The Economic Times

US Chief Justice John Roberts has temporarily allowed construction of President Donald Trumps $400 million White House ballroom to continue while the Supreme Court considers the administrations emergency appeal. Lower courts had sought to halt aboveground construction over the lack of congressional approval.

Fairfax County authorities have arrested Alexis Antonio Cedillos Campos in connection with the shocking stabbing death of co-worker Carmen Lizet Puch. The two had an 'intimate relationship' that turned deadly at Difficult Run Park, where Cedillos Campos allegedly arrived with a stolen knife and gasoline. He reportedly stabbed Puch numerous times and tried to set her ablaze. Currently, he awaits extradition from Maryland.

Natalie Harp leak: Laura Loomer fiercely defended Donald Trump aide Natalie Harp against media scrutiny. She accused unnamed staffers of leaking private information and photographs to damage Harp. Newly published images show Harp running after Trump's golf cart at Turnberry. Loomer stated Trump appreciates Harp's dedication and work ethic. She warned those leaking stories that Harp is not leaving Trump's side.

Chhattisgarh signed pacts with BISAG-N and NLDSL to enhance geospatial technology use. These agreements aim to foster sustainable economic growth and attract new investments. The state has onboarded over 35 departments onto the PM GatiShakti platform. GIS-based identification of road black spots improves road safety interventions. Chhattisgarh is recognized as a high performer in operationalizing PM GatiShakti.

Students are protesting for basic school improvements like teachers and safe roads. Government data reveals significant infrastructure and staffing disparities across states. Many schools lack adequate toilets and internet access, impacting learning environments. Teacher deployment shows imbalances with many students in single-teacher classrooms. These issues translate into immediate barriers for children attending school.

Neeraj Chopra missed out on Lausanne Diamond League gold by just nine centimetres after Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage threw 88.14m to beat his 88.05m effort. The defeat was Chopra's third against Pathirage this season, but the silver medal gives him valuable points in the Diamond League Final qualification race.

Non-banking financial companies anticipate steady growth in the near future. Credit demand remains healthy, and asset quality is expected to stay stable. Vehicle financiers saw accelerated asset under management growth this quarter. Gold financiers experienced moderated growth after new guidelines were implemented. Power financiers continue to show the weakest performance in the sector.

President Donald Trump will lead a ceremonial lap at an upcoming IndyCar race. This event is part of Washington's 250th anniversary festivities this weekend. The Freedom 250 Grand Prix will feature racing cars on city streets. Organizers are managing the significant logistical challenges for this unique race. Spectators will pass through metal detectors for security during the event.

Goldman Sachs has begun its assessment of fourteen Indian banks, pinpointing its top selections. ICICI Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank stand out with Buy ratings that indicate substantial upside potential. The firm anticipates a cyclical recovery in earnings across the banking sector. It forecasts that private banks will surpass their state-owned counterparts in performance over the next two years, buoyed by loan growth and enhanced liquidity.

Putrada Ekadashi 2026 date: Sawan Putrada Ekadashi 2026 falls on August 23 for most devotees, while Vaishnava followers observe it on August 24. Know the Ekadashi Tithi, fasting date, parana timings, why the dates differ and the religious significance of this important Vishnu vrat.

Skyways Air Services plans a

Coventry City faced a tough Premier League return against champions Arsenal. Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka scored early goals for the dominant Arsenal side. Despite the defeat, Coventry's manager expressed belief in future improvement. The team aims for survival after a challenging opening fixture. Their next home game will offer a clearer picture of their prospects.

A 19-year-old nursing student was discovered deceased in her Delhi hostel room on Friday. Preliminary inquiries suggest the student, from Najafgarh, died by suicide in her accommodation. Police and the crime team reached the scene and initiated necessary actions for investigation. Sir Ganga Ram Hospital expressed shock and is cooperating fully with the ongoing inquiry. The exact circumstances surrounding the student's death are still being examined by authorities.

Delhi NCR Rains Weather Forecast: IMD has forecast heavy rain and thunderstorms across Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon and Ghaziabad, alongside 20 states including Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, J&K and Uttarakhand. Lightning and gusty winds are also likely in several regions. Rainfall activity is expected to remain active nationwide through August 27, with Odisha seeing fresh heavy rain from Monday.

Mitchell Starc took five wickets in his first four overs. He removed both Bangladesh openers and captain Shanto for ducks. Shadman Islam was out on the first ball of the match. Mominul Haque and Litton Das also fell to Starc. Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to field.

The shares of Aditya Infotech have made a notable recovery after a recent equity raise focused on enhancing capacity. However, the company is grappling with high electronic component prices that are squeezing profits. On a positive note, the introduction of new STQC norms is expanding the market opportunities for Indian manufacturers.

Rain lashed Delhi early Saturday, offering relief from hot and humid weather conditions. Monsoon showers also affected Haryana's Jhajjar district, with light rain expected until August 24. Heavy rainfall was reported in Himachal Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Odisha, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. Continuous rains in Uttarakhand's Garhwal division disrupted normal life and raised river water levels. Himachal Pradesh experienced widespread road and power disruptions due to persistent heavy rainfall.

H1N1 has emerged as the dominant flu strain across Indian cities this season, with Delhi alone logging 1,777 cases and 2,392 total Influenza-A infections this year. Labs are also reporting a rise in testing requests, with doctors flagging immunocompromised individuals, the elderly and young children as most at risk, and urging hygiene precautions like masking, hand-washing and avoiding self-medication.

The Pentagon dismissed the editor-in-chief and a reporter from Stars and Stripes for insubordination. These actions followed public statements defending the news outlet's editorial independence. The newspaper's publisher also announced his impending retirement and was subsequently dismissed. This move escalates tensions between the administration and the news media. The Pentagon aims to reshape Stars and Stripes content for service members.

In a week marked by market stagnation, Indian equity indices closed on an unremarkable note, affected by geopolitical uncertainties and elevated crude oil prices. Experts forecast that without any significant triggers, the Nifty may continue its rangebound trajectory. Crude oil prices consistently stayed above ninety dollars a barrel, with foreign portfolio investors offloading shares while local institutional buyers were active in the market.

President Trump stated Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons. He also declared the Strait of Hormuz as American territory. Iran rejected these claims, promising to correct the delusions. Tensions remain high over the strategic waterway and its global energy supplies. Both nations continue asserting control and issuing warnings.

Anne Hathaway has debuted an eye-catching pixie cut for her latest Vogue China photoshoot. This bold hairstyle adds a punk flair to her fashion editorial. All summer, Hathaway has been hard at work promoting her various exciting projects. Additionally, she revealed her pregnancy with her third child back in June. This fresh cropped style also echoes a previous look she sported in 2012.

The United States is set to announce stringent economic sanctions against Iran. These measures could significantly impact Iran and its key trading partners like China. Oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have nearly ceased due to Iranian threats. Iran criticizes the impending sanctions as an overreach of American authority. Both nations are exchanging defiant messages without pursuing immediate peace talks.

TikTok has agreed to a $400 million settlement with the US Department of Justice. This resolution addresses allegations of violating federal children's privacy laws. The company will pay $300 million immediately and $100 million later. This action follows a 2024 lawsuit concerning data collection practices. The settlement aims to protect children's online privacy and data security.

A recent Census Bureau report claimed thousands of noncitizens voted in the 2020 election. Experts, however, state the report's methodology is flawed and may create false positives. They noted the analysis lacks transparency and crucial details about error rates. This report's findings would not have altered the 2020 election outcome. Donald Trump continues to challenge the 2020 election results based on this report.

The US government plans to pay $850 million to the United Nations. This payment includes regular budget dues and peacekeeping operations contributions. The United States owes billions in dues to the international organization. Republicans expressed concerns about the payment and UN reforms. The administration previously withdrew from several UN agencies.

Welspun Corp has secured its largest-ever single order worth 17,200 crore for supplying pipes from its US manufacturing facility, with execution scheduled for FY28-29. The contract lifts the companys global order book to a record $4.4 billion and strengthens its position in North Americas energy infrastructure market.

This week was the busiest for forex debt issuance by Indian lenders. ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, IDFC First Bank, HDFC Bank and Bank of Baroda together raised a massive $4.4 billion, and the bulk of the proceeds may be used to help fund the leverage for foreign currency non-resident (bank) [FCNR (B)] deposits.

Shriram Wealth aims to target new clients with investable assets from ten lakh rupees. The company will utilize the Shriram Group's extensive branch network for expansion. Artificial intelligence-based solutions are planned for introduction within the next six months. This move follows a joint venture with South African firm Sanlam in June 2025. Shriram Wealth also plans to establish fifty centers across India.

Symbiotec Pharmalab has raised Rs 526.20 crore from anchor investors ahead of its Rs 1,757 crore IPO opening August 24. The pharmaceutical company has set a Rs 938-988 price band, with proceeds from the fresh issue earmarked for debt repayment.

The Reserve Bank of India recently levied fines on two financial firms for regulatory failures. Shri Ram Finance Corporation was penalized Rs 8.10 lakh due to management transitions and a lack of proper risk classification for clients. Meanwhile, Progfin incurred a Rs 2.70 lakh fine for failing to conduct timely risk reviews. Both penalties highlight the significance of compliance with established regulations.

Foreign investor positioning in Indian equities is nearing historical extremes, with FII flows showing early recovery after sustained outflows. Jio BlackRock says resilient domestic buying, reduced foreign selling and more reasonable valuations could signal a potential sentiment turnaround for Indian markets.

Accel, a leading global venture capital firm, along with two other parties, has divested nearly five percent stake in Amagi Media Labs. They sold over one crore equity shares for Rs 587 crore via open market transactions. Notably, domestic mutual funds and an insurance company were part of the buyer's pool, alongside foreign investors. Following this development, Amagi Media Labs shares surged by 4.57 percent on the NSE.

Online Instruments has successfully secured Sebi approval for its initial public offering. The firm is set to issue new equity shares alongside an offer for sale, with proceeds aimed at addressing borrowings, boosting working capital, and facilitating acquisitions. Specializing in audiovisual systems integration and display product manufacturing, Online Instruments has demonstrated notable growth in both revenue and net profit over recent fiscal years.

Skyways Air Services raised Rs 174.5 crore from anchor investors ahead of its Rs 582.80 crore IPO, opening August 24, 2026. The price band is Rs 131-138 per share, with shares expected to list on September 1, 2026.

Greenlands 1,600-foot ice dome vanished 7,000 years ago when temperatures were several degrees warmer than today. Now, scientists have found the buried evidence beneath Prudhoe Dome. The discovery raises a difficult question about Greenlands future. Similar warmth could return by the end of this century. If that happens, the ancient melt record could offer a rare clue to how quickly Greenlands ice may respond and what it could mean for global sea levels.

Quote of the Day by Christina Aguilera: Christina Aguileras quote, Red lips and fragrance always top off an outfit for me, explores the importance of personal style, beauty, confidence, and self-expression. The quote suggests that makeup and fragrance can be more than simple beauty accessories, as they can add personality, elegance, and a sense of completeness to an outfit. Aguileras words highlight how small details such as a bold red lip and a favorite fragrance can help a person feel polished

A 17-year-old student from Pennsylvania has developed a promising blood-based method for detecting pancreatic cancer by using magnetic nanospheres to isolate tumor-derived particles from blood samples. Audrey Zheng, a senior at North Allegheny Senior High School, focused on extracellular vesicles that carry molecular information from cells and tested them for cancer-linked KRAS mutations.

The Asian Development Bank and Karnataka government on Friday signed an agreement for Rs 1,750 crore in ADB assistance to develop 500 government schools as Karnataka Public Schools by 2029-30. The state will contribute Rs 750 crore, taking the total project outlay to Rs 2,500 crore to upgrade infrastructure and educational facilities.

In a time before air conditioning, Americans became innovative in their quest to stay cool. Architectural elements like high ceilings and strategically placed windows promoted cross-ventilation. Porches transformed into relaxation spaces, and sleeping porches harnessed the evening breeze. Even fans predated electricity, while ice offered temporary relief. Evaporative cooling and adaptive daily routines emerged as practical strategies to combat the heat.

Jainendrajeet's academic journey is inspiring. Despite starting with a modest 54% in Class 10 and struggling with mathematics, he rebounded spectacularly by achieving a 99.98 percentile in JEE Main 2023. This exceptional performance earned him an AIR of 349 in JEE Advanced, paving the way for his studies in Computer Science at IIT Bombay. His story illustrates that early challenges do not dictate ultimate success.

Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla said describing India as a China+1 destination is intellectually lazy, arguing that the country should instead be viewed as a potential global growth engine. Speaking at The Economic Times World Leaders Forum, Birla said India has its own strengths and track record and should be seen as World+1 rather than as an alternative to China.

Indian equity benchmarks ended largely flat on Friday, extending gains for a second straight session despite Middle East uncertainties. Power Grid, HDFC Life and Kotak Mahindra Bank led the gainers, while Maruti Suzuki, Trent and HCL Tech were among the top losers. Broader markets outperformed with positive market breadth.

A scan of the BSE universe identified 207 companies with a market capitalisation above Rs 3,000 crore that maintained profit margins above 10% for eight consecutive quarters through June 2026. Among these, 12 stocks delivered gains of 97% to 396% over the past two years, with Acutaas Chemicals emerging as the top performer.

ET WLF 2026: Indian companies drive Dubais growth, says Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah