The Economic Times

The CAG has flagged the West Bengal government's failure in safeguarding tribal interests. Land acquisition for mining projects resulted in inadequate compensation payments to tribal people. District officials' inaction led to significant shortfalls in rehabilitation and compensation amounts. Companies failed to pay mandatory solatium and additional compensation as required by law.

The Supreme Court has stayed the arrest of Sumit Roy in a land-grabbing case. Roy is the Personal Assistant to Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee. The top court directed him to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation. The Calcutta High Court had previously rejected his anticipatory bail plea. The case involves alleged government land fraud and criminal conspiracy charges.

Economists now anticipate the Reserve Bank of India will raise rates in December or later. This shift occurs as core inflation remains low, contrary to earlier expectations. The central bank maintained its current rates and lowered inflation forecasts for this fiscal year. Overnight indexed swap rates also signal fewer rate hikes over the next twelve months. India's monetary policy stance differs from other Asian economies responding to oil price spikes.

Meet Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, the Maharaja of Nawanagar who in 1942 opened his princely state to nearly 1,000 Polish children fleeing Nazi persecution, gave them shelter, education and dignity, and asked them to call him Bapu. Fifty years after his death, Poland named a square in Warsaw after him.

Saraswathi Rajamani joined the Indian National Army at sixteen years old. She disguised herself as a boy named Mani for espionage missions. Rajamani rescued a captured spy by entering a British camp as a dancer. She later donated her jewels and managed family mines for the cause. Her courage and patriotism are remembered as a significant historical contribution.

The Supreme Court deemed the initial mediation report in the Sunjay Kapur family trust dispute satisfactory. This dispute involves Sunjay Kapur's mother and his wife over trust assets. Former Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud was appointed as the mediator for this case. The court awaits another report in November before proceeding further.

The Supreme Court has denied Ashish Mishra's plea for relaxed bail conditions. Mishra is the prime accused in the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence case. He sought relaxation to attend family functions and his daughters' birthdays. The court found no grounds to entertain the prayer at this stage. The violence on October 3, 2021, resulted in eight deaths.

Aluminum foil on a door handle is not just a quirky internet trend. It creates a replaceable germ barrier, reflects heat in summer, buffers cold in winter, alerts you to tampering, and simplifies painting jobs. Small, cheap, and surprisingly practical for everyday home use.

A king cobra and a python were found locked in a fight outside a house near the Gonouli forest office in West Champarans Valmiki Tiger Reserve. The residents were alerted by their pet dogs continuous barking and found the two large snakes struggling near their home. A forest department team led by snake rescuer Murari Kumar later captured both reptiles and released them inside the forest.

Shakib Al Hasan's residence was targeted following his participation in Sheikh Hasina's media event. Hasina vowed to return to Bangladesh despite a death sentence hanging over her. Bangladesh has expressed disapproval of Hasina's media appearance and is pushing for her extradition from India, which is in the process of reviewing this request regarding the ousted leader.

Taiwan began annual military exercises simulating a Chinese invasion response. These drills test 24-hour defense capabilities and counter China's gray-zone tactics. Urban resilience drills will assess population response to internet disruptions during the exercises. The drills involve the largest team of reservists ever mobilized for active duty.

Indonesia's government will acquire a majority stake in the high-speed rail operator. This move aims to manage the project's outstanding loan obligations effectively. The transaction is expected to be finalized by mid-September this year. Chinese firms will retain a forty percent ownership in the venture. This railway connects Jakarta to the city of Bandung.

A major industrial fire involving sulphur storage has caused an emergency evacuation in Port Adelaide. Toxic smoke drifting across parts of Adelaide poses a serious health risk to residents. Emergency services issued an immediate evacuation order for people within a one-kilometre radius. Others outside the zone were advised to remain indoors and shut windows.

Jharkhand students will gherao the Vidhan Sabha on August 10 if demands are unmet. They are protesting alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC CGL recruitment examinations. Protesters demand cancellation of exams conducted by TDPL and CBI/ED investigations. The state government has formed a ministerial team to discuss student concerns. The government expresses commitment to youth welfare and justice for students.

Kerala Rain Alert: Kerala anticipates widespread rainfall starting Thursday, with intensified showers expected. The India Meteorological Department issued orange alerts for seven districts due to heavy rainfall. Northern Kerala may experience extremely heavy showers, prompting vigilance in vulnerable areas. Schools and colleges are closed in several taluks as a precautionary measure. Authorities urge residents to remain alert and follow official advisories closely.

A 4,000-kg SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage crashed into the moon near crater Einstein after drifting through space since a January 2025 lunar mission. The impact produced a brief flash and a cloud containing sodium and lithium signatures detected by the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope in Chile.

The Presiding Officer shall be personally responsible and accountable for any violation of this direction, the Bench said, directing counsel appearing for the JDA to communicate the order forthwith to the Presiding Officer concerned.

Quote of the day: Ancient Greek poet Pindar highlighted affection's importance in gift-giving over two millennia ago. His words emphasize that small acts of kindness hold significant lasting value. These gestures create stronger bonds than material possessions often can. This timeless wisdom remains relevant in today's consumer-driven world. Genuine care and attention are the most precious gifts one can offer.

Tamil Nadu's Agriculture Budget for 2026-27 will be presented soon. The state budget outlined plans for economic growth and education sector improvements. Initiatives include school modernisation and laptop distribution for college students. The government also addressed financial liabilities and proposed new revenue streams. Welfare schemes and electoral promises will continue to be implemented.

A former Goldman Sachs manager received nearly 1.5 million after an employment tribunal ruling. The tribunal found his dismissal was unfairly linked to his parental leave. This discrimination had an insidious effect on the former employee's well-being. Goldman Sachs disputes the decision, stating it supports parental leave for all genders. The case highlights stigma damages and low shared parental leave uptake in the UK.

A human rights official claims Bangladesh faces a severe economic crisis and people want Sheikh Hasina back. He stated that millions of supporters await her return to the country by December. The official alleged the nation's GDP growth has sharply slowed, impacting jobs significantly. Many citizens are comparing the current government with Hasina's previous administration. India's Ministry of External Affairs distanced itself from the press interaction.

Student leader Devendra Nath Mahato denied ending his hunger strike over recruitment exam issues. He stated his fast continues, only consuming water on advice from Sonam Wangchuk. Protesters reiterated Mahato has not withdrawn his protest, which continues until demands are met. The Jharkhand government initiated talks with protesting students regarding exam irregularities. A five-member delegation was invited to meet Chief Minister Hemant Soren for discussions.

Kazakhstan is expanding its transport infrastructure to link Europe and Asia. New highway construction and corridor expansions aim to boost transit capacity significantly. These projects will create thousands of jobs and improve national connectivity. The nation is also developing a digital transport ecosystem for freight carriers. Kazakhstan is simultaneously positioning itself as a leading Eurasian artificial intelligence economy.

Sometimes, LED bulbs can stop working early because of a single diode failure. A clever DIY tip involves using aluminium foil to circumvent the dud component, temporarily getting the bulb to light up again. However, professionals warn that this is merely a short-term fix and poses safety hazards. For a safer and more dependable long-term option, it's best to replace the bulb entirely.

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted Africa as a priority partner. He stated Africa's due place is essential for a multipolar world order. The minister expressed India's commitment to strengthening ties with the African Union. He looked forward to reconvening the deferred India-Africa Forum Summit. Human resource development remains central to this vital engagement.

Bangladesh's foreign ministry expressed outrage over Sheikh Hasina's media interaction in New Delhi. The ministry stated this event was an affront to Bangladesh's sovereignty and national dignity. Dhaka deeply regrets India permitted this public event despite prior concerns conveyed. Hasina announced her decision to return to Bangladesh in December, facing potential consequences. Bangladesh desires a constructive relationship with India based on mutual respect.

Jharkhand CID has arrested five more individuals in the JPSC exam irregularities case. This brings the total number of arrests in the ongoing investigation to nineteen. Chief Minister Hemant Soren briefed the Governor on the alleged irregularities and ongoing protests. The government assures students that their concerns will be seriously considered. The ruling JMM supports the aspirants and promises swift government action.

The Trump administration has refunded approximately $100 billion in tariffs. This action follows a Supreme Court decision that invalidated many of his duties. Importers who paid these tariffs have now received their refunds. The administration collected about $166 billion after invoking a specific economic powers act. President Trump continues to explore new tariff strategies despite these challenges.

A Salmonella outbreak has sickened 345 people across twenty-seven states in the United States. This widespread contamination has been linked to jalapeo peppers imported from Mexico. Thirty-six individuals have required hospitalization due to the bacterial infection, while no fatalities have occurred. Food safety agencies are actively investigating the source and distribution of the affected produce. Restaurants like Chipotle and QDOBA have already changed their suppliers to mitigate risks.

Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan's Democratic Senate primary, setting up a key general election contest. He will face Republican Mike Rogers in a swing state race. Democrats aim to unify behind El-Sayed after a divisive primary battle. Republicans are attacking El-Sayed as too extreme for the state. This election is crucial for Democrats seeking Senate control.

President Trump stated he prefers a deal with Iran to avoid conflict. He claimed Iran requested talks after the United States prepared for a major strike. The US president reiterated that Iran must not develop nuclear weapons. He also compared US actions in Iran to those in Venezuela. Trump suggested Iran would be wise to reach an agreement soon.

US authorities are investigating a close call involving Marine One and a passenger jet. The incident occurred above Washington on August 4th, with air traffic control involved. White House officials stated President Trump was never in any danger during the flight. Safety regulations require significant separation between aircraft in this airspace. The NTSB is reviewing the reported loss of separation event.

Gurgaon is under a yellow alert today as moderate to heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are expected to hit the area. Following previous widespread showers that led to traffic disruptions and significant waterlogging in Delhi and NCR, residents should brace for more rainfall. The monsoon conditions are still active, with various districts in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh facing orange warnings.

An oil tanker reported hearing two explosions while transiting the Hormuz Strait. The incident occurred approximately ten miles southeast of Kumzar, Oman. Maritime authorities confirmed the crew and vessel are safe and sound. No environmental damage has been reported following the explosions. Iran and Oman are currently holding talks to manage this key waterway.

Major Wall Street financial firms faced sophisticated cyberattacks recently. Hackers used phone calls to trick employees into granting access. Several large hedge funds and private equity firms were targeted by these attempts. Point72 Asset Management confirmed an attack but stated no customer data was stolen. Global companies are now battling a surge in AI-powered cyber threats.

The RBI kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% for the fourth straight policy review, retained its neutral stance, raised its FY27 growth forecast to 6.7%, and lowered the inflation projection to 5%. It also announced revised loan pricing norms, plans to resume urban cooperative bank licences, and expressed confidence in India's economic resilience despite global uncertainties.

Leonardo DiCaprio and biologist Wes Sechrest met with the Amazon-founding billionaire Bezos and his wife, former TV news reporter and host Lauren Snchez Bezos in 2021.

New research suggests posture can influence emotions and decisions. Sitting upright led to more positive feelings and better risk-taking. Participants in the study did not realize their posture was being manipulated. This study aimed to address concerns raised by earlier posture research. Findings may have implications for everyday environments and workplace ergonomics.

Quote of the day by Mother Teresa describes joy as an active force rather than a passive feeling. Joy can inspire gratitude, strengthen resilience, deepen relationships and encourage compassion. It can make people more willing to notice others and respond to their needs. Perhaps that is why the message remains relevant across generations. Joy does not require perfect circumstances. It requires attention to what is meaningful.

Brain motivation: Researchers identified orexin neurons as key to sustained motivation during demanding tasks. These brain cells help maintain goal-directed behavior when increased effort is required. Studies with genetically modified rats demonstrated orexin neurons' direct influence on motivation levels. Activity in these neurons increased with anticipated rewards and required effort.