The Economic Times
Elections 2026Global Business / The Economic Times
A 1,400-year-old skeleton found in northern Italy revealed the remarkable story of a Medieval man who survived the loss of his right hand and may have used a knife as a makeshift prosthetic. Researchers found evidence suggesting the blade was attached to his arm with leather straps and a buckle.
Around 110 ABVP workers were detained during their march to the Jharkhand Assembly. Protesters clashed with police personnel as they blocked the bus carrying detainees. Some women protesters were also detained, and two students fainted during the demonstration. The ABVP demanded answers regarding alleged police atrocities and exam irregularities. They called for a CBI probe into recruitment examination leaks and reforms.
President Droupadi Murmu has approved the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill. This legislation grants Vande Mataram statutory protection similar to the National Anthem. Deliberate insult or disruption during its singing will now be a punishable offense. Opposition MPs have raised concerns about the practical implications of extended singing times. The bill passed Parliament last month amid political differences and protests.
The Allahabad High Court has ordered the father of two adult sisters and the Uttar Pradesh government to jointly pay Rs 25 lakh compensation after finding that the women were illegally confined at home following their voluntary conversion to Islam. The court said adults have the constitutional right to make personal decisions about faith, residence and liberty.
If you want a garden that looks beautiful while requiring less maintenance, living mulch plants can be a clever solution.
The Supreme Court clarified its order on FIRs for missing persons. This directive now applies to every individual, irrespective of age or gender. States wrongly assumed the order only covered children, which the court deemed mala fide. Non-compliance will lead to contempt notices against Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police. The court emphasised immediate FIR registration for all missing persons without preliminary inquiry.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a difficult balancing act with the United States. He rejected President Trump's Gaza ceasefire plan, risking American anger and his own election. Netanyahu insists Hamas must disarm completely before any Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Trump seeks to advance peace efforts while facing domestic political pressures.
Banks must understand artificial intelligence deployment for future success. AI can enhance financial inclusion and improve existing public good projects. Careless AI use risks new forms of exclusion and instability for banks. The RBI plans an approved AI governance policy and a testing sandbox. Banks need deliberate strategies, sustained investment, and strong governance for AI.
A Kanpur woman has alleged that jewellery and valuables worth around Rs 50 lakh went missing from her SBI bank locker. Heres what RBI rules say about bank liability, negligence and compensation for locker-related losses.
Near-record food inventories, improved farming technology and stronger exporters such as Brazil and Russia are expected to cushion the global food system from the impact of a powerful El Nino. Despite drought risks across Asia and Australia, better seeds, irrigation, forecasting and agricultural tools could limit shortages and price spikes.
In a significant move, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey approved a law that softens abortion regulations for pregnancies exceeding 24 weeks. This new statute empowers healthcare providers to make more informed decisions in complicated cases. While proponents highlight the importance of medical autonomy, detractors express concern over the potential risks to late-term fetuses.
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.
Innocent children and those who disregard social conformities often share truths without a filter. A well-known Greek proverb reveals that such candidness uncovers hidden truths. These unanticipated voices provide valuable insights and understanding. Blunt honesty can shatter the shields of social pretenses we encounter daily. By listening to these authentic expressions, we can gain a clearer perspective on reality.
As competition in the Chinese automotive sector intensifies, German car manufacturers are witnessing a decline in sales and profitability. Homegrown brands like Xiaomi and BYD are making significant inroads with consumers. The challenge for these foreign automakers lies in adjusting their pricing strategies and keeping pace with swift advancements in electric vehicle technology. To reclaim their luxury status and financial health, German firms need to innovate at an accelerated pace.
Bruce Willis shared how acting roles made exercise feel like work. Many people relate to enjoyable hobbies becoming obligations due to professional demands. This shift occurs when activities are tied to deadlines and performance expectations. The pressure surrounding an activity often matters more than the activity itself. Separating personal enjoyment from professional requirements is a valuable life lesson.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has significantly decreased recently. This decline coincides with fading hopes for a peace deal between the United States and Iran. President Trump presented new demands for compensation and an end to sanctions. The Iranian demands were similar to a preliminary peace deal signed earlier. Shipping traffic in the Bab el-Mandeb strait remained largely unchanged.
Apple Inc. plans a glass-centric iPhone overhaul for its 20th anniversary next year. New iPhone Pro models will feature a new glassy look with glass curving into sides. This design approach faced challenges connecting glass panels and large-volume production. The company expects to make a splash with an evolution of the original idea. Apple's product roadmap remains unchanged, refuting recent analyst reports and stock downgrades.
A summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin aimed at ending the Ukraine conflict has failed. Diplomatic initiatives have stalled, and both sides are now escalating attacks. This has resulted in more civilian deaths than at any point since the war's early months. Russia's demands for territorial concessions and sanctions relief remain unmet by Ukraine. The spirit of Anchorage has dissipated, leading to a brutal escalation of the conflict.
Gold and silver prices surged on the MCX, with silver gaining over 7% in three days and gold rising more than 4%, as investors awaited US inflation data and assessed the outlook for Federal Reserve policy. Geopolitical tensions and uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz also supported safe-haven demand.
The parent company of President Donald Trump's Truth Social platform reported a ten-fold increase in losses for the second quarter on Monday, linked to declines in values of its digital assets. The president routinely uses Truth Social to make official announcements.
A simple aluminum foil hack is making brooms more effective for cleaning floors. This viral trick uses static electricity to capture fine dust and stubborn hair. Homeowners are finding this method works well on various floor types and surfaces. The foil-wrapped broom offers a low-cost and sustainable cleaning solution. Replacing the foil when damaged ensures continued spotless results for your home.
Taliban authorities engage with many nations despite lacking formal international recognition. Regional countries pragmatically interact with Kabul, prioritizing economic and security ties. Foreign investment remains scarce due to limited official recognition and investor wariness. Some nations restrict further ties until human rights reforms are implemented by the Taliban. The political reality in Afghanistan has changed, necessitating engagement with de facto authorities.
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia, killing at least 132 people and injuring 570. Pereira, the hardest-hit city, reported 60 deaths and faced widespread destruction. Rescue efforts are underway for patients trapped after a hospital partially collapsed in Cali. Air travel across western Colombia was disrupted, with several airports closed for inspections. The United States announced $15.5 million in aid for relief and assessment efforts.
Alberto Sierra admitted guilt for the 2012 murders of his wife and two young daughters. He confessed to stabbing Gladys Machado and suffocating Julia and Daniela Padron. Their bodies were discovered by a neighbor three days after the killings. Sierra's guilty pleas followed his initial statements to investigators about the crimes. A jury will now decide if he receives life in prison or the death penalty.
Venezuelas death toll from twin earthquakes in June rose to 6,301 on Monday, up from 6,125 reported on August 3, as rescue teams continued searching through rubble. The powerful 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude tremors destroyed around 190 buildings.
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.
Brent crude futures were flat at $88 a barrel or 0.35%, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures stood at $83.50, up 0.40% a barrel. Both benchmarks had jumped more than 5% on Monday, hitting their highest levels since July 31.
Britain's regulator approved Eli Lilly's Foundayo pill for weight and diabetes. This treatment is not yet available through the NHS in the UK. Foundayo will launch privately later this month via prescription. Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill also received approval for the UK market. The weight-loss drug market is seeing increased competition from oral treatments.
Gold has reached its highest point in two months, driven by traders evaluating significant upcoming U.S. inflation data that may influence interest rate decisions. Lacking favorable job growth numbers has diminished prospects for a Federal Reserve increase, propelling interest toward non-yielding gold.
President Donald Trump announced an executive order for revised childhood vaccine recommendations. This order promotes spacing out vaccines into separate medical visits for children. It also directs health departments to improve vaccine research and development. Public health experts have voiced concerns about potential risks from this approach. States retain the authority to mandate vaccinations for schoolchildren.
Oil prices maintained their position on Tuesday as hopes for a US-Iran deal faded, hampered by President Trump's stringent demands that are complicating operations in the Strait of Hormuz. The restart of Saudi Aramco's Jazan refinery has been pushed back due to recent Houthi assaults, leading to constrained energy flows and a marked decline in crude oil exports through this strategic area.
Former personal lawyer to US President Donald Trump, Todd Blanche, was sworn in as attorney general on Monday after a narrow 50-49 Senate confirmation. Blanche, who had served as acting attorney general since Pam Bondis firing in April, now faces scrutiny over Justice Department politicisation and pressure from Trump.
US President Donald Trump secretly travelled on a C-32A military jet from Turkey to Britain after publicly boarding an older Air Force One, The Washington Post reported. The covert switch reportedly followed an Iranian threat, raising questions about the security of the newly renovated, Qatar-donated aircraft Trump had used at the NATO summit.
Perseids are debris from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, an icy ball that orbits the sun every 133 years and isn't scheduled for a return visit until 2125. Observations of this meteor shower date back over 2,000 years.
Bioplastics are biobased, meaning they are made completely or partially from a renewable resource, commonly corn or sugar cane; or they are biodegradable, meaning that they break down completely via a natural process.
American bald eagles teetered on the brink of extinction until the pesticide DDT was banned in the 1970s and other protections were established, leading the species to rebound and be removed from the federal endangered list.
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.
Life Lesson proverb of the day is a reminder that difficult circumstances do not have to define what is possible. The proverb does not promise that every goal will be achieved exactly as imagined, nor does it suggest that persistence makes every challenge easy. Its deeper message is that perseverance changes the way people face difficulty. Patience teaches us to respect the time required for growth. Diligence gives us the discipline to keep working. Faith provides the courage to continue when ce
Quote of the day by Marie Curie is a reflection about much more than nature. It is about remaining open to surprise. Her words remind us that a fulfilling life does not require having every question answered. There is value in continuing to ask questions, explore unfamiliar ideas and approach the world with genuine interest.
Quote of the day by Rosa Parks inspires us to think beyond the boundaries of a single lifetime. We may not be able to control how history remembers us, but we can influence what we leave in the hearts and lives of other people. Our generosity can be remembered. Our courage can be repeated. Our lessons can be passed forward.

33 C