The Economic Times

A Gurugram student created a wearable platform for horse health monitoring. This indigenous solution uses multiple sensors to track vital signs and movement. EquiSense AI analyzes data to provide timely alerts and explanations to caregivers. Sterling Stables has already placed a paid order after successful product trials.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched a new scholarship initiative. Over six thousand agriculture students will receive monthly direct bank transfers. This National Scholarship Portal-Direct Benefit Transfer system aims for faster payments. The government seeks to ensure timely financial assistance for students' education. This move strengthens agricultural education and practical learning opportunities.

Larsen & Toubro is planning to bid for Indias incentives to manufacture rare-earth magnets domestically, people familiar with the matter said. The move would mark a new business for the engineering giant as India seeks to reduce dependence on China, which controls about 90% of global rare-earth magnet production.

Julia Roberts has spoken about growing vegetables at home, including lettuce, tomatoes, kale, carrots and beets, and eating what her family grows. Her gardening approach offers a simple lesson for beginners: start small and focus on vegetables you actually eat. Roberts has also involved her children in gardening, with reports saying each had a garden bed. Her experience shows that home gardening can provide fresh produce without requiring a huge backyard.

While using vinegar as a laundry/cleaning agent may sound bizarre, it does have its benefits. Vinegar can be used to keep your clothes smelling fresh and help your garments look bright for longer.

Motor insurers are intensifying efforts to curb third-party claim fraud as rising court awards and more uninsured vehicles increase pressure on the segment, potentially affecting insurance costs. Go Digit secured a Madras High Court order for district-level probes in Tamil Nadu into fraudulent claims, while insurers also face higher liabilities following a recent Supreme Court ruling on compensation.

India's power demand is estimated to rise 6.5-7.5 per cent year-on-year this fiscal to 1,825-1,835 billion units (BU), driven mainly by higher cooling requirements amid expectations of higher temperatures and lower rainfall due to El Nino conditions, according to a report by Crisil Intelligence.

Hyundai Motor India aims to have 1 million connected cars on Indian roads by 2027, up from 0.8 million currently. Its Bluelink platform offers over 70 connected features and more than 450 AI-powered voice commands.

FM, earlier known as FM Global, has leased significant office space in Bengaluru's Bhartiya Centre. This move aligns with India's record office space absorption in the first half of 2026. Bengaluru leads the nation's office market, driven by global capability centers. Future expansion at Bhartiya Centre will add millions of square feet. The Indian office market anticipates sustained occupier activity throughout the year.

Bengaluru CA Meenal Goel left her Rs 28 LPA job at 26 to build her own business. She struggled with inconsistent income at 27 before rebuilding her pricing, positioning, clients and confidence at 28. Today, she runs a profitable personal-branding and content business. Goel says setbacks remain part of entrepreneurship, but consistently showing up after excitement fades can make the difference.

Indofast Energy and GLIDA will co-locate battery swapping stations at charging sites. They aim to establish fifty sites with over one hundred swapping stations. This collaboration creates integrated EV energy destinations for users. Delivery riders and fleet operators will benefit from quick battery swaps. The partnership accelerates Indofast Energy's network expansion into high-footfall markets.

Paper Towel Roll in Fridge: A paper towel roll can be placed inside the refrigerator door for convenience. This hack allows for quick wiping of small spills and condensation. Paper towels absorb minor moisture but do not significantly reduce overall fridge humidity. The trick does not create more storage space but encourages better organization. This tip is for quick cleaning and not a substitute for regular refrigerator maintenance.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra stated Rahul Gandhi met students protesting in Jharkhand. NDA MPs protested in Parliament, accusing the opposition of avoiding discussions. The Jharkhand student agitation intensified after clashes with police forces. Priyanka Gandhi demanded Union Home Minister Amit Shah make a statement. The opposition seeks government response and addressing protester concerns.

Assam teenager Janmoni Konwar went from living in a flood shelter to winning karate gold in Delhi after PhysicsWallah founder Alakh Pandey helped her reach the championship. Despite her familys home being submerged, the 17-year-old won all three bouts, including a 10-2 victory in the final.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declined to apologize for crude remarks. He made jokes about a gift from Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Opposition leaders called for an apology over the disrespectful comments. Albanese stated he rejects the assertion that his behavior was insulting. Foreign Minister Penny Wong also defended the prime minister's intentions.

In a recent statement, CS Setty, Chairman of the State Bank of India, underscored AI's transformative potential for the Indian banking sector. He asserted that widening credit opportunities for small businesses and farmers through AI is essential to realize India's ambition of a developed economy by 2047. Additionally, AI could refine farm-level decision-making and risk management, as banks strive to enhance defenses against advancing cybersecurity threats.

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said banks that succeed in the AI era will be those that understand the technology they deploy and maintain clear accountability for its outcomes, rather than simply adopting AI faster. Speaking at FIBAC 2026, he said AI will reshape risk assessment, customer service, capital pricing and banking operations, while Indias digital public infrastructure provides a strong base for AI adoption.

Madhavan once recalled why he identified with his 3 Idiots character Farhan so well. Just like Farhan, he too had an emotional confrontation with his father Ranganathan when he revealed he did not wish to become an engineer.

For brands targeting business decision-makers, visibility alone is not enough. Boschs partnership with ET demonstrates how credible platforms can transform audience access into meaningful relevance, influence and engagement.

Ankur Warikoo shared five books for five common life problems. He recommends Make Epic Money for understanding finances, Clear Thinking for overcoming overthinking, and Four Thousand Weeks for gaining perspective when you feel behind in life. For people who struggle to finish tasks, he suggests Eat That Frog, while Mindset challenges the belief that wealth is limited and already distributed.

Singapore raised its 2026 economic growth forecast to 4.5%-5.5% from 2.0%-4.0%, supported by stronger-than-expected AI investment and a milder impact from the Middle East conflict. The economy grew 5.9% year-on-year in Q2, while robust AI-related demand is expected to support growth in the second half of the year.

From marketing homes to building them smarter, AI is moving into the core of India's real estate business.

Baking soda can be a simple way to tackle musty smells in old books and closed cupboards. For books, place baking soda in a bowl or sachet inside a sealed container without letting it touch the pages, and leave it for several days. In cupboards, keep it in an open bowl or breathable pouch and replace it monthly or when damp.

Raymond Lifestyle expects Europe to contribute up to 25% of its exports within two years as the apparel maker reduces reliance on the US amid shifting tariff policies. CEO Satyaki Ghosh said European inquiries have risen after Indias trade deals, while new customers and expanded production capacity are supporting growth.

In most cases, if a doctor suspects a patient may have cancer, they order a biopsy. However, in some rare instances, doctors will refrain from recommending a biopsy even if they think the patient has cancer. Taking to X, internal medicine expert Dr Priyam Bordoloi explained why.

Actor R Madhavan shared an Instagram Story featuring eight factors that can influence happiness and quality of life. The post highlighted commute time, social media content, sleep, relationships, physical activity, money stress, sunlight and environment. Its central message was that curating your environment can support success. Madhavans post particularly drew attention to the claim that 10 minutes of morning sunlight can reset the day and that outdoor time matters.

US President Donald Trump has extended a waiver allowing foreign-flagged ships to transport oil and other commodities between US ports for 90 days, while tightening the rules amid opposition from shipbuilders. The revised waiver requires individual voyages to receive case-by-case approval, as the administration seeks to ease fuel transportation bottlenecks.

An IAS officer noticed a young girl playing inside Bilaspur Central Jail. He inquired about her circumstances and discovered her wish to attend school. Jain International School then offered support for her education and accommodation. This intervention allowed Khushi to experience a life beyond prison walls. Her story highlights the impact of adult attention on a child's future.

A US federal court dismissed criminal charges against Gautam Adani and two executives. The Justice Department requested this dismissal with prejudice, closing the case. This prosecution had linked the Adani Group to solar-power contracts in India. Prosecutors had alleged bribery and misleading investors about misconduct. The court's decision ends a significant legal challenge for the conglomerate.

CA Nitin Kaushik argues that blindly following the 70-20-10 budgeting rule could keep young Indians stuck in the middle class. He says high rent, taxes and food inflation can push essential expenses beyond 70% in metro cities. Instead, he advises aggressively reducing fixed lifestyle costs and investing 30% to 40% in high-growth assets to benefit from early compounding.

Brookfield India REIT and NCW's Prime Offices Fund will jointly acquire a Mumbai office space. This significant transaction involves an enterprise value of Rs 1,700 crore for the property. The acquisition marks Prime Offices Fund's initial entry into the Mumbai real estate market. Brookfield will continue to manage the acquired office space after the deal. This move strengthens Brookfield India REIT's portfolio and presence in Mumbai.

Quick commerce platforms anticipate hiring thirty to forty percent more temporary workers this festive season. This surge reflects increased product availability and consumer preference for instant deliveries. Tech-savvy individuals are particularly sought after for specialized operational roles. Staffing firms project around one hundred thousand temporary jobs, with some estimates reaching three hundred thousand. Wages are expected to rise between twelve and twenty-two percent based on work loc

Britain is now experiencing a flash drought caused by a combination of very low rainfall and higher temperatures. Rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater levels continue to decline while the continued hot and dry conditions are increasing the risk of wildfires, the government said.

Agatha Christies witty take on marriage, Marry while you're young, because as you get older you become wiser, offers a humorous look at how age and experience can change the way people approach relationships. The quote also connects with themes seen in Christies writing, where human behaviour, trust and relationships often played an important role.

ICICI Prudential AMC's board approved acquiring ICICI Securities' PMS business. This acquisition will broaden the company's existing portfolio management offerings. The PMS business caters to high net worth individuals with customized investment solutions. Assets under management stood at 2,910 crore as of March 31, 2026. The transaction is expected to be completed within a year after approvals.

Banks have disbursed merely seventeen percent of the credit guarantee scheme funds. Loan sanctions remain slow as banks show caution with smaller microfinance institutions. Larger microfinance companies are hesitant to borrow under the government's guarantee program. About one thousand crore rupees went to small and medium-sized microfinance entities.

Five city gas distributors led national compressed biogas sales in 2025-26. The overall blending ratio reached 0.92%, nearing the government's one percent mandate. Torrent Gas and BPCL spearheaded efforts to blend biogas with natural gas supplies. India currently operates 207 functional compressed biogas plants to boost output. A new scheme aims to strengthen the biogas program through assured demand and stable pricing.

The Bombay High Court ordered Amazon to transfer expired goods to the FDA. This action follows the agency's earlier reprimand for its drastic warehouse measures. The court also mandated the FDA to file its affidavit by August 27. Amazon had challenged the suspension of its warehouse license. This directive ensures scientific disposal of perishable and expired items.

Sun Pharma recalled eleven eyecare products after an eye specialists' body issued a safety alert. This alert warned about bacterial contamination found in certain batches of their Predmet eyedrop medicine. The All India Ophthalmological Society stressed patient safety due to potential serious ocular infection risks. Sun Pharma stated the recall was a precautionary measure while investigations continued. The company assured that other products were manufactured at different qualified sites.

India and the Southern African Customs Union are on the verge of finalizing terms for a significant trade pact. This agreement aims to set the groundwork for future negotiations involving market access and other sensitive subjects. The SACU, comprising South Africa and four additional member countries, has been in discussions for this preferential trade agreement since 2008, though past talks faced hurdles.

The ISL's media rights value has fallen from 275 crore a year paid by JioStar to 8.6 crore offered by FanCode for the 2025-26 season. JioStar had bid 5 crore for the property. FanCode and Sony Sports Network broadcast the league after intervention by the sports ministry helped facilitate the staging of the season, with the organisational burden falling disproportionately on the clubs.

The unemployment landscape in India shifted significantly in the April-June quarter, rising to 5.4%. Notably, rural areas faced increasing joblessness, with urban unemployment also experiencing a slight uptick. Female unemployment hit 5.7%, while males followed suit. A concerning youth unemployment rate of 15.9% emerged, especially among young women. Chhattisgarh stood out with a troubling 12.8% unemployment rate.

Indian banks have sought RBI approval to spread mark-to-market losses on investment portfolios across the remaining three quarters, citing bond-market volatility triggered by the West Asia crisis. Rising government bond yields have weighed sharply on banks treasury income.

The Centre has proposed limiting states powers to impose taxes, cess and other levies on mineral rights and mineral-bearing land, seeking a more uniform fiscal framework and lower costs for miners following a 2024 Supreme Court ruling allowing additional state taxes.

The Supreme Court suggested forming special courts for Manipur violence cases. These courts would exclusively handle investigations by the CBI and NIA. The Gauhati High Court Chief Justice was urged to establish these separate courts. The court also directed security agencies to ensure uninterrupted investigations by federal agencies. Details of cases will be shared with affected families and their lawyers.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said UPI transactions will remain free for consumers, with most low-value payments also staying free. Any future MDR would apply only to limited merchant transactions above a prescribed threshold, with its scope to be decided later.

The corporate affairs ministry plans to implement an evidence-based methodology for the upcoming Digital Competition Bill. A thorough market analysis is currently being conducted to establish benchmarks for major tech firms. Systemically impactful digital entities will be subjected to preventive regulations enforced by the antitrust authority. This proposed legislation aims to curb undesirable practices proactively. The ministry's responses contributed to a parliamentary committee's findings.

India Independence Day 2026: Youth power will be a central theme at the upcoming Independence Day celebrations. Young achievers and innovators will be honored as special guests at the event. The national song 'Vande Mataram' will be sung from the Red Fort ramparts for the first time. Military bands will perform across India, and flower petals will be showered. Approximately five thousand special guests, including students, have been invited to the function.