The Economic Times

The Centre assures good quality of its onion buffer stock, refuting spoilage claims. Dedicated rail rakes are transporting onions to major cities to boost supplies. This initiative is expected to help rein in rising retail onion prices soon. The kharif and rabi crop outlooks are also promising for future availability. Onion availability remains comfortable to meet domestic demand in the coming months.

Jefferies Christopher Wood highlights a sharp divergence in market returns: while the S&P 500 has doubled in dollar terms since early 2023, it has fallen 21% relative to gold. He warns that efforts to suppress US bond yields could weaken the dollar, boosting alternative assets such as gold and Bitcoin.

Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warshs Jackson Hole speech is in focus as investors seek clues on U.S. interest rates, inflation and bond-market risks. With inflation above target and policymakers divided, markets await guidance on future policy. Warshs cautious approach to forward guidance will be tested amid economic and fiscal uncertainties.

Nepal has declined foreign assistance for flood rescue operations. Security agencies are managing the search and rescue efforts effectively. Several countries offered help after hundreds of foreign nationals went missing. South Korea will continue negotiations regarding rescue team acceptance. Humanitarian aid of one million dollars has been pledged by Seoul.

Japanese government bond yields climbed, with the five-year yield hitting a record high after weak demand at a two-year auction added to selling pressure. Persistent inflation and rising energy prices also strengthened expectations of further Bank of Japan rate hikes, while investors awaited the Federal Reserves policy signals.

Jefferies initiated coverage on SBI Funds Management with a Buy rating and a Rs 710 price target, implying 26% upside. The brokerage expects operating profit to grow at a 15% CAGR through FY29, supported by rising mutual fund assets, SBIs distribution network and operating leverage. Strong B30 presence and lower operating costs further support the asset managers growth

Lake Ontario News: United States President Donald Trump has ordered Lake Ontario to be renamed Lake America, a move that Canadian officials have rejected. The name Ontario is believed to have Indigenous roots and is derived from an Iroquois word meaning sparkling water. Indigenous place names carry significant historical and cultural importance for local communities. The renaming dispute highlights differing national perspectives over shared geographical features.

Tempsens Instruments has ended a 609-day drought for mainboard IPOs doubling on debut. Here is the full list of 15 IPOs that delivered listing gains above 100% since 2020.

New Zealand officials expressed strong disapproval of Australia's unilateral tax treaty changes. They described the action as poor form and not in the spirit of cricket. This dispute arose after Australia altered laws affecting New Zealand property investors. New Zealand ministers urged a stronger response to the treaty breach. Australia's Treasury stated they are engaging in treaty renegotiations with New Zealand.

Tempsens Instruments made a blockbuster debut, listing at Rs 634 on the NSE, an 111% premium over its Rs 300 IPO price. The stock briefly gained further before falling over 8% from its debut level, though it remained 94% above the issue price. Analysts advised investors who missed the rally to consider buying on dips.

India may send a second-string squad to the Asian Games cricket tournament. Concerns exist regarding the facilities and arrangements provided for players in Japan. A BCCI observer will assess the situation and report back to the board. If conditions remain unsatisfactory, a 'B' team will likely be dispatched. Both men's and women's teams have been announced with strong lineups.

Sanjeev Sanyal stressed that true reform simplifies governance, not just digitisation. Operational bottlenecks must be identified and redesigned before technology is applied. Prioritising difficult processes improves business and living ease for citizens. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar should develop its own tourism model for sustained economic activity. The region can become a leading industrial centre by combining heritage and modern capabilities.

A catastrophic flash flood and landslides struck Nepal's Rasuwa district, causing widespread destruction. Survivors recounted harrowing escapes from raging floodwaters and collapsing homes in Timure. Rescue teams are searching for hundreds still missing after the disaster hit the Nepal-Tibet border. Many foreign nationals are also among the unaccounted for after the event. Rebuilding efforts and relocating survivors to safer areas will require significant time.

Salesforce shares surged 23% after strong Q2 results, higher guidance and accelerating AI adoption. Agentforce ARR jumped 240%, while its expanded Anthropic partnership strengthened the companys AI growth outlook and eased concerns about AI disruption to traditional enterprise software.

Sugar stocks rallied as domestic sugar prices surged sharply over the past month. Government data showed retail prices rising from Rs 48.18/kg on July 20 to Rs 55.70/kg on August 20, with current prices around Rs 70/kg. Balrampur Chini Mills, Dhampur Sugar, Uttam Sugar, Triveni Engineering and EID Parry were among the key gainers.

PC Musthafa left school to work but later returned to education, studying engineering before earning an MBA. He eventually returned to India and co-founded iD Fresh Food with his cousins. The business began in a small kitchen making idli and dosa batter. Today, iD Fresh Food generates more than Rs 681 crore in annual revenue and operates across India as well as several international markets.

Chinese stocks were largely steady on Friday as gains in property shares offset losses in biotechnology and semiconductor stocks. The Shanghai Composite edged up 0.1%, while the CSI300 slipped 0.1%. Hong Kong equities advanced, supported by Wall Street gains and Nvidias upbeat outlook, which boosted global AI sentiment.

Indian government bonds extended losses, pushing the ten-year yield higher. Global markets await Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh's speech for policy outlook signals. Hawkish minutes from India's central bank revived domestic rate hike expectations. New Delhi plans a significant sale of benchmark notes today. Easing crude oil futures offered some relief to markets.

Nepal floods Day 3: A devastating flash flood swept through Nepal's Himalayan river valleys after a glacial collapse. Scientists are investigating the precise trigger for the ice and rock avalanche near Langtang Lirung. The resulting debris flow travelled nearly 100 km, causing significant destruction downstream. While some communities received early warnings, others were impacted before alerts arrived. Authorities continue to monitor the situation for further flooding and search for missing per

The NCLT approved Subhash Chandra's insolvency plan, allowing a settlement of Rs 22,006 crore claims for Rs 6.25 crore. Dissenting lenders find this payout unviable, while government sources call the haircut figure misleading. Chandra disputes the total claim amount against him, stating it is lower. Creditors retain rights against principal borrowing companies and their assets. The case is exceptional and not a template for other insolvency resolutions.

Indian IT stocks surged sharply, led by gains in largecap names, after Nvidias strong results and upbeat revenue outlook revived optimism around the global AI spending cycle. The rally came despite lingering concerns over AI disruption and mixed brokerage views on the sector.

Tejas Networks shares rose sharply on Friday after the company received a Rs 1,537-crore Letter of Intent from TCS to supply RAN equipment for BSNLs indigenous 4G rollout. The proposed project covers 18,685 sites, adding to Tejas Networks role in the telecom operators nationwide 4G network deployment.

Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed India's future sporting event preparations. Ahmedabad will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games after two decades. The city is also bidding for the 2036 Olympic Games. Preparations for the 2029 Police and Fire Games are also underway. India aims to become a global sporting destination through these events.

Japans Nikkei rose 0.8% and Topix gained 0.9%, led by technology and chip stocks. Gains were supported by Wall Streets semiconductor rally, while inflation concerns, higher oil prices and rising bond yields limited broader advances. Investors also awaited Fed Chair Kevin Warshs Jackson Hole speech for clues on US interest rates.

Indias new closing-auction system is triggering extreme volatility in the options market, with prices swinging sharply within minutes. During the first monthly expiry under the new system at BSE, a Bankex put option surged nearly 4,000% from Rs 1.70 to Rs 68.55 before crashing to zero, all within 15 minutes, highlighting the risks of compressed end-of-day trading.

Tokyos core inflation accelerated for a third straight month in August, strengthening expectations that the Bank of Japan could raise interest rates in September. Core CPI rose 1.8% year-on-year, slightly above forecasts, while a measure excluding fresh food and fuel climbed to 2%, adding to rate-hike pressure.

Yatharth Hospital shares jumped over 5% after reports that Aster DM Quality Care, backed by Advent International and Blackstone, is negotiating to acquire a controlling stake in the hospital chain. Yatharth denied being in any sale discussions, while the stock hit a fresh 52-week high and has gained around 50% in 2026.

The US Treasury plans to address global trade imbalances and boost economic growth. Secretary Bessent will urge major economies to cut remaining ties with Iran. He will also discuss sovereign debt and US borrowing costs with counterparts. Washington seeks international compliance with its Iran sanctions campaign. This meeting aims to advance US priorities on global economic matters.

The United States has offered Nepal assistance following devastating flash floods in the Rasuwa district. President Trump stated the US is providing aid and speaking with Nepalese leadership. Dozens of Americans were reported missing in the affected areas, prompting a rescue focus. The US State Department deployed a disaster advisor and offered financial aid for relief efforts. Nepal's death toll has reached 389, with many foreign nationals still missing.

Indias flexible workspace sector posted its strongest-ever first half in 2026, with operators leasing 191,306 seats across the countrys top eight cities, up 68.4% year-on-year. Flex operators also recorded 8.4 million sq ft of leasing, accounting for nearly 20% of total office leasing activity.

Pakistan's Foreign Office stated Army chief Asim Munir's Iran visit aimed at regional de-escalation. He met Iranian leaders to discuss preventing conflict escalation and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Islamabad refuted claims that Munir visited Iran as an envoy for the United States. Pakistan continues its diplomatic efforts to revive stalled peace negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

IREN shares fell over 8% after a weaker-than-expected Q4, with revenue and adjusted earnings missing estimates. However, AI Cloud revenue surged, while contracted ARR targets signal strong growth. The companys transition from Bitcoin mining to AI infrastructure brings significant expansion potential, but heavy capital spending remains a key investor concern.

Tempsens Instruments ended a 609-day drought in Indias mainboard IPO market, delivering a 111.3% listing gain on debut. The Rs 650 crore issue listed at Rs 634 against an issue price of Rs 300. While listing gains have improved in 2026, retail investors have become increasingly selective.

Quote of the day by Khalil Gibran: Renowned Lebanese-American poet Khalil Gibran captured the hearts of readers worldwide with his insightful writings. 'The Prophet,' his most famous work, addresses universal concepts such as love and the purpose of life. Infusing his artistry with both Lebanese and American cultural elements, Gibran encourages profound introspection and a deeper understanding of relationships and nature, ensuring his messages remain relevant across generations.

Nepal's flash flood death toll has reached 469 after a glacier collapse unleashed torrents of water. Nearly 1,000 people remain missing in Nepal and neighboring Tibet following the disaster. A massive glacier section broke free, plunging into a valley and triggering a devastating surge downstream. The flood wiped out settlements and damaged vital infrastructure, including hydropower projects and border crossings.

Jefferies sees a 10% gold rally unlocking $2025 billion in gold-backed loans and boosting household wealth by $400 billion, with Manappuram Finance its top pick.

Yash's Toxic has released in theaters, sparking divided audience reactions and a strong box office opening. The film reportedly secured digital and satellite rights for a significant sum. However, official confirmation and OTT premiere date is still pending. The film also stars Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth and Huma Qureshi.

Ather Energy shares gained nearly 4% after Hero MotoCorp announced an investment of up to Rs 1,758 crore to raise its stake in the electric two-wheeler maker to around 32.8%. Athers turnover has more than doubled in two years, while the stock has surged around 260% over the past year and continues to show a bullish technical setup.

Skyways Air IPO allotment is expected to be finalised today after the Rs 582.8 crore issue received an overwhelming 71.25 times subscription. With the grey market premium at around 32%, investors are eyeing potential listing gains ahead of the companys September 1 debut on the NSE and BSE.

Nepal received information about the deadly flood around 16 minutes after it crossed the Tibet border, by which time it had already reached settlements in upper Rasuwa. Officials say earlier cross-border information could have reduced casualties, though subsequent alerts helped evacuate some downstream communities.

Gold prices have fallen Rs 5,000 per 10 grams in four sessions, while silver prices declined Rs 1,200 per kg on Friday. With U.S. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh set to speak at Jackson Hole, markets are watching for signals on interest rates and their potential impact on precious metals.

The New York Stock Exchange has opened a new regional headquarters in Dallas as Texas strengthens its position as an emerging financial hub. The move comes amid growing competition among exchanges, with Nasdaq expanding its Texas presence and the newly launched Texas Stock Exchange seeking to attract listings and challenge New Yorks dominance.

In a remarkable display of growth, 19 Indian stocks surged beyond 1000 percent in just 5 years. Leading the pack, GE Vernova T&D skyrocketed over three thousand percent. Investors also benefited from significant gains in BSE and Apar Industries, while demand from the defense sector propelled Zen Technologies and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders to unprecedented heights. These impressive performances highlight the positive industrial and infrastructure trends shaping the market.

India-Russia relations are expected to further deepen and expand across areas of bilateral cooperation as the two countries work towards their target of USD 100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030, Russian Deputy Consul General Aleksandr Fursov said.

Vodafone Idea's shares have witnessed an impressive rise of over 120 percent in the last year, fueled by a reduction of the company's adjusted gross revenue dues by the government. The return of Kumar Mangalam Birla as non-executive chairman has further strengthened investor faith. Additionally, the company has secured initial funding for its network expansion strategy, although analysts remain divided, with some forecasting additional growth opportunities.

Goldie Hawns grandson Wilder Hudson has left for college, marking an emotional milestone for his parents. He recently made his acting debut alongside his father, Oliver Hudson, in a festive film. Oliver expressed immense pride and emotion while watching his sons first major acting performance. The family also recently enjoyed a European holiday together before Wilders departure. This new chapter marks a bittersweet moment as the family embraces change and watches the next generation grow.

Seven commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, a decrease from the previous day. This traffic level remains below the recent ten-day average for the vital waterway. Meanwhile, seventeen commodity vessels passed through the Bab el-Mandeb strait, another key maritime route. Iran and Oman are reportedly discussing details for managing the Strait of Hormuz. Mediators are emphasizing the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for normal traffic.

Recent floods in Nepal's Rasuwa district highlight rock-ice avalanches. These events, which can trigger destructive downstream floods, are becoming more frequent. Scientists are investigating a recent rock-ice avalanche as the cause of the August 26 flood. Similar incidents, like the 2021 Chamoli disaster, have caused significant loss of life. Climate change is increasing the risk of these dangerous Himalayan hazards.