The Economic Times

Ancient philosopher Mencius believed true greatness lies in retaining a child's heart. Modern pressures can erode qualities like kindness and curiosity over time. Mencius's teaching suggests maturity does not require sacrificing sincerity and compassion. This wisdom encourages preserving essential human qualities despite life's complexities. Adults can gain wisdom without losing their innate sense of wonder and care.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson highlighted environmental concerns regarding oil pollution. Recent pollution along Qeshm Island shores points to a foreign bulk carrier. Iran demands compensation for extensive environmental damage over decades. The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until US conditions are met. Commercial shipping continues under tight security amid volatile regional tensions.

Aluminium foil is one of the most underrated tools for indoor plant care. From reflecting light to all parts of the plant, retaining soil moisture, and keeping pests away, these seven tricks cost almost nothing and are backed by real research. Your plants will show the difference quickly.

Trump was secretly moved to a smaller military jet after an Iranian threat during his return from the NATO summit in Trkiye. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent remained on a decoy aircraft, while journalists and some White House staff believed Trump was aboard.

Since taking office, Giorgia Meloni's fashion has undergone a remarkable transformation. Embracing pastel hues and elegant silhouettes, she projects an aura of confidence and authority. This shift not only aligns with her pragmatic stance on the European Union but also signifies her evolution from an outsider to a respected leader.

Independence Day 2026 Wishes: As India gears up to mark its 80th Independence Day on August 15, 2026, the nation will pay tribute to its courageous freedom fighters while reflecting on a remarkable journey of growth. The Har Ghar Tiranga campaign will inspire citizens to proudly display the national flag, fostering a sense of unity and patriotism as messages of hope and progress resonate across communities.

Following a Supreme Court ruling that mandates the return of collected tariffs, major shipping companies are now issuing significant refunds to consumers.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced ten crore rupees assistance for flood-affected Assam. These funds will be disbursed from the Chief Minister's relief fund to aid the state. Seva kendras across all assembly constituencies will be named after Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Assam's government will spend one thousand crore rupees for relief and rehabilitation efforts.

Tamil Nadu will sign agreements worth 150.5 billion rupees for new overseas projects. The state government announced 97 pacts totaling 674.52 billion rupees. These agreements are expected to create over 100,000 new jobs for residents. Investments include Super Micro Computer and Saint-Gobain, among others.

The Indian Air Force and Royal Malaysian Air Force are conducting Exercise Udara Shakti 2026. Air warriors from both nations are engaged in joint field training and expert exchanges. This exercise focuses on operational learning and enhancing interoperability between the forces. Personnel will gain familiarity with each other's air operation procedures. Meanwhile, Exercise Pitch Black will involve twenty nations in northern Australia.

Several US states are marking Indias 80th Independence Day by proclaiming August 15, 2026, as India Day or India Independence Day. Delaware, New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts have recognised the occasion, celebrating Indias heritage and the Indian-American communitys contributions while highlighting enduring ties between the US and India.

Human remains found during a 2023 demolition were identified as Brenda Marie LeBlanc. She had disappeared in the 1990s and was originally from New Brunswick. Genetic genealogy identified the remains in 2025 after years at the vacant property. Police are investigating LeBlanc's death as a homicide after the discovery. Authorities seek information regarding LeBlanc's whereabouts and activities during the 1990s.

In a remarkable turn of events, seven miners in Panna unearthed a stunning 16.96-carat diamond that is projected to yield over fifty lakh rupees at an upcoming auction. This discovery not only symbolizes immense potential for wealth but also brings hope for improving their lives. Three of the workers are particularly excited, as they plan to use their earnings for marriage and family aspirations.

Tata Group is facing a leadership and strategy reset after N Chandrasekarans decision to step down as Tata Sons chairman, putting the conglomerates planned $120 billion investment programme under scrutiny.

Ford plans to move some Lincoln vehicle production from China to the United States. This significant shift is scheduled to begin in the year 2030. Tariffs and restrictions on Chinese technology influenced this strategic decision. US-produced models will be sold within the domestic American market. This move aims to bolster the American auto manufacturing base.

Warner Bros. and the Barbie creative team face stalled sequel negotiations. The team seeks higher upfront and backend compensation for the film. The studio has made multiple offers which were reportedly rejected. Active development is needed within four months to retain rights.

Bandh in Bangalore Today: Karnataka is observing a bandh on August 13 over the Cauvery water-sharing dispute. In Bengaluru, the impact is expected to be limited as several major organisations have not backed the shutdown. Check bandh timings, affected areas, transport services, schools, offices and the reason behind today's protest.

Stunning timelapse captures total eclipse unfolding over Spain's Mallorca

Delhi and NCR areas anticipate partly cloudy skies on Thursday. Temperatures will remain in the mid-30s across most locations. Gurgaon and Faridabad may experience isolated rain or thundershowers. The forecast indicates a gradual dip in maximum temperatures after Thursday. This weather pattern is expected to persist for the next seven days.

A covert security operation secretly rerouted Donald Trump during his July trip from Ankara to Mildenhall, with the president leaving his aircraft via a catering truck and boarding another government jet. Journalists initially believed he was aboard their plane, while unusual security measures and Trump's comments fueled speculation about threats from Iran.

The Aam Aadmi Party highlighted a significant price difference in government-purchased bicycles. They showed a retail bicycle costing 4,200 alongside a government one at 6,957. The party alleged the government bicycles used cheaper local components and fake brand stickers. They plan to present both bicycles to ministers for an explanation.

American Airlines is reorganizing its senior management team. New roles are being added to broaden oversight and boost performance. A former Spirit Airlines executive will now lead technical operations. The airline aims to close its profit gap with competitors like Delta and United. These changes are the first step in strengthening the team and accelerating execution.

Powerball draw: The Powerball jackpot has soared to approximately one billion dollars, marking it as the eighth-largest prize ever in the games history. The last winning jackpot was awarded to two fortunate players on May 2. Drawings take place every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evening, with tickets available in forty-five states and additional territories.

President Trump visits California and Nevada to contrast his economic policies with Democrats. He aims to bolster Republican support in upcoming November elections. Trump will discuss the economy and criticise Democratic policies during his trip. California's governor criticizes the president's visit as a fundraising and attack mission.

A lawyer seeks sealed evidence concerning Carlos Palazuelos' detention. Palazuelos was held for hours without charges in the Nancy Guthrie case. Authorities claim evidence justified the search and detention of Palazuelos. Palazuelos and his family filed a claim for damages against county authorities. The investigation into Guthrie's disappearance continues with no suspect named.

Apple is reportedly discussing new multiyear deals with news publishers. These agreements would grant the iPhone maker access to their content for Siri. The proposed deals involve variable compensation based on content usage. Apple is preparing a major AI upgrade for its Siri voice assistant.

In a heartfelt moment after winning the World Cup, Lionel Messi remembered his father, Jorge, who died at the age of sixty-eight. Messi articulated the emotional challenge of guiding Argentina to the championship, expressing second thoughts about his soccer career. The outpouring of support from fans and peers for the Messi family highlights the profound impact of this loss.

Two U.S. Army soldiers were killed when an Apache attack helicopter crashed into a field in Texas on Wednesday during Fort Hood operations, officials said. The AH-64 went down in Bell County, about 60 miles north of Austin, sparking a large grass fire. Authorities withheld the soldiers identities pending family notification.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said India is among countries showing growing interest in cooperating with Moscow on the Northern Sea Route, while warning of rising tensions in the Arctic. He also cautioned European nations against confiscating Russian merchant ships, saying Moscow would respond in kind to any such action.

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake jolted Leh in Ladakh at 6:05 am IST on Thursday, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), with the tremor recorded at a shallow depth of 10 km.

Donald Trump is facing a lawsuit from The Intercept and Freedom of the Press Foundation seeking to halt Truth API, a paid service offering early access to his Truth Social posts. The plaintiffs allege the service violates the First Amendment and creates financial conflicts because Trump, Truth Media's largest shareholder, benefits.

The unexpected announcement of N Chandrasekaran's exit from Tata Sons has left many in the business sector taken aback. Prior to making this known internally, he notified his family. Reassuring employees, Chandrasekaran emphasized the resilience and future ambitions of the organization. His upcoming focus will be on spearheading initiatives at Tata Digital and Air India. This departure signals a pivotal transformation for the conglomerate.

Quote of the day by Hilary Duff offers a simple but powerful reminder about personal freedom. Other people will form opinions, make assumptions and interpret our choices through their own experiences. We cannot control all of that, and trying to do so can distract us from the life directly in front of us. What we can control is how thoughtfully we respond, whose advice we value, which criticism we learn from and which judgments we leave behind.

N Chandrasekaran will step down as Tata Sons chairman in February 2027. He informed the board he would not seek reappointment after his current term. This decision follows six months of uncertainty regarding his leadership extension. Chandrasekaran has led significant expansion into new sectors during his tenure. The succession process will now begin to ensure a smooth transition.

Quote of the day by Reese Witherspoon is a reminder that a meaningful life cannot be reduced to a perfect record of achievements. Every day will not produce a victory, and every year will not unfold according to plan. There will be missed opportunities, unexpected changes, disappointments and moments when progress seems frustratingly slow. But there will also be laughter, connection, growth, kindness, courage and unexpected reasons to be thankful.

In 1847, a Scottish obstetrician showed the world the use of chloroform as an anaesthetic during childbirth and surgery. Sir James Young Simpson tested the substance with colleagues in Edinburgh and later used it to reduce pain. His work helped spread anaesthesia in medicine and changed how doctors approached childbirth and surgical procedures.

In 1893, Rudolf Diesel published his design for a compression-ignition engine that aimed to improve engine efficiency and reduce dependence on existing steam and gasoline systems. His work later became the basis of diesel engines used in ships, trains, trucks, generators and industrial machines. Diesel also explored vegetable oils as fuel. His career later faced financial problems before his disappearance at sea in 1913.

The road transport ministry has mandated that motor vehicle aggregators eliminate any tipping prompts that appear before or during trips. This decision is based on the need for adherence to the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, especially after instances of deceptive tipping practices were noted. Tips should only be suggested post-trip to ensure all funds go directly to drivers without any reductions.