The Economic Times
Elections 2026Bengaluru / The Economic Times
Made-in-India semiconductor chips are now powering key Indian space missions. These domestically manufactured components support lunar and solar exploration efforts. Specialized chips from Mohali's Semiconductor Laboratory are used in Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1. Indigenous processors are also integrated into satellite launch vehicles for onboard computing. This growing capability strengthens India's technological independence in space exploration.
The Hawk Fire near Reno, Nevada, has grown to 10,523 acres as strong winds fuel the fast-moving brush fire, prompting evacuations and a state of emergency in Washoe County. Fire officials warn that the wind-driven blaze can rapidly move toward residential areas as crews work to protect homes and lives.
German Saying of the Day: It is all the same to the dead whether they are buried in silk or rags reflects on mortality, wealth and social status. The saying uses the contrast between luxury and poverty to suggest that material possessions and outward appearances ultimately lose their importance after death. Its broader lesson encourages people to consider what truly matters beyond temporary symbols of status.
Plantable compostable coffee cup: A design student's plantable coffee cup concept from 2015 has not yet reached markets. The main obstacle involves creating a material that protects hot drinks and decomposes later. This innovative cup aimed to reduce significant coffee cup waste generated daily. While seed paper is simple, a coffee cup requires a more complex protective layer.
Mohan Das Pai has urged the CJP to replace confrontational school visits with a structured nationwide inspection programme following a Rajasthan clash. He suggested sending volunteers in pairs, obtaining permission, documenting school conditions by taluk and submitting findings to governments. Pai also proposed quarterly public reports, arguing that evidence and systematic data would give the campaign greater credibility and help identify gaps across Indias school system.
Max Verstappen crashed out of his home Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday. The Red Bull driver went into the concrete wall after the first lap. His car scattered debris and lost a wheel after the incident. Verstappen, a three-time winner, exited the vehicle unassisted. The Zandvoort circuit is dropping off the F1 calendar after this year.
After relocating to India, an ex-NRI prefers to travel by auto-rickshaw for her short commutes. Concerned about the hazardous paths and fast-moving traffic, she opts to spend around one hundred rupees daily to sidestep the stress associated with her return. This decision showcases her sensible method of dealing with urban life's hurdles, prioritizing safety over discomfort.
Gautam Adani met Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar regarding a stalled tunnel project. Adani Enterprises was the lowest bidder for the Hebbal-Silk Board tunnel road. The project faces opposition and questions about its financial viability. Adani Group also has investments planned in other Indian states. The meeting occurred after the project bid exceeded government estimates significantly.
Jammu-born Onkar Singh Batra is building a space communication network. His startup Apolink aims to keep satellites connected beyond ground station range. This innovative system uses small satellites as relay points for data transmission. Apolink has secured significant investment and launched its first demonstration satellite. Batra's journey began with early technology projects and a satellite at sixteen.
Mexican Proverb of the Day: The graveyards are full of the clean and the gluttonous uses humour and striking imagery to warn against excess. The proverb places excessive cleanliness and overeating side by side to show that even behaviours generally considered beneficial can become harmful when taken too far. Its broader lesson is about moderation, balance and avoiding extremes in everyday life.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will attend a two-day conference on national security. More than 850 officers from security forces will participate in this event. The ninth National Security Strategy Conference will combine physical and virtual modes. Officers will deliberate on contemporary matters and challenges facing national security. This important meeting begins on Monday and will address key issues.
Torrential downpours and travel headaches will slam the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic today. Ground already soaked could quickly take on more rain, triggering flash flooding. Severe thunderstorms threaten western areas with damaging wind gusts and hail. Wet weather will stick around on Sunday across the I-95 Corridor. Areas south of Philadelphia will dry out, clearing the way for favorable race weather.
The Enforcement Directorate raided IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar's properties in Bengaluru and Bareilly. This action is part of a money laundering investigation into KPSC exam irregularities. The probe involves allegations of bribery, paper leaks, and OMR sheet tampering. Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge clarified Gangwar's absence was due to a family emergency. The ED previously searched KPSC offices and former officials' premises in this ongoing investigation.
Italian Proverb of the Day: Today in person, tomorrow in the grave reflects on the uncertainty and brevity of human life. The proverb contrasts being alive and physically present today with the possibility of death tomorrow, encouraging people to recognise lifes unpredictability. Its enduring message is to value the present while remembering that the future can never be completely guaranteed.
A red suitcase containing decomposed human remains found at Agra Cantt railway station has led investigators to a rented house in Chennai, police told India Today. CCTV footage allegedly showed a man and woman carrying the luggage into Chennai Central before placing it on the Tamil Nadu Express. Police are examining the property and railway records while working to identify the victim and suspects.
Ox Alpha, an unidentified AI model that recently appeared on OpenRouter as a stealth model, is drawing attention from developers because of its large context window and multimodal capabilities. The system can process text, images and video and has been offered free with near-unlimited usage for a week. Its anonymous launch has triggered speculation over who built it and why.
In a significant move, Maharashtra intends to regulate private coaching centres by mandating their registration. The forthcoming law stipulates that classes cannot exceed five hours per day and establishes fee guidelines. Additionally, it prohibits the enrollment of children below thirteen years old and bans misleading promises. Coaching centres are now required to prioritize student safety, offer counselling services, and maintain acceptable infrastructure.
You don't need a footpath to hit your daily movement goal. From stair climbing and burpees to dancing and yoga, several indoor exercises burn more energy than 10,000 steps of walking. Science backs each of these, and most need no equipment, no gym, and no more than 30 minutes.
School Holiday Tomorrow: With the southwest monsoon actively delivering heavy rainfall on August 24, 2026, parents and students are advised to stay alert for any school closure announcements. Particularly in Odisha and Bihar, where significant rain is anticipated, local authorities will assess safety before making decisions. As of now, no school holidays have been officially declared, so keep an eye on local updates to ensure safety for everyone involved.
Hawaii wildlife crews recently discovered Blackburn's Sphinx Moth caterpillars on Lnai. These endangered insects were also found in Halawa Valley and Kalae on Molokai. These sightings mark the first on Molokai since the 1940s. The discoveries provide crucial information for conservation efforts.
People who doodle while listening may not necessarily be ignoring what is being said. In some situations, doodling can act as alow-demand attentional activity, especially when the main task feels boring or repetitive. However, in other cases, free-form doodling may compete for attention with the information a person is trying to absorb or remember.
Kidney stones affect roughly one in ten people globally and the numbers are rising. The good news is that what you eat plays a significant role in whether they form at all. Here are seven everyday foods backed by research that can make a real difference.
Delhi Police received new guidelines from a central agency regarding protest management. Personnel are advised to remain calm and avoid provocation from demonstrators filming them. These directions follow allegations of police excesses during a recent protest at Jantar Mantar. Officers must assume their actions are recorded and exercise restraint during interactions. The guidelines also stress maintaining law and order while ensuring public safety.
A moderate earthquake struck eastern Japan early Sunday morning. At least thirty-seven people sustained injuries from panic and falls. Train services experienced disruptions, and a water pipe ruptured in Tokyo. Authorities confirmed no tsunami threat and no issues at nuclear facilities. Residents are advised to remain cautious of possible aftershocks.
Alex Lanier secured a historic singles title at the badminton World Championships. Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue also claimed a world title in mixed doubles. Lanier defeated Japan's Kodai Naraoka in the men's singles final. This victory caps a year of strong performances for French badminton. The French team also won the continental championships this year.
During her train journeys, Arunika Yadav demonstrated her innovative remote work setup, utilizing three SIM cards from different carriers to ensure reliable internet connectivity. A dedicated phone for internet purposes guarantees seamless access for virtual meetings and tasks. Additionally, she appreciates the ease of ordering meals at station halts, enhancing her travel experience.
BRICS Sports Ministers adopted a Joint Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to sports cooperation. India's Union Minister called for a BRICS Sporting Partnership beyond declarations. Three key initiatives were advanced to deepen cooperation in sports and technology. Udaipur will host the BRICS Sports Manufacturing Conclave, focusing on innovation and trade. Ahmedabad will host the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games.
An X user has urged travellers to consider India over Europe for summer holidays after a 10-day family trip in July and August left him struggling with heat, long walks and limited air conditioning. He said clear skies and temperatures around 35C made sightseeing difficult, while users suggested changing travel seasons or choosing cooler destinations instead.
A moderate earthquake struck eastern Japan early Sunday morning. Over thirty individuals sustained injuries, mostly minor, from the seismic event. The quake, with a magnitude of 5.9, caused disruptions to train services. Officials confirmed no tsunami danger and no nuclear facility anomalies. The government established a task force to assess potential damage.
The Cockroach Janta Party will meet Monday to review government assurances. They state the Centre has not formally communicated steps to fulfill promises. The party may launch another peaceful nationwide agitation if commitments are not met. This comes after the Supreme Court sought a list of FIRs against students.
People who naturally lower their voice when someone nearby does the same may be responding to a combination of social cue detection, vocal accommodation, conversational entrainment and unconscious mimicry. A change in another persons voice can provide a subtle social signal that the brain quickly interprets. In response, your communication style may adjust automatically, sometimes before you consciously realize that you are doing it.
Britain once had roughly 200,000 coypus after the rodents escaped from fur farms and spread across East Anglia, damaging crops and wetlands. In 1981, the country launched a scientific eradication campaign using intensive trapping, research and population tracking. Six years later, the invasive rodents had almost disappeared from Britain.
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Urban Company has sued Kent RO Systems in the Delhi High Court, alleging that its advertisements and social media posts made false and misleading claims about Urban Companys Native water purifiers. The dispute centres on Natives two-year filter and service life features, which Kent RO allegedly called a marketing gimmick and described the purifiers as unsafe and risky.
Prof. Subhash Khanna served as international faculty for Sri Lanka's inaugural live robotic surgery workshop. He performed complex procedures, including a bilateral TAPP groin hernia repair. The event marked Sri Lanka's first robot-assisted cholecystectomy. India's SSI Mantra Surgical Robotic System was formally launched at the hospital. This collaboration signifies a new era for surgical innovation in Sri Lanka.
Harry Kane earned Germany's player of the year award for 2026. He scored sixty-one goals for Bayern Munich in all competitions. Vincent Kompany received the coach's accolade after another successful season. Kane helped Bayern secure the Bundesliga title and German Cup. The England forward also contributed to the new season's German Supercup victory.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said in remarks made public Sunday that it would be too dangerous for Ukraine to hold an election while it fights Russia, after a call by his former defence minister to organise a vote. Then days ago, the ousted Fedorov made a surprise call to find a way to organise elections.
India's ICMR assures citizens that there is no new strain of H1N1, encouraging public calm during the current situation. In Kolkata, protests arise regarding a political office constructed on Waqf land. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu amplifies efforts to capture a tiger linked to two fatalities. In international news, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister is set to visit the UK for official engagements.
Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant retired hurt during the second Test match. He sustained an injury to his left arm after being struck by a short ball. The Sri Lankan bowler Lahiru Kumara delivered the delivery which hit Pant. He was attended by the team physiotherapist and later walked off the field. Ravindra Jadeja replaced Pant and joined Devdutt Padikkal at the crease.
A South African couples nearly three-decade conservation effort has transformed 11 former livestock farms into a 67,000-acre wildlife reserve in the Great Karoo. Sarah and Mark Tompkins restored degraded habitat before reintroducing species absent for generations. Cheetahs, black rhinos, elephants and lions have since returned, while Samara now records more than 60 mammal species and 225 bird species.
Bangladesh minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir says, Indian and US businesses are increasingly looking to invest in country, with Indian companies advocating for the activation of land ports to cut raw material expenses. They also proposed creating task forces to focus on infrastructure and digital advancements. Meanwhile, a US trade delegation has put forward its ideas for fostering a more favorable investment environment.
A suspected Pakistan-origin drone was spotted near the International Border in Jammu and Kashmirs Kathua district before returning towards Pakistan. Security forces launched a search operation to check for possible weapons or narcotics drops, but found nothing suspicious.
The Indian Council of Medical Research has confirmed no new H1N1 strain exists in India. Current circulating viruses belong to a known A/Missouri/11/2025 strain, which matches vaccine recommendations. Delhi has reported over 2,600 influenza cases, including 1,777 H1N1 cases recently. Health authorities are monitoring the situation and advising public hygiene measures. Young children and the elderly are at higher risk for influenza complications.
India and Japan will enhance cooperation in semiconductors and electronics. Memorandum of Understandings are expected during the ongoing business mission. A large delegation is visiting Japan to strengthen bilateral business relations. Discussions will focus on deepening engagement and addressing business priorities. This initiative reflects the ambition of both nations' strategic partnership.
Germanys COBRA unmanned aircraft has completed its maiden flight as POLARIS Raumflugzeuge and Diehl Defence develop a reusable carrier for the IRIS-T missile. The 600-kg-plus platform is intended to extend the reach of fighters and ground-based air defences under the AirLAS concept. Diehl says the system could eventually support multi-domain missions, including maritime operations and potential long-range hypersonic applications.
In a significant leap for military technology, the US Navy is evaluating a powerful long-range air-to-air missile that can effectively engage targets beyond 465 kilometers. Its design allows it to seamlessly integrate into the stealth capabilities of fighter jets like the F-35 and F-22. This missile aims to bolster naval defenses against remote aerial attacks, aligning with the Pentagon's commitment to developing advanced long-range weaponry.
Veteran Indian leg-spinner Karn Sharma announced his retirement from all cricket formats. His final professional game will be on Tuesday, August 25, concluding a long career. Sharma expressed gratitude to institutions and people who supported his cricketing journey. He achieved significant success, winning four IPL titles with different franchises. Sharma will now be available for coaching opportunities after his playing days.

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