The Sen Times

New Delhi, Aug 24 (PTI) Gold prices climbed to a more than five-month high of Rs 1.64 lakh per 10 grams in the national capital on Monday, tracking firm global trends and renewed demand amid escalating US-Iran tensions. The yellow metal of 99.9 per cent purity appreciated Rs 900 to Rs 1,64,400 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes), from Fridays closing level of Rs 1,63,500 per 10 grams, according to the All India Sarafa Association. The precious metal was last quoted around this level on March 9

NEW DELHI, Aug 24 India has enough sugar stocks to meet festival-season demand, with a record price rally driven by speculative buying rather than any real supply shortfall, the head of the countrys top sugar industry body said on Monday. Sugar prices in India, the worlds biggest consumer of the sweetener, have jumped more than 40% in two months to a record high, prompting New Delhi to allow duty-free imports of 1 million metric tons of raw sugar for the first time in nearly a decade. Sugar sto

ISLAMABAD, August 24, 2026 (AP) Famous cricketers from around the world have renewed their appeal for the medical treatment of former star player turned politician Imran Khan in a letter to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. A group of 22 former international cricket captains, including Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev of India and Australian greats Greg Chappell and Ian Chappell, signed a second such letter to the Pakistan prime minister within six months. The latest appeal comes days after K

New Delhi, Aug 24 (PTI) US President Donald Trumps unpredictable behaviour toward many foreign leaders prompted the Indian side to adopt a cautious approach and prefer against holding a media interaction following Prime Minister Narendra Modis talks with the American leader in France in June, government sources said on Monday. The clarification came in response to public remarks by US envoy Sergio Gor, who said that New Delhi had informed the American side prior to the Modi-Trump meeting that it

Mumbai, Aug 24 (PTI) The rupee pared initial gains and settled for the day lower by 3 paise at 95.74 (provisional) against the US dollar on Monday, on a positive American currency and weak domestic markets. Forex traders said the USD/INR pair traded in a narrow range as rising Brent crude prices, persistent importer demand, and cautious sentiment over new US sanctions targeting Iran weighed on investor sentiment. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 95.65, then touched an intra

Mumbai, Aug 24 (PTI) Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty ended lower on Monday as persistent geopolitical tensions and elevated crude oil prices hampered risk appetite. Investors remained cautious ahead of fresh US sanctions on Iran, experts said. Despite a positive beginning, the 30-share BSE Sensex failed to carry forward the momentum and declined 171.72 points, or 0.22 per cent, to settle at 77,369.11. During the day, it dropped 339.17 points, or 0.43 per cent, to 77,201.66. The 50-shar

New Delhi, Aug 24 (PTI) Gold prices on Monday rose by Rs 1,283 to Rs 1.63 lakh per 10 grams in futures trade as speculators created fresh positions on a firm spot demand. On the Multi Commodity Exchange, the yellow metal contracts for October delivery traded higher by Rs 1,283, or 0.79 per cent, at Rs 1,63,721 per 10 grams in a business turnover of 3,424 lots. Fresh positions built up by participants led to a rise in precious metal prices, analysts said. Globally, gold futures increased 0.99 per

Amritsar, Aug 24 (PTI) Former diplomat Navdeep Suri has raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll underway in Punjab after he was served a notice saying his details do not match. Suri, who served as Indias Ambassador to the UAE and Egypt and high commissioner to Australia, on Sunday took to X to express his anguish. Dear @ECISVEEP, Sharing my experience with #SIR in Punjab. Went to BLO, submitted a Voter Card and Aadhaar Card, was assured that everything was

MUMBAI, Aug 24 (Reuters) Tukaram Mundhe is an Indian bureaucrat on a mission. As a state food safety commissioner, the 51-year-old has raided food businesses in the countrys commercial capital Mumbai in an unprecedented crackdown on poor hygiene and unsafe food that has captivated the public nationwide. Mundhe has led the suspension of food permits of four Dominos and one Pizza Hut outlet in recent weeks, and has also targeted cricket clubs, hotels and well-known restaurants in over 3,000 raids

Mumbai, Aug 24 (PTI) Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty were trading higher in early trade on Monday, driven by buying in blue-chip stocks HDFC Bank and Infosys amid positive global cues. However, persistent geopolitical tensions and elevated crude oil prices continue to hamper risk appetite, an expert said. The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 202.42 points to 77,744.15 in early trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty was up 55.35 points to 24,309. Among the 30 Sensex firms, Infosys, HCL Tech, Tata Ste

Mumbai, Aug 24 (PTI) The rupee traded in a narrow range and rose 7 paise to 95.64 against the American currency in early trade on Monday, supported by a softer US dollar, but simmering geopolitical tensions kept it from making strong gains. Forex traders said the Dollar Index has weakened, but elevated Brent crude and persistent importer demand limited the rupees gains. Moreover, investors are treading a cautious path as Washington is set to unveil a fresh wave of sanctions on Iran, targeting it

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

Mumbai, Aug 21 (PTI) Market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ended flat on Friday, a day after registering a rebound, as elevated crude oil prices due to geopolitical uncertainties and a sharp fall in the US markets made investors cautious. A rebound in US Treasury yields and persistently elevated crude oil prices discouraged investors from taking aggressive directional positions, an expert said. In a largely range-bound trade, the 30-share BSE Sensex ended almost unchanged from the previous c

Mumbai, Aug 21 (PTI) The rupee pared initial gains and settled on a flat note, higher by just 3 paise at 95.71 (provisional) against the US dollar on Friday, as the support from a weak dollar was negated by continued geopolitical tensions. Forex traders said the Indian rupee traded flat to positive on a weak dollar and a positive tone in the domestic markets. However, the rupee pared initial gains as geopolitical tensions continue to simmer. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at

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

Washington, Aug 21 (PTI) The FBI is on the lookout for Indian national Kamal, allegedly involved in transnational crime as part of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Kamal is wanted for his alleged involvement in a transnational criminal organisation engaged in conspiracy to interfere with commerce by extortion, the FBI said on Thursday. No Name Given Kamal is #wanted by the #FBI for his alleged involvement in a transnational criminal organization known as The Lawrence Bishnoi Organized Crime Group. The

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

SYDNEY, Aug 20 (Reuters) Australia passed legislation on Thursday that will force tech giants to pay millions of dollars in levies if they fail to strike commercial deals with local media outlets for news on their platforms. The News Bargaining Incentive taxes the companies 2.5% on their advertising revenues unless they strike agreements. Proceeds from the scheme would be directed to local Australian news outlets, whose content helps drive user engagement and advertising revenue on the tech fir

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

Mumbai, Aug 20 (PTI) Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty rebounded in early trade on Thursday, tracking a recovery in world markets as easing US Treasury yields improved global risk sentiment. Fresh foreign fund inflows also added to the markets optimism during the initial trading. The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 504.32 points to 77,416.16 in early trade after four days of decline. The 50-share NSE Nifty also bounced back after seven days of losses. It climbed 118.85 points to 24,198.55. In

New Delhi, Aug 20 (PTI) Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Thursday said that given the youth ferment across the country, it is important to recall that it was Rajiv Gandhi who, as the prime minister, gave the 18-year-olds the right to vote by reducing the minimum voting age and led India decisively into the IT era. Ramesh also recalled that Gandhi declared January 12 as the National Youth Day, produced the New Education Policy of 1988 and set up the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan covering all distri

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

The growing assertion of a majority Hindu identity is fueling debates about religious pluralism in India. A 2025 Washington-based research group report documented a steady, incremental increase in hate speech since 2023 targeting religious minorities in India, while Human Rights Watch reported a rise in religious and communal violence in 2024. Much of this rhetoric and violence has been justified as defending religious identity. When India became independent in 1947, its constitution affirmed a

Mumbai, Aug 19 (PTI) Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty closed lower on Wednesday as elevated crude oil prices amid a lack of a diplomatic resolution following the end of the US-Iran ceasefire dented investor 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 325.78 points, or 0.42

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

New Delhi, Aug 19 (PTI) Expressing support for the tribals staging a satyagraha against the Ken-Betwa river-linking project, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said he stands with them in this struggle and will visit the site to exert pressure on the government. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha shared on X a video of his recent meeting with a group of tribals affected by the project. - - , ,

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