The Sen Times

New Delhi, Aug 21 (PTI) Gold and silver prices surged to more than three-month high levels in the national capital on Friday, extending their gains for a second straight session as a weak US dollar and firm global trends drove investors towards precious metals. The yellow metal of 99.9 per cent purity appreciated by Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,63,500 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes), up from the previous close of Rs 1,62,300 per 10 grams, according to local traders. The precious metal was last quoted

August 21, 2026 (Conversation) Online spaces, and social media in particular, are forums for vigorous political debate. They provide a space for members of the public to express political opinions, organise, and sometimes even interact directly with politicians. While they clearly have democratising potential, these platforms have also become fertile ground for hate speech, toxic interactions and online violence. By analysing over 3.2 million responses on X (formerly Twitter) to 88 candidates fo

NEW DELHI, Aug 21 (Reuters) Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is likely to visit India from August 23 to 25, the Indian Express newspaper reported on Friday, his first trip to the country since taking office in February. The visit comes amid efforts by the South Asian neighbours to repair ties strained by the 2024 ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whom Dhaka has asked New Delhi to extradite. The Bangladeshi and Indian foreign ministries did not immediately respond to request

New Delhi, Aug 21 (PTI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday sat on a dharna at the Parliament Street police station here seeking the registration of an FIR over pellet injuries suffered by a youth during the CJP-led July 20 protest and said brutality against a peaceful protest is a serious crime. The leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha said neither Union Home Minister Amit Shah has offered an explanation on the use of pellet guns at the protest, nor has Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologis

TORONTO (AP) The premier of a Canadian province launched a blistering attack on U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, calling him a bad person and not to be trusted and urging Canada to keep fighting rather than rush to make concessions in trade talks with Washington. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said Canada has leverage in the talks even as his province weighs restoring U.S. alcohol sales at Prime Minister Mark Carneys urging to help secure a deal that would avert threatened 50% U.S. tariffs.

Mumbai, Aug 21 (PTI) Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty were trading marginally higher in early deals on Friday as elevated crude oil prices due to geopolitical uncertainties and a sharp fall in US markets made investors cautious. After a positive beginning to the trade, the 30-share BSE Sensex turned flat and was down 25.97 points to 77,506.51 in early deals. The 50-share NSE Nifty also skidded 5.75 points to 24,223.10 after a positive start. However, both the benchmark indices bounced b

New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 20 (PTI) Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Thursday said the opposition alliance could win the 2029 Lok Sabha elections only if it builds its campaign around projecting Rahul Gandhi as its leader. In an exclusive interview with PTI Videos in New Delhi, Chennithala, who was actively involved in Congress organisational politics at the national level before returning to Keralam, described Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi as a visionary leader c

Mumbai, Aug 20 (PTI) Benchmark equity indices bounced back on Thursday, with the Sensex climbing 628 points and the Nifty snapping its seven-day losing streak to end at 24,231.85, tracking a rally in world markets as easing global bond yields revived risk appetite. Fresh foreign fund inflows also added to the markets optimism. The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 628.04 points, or 0.82 per cent, to settle at 77,537.72 after four days of decline. During the day, it surged 701.43 points, or 0.91 per cen

Mumbai, Aug 20 (PTI) The rupee pared initial gains and settled for the day with gains of just 3 paise at 95.70 against the US dollar on Thursday, as the support from the weaker dollar index was negated by elevated crude oil prices. Forex traders said while a weaker US dollar eases some depreciation pressure on the domestic currency, crude oil hovering above USD 90 would continue to keep pressure on Indias import bill. The dollar index fell to its lowest level since late May after the US Treasury

New Delhi, Aug 20 (PTI) Gold price climbed by Rs 264 to Rs 1.58 lakh per 10 grams in futures trade on Thursday, tracking firm global cues as a sharp fall in US dollar boosted the demand for bullion. On the Multi Commodity Exchange, the yellow metal futures for October delivery increased by Rs 264, or 0.17 per cent, to Rs 1,58,260 per 10 grams in a business turnover of 10,450 lots. Analysts said easing US Treasury yields and a weaker dollar supported gold prices, while persistent inflation concer

LOS ANGELES, August 20, 2026 (AP) U.S. immigration officials worked with Iran to deport Iranians in 2025, newly released emails show, revealing a working relationship between the U.S. and Iranian governments despite tensions mounting between the countries. Hundreds of emails exchanged between U.S. immigration officials, which were obtained by the National Iranian American Council and made public Tuesday, offer the most transparent play by play yet of how the two countries worked together to arr

MUMBAI, Aug 20 (Reuters) The RBI expects close to $80 billion in inflows via subsidised swap facilities opened in June as a way to bolster foreign exchange reserves, RBI governor Sanjay Malhotra said in an interview to the Financial Express newspaper on Thursday. Last week, the Reserve Bank of India decided to close one of the schemes, a discounted swap facility for dollar deposits by non-resident Indians, earlier than anticipated. Here are Malhotras key comments: Across all three schemes, we e

August 20, 2026 (Conversation) In the United States, leading HR software company Workday is currently facing a lawsuit over its use of job screening tools powered by AI which allegedly discriminated against applicants based on factors such as age, disability and race. The company, whose hiring software is widely used by large employers around the world, has denied the allegations. The case is one of many examples of AI systems alleged to have caused discriminatory harm. When AI systems replicate

New Delhi, Aug 19 (PTI) Gold prices declined by Rs 800 to Rs 1,58,000 per 10 grams in the national capital on Wednesday as rising crude oil rates and lingering geopolitical uncertainty weighed on investor sentiment. The yellow metal of 99.9 per cent purity had closed at Rs 1,58,800 per 10 grams on Tuesday. Silver also declined, dragged by heavy selling, tumbling Rs 5,730 to Rs 2,35,000 per kilogram (inclusive of all taxes), from the previous close of Rs 2,40,730 per kg, according to the All Indi

Mumbai, Aug 19 (PTI) The rupee fell 2 paise to close at 95.76 (provisional) against the US dollar on Wednesday as a sharp rise in global crude oil prices amid heightened tensions in West Asia kept markets on edge. A sharp decline in domestic equity markets put further pressure on the local unit, while RBI intervention and foreign fund inflows lent support, according to forex traders. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 95.72 and traded in a very narrow range of 95.72-95.76. It

Patna, Aug 19 (PTI) RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav was detained in Patna on Wednesday while taking out a march over the recent police action during the NEET paper leak protests in Bihar, SSP Kartikeya K Sharma said. Yadav was taken away in a police vehicle near the Income Tax office here. The government is pushing the future of students into darkness. Exam papers are getting leaked frequently, he alleged, while being put inside a police van. RJD leaders and workers, led by Yadav, the Leader of Opposi

NEW YORK, August 19, 2026 (AP) Locked in a competitive reelection race, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared on social media last week that a new poll was evidence that her campaign was gaining momentum. Just a few days later, the truth emerged: The poll was fabricated. The California results were among at least three polls across three states posted online this month by Median Strategies, a previously unknown organization that admitted to the Los Angeles Times on Monday that the purported res

GUWAHATI, India, August 19, 2026 (AP) Rojo Neog left his house in Indias Assam state on the evening of July 19 to buy candles after heavy rain knocked out electricity. As he rode back on his bicycle, the Dikhow River suddenly rose and the current intensified. The floodwaters swept him away, and his body was found three days later, said his niece Priyakshi Gogoi, who lives nearby. Gogoi said floodwaters around her uncles village Hulang Katoni rose from knee-deep to neck-deep in about 30 minutes.

Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) [India], August 19 (ANI): Medical students and junior doctors staged a beach rally in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday as part of their ongoing protest, alleging that the Andhra Pradesh government has failed to respond to their demands. The protest comes on the 10th day of their strike and the third day of suspension of emergency services across government medical colleges in the state. Speaking about the protest, second-year anaesthesia PG student at Andhra Medical Coll

SAN FRANCISCO, August 19, 2026 (AP) OpenAI on Tuesday introduced a version of ChatGPT designed for teenagers the first generation to grow up with artificial intelligence who are already using it for schoolwork, questions about daily life and even companionship. The San Francisco-based company says ChatGPT for Teens is tailored for kids ages 13 to 17 with stronger protections including content restrictions around things like suicide, self-harm and romantic or sexual chats. It also provides hom

Aug 19 (Reuters) At least nine people were killed, including a child, in a fire at a hotel in Indias eastern city of Kolkata on Wednesday, local police said. The fire broke out at around 2:50 a.m. local time on the second floor of the hotel building and was brought under control within an hour, a senior police officer told Reuters. Around 30 people were evacuated safely in the incident, which may have been triggered by electrical short circuiting, the officer said. The exact cause of the blaze

Mumbai, Aug 19 (PTI) Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty declined in early trade on Wednesday as elevated crude oil prices and persistent geopolitical uncertainties dented investors sentiment. The expiry of the temporary 60-day US-Iran ceasefire without any meaningful diplomatic breakthrough has renewed concerns over a prolonged disruption to energy supplies, driving crude oil prices higher, an expert said. The 30-share BSE Sensex was down 166.19 points to 77,070.93 in early trade. The 50-

Mumbai, Aug 19 (PTI) The rupee rose marginally by 1 paisa to 95.73 on Wednesday, assisted by RBI intervention, as heightened tensions in West Asia kept global markets on the edge. A rise in global crude oil prices added pressure to the local unit while a decline in the dollar index and FII inflows provided support, forex traders said. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 95.72 before slipping to 95.73, up 1 paisa from its previous close. The rupee depreciated 13 paise to close

MUMBAI, Aug 14 (Reuters) Maharashtra has suspended the licenses of four Dominos outlets after reporting grease residue in pizza-making machines and insect infestations, the latest move in an intensifying crackdown by food regulators. The license of one Pizza Hut store was also suspended as many products used were found to lack expiry dates, according to a note from the states Food and Drug Administration about this weeks operation that was shared with Reuters late on Thursday. Jubilant FoodWork

August 14, 2026 (Conversation) For some, abstaining from alcohol can subsequently increase compulsive drinking. Our research team found that, in abstaining mice, this urge to drink is preceded by changes in the activity of a particular brain region, pointing to potential new screening opportunities to identify and help those most vulnerable to relapse. Although alcohol abstinence is associated with improved health outcomes, addiction researchers have theorized that brain changes that occur durin

New Delhi, Aug 14 (PTI) Chief Justice of India Surya Kant expressed concern over the circulation of clips of court proceedings on social media without adequate context, referring to his oral remarks in the Supreme Court on May 15 where he likened certain individuals holding fraudulent degrees to cockroaches who become social media or RTI activists to attack the system. The CJI said his oral remarks were misquoted and misused with malicious intent to mislead the youth of the country, speaking in

August 13, 2026 (Conversation) When Mark Hughes, the former Manchester United and Wales manager, lost his 38-year-old son, an inquest found the cause was sudden adult death syndrome, or Sads. He had appeared healthy. There was no obvious disease. For a family, that combination is almost impossible to make sense of. How can someone die from a heart condition when even a post-mortem might find nothing wrong with their heart? The answer starts with something easy to forget: the heart isnt just a pu

MUMBAI, Aug 14 (Reuters) The RBI (Reserve Bank of Indias) discounted swap facility to hedge overseas FX deposits will only be available for deposits mobilized until the end of August, the RBI said on Friday. The swap facility was set to close by September end.

New Delhi, Aug 14 (PTI) Gold prices fell for the second straight session on Friday, declining Rs 800 to Rs 1,56,200 per 10 grams in the national capital as profit-booking and weak global cues weighed on bullion. The yellow metal of 99.9 per cent purity had closed at Rs 1,57,000 per 10 grams on Thursday. Silver, however, remained unchanged at Rs 2,40,000 per kilogram (inclusive of all taxes), according to local traders. Gold pulled back on Friday amid weaker global cues, with spot yellow metal ed

LUCKNOW, India, August 14, 2026 (AP) A tunnel under construction at a hydropower project in Uttarakhand collapsed overnight, leaving at least seven workers dead, officials said Friday. A rescue operation was launched after a sudden rush of water and debris entered the tunnel at the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydroelectric project in Chamoli district later Thursday night, said top district official Gaurav Kumar. Of 22 people who were working in the tunnel, 12 have been rescued alive and another three a

Mumbai, Aug 14 (PTI) Market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ended lower on Friday as elevated oil prices and the prolonged US-Iran impasse weighed on investors sentiment. The 30-share BSE Sensex was down 70.71 points, or 0.09 per cent, to settle at 78,009.25. During the day, it dropped 395.59 points, or 0.50 per cent, to 77,684.37. The 50-share NSE Nifty dipped 29.85 points, or 0.12 per cent, to end at 24,366. From the Sensex pack, Asian Paints, InterGlobe Aviation, NTPC, Power Grid, State Ba

Mumbai, Aug 14 (PTI) The rupee appreciated 3 paise to close at 95.42 (provisional) against the US dollar on Friday, due to weakness in the greenback against major rivals overseas. According to forex traders, the rupee stayed under pressure due to foreign fund outflows and rising crude oil prices amid geopolitical uncertainties. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 95.39 and moved in a tight range of 95.38 to 95.44 against the American currency before ending the session a

New Delhi, Aug 14 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Friday quashed the criminal defamation complaint and summons issued against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks about Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, saying the required sanction was not obtained. A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu passed the order after the Uttar Pradesh government disclosed that there was no record of the required sanction in the matter. Additional Solicitor General and advocate for complainant, in the affidavit f

NEW YORK, August 14, 2026 (AP) It flies. It heals all wounds. It can be of the essence, and it can be money. We thrill in the best of it, lament the worst. Were warned not to waste it, since we cant turn it back even as we try to make up for when its lost. And probably more than anything when it comes to time, most of us try to manage it in our everyday lives and on a global scale, from the biology of our circadian rhythms to what constitutes a work day. Clocks. Calendars.

August 14, 2026 (Conversation) The devastating recent deaths of three toddlers in Queensland, linked to low iron levels, have understandably left many parents wondering whether their own child is getting enough iron. The good news is that life-threatening iron deficiency is uncommon. But being low in iron is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in young children. So its worth understanding why iron matters and how to tell if theyre getting enough. There are simple ways to help children m

August 14, 2026 (Conversation) Why do disagreements about vaccines, climate change or elections often feel so personal? Our research suggests it is not simply because other people have different beliefs. It is because we think those beliefs are mistaken. We are behavioral scientists who study the role of beliefs in politics and everyday life. Our new research finds that people are more disturbed by others beliefs when they feel those beliefs are not merely different from their own but are based

Mumbai, Aug 14 (PTI) The rupee gained 2 paise to 95.43 against the US dollar in early trade on Friday, backed by a weaker greenback overseas. The Indian currency, however, remained under pressure due to the withdrawal of foreign funds from domestic equities and rising crude oil prices amid geopolitical uncertainties, forex traders said. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 95.39 and later slipped to trade at 95.43 against the American currency in early deals, up marginal

August 13, 2026 (Conversation) Widespread denial accompanied the public exposure of Jeffrey Epsteins decades-long sexual abuse and trafficking of girls and women. After the U.S. Justice Department released millions of case documents on Epstein in January 2026, billionaires, politicians, heads of state and academics proclaimed their ignorance of Epsteins global network of sexual exploitation. Why would so many intelligent and powerful people repeatedly trumpet their lack of awareness, especially

NEW DELHI, Aug 13 (Reuters) Hours after India made public assurances last week that its ethanol-blended petrol was safe, the countrys main auto lobby withdrew a complaint about fuel contamination it had sent to the government a week earlier. The group said some figures needed more checks. But separate communications between industry executives, reviewed by Reuters, showed that in the preceding days, top automakers Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors and Mahindra discussed their concerns about contaminat