The Economic Times

BMW expects electric vehicles to account for more than 30% of its India sales by year-end, up from 26% currently. The luxury carmaker is also considering local assembly of the BMW i5 LWB as it expands its EV and long-wheelbase portfolio.

Consumer goods companies are increasing prices and reducing pack sizes. Automobile manufacturers and tyre companies also announced significant price hikes. Rising commodity and energy costs are pressuring company margins. India's retail inflation has moved above the Reserve Bank of India's target. Policymakers are watching for broader inflation spread across the economy.

AI agents are increasingly performing purchases, which presents new payment challenges. Banks and networks must verify agent intent and transaction legitimacy. New security measures will distinguish between genuine and malicious automated activity. Payment rails may become invisible as consumers focus on speed and reliability.

Italian Proverb of the Day: Hope is the last to die highlights the enduring role of hope during uncertainty, setbacks and difficult circumstances. The saying suggests that people can continue believing in the possibility of change even when outcomes appear uncertain. Rather than promising success, the proverb presents hope as a source of resilience that can encourage perseverance until the very end.

The Supreme Court recently nullified a directive from the Madras High Court regarding DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran's legal situation. This decision permits Maran to summon the Union Telecom Secretary as a defense witness, overturning the earlier high court order that required the secretarys testimony. The core of this case pertains to allegations of illicit telephone exchanges established during Maran's tenure as minister.

Indias gold loan market is emerging as a growth opportunity for financial institutions, with outstanding loans against gold jewellery reaching Rs 3.3 lakh crore by May 2026. Tata Capital, Godrej Capital and Aditya Birla Capital are expanding aggressively as lenders shift toward secured retail credit, driven by rising gold prices, strong demand, regulatory changes and Indias vast household gold holdings.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged young space entrepreneurs to innovate for agriculture and daily life. He highlighted the potential of India's private space sector for global impact. Startups were urged to engage with schools and inspire future generations. Modi acknowledged the risks taken by entrepreneurs and the government's reform process. The government will continue supporting startups to build national space capabilities.

Anupama Parameswaran, who wowed the audience with her performance in films such as Premam, Karthikeya 2, etc., is the proud owner of a majestic home in Kerala. Although spacious, her home is devoid of excess when it comes to decor and is known for simple, elegant, minimalistic decor and subdued hues.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu has shared simple gardening tips for growing vegetables and microgreens at home. She recommends choosing healthy seeds, storing them properly, avoiding overwatering and planting seeds no deeper than 1-2 cm. She also advises keeping soil loose and transplanting seedlings after they develop three to four true leaves. Samantha has showcased her homegrown spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes, cabbage microgreens, parsley, basil, arugula and lettuce.

New foreign investment rules are yielding positive results for India's economy. Twenty-nine investment proposals totaling over Rs 4,895 crore have been reported. These investments span crucial sectors like IT and manufacturing. Entities from various countries, including Mauritius and the US, have made these investments. The revised framework expedites foreign investment flow and strengthens ease of doing business.

The medical devices sector must increase local value addition and component manufacturing. Government officials are open to industry suggestions for PLI scheme beneficiaries. Many companies invested but could not claim incentives for various reasons. The government aims to incentivize component makers more than assembly operations. Increased domestic value addition is a key objective for the sector.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met Singapore leaders to boost trade and investment. Discussions focused on strengthening business-to-business engagement and unlocking new economic opportunities. Temasek Holdings CEO and Fortis Healthcare Chairman also held discussions with Goyal. The minister addressed the India-Singapore Business Forum and met potential investors. Singapore remains India's largest source of foreign direct investment and bilateral trade has expanded significantly.

Euro zone business activity has grown at its fastest pace this year in August, buoyed by stronger new orders - particularly in manufacturing - and a return to export growth, according to a survey which also showed easing price pressures. That suggests the economy has remained resilient this quarter despite the Middle East conflict, after expanding 0.4% in the second quarter.The S&P Global Flash Euro zone Composite PMI Output Index has risen to 52.1 this month from July's 52.0, its highest since

Indias aspiration economy: How consumers are reshaping cars, hotels, homes and food | ET WLF 2026

In a bid to enhance efficiency, tax authorities are crafting standardized guidelines for GST registration applications. This effort targets easing the process for businesses disbursing tax credits that surpass Rs 2.5 lakh each month. Negotiations with states are underway to unify the documentation and information required. Officials are also considering automation for the cancellation of GST registrations. The final recommendations will be presented to the GST Council for approval.

Sadhguru launched his new photography book, Disappearing Faces, documenting life in Nepal and Tibet. The book captures faces shaped by a life closely tied to nature and sensory experience. This visual documentation preserves an era that is disappearing due to modern influences. In an exclusive interview with ET, Sadhguru has advice for the next generation and wants them to focus on perception. Read on!

In a recent meeting, India and Russia deliberated on their mutual interests in advancing higher education. Both countries expressed their commitment to strengthen collaborative efforts. Deepti Gaur Mukherjee had a constructive dialogue with Mogilevsky Konstantin Ilyich on Thursday, exploring various avenues for partnership. The Ministry of Education disseminated this news on Friday.

Punjab National Bank and the Indian Army have signed an exclusive memorandum of understanding. This partnership will offer two specialised credit cards for Army personnel. These cards provide benefits like cashback and airport lounge access. The PNB Parakram Credit Card features an environmentally friendly biodegradable design.

India and the Asian Development Bank signed a $230 million loan agreement. This project will expand and modernize Chennai's water supply and sanitation infrastructure. It includes building new pipes and upgrading pumping stations across the city. Chennai will also implement a comprehensive ring-main system for improved water reliability. The initiative aims to enhance public health and urban resilience to climate change.

Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has achieved a significant box office milestone. The film is now the highest-grossing R-rated movie globally. It surpassed Deadpool & Wolverine with its impressive worldwide earnings. This mythological epic also marks Nolan's biggest career success. The movie has generated over USD 1.352 billion at the box office.

Before he made a name for himself as a leading man with hits such as Dharti Ke Lal, Waqt, Kabuliwala, etc., Balraj Sahni had a brief stint as a teacher of English at Visva Bharati University, where he came across the great poet Rabindra Nath Tagore, who gave him advice he would never forget.

A Delhi-based entrepreneur shared the story of a candidate who was laid off three times in two years and applied to 50 companies over four months. He received 29 rejections and 15 unanswered applications, yet kept detailed records to remind himself he was still trying. During his interview, she found him sharp, experienced and composed under pressure. She hired him, believing the process had failed him, not his ability.

Gandhari, featuring Taapsee Pannu, is all set to arrive on OTT. Directed by Devashish Makhija and penned by Kanika Dhillon, this action thriller explores a mother's relentless drive to shield her child from harm. Alongside Taapsee, Gandhari features Ishwak Singh, Swastika Mukherjee and others. Read on to know when and where to watch it online.

India is set to approve a $1.2-billion incentive scheme to boost domestic production of high-value construction equipment, including tunnel boring machines, and reduce import dependence on China. The programme is expected to attract $1.8 billion in investment over seven years.

Delayed and lost baggage caused the most passenger dissatisfaction in July. This issue accounted for nearly one-third of all airline complaints received. Flight delays and refund problems followed as significant passenger concerns. Airlines resolved most complaints, while IndiGo carried most domestic passengers. Overall passenger traffic showed slight growth from the previous year.

Fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee opened his new flagship store in New Delhi. He believes craftsmanship will outlast artificial intelligence, which should only support creativity. Mukherjee also celebrated his multi-year collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum of Art. This partnership will draw inspiration from the museum's vast collection for new designs.

Ladakh will withdraw cases against 25 individuals involved in a protest incident. Preparations for upcoming Panchayat elections in Ladakh are now commencing. A meeting with the Ministry of Home Affairs is scheduled for early September. Land use changes and Nautor land tenancy rights will be regularized soon. Tourism sector will now receive electricity at industrial tariffs.

The BJP will meet tomorrow to finalize plans for Modi@25 celebrations. These nationwide events will commemorate Prime Minister Modi's 25 years in public service. The campaign, Seva Sankalp Mahotsav, begins September 7 and lasts fifteen days. It will feature outreach programs and digital exhibitions highlighting his public life. The celebrations focus on service, good governance, development, and public welfare.

IndiGo's website experienced booking issues on Friday, showing No Data Available during searches. This marks the second disruption to its online services within a single week. Previously, intermittent problems affected its core reservation platform, impacting customer access. The airline advised customers to try again later and contact its call centre for urgent needs. IndiGo has apologized for the inconvenience caused by these technical difficulties.

A memorable dialogue from the movie Sarkar shares an important piece of financial wisdom for investors. It emphasises the importance of assessing long-term losses before getting caught up in near-term gains. Investors are encouraged to look past fleeting returns and market hype. Read on to know what the fund manager explained through this dialogue.

Marriages may, or may not be made in heaven, but life partners should not be selected in a hurry, believes Ankur Warikoo. The entrepreneur-motivational speaker who dated his wife, Ruchi, for seven years before they tied the knot, suggested five unconventional ways to find out if the special someone in your life really is compatible with you.

Sunscreen can leave stubborn greasy, yellow or orange marks on clothes, especially around collars and necklines. Fresh stains can be treated with liquid laundry detergent or dish soap before washing. For tougher marks, DIY options such as baking soda and dish soap, diluted white vinegar or lemon juice may help, depending on the fabric. Avoid hot drying until the stain disappears, and never mix vinegar with chlorine bleach.

India's first large-scale biopolymer plant in Lakhimpur Kheri is nearing its October operational launch. This pioneering project will convert locally grown sugarcane into PLA-based bioplastic. The facility features a Zero Liquid Discharge system to prevent harmful liquid waste. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath laid the foundation stone for this significant industrial development.

Over one crore NCMC RuPay smartcards were registered in five months. These cards now serve MSRTC concessional passengers across Maharashtra's villages. The digital passes replace old paper systems, improving verification and reducing misuse. This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Modi's Digital India 'One Nation, One Card' vision. Future plans include retail payments and integration with metro and water transport.

The Malayalam film Bethlehem Kudumba Unit premiered today, August 21, and has been met with enthusiastic responses from audiences. Viewers are praising its straightforward narrative and relatable storytelling. The charming chemistry between Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju stands out, while the mix of humour and romance keeps audiences engaged. Read on!

Harvard and AIIMS gastro doctor Dr Saurabh Sethi has shared seven dessert ideas that support gut health, offering sweet options beyond conventional treats. His list includes watermelon with lime, dark chocolate dates and walnuts, baked sweet potato, cinnamon apple yoghurt, cherry psyllium jelly, chocolate strawberries and kiwi yoghurt. The recipes combine fruits, Greek yoghurt, nuts, dark chocolate and fibre-rich ingredients for simple, satisfying treats.

India Private Equity Investment 2026: Geopolitical risks now shape private equity deal considerations in India. Investors increasingly focus on resilience and supply-chain stability for investments. Capital deployment concentrates on manufacturing and financial services sectors. Export-oriented businesses still attract interest despite US tariff uncertainties. India remains an attractive destination due to its market scale and policy support.

August marked a subtle rise in India's private sector activity, propelled by a rebound in services growth that countered the slowest factory expansion in five years. New orders showed a quicker pace but continued to be underwhelming against historical averages. The services sector's vigorous hiring led to a boost in employment, while business confidence for the future grew, albeit slightly.