789 revolution, highlighting civic engagement as a duty.
The Orionids meteor shower peaks on October 2122, 2026. Here is the best time to watch Halleys Comet fragments from India, along with viewing tips and details about moonlight interference.
K Annamalai has criticised the actions of the Delhi Police against members of the CJP organisation. He expressed his support for the democratic right to raise critical questions despite disagreeing with their tactics. Annamalai emphasised that heavy-handed police measures could politically backfire, potentially making leaders more popular. He believes that the government should focus on effectively addressing public questions instead of resorting to arrests.
Bangladesh has requested clarification about the execution of two Bangladeshi nationals in Saudi Arabia. These executions occurred without prior notification to Bangladeshi authorities on October 14. The Bangladeshi government is seeking copies of court verdicts and details about the offenses. Saudi Arabia has not yet responded to these inquiries from Bangladesh. The situation remains sensitive given the large Bangladeshi workforce in Saudi Arabia and their remittances.
Hibsago, GSK's new hepatitis B treatment, recently secured approval from the US FDA, allowing patients to better manage their condition after therapy. This approval is vital as GSK aims for annual revenues of over 40 billion by 2031. The drug is already approved in Japan and is being assessed in China and Europe. Collaboration with Ionis Pharmaceuticals means they will receive milestone payments.
Tiger Shroff firing case: Accused taken to Mumbai anti-extortion cell following medical checkup
Adipurush' row: Manoj Muntashir, Om Raut decide to alter film's dialogues after public's backlash
Crux to making money in India is not anticipating next two years' growth: Manish Sonthalia, Motilal Oswal
There will be blood...': Casteist slogans surface on JNU walls; police complaint registered against 'unknown persons'
India addressed the UN General Assembly asserting that outer space should remain cooperative and not conflictual. Member of Parliament Sudha Murty emphasized the need for a legally binding treaty to prevent an arms race in space. She also mentioned India's emerging space capabilities and dual-use technologies. Murty highlighted the country's recent lunar achievement and aspirations for a human spaceflight program.
Protests erupted across Indonesia as students demanded action on rising living costs and environmental issues. Demonstrators criticized the government's handling of forest fires that generated toxic haze affecting public health. In Jakarta, students called for stronger protections for civil liberties and affordable healthcare. Meanwhile, the Presidential Chief of Staff announced measures to tackle forest fires and expedite corporate investigations.
Protests in Tirana escalated as police employed tear gas and water cannons against demonstrators seeking reform. Students are demanding lower tuition fees, enhanced state investment in education, and government accountability regarding corruption. Protests have erupted across several European countries due to rising living costs and housing concerns among citizens. Prime Minister Edi Rama condemned the violence but acknowledged the legitimacy of the protesters' grievances.
Ekadashi Vrat Katha: Papankusha Ekadashi 2026 will be observed on Thursday, October 22. The Ekadashi Tithi begins at 2:11 pm on October 21 and ends at 2:47 pm on October 22. Devotees observing the fast can break it on Friday, October 23, between 6:27 am and 8:42 am. The festival is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and associated with spiritual growth and devotion.
India has opposed attempts at the United Nations to turn unverified allegations and incomplete statistics into a negative characterisation of the country. Speaking at the UN General Assembly's Third Committee, MEA official Barkha Tamrakar said human rights should not be used for political pressure, amid criticism of police action against youth-led protests.
The Trump administration's recent sanctions on five Chinese companies have drawn firm opposition from Beijing, with ties to Linwei Ding, who faces charges of trade secret theft from Google. The U.S. State Department pointed out that significant violations occurred after January 2023. China's commerce ministry firmly defended their AI progress as a product of independent innovation, signaling potential responsive actions without revealing specific plans yet.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting Jamnagar, India, to discuss energy cooperation with Reliance Industries. His discussions will focus on processing Venezuelan oil amid ongoing international energy challenges. The Jamnagar refinery has significant capacity and could help stabilize global supply chains. Rubio's meeting with Mukesh Ambani highlights the strategic energy ties between the U.S. and India.
Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena notified the establishment of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils for all eight districts. The amendments to the regulation aim to improve local governance through increased representation and inclusivity efforts. The newly created Sankoo district will also have its own council following this announcement. Additionally, a medical college in Leh is set to operationalize in 2027 with a unique recruitment process.
Samsung One UI 9 driving report: Samsung One UI 9 brings new Galaxy AI features, camera upgrades and expanded customisation options to some Galaxy smartphones. The update introduces tools such as Call Brief, My FanCam and Now Nudge, alongside smarter notifications, improved Samsung DeX features and enhanced low-light photography and video recording controls.
Elon Musk has expressed support for a potential merger between Tesla and SpaceX. This merger could create a technology and manufacturing powerhouse worth approximately $3.5 trillion. By combining their resources, both companies could streamline operations and enhance collaboration on projects like AI and robotics. However, there are challenges related to governance, regulatory scrutiny, and execution risks that need to be addressed.
Meta has taken steps to comply with a court order for equal treatment of presidential candidates in Brazil. The electoral court directed the company to ensure balanced platform coverage before the upcoming runoff election. This follows allegations from President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's campaign regarding biased algorithms favoring his opponent, Flavio Bolsonaro. Meta has implemented measures to uphold electoral advertisement regulations amidst growing tensions.
The Aam Aadmi Party alleged that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was detained for three hours at Delhi airport after returning from Paris and fined Rs 50,000, with officials citing tremendous pressure from above. The party accused the Centre of obstructing Manns foreign visits and undermining Punjabs interests.
Julius BaerEYs Family Barometer Report 2026 shows that 65.9% of families believe the next generation is not yet ready, while emotional attachment, informal decision-making and weak family governance continue to complicate the transition. For Indias business families, the hardest part may not be transferring ownershipbut preparing the family to decide what comes next.
There is no contingency plan from government to deal with higher fuel price: RS Sharma
Ayush Verma won gold in the men's shot put F53 at the Asian Para Games 2026, taking India's gold tally to 10 and overall medal count to 38. Para-badminton star Suhas Yathiraj reached the semifinals, while Indian archers Toman Kumar and Shyam Sunder Swami narrowly missed bronze, finishing fourth.

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