SENSEX
NIFTY
GOLD
USD/INR

Weather

image 31    C

National News

The Economic Times

National / The Economic Times

SIR: CM Shivakumar writes to ECI, seeks more time to file claims to draft voter rolls

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar requested the Election Commission of India to extend the deadline. He seeks more time for genuine voters to file claims and objections. Nearly 1.08 crore electors were flagged under the ASDDO category in the state. The Chief Minister emphasized that mobility should not lead to disenfranchisement.

25 Aug 2026 5:15 pm
Politics and war are inseparable: Former CDS General Anil Chauhan outlines strategic dynamic between military options, political objectives

General Chauhan emphasised that military might is inherently linked to political intent. He noted that the armed forces serve as a key tool to safeguard national interests, with military leadership crucial for creating deployment strategies and building confidence. Investment during peacetime and thorough training are vital for developing essential capabilities. The lasting strategic significance of Operation Sindoor demands a comprehensive evaluation.

25 Aug 2026 5:11 pm
Golgappa and vegetable sellers far intelligent than Rahul Gandhi: BJP attacks Congress for 'mocking' UPI

The Bharatiya Janata Party criticised the Congress for its past doubts about the Unified Payments Interface. This digital payment system has become the world's largest real-time platform. UPI transactions have seen a massive increase in volume and value over ten years. The party highlighted its widespread adoption and availability in multiple countries. This growth contrasts with earlier predictions of its failure.

25 Aug 2026 5:05 pm
Bangladesh in talks to buy Chinese J-10CE fighter jets

Bangladesh is set to initiate formal negotiations with China regarding the procurement of J-10CE fighter jets. A governmental committee is currently drafting an agreement that could significantly bolster its defense capabilities. The country is reportedly eyeing the acquisition of up to twenty-four aircraft as part of its air force modernization efforts, although specific details on pricing and delivery schedules are still under discussion.

25 Aug 2026 5:05 pm
J&K BJP identifies constituencies across UT for electoral gains

The BJP plans to intensify its outreach in 20-25 constituencies in Kashmir and several seats in Jammu where it failed to win in 2024. The party will appoint constituency incharges and focus on areas including Shopian, Rajpora, Gurez, Rajouri-Poonch and Doda-Ramban.

25 Aug 2026 5:03 pm
Delhi Rain: Will it rain in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram and Ghaziabad? Check the latest weather forecast for upcoming days

The National Capital Region, including Delhi, is currently experiencing overcast skies. Commuters should remain vigilant due to possible waterlogging and traffic issues. Unstable weather conditions with ongoing rain events and thunderstorms are anticipated for the upcoming days. Residents are encouraged to carry umbrellas and stay updated on weather forecasts.

25 Aug 2026 5:01 pm
Delhi man uses AI to create nude photo of a minor girl, harasses her for over 2 years, extorts Rs 1.2 lakh

A 25-year-old man allegedly used an AI-generated nude image to blackmail a Delhi woman who was a minor when the alleged harassment began. Police said he extorted around Rs 1.2 lakh from her over more than two years and later threatened her family. The accused, Ajay Dubey, was arrested in Delhi while attending a court hearing.

25 Aug 2026 5:00 pm
India's sugar mills, refiners seen importing just half of duty-free quota

Indian sugar mills may import only half the allowed raw sugar quota. Falling domestic prices have reduced the profitability of these planned imports. Refineries are expected to take most of the available import volume. Domestic supplies are anticipated to rise from mid-October with the new season.

25 Aug 2026 4:44 pm
Rakhi trade: Viksit Bharat, Nari Vandan, BrahMos new themes this year; total business could cross Rs 30,000 crore, says CAIT

This year, rakhi sales are projected to approach 25,000 crore, with the overall festive trade, including gifts and apparel, likely surpassing 30,000 crore. Many rakhis now celebrate themes such as Viksit Bharat and women's empowerment.

25 Aug 2026 4:43 pm
Kangana Ranaut takes swipe at Abhijeet Dipke over english speaking comparison reel: 12th pass vs Boston University

Kangana Ranaut recently shared an Instagram reel that humorously contrasts her English speaking skills with those of Abhijeet Dipke. The reel showcased snippets of both speaking publicly, highlighting their journeys with the language. Ranaut reflected on her own early struggles, while Dipke addressed his English abilities amidst the social media buzz.

25 Aug 2026 4:39 pm
US military transport plane lands in Moscow, Kremlin says it has no information yet

A United States military transport plane landed at Moscow's Vnukovo airport Tuesday. The large Boeing Globemaster flew directly from Riga, Latvia, arriving around 0700 GMT. This aircraft had previously arrived in Riga from a US airbase on August 23. The Kremlin stated it had no information regarding the plane's arrival. The last direct US jet flight to Russia from Europe occurred in January.

25 Aug 2026 4:38 pm
Delhi HC abates Sajjan Kumar's appeal against conviction in 1984 riots case following his death

Sajjan Kumar, who was serving two life sentences in Tihar jail in connection with the 1984 riots, died on August 20. Earlier, he was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Delhi High Court on December 17, 2018, in another case related to the killing of five Sikhs and the burning of a gurdwara during the anti-Sikh riots.

25 Aug 2026 4:35 pm
US lawmakers want Trump to cut the spy supply chain to China, Russia

In a bid to strengthen national security, lawmakers are urging the Trump administration to curb American citizen involvement with Chinese and Russian intelligence agencies. Although a 2018 law prohibited military intelligence collaboration, civilian agencies continue to operate without strict oversight. This situation raises alarms about foreign agencies hiring U.S. consultants and accessing cutting-edge technology, especially in light of President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to Washington.

25 Aug 2026 4:25 pm
Sambhal temple-mosque row: Supreme Court postpones hearing to September 29

A court hearing for the Shahi Jama Masjid-Harihar temple dispute was postponed to September 29. This postponement occurred due to an interim stay imposed by the Supreme Court in November 2024. The legal dispute began when Hindu petitioners claimed the mosque was built over a temple. Following a court-ordered survey, unrest led to deaths and injuries in November 2025. The matter remains stayed pending further Supreme Court directives.

25 Aug 2026 4:22 pm
Will not allow pilferage of offerings: SC on 'siphoning' of donations at Shri Banke Bihari Temple

The Supreme Court has ordered all donations to Shri Banke Bihari Temple to be deposited directly. Every penny donated must land in official donation boxes or the temple treasury. This directive follows allegations of siphoning away of funds from the Vrindavan temple. The court emphasized that any obstruction by sevayats will be viewed very seriously. A transparent mechanism for the temple treasury is to be introduced by the management committee.

25 Aug 2026 4:14 pm
How to make ghewar at home for Rakhi: Easy step-by-step recipe for a crispy and delicious festive sweet

Raksha Bandhan is a special occasion to celebrate the bond between brothers and sisters, and festive sweets make the celebration even more memorable. Ghewar, a popular Rajasthani sweet, is a favourite during Rakhi.

25 Aug 2026 4:14 pm
OBC creamy layer case: Supreme Court agrees to consider setting up special bench

The Supreme Court is set to consider setting up a special bench regarding the OBC creamy-layer ruling, which holds significance for the selections of the Civil Services Examination 2025. The govt aims to revert to previous criteria for 958 candidates to ensure fairness for earlier applicants. The court will consult with judges prior to making a decision.

25 Aug 2026 4:13 pm
Nine of 12 Indian kabaddi players for Asian Games 2026 emerge from KCL ecosystem

A contingent of nine players from the Kabaddi Champions League is set to don the Indian colors at the upcoming Asian Games. Under the guidance of Dronacharya Awardee Balwan Singh, the team looks to make a mark on the international stage. KCL players expressed immense pride and a sense of obligation to deliver their best, underscoring the league's impact on nurturing kabaddi talent in India.

25 Aug 2026 4:11 pm
Indian Navy to induct Nipun on August 31: Meet the indigenously built vessel for deep-sea diving and submarine rescue

The Indian Navy is set to welcome its second Diving Support Vessel, Nipun, on August 31. This vessel, developed domestically, significantly boosts India's capacity for deep-sea diving and submarine rescue operations. With advanced diving systems and reliable station-keeping features, Nipun will facilitate intricate underwater missions that align with India's maritime objectives, underscoring the robust growth of the nation's shipbuilding capabilities.

25 Aug 2026 4:06 pm
Psychology says women who keep asking for permission even if they have the right to decide may be carrying more than patriarchy

Women who repeatedly ask for permission are not necessarily insecure, indecisive or incapable. In some cases, the behavior may be influenced by learned gender schemas, self-silencing, conflict avoidance and adaptation to social expectations, which can shape how a person approaches decisions and authority.

25 Aug 2026 3:58 pm
Hungry for more! Harmanpreet Kaur says winnng culture taking shape ahead of Asia Cup, Asian Games

Indian women cricketers are eager for more accolades as they set their sights on the approaching Asia Cup in the UAE and the Asian Games. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur emphasizes the emergence of a strong winning culture in the team. With aspirations to reclaim the Asia Cup and retain their title at the Asian Games, they are committed to delivering exceptional cricket for their country.

25 Aug 2026 3:55 pm
This Mysore-born scientist, whose great-grandfather was a mathematician and grandfather a Sanskrit scholar, helped make AI faster at weather forecasting & drug discovery

Anima Anandkumar, a prominent AI researcher, applies machine learning to complex problems in physics and science. Her work at Caltech focuses on areas including tensor methods and deep learning for scientific applications. She has previously worked at Amazon Web Services, where she contributed to Amazon SageMaker, and conducted research at MIT and Cornell University. Her work has also explored ways to accelerate scientific simulations, including weather forecasting.

25 Aug 2026 3:53 pm
West Bengal SIR: SC directs EC to submit data on pendency of appeals before appellate tribunals

The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission to submit data on pending electoral roll appeals. Tribunals must adjudicate these appeals in a time-bound manner, the court stated. The poll panel must explain steps taken to streamline appeal disposal processes. Additional tribunals may be constituted if required to expedite the process. This directive follows concerns about the timely resolution of voter inclusion and exclusion appeals.

25 Aug 2026 3:52 pm
'Romance on Moon': In 2002, a NASA intern stole $21 million lunar rocks and put them under the sheets to spend the night with girlfriend

In 2002, NASA intern Thad Roberts and accomplices stole about 17 pounds of lunar samples and a meteorite from the Johnson Space Center, with the material valued at around $21 million. While waiting to sell the Moon rocks in Orlando, Roberts reportedly placed some of them under the sheets during an intimate night with his girlfriend, calling it a symbolic way of making out on the moon. An FBI sting later led to their arrests and the recovery of the stolen samples.

25 Aug 2026 3:39 pm
Placing aluminium foil around kitchen surfaces: How this simple kitchen hack works, its benefits and the right way to use it

Using aluminum foil in the kitchen is a pragmatic approach to safeguarding your surfaces from messy cooking spills. It conveniently absorbs oil splashes and food drips, which minimizes the need for extensive cleaning afterward. By laying foil around the stovetop, you can create a protective shield against grease accumulation, significantly streamlining your cleanup process. Just swap out the soiled foil for a fresh sheet to maintain ongoing protection.

25 Aug 2026 3:30 pm
This 12-year-old schoolgirl designed a solar-powered heated blanket for homeless people after seeing them struggle through winter

Rebecca Young was 12 when she designed a solar-powered heated blanket to help people experiencing homelessness stay warm without access to mains electricity. Her school idea later became a working prototype through Thales and Primary Engineer, with 150 blankets being supplied to six homelessness charities across Glasgow.

25 Aug 2026 3:30 pm
In 1977, NASA placed a gold-plated copper record on each Voyager; it carries 115 images, greetings in 55 languages, and instructions for playing it

In 1977, NASA embarked on a monumental quest by launching the Voyager spacecraft, which was equipped with a Golden Record meant to communicate with extraterrestrial life. Curated by Carl Sagan and his team, this interstellar album features a collection of images and sounds that highlight humanity's greatest moments, intentionally leaving out the chaos of the present.

25 Aug 2026 3:30 pm
South Africas cricket fever pays off as SA20 Season 4 generates $406 million GDP boost

Having achieved its most robust economic performance yet, South Africa's SA20 League has injected $406 million into the country's gross domestic product. This figure illustrates a striking 23% increase in economic influence compared to the previous year. Attendance surged by 13%, while direct spending climbed to $137 million. The league is gearing up for its fifth season, which is scheduled to start in January 2027.

25 Aug 2026 3:29 pm
Psychology says people who keep stubbing their toes may be responding to more than clumsiness

People who frequently stub their toes may not simply be bad at walking. Their experiences can reflect a fascinating interaction between automatic movement, spatial attention, proprioception and sensory prediction. The brain is constantly building an internal estimate of where the body is in space and how it is moving through the environment.

25 Aug 2026 3:25 pm
Those black dots around your cars windshield arent decoration; the ceramic frit helps protect the adhesive from UV light and reduces heat-related distortion

The small black dots you see on windshields are known as frit, consisting of a ceramic enamel that is fused into the glass. This frit serves a dual purpose: it shields the polyurethane adhesive from harmful ultraviolet rays and facilitates heat expansion during production. Moreover, the dot matrix cleverly conceals adhesive lines, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the windshield.

25 Aug 2026 3:20 pm
Prabath Jayasuriya reprimanded, handed one demerit point for breaching ICC Code of Conduct

Sri Lanka spinner Prabath Jayasuriya received a reprimand and one demerit point. He breached the ICC Code of Conduct by abusing cricket equipment. This incident occurred on the second day of the Test match against India. Jayasuriya admitted his offense and accepted the proposed sanctions from the match referee. Earlier, two other players were fined for an on-field altercation during the same Test.

25 Aug 2026 3:19 pm
India targets $55 trillion economy by2047 through AI, manufacturing, FDI and sunrise sectors

India aims for a $55 trillion economy by 2047. This ambitious goal relies on leveraging its young demographic in artificial intelligence. Strategic capital deployment and sustained growth will unlock value across core sectors. Attracting foreign investment and expanding manufacturing are vital for this economic expansion. Dominance in sunrise sectors like space and defense tech will drive this future growth.

25 Aug 2026 3:10 pm
Census 2027 to drop separate beggars and vagrants category

Scheduled for 2027, India's Census will implement transformative updates to its data collection methods. The existing category for 'beggars and vagrants' will be removed, integrating these individuals into an 'others' classification. Moreover, natural calamities will join the list of migration factors. The census will aim to collect more parental information to explore demographic trends and interfaith marriages.

25 Aug 2026 3:10 pm
Louisiana used 13 million pounds of discarded oyster shells to build 8,000 feet of living shoreline; studies found oyster reefs can reduce wave heights under some conditions

In Louisiana, discarded oyster shells are being creatively transformed into living shorelines to combat coastal erosion and rising sea levels. This innovative project collects shells from restaurants, providing a habitat for juvenile oysters to thrive. Studies indicate that these reefs can effectively diminish wave impact during certain flooding scenarios. This community-focused initiative is making strides across Gulf states, presenting an eco-friendly solution for coastal resilience.

25 Aug 2026 3:00 pm
New installations emerge on islet as China accelerates South China Sea build-up

New military installations have been sighted on an islet near Antelope Reef. Analysts believe China is building its largest military base there. Construction started in March and April, with new images showing progress. This could support an early warning radar facility for Antelope Reef. The construction strengthens China's military hold on the vital trade waterway.

25 Aug 2026 2:58 pm
Kriti Sanon hits back at Kangana Ranaut over Raksha Bandhan Ad controversy, says when will we stop telling women what to wear?

Kriti Sanon's latest jewellery advertisement has sparked a heated debate online regarding the outfit she wore. Kangana Ranaut shared her thoughts on its appropriateness for the festival, while Sanon countered by emphasizing the deeper emotional ties of traditions over mere clothing choices. She asserted that true cultural respect emanates from the heart and is not confined to what one wears.

25 Aug 2026 2:54 pm
Bhojshala row: Hindu outfits call for Dhar bandh, accuse administration of defying SC order

Hindu organisations called a half-day bandh in Madhya Pradeshs Dhar, alleging the administration was not following the Supreme Courts directions on the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Complex prayer site. Security was tightened as rallies were held, while officials said the situation remained peaceful and the shutdown would be kept voluntary.

25 Aug 2026 2:50 pm
Columbia Engineering built a pigment-free paint filled with microscopic air pores; it stayed 6C below surrounding air during hot desert tests in Arizona

Researchers at Columbia University and Purdue University have unveiled an experimental paint-like coating that can cool surfaces to temperatures below the ambient environment. This cutting-edge material reflects over ninety-six percent of solar energy and effectively radiates heat by utilizing air pockets instead of traditional pigments. Although this promising technology is in the exploratory phase, it is not yet available for commercial use.

25 Aug 2026 2:50 pm
Sugar ex-mill prices down 18% to Rs 55/kg

The ex-mill price of sugar has declined by 18 per cent to Rs 55 per kg since the government's decision to allow imports and clamp down on speculation and hoarding of the sweetener, Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra said.Ex-mill prices of sugar had shot up to a record Rs 67 per kg last week - a spike Chopra attributed to mills jacking up rates.Ex-mill price of sugar, which were jacked up by mills, have started cooling down. They have declined to Rs 55 per kg and will further drop in the coming days,

25 Aug 2026 2:44 pm
Struggling to sleep in the summer heat? A top wellness expert shares simple home tips for a cooler bedroom

Transform your warm bedroom into a blissful retreat with clever strategies. By strategically blocking sunlight when its blazing outside, youll reduce internal heat accumulation. Updating to LED bulbs and ensuring adequate air circulation are key factors too. Adjusting furniture placement and changing your ceiling fans rotation will enhance airflow. These simple adjustments make your bedroom a soothing sanctuary for better sleep.

25 Aug 2026 2:41 pm
Illinois researchers tested a passive cooling film in Houston; treated metal roofs measured more than 40F cooler in direct sunlight

As American summers heat up, public health risks escalate, prompting researchers to create an innovative coating that cools metal roofs by over forty degrees. This technology was implemented on public structures in Houston in anticipation of a significant global sports event. Remarkably, it works by reflecting sunlight and dissipating heat without consuming electricity, marking a significant step forward in sustainable urban cooling solutions.

25 Aug 2026 2:40 pm
CEO couldnt reach employee for 45 minutes while he was on a break, called an old phone number and then asked: Do you want this job?

After only a 45-minute break, an employee returned to find their CEO furious over a missed call and unanswered messages. Despite the employee having provided a status update, the CEO's reliance on an outdated phone number exacerbated the situation. This altercation ignited discussions around expectations for workplace availability and commitment. Now, the employee is left pondering their future interactions and how best to navigate this tense dynamic.

25 Aug 2026 2:37 pm
Ajit Doval, Wang Yi hold India, China Special Representatives talks on border issue, improvement of ties

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for boundary talks. These discussions are significant before President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to India. Both officials are designated Special Representatives for the boundary dispute mechanism. They discussed strengthening peace in border areas and improving bilateral ties. The talks aim to address recurring tensions and maintain peace in border regions.

25 Aug 2026 2:36 pm