The Economic Times

Odisha's BJD party is planning legal action and public demonstrations against the recently passed Mines and Minerals (Amendment) Bill, which they argue will severely impact the state's fiscal autonomy and developmental plans. The BJD contends the bill restricts states' powers to levy taxes on mineral rights, potentially causing significant revenue losses.

Madhusudan Kela

NALSAR students condemned the Bar Council of India's withdrawn order against their graduates. They demanded an apology from the BCI Chairperson for objectionable comments made. The council stated the BCI's actions were outside its statutory functions and violated privacy. Students asserted their right to dissent and questioned the BCI's motives.

Bangladesh is close to achieving a historic Test victory against Australia. Australia trails by sixty-seven runs with four wickets down at stumps. Bangladesh had earlier extended its lead beyond two hundred runs in the first innings. Josh Hazlewood took six wickets, reaching three hundred Test wickets for Australia. The Australian top order struggled again, facing a significant challenge.

Industry leaders welcomed Prime Minister Modi's Independence Day address. The Prime Minister outlined seven key areas for national development. These streams aim to boost manufacturing, agriculture, and technological innovation. India Inc expressed readiness to invest in strategic sectors for growth. The nation anticipates achieving developed status by 2047.

In 1905, 13-year-old Ben Sands crawled through a narrow passage inside Tennessees Craighead Caverns and discovered a vast underground lake. Known today as the Lost Sea, it is recognised as Americas largest underground lake and has since become a popular cave attraction.

Ryanair co-founder Tony Ryan's family is selling Castleton Farm for $57.5 million. This historic 951-acre estate in Kentucky dates back to 1793. The sprawling property includes a mansion and 16 barns with 268 stalls. Shane Ryan is selling the farm as he spends more time in Europe. The property will be auctioned on October 28.

India's post-independence history showcases persistent dissent and public mobilization. Students, farmers, and citizens have repeatedly challenged governments through protests. These movements have influenced policies on caste, environment, and governance.

A Reddit user's resignation triggered an intriguing discussion with their manager, who questioned the timing of the job search disclosure. The company, eager to retain the employee, offered a counterproposal that arrived just moments too late. This interaction highlighted ongoing debates in the workplace about salary confidentiality, employee loyalty, and what responsibilities individuals hold to their employers during a job hunt.

Thomas Mann's quote highlights human complexity and the need for respect. We often judge people quickly, overlooking their inner lives and struggles. Empathy over judgment improves relationships and interactions with strangers. This perspective encourages listening, forgiveness, and curiosity about others. Recognizing this mystery allows for personal growth and deeper connections.

Bitcoin hovered near $63,000 as weaker ETF demand and a cancelled SEC meeting weighed on crypto sentiment. Bitcoin and Ethereum declined, while the global crypto market cap slipped 0.4%. Analysts cited subdued momentum, regulatory uncertainty and range-bound trading.

Mahindra unveils Scorpio Lifestyler; Global Pick Up to launch in India by April 2027

Mahindra Racing has transformed into Formula E front-runners over three years. The team now contends for the championship, a significant achievement for them. Driver Edoardo Mortara highlights sustained development as the key factor. Future Gen4 cars promise greater complexity and performance for the team. Mahindra's software development experience will be crucial for the next generation.

Monarch Mutual Fund has filed draft papers with Sebi for its maiden scheme, an overnight fund investing primarily in one-day securities. The open-ended debt scheme targets low risk, high liquidity and overnight-rate-linked returns, with Sanjay Motta as fund manager.

A woman received improper root canal and crown procedures at Sabka Dentist. The dental chain denied her replacement crowns despite a 15-year warranty. The commission found excessive tooth reduction and crown dislodgement due to negligence. Sabka Dentist and a doctor must pay over Rs 6 lakh in compensation. The commission upheld the earlier order for corrective treatment and mental agony.

Draft rules for the SHANTI Act, 2025, mandate financial security for nuclear damage. Operators must maintain insurance or financial security until spent fuel removal. Foreign reactor designs require certification by their country of origin's regulatory body. The licensing authority may grant in-principle approval for sites or technologies not yet selected. A single composite license will authorize building, owning, operating, and decommissioning nuclear plants.

Fenway Sports Group announced a minority equity stake acquisition in Liverpool Football Club. Indian-origin businessman Amit Bhatia leads the consortium, which includes Jeff Bezos as an investor. This strategic investment aims to support the club's long-term growth and development. Fenway Sports Group will maintain majority ownership and operational control of the club. The new investors will collaborate with existing leadership to explore growth opportunities.

Nifty remains range-bound amid falling volatility, with 24,200

Prime Minister Modi urged Indian pharmaceutical companies to reach global top five. The Indian pharma industry ranks third globally by volume and eleventh by value. This sector is projected to reach 130 billion dollars by the year 2030. Exports have grown significantly, reaching 30.5 billion dollars in 2024-25. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries is poised to become a leading global player after an acquisition.

India's men's and women's hockey teams commence their World Cup journeys on August 15 and 16. Both squads compete in Pool D, facing strong international opposition in their opening matches. Captain Harmanpreet Singh leads the men's team, aiming for a historic World Cup victory. The women's team, under Salima Tete, also seeks a strong performance in the tournament. Live streaming and television coverage will be available for fans across India.

A US satellite observed dual flashes in the South Atlantic back in 1979, leading intelligence officials to speculate a nuclear test with notable certainty. Contrary to this theory, a White House committee suggested a meteoroid strike as a more plausible explanation. Yet, revived inquiries over the years indicated potential nuclear activity close to the Prince Edward Islands, marking the incident as a captivating and unresolved tale in nuclear monitoring history.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi put youth at the centre of his Independence Day speech, referring to them 52 times. He used yuva 20 times, naujawanon 22 times and saathiyon 10 times while announcing several youth-focused initiatives.

The BJP accused Sonia Gandhi of objecting to Vande Mataram's full version. Congress denied this, stating she requested a chair for Mallikarjun Kharge. BJP spokesperson Gopal Krishna Agarwal shared video footage of the event. Jairam Ramesh explained the historical context of singing Vande Mataram. The Congress asserted the full version was sung without controversy.

Disney has unveiled the first look at Frozen 3, teasing Anna and Kristoffs possible wedding, a new villain and a romantic storyline for Olaf. The animated sequel is scheduled to release in cinemas on November 24, 2027.

Indias IPO market enters another busy week, with five companies set to raise Rs 5,499.32 crore between August 17 and 21. Horizon Industrial Parks leads fundraising, while five recently completed IPOs, including Shiprocket, are scheduled to list.

For many years, Wittenoom, located in Western Australia, was synonymous with blue asbestos mining. Unfortunately, increasing awareness about the health risks led to the mine's closure in 1966. The government officially restricted access in 2007, and the last resident left in 2023, marking an end to the communitys presence. Today, the site remains marred by millions of tonnes of toxic asbestos tailings, illustrating its troubled history.

In the wake of a devastating flash flood in Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, army personnel have gone missing following a severe cloudburst that triggered a landslide near Anini. Despite treacherous weather conditions, rescue teams are tirelessly working to locate those lost. Additionally, in Upper Subansiri district, a landslide has resulted in several labourers feared dead, with one body recovered and search efforts persist for others trapped beneath the debris.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi frequently used 'Mere pyare deshwasiyon' in his speeches. 'Sathiyon' also appeared often in his Independence Day addresses. Last year, 'parivaarjan' was his most preferred term for addressing the nation. He also used 'mere pyare yuva' to call for action against addictions. These terms highlight his consistent communication style with citizens.

Armed Naxals gone, but ideological Naxals seek opportunities: PM Modi urges Identify & Isolate

Chief Justice Surya Kant extended Independence Day greetings and wished for India's progress. Prime Minister Modi hoisted the national flag at the Red Fort while addressing the nation. He expressed strong confidence that India will become a developed nation by 2047. The Prime Minister urged citizens to dream big and work towards realizing this goal. The recitation of 'Vande Mataram' at Red Fort was noted as a historic moment.

Gujarat's AAR ruled blood donation camps are not charitable for GST exemption. Yoga camps, however, were deemed charitable activities and exempt from GST. Several welfare and training programs under government schemes also received GST exemption. These included self-defense training and mental health initiatives for women. The ruling clarifies GST applicability for various NGO activities in Gujarat.

The Sensex fell 490 points over five sessions through August 14, while 23 BSE 500 stocks declined daily. Eleven stocks dropped more than 5%, led by Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail, Physicswallah and Techno Electric & Engineering.

Salman Akbar attributes Pakistan's hockey decline to a weak domestic structure. India invested in its grassroots and domestic ecosystem after 2008 Olympic failure. This sustained investment led to significant international successes for Indian hockey. Pakistan's return to the World Cup follows an eight-year absence from the event. The upcoming India-Pakistan match offers Pakistan a chance to end a long winless streak.

Emraan Hashmi's Mumbai residence showcases how interiors influence feelings and focus. Neutral colors like white and beige create a grounding and regulating environment for occupants. Open spaces and natural views offer restorative attention and reduce psychological pressure. Thoughtful design choices combine comfort and functionality for overall well-being. Such elements support emotional resilience and enhance daily life experiences.

Dubai employee well being initiatives: Dubai has launched three new initiatives to improve employee wellbeing across its government workforce, focusing on flexible working, financial wellbeing and a more supportive workplace environment.

A salary comparison between two coworkers has sparked an online debate after one employee said the conversation reached HR and led to a request for a meeting. The employee said the discussion was private and involved only their own pay, while social media users offered contrasting views on workplace protections, termination risks and whether discussing compensation is advisable.

Claude's downloads and spending in India surged significantly in the June quarter. ChatGPT continues to dominate consumer spending on AI applications. Gemini is rapidly gaining user attention and engagement across the market. India's generative AI platforms are increasingly competing for dominance. The market shows rapid shifts in downloads, engagement, and spending.

India-focused offshore funds and ETFs delivered returns of up to 32.7% over three months, outperforming the MSCI India USD Index, which fell 12%. Taishin India led gains, followed by Aditya BSL, SBI Resurgent India Opportunities, AsahiLife Neuberger and Wasatch.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat described youth as a demographic dividend for India. He stressed that India must frame its own development yardsticks. Bhagwat advised youth to consider future generations and not just themselves. He also highlighted the need for entrepreneurship and a unique thought process. The Lokmat Media Group organized this interaction in Nagpur, Maharashtra.

Debt mutual funds attracted Rs 1.87 lakh crore in July, reversing June-quarter outflows. Liquid, overnight and money market funds led inflows, while longer-duration categories saw redemptions. Experts said flows reflected seasonal treasury movements and continued preference for liquidity.

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have sought answers from the government over reports that Chinese troops restricted Indian Army patrols in parts of Arunachal Pradesh. The government has not responded to the claims, while China said the border remains generally stable.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay pledged cooperation with the Union government on administrative matters. He asserted opposition to policies infringing upon the state's rights and principles. The government is actively working to eliminate corruption and ensure transparent governance for all citizens. Several welfare schemes are being continued and improved, with new initiatives announced. Vijay reiterated his commitment to achieving a corruption-free administration and a developed Tamil

2026 Independence Day: India's public sector, initially built for industrial necessity, is now undergoing a significant transformation. The government is increasingly selling stakes in state-owned companies to raise capital. This shift reflects a changing role from direct ownership to strategic shareholding. Public sector enterprises remain vital in key strategic and infrastructure sectors. The future focuses on optimizing ownership rather than complete divestment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted government efforts to provide affordable fertilizers. He stated that urea and DAP are available to farmers at significantly subsidized prices. Global fertilizer prices have seen a sharp increase due to geopolitical tensions. The government is absorbing the cost difference to ease farmers' financial burden. This initiative supports India's goal of self-reliance and a developed nation.

India remains one of the world's fastest-growing economies, demonstrating significant resilience. Strong credit and deposit growth indicate a robust financial sector performance. Foreign currency inflows are bolstering the nation's economic standing. Improved monsoon outlook and better irrigation support the rural economic outlook. The number of high-income taxpayers continues to show a notable increase.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge conveyed Independence Day greetings to all citizens. He noted serious challenges to India's constitutional values and democratic institutions. Kharge emphasized that freedom means equality, dignity, and justice for everyone. He called for opportunities for youth and justice for farmers and women. Economically weaker sections must receive constitutional equality and justice.

Construction workers in Belgium made an extraordinary discovery while digging a sewer beneath a former brewery. What they initially thought were 1 Euro-like coins turned out to be part of a gold hoard estimated to be worth $10.4 million. But now police have issued a warning.

Axis Max Life CIO Sachin Bajaj sees Indian equities entering a favourable phase as earnings recover, valuations moderate and domestic flows remain strong. He favours financials, healthcare, capital goods, digital platforms and manufacturing beneficiaries, while cautioning against expensive stocks.