The Economic Times

The Supreme Court upheld an NCLAT order concerning Grasim Industries. This decision set aside a significant penalty previously imposed by the CCI. The fair trade regulator must now rehear the Aditya Birla Group firm's case. The NCLAT found that Grasim was not given a proper opportunity to present arguments. The CCI had imposed the penalty for alleged dominance in the viscose staple fibre market.

Exiled author Taslima Nasreen returned to Kolkata after nineteen years, feeling an emotional homecoming. Her visit precedes a literary event which has acquired political significance. Nasreen was forced to leave the city in two thousand seven due to protests. She expressed joy and pain recalling her previous life in Kolkata. Her return signifies a voice against fundamentalism and freedom of expression.

August 2026 Festival Calendar: August 2026 presents a rich calendar of Hindu festivals and observances. Devotees will celebrate significant events like Hariyali Teej and Nag Panchami. The holy month of Shravan includes four important Somwar Vrats for Lord Shiva. Major celebrations such as Onam and Raksha Bandhan also occur. Two eclipses, a solar and a lunar, will be visible.

Pro-Kannada groups have called for a statewide bandh on August 13. This protest aims to oppose developments in the Cauvery water dispute. Farmers and several pro-Kannada organisations are expected to participate. The Karnataka government will review the law and order situation. Police will likely step up security arrangements to prevent incidents.

AI companies are buying, cutting apart and scanning millions of physical books to train chatbots, according to a Washington Post report based on newly unsealed court filings. The documents reveal Anthropic's secret Project Panama and shed light on similar book-acquisition efforts by Meta, OpenAI and Google, as the AI industry's race for high-quality training data fuels an escalating copyright battle.

YesMadam co-founder Aditya Arya shared his marriage's airport reunion reality. He and his wife Garima Sharma met for just ninety seconds. This encounter sparked widespread discussion on entrepreneurship's personal relationship costs. Sharma views these brief meetings as deeply romantic and worthwhile sacrifices. Their nine-year journey suggests their relationship is strengthening through shared dreams.

Sarvam AI plans a trillion-parameter model to rival global AI leaders. The company's existing voice AI is cost-effective and performs well. An office in the US will recruit Indian-origin AI researchers. Sarvam AI aims to manufacture intelligence and achieve technological self-reliance. New products and platforms were unveiled at their developer conference.

Every marathon has two timelines. One begins when the starting gun goes off. The other begins weeks earlier, in ordinary moments that rarely look like preparation at all. With 12 weeks to go until the Hyderabad edition of the Times Internet Half Marathon, the race has already begun.

Family members of injured Delhi Police personnel shared their traumatic experiences from recent student protests. They recounted the painful moments when their loved ones returned home injured. Meanwhile, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi questioned the press conference's timing and affiliation. Political confrontations intensified as privilege motions were exchanged between parties. The events highlight ongoing tensions surrounding the student demonstrations and police actions.

India's public examination system increasingly relies on private firms for various operational aspects. These firms manage centers, infrastructure, security, and manpower for millions of candidates. A new handbook aims to establish standards for service providers and enhance independence. However, the fragmented structure complicates accountability when technical issues or irregularities arise. Concerns persist regarding undertrained staff and sophisticated malpractice methods impacting exam int

Five dedicated fast-track courts have been ordered by the Calcutta High Court. These courts will exclusively try NEET paper leak cases to expedite proceedings. The move aims to address one of India's significant education scandal issues. This development follows nationwide student protests and a push for prosecution in exam fraud. The designated courts are expected to conclude trials within three months of charge-sheet filing.

Birbhum Police arrested Tullu Mondal's manager and brother-in-law after a large cash and gold recovery. Rs 28.5 crore in cash and 15 kg of gold were seized from the residence. The recovered gold included bars and biscuits valued at approximately Rs 21.5 crore. Tullu Mondal, a stone trader, has been absconding since the assembly poll results.

Neeraj Chopra's Rs 30 crore bungalow in Haryana's Panipat district is a three-storey property with a lush garden, a trophy room, and a garage that holds everything from a customised Rs 3 crore Audi RS Q8 to tractors, reflecting the Olympic champion's roots as much as his success.

The Travancore Devaswom Board president denied any board involvement in ghee supply irregularities. He stated the board decided not to procure outside ghee for this year's pilgrimage. All previous ghee consignments were cleared after laboratory testing by the Food Safety Department. The board entrusted procurement to Milma and ensured laboratory testing before acceptance. Devotees' ghee will be sufficient for this season's temple requirements.

Your brain anticipates waking by adjusting hormones and body temperature. This internal body clock, known as the circadian rhythm, regulates daily cycles. Cortisol levels rise naturally, preparing you for the upcoming day's demands. Consistent sleep schedules strengthen this internal timing mechanism significantly. Expectation also plays a role in training your brain for anticipated awakenings.

Novak Djokovic returns to the Cincinnati Open, aiming for match sharpness. He seeks his record 25th Grand Slam title at the upcoming US Open. Young rivals Alcaraz and Sinner have dominated recent major tournaments. Djokovic is carefully managing his schedule to preserve his body. This event serves as his final test before the year's last slam.

Indian hockey teams will wear saffron jerseys at the upcoming FIH World Cup. This change addresses visibility issues on modern blue synthetic pitches, which caused blending. Saffron was chosen for improved visibility and its representation of courage and national pride. The new kit incorporates cultural and national symbols, including the Ashoka Chakra. Hockey India stated that past jersey changes were also based on functional requirements.

A Bihar court acquitted Digvijaya Singh in a 14-year-old defamation case. The case involved alleged remarks made against Baba Ramdev in 2012. Singh attended the court proceedings via video conferencing for the final hearing. A former BJP leader had filed the complaint alleging objectionable remarks. The court pronounced its judgment after the final hearing concluded.

Nepal protests in the Madhesh region have intensified after deadly clashes, with PM Balen Shah facing criticism over his delayed response and handling of the crisis.

The Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day after Opposition members raised slogans. Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge was permitted to speak by the Chairman. However, no notices under Rule 267 were admitted for discussion. Opposition members protested paper leaks and alleged theft from the Ram Temple. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan criticized the Opposition's sadak-chhap politics.

Model distillation, a technique that trains smaller AI models using outputs from more powerful systems, has become a key issue in the US-China AI rivalry. While it lowers AI costs and expands deployment, US companies allege some Chinese firms are using the method to extract capabilities from proprietary models without authorisation.

The Delhi High Court is requesting the response of the city police regarding Umar Khalid's latest bail plea, marking his third attempt since his September 2020 arrest. This application pertains to the 2020 Delhi riots case. The court will consider his request alongside that of co-accused Sharjeel Imam, as Khalid contests the earlier trial court ruling that denied his bail.

Ravichandran Ashwin supports Bhuvneshwar Kumar's inclusion in the 2027 World Cup. He believes the veteran pacer will be needed in South Africa. Ashwin also selected Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the squad. Several other players received his endorsement for the team. Some players were uncertain while others were excluded.

Assam floods have claimed eighty lives, affecting over two lakh people in eight districts. The state government announced a six-month loan moratorium for affected citizens. Multiple agencies are actively engaged in rescue and relief operations across the region. Significant crop areas and infrastructure have been submerged and damaged by the deluge. The Chief Minister has requested a central support package for rehabilitation efforts.

FIFA will continue consultations on private investment for its tournaments. Europe's football federation threatened a boycott over the proposed plan. Other confederations also issued strong rebukes against the proposal. FIFA stated it would not proceed without majority member association support. The organization aims to secure external investment for its events.

Chinese military researchers are using U.S. AI model outputs to advance defense capabilities. This technique allows them to train specialized domestic AI systems efficiently. Researchers are leveraging powerful U.S. models as a shortcut for their own development. This practice is being used for surveillance, cyber warfare, and tactical decision-making. The findings offer a rare glimpse into China's AI development strategies.

A novel system in Chinese school canteens processes leftover food into valuable resources. Students deposit food scraps into specialized machines after finishing their meals. The system extracts oil for biodiesel production and converts organic waste into compost. This innovative approach repurposes discarded food, reducing landfill waste significantly. The process creates a sustainable cycle from waste collection to resource conversion.

A committee is investigating irregularities in Chintpurni temple's paid 'Sugam Darshan' system. The system showed more transactions than actual entries after its launch. Police registered an FIR after the discrepancies came to light on July 19. A new team has replaced staff operating the system to ensure transparency. Steps are being taken to strengthen technical security and accountability for the system.

Spanish armed forces are being sent to Ceuta after thousands of migrants entered the territory. Local authorities stated the situation had spiralled out of control, overwhelming border police. The deployment follows a request for additional personnel to manage the crisis. This mass crossing occurred after days of smaller arrivals and at least three deaths at sea. Spain and Morocco agreed to work on returning unauthorized migrants as soon as possible.

Rahul Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Shah for their actions against student protesters. He alleged that the government is now filing FIRs and removing social media accounts of young individuals. Prime Minister Modi stated that comprehensive reforms are needed to address paper leaks in education. Parliament recently passed a bill with stricter punishments for paper leak offenses.

Ajinkya Rahane announced his retirement from international cricket on Thursday. Rohit Sharma shared a heartfelt tribute to his teammate's career. Sharma acknowledged Rahane's immense effort and professionalism over many years. Rahane's career included significant contributions and an undefeated Test captaincy record. He achieved historic victories for India during his distinguished playing tenure.

NBCUniversal has recently named Christopher Halpin as its new chief finance officer as the company gears up for its split from Comcast. Halpin comes with extensive experience from his time at People Incorporated and the NFL. Meanwhile, Randy Culbertson, the current CFO, will move to a different role in the company. Post-separation, Mike Cavanagh will take on the role of chief executive for NBCUniversal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport on August 1. This new airport is expected to boost industrial growth and employment in North Andhra. The facility is designed to handle six million passengers annually in its first phase. It will also feature a cargo terminal with cold chain facilities for exports. The airport's development aims to position Visakhapatnam as a globally developed city.

Delhi Minister Ashish Sood clarified no action against peaceful student protesters. This exemption does not apply to those facing criminal charges or involved in violence. The government agreed to demands after a 37-day protest and a 26-day hunger strike. The Supreme Court directed the release of arrested students under eighteen without criminal records. Investigations will continue while no coercive action will be taken against students.

India and Bhutan reviewed development projects during high-level talks. A concessional line of credit worth Rs 4,000 crore was signed. Cooperation in health education and research was also expanded between institutions. Forty-five electric vehicles were handed over to support green mobility initiatives. Both nations reaffirmed their strong development partnership and cooperation.

RRB Group D Admit Card 2026 Kab Aayega: RRB Group D admit cards for CEN 09/2025 are likely to be released in phases today. Candidates with an August 3 exam date can download their hall tickets today. The Computer-Based Test will commence on August 3 and conclude on August 25. Applicants should download their admit card approximately four days before their scheduled exam date.

West Central Railway will introduce a token system for Tatkal train tickets starting August first. Passengers will collect tokens within a specific time window before booking hours begin. This new arrangement aims to streamline the booking process and manage crowds effectively. Tokens will be distributed for AC and non-AC bookings during designated morning hours. The system will initially limit tokens per counter, with walk-ins accepted if seats remain available.

Elon Musk has dismissed reports suggesting Tesla might sell its China operations. These reports indicated a potential merger between Tesla and SpaceX was being considered. Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory is a crucial production and export hub for the company. China remains Tesla's second-largest market globally, facing local competition. Regulatory hurdles and geopolitical concerns could complicate any potential merger plans.

Why are people fleeing Morocco to Spain? Thousands of migrants entered Spain's Ceuta enclave after border rules changed. People swam ashore and broke through barriers in a chaotic event. This surge followed a court ruling impacting migrant deportations. Underlying poverty and instability drive people from Morocco and Africa. Spain reinforced its border while facing political and regional debate.

Karnataka's cabinet expansion is anticipated early next week, following party consultations. Several Congress MLAs openly expressed their aspirations for ministerial positions. A meeting at Mallikarjun Kharge's residence discussed the final list of new ministers. Announcements regarding the cabinet expansion are expected by Sunday evening or Monday morning. The party high command will make the ultimate decisions on inductions.

Russia has designated Telegram founder Pavel Durov as a terrorist. This action follows his refusal to comply with state demands for censorship. The Federal Security Service has initiated procedures to place Durov on an international wanted list. Russian authorities accuse Telegram of facilitating terrorist activities and causing significant damage. Durov has previously faced charges for other alleged crimes on the platform.

Quess Corp anticipates professional and overseas staffing to drive future growth. Higher-margin businesses will account for sixty percent of profits. General staffing, currently over sixty percent, may eventually contribute forty percent. The company has significantly increased its GCC contribution over five years. Quess Corp plans further expansion into Germany and Northern Europe.

Telangana Cyber Crime Police have filed two cases against social media account operators and Meta India's head. These cases stem from complaints alleging morphed and objectionable content targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BJP supporters reported manipulated videos and images circulated on Facebook and Instagram platforms. Police have invoked relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and IT Act. Investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend the individuals operating these ac