The Economic Times

Larsen & Toubro will build India's largest single-cluster artificial intelligence infrastructure facility. This project marks the company's entry into the AI Factory business. The facility will house ten thousand NVIDIA B300 GPUs for AI workloads. It will combine hyperscale data center infrastructure and accelerated computing capabilities.

Tamil Nadu's government signed ninety-seven new MoUs totaling over sixty-seven thousand crore rupees. These agreements were exchanged at the Vettri Tamil Nadu Investors Conclave 2026 event. The pacts are expected to generate employment for more than one lakh individuals across various sectors. Key industries benefiting include automotive, renewables, and life sciences. Electronics, R&D, and data centres also represent significant investment areas.

Parliament has approved the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. This legislation aims to enhance mineral exploration and development across India. It provides greater flexibility for mining lease holders regarding additional mineral inclusions. The bill also removes restrictions on the sale of minerals from captive mines.

Vibrio Vulnificus Louisiana Outbreak: Louisiana has reported five deaths linked toVibrio vulnificusinfections, raising concerns about the flesh-eating bacteria found in warm coastal waters. Here is what to know about the outbreak, oysters, symptoms and safety precautions.

Harbhajan Singh defends Gautam Gambhir against criticism for his coaching methods. He acknowledges Gambhir's straightforward approach may be difficult for some to accept. Gambhir's coaching saw India win major tournaments while facing Test defeats. Harbhajan believes Shubman Gill is an ideal leader for the Indian cricket team. He rates Gill highly as a cricketer and a human being.

Tata Trusts said Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT) cannot participate in its meeting due to restrictions imposed by the Charity Commissioner, preventing SRTT and Sir Dorabji Tata Trust from jointly nominating three members to the search committee for N Chandrasekarans successor. Tata Trusts may seek urgent legal relief, while Tata Sons reviews whether its August 18 AGM can proceed.

Kitchen cabinet shelves often attract dust and sticky residues, turning cleaning into a difficult task. However, a clever hack using aluminum foil creates a barrier over these shelves, capturing spills and crumbs before they cling to the surface. Once the foil gets dirty, simply peel it off and lay down a fresh piece. This technique streamlines kitchen upkeep and prolongs shelf cleanliness, making your space more manageable.

Maharashtra plans to make Marathi language knowledge mandatory for all cab drivers. Drivers failing to meet this requirement face potential license suspension or cancellation. The state transport minister confirmed the August 15 deadline for compliance. This rule aims to improve communication and ensure safer journeys for passengers.

Josh Kushner, founder of Thrive Capital, is set to buy the Los Angeles Lakers alongside former Disney CEO Bob Iger in a reported $12.5 billion deal. The blockbuster transaction has put Kushner in the spotlight, raising interest in the businessmans career, multibillion-dollar fortune, family background and rise from tech investor to NBA team owner.

A social media post shared by the tax help desk account highlighted seven humorous money habits associated with Punjabi families. The observations covered salary-day spending, property discussions, trusted tax-saving investments, tax questions around major purchases, careful wedding spending, food as a measure of hospitality and tax conversations during family trips. The post offered a light-hearted look at how money, celebration and financial planning often intersect.

A Bengaluru-based techie revealed how he underwent months of gruelling interviews when he landed a great job in Hyderabad, advising engineers to be patient and focus on learning from every interview, good or bad.

Crude oil from a grounded tanker has reached Omani mainland beaches. The sanctioned vessel, Caroline Bezengi, is leaking nearly one million barrels. Contamination has spread north of Qabiliyah Island, endangering a marine protected area. Southern coasts of Masirah Island may also be affected soon. Satellite images show the spill covers over six hundred square kilometers.

A Bengaluru techie named Tanuj shared how a fresher earning Rs 2.5 LPA while friends made Rs 610 LPA stopped comparing salaries and focused on building technical skills. Over three years, he learned databases, cloud, distributed systems and system design before landing an Rs 18 LPA offer. The story resonated with users, who praised his focus on skills, patience and long-term growth.

Hindustan Petroleum Corp has bought 4 million barrels of Middle Eastern crude through a spot tender, according to trade sources. The state-run refiner purchased 2 million barrels of Murban crude each from BP and PetroChina, along with 1 million barrels of Oman crude from Trafigura, with deliveries expected in early October.

A parliamentary committee suggests a self-reliant revenue model for UPI's financial sustainability. Amendments to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act now permit transaction charges on digital payments. The committee noted a significant funding gap between allocations and operational costs. Future merchant discount rate charges will be nominal and apply to limited high-value transactions.

Women generally notice a decline in health after 30, both due to ageing and from hormonal imbalances. An endocrinologist recently shared five natural drinks to restore hormone balance and keep you healthy after you hit 30.

A Gen Z employee was suspended for 30 days after repeatedly arriving late and was told not to report to work or contact his manager. He used the time to leave the country. Ten days later, HR asked him to return early because the company was understaffed. He refused without written confirmation, saying his plans were based on the original suspension. The story sparked social media debate, with many users backing him.

Air India flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi experienced technical warnings on August 4. The Airbus A320 aircraft suffered a sudden 300-foot altitude drop over Odisha. This incident resulted in injuries to twenty passengers and four cabin crew members. A post-flight maintenance report revealed multiple system warnings and alerts.

R Madhavan, who portrays G.D. Naidu in G.D.N., highlighted five inventions by the Coimbatore-based innovator: a 1925 mechanical calculator, 1936 vote recording machine, 1935 Rasant electric razor, 1937 electric motor and coil spring juicer. Naidu reportedly also developed electronic calculators, radios, vending machines and other devices. G.D.N., based on his life, released worldwide on August 7, 2026.

American Airlines is reorganizing its senior management team. New roles are being added to broaden oversight and boost performance. A former Spirit Airlines executive will now lead technical operations. The airline aims to close its profit gap with competitors like Delta and United. These changes are the first step in strengthening the team and accelerating execution.

Powerball draw: The Powerball jackpot has soared to approximately one billion dollars, marking it as the eighth-largest prize ever in the games history. The last winning jackpot was awarded to two fortunate players on May 2. Drawings take place every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evening, with tickets available in forty-five states and additional territories.

President Trump visits California and Nevada to contrast his economic policies with Democrats. He aims to bolster Republican support in upcoming November elections. Trump will discuss the economy and criticise Democratic policies during his trip. California's governor criticizes the president's visit as a fundraising and attack mission.

India nearly doubled its planned coal mining capacity in 2025 to 638 million metric tons per annum, driving almost all of the global increase in proposed coal projects, according to Global Energy Monitor. The expansion comes as India seeks to meet rising power demand despite rapid renewable growth and slowing global coal demand.

Quote of the day from George Bernard Shaw is a famous observation on marriage that takes a witty and unconventional look at why people continue to be drawn to the institution. Taken from his 1903 play Man and Superman, the quote, Marriage is popular because it combines the maximum of temptation with the maximum of opportunity, reflects Shaw's habit of using humour and sharp social commentary to question everyday beliefs.

The road transport ministry has mandated that motor vehicle aggregators eliminate any tipping prompts that appear before or during trips. This decision is based on the need for adherence to the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, especially after instances of deceptive tipping practices were noted. Tips should only be suggested post-trip to ensure all funds go directly to drivers without any reductions.

The MSME ministry is set to announce new regulations for small businesses next month. These amendments focus on improving invoice financing through the Trade Receivables Discounting System, ultimately aiming to bolster cost efficiency and global competitiveness. As Parliament has recently addressed issues of delayed payments, digital platforms will play a crucial role in overseeing the effective implementation of this law.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized the challenges faced by BRICS nations in mobilizing private capital. She urged multilateral institutions to draw investors into infrastructure projects, as India needs ample private investments alongside its public capital. A substantial pipeline of infrastructure projects is being cultivated through public-private partnerships, allowing the group to target resilient and sustainable growth through meaningful cooperation outcomes.

Microdrama is now a mainstream Indian entertainment format, with most audiences preferring it. Viewers spend over fifteen minutes daily watching these short, episodic stories. Social media feeds are the primary source for discovering new microdrama content. This format shows strong brand recall and purchase intent for advertisers. Microdrama offers creators and brands opportunities for deeper audience engagement.

The Securities Appellate Tribunal reserved its order on interim relief for Zee Entertainment and Punit Goenka. They are challenging a Securities and Exchange Board of India order which they deem punitive. Lawyers argued the order should not take effect until future resolutions are completed. These resolutions are for the company's overall benefit and future operations. Parties must file their replies and submissions within the next six weeks.

Hotel chains plan substantial expansion, expecting many new openings soon. This growth will create thousands of new jobs across India. Radisson Hotel Group anticipates a 75% increase in hotel openings. ITC Hotels aims for over 2,000 new hires for its upcoming properties. IHCL's guidance indicates about 6,000 direct employment opportunities.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2027, India's pharmaceutical exports soared to $8.10 billion, showcasing remarkable strength in drug formulations and biologicals, which together made up roughly three-quarters of the total. Both bulk drugs and vaccines saw substantial double-digit growth. North America and Europe served as vital markets for Indian medicines, indicating a promising future for the nation's pharmaceutical sector.

Television broadcasters anticipate a challenging festive advertising season ahead. This comes as ratings remain withheld following a ministry directive. Advertising demand is already subdued due to economic pressures and digital shifts. Free commercial time consumption has fallen to a three-year low. This situation impacts the entire TV broadcasting ecosystem significantly.

General insurers face higher motor third-party claim reserves due to Supreme Court rulings. A recent ruling fixes homemakers' notional income, increasing claim payouts. This interpretation is expected to raise claim outgo significantly over eighteen months. Insurers also face policy standardization for occupant and pillion-rider coverage. Motor third-party insurance remains challenging with rising claim costs and slow premium growth.

The government has initiated 950 enforcement actions against pharmaceutical companies since December 2022. These actions aim to improve the quality of locally made medicines and prevent spurious drug sales. More than 1,100 cough syrup manufacturers are facing intense audits due to quality concerns. Drug manufacturing premises are inspected periodically to verify compliance with good manufacturing practices. Risk-based inspections are now prioritized based on a company's risk profile.

South Indian banks have seen their gold-loan portfolios nearly double in three years. This significant growth is driven by rising gold prices and increased demand for credit. Federal Bank, CSB Bank, and others experienced substantial portfolio expansions. CSB Bank recorded the fastest growth, more than doubling its gold loan book. Gold loans now represent a significant portion of advances for these regional lenders.

The Reserve Bank of India has proposed new lending rate guidelines. Regulated entities must declare lending rates monthly and reset floating loans quarterly. Total charges for microfinance and small loans will be capped by the regulator. These new norms aim to harmonize interest rate determination methods. Final guidelines will take effect from April 1, 2027.

People who genuinely enjoy spending time alone are not necessarily introverts, psychologists say. Research suggests that a preference for solitude may instead be linked to a strong sense of autonomy, where people feel comfortable making their own choices, following their interests and spending time without needing constant social approval. For some, alone time can also help them process emotions, think clearly and recover from overstimulation. The key difference is that chosen solitude can feel

Rumis quote, Half of life is lost in charming others. The other half is lost in going through anxieties caused by others. Leave this play. You have played enough, offers a simple but powerful reminder about how much time can be spent trying to please people and worrying about their opinions, actions and reactions. The passage encourages stepping away from the constant need for approval and focusing instead on living with greater awareness.

10 Cute Baby Names Inspired By The World's Most Beautiful Islands

Daniel Freeman made history in 1863 when he became the first person to file a claim under the Homestead Act, taking 160 acres of land in Nebraska. A year later, his life took a personal turn when he began exchanging letters with Agnes Suiter, who had once been engaged to his brother James, a Civil War casualty. Their correspondence slowly grew into a romance, and the two married in 1865. Agnes moved to Nebraska, where they raised eight children and built a life on the homestead.

10 Unique Baby Names For Little Ones Inspired By Zodiac Signs

India and the Southern African Customs Union have commenced discussions by signing Terms of Reference for a trade agreement. Expected to finalize within a few months, this preferential trade pact is designed to enhance bilateral trade significantly. India plays a pivotal role as a key supplier to SACU nations across a range of industrial sectors, promising to cultivate stronger economic ties throughout Africa.

Indian Railways has launched two new train services and is extending several existing routes. The new daily services, Kasganj-Aishbagh Express and Valsad-Surat MEMU, will enhance connectivity. Additionally, the Varanasi City-Gorakhpur Express will now reach Nepalganj Road, thus improving travel options for passengers across various states and fostering greater convenience and accessibility.

NCERT faces over half its sanctioned posts vacant, impacting its key educational roles. CBSE also has 44 percent of its positions unfilled, a significant concern. This major shortage of permanent staff risks the safety and quality of national board exams. The parliamentary committee urged fast-track recruitment to fill these critical vacancies. Urgent attention is needed to address these staff shortages at both bodies.

Bank of America will invest up to $1.9 billion in Jio Credit. This significant foreign investment aims to acquire nearly fifty percent of the lending subsidiary. The transaction will provide substantial capital for Jio Credit's expansion plans. It will combine Jio's digital network with Bank of America's financial expertise. This partnership seeks to enhance credit access for all Indians.

An Air India pilot on sleep medication tested positive for marijuana after an incident. The aircraft rapidly lost altitude, injuring seventeen passengers on its flight. The pilot reported sleep difficulties and personal circumstances affecting his rest. Aviation experts stated prescribed sleep medication would not detect THC. The incident is now under investigation by the Air Accident Investigation Bureau.