The Economic Times

In a significant legal development, the defamation hearing linked to Rahul Gandhi has been rescheduled. The case stems from comments he made following the acquittal of men in the controversial Hathras rape case. Gandhi's legal team has raised formal objections, pushing the new date for the hearing to April 13.

The Bharatiya Janata Party is gearing up for a fierce fight in the 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly Election, with the release of its initial lineup of 47 candidates. High-profile nominations include Rajeev Chandrasekhar and K. Surendran. This strategic choice underscores the party's commitment to establishing a notable presence in various constituencies, hinting at a well-thought-out campaign ahead.

A 76-year-old property dispute, initiated shortly after India's Constitution was enacted, has finally concluded. The Bombay High Court ordered the partition of the remaining one acre of land in Yerawada among the heirs of landowner MMH Janmohamed. This landmark decision brings closure to one of the longest-running legal battles in the court's history.

Following the re-entry of a 600kg NASA satellite in March 2026, scientific focus has shifted toward the environmental hazards of space junk and the potential of wooden satellites as a sustainable alternative. With approximately 15,000 tonnes of space objects currently in orbit and 2,000 launches projected annually until 2031, the resulting metal particlesspecifically aluminium oxidepose a severe threat to the ozone layer.

A decades-long bribery case involving just Rs 500 against an excise official has finally concluded. The Supreme Court upheld his conviction after 36 years of legal proceedings across three courts. The official, now 75, received a reduced sentence of one year in jail. The case began in 1990 and saw lengthy trials and appeals.

Low-code and no-code platforms are empowering companies to build software applications faster and more affordably, addressing a global shortage of developers. These tools enable both technical and non-technical teams to create internal systems, customer applications, and automate workflows, accelerating digital transformation and improving operational efficiency across various industries.

India's unemployment rate dipped to 4.9% in February, down from 5% in January, according to government data. Urban unemployment also saw a slight decrease, while rural unemployment remained steady. The overall Labour Force Participation Rate held firm, though female participation saw a marginal increase, particularly in rural areas.

Agra's famed marble inlay craft, Pachikari, is grinding to a halt. The ongoing conflict in West Asia has stopped orders from the region, the main market. Thousands of artisans are now jobless. Major Gulf traders have suspended operations. This crisis threatens a livelihood for families who have practiced the craft for generations.

India's competition regulator, the CCI, is urging companies to self-audit their artificial intelligence tools. This move aims to prevent hidden anti-competitive outcomes during AI development and deployment. The CCI's guidance follows a market study on AI and competition. Regulators are staying alert as AI adoption grows rapidly across various sectors.

Delhi women can continue enjoying free bus travel for three more months using the existing pink ticket system. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta assured that the transition to the new 'Pink Saheli' smart cards will be gradual, urging women to apply at their convenience.

Tensions rise in the global oil arena following Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. To address this urgent situation, EU ministers are exploring the possibility of broadening Operation Aspides to include the Persian Gulf, initially focused on the Red Sea. The objective is clear: to mitigate rising fuel costs and protect energy access.

CSIR-NCL scientists have developed an indigenous technology to produce Dimethyl Ether (DME), a clean-burning fuel that can be blended with LPG. This innovation aims to reduce India's reliance on imported cooking fuel and bolster energy self-reliance. The technology offers a cost-effective way to produce DME, with potential for significant foreign exchange savings.

India has not engaged in talks with the United States regarding assistance for ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz. This key oil shipping route faces heightened international concern due to escalating Middle East tensions. Global energy markets are volatile, with oil prices surging. The European Union is also exploring ways to enhance maritime security in the region.

The film, adapted from Maggie OFarrells bestselling novel, centres on the profound grief endured by the family of playwright William Shakespeare following the death of his young son, Hamnet.

USCIRF: United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an independent, bipartisan federal government body, has released its 2026 Annual Report, alleging a significant deterioration of religious freedom in India throughout 2025. The commission has formally recommended that the U.S. State Department designate India as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and impose targeted sanctions on entities like the RSS, while also invoking Section 6 of the Arms Export Control Act to h

Hardeep Singh Puri's daughter has filed a Rs 10 crore defamation suit against individuals and online platforms for allegedly linking her to Jeffrey Epstein's criminal activities. The investment professional claims a malicious online campaign spread false allegations, causing significant reputational damage globally. She seeks removal of content, an injunction, damages, and an apology.

The government is set to introduce a revamped Stand-Up India scheme. This initiative will offer enhanced benefits to entrepreneurs from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women. The modified scheme aims to empower more individuals to establish new businesses. It incorporates lessons learned from the original program.

Global oil prices surge and markets fall amid fears of inflation and slowed growth. Asian countries, heavily reliant on Gulf oil, are taking action. Japan releases oil reserves, South Korea boosts coal and nuclear power, and China bans fuel exports. India seeks safe passage for its ships.

The Bihar Police Sub-ordinate Service Commission (BPSSC) has announced the results for the Police Sub-Inspector (SI) preliminary examination. Candidates can now check and download their scorecards and the merit list from the official website, bpssc.bihar.gov.in. This recruitment drive aims to fill 1,799 SI posts.

China urged an immediate halt to military operations in West Asia, responding to US President Trump's call for Beijing to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. Beijing stated it is discussing Trump's potential visit, which he linked to China's cooperation. The closure of the vital waterway has severely impacted global energy and trade.

LPG Gas: A viral video shows a roadside vendor increasing soya chaap prices, citing LPG hikes despite using a coal tandoor. The clip, captioned 'opportunity in crisis,' sparked amusement and criticism online, highlighting a common experience for many Indian customers facing sudden price increases.

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has reportedly added a brand-new Ferrari 12Cilindri, valued at Rs 12 crore, to his luxury car collection. The star cricketer was recently seen driving the powerful supercar with girlfriend Mahieka Sharma, with videos of their outing quickly going viral. This acquisition follows Pandya's key role in India's ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 victory.

The paper titled Indias Hidden Urbanisation and its Policy Implications written by EAC-PM member Shamika Ravi and its consultants Manuj Joshi and Apurv Kumar Mishra suggests disbursement of funds under Union schemes over the next five years to be linked to needs on the ground along with financing, governance and land reforms in the sector.

On the Faroe Islands, Vgar island features Srvgsvatn, a lake that creates a surreal optical illusion of floating high above the Atlantic Ocean. This phenomenon, caused by the land's shape and perspective from the Trlanpa cliff, makes the lake appear suspended hundreds of meters above the sea, though it is only 32 meters high.

Iran War: Escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia are threatening to reverse gains from India's GST rationalisation. Rising crude-linked input costs, supply chain disruptions, and higher freight rates are forcing companies to consider price hikes, potentially eroding demand momentum. While the broader consumption outlook remains resilient, inflation risks are increasing.

Thrissur MLA C C Mukundan has joined the BJP. Mukundan was expelled from the CPI after being denied a ticket for the Nattika constituency. He expressed his desire to protect the interests of SC/ST communities. Mukundan stated he would contest elections and emerge victorious.

West Bengal's 2026 election faces new challenges. Electoral roll changes, global conflicts affecting fuel prices, and a new Governor are altering the political landscape. The Trinamool Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party are navigating these shifts. Government schemes aim to boost support. Controversies and governance issues also play a role. The election promises to be fast-paced and unpredictable.

The Indian government briefed on West Asia developments, highlighting LPG supply stability for domestic consumers and a significant shift to digital bookings, with 90% now made online. The ministry also provided updates on shipping vessels in the Gulf and the repatriation of Indian nationals.

In a shifting economic landscape, Britain is updating its inflation metrics to align more closely with modern lifestyles. New health-conscious options like alcohol-free beer and houmous are now part of the calculation, illustrating how consumer preferences are evolving. Exciting additions like motor homes and pet grooming services reflect changing spending habits.

India's Ministry of Culture begins a nationwide survey to map its manuscript heritage. This initiative aims to create a comprehensive digital record of historical treasures. Teams will identify manuscripts across the country. The goal is to build a national digital repository. This effort aligns with the New Delhi Declaration. Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India's vast manuscript collection.

Jammu and Kashmir saw over 1.60 lakh new voters added to its electoral rolls. The special summary revision also included numerous corrections and deletions. Efforts are underway to achieve 100 percent voter enrolment. Awareness programs are actively promoting voter registration and participation across the Union Territory. These initiatives target youth, women, and marginalized communities.

OTT Releases This Week: This week's OTT releases bring exciting new content, including the highly anticipated Peaky Blinders movie and Sunny Deol's Border 2, both premiering March 20 on Netflix. Amazon Prime Video also features The Housemaid on March 19 and Invincible Season 4 on March 18, alongside Netflix's Beauty in Black Season 2 Part 2 on March 19.

Bengaluru Rent: A viral social media post revealed that a Rs 1.5 lakh monthly salary in Bengaluru may not lead to substantial savings. High expenses for rent, groceries, travel, and lifestyle significantly reduce disposable income, leaving young professionals with limited savings despite a seemingly high income.

Israel's military has launched limited ground operations in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah strongholds. This move aims to bolster border defenses and dismantle militant infrastructure. The Israeli forces conducted prior artillery and air strikes before entering the area. Hezbollah has recently increased its activities, firing rockets and deploying elite fighters.

Iran Sejjil missile: Iran has reportedly deployed its advanced Sejjil ballistic missile, nicknamed the dancing missile, in the Middle East. Its unique manoeuvrability and solid-fuel design allow it to evade air defence systems, posing a significant challenge to interception efforts. This capability enhances Iran's long-range strike options.

Markets are discussing stagflation amid rising oil prices and slowing growth. However, the current situation is more akin to 'slowflation', a milder economic phase. Historical periods like 1990-1991 and 2006-2007 offer insights. These times suggest that diversified investments and staying invested are key. Gold and energy shares are not necessarily the best bets.

Iran is leveraging its geographic advantage in the Strait of Hormuz, creating chaos in energy markets and forcing buyers to negotiate safe passage. This disruption has intensified shipowner fears and pushed the US to seek international assistance for reopening the vital waterway, a process expected to take weeks.

Primus Partners has appointed Neelu Khatri as an independent director. Khatri brings over three decades of experience from defence, aviation, and consulting. Her expertise in scaling up Akasa Air will guide Primus Partners' growth. The firm also includes GenZ staff in board meetings. Khatri will focus on corporate governance as Primus Partners expands globally.

Temperature today: India is experiencing unusually high temperatures much earlier than expected this year. New Delhi recorded its hottest day of the year on March 11, with daytime temperatures rising well above the seasonal average. Meteorologists say the early heat suggests that winter is becoming shorter and the spring season is gradually disappearing, a trend that is increasingly visible across northern India. Experts also warn that climate change is beginning to override natural cooling cycl

Australian shares dipped on Monday, March 16, 2026, as weaker commodity prices hit miners. Investors grew cautious ahead of an anticipated central bank rate hike and ongoing Middle East tensions. Despite this, rate-sensitive financials and energy stocks saw gains. IperionX Limited and Deep Yellow Limited were among the day's biggest decliners.

The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) is expected to announce the Class 12 results between March 21 and March 25. Students can check their results online using their roll numbers on the official BSEB websites after a press conference reveals key statistics like pass percentages and toppers.

Artificial intelligence poses new competition risks, including algorithmic collusion and AI-driven entry barriers. NITI Aayog member Rajiv Gauba highlighted these challenges at the 11th National Conference on Economics of Law. India's competition law has evolved significantly, moving from a command-and-control model to a facilitator role.

India is actively boosting its aerospace manufacturing sector. New joint ventures with Embraer and Sukhoi are set to establish final assembly lines. This collaboration with international firms will enhance the country's manufacturing ecosystem. More investment is expected as component production and assembly capabilities grow.

The ECI asserted that the privacy of every citizen must be respected, with no demonstrations or picketing outside private residences. Land, buildings, or walls shall not be used for flags, banners, or posters without the owner's consent, it said.

TotalEnergies is set to begin the second phase of production at Azerbaijan's Absheron gas-condensate field on September 1, 2029. A final investment decision is anticipated in July this year. This expansion aims to significantly boost daily gas and condensate output.