The Economic Times

In the heart of Wisconsin, Kathleen Plunkett-Black's chance encounter with forsaken bean pods transformed her into a guardian of heirloom seeds. This seemingly small decision blossomed into a commitment to biodiversity, as she registered unique varieties with the Seed Savers Exchange. By teaching local residents the art of seed-saving, Kathleen highlights how individual efforts nurture a broader ecological future.

School holiday tomorrow October 1, 2026: Schools across India will not have a uniform closure, with Tamil Nadu observing a quarterly break while several other states are expected to hold regular classes. Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha and West Bengal have different schedules, making state and school calendars important for students and parents.

NHAI to begin special quality inspections for 17 under-construction National Highways projects due to their substantial cost discounts. These inspections are in addition to regular quality checks intended to identify construction issues early. A second round of inspections will take place after six months to verify quality and progress. The selected projects encompass various states and include significant infrastructural developments.

US private sector hiring experienced a significant rebound in September, with employers adding 90,000 jobs, up from 38,000 in August. This growth, led by the education, health care, and leisure industries, is accompanied by solid pay increases, although wage growth continues to lag behind inflation, impacting workers' purchasing power.

The Boeing 737 left Dubai International Airport for Ben Gurion Airport on September 30. About two and a half hours into the flight, something went wrong. Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft suddenly losing altitude.

Grace Groner made a $180 investment in Abbott Laboratories in 1935 while working as a secretary. She held onto the shares for about 75 years, allowing her investment to grow significantly. Upon her death in 2010, her estate was valued at approximately $7 million. Groner lived a modest lifestyle despite her wealth and chose not to indulge in luxuries.

Indias southwest monsoon ended with rainfall 12.6% below average, making it the fourth-lowest monsoon rainfall since 2001, according to the IMD. The weather office expects below-average rainfall in October, while most parts of the country are likely to receive below-normal rainfall during the broader October-December period.

Peter Thiel put $500,000 into Facebook in 2004, when the company was worth about $5 million. It was a small private business then, not the technology giant investors know today. The money first went in as a loan and was later converted into a 10% stake. Eight years later, that early decision had produced more than $1 billion.

Chad Lowe and Kim Painter have announced the death of their daughter, Fiona Harper Lowe, who was 13. The family described Fiona as a loving and creative girl who enjoyed dancing. They have not disclosed her cause of death and have requested privacy during their grieving process. Fiona was the middle child of the couple, who also have two other daughters.

India's women's hockey team secured a significant victory against South Korea with a score of 2-0. Ishika Chaudhary and Salima Tete scored the goals to ensure their place in the final. The team's next challenge is a match against defending champions China. India dominated possession throughout the match and earned numerous penalty corners. South Korea attempted a late comeback, but India's defense remained strong to secure the win.

Indias economy is set to grow 7% in FY27, according to S&P Global, which sees domestic demand, private investment, manufacturing, trade, energy security, renewable power, digital infrastructure and technology shaping Indias next phase of economic growth.

Predictions for the 2026 Nobel Prizes in science highlight significant contributions in areas like GLP-1 research and cancer therapies. Carl June is mentioned for his role in developing CAR-T cell therapy for cancer treatment. Researchers Emmanuel Mignot and Masashi Yanagisawa are noted for their work on orexin related to sleep regulation. Optical coherence tomography and lipid nanoparticle technology are also strong candidates for recognition.

INDIA Blocs action plan against SIR, Gyanesh Kumar: Protests from Oct 2, rallies announced

Narendra Bhooshan has been appointed as Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Previously, he was the Secretary for the Department of Land Resources. His appointment follows the retirement of Tanmay Kumar from the position. Dilip Kumar is also set to be reassigned from his role as Director General in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

'Did you meet Fani Willis?: Schmitts gaffe at Jack Smith hearing, Klobuchar schools GOP Senator

Motivational Quote of the Day by Audrey Hepburn: The inspiring quote defines happiness and beauty. The timeless quote features that real happiness has a positive way of improving an individual's beauty than physical appearance alone.

The US military has finished withdrawing all troops from Iraq, marking the end of a 12-year mission. This withdrawal culminated in the handover of an air base in northern Iraq to local authorities. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi described the event as the beginning of a new sovereign phase for Iraq. However, concerns arise regarding the future of Iranian-backed militias in the region.

Build Communities, Not Followers YouTube India MD Gunjan Soni's formula for Creators

Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 139 in the first ODI against the West Indies, achieving his 55th ODI century. This performance led him to climb to second place in the ICC ODI batting rankings. Shubman Gill remains at the top after also scoring a century in the same match. Additionally, several players like Temba Bavuma and Kusal Mendis made notable advancements in the rankings.

Russia has issued a grave caution to NATO concerning nuclear weapons, highlighting increasing worries about NATO's perceived moves to alienate the Kaliningrad Region. With relations strained following the 2022 Ukraine invasion, NATO emphasizes its dedication to its member states and support for Ukraine. Analysts voice concerns over potential misjudgments that might escalate into an open conflict, further heightening the existing tensions between Europe and Russia.

Mohammad Asif alias Hashim Moosa, identified as a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative in Jammu and Kashmir, was a former Pakistan Army Havildar who had served with the elite Special Services Group (SSG) and was involved in counter-insurgency operations, VVIP security duties and specialised weapons training, sources said.

'They just wanna call you dirt bag': Adam Schiff fires back at Republicans during Jack Smith hearing

October 2026 full holiday list includes national and festival-related holidays for schools and banks across India. Gandhi Jayanti falls on October 2, while Dussehra, Vijayadashami, Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti and Karva Chauth are among the other important dates. School breaks will differ by state and institution, while bank closures will also depend on regional holidays listed in the RBI calendar.

Chaos erupted on a Flydubai flight headed from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the cockpit witnessed an intense clash between pilots just after departure. Emergency signals were sent, prompting a swift military response from Israel. Reports reveal that one pilot stabbed the other, forcing an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Fortunately, passengers and crew intervened, securing the injured pilot until landing. Investigations are currently exploring the incident further.

The US has formally responded to Tehran's recent war proposal, challenging Iranian officials amidst ongoing economic sanctions that severely impact the nation. Traders indicate a notable dip in the value of the Iranian rial. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has initiated dialogues about the conditions for reopening the crucial Strait of Hormuz. Yet, the Trump administration's relentless economic campaign against Iran poses significant hurdles to negotiations.

Word of the Day: Cogitate means to think deeply and carefully about a question, idea or decision. Used mainly as a verb, the word suggests deliberate and prolonged reflection rather than a passing thought. Originating from the Latin cogitare, meaning to think or to consider, cogitate is often found in formal, literary and academic writing where careful reasoning is being described.

India's Kaveri dry engine has completed high-altitude and flight trials in Russia, recording 48.5 kN of peak dry thrust against its target of 46 kN. Developed by DRDO, the engine is intended for India's planned Ghatak stealth UCAV.

Sunil Kumar became the first Indian Greco Roman wrestler to win two Asian Games medals. He secured a bronze in the men's 87kg event after defeating Philippines' Roberts Callum Johnston. Nisha Dahiya faced disappointment as she lost both her bouts in the women's 68kg category. After a strong start, Nisha failed to maintain her lead against North Korea's Pak.

Faav, a savvy security researcher, discovered a significant vulnerability in Microsoft's Titan analytics platform that permitted unauthorized access. This flaw enabled him to masquerade as an administrator, executing SQL commands on extensive datasets. Upon notifying Microsoft, swift actions were taken to remedy the issue. For his responsible reporting, Faav was awarded a bounty of $5,000, highlighting the critical need for thorough security assessments within tech firms.

India's business landscape showed remarkable resilience as confidence levels surged by 5.6% in the first half of FY27 according to the ASSOCHAM Business Confidence Index. Spanning from April to September 2026, the index illustrates notable growth even in the face of persistent challenges like inflation and rupee depreciation, especially in July, August, and September.

As FY27 progresses, India's fiscal deficit climbed to an alarming Rs 7.10 lakh crore within the first five months, representing 41.9% of the projected budget for the year. The total receipts amounted to Rs 13.68 lakh crore, aligning at 37.5% of the total budget. Meanwhile, government spending hit Rs 20.78 lakh crore, with major subsidies also rising to Rs 1.87 lakh crore amidst continuing fiscal challenges.

New Delhi: The government's new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE-III) norms give the automobile industry a clear plan for future technology investments. Industry representatives said the norms aim to balance environmental goals with flexibility for companies. The new framework is also expected to encourage the use of flex-fuel vehicles and biofuels.Welcoming the notification, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) President Shenu Agarwal said the five-year framework provides predi

Chikitha Taniparthi made a remarkable Asian Games debut by winning two gold medals in archery. Her journey began when her father encouraged her to pursue sports over karate. After facing numerous challenges, including financial difficulties, she achieved significant milestones in her archery career. With guidance from experienced mentors, she honed her skills and became a world champion.

UK prisons are currently facing significant overcrowding, with occupancy rates nearing 98%, prompting urgent measures. Authorities plan to implement early release reforms for non-violent offenders to manage the crisis effectively. Historically, early release strategies have occurred several times, with previous instances occurring in the 1980s and 2007. The prison population has dramatically increased despite declining crime rates due to longer sentences and slow prison construction.

Indian companies' credit profiles showed resilience during the first half of fiscal year 2026-27. Despite the energy shock from the West Asia conflict, rating actions remained limited to a few issuers. The supportive domestic environment contributed to sustaining household purchasing power and controlling inflation. Strong revenue growth was noted across various sectors, with significant upgrades in investment-linked domains.

With heavy rains sweeping across India, the preparation for the semifinal clash against Sri Lanka has faced challenges. The team has focused on indoor training sessions while maintaining high spirits. Players are eager to hit the field and recognize the stakes involved in this semifinal. Their optimism about adapting to Nagoya's playing conditions underscores India's cricketing strength and versatility, as they can field several teams at once.

The Indian stock market saw further declines as the Sensex dipped nearly 49 points while the Nifty sank around 96 points by session's end. Rising bond yields spooked investors, dampening market sentiment. Yet, the Nifty Midcap 100 and Smallcap 100 managed to rise by 0.3%, showcasing a surprising resilience in the broader market despite the downturn in leading indices.

The Election Commission plans to meet for a review on decisions made regarding the Special Intensive Revision of the voter list. Concerns have been raised about how the SIR process has been managed, prompting changes to the procedure. Voters will no longer need to appear for hearings concerning discrepancies in their SIR forms. Additionally, in completed SIR states, the online Form 6 for new voters will omit certain parental details.

Ari Emanuel, executive chairman of WME Group, was asked about Meghan, 45, during a recent interview. Emanuel previously represented the Duchess of Sussex. The two reportedly parted ways last year.

Marcellus Investment Managers has officially gained SEBI's green light to launch its mutual fund operations in India. This move opens up opportunities for the company to share its robust investment strategies with a wider market. The fund aspires to direct household savings toward reputable companies known for their governance. Saurabh Mukherjea highlighted the importance of transparency and making investments accessible to all, continuing the firms well-regarded research-driven philosophy.

Flydubai hijacking video: A flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a reported confrontation between the pilots. Passengers described screams, blood in the cockpit and an alleged stabbing, while the aircraft briefly transmitted a hijacking code and plunged thousands of feet. Israeli authorities scrambled fighter jets as the incident unfolded.

Eurozone bond yields eased Wednesday from multi-year highs as investors tempered expectations for further rate hikes. Germanys 10-year yield fell to 3.57%, while French and Italian borrowing costs also declined but remained sharply higher for September. Falling energy prices and cautious central-bank signals offered relief, ahead of key inflation data.

Indian tax authorities have identified major appliance companies incorrectly claiming tax credits for non-existent e-waste processing services. The companies relied on documents from a recycler accused of fabrication and lacked verification of actual work done. Haier, Godrej & Boyce, and Blue Star face penalties for these false claims, totaling about $714,000. Investigators have found manipulated photographs used to support compliance with recycling regulations.

South Africa vs Australia Predicted Playing 11: In a thrilling showdown, South Africa is set to clash with Australia in the third ODI at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom. With the Proteas leading the series 2-0, they seek to clinch a clean sweep. Playing elevens from both sides are confirmed, and the weather predicts a cloudy day. Bowlers will shine on this pitch while fans in India can catch all the action live on the FanCode app.

Gayatri Oberoi, best known for playing Geeta opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Swades, lives in Mumbais Juhu mansion with husband Vikas Oberoi. Designed by Italian architect Piero Lissoni, the 75,000 sq ft, nine-storey residence features a rooftop infinity pool overlooking the Arabian Sea, a private theatre, gym, spa and spaces designed for grand entertaining. The home also blends Italian-inspired interiors with an impressive collection of Indian art, including works by MF Husain, Ravinder Reddy and Ma

TRUSTMF Small Cap Fund delivered the highest SIP return among smallcap funds over the past two years, followed by Bank of India Small Cap Fund and Union Small Cap Fund. The category average stood at 14.25%, while the benchmark returned 9.78%.

Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a series of key decisions, including the Rabi Price Policy for the 2027-28 marketing season, with an estimated payout of Rs 90,962 crore to farmers. MSPs for six Rabi crops, including wheat, barley, gram, lentil, rapeseed-mustard and safflower, were revised. The Cabinet also approved Rs 1,86,405 crore for PM DHARA and Rs 1,790 crore for an Intelligent Traffic Management System in Delhi.