The Economic Times

The iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB can cost Rs 77,800 on Flipkart using an exchange offer and bank discount.Flipkart has listed the iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB at Rs 1,47,900, with eligible buyers able to bring the effective price down to Rs 77,800 through an exchange offer and Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card discount. The deal includes up to Rs 63,100 exchange value for an eligible iPhone 16 Pro Max, while the flagship features a 6.9-inch OLED display and triple 48MP cameras.

The Bihar Public Service Commission has revealed plans for teacher recruitment, offering 32,388 vacancies. Applications for the TRE-4.0 will begin on September 1, 2026. Applicants must adhere to specific educational qualifications and age limits for each role. The selection process includes written exams followed by interviews. Successful candidates will enjoy competitive salaries alongside a range of employment benefits.

In January, Congress passed an appropriations bill, which became law, that specified funding for more than 200 projects and activities.

Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered Imran Khan's transfer to a hospital from jail. He faces numerous corruption and other charges since losing power in 2022. His family expressed concerns about his deteriorating health and access to him. Most convictions have been suspended or overturned while appeals are pending. Khan denies all allegations of wrongdoing in these cases.

Maharashtra's Freedom of Religion Act, 2026 will take effect on August 28. This legislation prohibits religious conversions through coercion, fraud, or inducement. Unlawful conversions involving minors or vulnerable groups face severe penalties. The law mandates police to register complaints regarding alleged unlawful conversions. It aims to regulate religious conversions across the state.

Fourteen-year-old Texas student Samvith Mahadevan has developed a portable chemical nose that uses sensors and machine learning to detect traces of common food allergens. His invention, The Allergent, has shown 94% to 97% accuracy in tests involving allergens such as peanuts, eggs and tree nuts.

Banana peels carry real nutritional and bioactive value that most people throw away without a thought. From feeding plants and soothing skin to fighting acne and enriching compost, these seven uses are practical, cost free, and backed by solid research. It is one of the easiest zero waste habits to start.

Dinosaurs first appeared roughly 230 million years ago and eventually became the dominant land animals, holding that status until an asteroid struck Earth 66 million years ago, causing a mass extinction of species. Mammals during the age of dinosaurs thrived in ecological niches perfect for small body sizes like insectivores and seed eaters.

California's 14th Congressional District voters head to polls on August 18, 2026. State Senator Aisha Wahab and BART Board President Melissa Hernandez compete for the seat. The winner will serve the remainder of Eric Swalwell's congressional term. Both Democrats will also face each other in November for the full term. Polls close at 8 p.m. Pacific Time on election day.

In today's advanced warfare, winning hinges on information mastery and swift decision-making. To achieve success in multi-domain operations, shortening the OODA loop is vital. Essential components such as surveillance, C4I2, and electro-optics must work together seamlessly to bolster operational superiority. Moreover, robust interoperability and cybersecurity are key for stable network-centric engagements, necessitating close collaboration among military, industry, and academic sectors for futur

Wyoming buried 1,124 wind turbine blades in a Casper landfill after cutting each into three pieces, but a Missouri plant near St Louis has found a way to process around 250 blades a month by turning them into cement feedstock and kiln fuel. With 43 million tons of blade material projected for disposal by mid-century, both approaches remain a start rather than a solution.

RBI faces challenges forecasting demand for banknotes as currency in circulation continues to grow at double-digit rates despite rising digital payments. Deputy Governor SC Murmu said cash remains widely used, particularly in rural areas, among low-income groups and small businesses.

The Yamuna Pushta elevated expressway alignment has been revised to extend closer to Noida International Airport. The eight-lane road will now span approximately 50km and connect with the Faridabad-Jewar Greenfield Expressway. The revised route is designed to accommodate the expected rise in traffic after the airport becomes operational and ease pressure on existing roads. The project, estimated to cost Rs 4,000 crore, aims to improve connectivity between Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida and the airp

IOS update 26.6 1: Apple has released iOS 26.6.1 and iPadOS 26.6.1 with security fixes addressing vulnerabilities across Audio, ImageIO, IOGPUFamily, Kernel, Telephony and WebKit. The issues could have exposed sensitive information, caused system crashes, enabled arbitrary code execution, corrupted memory or allowed network traffic interception. Apple addressed the vulnerabilities through improved checks, input validation, memory handling, locking and state management.

A strengthening El Nio could disrupt global supplies of cocoa, coffee and sugar through drought, heat and excessive rainfall. Forecasters see a greater than 90% chance of a very strong event, posing fresh risks to major producing regions.

Pony.ai's overseas robotaxi plans now exceed four thousand vehicles. The company reported significant revenue growth in its second quarter. Robotaxi services contributed one-third of total revenue for the first time. Pony.ai anticipates exceeding its full-year robotaxi revenue target.

Morocco's King Mohammed VI is backing a $750 million expansion of Managem Group's gold mining operations across Africa. The company aims to increase annual gold production from 2,13,000 ounces in 2025 to 5,00,000 ounces by 2030, as rising gold prices and growing African demand for domestic reserves make the continent increasingly important to the global gold market.

Virat Kohli's international cricket debut marked a significant career milestone. He has amassed over 28,000 runs and 85 centuries in his career. Kohli holds unique records, including most 150-plus scores by a non-opener. He is the only player with 20,000 international runs in a decade. Kohli also achieved a clean sweep of ICC awards in 2018.

A medical board confirmed Twisha Sharma died by suicide after a court-ordered second postmortem. The CBI filed a chargesheet against her husband and mother-in-law for alleged torture. The forensic opinion stated death resulted from ante-mortem hanging, which was suicidal in manner. No injuries suggesting assault or struggle were found on the deceased's body. This medical opinion forms a key piece of evidence in the ongoing investigation.

Jaipur Nagar Nigam's official complaint portal has gone viral for having dropdown menus listing civic problems in plain conversational Hindi, from 'Dog pagal ho gaya hai pakadwana hai' to 'Gaadi wala paise mangta hai.' The internet has largely praised the portal for making government services accessible to everyday residents.

Ancient Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus viewed hope as a universal possession. He believed hope remained even when individuals had nothing else to rely upon. Thales, a pioneer in natural inquiry, sought rational explanations for existence. His famous idea proposed water as the fundamental principle of all things. This ancient wisdom highlights hope's enduring power as a source of strength.

One more worker's body was found in the Chamoli tunnel accident, increasing the death toll to nine. Search operations continue for the single remaining missing worker amidst challenging debris conditions. Multiple agencies are working diligently to locate the individual and complete the rescue mission. Several JCB machines trapped inside the tunnel have been successfully retrieved so far.

An unemployed techie has shared the emotional and financial challenges of being without a job for two and a half months. In an Instagram video, he spoke about mental fatigue, shrinking savings and the pressure of living in a metro city. He also stressed the importance of professional connections and practical workplace experience while searching for new opportunities.

Tom Hanks built a career spanning over four decades with diverse roles. He earned two consecutive Academy Awards for his outstanding acting performances. His breakthrough came with television's Bosom Buddies and later successful films. Hanks is known for his relatable characters and ability to connect with audiences. He remains a respected figure in American cinema and storytelling.

A man from Ontario faces charges after threatening campers and barricading himself inside a trailer. Police responded to a complaint about threats and spotted firearms within the man's trailer. Campground residents were evacuated as a safety precaution while officers secured the scene. The man exited the trailer and was safely arrested by police officers. Authorities seized multiple loaded firearms and ammunition from the trailer.

Sophie Adenot is set to become the first French female astronaut to venture outside the International Space Station for a spacewalk on Tuesday, accompanied by American astronaut Anil Menon. While the spacewalkers are the ones out in the spotlight, (extravehicular activities) are very much a team effort, and it's always a privilege to support the crew from within, Adenot wrote after the previous spacewalk, when she supported Meir and Menon.

Wyoming voters head to the polls for the 2026 primary election on August 18. Key Republican races include contests for the U.S. House and Senate seats. Voters can verify polling locations and check registration status online. Wyoming law permits same-day registration for eligible citizens at polling places. Winners will advance to the general election scheduled for November 3.

Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered former Prime Minister Imran Khan moved to hospital. His party had long demanded better health care for the jailed politician. Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 following several convictions. His lawyers expressed concerns about his deteriorating vision and general health. He will remain at Shifa International Hospital until September 16.

Anthony Constantino secured the Republican nomination for New York's 21st Congressional District. He is self-funding his multimillion-dollar campaign to maintain independence and focus on manufacturing. Constantino's company faced significant revenue losses after endorsing Donald Trump. He previously spent five million dollars of his own money on the campaign. Constantino will now face Democrat Blake Gendebien in the general election.

Reese Witherspoon asserts that the warmth of home is a catalyst for ambition and personal resilience. Her book 'Whiskey in a Teacup' reveals insights into Southern customs and the wisdom of family. A prominent figure in Hollywood as both an actress and producer, she is the founder of Hello Sunshine, a company aimed at elevating female narratives in media.

China cremated former Premier Zhu Rongji, a key economic reformer. President Xi Jinping and other leaders attended the ceremony in Beijing. Zhu's reforms helped China join the World Trade Organization and integrate globally. His legacy evokes nostalgia and criticism among citizens remembering his tenure. Authorities managed public mourning under heightened security and censorship.

President Trump's approach has tested the U.S.-South Korea alliance over military drills. Security commitments and troop presence remain points of contention between the nations. Trade relations have seen renegotiations and tariff pressures impacting South Korean businesses. South Korean companies have significantly invested in various U.S. industries. Political management has involved unconventional channels to navigate differing intentions.

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche shares insightful advice for today's professionals grappling with everyday hurdles. He emphasizes the importance of welcoming discomfort and viewing lifes setbacks as avenues for personal growth. By shifting distractions into tools for improved focus, Rinpoche advocates for the application of Buddhist teachings to reshape ingrained thought patterns and nurture a sense of gratitude.

John Adams believed reading expands the mind for better judgment. Access to information today requires critical evaluation and thoughtful consideration. Reading exposes individuals to diverse ideas and encourages questioning assumptions. This practice fosters intellectual independence and informed participation in public life. Developing good judgment requires continuous learning and examining multiple perspectives.

US military personnel still share workout data from Middle Eastern bases. This activity potentially exposes troop locations and movement patterns to adversaries. Strava app data has been linked to locations targeted by Iran. Pentagon warnings and policy changes have not fully resolved this security risk. Such publicly available information could aid enemy intelligence gathering efforts.

Kim Kardashian and Lewis Hamilton have shared new summer photos together. The images show them on a beach and in a mirror selfie. Hamilton also posted pictures of Kardashian during his break from racing. Both have been increasingly open about their relationship recently. They have been seen together at various events and on holidays.

A U.S. judge blocked the Trump administration's plan to relocate the FBI headquarters. The court found the administration illegally overturned a prior decision to build a new facility. This ruling favors a previously approved site in Greenbelt, Maryland, over the Reagan Building. Maryland and Prince George's County had committed significant resources to the Greenbelt project. The decision allows for the continuation of plans for the FBI's new Maryland headquarters.

Florida Primary Election 2026 Today: Florida voters head to the polls today, Tuesday, August 18, for the 2026 primary election. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. Voters must cast their ballots at their assigned polling locations for their votes to be counted. Vote-by-mail ballots must be received by local election offices by 7 p.m. today. The general election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has announced a significant reshuffling of its national office-bearers. This restructuring aims to blend experience with youthful energy for upcoming polls. Several prominent leaders have returned to key roles after a period of absence. The new team includes diverse representation from various states and communities. This strategic move prepares the party for future electoral challenges and contests.

The Defence Ministry has released its sixth indigensition list, featuring 405 items. These components and systems will now be exclusively sourced from Indian suppliers. The list includes critical items for air and armoured platforms, and defence electronics. This initiative aims to boost domestic manufacturing and reduce import dependence. Over 15,700 defence items have already been successfully indigenised.

A false claim about Iran's nuclear ambitions spread through Israeli and US networks. This originated from an India-based X account and was amplified by various figures. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior US politicians cited the fabricated statement. The claim was later clarified as taken out of context and amplified. This episode highlights information loops and the role of Indian accounts in online narratives.

Human remains were discovered in a remote desert area about 15 miles from Nancy Guthries home, but the Pima County Sheriffs Department said there is no indication the bones belong to her. The discovery comes as authorities continue investigating Guthries disappearance and examine ransom notes that were sent after she went missing.