The Economic Times
Elections 2026National / The Economic Times
To enhance your travel experience, consider using tape to wrap your suitcase wheels ahead of your trip. This clever trick provides a temporary defense against dirt and debris, ensuring your luggage stays cleaner for longer. Duct tape or self-fusing silicone tape is ideal for this task. Don't forget to remove the tape once you're back to avoid any sticky leftovers, making luggage maintenance a breeze.
Beyond the bill: How India is rewriting the rules for MSMEs | MSME Secretary Interview
Rajasthan's government has unveiled a significant 12,500-crore plan for school infrastructure upgrades. This three-year initiative aims to construct new buildings and expand classrooms across the state. Major repairs and sanitation facilities are also included in the comprehensive development blueprint. The government has already approved substantial funds for ongoing and future school projects.
Amazon has increased prices for its Echo, Kindle, Fire TV, and eero devices. Rising memory and storage component costs are pushing up hardware expenses for the company. This price adjustment follows the company absorbing these increases for an extended period. Other tech giants like Apple and Microsoft are also adjusting their product pricing. Amazon's significant investment in AI infrastructure further contributes to memory demand.
Pakistan's army chief spoke with Donald Trump last week before visiting Tehran. This call occurred as the United States threatened major economic sanctions against Iran. The Pakistani military confirmed the visit was for promoting regional peace and stability. Discussions also focused on Houthi attacks and a new defense agreement. Munir aimed to mitigate the existing trust deficit between the US and Iran.
The government said the earlier prohibition on the trade of Wheat products such as Wheat flour, Maida, Semolina, Wholewheat atta and resultant atta have been lifted with immediate effect.
A Kenyan shepherd searching for his missing goat stumbled upon gold and later sold three grams for about $280. His discovery helped trigger a rush to Cheporor, where around 10,000 people arrived at its peak hoping to strike gold. Authorities now say the size and commercial value of the deposit remain uncertain.
India and the Gulf Cooperation Council reviewed free trade agreement negotiations in Riyadh. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations and regional developments. Both sides affirmed the importance of continued coordination for stability. The GCC is India's largest trading partner bloc by far. Bilateral trade reached USD 178.56 billion in 2024-25.
Monsoon weather increases food spoilage and germ spread risks significantly. Certain foods like raw meats and unpasteurised dairy require extra caution. Proper cooking and storage are essential to prevent foodborne illnesses during this season. Washing produce thoroughly and refrigerating leftovers promptly are key preventive measures. Following simple kitchen habits greatly reduces the chances of food poisoning.
Irans rial has fallen to a record low, crossing 2 million per dollar on the unofficial market as US President Donald Trump escalates pressure on Tehran. The currencys slide comes amid disruption to foreign-exchange transfers, falling exports and tighter financial restrictions, while Iran looks to China-aligned partners to withstand Washingtons economic assault.
Quick wins can often leave a sense of emptiness in our lives. Authentic pride comes from traversing the unknown and emerging transformed. Achieving something truly meaningful demands a willingness to face risk and embrace vulnerability as essential for growth. The challenges we encounter shouldn't be seen as burdens, but as the core essence of what brings value.
The Delhi High Court has sought responses from Abhijit Iyer Mitra and others. A Cockroach Janta Party spokesperson filed a plea alleging privacy violations. The court issued notices and summons regarding the disclosure of residential details. X, formerly Twitter, has reportedly removed some of the offending tweets. The case is listed for further hearing on September 14.
According to government sources, the topic of leaders' public appearances is part of regular discussions. India communicated a desire for limited media interaction post-meeting. This was relayed by US envoy Sergio Gor to the US representatives. In a notable gathering in France, President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Modi engaged in talks on the sidelines of the G7 summit.
F. Scott Fitzgerald believed literature connects people through shared feelings. His writings captured the Jazz Age's glamour and disillusionment. Fitzgerald's famous novel, The Great Gatsby, is now a major American work. He died young, but his literary reputation continued to grow. Reading offers a profound connection, making private experiences feel collective.
European shares edged lower on Monday as technology stocks came under pressure, while investors awaited US sanctions on Iran, Nvidias results and fresh clues on the Federal Reserves rate outlook.
In September 1968, two tortoises made history as the first animals to orbit the Moon and safely return to Earth aboard the Soviet Zond 5 spacecraft. Their remarkable journey proved that living beings could endure the harsh conditions of deep-space travel, although they experienced a ten percent body weight loss. This pioneering mission laid the groundwork for human exploration beyond our planet.
In a significant move, the Supreme Court has issued a notice relating to alleged discrepancies in the JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination. Prompted by a Public Interest Litigation from a dedicated social worker, the petition calls for a thorough investigation into the evaluation process and raises concerns over a viral OMR answer sheet.
Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal expressed his support for his exchange with Asitha Fernando, assuring that the situation needs context for fair judgment. He highlighted the fierce competitive spirit of the Indian team, which doesn't shy away from responding when challenged. The tense encounter happened post-Jaiswal's dismissal, with Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva stepping in to diffuse the confrontation.
Iran has discovered a major gas field in southern Fars province containing 7.5 trillion cubic feet of gas, with 5.7 trillion cubic feet recoverable. The find includes gas condensate that Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said could create tens of billions of dollars in new wealth, as US pressure on Irans energy sector intensifies.
Markets are increasingly pricing in a more hawkish European Central Bank as geopolitical tensions, elevated energy costs and depleted gas inventories threaten to keep eurozone inflation high. Investors see a rising probability of further rate hikes through 2027, while resilient economic activity and fading disinflationary forces add to the case for tighter policy.
Aluminium foil under washing machine: Aluminium foil placed under washing machines offers limited protection from minor drips. It cannot contain significant leaks and may tear or shift during operation. Purpose-built drip trays provide better protection and are a more suitable option for preventing water damage. Addressing the source of any leak is crucial to prevent further damage, while professional servicing may be necessary for internal machine issues.
Godrej Industries Group plans a substantial Rs 20,000 crore investment in Haryana. This initiative is expected to generate approximately 40,000 new employment opportunities across the state. Godrej Properties Limited will lead this expansion, investing an additional Rs 16,000 crore by FY28. Godrej Ventures will also invest Rs 3,500 crore in Gurugram's office infrastructure. These combined efforts will significantly boost Haryana's economic development and employment landscape.
Smallcap funds led SIP penetration at 55% in March 2026, while SIP AUM surged over fivefold to Rs 1.83 lakh crore in five years, AMFI-Crisil data showed.
The Supreme Court will hear Naresh Balyan's plea challenging his bail denial. The Delhi High Court previously rejected his bail application in a MCOCA case. Balyan is accused of facilitating a crime syndicate run by gangster Kapil Sangwan. The high court found an active criminal nexus between Balyan and the gangster. Delhi Police has been asked to respond to Balyan's plea within four weeks.
Chinas property crisis deepened despite Evergrande founder Hui Ka Yan receiving a life sentence. Falling home prices, unfinished projects, weak sales and developer debt continue to hurt household wealth and consumption. Beijing is shifting support toward technology sectors, but analysts expect the housing markets prolonged correction to weigh on economic growth for years.
Indian IT stocks gained on Monday as reports of Nvidias potential server price hikes revived concerns over rising AI infrastructure costs and stretched valuations. The Nifty IT index rose over 1%, with Infosys and HCLTech among the gainers. Analysts, meanwhile, continue to debate whether Indias IT sector offers an anti-AI advantage.
Claude AI users reported widespread service issues on Sunday night, with Downdetector showing a sharp rise in complaints involving Claude Code, Claude Chat and the app. Anthropic acknowledged the disruption and said engineers were working to restore normal service.
Gold loan stocks Muthoot Finance, Manappuram Finance and IIFL Finance gained sharply as gold prices climbed on a weaker dollar and liquidity support from the US Treasury. Investors are watching US inflation data and Fed signals at Jackson Hole. Rising gold prices and geopolitical tensions continue supporting demand for gold-backed lending.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra approached the Supreme Court regarding her eviction from a circuit house. District administration officials allegedly forced her to leave the state-owned property late at night. This incident occurred in her constituency, Krishnanagar, despite a prior protective court order. Moitra had also sought intervention from the Lok Sabha Speaker over the alleged harassment. The Supreme Court, however, declined to urgently list the matter for hearing.
Air passenger service prices jumped nearly thirty-two percent year-on-year in the first quarter of FY27. Other services showed mixed price trends, with banking and securities transactions declining. Management of pension funds and railway services recorded modest price increases during this period. This new Service Producer Price Index offers an early view of producer-level price movements. The index currently covers only seven selected services across India.
Aurobindo Pharma announced its subsidiary Lannett Company LLC's facility inspection concluded. The US Food and Drug Administration conducted this routine inspection from August 17-21, 2026. Four procedural observations were noted during the Seymour, USA facility's review. The company will provide its response to the USFDA within the required timeframe.
Christmas trees that were once the focal point of holiday celebrations are now playing a vital role in rebuilding sand dunes along Alabama's Gulf Coast. This inventive project repurposes discarded trees to trap wind-blown sand and encourage dune formation. To strengthen these new habitats, local volunteers then plant thousands of native coastal species, helping promote recycling while bolstering natural barriers against erosion and storm surges.
Rohit Sharma has joined LightFury Games as an investor and officially licensed player in its upcoming cricket title, eCricket. The game will enter closed beta in September 2026, with over 300,000 sign-ups. Rohit becomes the eighth marquee cricketer to invest in the studio, alongside MS Dhoni, Jasprit Bumrah and others.
Actor S Devan has joined the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party. He recently resigned from his position as BJP vice-president in Kerala. TVK representatives invited Devan to join their political party. He will be discussing the state president post with TVK leaders soon. Devan cited a lack of functioning space within the BJP.
Before becoming a famous actor, Liam Neeson tried boxing and worked several different jobs. His big breakthrough came with Schindlers List, which established him as a talented actor. However, it was Taken that turned him into an international action star. Since then, he has appeared in several successful thrillers and blockbusters. Read on to know more about his journey.
Onam Sadya is a festive highlight, but the traditional Kerala feast can contain 1,500 to 2,500 calories, according to Dr Veena Choodamani. She recommends reducing rice and payasam while adding more protein, aviyal and thoran. Dietitian Neethu suggests smaller portions of rice and fried foods, choosing red rice, drinking water or buttermilk and trying lighter payasam options. These simple swaps can make the festive feast more balanced without giving up its traditional flavours.
Rishabh Pant has become India's leading wicketkeeper-batter in away Test matches. He surpassed the legendary MS Dhoni's long-standing run-scoring record during the recent match. Pant achieved this significant milestone while batting against Sri Lanka in Colombo. He continued to bat despite taking blows to his arm from short deliveries. Pant showed resilience and built a valuable partnership with Dhruv Jurel.
A candidate for a software engineering position was turned down due to an oddly named resume file, esume_final_FINAL_final2.pdf. This peculiar naming sparked a lively debate online. Critics argued that such disorganization reflected poorly on the applicant's professionalism, while others contended that companies should not dismiss candidates over minor presentation flaws. This situation underscores the significant impact that seemingly trivial details can have on employment opportunities.
Donald Trump bought $15 million of Berkshire Hathaway shares in June, even as investor Michael Burry questioned the stocks future after Warren Buffetts succession. Berkshire has begun deploying its record cash reserves under Greg Abel, buying equities including Alphabet. Strong quarterly profits and revenue growth continue to support investor interest.
The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the Centre, Jharkhand government and other authorities on a PIL seeking a CBI or independent investigation into alleged irregularities in the JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025.
Karti Chidambaram defended the Congress party's stance on Vande Mataram. He stated the BJP need not cast aspersions on their nationalism. The leader also addressed actor Vijay's prime ministerial aspirations and Dhanush's political entry. He emphasized ensuring Tamil Nadu receives its due Cauvery water share.
Raksha Bandhan 2026 falls on a Friday, giving siblings across India a rare three-day window to travel together. From Udaipur's monsoon lakes and Coorg's coffee estates to Rishikesh's river and Darjeeling's peaks, these six destinations offer something different for every kind of brother and sister duo.
Digital payments and tax reforms have significantly altered middle-class spending habits. GST has streamlined consumption taxes, impacting everyday purchases and larger items. Real estate regulations offer homebuyers greater protection during significant financial commitments. JAM trinity and telecom reforms increased formal financial access for many citizens. Infrastructure upgrades and digital services have collectively saved valuable time and effort.
Making a Rakhi at home can be easy with simple materials such as thread and cardboard. Colourful threads and paper can be transformed into decorative centrepieces, while old buttons and beads can add a unique touch to personalised Rakhi designs. Cardboard shapes covered with fabric or paint can provide a sturdy base. Allowing the glue to dry properly helps ensure a well-crafted and durable Rakhi.
AI-driven debt issuance is testing investor appetite as technology companies flood bond markets with new supply. Hyperscaler issuance has reached $220 billion in 2026, prompting investors to demand higher yields and larger concessions.

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