The Economic Times
Elections 2026Top News / The Economic Times
The BJP has strategically appointed Sanjay Bhatia as the in-charge for Rajasthan, supported by co-in-charges Kavita Patidar and Kuljeet Chahal. For Maharashtra, Baijayant Jay Panda leads the charge alongside a team of co-in-charges. Sunil Bansal will manage Telangana and West Bengal, with carefully appointed co-in-charges. Vinod Tawde has been assigned the Uttar Pradesh in-charge role, and Smriti Irani is set to oversee the strategies in Chhattisgarh and Haryana.
Congress MLA Yashvantharayagowda Patil has taken a bold step by resigning from the Assembly, protesting the omission of Indi from the drought-affected regions. He formally submitted his resignation to Speaker G S Patil, pointing out the government's failure to recognize both Indi and Chadachana as drought-stricken areas despite repeated requests.
In a heartwarming moment, Shrikant Pandey recently celebrated his 80-year-old father's first-ever flight. After the passing of his mother from cancer, Shrikant chose to prioritize family time, capturing the joy and wonder on his father's face as they soared through the skies. The video struck a chord with many, inspiring viewers to reflect on their own cherished moments spent with parents and the vital importance of creating lasting memories.
India A Women will now play Australia A Women in a multi-day match at PCA IS Bindra Stadium. This change is due to rain affecting the outfield in Dharamshala. The match is scheduled from September 29 to October 2, concluding the series between the teams. India A Women recently won the opening One-Day match by four wickets while chasing 236 runs.
Delhi High Court has issued a notice regarding a Public Interest Litigation filed by Kush Kalra. The petition alleges gender discrimination in officer recruitment within the Territorial Army. Kalra points out that vacancies have been disproportionately allocated to male candidates since 2022. Additionally, the petition references past court rulings supporting gender equality in recruitment practices. The court scheduled a hearing for further proceedings on December 4, 2026.
According the Eurozone purchasing managers' index (PMI) published by S&P Global, the region's business activity grew the fastest in September since April 2023. The development comes amidst expansion in the services and manufacturing industries. The Eurozone scored a reading of 53.1 after 52 in August in the index, wherein a score above 50 indicates growth while a figure below 50 signals contraction.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa spoke at an Atlantic Council panel in New York regarding the Golan Heights. He made a joke to US President Donald Trump about the territory and New Jersey. Al-Sharaa emphasized that the Golan Heights belongs to its people and cannot be given away. He acknowledged Israel-Syria negotiations had almost reached 90% agreement in the past.
Akash Anand, once seen as the political successor of Mayawati, has faced significant setbacks in his career. After a series of promotions, he was removed from key responsibilities multiple times since 2024. Mayawati recently stated that Anand's conduct post-marriage has influenced her decision to separate him from the party. Furthermore, his father-in-law's political troubles have contributed to this decision.
Experience the charm of New York City with a complimentary ride on the Staten Island Ferry, a beloved tradition spanning nearly thirty years. This service connects millions of tourists and commuters, allowing them to glide across the harbor effortlessly. Not only does the fare-free transit attract many, but also its consistent operations ensure a seamless journey while offering breathtaking views of the city's iconic skyline and landmarks.
India's women's hockey team achieved a remarkable victory over Thailand by scoring 20 goals in their match. Deepika led the team with nine goals, supported by teammates Navneet Kaur and Rutuja Dadaso Pisal. Previously, India won matches against Uzbekistan and Indonesia with significant scorelines. India's men's kabaddi teams also secured victories on the same day, contributing to a successful outing.
ShinyHunters, a notorious cyber extortion group, has announced a shocking breach of the FBI's systems, claiming they have extracted sensitive information. With a two-day ultimatum for a response, they allege to possess data on FBI personnel and applicants, triggering an investigation by the agency. This bold move appears to be a retaliatory strike against the FBI.
Texas defense attorney Mariah Medina experienced a wardrobe-related incident in Bexar County court recently. During her appearance, a judge questioned the appropriateness of her sleeveless dress in front of others. Medina believed her attire complied with the courts requirements and previously wore the dress in other courts. Despite the judge's remarks, Medina intends to wear a blazer in future appearances before her.
Jeffrey Maas, a 77-year-old retiree, lost his life savings after falling for a scam. He received a fake email about an antivirus charge that led to a phone call with a scammer. Maas was manipulated into believing he had to buy gold to reverse a fraudulent deposit. He filed a lawsuit against his bank and the precious metals dealer for negligence.
Due to erratic monsoon patterns, farmers in India are cutting back on their investments in pesticides, fertilizers, and seeds. The irregular rainfall is posing serious challenges to crop yields this year, compelling them to be cautious about their expenses. Agrochemical market players are witnessing a decline in demand for crop protection products, leading experts to advocate for consolidation in the congested farm input market to better manage these uncertainties.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav admonished the recent demolition drive in Ayodhya by the Uttar Pradesh Government and alleged that poor families are being uprooted and deprived of their homes and livelihood. He promised to compensate them if his party returns to power in Uttar Pradesh. Yadav said he never intended to obstruct the development of the temple city and claimed his party would it a world-class city. He said the government, despite their reasons, must be considerate its action
Manu Bhaker finished fifth in the women's 10m air pistol event at the Asian Games. She emotionally recalled the advice of her late coach Jaspal Rana, who passed away earlier this year. Bhaker emphasized the importance of focusing on process rather than results during her performance. Despite challenges in her preparations, she felt her final performance improved from earlier practices.
The Supreme Court is set to examine the regulatory power of the Bar Council of India over law colleges. The court questioned the expertise of the BCI in managing legal education effectively. A petition challenges the appointment and extended tenure of BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra. The BCI has responded by clarifying its trustees' terms and conditions following concerns.
A rising number of Americans are turning to secondhand furniture, participating in a thriving recommerce market. The trend, particularly popular among younger consumers, is influenced by both financial considerations and a quest for distinctive styles. The appeal of customizing furniture, known as the IKEA effect, adds to this movement. Yet, to successfully flip furniture, one must prioritize quality and set achievable goals.
A recent collaboration between IIT Kharagpur and upGrad reveals a dramatic increase in demand for AI executive programmes aimed at experienced tech professionals. In just a few months, the initiative has broadened its curriculum from four to seven targeted courses. With participants enrolling from diverse locations, the landscape of AI training is shifting towards practical, role-oriented education, underscoring the necessity for ongoing skill development in an AI-driven job market.
Instead of discarding delivery boxes, consider their versatility. They're perfect for crafting stylish organizers for various items like stationery, shoes, or headphones. With a few modifications using cardboard separators and labeling, they can become effective storage solutions. Ensure the boxes are clean and in good condition first; optional decorative paper can elevate their visual appeal.
Brigid Kaelins creative repurposing of an untunable piano into a stylish home bar highlights a growing national trend. As acoustic piano sales plummet, digital keyboards dominate American households, marking a significant shift. This transformation not only showcases individual ingenuity but also illustrates the broader movement towards upcycling and the increasing popularity of vintage furniture among younger generations.
British business activity growth has slowed this month amidst pressures of inflation, showed a S&P Global survey on Wednesday. Prices charged by services companies rose the fastest in four months and also reported accelerating cost pressures following a rise in energy prices caused by the escalating conflict in Iran. Economists say soaring government borrowing costs and rising inflation pressure threaten to dim the outlook.
With New Zealand's 54th Parliament preparing to close its doors for the upcoming elections on November 7, the unique Mixed Member Proportional representation system takes center stage. This voting mechanism empowers smaller parties, as citizens cast two votesone for an electorate candidate and another for a political party. Given the likelihood of coalitions, the elections might lead to a complicated result without a clear winner emerging immediately.
The Election Commission has rejected suggestions of a split within the poll body over the nationwide Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, saying all major decisions over the past year were taken unanimously. The clarification follows reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised multiple objections during internal deliberations on voter deletions, registration forms and database management.
Germany's Ambassador to India, Jasper Wieck, stated that a submarine partnership awaits Indian approvals. This partnership with Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems focuses on technology transfer and production in India. The project aligns with broader India-Germany defence cooperation initiatives. Earlier agreements aimed to enhance joint training and development in defense sectors were also signed. Germany will proceed with the deal as soon as required approvals are completed by Indian authorities.
In 2016, Washington opened the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge, a 7,708-foot engineering marvel spanning Lake Washington between Seattle and its eastern suburbs. Supported by 77 concrete pontoons, the bridge became the worlds longest floating bridge, surpassing the record held by its 1963 predecessor. Explore how deep lakebed conditions, soft sediment, innovative bridge engineering, and decades of infrastructure planning made this record-breaking floating bridge possible.
Discover the remarkable Leas Lift in Folkestone, Kent, a historic water-powered funicular railway built in 1885. Using gravity and water instead of engines, the Victorian cliff railway carried 36.4 million passengers over 132 years before closing in 2017. Explore the ingenious engineering behind this energy-efficient transport system, its Grade II listed status, restoration efforts, and why this pioneering example of sustainable transit still matters today.
Trinamool Congress leader Derek OBrien on Wednesday called for action on a Rajya Sabha motion seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, after a report said two Election Commissioners had objected to several poll panel decisions during the SIR exercise.
The OECD has raised its FY27 India growth forecast by 80 basis points to 7.1%, from 6.3% earlier, joining Fitch, S&P Global Ratings and Moodys in upgrading their projections after India recorded 7.8% GDP growth in Q1 FY27.
Punjab Government will implement an 8% increase in Dearness Allowance for its employees starting September 1, 2026. The current rate will rise from 42% to 50%, benefiting all government employees. This announcement was made in a notification by the State Department of Finance. The increase will be included in the September 2026 salary. The Governor of Punjab approved this decision, thereby improving employee compensation.
Raymond Ltd has announced an expansion into aircraft structures with its subsidiary JK Maini Global Aerospace. The subsidiary won a tender to assemble wing and centre-fuselage structures for a fighter aircraft programme. This strategic move aims to enhance the company's capabilities without substantial investments in new infrastructure. The programme will enable the subsidiary to establish credentials for larger aerospace projects.
Gautam Adani has overtaken Mukesh Ambani to reclaim the top spot on the M3M Hurun India Rich List 2026, with wealth of Rs 9.23 lakh crore. The list now includes a record 391 dollar billionaires, while AI and quantum computing have emerged as new wealth-creation sectors and 70% of entrants are self-made entrepreneurs.
In 1869, New Hampshires Mount Washington Cog Railway became the worlds first mountain-climbing cog railway, using a toothed track to reach the 6,288-foot summit. Explore the remarkable history of this historic railway, its 37.4% Jacobs Ladder grade, extreme Mount Washington weather, pioneering railroad engineering, and how the 157-year-old Cog Railway continues operating today. Discover the engineering innovation that made this steep ascent possible.
The Indian men's and women's skeet shooting teams secured bronze medals at the Asian Games in Nagoya. The women's team, consisting of Raiza Dhillon, Maheshwari Chauhan, and Parinaaz Dhaliwal, achieved a historic first bronze. In the men's competition, Anantjeet Singh Naruka and his teammates also received bronze for their performance. Individual podium finishes were not achieved by Indian shooters, despite strong efforts in the finals.
Nearly a century after opening, the Holland Tunnel's original ventilation system, 84 fans across four buildings, still keeps drivers safe from carbon monoxide. Built between 1920 and 1927, its ransverse airflow design became the model for tunnels worldwide. A decades-long health study on tunnel officers found real but manageable risks. Today, over 30 million vehicles a year pass through, unaware of the century-old engineering working above them.
Braden Peters, who goes by the name 'Clavicular', faces serious allegations of sexual assault, including rape and drugging in Massachusetts. In a public response, he contends that these accusations stem from greed rather than truth. His arraignment is set for October 14, and more allegations from a separate lawsuit have emerged, leaving the legal proceedings to clarify the situation further.
Beginning September 24, 2026, the Central Board of Secondary Education is set to allow schools to submit their List of Candidates through the official CBSE portal. This process will remain open until October 21, 2026, and schools are required to provide essential details such as names, birth dates, and photographs.
India is preparing to move its indigenous 30kW-class laser weapon towards production. DRDO plans to seek an industry partner for the truck-mounted system within six days, which can target drone swarms, UAVs and surveillance sensors at ranges of up to 5 km.
Uday Kotak emphasized India's heavy dependence on gold imports, estimating a rise to $90 billion by FY27. He highlighted that excluding gold from the current account deficit would strengthen India's external position significantly. Kotak called for a committee to address gold demand alongside capital account challenges while proposing tighter fiscal policies. He noted that global economic uncertainties could be opportunities for India to accelerate reforms and improve domestic production.
Eight MLAs from Meghalaya's United Democratic Party officially joined the BJP during an event at the party headquarters. Senior BJP leaders, including Kiren Rijiju and Sambit Patra, welcomed the new members. The lawmakers expressed their admiration for Prime Minister Modi and the performance of the BJP-led NDA government. This political shift is considered significant for both the northeast and the entire country.
In 1975, West Virginia University opened America's first large-scale driverless transit system, built as a federal experiment to fix a hilly campus's traffic problems. Fifty years on, the Personal Rapid Transit system's 67 electric cars have carried over 100 million passenger trips, still running daily between five stations, proving that futuristic driverless transport isn't new; it's been quietly working since before most millennials were born.
Rahul Gandhi has accused the BJP, RSS, and Election Commission of treason regarding electoral roll manipulations. Allegations arose after reports indicated dissent among Election Commissioners concerning procedural decisions. Abhishek Manu Singhvi criticized the Chief Election Commission's leadership as misleading and harmful to democracy. Additionally, Arvind Kejriwal and Abhishek Banerjee called for the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner and an investigation.
AGT 2026 finale: The second day of grand finale of America's Got Talent Season 21 will be held on September 23. Ten finalists will perform live, giving viewers a chance to vote for their favorite act. Voting will be available through multiple platforms until the morning after the first night of the finale. Guest performers will include notable artists and returning alumni.
Researchers predict that this year's super El Nino may cause 451,000 excess heat-related deaths worldwide through February 2027. Nigeria is expected to have the highest number of heat-related deaths during this period. The Sahel region and Southeast Asia are also projected to face significant mortality due to extreme temperatures. Countries like India and Pakistan could experience heightened vulnerability during their summer months.
The US Department of Justice has said that President Donald Trump's move to shut out CNN, MS NOW and Politico from areas of the White House is valid, a day ahead of a court hearing. Journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico were denied any access to the White House grounds on Saturday and had their passes confiscated.
In Colorado, a unique gondola system has been enhancing connectivity between two towns since 1996, allowing passengers to traverse effortlessly while avoiding congested roads. With almost three million annual trips logged, this fare-free service demonstrates how eliminating transit costs can lead to a remarkable increase in ridership. Additionally, its low-emission design sets a precedent for sustainable urban transit solutions.
Foreign Ministers from the G4 countries met in New York to discuss the need for UN Security Council reform. They highlighted the current Council's inability to maintain international peace and security effectively. The G4 emphasized the importance of expanding both permanent and non-permanent membership categories to reflect modern geopolitical realities. Discussions also included the representation needs of under-represented regions, especially Africa.

36 C