The Economic Times

From rail electrification to hydrogen trains: PM Modi highlights Indias railway leap

Four companies

Mahindra has launched the BE 6 SPORTEQ with a new three-screen cockpit, Google Gemini-powered TEQ_Talk, six TEQ Suites and added performance and personalisation features. Prices start at Rs 11.45 lakh under the Battery as a Service model, with deliveries beginning on August 26, 2026.

Financial freedom is built gradually through understanding, systematic investing and patience. Three milestonesmoving from consumption to conviction, investing consistently and creating a financial legacycan help investors build wealth, stay disciplined through volatility and align money with long-term goals.

Marvel Studios has unveiled the cast of its upcoming X-Men reboot, with Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, Kit Connor as Cyclops and Adam Driver as Mister Sinister. Directed by Jake Schreier, the film will introduce a new generation of mutants to the MCU and is set to release in theatres on May 5, 2028.

Around 12 equity mutual funds delivered over 40% returns since August 15, 2025, led by international and thematic funds. Nippon India Taiwan Equity Fund topped the list with 140.91%, while several domestic diversified funds posted more moderate gains.

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced a series of initiatives on Independence Day, including an anti-rowdy squad in Bengaluru, the state's first public AI university, AI education from Class VI and projects worth Rs 1.56 lakh crore for Bengaluru. The government also plans to establish AI hubs, launch free Coding Gurukul classes and upgrade 1,000 government schools into Karnataka Public Schools.

Actress Anupama Parameswaran recently detailed her difficult healing journey after a controlling relationship. She described experiencing narcissistic abuse which majorly impacted her mental and physical health. The actress explained how gaslighting and manipulation made leaving the situation very challenging. Her professional life was also affected. Read on to know more about it.

Karnataka will introduce AI education from Class VI onwards in all schools. The state plans to establish its first public AI University in Bengaluru. One thousand government schools will be upgraded with modern infrastructure and facilities. These initiatives aim to equip youth with 21st-century skills and bridge the digital divide. Free bus travel has also been extended to school and college students across the state.

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has lifted the long-standing cap on television advertisement durations, enhancing competition and streamlining business operations. Previously, channels were bound to a limit of twelve minutes of ads per hour. This notable change reflects the broadcasting sector's growth and digital evolution, while also affecting ongoing legal matters and industry standards related to advertising.

The Cockroach Janta Party's Instagram account was temporarily removed on Saturday morning. The outfit alleged this action aimed to silence its voice on Independence Day. Its account was later restored, and the party expressed defiance against such acts. The CJP has been active with campaigns on school conditions and student issues. They also sought to place youth concerns on the national agenda before the holiday.

In July, US retail sales surprisingly took a dip, leading to a decline in the dollar's value. This drop enabled the euro and sterling to soar to their highest levels in months against the greenback. Additionally, softer inflation indicators have lowered the market's expectations for a potential rate hike by the Federal Reserve in September, raising alarms about the labor market following the payrolls report.

On Friday, gold prices moved upward, signaling a positive outlook for the week. The precious metal received a boost from a weaker dollar and stable inflation figures, reducing the likelihood of an upcoming interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve. Meanwhile, oil prices also showed weekly gains, influenced by escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Precious metals such as silver and platinum followed suit, while palladium experienced a decline.

Strong determination helps individuals overcome obstacles and achieve difficult goals. The French proverb highlights this powerful concept. This saying emphasizes that wanting something fuels the effort needed for success. Persistence is crucial when progress slows or setbacks occur. Determination turns intentions into actions and drives progress toward desired outcomes.

India is increasing efforts to secure critical minerals and forge partnerships. The nation is strengthening access to vital resources for technology and clean energy. A National Critical Mineral Mission has been launched with significant government funding. Four dedicated processing parks will be established across different states. These initiatives aim to boost domestic processing and value addition capabilities.

Crude oil futures experienced an upward trend on Friday due to disruptions from tanker attacks and the stagnation of peace talks. Brent crude closed at $88.52 a barrel while WTI crude settled at $82.40. Attacks within the Strait of Hormuz and disruptions at a Russian port led to a decline in shipping activity. Fortunately, storage levels have proven more resilient, potentially exerting downward pressure on prices.

In the second quarter, Berkshire Hathaway raised its investment in Alphabet by a significant eighty-three percent, positioning it as the company's third-largest holding, following Apple and American Express. The firm also diminished its cash reserves and ceased a prolonged selling trend. Additionally, investments in Delta Air Lines and Macy's saw increases, while Constellation Brands was removed from the portfolio, as outlined in a recent regulatory filing.

A Noida womans Instagram video has sparked a conversation about loneliness in high-rise societies as she described her experience of living among hundreds of residents while having little interaction with neighbours. Her remarks about isolation, the need for a small circle of friends and the disconnect between physical proximity and meaningful relationships resonated with several social media users.

In July, Jane Street suffered a staggering $15 billion loss amid a challenging AI-driven stock market downturn. Despite this setback, the firm has accrued more than $40 billion in revenue this year, putting it ahead of competitors. Meanwhile, AI hedge fund Situational Awareness made the tough call to liquidate its stock holdings following margin calls.

European stock markets closed in the red on Friday, breaking a four-week winning streak. The rise in crude oil prices and escalating geopolitical tensions overshadowed robust corporate earnings. Although the STOXX 600 index experienced a weekly decline, it remained close to record levels, buoyed by strong economic growth and profits across sectors. Investors began reallocating their portfolios, moving away from stocks related to artificial intelligence.

As Anthropic prepares for its initial public offering, Wall Street is keenly evaluating the company's worth through the lens of its projected revenue growth, expected to soar by 2028. This outlook is crucial, leading investors to utilize enterprise value-to-revenue multiples derived from forecasted figures. Benchmarking against industry players like Palantir and SpaceX highlights both the promising future and the infrastructural challenges facing Anthropic.

In the second quarter, institutional investors made slight reductions in their holdings of prominent tech firms, mainly due to already substantial positions making further investments challenging. However, semiconductor stocks continued to attract a positive outlook, while AI-themed stocks saw a decline in traction after an initial wave of interest. Interestingly, the energy sector faced more selling than buying activity during this period.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is looking to relax rules that prevent investment advisers from managing public pension funds due to political contributions. These proposed amendments are intended to alleviate the compliance challenges faced by advisers and address longstanding issues raised by various political factions. Regulators are now inviting stakeholder feedback on these significant regulatory changes.

From Samudra Manthan to nuclear energy: PM Modi unveils big energy security push from Red Fort

Global shares declined Friday as markets monitored U.S.-Iran talks and Federal Reserve rate hike expectations. Oil prices rose more than a dollar per barrel amid escalating geopolitical tensions and faltering peace talks. U.S. consumer sentiment weakened due to rising living costs, impacting retail sales and the dollar. Chipmaker stocks faced pressure, contributing to declines in major U.S. stock indices.

Raja Shankar Shah and his son Raghunath Shah were executed by the British in Jabalpur in 1857 after poems invoking goddess Chandi against colonial rule were recovered from their residence. Their story shows how poetry, letters and personal networks became powerful instruments of resistance during the uprising against British rule.

US CENTCOM said its forces have redirected 62 commercial vessels, disabled three and boarded two while enforcing a blockade against Iran. The action comes amid continuing US-Iran tensions and competing claims over control of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

R Praggnanandhaa remained in contention for a podium finish at the Sinquefield Cup after drawing with leader Wesley So in the fifth round. The Indian Grandmaster has three points from five games and remains among the leading contenders.

Gen Alpha is now demanding better facilities in government schools. Children across India are protesting for basic amenities like proper roads and teachers. Arvind Kejriwal noted damaged buildings and a lack of toilets in schools. He stated that people had accepted poor conditions as normal for years. Kejriwal claimed Punjab's schools improved significantly under his party's governance.

TMC MP Mahua Moitra alleged that Nadia district authorities asked her to vacate a state-owned circuit house late at night despite initially allotting her a room. She refused to leave and claimed a crowd gathered outside shouting slogans to intimidate her.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged a collective effort to make India drug-free. He called for families to join the 100-day nationwide Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan. This campaign aims to tackle drug addiction, a significant challenge for the nation's youth. The initiative involves various organizations and community engagement programs across the country. The government launched this anti-drug awareness campaign to foster a healthier future generation.

PM Modi hails Indias 12-year transformation, pushes Atmanirbhar Bharat & semiconductor growth

UK Renters Act: If the tenancy agreement had an end date, it will no longer apply as fixed term tenancy is not allowed; Know how it impacts landlords and tenants

Indias Sensex has delivered an extraordinary 8,500% gain since the 1991 economic reforms, compounding at about 14% annually. Despite scams, crises and geopolitical shocks, the benchmark has risen across decades.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah supports the continued suspension of the India Water Treaty. He stated Pakistan should not be selective in its sympathies towards Kashmiris. Abdullah also urged security officials to take terror threats against Kashmiri Pandits seriously. He emphasized the need for full security arrangements for minority employees in the valley. The Chief Minister also condemned the attack on Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated his thirteenth consecutive Independence Day speech in 2026, delivering his address from the historic Red Fort in just seventy-eight minutes. This years speech was a departure from his longer addresses in the past. With this achievement, Modi surpasses Indira Gandhis record, while Jawaharlal Nehru remains the all-time leader in consecutive speeches.

Indias payments ecosystem has evolved dramatically, from hundis and merchant networks that moved value across long distances to formal banking, electronic transfers and the digital infrastructure behind UPI. Each technological leap solved the same fundamental challenge: enabling money to travel securely and efficiently without physically moving cash from one place to another.

Svatantra Microfin has submitted a proposal seeking approval for a 3,000 crore initial public offering (IPO). The plan includes a fresh issue of 1,500 crore alongside a 1,500 crore offer for sale. Notably, major investors Advent International and Multiples will diminish their stakes. The funds raised are intended to bolster the companys capital and facilitate its growth objectives, with assets under management reported at 21,093 crore by March 2026.

India faced a significant balance of payments deficit in the first quarter, reaching $8.1 billion. This setback was predominantly due to capital account dollar outflows. Furthermore, the current account deficit increased to $3.1 billion, largely influenced by rising fuel import expenses which intensified the merchandise trade deficit. Although services and remittances saw strong performance, they weren't enough to balance the deficit.

Fixed Deposit (FD) rate for senior citizens investing for five years. The article has a chart using which you can compare the top banks which is giving such high interest rate on FDs. Also know about when you can prevent TDS deduction from FD using Form 15H (senior citizens only).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced a series of transformative initiatives aimed at shaping India's future growth. He pledged that one crore youth will receive AI skill training in the coming year. Additionally, free online coaching will be available for students preparing for various exams. Plans include a revamped Civil Defence network and a nationwide initiative to discover sports talent.

Ankur Warikoo shared three parenting rules for raising his 15- and 9-year-old children. He teaches them to distinguish needs from wants instead of saying they cannot afford something. He avoids overprotecting them, encouraging independence and problem-solving. His third rule is about relationships: children may witness disagreements, but never disrespect. For Warikoo, these lessons build financial awareness, independence and healthy relationships.

Happy Hariyali Teej 2026 wishes, messages, quotes, and WhatsApp status to share with your loved ones: Here are Happy Hariyali Teej 2026 wishes, quotes, messages, greetings and WhatsApp status ideas to share with your husband, wife, family, friends and loved ones.

Beginning in South Carolina, the Democratic Party's 2028 presidential primary calendar spotlights diversity in state representation and key voter segments. With a focus on appealing to Black, Latino, and union constituents, this new approach seeks to mirror the nation's demographics more effectively, ensuring candidates are primed for the rigors of the upcoming general election.

If housing society expels resident from membership by 3/4th majority votes, should the resident vacate or sell the flat? Know what the law says

PM Modi said India has succeeded in eliminating armed Naxalism after decades of violence, while warning that people with what he called a Naxal mindset still need to be identified and isolated.

The Reserve Bank of India has moved the FCNR(B) deposit deadline to August 31 in response to better-than-expected foreign currency inflows. This adjustment follows a positive uptake of the swap facility linked to these deposits, with inflows surpassing previous totals. Meanwhile, the swap schemes for External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs) and Overseas Foreign Currency Borrowings (OFCBs) will proceed as initially scheduled.

Ozzy Osbourne's quote encourages breaking routines and embracing change for progress. Comfort can hinder growth, making it essential to seek new challenges. Taking things to the next level means personal improvement, not just external success. Repetition without growth leads to getting stuck in a rut. Intentional effort drives forward movement in all aspects of life.

Investors focus on corporate earnings to offset economic risks and rate concerns. Strong results, particularly from AI infrastructure spending, are bolstering market confidence. Companies are providing positive guidance, suggesting continued economic activity. Geopolitical tensions and oil prices remain potential inflation drivers. However, robust earnings are currently outweighing broader macroeconomic uncertainties.