The Economic Times

Progressive candidates are winning primaries with help from new left-wing media. These platforms allow candidates to build national profiles and raise funds. Independent content creators are becoming influential political kingmakers in Democratic politics. This growing media network shapes campaigns and activist organising across the nation.

A LinkedIn post about a 25-year-old job candidate who refused to work Saturdays has sparked a discussion about work-life balance, workplace expectations and productivity. Despite being labelled lazy during the interview, the candidate was hired for a sales role and went on to outperform his colleagues for two consecutive quarters while continuing to make time for cricket, guitar and family.

Opposition parties staged a walkout in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. They demanded a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah regarding police action. The House witnessed noisy scenes and multiple adjournments throughout the day. Proceedings were briefly adjourned for an hour in the afternoon. The Rajya Sabha reassembled earlier than scheduled amid continued disruptions.

The most effective workplaces recognize that every communication style has strengths. When organizations create environments where both outspoken and quieter employees feel comfortable contributing, they are more likely to benefit from the full range of ideas and observations within their teams.

Sadhgurus happiness habit begins with a simple act: smile when you wake up. He says there is no need to smile at anyone initially because waking up itself is worth celebrating. Millions may not have awakened, while you and your loved ones did. His message is to appreciate life before loss teaches its value, notice the people and nature around you, and learn to look at others lovingly.

3 Idiots star Madhavan recently shared a heartwarming video from the streets of Pune. A traffic police officer was standing in the pouring rain, armed with a broken umbrella, directing traffic. A kind-hearted influencer decided to gift a spare umbrella to him. The sweet video has gone viral on social media.

Hollywood star Michael B. Jordan once spoke about the loneliness that success can bring. He explained that immense responsibilities create an isolating emotional distance from others. The actor also recently surprised an elderly fan who had jokingly called him her grandson. He connected with Mary Story via FaceTime and sent her thoughtful gifts. Read on!

Quote of the day by Anne Hathaway: Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway's quote emphasizes inner spark for personal growth. She highlights that ambition is a vital survival mechanism for evolution. Hathaway's quote encourages taking ownership of one's trajectory and future. It reminds us that personal agency remains an ultimate superpower today. This perspective transforms daunting obstacles into stepping stones for achievement.

The Ministry of Tourism and Netflix India launched a new website section. This initiative promotes Indian destinations and cultural heritage through storytelling. Viewers can now discover real filming locations featured in Netflix originals. The collaboration aims to boost tourism and strengthen the creative economy.

Actor Rajpal Yadav's financial troubles escalate as two of his properties are set to be auctioned off to recover a staggering outstanding loan of over sixteen crore rupees. This auction follows the contentious cheque bounce case he is currently embroiled in. The bank has sent out formal auction notices regarding these secured assets, yet Yadav has not provided any response to them.

Honda has outsourced a new vehicle platform development to Tata Technologies. This move aims to significantly reduce costs and accelerate its product roadmap. The new platform will support multiple car models, including electric and hybrid variants. Honda is strategically utilizing external resources to enhance its competitive edge. This partnership highlights India's growing role as a global engineering hub.

US military investigations confirmed no white phosphorus leak at Osan Air Base. Local authorities had urged residents to evacuate due to suspected chemical concerns. Follow-up analysis revealed non-hazardous surface corrosion from environmental exposure. No injuries were reported during the incident at the South Korean base. The US maintains a significant troop presence in South Korea for deterrence.

This year, over 3,100 cases of drug-resistant Candida auris have emerged across twenty-three states in the US, with Texas and Michigan reporting the highest rates. This dangerous fungus primarily spreads in healthcare environments and poses serious risks to critically ill patients and those with compromised immune systems. Symptoms often resemble those of other severe infections, necessitating vigilant medical scrutiny.

Perplexity AI founder Aravind Srinivas credits OpenAI CEO Sam Altman with career advice that helped shape his approach to work: focus on things that come naturally to you but are difficult for others. Srinivas says his experience winning a Kaggle competition at IIT Madras, despite having limited machine-learning knowledge at the time, helped him recognise this strength. His journey through UC Berkeley, OpenAI, Google Brain and DeepMind eventually led to the launch of Perplexity in 2022.

Smartworks Coworking Spaces has leased a significant 141,000 square feet in Aerocity. This prime location strengthens their presence in Delhi NCR's commercial hub. The company reported strong Q1 FY27 revenue growth of forty-four percent. Contracted rental revenue provides substantial multiyear revenue visibility. Smartworks currently operates sixteen point nine million square feet across India and Singapore.

New rules will bar drugmakers from selling products if false information was provided. The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has amended the Drugs Rules, 1945. This adds accountability for drug manufacturers and distributors operating in the country. The Licensing Authority can now debar entities from filing future applications. This amendment aims to deter misconduct and ensure reliable drug approval evidence.

A Kozhikode consumer commission has ordered Union Bank of India to refund Rs 10,000 and pay Rs 5,000 in compensation to a customer who said his account was debited at an ATM but no cash came out. The bank claimed its records showed the cash was dispensed, but failed to produce CCTV footage to back that claim before the commission.

Paneer Purity Test: Maharashtra has banned analogue paneer, which is not made from milk. This action addresses growing concerns about food adulteration across the state. Manufacturers and sellers face legal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act. Consumers can identify fake paneer through taste, texture, and label checks. Several high-protein alternatives to paneer are also available for consumers.

Mastercard India head Gautam Aggarwal sees UPI as a complementary system. UPI has educated consumers and expanded the digital payments market significantly. India possesses the world's largest digital payments ecosystem in absolute terms. Mastercard invests heavily in cybersecurity to ensure user convenience and security. A strong regulatory framework and consumer education are vital for continued growth.

Meta apologized for temporarily removing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Facebook post. This apology was viewed as a victory for India's laws and constitution. Meta executives met with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw regarding various content issues. Company officials were asked to remain for further questioning on Thursday. The tech giant's actions are seen as demonstrating adherence to Indian regulations.

The Lok Sabha passed a bill to attract foreign investment and promote domestic manufacturing. This legislation aims to provide greater tax certainty for businesses operating in India. It simplifies tax frameworks for offshore investment funds and fund managers. The bill also extends tax exemptions for electronics manufacturing and diamond trade.

Alternative fuels are closing in on petrol's share in India's vehicle market. CNG leads the alternative fuel segment, followed by hybrids and electric vehicles. This shift indicates a rapid change in the fuel mix for vehicles. The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations released this retail data for July. The gap between alternative fuels and petrol has significantly narrowed.

For nearly seventy years, Usha Nadkarni has mesmerised the audience with her extraordinary talent. Despite facing an abusive upbringing and disapproval from her family, she fearlessly followed her dreams of acting. Since 1987, she has embraced solitude, making major sacrifices for her career. Read on to know more about her journey.

Been throwing away aloe vera peels? They may still have uses around the home. Instead of binning them, you can add the peels to compost, use them with garden waste, dry them before composting or include them in a kitchen-waste composting system. They can also be collected for gardening projects and help reduce household biodegradable waste. However, aloe vera peels contain latex and aloin, so they should not be consumed or casually applied to skin.

India's energy security now depends on manufacturing and resilient technology supply chains. The nation aims to become a global hub for clean energy technology production. Steel is identified as a crucial pillar supporting renewable infrastructure and battery projects. Government schemes support electric mobility, battery manufacturing, and critical mineral supply chains. Industry stakeholders are invited to collaborate for national self-reliance and economic development.

Coach Gautam Gambhir emphasized team readiness for the upcoming Sri Lanka Test series. The squad aims to be fully prepared for all challenges presented during the matches. This series marks India's first World Test Championship assignment since their last defeat. Newcomers Saransh Jain and Auqib Nabi received congratulations from the head coach. Both players earned their spots through strong domestic cricket performances.

The long-awaited Awarapan 2 trailer is finally here, signaling Emraan Hashmi's comeback as the iconic Shivam Pandit. Viewers can expect the film to hit theaters globally on August 14, 2026. After his resurrection, Shivam embarks on a journey of vengeance, love, and redemption, with Disha Patani portraying Zara and Shabana Azmi taking on the role of the formidable antagonist, Nafisa.

The Supreme Court is considering proposed changes to the NEET-UG examination format. A shift to computer-based testing is under active government consideration. The court will hear further arguments on August 19 regarding these proposals. The government is also strengthening legal frameworks against examination fraud. Petitions seek reforms and restructuring of the National Testing Agency.

India's insurance sector anticipates significant long-term expansion driven by reforms and low penetration. Favorable regulations are attracting foreign investment and accelerating mergers and acquisitions. Both life and non-life segments show strong growth potential for insurers. However, macroeconomic challenges and inflation could dampen domestic demand.

Indian jewellers could earn an additional 0.75%-1% commission under a revamped Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) proposed by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA). Under the proposal, jewellers would collect customers' old gold, pass it to refiners and receive a direct incentive, encouraging them to actively promote the scheme.

Actor Madhavan recently took to Instagram to share the inspiring journey of a 14-year-old youngster from Andhra Pradesh, who has been chosen to participate in a global all-girls lunar satellite mission.

India's coal sector policy reforms have significantly reduced operationalisation timelines for explored blocks. These changes enable faster mine development and quicker commercial production of coal. Captive and commercial mines have contributed substantially to the nation's coal output recently. Commercial coal mining stands as a key reform under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. Ongoing auctions and stakeholder engagement aim to boost private sector participation further.

Tata Motors launched the Nexon CAMO edition ahead of the festive season. This special edition celebrates ten years of the Nexon SUV and its customer base. It features two new exterior colours and an upgraded technology package. The vehicle includes a Harman touchscreen and a digital instrument cluster. This new model offers customers an enhanced driving experience.

The Awarapan 2 trailer has been released, featuring Emraan Hashmi's return as Shivam Pandit. The film promises action and emotion, continuing Shivam's troubled past narrative. Disha Patani and Shabana Azmi also feature in the upcoming sequel. Awarapan 2 received a U/A 16+ certificate after several modifications. The movie is scheduled for a theatrical release on August 14.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas says make-up is a powerful form of self-expression, but confidence begins with accepting yourself without it. In an interview with Elle UK, she described removing make-up as a ritual that helps her let go of daily stress, fears and insecurities. The actress and former Miss World believes feeling comfortable in her natural appearance is the best foundation for make-up, offering a meaningful lesson in beauty and self-esteem.

Aaban, son of Atiq Ahmed, died in a speeding vehicle accident in Jhansi. His companion Sonu also perished in the same road mishap. This incident follows the recent killings of his father and uncle, Ashraf. Asad, another son, was previously killed in a police encounter in Jhansi. The family has been involved in a series of violent events.

Trump asserted that United States possessed vast munitions supplies, threatening jail for those reporting alleged weapons stockpile shortages. Media outlets recently reported concerns about depleted missile and air defecse interceptor stocks. White House officials and Pentagon spokesmen denied these reports as fictional.

Actor Rajesh Kumar, known for playing Rosesh Sarabhai inSarabhai vs Sarabhai, has opened up about the difficult years after he quit acting at the peak of his career to pursue farming. Kumar said he lost nearly everything during the five-year break and faced financial struggles and humiliation. He returned to acting in 2022 and believes the experience made him more grounded and helped him become a better actor.

Chalet Hotels is adding two new hotels under its ATHIVA brand. These new developments will add 150 keys in Hyderabad and 231 keys in Pune. The company will lease these properties from Mindspace Business Parks REIT. Chalet Hotels aims to launch the Pune hotel in fiscal year 2031. The Hyderabad hotel is planned for launch in fiscal year 2029.

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.

IPO-bound Dhoot Transmission expects India's shift to electric vehicles to be its biggest growth driver as it expands its EV-focused product portfolio and partnerships with automakers, CFO Nitin Kalani said. The company, which supplies wiring harnesses and derives about a third of its revenue from Bajaj Auto, is also adding battery assemblies, onboard chargers, DC-DC converters and charging guns.

Hindustan Petroleum Corp has purchased two million barrels of West African crude oil. This significant purchase is scheduled for delivery during the month of September. The state-run company acquired one million barrels each of Nigerian Forcadoes and Bonga grades. These oil shipments are destined for its Vizag refinery located in Andhra Pradesh. Previously, HPCL had also secured two million barrels of West African oil.

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.