The Economic Times

In 1991, EPFL scientists Brian ORegan and Michael Grtzel developed a solar cell inspired by plant photosynthesis. Their dye-sensitized solar cell offered a new way to capture sunlight and turn it into electricity. The idea was simple, but improving its performance took decades of research. About 34 years later, the technology had reached roughly 12% efficiency in laboratory testing, showing how a plant-inspired idea had matured into a practical clean-energy technology.

Quote of the day by Sophie Turner: Actress Sophie Turner believes love happens naturally and should not be forced. She advises against actively searching for romance, letting it unfold organically. Turner's own experiences highlight how busy schedules and distance can hinder relationships. Her acting career includes notable roles in Game of Thrones and X-Men films.

Naman Pushp began experimenting with drones as a teenager during the 2020 lockdown, winning $500 at a hackathon and reinvesting the money into his first prototype. At 21, he now leads Bengaluru-based Airbound, which has raised $37 million in Series A funding and nearly $50 million overall. The startup is developing lightweight aircraft for large-scale drone delivery.

Quote of the Day by Amanda Seyfried: Actress Amanda Seyfried emphasizes the need for self-reflection and solitude. She advises pausing from daily life and distractions to check in. This quiet time helps individuals reconnect with their true feelings and priorities. Losing oneself in work or ambition can be avoided through introspection. Regular self-reflection ensures a balanced and fulfilling life journey.

The expansion will increase HRD Antwerps research and grading capacity in Mumbai by 30%, allowing the laboratory to examine and grade up to 2,000 diamonds a day, compared with its earlier capacity. The company will also recruit 40 additional full-time employees to support the expanded operations.

After dedicating 25 years of his career to Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Annapureddy Prakash Reddy took a bold step back to his agricultural roots in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. He launched a high-density moringa farm that emphasises leaf production over pods, integrating value-added processing for moringa powder. This sustainable, chemical-free venture is positioned to yield impressive revenue per acre, showcasing a successful blend of innovation and tradition.

NASAs Sustainability Base was designed as a 50,000-square-foot office that used just 12% of conventional electricity and 10% of potable water. Using geothermal energy, solar power and advanced NASA technology, it aimed to generate 20% more energy than it consumed annually. The innovative building is located at the entrance to NASAs Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California.

US stocks opened largely flat on Friday after stronger-than-expected jobs data boosted expectations that the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates this month. The Dow Jones fell 0.19%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq were nearly unchanged at the open as investors assessed fresh labor market signals.

Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra has officially assumed the role of the inaugural chief executive officer of the Ram temple trust, shouldering the significant task of temple administration. Following an administrative revamp by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, his leadership is pivotal for enhancing both the operational and financial frameworks of the temple. Mishra plans to devise effective strategies grounded in a thorough understanding of temple activities.

Air India terminated a pilot's employment after a positive drug test. The pilot was in command of a Phuket to Delhi flight. This action follows Air India's strict zero-tolerance safety policy. The airline confirmed the pilot's employment termination with immediate effect. This incident highlights the airline's commitment to regulatory compliance.

As many as 275 Indian nationals remain missing in Nepal, while 166 have been rescued so far. India is in close contact with the Nepali government and relevant Indian state governments. The Ministry of External Affairs regularly releases the names of rescued Indian nationals. Meanwhile, 1,907 Indian nationals have safely crossed into Nepal from China. No Indian travelers are reportedly stranded in China's Tibetan Autonomous Region.

A parent who reads with enthusiasm, listens to a childs questions and lets them choose a favorite story may be creating something far more meaningful than a simple nightly literacy exercise. They may be building a small but powerful ritual in which the child repeatedly experiences attention, predictability, conversation and emotional closeness.

Engineers have ingeniously repurposed discarded glass as a foundation material for highways, utilizing around 300 tonnes of crushed glass cullet beneath road surfaces. This transformative pilot project highlights the successful synergy between government and business efforts. By creatively tackling waste, it provides an innovative and sustainable solution to material sourcing and waste management challenges.

Pharmaceutical major Lupin announced its USFDA approval for Modafinil tablets. These tablets are used to treat excessive sleepiness in adult patients. The approved drug is bioequivalent to Provigil Tablets of Nuvo Pharmaceuticals. Modafinil tablets had estimated annual sales of USD 70.7 million in the United States. Lupin currently operates 15 manufacturing facilities globally.

Krystle D'Souza house tour: Krystle D'Souza and Rida Tharana have won The Traitors Season 2 competition. They successfully deceived fellow contestants and claimed the prize money. Krystle D'Souza's Mumbai home features an eggshell-colored living room. An open bar area is designed for entertaining family and friends. She purchased her high-floor apartment during the pandemic.

Solar panels installed over sea cucumber ponds in China reduced light levels by 80.5% and lowered water temperatures by 1.20C, according to a ScienceDirect study. Researchers found that these cooler conditions were associated with a predicted 12-day reduction in aestivation among sub-adult sea cucumbers. The study also recorded changes in plankton and sediment, highlighting the need for continued ecosystem monitoring.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever urged further cuts in import duties between India and the EU. He specifically highlighted the diamond sector for potential zero tariffs after a new trade agreement. This landmark pact, signed this year, aims to boost bilateral trade significantly. Indian diamantaires have established strong ties with Antwerp, Belgium's diamond hub. The partnership between India and Belgium in gems and jewellery is substantial and growing.

SEBI has approved IPOs for Cosmic PV Power, Monomark Engineering, and RKB Global, alongside the National Stock Exchange's major public offer. These approvals highlight a significant revival in Indias IPO market during the second half of 2026.

SPML Infra has successfully acquired important international safety certifications for its proprietary battery pack, marking a pivotal step toward the commercial rollout of their energy storage systems. The company is setting up manufacturing and integration operations in Pune, Maharashtra, with ambitions to create a comprehensive energy storage platform in India, catering to the growing demand for renewable energy and enhancing grid reliability.

Diesel prices soared to unprecedented levels in the United States on Friday, primarily due to the six-month conflict involving Iran. This rise in costs is causing transportation fees for everyday goods and services to climb, with businesses now shifting these costs onto consumers via various surcharges. If diesel prices continue on this trajectory, consumers might face even more significant price hikes ahead.

Manipur: During the inspection, senior officials of Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) informed the Chief Minister that the work would be completed within a month, following which potable water supply would be restored to the villagers.

Floodwaters inundated several villages in Bihar's Saran district as rivers rose significantly. Normal life was disrupted, and boats became the primary transport in affected areas. Residential areas in Chhapra city and surrounding blocks experienced significant waterlogging. The district administration intensified relief and rescue operations, deploying officials to monitor the situation. Affected families are receiving assistance and essential supplies amidst the ongoing crisis.

The National Stock Exchange plans to price its initial public offering near Rs 1,800 per share. The company will likely announce its price band on September 15. The IPO is expected to open around September 18 for investors. Listing may occur approximately on September 25, following Sebi approval. This significant public issue follows years of regulatory delays and scrutiny.

Swiggy shares rose 2.53% following block deals involving 4% equity. The company faces MSCI index removal on September 7 due to foreign ownership caps, while Q1 FY27 results showed a narrowed net loss of Rs 791 crore.

Quote of the Day by Christian Bale: Christian Bale's quote highlights actors making fools of themselves for audience connection. His career shows commitment to challenging roles and physical transformations. This approach teaches us to embrace vulnerability and take genuine risks. Fear of embarrassment often hinders personal growth and potential achievements. Prioritizing commitment over appearance unlocks true capabilities and memorable impact.

Eight BSE Commodities Index stocks, led by Sudeep Pharma, hit fresh 52-week highs, with gains ranging from 14% to 53% over the past month.

Quote of the day by Pierre Corneille remains meaningful because it connects the private relationship we have with ourselves to the relationships we build with others. The people we love deserve kindness, patience, honesty and respect, but offering those qualities consistently becomes harder when we have learned to treat ourselves with contempt.

Sebi and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation and information exchange regarding central counterparties. This agreement replaces the 2017 pact, facilitating safer cross-border clearing and market infrastructure regulation.

For anyone who shares their phone, Android's App Pinning feature is a game changer. This clever function locks the phone to a single application, ensuring that sensitive information like messages and photos stays secure. By turning on App Pinning via your security settings and pinning an app, you can hand over your device for quick requests with the peace of mind that your personal data remains protected.

The question is no longer why a few Indians have made it to the top. It is why so many of them appear particularly well suited to running some of America's largest and most complicated technology companies.

Elite Indian athletes face heightened doping checks from the Athletics Integrity Unit. Herbal supplements, widely used, pose a significant risk of contamination and positive tests. India's high anti-doping rule violation record has placed its athletics federation in a high-risk category. Specialists advise athletes to use only scientifically validated and quality-verified supplements.

NASAs Hubble Space Telescope has revealed a giant 10-sided atmospheric wave developing around Saturns south pole. Unlike the planets long-lived northern hexagon, the newly identified structure appears to be strengthening and was traced in Hubble observations dating back to 2023. Scientists are studying its formation, lifespan and atmospheric behaviour through continued observations, computer modelling and additional telescope data.

Air India has teamed up with IHG Hotels & Resorts, providing an exciting opportunity for Maharaja Club members to earn points during IHG stays globally. Moreover, IHG One Rewards members can seamlessly convert their points into Maharaja points.

Someone who runs when a dog barks may simply be protecting themselves from a perceived threat. But if the reaction is automatic, intense and repeatedly occurs even when there is little actual danger, psychology suggests that learned fear, avoidance reinforcement and threat appraisal may be playing a much bigger role.

Karnataka's Chief Minister will lead an all-party delegation to Prime Minister Modi. They seek a farm loan waiver for farmers facing severe drought conditions across the state. The government has also initiated cloud-seeding operations to augment rainfall and address the water crisis. Ministers are visiting drought-affected districts to monitor relief measures and assess the situation. Detailed reports will be submitted to the Centre for immediate financial assistance.

After building Hawells from a single ice cream shop into a 22-branch business within just three years, founder Siripong Akkarasriyuk is now putting the company up for sale for 165 million baht. After more than two decades in the ice cream business, Siripong plans to step away from entrepreneurship and enter monkhood, dedicating the next chapter of his life to Buddhist practice.

Honasa Consumer expects revenue to double to Rs 5,550 crore by FY31. The company also targets an Ebitda margin of 15 percent during the same period. Growth will focus on existing popular categories and expanding into new ones. Mamaearth, the flagship brand, is showing renewed growth in key segments. Honasa Consumer intends to capture the surging online retail wave in India.

Indian equity markets ended Friday with a relief rally, led by metal and banking stocks, as concerns over an imminent US Fed rate hike eased. Nifty gained 0.1%, while Sensex rose 0.48%. SBI Life and Tata Steel were among the top gainers, while HCL Tech and Bharti Airtel declined.

The Balochistan Liberation Army claimed two attacks in Pakistan's Balochistan province. Fighters ambushed a military convoy, destroying two vehicles and killing personnel. The group released a video showing burning military vehicles and confiscated weapons. In a separate incident, a remote-detonated vehicle destroyed another military vehicle.

Dolly Parton and Carl Dean created Willow Lake Plantation, an expansive 75-acre sanctuary tailored for their privacy. Nestled away from the pressures of Parton's illustrious career, this tranquil estate allowed them to cultivate their love and personal space undisturbed. As their nearly six-decade marriage flourished, Dean remained elusive in the public eye, using their home as a cherished retreat where Parton could relax and embrace her true self.

Kerala KSRTC driver Paul Kurian marked his retirement with an emotional farewell to the bus he had driven for years. After completing his final trip, the Kattappana resident hugged and kissed the vehicle, sat behind the wheel once more and later touched its tyres before leaving. Videos of the farewell have been widely shared online, moving viewers

Indian government bonds have witnessed a third straight week of decline, influenced by escalating oil prices and expectations of global interest rate hikes. Despite some domestic liquidity cushioning the Indian debt market, concerns over inflation and fiscal stability loom large due to rising crude prices. Investors are now keenly awaiting forthcoming inflation data and the outcomes of central bank policy meetings.

Quote of the day by Gary Oldman: Actor Gary Oldman shared his mother's wisdom about avoiding unnecessary work. He emphasizes that shortcuts often lead to more effort later on. Oldman's advice encourages thoroughness to prevent future complications and rework. His career spans diverse roles and includes an Academy Award win.

A consumer commission ordered Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance to pay over fifty lakh rupees. The company rejected a widow's claim despite disclosed alcohol consumption by her husband. Hypertension and diabetes were also noted as lifestyle diseases by the commission. The insurer was found guilty of deficiency in service for rejecting the claim. The widow will receive the claim amount, interest, and compensation for harassment.

Hair fall can have many possible causes, and homemade hair oils are often used as part of traditional hair-care routines. A methi and hibiscus hair oil is one popular combination, with both ingredients traditionally believed to support scalp and hair care.

Psychology does not suggest that everyone who frequently helps others is motivated by pure altruism. Human behavior is rarely driven by a single motive. A person may genuinely care about a stranger while also enjoying the feeling of being useful, feeling connected to others and experiencing personal satisfaction from performing an act of kindness.

Deadly floods killed hundreds along the China-Nepal border, leaving thousands missing. China tightly controls information, limiting media access and punishing dissent online. Nepal, however, has provided regular updates and allowed extensive reporting on the disaster.