The Economic Times
Elections 2026Top News / The Economic Times
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka, Venugopal among other INDIA Bloc MPs detained in Delhi
Rajnath Singh inaugurates 218 cr second Shakti Engine line as HAL Koraput delivers 2,000th engine
Texas voters can cast their ballots before Election Day in the 2026 midterm elections, with early voting set from Oct. 19 through Oct. 30. The election will include races for governor, a U.S. Senate seats, many U.S. House seats, local offices and initiatives in North Texas. Voters should check their registration, identify their early voting location and review the applicable voting requirements before heading to the polls.
The Competition Commission of India approved four deals on Tuesday in highways, hospitality, steel, and pharmaceuticals. JSW Group's restructuring gained approval, merging BMM Ispat into JSW Steel for full ownership. Canada's CPP Investment Board can acquire a stake in Prestige Hospitality Ventures, but specifics were not disclosed.
Sixty-nine years after Sputnik's launch marked the beginning of the Space Age, new advancements are reshaping space access. Reusable rockets, such as SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Starship, are cost-effective alternatives to traditional expendable launch vehicles. This transformation supports not only increased launch frequency but also diverse missions involving satellites and human exploration. World Space Week 2026 emphasizes these advancements while inspiring students through rocketry programs world
Triumph has launched the Bonneville T40 and T40 Black, combining classic aesthetics with cutting-edge technology. Priced at Rs 2,79,999, these motorcycles house a robust liquid-cooled 350cc engine for superior performance. They feature various riding modes and top-notch safety enhancements, boosting rider confidence. The diverse color palette aims to attract a wide range of enthusiasts and riders alike.
Amazon is preparing to send another round of payments to consumers affected by its Prime enrollment and cancellation practices. The payments are part of a $2.5 billion settlement reached with the Federal Trade Commission in 2025. The FTC said Amazon has already paid more than $845 million to consumers as of September 2026. The latest changes will expand the group of customers eligible for payments and raise the maximum amount some consumers can receive.
World Space Week will be celebrated from October 4 to October 10, 2026, under the theme 'Rocket Revolution'. This theme emphasizes the transformation in the rocket launch industry and the rising accessibility to space. Various activities, including exhibitions and STEM projects, are planned to engage the public. Additionally, Pokmon will play a role in promoting the event through themed exhibitions and collaborations.
Plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Pneumonic plague occurs when the infection affects the lungs. It can spread from one person to another through respiratory droplets.
It started at the Gaza border. Then came Hezbollah, Houthi attacks, rerouted ships, an Israel-Iran war, American strikes and an oil shock. Three years after October 7, the Middle Easts fault lines have cracked open far beyond where the first shots were fired.
A 22-year-old man was arrested in London on suspicion of a terror offence involving a US military base. Previous arrests of five British men occurred near RAF Fairford, indicating a broader investigation. Police evacuated residents and discovered gasoline in vehicles linked to the suspects, though no explosives were found.
Paramount Skydance finalized its acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery for $110 billion after a prolonged bidding war. Following the merger, shares of Skydance began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker 'SKYD'. The deal faced scrutiny and opposition from various Hollywood figures and state attorneys general concerned about job losses. Regulators permitted the transaction despite legal challenges, including lawsuits from the Writers Guild of America.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has opened applications for a position on the Men's Selection Committee. Interested candidates must have played a minimum number of matches and retired at least five years ago. The committee will be responsible for selecting the Senior National Men's Team as well as identifying and developing new talent. Members will need to scout players, attend matches, and provide performance evaluations.
Polls indicate Democrat James Talarico leads Republican Ken Paxton by six points in the U.S. Senate race. Meanwhile, Democrat Gina Hinojosa has a narrow lead over Governor Greg Abbott, with a three-point margin. Talarico's support is strong among women and younger voters, while Hinojosa performs well with similar demographic groups. Additionally, many voters oppose the rapid expansion of data centers in Texas.
Former head of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service, August Hanning, faces serious charges of espionage and treason. Allegations suggest he had a covert arrangement with an ex-office manager to acquire sensitive information, including internal documents and briefings targeted at the German Chancellery. Reports indicate that he may have shared this intelligence with foreign agents, marking a significant espionage scandal under ongoing investigation.
Weather Tomorrow: On October 7, expect partly cloudy skies over Delhi-NCR, with temperatures hovering between 22C and 34C. Thunderstorms paired with lightning are anticipated in Haryana, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, while West Bengal faces similar weather. Conversely, Rajasthan will remain dry without any IMD warnings. In the hills, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand might see rain or even snowfall, accompanied by thunderstorms.
Amazon Prime Day October 2026 is bringing new deals three times a day, with discounts on tech, fitness trackers, beauty, home, kitchen and more. Heres the exact schedule for new discounts during the 48-hour sale, which runs through October 7.
The 57th meeting of the GST Council, to be chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and comprising state finance ministers, will on October 8 deliberate significant changes to the GST enforcement framework, including removing the arrest powers of GST officers.
In a wave of activism, youth in France, Belgium, Ireland, and Spain are taking to the streets to address critical challenges affecting their lives. Protesters highlight issues such as the failing education system in France, the financial hurdles in Irish higher education, and the steep rental prices pushing Spaniards into dependency. These movements underscore deep-seated generational anxieties, pointing to a widespread sentiment of uncertainty that resonates throughout Europe.
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed as the new Chief of the Indian Air Force. He succeeds Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh after a long and distinguished career. Dixit has flown various aircraft and logged over 3,500 hours of flying. He is recognized for promoting indigenous aircraft projects, particularly the LCA Tejas. Air Marshal Dixit is expected to further advance the government's Aatmanirbharta initiative.
Abigail Carter moved to France to transform a neglected chteau into a retreat for artists and writers. After years of rebuilding her life as a widow, she found purpose in this venture. The purchase of Chteau de Borie cost her 610,000, and she navigated French legalities and renovation challenges. Her creative retreats generated around 80,000 in annual income, attracting participants from various countries.
Sergey Brin has committed $102 million against a proposed one-time tax on California billionaires. This tax could potentially cost him around $13 billion if approved. With significant opposition funding exceeding $187 million, support for the tax stands at about $32 million. Governor Gavin Newsom and other billionaires have joined Brin in the campaign against the tax.
Hurricane tracker: Nolo is no longer a hurricane. The powerful storm remains about as strong, but it changed names to a typhoon as it crossed the international dateline in the Pacific Ocean. Hurricane Rachel continued heading westward on a path away from Mexico.
School holiday tomorrow: On October 7, 2026, most schools across India are expected to be open and conduct regular classes. However, localised school closures may be announced due to severe weather conditions, including heavy rainfall and landslides. Parents should stay informed by checking official school communications and local weather updates. Additionally, some districts may implement closures in response to unsafe conditions.
A flydubai co-pilot launched a terrorist attack by stabbing the captain with an emergency axe. The plane rapidly plunged 16,000 feet before passengers intervened to gain control. Despite serious injuries, the captain managed to land the aircraft safely, ensuring all passengers survived. This incident has reignited discussions regarding aviation security and pilot screening processes. Past incidents like 9/11 and the Germanwings crash have already changed safety protocols significantly.
Paramount Skydance has completed its $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros Discovery, creating a major Hollywood entertainment company spanning film, television, streaming and news. The combined entity, named Skydance, will trade as SKYD on the New York Stock Exchange. CEO David Ellison will oversee strategy as the companies pursue $6 billion in cost savings.
The defence agreement, signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye in August, establishes a framework for collective deterrence and stipulates that an armed attack against any one of them would be regarded as an attack against all.
The US trade deficit increased by 13.7% in August, reaching $105.6 billion. This rise reflects strong domestic demand and increased imports. Imports rose by 4.3% to $420.8 billion, with goods imports jumping 5.3%. Exports also saw a small increase of 1.4% to $315.2 billion in the same period. Economists predict that trade could significantly impact economic growth in the third quarter.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently celebrated the remarkable milestone of HAL's Koraput Division delivering its 2,000th aero-engine. This new Shakti engine line is set to manufacture up to 100 engines each year, reinforcing military readiness. He emphasized the necessity of developing indigenous capabilities for defense projects, notably the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, while calling for strengthened ties with MSMEs and educational institutions, highlighting Odisha's pivotal role in the
Measles outbreak New York: New York has declared a statewide disaster emergency in response to increasing measles cases, which now total 108. Most infections are found in under-immunized rural areas, while New York City reports only seven cases. Neighboring Pennsylvania has experienced a more severe outbreak, surpassing 1,000 cases and resulting in five deaths. The emergency measures include expanded testing and vaccination protocols to curb the outbreak.
ASOS shares crashed 13% after a ASOS HACKED alert reached customers phones, claiming hackers had compromised a Snowflake instance and threatened to leak data. The retailer has not confirmed the alleged breach, leaving questions over what happened and whether customer data is at risk.
How Indian does an Indian chip need to be?
Himachal Pradesh High Court has quashed an order denying a woman patta for land her father was granted in 1972, ruling that the Nautor Land Rules do not bar married daughters from inheriting land as legal heirs. The court held that a 1980 administrative circular excluding married daughters cannot override statutory rules, and relied on a Supreme Court precedent against gender based exclusion in land allotment.
The Supreme Court has raised concerns regarding stationary vehicles causing accidents on highways. Justices suggested the National Highways Authority of India implement electronic surveillance for tracking these vehicles. Various incidents highlight ongoing issues of illegal parking contributing to road fatalities. The court plans to address encroachments and applications related to this matter on October 13.
The Centre plans to launch a pilot faceless scheme under the Central Goods and Services Tax. The aim of the scheme is to reduce direct interactions between taxpayers and tax officers significantly. Cases will be assigned using technology, including artificial intelligence and data analytics for efficiency. This new framework draws on the existing faceless system used by the Income Tax Department.
School assemblies are set to provide essential updates on both national and international matters significant to students. Highlights include India's Vice President pushing for a broader sharing of ancient wisdom. In sports, Jannik Sinner's unfortunate knee issues will sideline him for the remainder of the year. Additionally, Sourav Ganguly has been appointed as the head coach for the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2027.
Andhra Pradesh Police arrested two individuals as part of an espionage investigation involving contacts with Pakistani operatives. The arrests included a naval employee and a civilian engaged for naval officers. The Counter Intelligence Cell coordinated with police from ten states to track the suspects. Authorities reported that sensitive information was shared regarding defence establishments in India. Further investigation continues to reveal the extent of the conspiracy and other suspects inv
Arunachal Pradesh is focused on hydropower development, with 19,000 MW of projects in various stages. Chief Minister Pema Khandu highlighted the strategic importance of the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project and the need for public consultations. He emphasised conducting the Preliminary Feasibility Report before deciding on the project's construction. Several infrastructure projects under the Pasighat Smart City Mission were inaugurated to improve urban amenities.
Rahul Gandhi climbs Police Barricade, waves Tricolour as INDIA Bloc MPs protest against CEC
The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday questioned the Enforcement Directorate over initiating FEMA proceedings against Cafe Coffee Day CEO Malavika Hegde more than 12 years after the transactions under scrutiny. The court examined whether such action was permissible after an unreasonable delay and extended interim protection against the proceedings.
Mediator Qatar confirmed that indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran continue amid a protracted conflict. Talks have resumed despite ongoing tensions and previous ceasefires not yielding lasting peace. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of these discussions. As the war persists, both nations aim to address the strategic concerns surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
'We'll never apologise': Mullin defends deportation of 100 to El Salvador | US immigration crackdown
Protests have emerged across India as citizens demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Demonstrators claim that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision process threatens voter rights and favors the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Critics say this process requires complex documentation that may disenfranchise vulnerable communities and lead to significant voter list reductions. Opposition parties and activists are calling for more independent election oversight.

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