The Economic Times

During World War I, a clandestine German telegram sparked a controversial proposal for Mexico to launch an attack on the United States. British intelligence successfully intercepted and decoded this crucial message, revealing offers to regain lost territories. The confirmation of the telegram's authenticity by Germany swayed public opinion in America dramatically, alongside escalating submarine warfare, ultimately leading the United States to declare war against Germany in April 1917.

Hero MotoCorp acquired 1.18 crore shares of Ather Energy for Rs 1,758 crore. This purchase significantly deepened Hero MotoCorp's existing holding in the electric two-wheeler maker. The Government of Singapore was the seller in this substantial block deal transaction. Hero MotoCorp's stake in Ather Energy now stands at approximately 32.8 percent. This move strengthens Hero MotoCorp's position in India's growing electric mobility market.

Nifty faces potential pressure on Monday following US Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh's hawkish inflation comments at Jackson Hole. Elevated US bond yields, a stronger dollar, and rising crude oil prices threaten foreign institutional flows, while technical analysts highlight 24,200 as a key resistance level for the Indian stock market.

Blackstone plans to sell up to 25.03% of Knowledge Realty Trust units. This offer for sale aims to meet regulatory public unitholding requirements. The sale includes a base offer and an oversubscription option for additional units. The transaction will occur over two trading days on BSE and NSE. Blackstone and related entities currently hold a significant stake in the trust.

Reliance Group has rejected Essel Group chairman Subhash Chandra's claims as baseless. Chandra disputes a Rs 3,900 crore claim before the National Company Law Tribunal. He stated his group borrowed Rs 45,000 crore and repaid most of it. Reliance expressed dismay over Chandra's remarks about their media businesses. The group holds Chandra in high regard as a businessman and entrepreneur.

Sebi has banned Trafiksol and its promoters from the securities market for one year. Monetary penalties were also imposed on the company and its two promoters. The regulator found misleading financial disclosures and inflated revenue figures in the company's IPO documents. Sebi also noted concealment of material facts and submission of false information regarding Oasis Corpcare. The IPO was unwound after Sebi directed Trafiksol to refund investors and cancel shares.

Purple Style Labs secured Rs 306 crore from anchor investors before its upcoming IPO. The company will open its initial public offering for subscription on Monday, August 31. This luxury fashion platform operates under Pernia's Pop-Up Shop, offering curated designer products. It sources items from 1,109 active designer brands, focusing on wedding and occasion wear. Purple Style Labs utilizes an omni-channel model with 14 global experience centers.

Quote of the Day by Burt Lancaster: Burt Lancasters quote, I judge a restaurant by the bread and by the coffee, explores the importance of quality, simplicity, and attention to detail when experiencing food and hospitality. The quote suggests that a restaurants true standard can often be recognized through its simplest offerings rather than only its expensive or elaborate dishes. Good bread and well-prepared coffee can reveal the care, consistency, and quality that go into the overall dining exp

India and China will implement an eight-point consensus from recent Special Representatives talks. Both nations will now determine how to operationalize the agreed agenda points. Discussions focused on maintaining peace and creating conditions for stable bilateral relations. Expert groups will advance discussions on boundary delimitation and border management. Future meetings and hotline channels were also agreed upon for better communication.

Bihar faces significant flood threats as river water levels continue to rise. Heavy rainfall and flash floods in Nepal have caused major rivers to swell. Authorities have opened barrage gates and are monitoring river embankments closely. People are being moved from low-lying areas to safer locations. Disaster response teams are on standby for any emergency situations.

A powerful storm swept through New York's Capital Region on Thursday. Downed trees and scattered debris caused significant disruptions in several communities. The Washington County Fair closed early for safety due to the severe weather. Power outages created traffic problems and darkened intersections in Wilton. Rensselaer County also continued recovering from earlier storm damage.

Six BSE 200 stocks hit fresh 52-week highs on Friday as the Sensex gained 331 points. Coforge, GSK Pharma, Glenmark Pharma, Laurus Labs, Oracle Financial Services Software and Piramal Finance showed strong momentum, with several posting double-digit monthly gains.

Retail sugar prices are easing as ex-mill rates decline significantly. The government will now allocate sugar fortnightly to mills from September. This new system aims to prevent artificial scarcity and ensure smooth supply. Mills must dispatch sold sugar within seven days of sale.

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana has achieved unparalleled impact and transformative outcomes. This initiative has significantly reshaped India's financial landscape and global financial inclusion efforts. Millions of unbanked adults now have access to basic banking services and digital transaction tools. Women's participation in the financial system has increased substantially through these accounts. Rural and semi-urban areas are now better served by this extensive banking network.

Norway's new King Haakon VIII ascended the throne after his father's death. He once sought distance from royal life and its constant public attention. Haakon found freedom and a sense of self while living in California. His marriage to Mette-Marit brought him closer to public engagement. The new king now faces family scrutiny and institutional challenges.

Norway mourns the passing of King Harald V at age 89, a monarch who reshaped royal traditions over his remarkable 30-year reign. His commitment to modernizing the monarchy is reflected in his choice to wed commoner Queen Sonja, illustrating a shift towards greater inclusivity. As Crown Prince Haakon ascends the throne as King Haakon VIII, King Harald's profound legacy of love and duty will continue to resonate.

The income-tax tribunal ruled in favor of Spencer Stuart International BV. Executive search fees were not treated as technical services under the tax treaty. The tribunal deleted a tax addition related to expense reimbursements. A separate dispute concerning management fees was sent back for fresh examination.

Jio Platforms has received Sebi approval for its proposed Rs 37,700 crore IPO, bringing Reliance Industries much-awaited listing closer. The issue could value Jio at nearly Rs 9.5 trillion and become Indias largest IPO. The company plans to use Rs 27,500 crore of proceeds to repay borrowings of Reliance Jio Infocomm.

Indian equities rebounded on Friday, ending a two-session losing streak as heavyweight IT stocks led gains. Nifty rose 0.35% to 24,175.65, while Sensex gained 0.43% to 77,264.51. Analysts expect consolidation amid mixed global cues and geopolitical uncertainty.

Motilal Oswal says several headwinds facing Indian equities are easing, supported by stronger earnings, positive FII flows and domestic demand. It remains Neutral on equities but Overweight on mid- and small-caps, while preferring gold over silver and accrual-focused fixed-income strategies.

SBI General Insurance reported 10.9% year-on-year GDPI growth to Rs 3,506 crore in Q1 FY27. Comprehensive income rose 17.4% to Rs 573 crore, while health, engineering and personal accident segments delivered strong growth, alongside a 2.0-times solvency ratio.

Sensex plunged over 2,000 points during Thursdays closing auction session before recovering some losses, while Nifty remained comparatively stable. Market experts attributed the sharp divergence largely to thin trading volumes on BSE. The episode has renewed scrutiny of the new CAS mechanism, particularly around monthly expiry and its impact on price discovery.

Retail investors increased holdings in 124 smallcap stocks for the fourth straight quarter. Despite subdued sector performance, nine stocks delivered 50%-150% gains alongside steadily rising retail ownership.

India's economy could reach $5.1 trillion by FY29, according to OmniScience Capital. Stronger real growth and healthier balance sheets support this expansion. The pandemic and rupee depreciation had previously delayed this $5 trillion ambition. Real GDP growth averaged 7.4% between FY22 and FY26. An optimistic scenario projects India's GDP reaching $5.9 trillion by FY29.

HSBC has initiated coverage on recently listed Manipal Health with a Buy rating and Rs 1,000 target price, implying 26% upside. The brokerage sees strong growth potential from improving hospital utilisation, the Sahyadri turnaround, higher-margin speciality mix and deleveraging, with adjusted PAT expected to nearly triple by FY29.

Ola Electric shares rallied on Friday after the EV maker launched its new S1Z scooter range with indigenous Bharat Cell LFP technology. The stock has rebounded nearly 79% from its March low, while the new models target Indias mass-market EV segment with prices starting at Rs 79,999.

NCLT has approved a resolution plan allowing Zee founder Subhash Chandra to pay about 6.5 crore against 22,006.57 crore in admitted claims in insolvency case. The 99.97% haircut has sparked controversy, but the claims relate to his role as a personal guarantor, not personal borrowing. Creditors can retain recovery rights against the principal borrowing companies.

JM Financial has retained its Buy rating on Metropolis Healthcare with a target price of Rs 734, implying 27.2% upside. The brokerage calls it the cheapest among Indias leading listed diagnostic players, citing attractive valuations, network expansion, stronger B2C growth and improving margins as key drivers.

Elara has initiated coverage on four pharmaceutical stocks, assigning Buy, Accumulate and Reduce ratings. Alkem Laboratories emerged as its top pick for margin recovery, while Eris Lifesciences and Mankind Pharma could benefit from portfolio expansion, acquisitions and deleveraging. Elara retained a cautious view on IPCA Laboratories after its recent rally.

In 1989, the space shuttle Discovery transported thirty-two fertilized chicken eggs into microgravity. Although younger embryos did not endure the five-day trip, the older ones hatched successfully, exhibiting slight alterations in their inner ear development. Initiated by a student's curiosity, this experiment provides valuable insights for future space endeavors, highlighting the necessity for the vestibular system to adapt to varying gravitational environments.

Nepal authorities issued a fresh flood warning after water levels rose significantly. Rising water mixed with mud increased the risk of another dangerous flood event. A water dam on the Tibetan side reportedly burst again, raising further concerns. Rescue teams continue searching for missing people while monitoring the new flood risk. The warning covers areas around the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers.

A federal judge blocked President Trump's executive order concerning mail-in ballots. This ruling came just days after the Supreme Court lifted a previous block. The order sought to restrict mail-in voting ahead of the midterm elections. Judge Indira Talwani cited the impracticality and potential unconstitutionality of the directive. The Trump administration is expected to appeal this significant judicial decision.

India engages key partners, focusing on border management and energy security. Discussions with China now include investment alongside boundary talks. Russia talks address energy supplies and a widening trade imbalance. Japan and Canada visits seek investment and manufacturing partnerships. These engagements align with India's upcoming hosting of the BRICS summit.

True honey boasts a rich and viscous nature that flows at a leisurely pace. You can initially gauge its quality with simple home tests like the thumb and water tests, which assess its consistency and response to water or skin. However, these techniques fall short of conclusively verifying purity. For accurate results, laboratory testing stands as the most dependable approach to identify any adulteration.

Neelam Kothari starts her morning with warm saffron and lemon water, which she credits as part of her skincare routine. She then has freshly prepared amla juice, a natural source of vitamin C. For breakfast, she opts for a simple, protein-rich omelette made with egg whites and a yolk. Her morning routine reflects her preference for keeping wellness simple and consistent, offering a glimpse into the everyday habits she follows to feel good and stay energised.

Norway's King Harald, Europe's oldest monarch, died peacefully at age eighty-nine. He reigned for over three decades, modernizing the monarchy's ceremonial role. His death occurs during multiple challenges facing the Norwegian royal family. Support for the monarchy has seen a slight decline in recent polls. Crown Prince Haakon will now ascend the throne as Norway's fourth king.

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.

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

Non-banking financial companies are entering a new cyclical recovery phase. Loan growth and asset quality improvements are expected to drive earnings higher. Profit after tax for NBFCs is projected to grow significantly in upcoming fiscal years. However, geopolitical risks and monsoon conditions pose potential challenges to this recovery. Interest rates may also rise, impacting funding costs and profit margins for some firms.

Ola Electric introduces the S1Z scooter featuring indigenous LFP battery technology. This new range aims to bring advanced technology to the mass market segment. The S1Z will be available in two variants with different battery capacities. Deliveries for these models are scheduled to commence in late 2026 and early 2027. The company is expanding its retail network through dealer-operated stores.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.