The Economic Times

Natalie Harp reportedly worked over a year without required security clearance. Concerns arose due to her close access and information filtering role. She eventually completed the necessary paperwork and received clearance recently. Harp's role as an information gatekeeper for President Trump is notable. Her access to sensitive information and unfiltered material is under scrutiny.

The NSUI has criticized the NCERT's reconstituted textbook development team. They allege members have direct or indirect links to the RSS-affiliated ecosystem. This inclusion raises questions about academic neutrality and ideological diversity in textbooks. The NSUI demands the team's dissolution and reconstitution with independent educationists. They also seek public disclosure of member qualifications and draft textbook reviews.

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala stated the anti-narcotics drive is apolitical. Operation Toofan will treat all individuals equally, regardless of affiliation. The minister highlighted significant changes achieved during the operation's duration. He also commented on the ED's probe into a case involving the former Chief Minister's daughter.

Hemant Kumar Bhukar transitioned from Intel engineer to ISRO scientist after diligent preparation. He secured All India Rank 7 for Scientist 'A' while working full-time. Bhukar's journey highlights dedication and leveraging prior experience for new goals. His success inspires students from rural backgrounds towards science careers. This achievement brought pride to his family and Rajasthan village.

Zorcha co-founder Archit Mehrotra went viral after his mother interrupted his team meeting to remind him to eat, unaware that his microphone was still on. The candid exchange has resonated with social media users, who are sharing their own experiences of parents interrupting work or online calls.

Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi arrived in Mumbai for his first official visit to India. He inspected a Guard of Honour and laid a wreath at the Naval Dockyard. Koizumi held strategic discussions with Indian Navy officials on operational capabilities. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will meet Koizumi in New Delhi to bolster bilateral defence relations. Both nations aim to enhance maritime security and technology collaboration.

Lionel Messi delivered an emotional performance, scoring his first goal for Inter Miami since the death of his father, Jorge Messi. Against the Philadelphia Union, Messi's goal was a poignant reminder of his father's profound influence on his career. Despite the emotional moment, the match ended in a 2-2 draw, making it a bittersweet night for the football icon.

Thursday Motivation Quote by Arianna Huffington: Arianna Huffington articulates fearlessness as not the lack of fear but the mastery over it. She advocates for resilience, encouraging individuals to rise once they stumble. As the co-founder of The Huffington Post, a major digital media outlet, her journey took a turn when an incident of exhaustion prompted her to prioritize well-being. This highlights that achieving success should coincide with taking care of one's health.

Bangladesh's parliament will elect Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as the nation's new president. He is expected to win the largely ceremonial five-year post easily. This follows the resignation of the previous president due to ill health. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina remains in hiding in India. Rights groups had long accused Hasina's administration of abuses.

Gold prices soared close to a two-month peak on Thursday after the U.S. Treasury announced bolstered liquidity measures. With yields falling and the dollar weakening, gold became increasingly attractive to investors. This move comes in light of persistent inflation fears and looming interest rate hikes, highlighting gold's reputation as a secure haven during times of financial instability.

Oil prices stabilized as market participants evaluated the potential implications of the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict. Shipping activity in the Strait of Hormuz faced disruptions due to rising tensions in the region. Last week's data revealed an increase in crude and gasoline inventories in the United States. Heightened volatility from conflicts in the Middle East continues to support market dynamics, suggesting a steady upward trajectory in oil prices.

The US administration is sending over $206 million for a proposed Gaza peacekeeping force. This funding marks the first significant financial commitment to the stalled US plan. The International Stabilization Force will lead security operations and support aid deliveries. Both Israel and Hamas have balked at conditions needed to advance the plan. Five countries have committed troops to the force, with deployment timing unclear.

I do have a good relationship with Kim Jong Un, as you know, you've seen. He didn't like Biden, he didn't like Obama, he didn't like anybody, but he likes me, and I just got along with him very good, Trump told reporters while addressing technology leaders.

The United States and Canada are nearing a trade agreement. Proposed terms include reducing auto tariffs to fifteen percent from twenty-five. Steel and aluminum tariffs will also be halved to twenty-five percent. Negotiators face a Saturday deadline for the potential deal. Both nations are working towards finalizing the trade pact.

Prince Harry and Meghan plan to return to Britain this month. Their children, Archie and Lilibet, will begin school there in September. The couple will remain non-working royals, as agreed previously. Relations with King Charles have improved, but not with Prince William. The Sussexes will not reside in a royal property.

President Trump announced a severe economic operation targeting Iran's financial lifelines. He warned any nation aiding Iran would face significant economic consequences. This campaign aims to isolate Iran and halt its global terror projection. The conflict with Iran nears its sixth month without resolution. Washington possesses further sanctions options if needed.

Quote of the day by Robert Downey Jr. provides a timely reminder that life does not have to become predictable for us to become more comfortable within it. Every year will bring changes, and some will be welcome while others may challenge everything we thought we understood. What matters is developing the resilience and self-awareness to move through those changes with greater confidence.

Starting August 19, 2026, Gemini, Scorpio, and Libra can expect transformative changes as Jupiter turns direct. For Gemini, this signals a burst of motivation to effect change in their lives. Scorpios will realize that taking time for rest will enhance their journey. Libras will benefit by cultivating patience, optimizing their ability to adjust and grow from new experiences.

Quote of the day by Rowan Atkinson: Rowan Atkinson highlights the difficulty in distinguishing insults from legitimate criticism. He warns that outlawing insults could criminalize diverse forms of expression. Atkinson previously criticized legislation that might restrict free speech and disagreement.

Spanish proverb of the day: A Spanish saying teaches that grasping too much yields little success. Trying to do everything can lead to exhaustion and unfinished tasks. Focusing on fewer priorities helps in completing what is started. Learning to say no is essential for managing commitments realistically. Choosing what matters most allows for better progress and outcomes.

In 1896, a French physicist accidentally discovered radioactivity after leaving uranium crystals on photographic plates wrapped in black paper inside a dark drawer. Henri Becquerel found that uranium salts could expose photographic plates without sunlight. His work helped establish the study of radioactivity and later earned him the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics with Marie and Pierre Curie.

The conclusion of August 2026 marks a pivotal moment for five zodiac signs. Leo's newfound confidence drives its actions, whereas Libra enjoys a streak of good luck. Cancer rises to assert its voice, and Virgo defies outside expectations. Meanwhile, Pisces feels a sense of relief as it turns the page on a challenging chapter, moving towards brighter horizons.

Australian melaleuca seeds were imported to the United States in 1914 for agricultural purposes. Later, the Army Corps of Engineers planted melaleuca groves to stabilize Everglades levees. A pilot also scattered seeds from the air to help dry the wetlands. This fast-growing tree eventually spread across half a million acres of South Florida.

Around 1772, a German-Swedish pharmaceutical chemist discovered oxygen and identified it as 'fire air' but failed to report it in time. Carl Wilhelm Scheele prepared the gas before Joseph Priestley published his findings. His experiments also led to work on chlorine, manganese, acids, minerals, pigments and photographic processes.

After decades of 1945 Hiroshima atomic bombing, scientists studying tiny glass particles found around Hiroshima Bay have identified evidence of an unusual multicomponent alloy. Known as hiroshimaite, the particles formed after the explosions extreme heat vaporized surrounding materials before they rapidly cooled and condensed. Researchers examined 34 particles using advanced microscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, discovering an alloy containing iron, chromium, nickel, manganese, molybd

Quote of the Day by Marie Curie: Life is not easy for any of us... confronts the reality that hardship is a universal default, not a personal defect. Rather than treating success as the absence of struggle, the pioneering physicist exposes the vital distinction between passive optimism and deliberate conviction. She frames self-confidence not as arrogance, but as a duty to identify and cultivate one's innate calling regardless of cost. Curie's message remains profoundly relevant, reminding us th

Bird skeletons reveal evolutionary history shaped by climate shifts and environmental upheaval. Artificial intelligence analyzed thousands of museum specimens for anatomical measurements. Researchers found rapid anatomical changes occurred during ancient cooling periods. Evolutionary rates also slowed during other significant geological and environmental shifts. This study highlights how environmental variability influences bird body form evolution.

China's youth unemployment reached 17.9 percent in July, a significant increase. A record 12.7 million graduates entered a struggling job market this year. Economic slowdown and automation are contributing factors to this job crunch. Many graduates are pursuing further studies or public sector jobs for security. The government is implementing measures to support youth employment opportunities.

Researchers are developing new ways to understand energy in tiny quantum machines. They argue that escaping light may still perform useful work elsewhere. This work is part of a broader effort in quantum thermodynamics. Understanding energy flow is increasingly important as devices shrink. This could prevent useful energy from being automatically counted as loss.

A trap-and-haul program on Washingtons Lewis River helps adult Chinook salmon bypass Merwin Dam by transporting them in trucks to upstream spawning habitat. But researchers tracking the salmon life cycle have identified a major weakness on the return journey. Juvenile salmon, or smolts, must travel downstream toward the Pacific Ocean, yet many struggle to locate the artificial current leading to a floating collection system near Swift Dam. Once captured, they can be transported safely downstream

Psychology says people who don't trust online doctor consultations aren't necessarily refusing technology. Their hesitation can come from the need for physical presence, direct examination, visible signs of competence and a sense of safety. Online consultations remove some of these cues. This can create doubt about accountability, diagnosis, empathy and control. Psychology explains this behaviour through security, trust transfer, cue consistency and tangibility bias.

George Washington's famous inauguration overcoat was actually a rich plum color. Scientific analysis of the garment revealed its true vibrant hue. The original golden suit was made using natural dyes from colonial sources. These dyes, including shellac and logwood, created a deep purple shade. Sunlight exposure over time likely caused the fabric to fade to a golden appearance.

The August First Quarter Moonisn't necessarily a sign of bad news. Its challenging energy can serve a useful purpose by making it harder to ignore what needs attention. Once these Zodiac Signsface the situation honestly, they may be better equipped to make decisions based on reality rather than wishful thinking.

One sign may gain greater influence, another may experience emotional fulfillment, while another could receive professional recognition or meaningful support. The common thread is action. The Sagittarius Moon is often associated with optimism, honesty and expansion. Instead of waiting for luck to take the first step, these Zodiac Signs may find greater opportunities by turning their intentions into action.

Florida primary shocker: Moody advances, Nixon stuns Dems; Mills falls; Donalds, Rep. Fine score big

Mark your calendars for August 20, 2026, as Sagittarius, Leo, Pisces, and Gemini could unlock fresh luck and prosperity. It's a day for these signs to be bold and express their hopes freely. The lunar transition heralds chances for valuable connections, acknowledgement, and encouragement, urging individuals to take decisive action in pursuit of their dreams.

In 1940, scientists working to develop penicillin faced a major obstacle: they had discovered a potentially lifesaving medicine but lacked the industrial equipment needed to produce it in large quantities. Instead of modern fermentation tanks, the Oxford team relied on improvised containers, including hospital bedpans and specially designed ceramic vessels. Norman Heatley helped develop stackable vessels that allowed penicillin-producing mould to grow across shallow surfaces, while technical ass

In 2022, Massachusetts experienced a significant drought that led to seawater intrusion in a coastal marsh. This unusual phenomenon resulted in a dramatic reduction of methane emissions by almost eighty-three percent. Even after the return of normal rain, the marsh did not revert to its former state due to prolonged salt exposure, which disrupted microbial communities and curtailed methane production.

Quote of the Day by Walt Disney: All the adversity Ive had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me. While a sudden crisis feels like total ruin in the moment, unexpected failure strips away complacency and forces radical reinvention. True resilience is not merely surviving difficulty, but allowing severe setbacks to forge far better solutions than original plans ever allowed. Disney understood that immediate defeat often conceals long-term momentum. Today, this insight re

Astrology offers symbolic interpretations rather than scientifically proven predictions, but the month's themes point toward confidence, boundaries, fresh starts and closure.

A gold mine collapse in western Central African Republic has claimed over one hundred lives. The low-tech artisanal mine collapsed Tuesday morning in the village of Zamboye. More than one hundred dead bodies have been recovered so far by relief efforts. Several survivors are critically injured, and many people remain missing. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue operations continue.

Psychology says people who learn from others' mistakes aren't afraid to learn from failure. This behavior can show how people observe outcomes, understand risks and change their decisions without experiencing the same problem themselves. Psychology connects this process with observational learning, social learning and learning through consequences. It can help people make decisions, avoid repeated errors and develop ways to respond to difficult situations.

Four significant artworks by Antonello da Messina were stolen from a museum in Messina, Sicily. The thieves bypassed security measures during a busy holiday period on August 15. Two panels were later found abandoned outside the museum building. Investigators are examining how the security systems were compromised during the theft. The stolen paintings hold deep cultural significance for the city of Messina.

A brilliant eighteen-year-old student developed a groundbreaking floating device designed to tackle toxic algal blooms. Utilizing wind-driven waves and hydrogen peroxide, this inventive solution effectively treats water. The device employs biochar derived from an invasive plant to trap dead algae and deter nutrient release. Testing results revealed a remarkable decrease in cyanobacteria and organic material accumulation, leading to her recognition as a national finalist in a top-tier science com

Quote of the Day by Keith Urban: Keith Urbans quote, Sometimes I just cry at random stuff! explores the natural, unpredictable, and deeply personal nature of human emotions. The quote suggests that people can be unexpectedly moved by music, memories, relationships, simple moments, or experiences without always knowing exactly why. It highlights the idea that expressing emotions is a normal part of being human and that sensitivity should not be mistaken for weakness.