The Economic Times

The Reserve Bank of India plans to introduce polymer bank notes soon. It has already received government approval for field trials of new notes. These polymer notes will enhance durability for lower denomination currency, Guv Malhotra said.. Field trials will test performance in Indian climate and infrastructure conditions.

Rajasthan is intensifying efforts to combat sickle cell anaemia in tribal areas. Over 37 lakh people have been screened, nearing the state's ambitious goal. The government aims for early detection, timely treatment, and comprehensive healthcare mechanisms. Udaipur serves as a key center for integrated sickle cell disease services. This initiative aligns with the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission-2047.

White vinegar is more than a kitchen staple. Its active ingredient, acetic acid, kills bacteria, tackles mold, neutralises odours, and prevents biofilm buildup on walls. Research backs what more households are quietly discovering: a cheap, non-toxic spray of white vinegar may be one of the most practical wall cleaning habits around.

African Proverb of the Day highlights the meaning of What is bad luck for one man is good luck for another. The saying reminds us that the same event can bring hardship to one person while creating opportunity for someone else. It encourages us to understand that fortune is often a matter of perspective and circumstance, teaching empathy, resilience, and the importance of looking beyond our own experiences.

President Trump indicated a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could happen soon. Hopes for a deal eased oil prices as shipping hopes increased. Attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz continued. Iran and Oman are reportedly discussing routes for safe shipping lanes. Progress has been made in talks, but a final agreement is not yet reached.

President Donald Trump is urging Republican senators to make daylight saving time permanent. He believes this issue unites Republicans, Democrats, and Independents across the nation. The House previously passed the bill, but the Senate faces significant opposition from some members. Supporters highlight economic benefits for industries like tourism and restaurants. Opponents raise concerns about agriculture, public safety, and mental health impacts.

The head of a Russian drone factory was seriously injured in a car explosion. Vladimir Tkachuk, 35, is in intensive care after the incident near Yekaterinburg. His company produces drones used in the conflict in Ukraine. This follows another attack on a Russian defense official last week. Ukraine has not commented on the latest incident.

Resident doctors in Maharashtra have begun an indefinite strike. This action protests the government's decision allowing homoeopaths to prescribe allopathic medicines. Outpatient department services are significantly impacted across state medical colleges. Doctors demand the immediate suspension of this new registration process. Emergency services will be withdrawn if dialogue does not commence soon.

A SpaceX rocket has crashed on the Moon's surface. This event adds to the growing collection of human-made debris on the lunar landscape. Decades of missions have left behind equipment and discarded rocket stages from various space programs. Recent years have seen an increase in unintended crashes from lunar exploration missions. Managing space debris is becoming a significant challenge for future lunar endeavors.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on wednesday apologised for the presence of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), deepfake content and operational shortcomings on the company's platforms, acknowledging lapses in content moderation and platform management, according to PTI sources.

School holiday tomorrow, August 6: On August 6, various regions in India are set to experience heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, prompting local authorities to remain vigilant. Although there is no nationwide holiday planned, school closures will be addressed at a district level. Residents in Delhi-NCR and Kerala should keep a close eye on official advisories to remain informed, as decisions will depend on real-time rainfall updates and safety assessments.

The Lok Sabha approved a Bill to update evidence laws for digital records. This legislation replaces an old British-era act for modern banking needs. The Finance Minister introduced the Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026. Opposition members continued their protests during the Bill's passage. The new law aligns with current digital banking practices and dependencies.

Parliament has approved a bill to increase the Supreme Court's judge count. The Rajya Sabha passed the legislation, raising the total to 38 judges. This move aims to strengthen judicial capacity and address case backlogs. The Lok Sabha had previously passed the bill without any debate. The amendment revises the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act.

A 4-ton SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage drifting through space since 2025 was expected to crash into the Moon at 5,400 mph, raising fresh questions about lunar space junk. The school-bus-size rocket stage was expected to slam into the Moon's western limb, potentially kicking up a plume of lunar dust.

A 35-year-old man reportedly suffered cardiac arrest after an intense workout following months of inactivity. A doctor explains rhabdomyolysis as the reason behind the shcoking incident. Here are warning signs and risks gym goers should keenly watch.

John Wesley Powell led a daring expedition down the Colorado River in 1869. He navigated violent rapids and towering canyon walls, documenting geological formations. Powell's observations revealed the Grand Canyon's gradual formation over millions of years. His detailed scientific record laid the foundation for future geological studies. This exploration significantly advanced understanding of Earth's ancient history.

The Centre has extended the tenures of Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan and Home Secretary Govind Mohan. Both senior bureaucrats will continue in their posts beyond their scheduled retirement dates. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved these one-year extensions for both officials. These extensions are granted by relaxing specific provisions of service rules.

Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer clarified no voter names are deleted automatically. Exclusion from draft rolls only occurs if forms are not submitted or eligibility is lacking. Voters not found in the 2002 list can provide relative details for inclusion. Notices will be issued to voters for document submission by September 23. Final electoral rolls are scheduled for publication on October 27.

Psychology says emotionally mature people do not always forgive quickly because meaningful forgiveness requires more than simply saying the words.

The finish line is something every runner remembers. Very few would know where the race truly began. As the Times Internet Half Marathon Hyderabad Edition approaches on October 25, 2026, it's worth remembering that race day isn't reserved for experienced runners. Whether you're aiming for your first 3K or your first half marathon, every journey begins with one simple decision: to start.

Quote of the Day by A.P.J Abdul Kalam: Dreams act as the fundamental starting point for all remarkable achievements and future successes. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam suggested that having a vision is crucial before any dream can turn into reality. This idea reflects that every achievement originally exists as a thought. The lesson here is that our dreams guide us towards purposeful action, emphasizing that faith and persistent efforts are key to making these dreams come true.

Google has been ranked asIndia's most attractive employer brandin the Randstad Employer Brand Research (REBR) 2026, followed byTata Group and Amazon. The survey found that46% of Indian professionals plan to change jobs in the next six months, while32% switched employers in the past six months.

A Delhi court rejected applications by Al Falah University chairman Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui. The court ruled it only considers complainant material at the cognizance stage. Siddiqui sought to submit documents to expose contradictions in the Enforcement Directorate's case. The agency opposed the pleas, calling them an abuse of process. Siddiqui faces money laundering charges in two separate cases.

FBI Director Kash Patel has initiated new law enforcement partnerships with China and Russia. These collaborations focus on transnational crimes like fentanyl and cyber fraud. Personnel exchanges and joint operations are key components of these new alliances. This marks a significant departure from previous US foreign policy approaches.

Global food prices may rise by year-end and next year. Wars in Iran and Ukraine impact agricultural inputs and exports. Extreme weather events like El Nino are also reducing crop yields. This combination of factors will likely increase consumer food costs globally. Farmers face tight margins, affecting planting decisions for future harvests.

China has announced a fresh set of economic countermeasures against the US, including export controls on drones and sanctions on six American entities, in response to recent US restrictions on Chinese firms and products.

The India-UK CETA agreement enhances agricultural exports by reducing tariffs on processed food products. This pact improves India's price competitiveness against non-FTA suppliers, supporting export diversification. Automotive exports will see UK tariffs eliminated, boosting Indian manufacturers' market access. India's import duties on passenger vehicles will also decline over fifteen years.

Placing a metal spoon on a windowsill is not a superstition. It uses basic physics to intercept condensation before it damages walls and frames, and research links unchecked indoor moisture to serious respiratory health risks. A free, zero-effort trick that is worth trying, especially in cold or humid homes.

Tata Projects secured a Rs 670.24 crore order from RMZ. This contract is for the main civil works of a commercial development. The project involves complete core and shell construction for the Chennai site. It includes civil, structural, and architectural works for the development. This order adds to RMZ's growing Chennai property portfolio.

Hollywood celebrates record box office openings, yet fewer Americans attend movie theaters. Higher ticket prices and premium formats fuel current industry revenue growth. Attendance remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels despite recent increases. Blockbuster films and original titles contribute to a varied release calendar. The industry relies on increased spending per moviegoer for its recovery.

Candida auris, a deadly fungus, has spread across twenty-three states in the United States. This invasive yeast causes severe and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in vulnerable patients. The fungus spreads easily in healthcare facilities and is resistant to many disinfectants. Some strains are multidrug-resistant, making treatment extremely challenging for infected individuals. Public health officials are urging sustained vigilance due to increasing case counts annually.

A discarded second stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was expected to crash into the Moon early Wednesday after drifting in space since a January 2025 lunar mission. The 4-tonne rocket body, travelling at about 8,690 kmph, was projected to strike the Moon's Einstein Crater, though confirmation of the impact was expected only after scientists analysed telescope images.

Ravi Kishan's lavish home in Goregaon boasts an impressive area of eight thousand square feet, with a approx value of twenty crore. This Mumbai residence showcases sophisticated interiors and features a lush green terrace oasis. Apart from sharing the house with his wife Preeti and their four children, it also includes a gym and workspace, along of pet birds and dogs.

Maharashtra has made a groundbreaking decision, permitting homeopathy practitioners to prescribe conventional medicines after completing a designated training program. This change has sparked widespread protests by medical associations, voicing their worries about patient safety and medical standards. Conversely, homeopathic doctors view this as a long-sought achievement. The Maharashtra Medical Council is actively registering those eligible within this new system.

DRI seizes 364 metric tonnes of Pakistan-origin dry dates worth 3 crore at Kandla Port after importers allegedly declared them as UAE goods. This is second such incident in a week when DRI has seized banned item from Pakistan on an Indian port.

Sreeshankar Murali achieved a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games after a severe knee injury. His father described the comeback as incredibly difficult, comparing it to simultaneous IIT and Civil Services preparation. Doctors initially feared he might never walk again following the patellar tendon tear. He underwent knee reconstruction surgery in Doha and an extensive rehabilitation program. Now, Sreeshankar focuses on upcoming competitions, including the Asian Games in Japan.

The Supreme Court has asked all state governments to reconsider raising the retirement age of judicial officers and take a decision within two weeks, saying financial burden is not a valid reason to oppose the move. The court said retaining experienced judges could be less costly than replacing them and filling vacancies.

Numan Acar joins The Mummy 4 cast, which is a legacy sequel. Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz will reprise their iconic roles from the original film. Oded Fehr and Kevin J. O'Connor are also returning for the adventure. The film is scheduled for an October 2027 cinema release. Production is expected to begin later this year in London and Morocco.

Jat also said that womens empowerment in the agri-food sector is a strategic imperative, not just an equity issue, for sustainable growth and global stability.

Akshath Anand, a 14-year-old student, won a gold medal for his innovative IV safety monitoring system. His wearable device uses pressure sensors to detect intravenous leaks before they cause harm. This invention impressed judges at Canada's biggest youth STEM competition in Edmonton. The project demonstrated how young innovators can address real-world healthcare challenges effectively. Akshath's success highlights the potential of early-age scientific thinking and problem-solving skills.

A bill to include digital records as evidence passed the Lok Sabha. Opposition members continued protests and sloganeering throughout the proceedings. The Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 2026, will replace the 1891 act. Protests also focused on student demonstrations and alleged temple donation theft.

Kerala flood volunteer and swimming instructor R Rajesh died on 5 August after he gave his own life jacket to a 61-year-old man he had just rescued from the flooded Kariangode river in Kannur. Rajesh, a native of Thiruvananthapuram who had previously volunteered during the 2018 Kerala floods and the 2024 Wayanad disaster, was swept away by the current. His body was recovered on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a breakfast meeting with thirty-seven BJP MPs. He stressed the importance of Parliament functioning smoothly and without disruption. MPs were encouraged to spend time in the Parliament library daily. They should also engage with youth and implement local development schemes. This meeting provided an opportunity for direct interaction with the Prime Minister.

Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar said the company will speed up research and pursue smaller acquisitions to strengthen its drug pipeline after recent trial setbacks. The company raised its 2026 sales and profit outlook, but shares fell as investors focused on weaker-than-expected Wegovy pill sales and another setback for obesity drug CagriSema.