The Economic Times

Jyoti Mukerji says working with Sunny Deol and Akshaye Khanna has been a valuable learning experience. The actor recently revealed why she chose not to rely on family connections to build her career. She praised Aditya Chopra for keeping the family united and opened up about her close bond with Rani Mukerji. Jyoti was recently seen in Ikka. Read on!

Friendship Day 2026 falls on Sunday, August 2, following India's established tradition. The United Nations officially recognizes July 30 as International Day of Friendship. Bollywood's Kuch Kuch Hota Hai popularized the August date for exchanging friendship bands. Modern celebrations involve digital messages and personal gifts among friends. Both dates are valid, with India preferring its own August observance.

Airports Authority of India awarded eleven new flying training slots with an aim to boost domestic pilot training capacity. The expansion will help meet the projected demand for over thirty thousand pilots. New facilities will add hundreds of training aircraft and simulators. This initiative will reduce foreign training dependence and retain expenditure within India.

Ollanta Humala, the former President of Peru, has been released from prison following the annulment of his money-laundering conviction by the Constitutional Court. The decision was based on legal arguments that questioned the legitimacy of his sentence for allegedly accepting illegal campaign funds from Odebrecht. His wife, Nadine Heredia, who faced similar charges, is currently residing in Brazil.

A woman died in Idukki after a landslide destroyed her home on Saturday as heavy rains caused floods and fresh landslides across central Kerala. Several people are feared trapped under debris in Kottayam district. Rescue operations are underway in affected areas of both districts. Authorities have issued alerts for continued heavy rainfall.

LPG cylinder prices today: Commercial LPG cylinder prices have been reduced by up to Rs 209 from August 1. This price adjustment offers relief to restaurants and hotels dependent on this fuel. Domestic cooking gas prices, however, remain unchanged for households across the nation. The reduction applies only to the 19-kg commercial LPG cylinders. This revision follows a high-level meeting reviewing regional preparedness.

Assam has launched its first government-owned GPU cluster for AI. This secure infrastructure will power the next generation of public services. The state aims to become an AI-first region, enhancing governance capabilities. Office files and notifications will now be accessible through an AI assistant. This initiative marks a significant first step in Assam's technological advancement.

Zubair Baloch, brother of jailed gang leader Uzair Baloch, was critically injured in Karachi. Unidentified gunmen opened fire on him outside his home, hitting him in the chest and stomach. The attack has revived old gang rivalries and violence in the Lyari area. Zubair had recently been released from jail after facing several criminal cases. His brother Uzair remains imprisoned for espionage charges.

Singaporean student Siti Aishah Siregar was found safe by Cambodian police after vanishing from her family. She arrived in Cambodia and met an online gaming friend at the airport. Aishah explained she left home due to strict parental control and a desire for independence. Emails revealed she transferred money to an unknown person before her disappearance. The investigation continues into the money transfer and the nature of the online friendship.

China's military conducted joint air and naval drills near Scarborough Shoal. These exercises were described as a necessary response to regional instability. The drills aimed to test combat readiness and territorial defense capabilities. China claims the shoal as Huangyan Dao, while the Philippines calls it Bajo de Masinloc. The People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command announced the drills on Saturday.

Filmmaker Elan debuts as an actor in the romantic comedy Pyaar Prema Kalyanam. The film explores a modern twist on marriage and family traditions. It follows a social media influencer who refuses to leave her family home after marriage. Read on to know when and where to watch this movie on OTT.

LPG Price August 2026: From August 1, the prices of 19-kg commercial LPG cylinders have been reduced by up to Rs 209, bringing relief to restaurants, hotels and other businesses that rely on the fuel. The latest revision marks the second consecutive monthly cut in commercial LPG prices and comes amid ongoing tensions in West Asia and concerns over global LPG supplies.

The Trump administration's latest initiative focuses on improving policies for Mexican train crews by mandating that they grasp key safety information in English. Alongside this, stricter licensing standards for train operators will be introduced. Rail unions have expressed support for these measures, highlighting their importance for both safety and job security, as the government seeks to bolster safety at the border.

Yemen's Houthi-run maritime body denied plans to impose fees on ships. Passage through the Bab el-Mandeb strait remains free, they stated. This follows a report citing regional sources about potential fees. The Houthi center confirmed its safe transit service is voluntary and cost-free. Shipping companies are urged not to pay unauthorized individuals or entities.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day achieved a historic opening day in India. The film crossed Rs 100 crore mark within its first two days. It surpassed previous records set by Avengers: Endgame and Avatar. This release marks a significant milestone for Hollywood films in India. Read on to know how much it earned on day 2.

Iran has warned of retaliatory strikes on Israeli and US energy assets. This warning follows reports of potential military operations coordinated by Washington and Tel Aviv. President Trump has reportedly ordered preparations for renewed strikes on Iranian targets. The United States indicated substantial military measures would be taken unless Iran re-entered negotiations. This escalating rhetoric raises concerns about a wider regional conflict impacting vital energy supplies.

India and Lesotho convened for their sixth Joint Bilateral Commission meeting, focusing on strengthening their bilateral ties. They explored avenues for development partnerships and capacity building initiatives that benefit both countries. Their commitment to fostering sustainable development through South-South cooperation was reinstated. A future meeting is scheduled to take place in Maseru, ensuring continued collaboration and dialogue.

FIFA has scrapped its plans to sell off a share of the World Cup after facing heavy opposition from various quarters. UEFA expressed strong disapproval, warning of boycotts and alleging that FIFA was compromising the integrity of football. President Infantino acknowledged that the initiative caused rifts within the organization, leading to resignations among advisors and dissatisfaction among staff.

Tata Electronics and ASML are exploring manufacturing advanced chipmaking components in India. This collaboration aims to boost localization within India's semiconductor ecosystem. Discussions are in early stages, following a recent memorandum of understanding. The focus includes precision mechanicals and electronic modules for lithography machines. This move signals India's growing role in the global semiconductor supply chain.

Indian households are increasingly adopting liquid personal and home care products. Consumer goods companies are investing heavily to capitalize on this growing market trend. Liquid formats offer convenience and are seeing rapid volume growth across categories. Rural India is also experiencing a faster adoption rate for these liquid products. Online channels and quick commerce are further accelerating the shift towards premium liquid formats.

Indian cities face significant job losses due to extreme heat by 2050. Extreme heat already costs South Asia millions of jobs annually. Rising temperatures pose a major threat to regional economic growth. However, India's sustainable cooling market presents a significant investment opportunity. Heat early warning systems offer substantial benefits for every dollar invested.

Quote of the day by Plato says, The right question is usually more important than the right answer. The idea focuses on critical thinking, curiosity, inquiry and true understanding. It teaches people to question assumptions, avoid quick conclusions and frame problems with care. Platos philosophy connects this approach with intellectual humility, learning and the search for knowledge beyond simple factual recall.

Psychology says people who are never apologize even if they are at fault aren't always simply rude or careless. Their behaviour can be linked to defensiveness, fear of blame, self-image, difficulty accepting responsibility, or a different view of what happened. Research on apologies shows that admitting wrongdoing can affect relationships, responsibility, trust and conflict. Understanding these reasons can help explain why some people avoid saying sorry.

Proverb of the day by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe offers timeless message remains relevant because every generation faces the same fundamental challenge: how to help people become better without making them feel incapable. Correction can identify the path forward, but encouragement can give someone the strength to walk it. When honesty is combined with compassion, feedback becomes more than criticismit becomes an opportunity for growth.

Chandrashekhar Azad's party revealed its first 45 candidates for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections. The candidate list reflects the party's outreach to Bahujan communities and minorities. Eighteen Scheduled Caste and sixteen Other Backward Class candidates were announced. Ten Muslim and one Sikh candidate were also included in the list. Most of these candidates are from western Uttar Pradesh.

More than 1.12 crore names have been deleted from electoral rolls across ten states and Union Territories. Andhra Pradesh and Haryana reported significant deletions, with over 45 lakh and 33.8 lakh names removed respectively. Many more deletions are expected as Karnataka and Telangana publish their draft rolls soon. The Special Intensive Revision exercise covers over 36 crore electors across nineteen states and Union Territories.

The Supreme Court rejected the Uttarakhand government's plea against bail for Abdul Malik. The court expressed serious reservations about using the UAPA in this case. Malik is accused in the February 2024 Haldwani violence incident. The High Court had granted bail, noting his absence from the scene. The Supreme Court upheld the bail, prioritizing personal liberty.

In 1869, an American inventor and businessman created a revolutionary machine to record votes through an electrical system. Thomas Edison received his first patent for the device on June 1, 1869. The vote recorder allowed legislators to cast yes or no votes using switches. Congress did not accept it because faster voting could reduce debate and political discussion.

A court sentenced former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain to life imprisonment. He and four others were convicted for the murder of Ankit Sharma. The judge cited the crime's brutality but found convicts reformable. The prosecution had sought the death penalty for the five men. The court ruled the case did not meet the 'rarest of rare' criteria.

The National Highways Authority of India will award 54 projects in 2026-27. These projects will span 2,442 kilometers and cost 1,80,017 crore. This is a reduction from the 124 projects planned for 2025-26. Uttar Pradesh leads with seven projects, followed by other states. Several states including Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra will receive six projects each.

The Centre's fiscal deficit reached 18.2% of the full-year target in the first quarter. Higher spending was offset by stronger net tax collections, analysts noted. Revenue expenditure rose over 7% year-on-year, driven by increased April spending. Capital expenditure remained strong, increasing 24% year-on-year during the quarter. This data suggests the government will likely meet its fiscal deficit target.

The Cabinet has approved the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana with a significant outlay. This scheme aims to develop 5,000 MW of floating solar projects with energy storage. Projects will be sanctioned from FY27 to FY31, with financial support extending to FY33. It will utilize existing water bodies, eliminating land competition and strengthening grid reliability. Central aid of 1 crore per MW will be provided for eligible projects after commissioning.

The Union Cabinet approved a five-year extension for the PM-KISAN scheme. This extension will continue direct cash transfers to eligible farmer families through FY31. The government committed 3.15 lakh crore for this significant initiative. This financial support aims to boost agricultural productivity and rural economic growth. The scheme has already disbursed over 4.47 lakh crore since its launch.

The Cabinet approved an 84,084-crore scheme for offshore oil and gas exploration. This National Offshore Exploration Scheme, Samudra Manthan, will run until 2030-31. It aims to boost domestic oil and gas production and reserve accretion. The government will fund half the cost of deepwater exploratory drilling. This initiative seeks to de-risk exploration for companies and increase production.

Quote of the day by Friedrich Nietzsche: Friedrich Nietzsche's thought-provoking quote explores why many people instinctively choose the easiest way out instead of engaging in difficult thinking. Rooted in his ideas on conformity and independent thought, the quote offers timeless insights into human behaviour, the dangers of intellectual complacency, and why critical thinking matters more than ever in today's fast-paced world.

Quote of the day by Leonardo DiCaprio: Leonardo DiCaprio highlights awareness as essential for tackling environmental issues. He believes understanding problems precedes effective solutions and informed choices. This message underscores that individual actions, when collective, significantly impact planetary protection.

Displaced people from across the Line of Control protested in Jammu on Friday. They demanded the liberation of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and its integration with India. The protest was organized by SOS International, advocating for displaced PoK residents. Chairman Rajiv Chuni urged the Indian government to take steps for PoK's freedom. Demonstrators raised slogans against Pakistan and its military leadership during the event.

Banking credit to industry saw a robust 19% year-on-year increase. Personal loan growth also remained strong, expanding 16% compared to last year. Loans against gold jewellery surged by 93%, leading personal loan segment growth. Vehicle loans followed with a 17% expansion, while credit card growth decelerated. Education loans maintained strong growth at 13% year-on-year.

Punjab National Bank is set to secure a substantial one billion dollars through a five-year loan arrangement. This initiative is being coordinated with international financiers to enhance participation. The loan will be eligible for the Reserve Bank of India's special swap facility. Indian banks are eager to tap into dollar funds to capitalize on overseas client deposits, targeting potential leveraged investors in the forex-deposit program.

An unidentified gunman killed one non-local labourer and injured another in Kulgam. The targeted attack occurred Friday evening in Kelam village, southern Kashmir. Both labourers were from Chhattisgarh and worked at a local brick kiln. One labourer was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. Security forces have cordoned the area and launched a search operation.

The UAE is poised to spearhead India's special FCNR(B) deposit scheme, with enticing dollar rates and beneficial tax incentives attracting considerable client interest. Bank officials project that more than ten billion dollars have already been sourced from the UAE. Although operational limitations for bank representatives create hurdles, the robust Indian expatriate community plays a vital role in enhancing contributions to this initiative.

Tata Steel executives emphasize value-added products over mere production capacity. Changing market dynamics necessitate a focus on downstream opportunities for greater value. Expensive iron ore impacts cost structures, shifting strategic priorities for steel companies. Export markets are becoming more challenging due to protectionist policies and competition. The company is phasing growth and investing in value-added segments to capture market premiums.

In an order pronounced on Thursday, special judge Sanjeev Kumar Malhotra directed that the Wadhawan brothers face charges under various sections of the IPC, relating to criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and falsification of accounts.