The Economic Times
Elections 2026National / The Economic Times
Permanent US settlement: Trump confirms astronauts return to lunar surface before his term ends
Quote of the day by Benjamin Franklin: Benjamin Franklin warned against small expenses, comparing them to leaks. These minor expenditures can accumulate and cause significant financial problems over time. Franklin was a printer, inventor, and diplomat who helped found the United States.
Reserves increased $12.4 billion during the week, with foreign currency assets increasing $9.4 billion to $591 billion, while the value of gold reserves rose by $2.8 billion to $114 billion. Forex reserves last touched a high of $728 billion late February this year. As of August 21, Indian banks have mobilised $65.4 billion in foreign currency non-resident (FCNR-B) deposits under the Reserve Bank of India's special forex swap facility. Total foreign exchange inflows through this specific window
The documents showed that in 2022, Murdoch, then chairman of both Fox and News Corp, became interested in recombining the companies less than a decade after splitting them. That effort failed after investors objected, but court proceedings in June indicated Murdoch could make another attempt.
An ancient Hopi saying reflects that shedding tears can liberate the mind from burdensome grief. Grieving is not a flaw but an essential human experience. By allowing ourselves to cry, we create space for emotional release, helping prevent pent-up feelings. True emotional resilience comes from facing our pain and embracing our truth, with healing beginning when we acknowledge our hurt, even when clarity remains elusive.
Quote of the day by Pierce Brosnan explores grief without treating it as something people simply overcome. His words focus on living with loss while continuing to love, create and appreciate life. The message speaks to anyone facing bereavement, change or emotional pain. It offers a grounded view of healing, where remembering someone and moving forward can exist together.
Japanese proverb of the day: Japanese proverbs offer wisdom on life and personal growth. A frog in a well knows nothing of the great ocean. This saying teaches the importance of an open mind. Humility and stepping outside comfort zones broaden understanding. Curiosity and exploration lead to deeper life insights.
The DGGI has issued show-cause notices to Mahadev Book promoters for over 40,603 crore. These notices propose GST demands and penalties for alleged non-payment of taxes. The transactions linked to the betting network occurred between April 2020 and March 2024. Investigators mapped nearly 2,000 alleged betting panels, estimating daily deposits at 99 crore.
'He chose Fauci over Florida during COVID': Byron Donalds rips David Jolly as governor race heats up
What do you expect from someone who marries her brother?: Ilhan Omars son raided! Internet erupts
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis granted migrant drivers a one-year Marathi learning extension. This decision has drawn criticism from the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray Shiv Sena and MNS. Leaders allege the move is politically motivated ahead of Uttar Pradesh elections. They claim the state government is bowing to Delhi's pressure and sacrificing local language pride.
A culvert replacement project in Delaware County, New York, addressed stream-flow, erosion, sediment, and fish-passage problems along an unnamed tributary to the Little Delaware River. The failing 7-foot-diameter metal culvert was replaced with a 9-by-13-foot concrete box culvert designed to accommodate additional flow, reduce erosion, and improve aquatic connectivity. After construction, the new structure received a 0.88 aquatic passability score under the North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Co
New York's Tonawanda Creek was once impaired by agricultural pollution. Farmers implemented best management practices to reduce soil erosion and nutrient runoff. Water quality monitoring showed significant improvements after these conservation efforts. Grants supported these practices, which helped meet state water standards.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari addressed concerns at Jadavpur University. He condemned slogans and writings on campus walls, questioning their purpose. Adhikari organized a national song ceremony to promote patriotism in the area. He highlighted historical sacrifices made for India's independence.
Manipur CM Y Khemchand Singh stated security forces evacuated forty-seven thousand people to safety. He emphasized sustained collective efforts are needed to overcome trust deficits. The Chief Minister recalled a peaceful atmosphere in hill areas before May 3, 2023. Violence erupted on that date, fundamentally altering the state's situation.
In 1905, an engineering blunder redirected the Colorado River into a desert basin, unintentionally giving rise to California's Salton Sea. Initially, this man-made lake flourished as a vibrant resort destination, attracting countless visitors. However, over time, rising salinity and dwindling water levels have altered its appeal. Despite these challenges, the Salton Sea continues to serve as a crucial habitat for migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway.
India will chair the BRICS Summit, focusing on development and innovation. The summit will address resilient supply chains and promote trade in national currencies. Global institutional reforms and BRICS Bank projects will also be discussed. Unilateral sanctions against member countries are expected to receive attention. Leaders from eleven BRICS and ten partner countries will attend the event.
Bodies of four Naga civilians killed in Manipur's Kangpokpi district were retrieved on Friday. Armed assailants attacked a vehicle on Thursday, killing four and injuring two others. Security forces faced disruptions but later reached the site to retrieve the bodies. Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh directed immediate action against those responsible for the attack. The United Naga Council accused two militant outfits of involvement in the ambush.
The latest liquid concrete flow of water from the Himalayas has far too many precedents in India and Nepal; what happens on the Chinese side during such events is hard to gauge but it must be just as bad. It seems we are wilfully ignoring Nature's repeated signals to slow down, accept the realities of our fragile eco-systems and manage expectations accordingly. 'Development' cannot exclude those who live in remote areas but nor should it endanger them.
Hazardous substances near Shattuck Chemical Company prompted a settlement for restoration projects. Funds supported habitat improvements along Colorado's South Platte River and Eastern Plains. Restoration projects enhanced wetland and riparian areas for migratory birds. Denver's Overland Pond Park also saw habitat and riverbank improvements.
Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee demanded the immediate release of thirteen arrested Trinamool workers. The arrests followed a ruckus during the dismantling of an alleged illegal signboard. She questioned the police's actions and the use of a gas cutter at the site. Banerjee asserted that the Trinamool Congress would soon return to power. She also criticized the BJP government and the state police for their actions.
Sugarcane farmers in Maharashtra are demanding higher prices for the 2025-26 season. This agitation follows a significant increase in sugar prices over recent months. Farmer organizations believe sugar mills should share increased profits with growers. Several farmer associations have submitted their demands to the state sugar commissionerate. Growers across the state seek better payment for sugarcane sold to mills.
UGC NET 2026 result out: The National Testing Agency has announced the UGC NET June 2026 results today. Results for eighty-four subjects are now available on the official NTA website. Candidates can download their scorecards using application numbers and passwords. Forestry and statistics were added as new subjects this year. The examinations were conducted between June 22 and June 30.
Eli Lilly's Mounjaro received FDA approval for reducing heart attack and stroke risks. This new indication expands its use beyond diabetes and weight management. The drug demonstrated an 8% greater reduction in cardiovascular events in a key study. Mounjaro's approval strengthens Eli Lilly's position in the GLP-1 medicine market. This development highlights the expanding medical potential of these widely used drugs.
Jain and Marwari merchants in India created, perhaps, the strongest iteration of this framework. Their strict vegetarianism and avoidance of root vegetables, along with very specific fasting periods, made it very difficult, almost impossible, to fake over a lifetime. Since these were also predominantly endogamous trading castes, discipline in both food and marriage cemented each other. A Jain merchant from Rajasthan sent to a distant trading post had a set of habits that any other Jain merchant
India and Canada will start bilateral investment treaty negotiations soon. Both nations will explore cross-border payment system collaborations and critical mineral partnerships. They aim to broaden the use of UPI in Canada through payment provider alliances. This dialogue builds on prior commitments to strengthen economic and financial cooperation. The countries aspire to increase bilateral trade to CAD 70 billion by 2030.
India's army will acquire over one hundred Javelin missiles from the United States. This significant defense deal is valued at forty-five point seven million dollars. The missiles will be delivered on a fast-track basis to bolster military capabilities. The agreement strengthens the defense partnership and industrial collaboration between both nations. This acquisition enhances India's ability to counter armored threats effectively.
The South Fork Palouse River restoration began with a problem Idaho could not ignore. In 2002, the river was listed as bacteria-impaired, with livestock grazing among the identified sources. Fourteen years later, its water showed a different picture. Restoration work helped reduce E. coli levels enough for Idaho to remove that impairment in 2016. The story shows how practical conservation can slowly change a troubled river.
The result marked a strong turnaround for India, who had failed to make the cut for the Paris Olympics 2024 and also had a tearful exit from the semi-final race at the recently-concluded World Cup here. The experienced Savita, who has 319 international caps, in an interview to PTI, says the biggest change is not merely in the results but in the atmosphere inside the dressing room.
During World War I, military dogs displayed unwavering bravery in the trenches. Tasked with lifesaving duties, they rescued injured soldiers and delivered crucial messages across perilous grounds. Their acute senses proved invaluable in detecting hidden threats and controlling vermin in dire environments. Beyond their practical roles, these canines offered companionship to troops, uplifting spirits amidst turmoil.
The removal of the Shapp Pond Dam in Dutchess County, New York, helped restore aquatic connectivity and improve stream habitat along the East Branch of Wappinger Creek. The 12-foot-high dam had blocked migratory fish, altered natural flow and sediment patterns, and created conditions favorable to non-native and invasive species.
Under the fortnightly quota, sugar mills will be required to sell at least 40% of the allocation in the first week and the remaining quantity in the succeeding week. It was observed that in certain cases, sugar sold by mills at the beginning of the month was being dispatched or lifted by buyers only towards the end of the month, leading to artificial scarcity, the government said in a statement.
India's industrial output saw a 6.7% growth in July. Manufacturing output increased by 7.3% year-on-year during the same period. Electricity generation also rose by 8.7% in July. Consumer durables surged to an eight-month high, driving overall growth. Capital goods output also showed a significant increase.
King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, the Tooro Kingdom monarch, has died at age 34. He became the world's youngest reigning monarch after his coronation at just three years old. His death was announced by Tooro's prime minister late Thursday evening. News of his passing has triggered widespread grief across Uganda and its traditional kingdoms. Officials confirmed an heir exists, ensuring the continuity of the royal line.
Gujarat has launched a pioneering sports genomics programme for athletes. This initiative aims to understand genetic and physiological characteristics for better development. Scientific athlete profiling will support national and international competition readiness. The programme is significant for Gujarat's 2030 Commonwealth Games preparations. It introduces a new scientific dimension to athlete training and potential.
The BJP is actively engaging young voters for upcoming state elections. A meeting of forty-five leaders discussed new strategies for youth connection. Union ministers and MPs attended this brainstorming session. Prime Minister Modi urged leaders to think out of the box. This initiative aims to connect with the current generation of voters.
Tribal students' hunger strike in Maharashtra continues for sixteen days now. The Bharatiya Janata Party alleges Congress is fueling the protest for political gain. BJP claims most student demands have been met by the government. They suggest Congress leaders want the strike to coincide with Rahul Gandhi's visit. This move aims to resurrect Rahul Gandhi's political career, the party stated.
The RSS is increasing its global engagement by using independent platforms. These platforms are led by NRIs and others to expand its international outreach. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's current tour highlights this evolving international strategy. The organization aims to directly engage opinion-makers and faith leaders abroad. This outreach seeks to address misgivings and present the Sangh's worldview.
The Centre is considering a special Parliament session in September. This session aims to pass the delimitation-linked women quota bill. An all-party meeting is also being discussed before the session. The government is assessing its numbers for constitutional amendment passage. The final decision depends on securing the required two-thirds majority.
Jasleen Royal house: The singer's Mumbai apartment serves as a personal retreat. The sea-facing Juhu home blends warm textures and earthy colours. Her living room features a large sofa and a black digital piano. The terrace offers stunning Arabian Sea views and space for entertaining. Bedrooms and a moody dining area showcase personal touches and comfort.
Nepal's flash flood death toll has significantly increased, with many people still missing. India has offered National Disaster Response Force teams to aid Nepal's search and rescue efforts. Hundreds of Indian nationals remain unaccounted for, with some stranded on the Chinese side. India is also preparing additional humanitarian aid, including medical support and engineering teams. Two aircraft carrying relief materials have already been dispatched to Nepal.
Woods quote,The greatest thing about tomorrow is, I will be better than I am today,reflects his philosophy of constantly improving not just as a golfer, but as a person, father, husband and friend. The story explores the meaning behind the quote and why the message resonates given Woods remarkable career and personal setbacks.
Kent Park Lake in Johnson County, Iowa, experienced water-quality problems linked to nutrient and sediment delivery, resulting in its placement on Iowas impaired waters list. Restoration efforts addressed both watershed and in-lake sources through sediment basins, a northern inlet dike, land acquisition, dredging, shoreline stabilization, native plantings, fish habitat, and prairie restoration.
Quote of the day by Phil Collins: Phil Collins views his career as a profession and not stardom. He feels fortunate to make ends meet through his chosen work. This perspective helps him remain grounded despite his achievements. Collins is an English musician known for Genesis and a solo career. His legacy includes multiple awards and Hall of Fame inductions.
Mumbai milk prices: The Bombay Milk Producers Association will increase buffalo milk wholesale prices. This significant price hike will take effect from September 1. Rising costs of animal feed and fodder necessitated the change. Retail milk prices are also expected to see a corresponding increase. The association will review these revised rates on February 28, 2027.

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