The Economic Times

Pacific farmers are reviving ancestral wisdom and scientific methods for climate resilience. Traditional practices like mulching and sheep grazing are proving effective against climate challenges. These combined approaches enhance soil health and reduce reliance on costly chemical inputs. Farmers in Samoa and Tonga are seeing improved crop yields and economic benefits. This project demonstrates a collaborative model for sustainable agriculture across the Pacific.

A total of 210 Indian peacekeepers were honored with UN medals for their exceptional service in South Sudan. These brave soldiers showcased remarkable courage and compassion amidst crises and medical emergencies. India plays a crucial role in global UN peacekeeping efforts, with over 4,200 personnel actively involved in missions around the world.

In 1889, a British photographer designed an early motion-picture camera that used roll film and an intermittent movement system. William Friese-Greene worked on photography, printing, motion pictures and colour film. His experiments helped develop ideas used in cinematography, although his camera could not produce moving pictures at the rate needed for successful public presentation.

Russia has built secret bases from which it will be able to launch long-range suicide drones deep into Nato territory, as per a report. The Kremlin has built and expanded at least 10 new bases with at least 59 new launch rails. The development comes at a time after US intelligence warned that Vladimir Putin could seek to test Natos resolve by launching a limited attack against a member of the alliance.

Quote of the day by Grace Kelly: Grace Kelly's quote highlights the dual nature of press freedom. The media informs and scrutinizes, creating inescapable public attention. This Oscar-winning actress became Princess Grace of Monaco after her acting career. She tragically died at age 52 following a car accident in France.

India's GDP growth forecast stands at seven percent for the April-June quarter, marking a four-quarter low and a slowdown from prior growth rates. The industrial sector is projected to expand by seven point seven percent, with agriculture and services also seeing improvements. Overall growth is expected to moderate, yet nominal GDP growth is set to reach a remarkable four-year high.

Govt clears 31 electronics component applications worth Rs 7,877 crore under ECMS 2.0

Delhi's Lakshmi Yojana is designed to assist women between the ages of twenty-one and sixty with financial resources. Ongoing applications can be processed at any time through the dedicated online portal. Ineligibility will lead to the cutoff of funds and possible legal implications for individuals involved. In the event of a beneficiary's demise, the funds will be allocated to their heirs or reverted to state ownership.

Jared Kushner met Israeli and Hamas leaders to advance a Gaza plan. No immediate breakthrough occurred as both sides maintained their positions. Israel insisted on Hamas disarmament before any withdrawal from Gaza. Reconstruction of Gaza will not begin until Hamas is fully disarmed. Kushner's meetings followed discussions with Hamas political leaders in Egypt.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday announced that the state Cabinet had decided to cancel the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission-Combined Graduate Level examination amid protests by students and aspirants. Soren said the decision covers the examinations conducted, results published, candidates selected or participating, and other activities associated with TDPL.

HBO has announced the renewal of 'IT: Welcome to Derry' for its second season, taking audiences back to 1935 amidst the Great Depression. This season will delve into the chilling Bradley Gang massacre and Derry's gruesome past, with Pennywise the Dancing Clown likely to make a comeback, possibly featuring Bill Skarsgrd. Fans can anticipate a deeper exploration of Stephen King's murky narrative surrounding 'IT' and its menacing forces.

In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln enacted the Homestead Act, granting land to settlers eager to populate the West. This initiative allowed qualified individuals to claim 160 acres after five years of cultivation, significantly altering America's landscape. However, it also resulted in the displacement of Indigenous populations. The act prevailed for over a hundred years, leaving a lasting impact on the country's growth and development.

A new lizard species, Acanthosaura syrax, was discovered in Thailand's Mae Wong region. Researchers named this mountain horned dragon after Syrax from House of the Dragon. The species exhibits yellowish coloration and a high clutch size, resembling the dragon. This discovery increases the known Acanthosaura species count to twenty-three. Conservation efforts are now being called for to protect its fragmented habitat.

A remarkable library mystery has been solved in Australia after Ross Simmons returned The Antiquities of Athens to Kiama Public Library, around 150 years after it was apparently borrowed. The historic book was discovered decades ago inside an old tea crate sealed within a fireplace during a home renovation.

Quote of the day by Stephen Hawking focuses on the difference between the small place humans occupy in the universe and what the human mind can achieve. The quote explains cosmic humility, human potential, inner strength and resilience. It also reflects Hawkings work in physics and his ability to continue working despite physical limitations.

Quote of the day by Galileo Galilei: Galileo Galilei's words encourage continuous learning and questioning established knowledge. He challenged ancient ideas through observation and experimentation, advancing scientific understanding. His astronomical discoveries, including Jupiter's moons, supported the Copernican system.

Elon Musk highlighted artificial intelligence efficiency, focusing on intelligence per joule. This metric addresses the growing energy demands of AI computations. Tech hubs face power grid constraints as data centers expand significantly. Autonomous vehicles and robotics will benefit from improved processing efficiency. Orbital computing and space-based solar arrays offer alternative energy solutions.

Quote of the Day by Emma Stone: Emma Stones quote, I just like to keep working and being able to pay my bills, explores the importance of hard work, financial independence, responsibility, and staying grounded. The quote suggests that success is not only about fame, wealth, or recognition, but also about having meaningful work, supporting yourself, and appreciating the stability that comes from being able to meet your everyday needs.

Donald Trump appointed significantly more millionaires to his administration than prior presidents. Fifty-seven officials in his government possessed at least one hundred million dollars. This contrasts sharply with previous administrations which had fewer wealthy members. Critics question whose interests these ultra-rich officials truly serve. Public approval of Trump's economic handling has recently declined.

What if roads could store summer heat and use it to prevent winter damage? A University of Surrey trial is exploring exactly that. Its geothermal road technology uses pipes beneath asphalt to collect heat, store it underground and return it during cold weather. By reducing pavement overheating, ice formation and freeze-thaw cycles, the system could lower pothole damage, improve road safety and cut costly highway repairs.

Alina Habba vs Scott Jennings? Leavitt's shock exit triggers race for Trump's next Press Secretary

The US-Iran nuclear agreement deadline passed without a breakthrough, and President Trump now seeks surrender. Iran signals readiness for a prolonged confrontation, showing little sign of accepting US demands. Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene claimed nuclear weapons are discussed for Iran. Conventional weapons may not destroy Iran's deeply buried nuclear facilities. This leaves President Trump with limited effective military options against Iran.

On August 17, 2026, GitHub suffered an extensive outage that disrupted key services. Users encountered significant performance issues on both the website and API, leading to higher error rates across experiences. Critical components like authentication systems and GitHub Copilot were also impacted. GitHub promptly initiated an investigation to understand and rectify the ongoing incidents affecting their services.

New fossil evidence challenges the long-held belief that ancient cynodonts laid eggs. A recent study found compelling proof that Chiniquodon theotonicus gave birth to live young. This discovery pushes the evolutionary timeline for live birth back by approximately ninety-five million years. Such an adaptation offered better protection for developing embryos in harsh Triassic environments. This finding suggests some early mammalian ancestors were more like modern mammals than previously assumed.

Michael Douglas expresses sheer joy as he wakes up his children each morning, describing that moment as a pure display of love. This sentiment underscores that genuine happiness is often found in the simplest family interactions, contrasting sharply with society's focus on wealth and success. His reflections serve as a poignant reminder to value deep human connections over material gains.

Arabic proverb of the day explains why betrayal from a friend can cause more harm than an attack from an enemy. The proverb says that friends know our secrets, fears, weaknesses and plans. It teaches people to value friendship while protecting private information, watching actions and allowing trust to develop over time.

Angel Number Day 8/18is best understood as a symbolic opportunity rather than a promise of financial success. For these fiveZodiac Signs, the day's numerological themes may offer a more meaningful reminder than simply waiting for a windfall: recognize your own potential, take purposeful action, and create the momentum that can move you toward your goals.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma released Rs. 47.93 crore in interim flood assistance through DBT to 31,951 families across Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat. With the latest disbursement, the state has provided Rs. 146.26 crore to 96,842 flood-affected families, while damage assessment and verification continue across the four districts.

Polly Cooper Native American $1 coin: Polly Cooper, an Oneida woman, is honored on a 2026 dollar coin for her aid. She traveled with warriors to deliver corn to Washington's hungry army. Cooper taught soldiers how to prepare the vital food supply. Her story survived through oral tradition, not colonial records. This recognition highlights the Oneida people's significant historical alliance.

In a stunning turn of events, Ayush Shetty triumphed over world number one Shi Yu Qi, marking a significant upset in the tournament. Meanwhile, V Sindhu smoothly advanced in the womens singles, and the womens doubles duo Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand clinched an effortless victory. Additionally, Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun progressed forward in mens doubles, with the star pair enjoying a bye in the competition.

Quote of the Day by Rihanna: Rihannas quote, Lipstick can glam up a whole look, especially in red, explores the importance of personal style, beauty, confidence, and self-expression. The quote suggests that a simple touch of lipstick can transform an entire appearance, adding glamour, personality, and confidence to a persons look, with red lipstick symbolizing boldness, elegance, and individuality.

Green hydrogen has a costly weakness. Its equipment can depend on expensive titanium to survive harsh electrochemical conditions. Scientists at the University of Hong Kong have developed SS-H stainless steel for hydrogen production. It resists severe corrosion in saltwater environments. The material uses two protective surface layers. Researchers say it could cut structural material costs by about 40 times. That could make seawater-based green hydrogen more affordable and scalable.

Sunny Deol financial debt: Sunny Deol discussed his career struggles following the success of Gadar and Indian. He faced challenges finding suitable film subjects and directors. His directorial and production projects added to his financial difficulties. Despite debt, Deol expressed happiness and contentment with his life. Aamir Khan approached him for Batwara 1947 after Gadar 2's success.

The Supreme Court has again refused to hear Donald Trump's appeal. This decision upholds a five million dollar civil verdict against him. E. Jean Carroll has already received the awarded sum with interest. Trump's separate eighty-three million dollar defamation case remains pending. Presidential immunity is now central to that ongoing legal fight.

'Completely unacceptable': McCaul, Waltz sound alarm over Russia & China 'illegally' helping Iran

Japanese Mindset: Life presents many unexpected challenges and failures for individuals. The Japanese proverb Nanakorobi Yaoki teaches resilience through repeated attempts. This philosophy highlights that falling does not equate to permanent failure. It encourages individuals to find the strength to try again after setbacks. The core message is about continuation and the willingness to rise.

Tamil Brahmi inscriptions were recently identified in ancient Egyptian tombs. These inscriptions reveal Tamil merchants travelled deep into Egypt, not just its ports. The name Cikai Korran appears on several rock-cut tombs, indicating longer stays. This discovery provides fresh evidence of two-way trade between ancient India and the West. The findings suggest extensive ancient Indian mercantile connections across the Mediterranean region.

Karnataka plans to develop Tumakuru into a major industrial manufacturing hub. This proposed node is expected to attract significant investments and create many jobs. The state has earmarked substantial land for this ambitious industrial corridor project. Jindal Aluminium is the anchor investor, with land allocated for Japanese and MSME enterprises. The project aims for completion by 2027, focusing on diverse manufacturing sectors.

Quote of the day by Kevin Costner, Failure doesn't kill you... it increases your desire to make something happen, offers a powerful lesson in resilience, motivation and perseverance. The inspiring quote by Kevin Costner reminds us that setbacks do not have to define our journey; instead, they can strengthen our determination and push us to work harder.

The Supreme Court has once again denied Donald Trump's efforts to overturn a jury's $5 million ruling related to his sexual abuse of author E. Jean Carroll. Additionally, Trump's legal team is pursuing the dismissal of an $83 million verdict, claiming presidential immunity for comments made during his time in office. The court, however, has yet to address this second appeal.

Quote of the Day by Anthony Hopkins: Anthony Hopkins quote, I am a bit of a solitude person a solitary personality. I like being on my own. I dont have any major friendships or relationships with people, explores the importance of solitude, independence, and feeling comfortable in your own company. The quote suggests that enjoying time alone can be a personal choice rather than a sign of loneliness, allowing people to find peace, reflect on themselves, and live according to their own personalit

Manipur leaders are in New Delhi for potential cabinet expansion talks. Ethnic violence continues unabated since May 2023, impacting the state. Students rallied demanding National Register of Citizens implementation before any census. Protests escalated with torch rallies and police intervention on Sunday. Internally displaced people's return is a key demand before census activities.

In a bold move, the Supreme Court has reversed an Allahabad High Court decision that postponed a murder trial. It emphasized the importance of a swift judicial process for victims, highlighting that the Gangsters Act's Section 12 is designed to expedite trials rather than stall them. This ruling aims to ensure that the accused cannot indefinitely postpone proceedings.

Moose impact on Newfoundland forests: Newfoundland introduced four moose in 1904, which now number around 110,000. These animals significantly impact the island's forests by consuming young trees and shrubs. Overbrowsing caused a population crash in the 1970s, leading to management interventions.