The Economic Times

2026 sawan maha shivaratri date and time: Sawan Shivratri in 2026 will be observed on Tuesday, August 11. The auspicious Chaturdashi Tithi begins early on August 11 and concludes after midnight. Devotees will fast and perform night-long prayers dedicated to Lord Shiva. This observance is distinct from the major Maha Shivratri festival. The festival falls during the sacred Shravan month.

The Election Commission of India has extended the special intensive revision schedule for Telangana's electoral rolls. Final electoral rolls for Telangana will now be published on October 19, 2026. House-to-house enumeration and polling station rationalisation will continue until August 10. Andhra Pradesh has published its draft electoral rolls after completing its enumeration phase. This revision exercise identified many deceased and permanently shifted electors across both states.

Life lessons: Ram Gopal Kothari overcame repeated job losses, business failures and financial hardship to achieve a remarkable feat. He went on to become the first Indian to complete a marathon at the Geographic North Pole, running across floating Arctic ice in extreme conditions. His journey is a powerful story of resilience, determination and the belief that even after life's darkest moments, new beginnings are possible.

Congress stated Prime Minister Modi plays the victim card regarding youth. The party demanded an apology for student protest brutality and paper leaks. Modi's InstaGram sabhas are seen as self-obsession by the opposition. The Prime Minister expressed forgiveness for youth who abused him and his mother. Congress also cited other issues like Chanda Chori Astha Dhoka and notebandi.

The Godavari river flood intensity is expected to increase steadily due to heavy upstream rainfall. Water levels at Bhadrachalam and Kunavaram are rising, with inflow and outflow at Dowleswaram Barrage exceeding 5.3 lakh cusecs. Authorities have alerted district administrations and kept disaster response teams ready for emergencies. People in low-lying areas and lanka villages should relocate to safer locations and rehabilitation centers.

Young Indian shuttler Tanvi Sharma advanced to the Taipei Open final. She secured a straight-game victory over Chinese Taipei's Huang Yu-Hsun. The 17-year-old from Punjab won the semifinal match decisively. Tanvi Sharma has achieved a rapid rise in badminton over recent years. She will compete for the title against another Indian or Vietnamese player.

Significant capital inflows have been recorded, thanks to the proactive measures taken by India's central bank. The Reserve Bank of India facilitated a total of $40.81 billion in foreign exchange influx, of which $36.7 billion derived from Foreign Currency Non-Resident deposits. Support also came through swap facilities for External Commercial Borrowings and Overseas Foreign Currency Borrowings, showcasing the sound financial strategies in place.

A wild Himalayan spice known as Khagi is transforming lives in Arunachal Pradesh. Indigenous communities are using the native spice to generate sustainable income while protecting forests and biodiversity. The community-led initiative has benefited more than 200 families and generated around Rs 39 lakh in revenue. It has also created a valuable additional source of income for rural households, demonstrating how conservation and sustainable livelihoods can go hand in hand.

Indian companies are preparing for price increases on various products soon as commodity costs rise due to ongoing global conflicts. Consumers can expect higher prices for everyday items ranging from toothpaste to tires. Demand is expected to remain stable during the upcoming festival season. Policymakers are closely monitoring inflation pressures and their impact.

India's ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, met Allison Hooker. They discussed advancing the India-US bilateral partnership. The productive discussion occurred on Friday morning. Both officials exchanged perspectives on regional developments. This meeting aimed to strengthen existing ties.

Pakistan's interior minister declared the nation's governance system has collapsed. He called for sweeping constitutional reforms and new administrative units to address crises. Young Pakistanis seek merit-based jobs and equal opportunities, not financial assistance. A united Generation Z could significantly disrupt the existing political landscape. Business leaders must actively engage in politics and address mounting national debt.

A 21-year-old woman died of rabies despite taking all five anti-rabies vaccine doses and rabies immunoglobulin after a dog bite. An ex-Army doctor explains why rabies treatment can sometimes fail and the critical mistakes people must avoid.

Friendship Day 2026 falls on Sunday, August 2, following India's established tradition. The United Nations officially recognizes July 30 as International Day of Friendship. Bollywood's Kuch Kuch Hota Hai popularized the August date for exchanging friendship bands. Modern celebrations involve digital messages and personal gifts among friends. Both dates are valid, with India preferring its own August observance.

Ollanta Humala, the former President of Peru, has been released from prison following the annulment of his money-laundering conviction by the Constitutional Court. The decision was based on legal arguments that questioned the legitimacy of his sentence for allegedly accepting illegal campaign funds from Odebrecht. His wife, Nadine Heredia, who faced similar charges, is currently residing in Brazil.

A woman died in Idukki after a landslide destroyed her home on Saturday as heavy rains caused floods and fresh landslides across central Kerala. Several people are feared trapped under debris in Kottayam district. Rescue operations are underway in affected areas of both districts. Authorities have issued alerts for continued heavy rainfall.

LPG cylinder prices today: Commercial LPG cylinder prices have been reduced by up to Rs 209 from August 1. This price adjustment offers relief to restaurants and hotels dependent on this fuel. Domestic cooking gas prices, however, remain unchanged for households across the nation. The reduction applies only to the 19-kg commercial LPG cylinders. This revision follows a high-level meeting reviewing regional preparedness.

Assam has launched its first government-owned GPU cluster for AI. This secure infrastructure will power the next generation of public services. The state aims to become an AI-first region, enhancing governance capabilities. Office files and notifications will now be accessible through an AI assistant. This initiative marks a significant first step in Assam's technological advancement.

Zubair Baloch, brother of jailed gang leader Uzair Baloch, was critically injured in Karachi. Unidentified gunmen opened fire on him outside his home, hitting him in the chest and stomach. The attack has revived old gang rivalries and violence in the Lyari area. Zubair had recently been released from jail after facing several criminal cases. His brother Uzair remains imprisoned for espionage charges.

Singaporean student Siti Aishah Siregar was found safe by Cambodian police after vanishing from her family. She arrived in Cambodia and met an online gaming friend at the airport. Aishah explained she left home due to strict parental control and a desire for independence. Emails revealed she transferred money to an unknown person before her disappearance. The investigation continues into the money transfer and the nature of the online friendship.

China's military conducted joint air and naval drills near Scarborough Shoal. These exercises were described as a necessary response to regional instability. The drills aimed to test combat readiness and territorial defense capabilities. China claims the shoal as Huangyan Dao, while the Philippines calls it Bajo de Masinloc. The People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command announced the drills on Saturday.

The Trump administration's latest initiative focuses on improving policies for Mexican train crews by mandating that they grasp key safety information in English. Alongside this, stricter licensing standards for train operators will be introduced. Rail unions have expressed support for these measures, highlighting their importance for both safety and job security, as the government seeks to bolster safety at the border.

Yemen's Houthi-run maritime body denied plans to impose fees on ships. Passage through the Bab el-Mandeb strait remains free, they stated. This follows a report citing regional sources about potential fees. The Houthi center confirmed its safe transit service is voluntary and cost-free. Shipping companies are urged not to pay unauthorized individuals or entities.

Iran has warned of retaliatory strikes on Israeli and US energy assets. This warning follows reports of potential military operations coordinated by Washington and Tel Aviv. President Trump has reportedly ordered preparations for renewed strikes on Iranian targets. The United States indicated substantial military measures would be taken unless Iran re-entered negotiations. This escalating rhetoric raises concerns about a wider regional conflict impacting vital energy supplies.

India and Lesotho convened for their sixth Joint Bilateral Commission meeting, focusing on strengthening their bilateral ties. They explored avenues for development partnerships and capacity building initiatives that benefit both countries. Their commitment to fostering sustainable development through South-South cooperation was reinstated. A future meeting is scheduled to take place in Maseru, ensuring continued collaboration and dialogue.

FIFA has scrapped its plans to sell off a share of the World Cup after facing heavy opposition from various quarters. UEFA expressed strong disapproval, warning of boycotts and alleging that FIFA was compromising the integrity of football. President Infantino acknowledged that the initiative caused rifts within the organization, leading to resignations among advisors and dissatisfaction among staff.

Quote of the day by Plato says, The right question is usually more important than the right answer. The idea focuses on critical thinking, curiosity, inquiry and true understanding. It teaches people to question assumptions, avoid quick conclusions and frame problems with care. Platos philosophy connects this approach with intellectual humility, learning and the search for knowledge beyond simple factual recall.

Psychology says people who are never apologize even if they are at fault aren't always simply rude or careless. Their behaviour can be linked to defensiveness, fear of blame, self-image, difficulty accepting responsibility, or a different view of what happened. Research on apologies shows that admitting wrongdoing can affect relationships, responsibility, trust and conflict. Understanding these reasons can help explain why some people avoid saying sorry.

Proverb of the day by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe offers timeless message remains relevant because every generation faces the same fundamental challenge: how to help people become better without making them feel incapable. Correction can identify the path forward, but encouragement can give someone the strength to walk it. When honesty is combined with compassion, feedback becomes more than criticismit becomes an opportunity for growth.

Chandrashekhar Azad's party revealed its first 45 candidates for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections. The candidate list reflects the party's outreach to Bahujan communities and minorities. Eighteen Scheduled Caste and sixteen Other Backward Class candidates were announced. Ten Muslim and one Sikh candidate were also included in the list. Most of these candidates are from western Uttar Pradesh.

More than 1.12 crore names have been deleted from electoral rolls across ten states and Union Territories. Andhra Pradesh and Haryana reported significant deletions, with over 45 lakh and 33.8 lakh names removed respectively. Many more deletions are expected as Karnataka and Telangana publish their draft rolls soon. The Special Intensive Revision exercise covers over 36 crore electors across nineteen states and Union Territories.

The Supreme Court rejected the Uttarakhand government's plea against bail for Abdul Malik. The court expressed serious reservations about using the UAPA in this case. Malik is accused in the February 2024 Haldwani violence incident. The High Court had granted bail, noting his absence from the scene. The Supreme Court upheld the bail, prioritizing personal liberty.

In 1869, an American inventor and businessman created a revolutionary machine to record votes through an electrical system. Thomas Edison received his first patent for the device on June 1, 1869. The vote recorder allowed legislators to cast yes or no votes using switches. Congress did not accept it because faster voting could reduce debate and political discussion.

A court sentenced former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain to life imprisonment. He and four others were convicted for the murder of Ankit Sharma. The judge cited the crime's brutality but found convicts reformable. The prosecution had sought the death penalty for the five men. The court ruled the case did not meet the 'rarest of rare' criteria.

The Centre's fiscal deficit reached 18.2% of the full-year target in the first quarter. Higher spending was offset by stronger net tax collections, analysts noted. Revenue expenditure rose over 7% year-on-year, driven by increased April spending. Capital expenditure remained strong, increasing 24% year-on-year during the quarter. This data suggests the government will likely meet its fiscal deficit target.

The Lok Sabha passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026 amid opposition protests. Opposition MPs demanded Home Minister Amit Shah speak on police action and temple donation theft. Some MPs staged a mock protest depicting the alleged theft of temple donations. Rahul Gandhi accused the government of threatening students protesting exam paper leaks. Dharmendra Yadav alleged ongoing looting since the temple trust was formed in 2020.

The Joint Parliamentary Committee is seeking business impact data from industry bodies. Companies are detailing disruptions from past election cycles and their financial costs. Employee man-days lost and associated expenses are also being quantified. Model Code of Conduct delays in government approvals are under scrutiny. Businesses are estimating potential efficiency gains from simultaneous elections.

Quote of the day by Leonardo DiCaprio: Leonardo DiCaprio highlights awareness as essential for tackling environmental issues. He believes understanding problems precedes effective solutions and informed choices. This message underscores that individual actions, when collective, significantly impact planetary protection.

Displaced people from across the Line of Control protested in Jammu on Friday. They demanded the liberation of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and its integration with India. The protest was organized by SOS International, advocating for displaced PoK residents. Chairman Rajiv Chuni urged the Indian government to take steps for PoK's freedom. Demonstrators raised slogans against Pakistan and its military leadership during the event.

An unidentified gunman killed one non-local labourer and injured another in Kulgam. The targeted attack occurred Friday evening in Kelam village, southern Kashmir. Both labourers were from Chhattisgarh and worked at a local brick kiln. One labourer was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. Security forces have cordoned the area and launched a search operation.

Congress MP KC Venugopal has filed a privilege notice against Minister Jitendra Singh. He accuses the minister of misleading the Lok Sabha regarding student protests. The notice states that firing did occur against protesting students. This contradicts the minister's assertion that no firing took place. The injured student remains under medication as per available data.

In an order pronounced on Thursday, special judge Sanjeev Kumar Malhotra directed that the Wadhawan brothers face charges under various sections of the IPC, relating to criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and falsification of accounts.