'They are claiming that they are very good in governance. All governments do propaganda. This is the propaganda of the government that they are doing very well, in spite of all the troubles.'
India's markets regulator Sebi has launched 'Demat 2.0', a pilot project for tokenisation of corporate bonds, enabling atomic settlement through integration with RBI's wholesale CBDC. This new market infrastructure uses Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) to make bond issuance, trading, and settlement faster and more efficient. India is the first country to issue corporate bonds natively on a distributed ledger with central bank digital currency settlement. Additionally, RBI Governor announced new UPI innovations: 'Tap & Pay' for faster POS transactions and MyUPI, an AI-powered customer support solution.
A preliminary government report reveals that devastating flash floods in Nepal have affected over 32,000 people, caused 1,295 deaths, and severely damaged infrastructure including roads, bridges, schools, and healthcare facilities. Senior Nepali Congress leader Arjun Narsing KC has criticised the government's coordination of rescue and relief operations and called for international action on climate justice.
Renowned filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani believes artificial intelligence will entirely transform the film industry, making production more cost-effective and efficient. He highlights AI's potential as a "game changer" while also cautioning that its effective use requires extensive research and adaptation.
India's fertiliser ministry has introduced a new analytical tool and a national-to-retail dashboard to monitor fertiliser dispatches, movement, and inventories in real time, aiming to prevent localised shortages and ensure equitable access for farmers.
IT services stocks have had tough two years, with prices coming under pressure from 2025 and the sell-off extending through the first half of 2026.
Odisha Police's STF and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau are investigating the rescue of five baby orangutans in Balasore, suspecting an international wildlife trafficking network. The probe focuses on a black SUV seen near the rescue site and potential routes from West Bengal, with officials believing the animals were trafficked from Southeast Asia. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has called for stringent action against those involved.
Indian benchmark equity indices extended their losing streak for a fourth consecutive day, with the Sensex tumbling 417 points due to rising crude oil prices and a significant sell-off in IT stocks, impacting overall investor sentiment.
Veteran Indian golfer Rashid Khan secured his 15th professional title by winning the Telangana Open, ending a seven-year wait for victory. Khan closed with a five-under 67 to finish at 23-under 265, three strokes ahead of runner-up Honey Baisoya. This win marks his 11th victory on the DP World PGTI and significantly boosts his position on the Order of Merit.
'I will never say never to a sequel.'
The Supreme Court has granted a divorce to a couple separated since December 2005, noting the wife had abandoned the matrimonial relationship. The court directed the husband to pay Rs 7 lakh as permanent alimony. The ruling emphasised that prolonged separation and the reality of an irreconcilable marriage are key factors, overturning a Madhya Pradesh High Court decision.
The Supreme Court of India strongly criticised a Greater Noida executive magistrate for issuing a notice to a student who participated in a protest, despite the court's earlier order against penal action on student protesters. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant expressed surprise at the magistrate's action and stated that an explanation would be sought. The court had previously quashed FIRs against student protesters and directed compensation for families affected by the NEET paper leak.
Indian stock markets, including the Sensex and Nifty, experienced their third consecutive day of declines, driven by a global selloff, escalating tensions in West Asia, and a subsequent rise in crude oil prices.
The UP Scholarship, officially known as the Uttar Pradesh Scholarship and Fee Reimbursement Scheme, provides financial assistance to students from Classes 9 to 12 as well as those pursuing graduation, post-graduation, diploma and other post-matric courses.
The Mumbai Cricket Association has established the Ajinkya Rahane Scholarship Fund, backed by Sharad Pawar, to support grassroots cricketers and develop Mumbai's Maidans.
Homegrown pharma major Cipla Ltd reported a 39 per cent decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 785.55 crore in the first quarter ended June 2026, primarily due to a dip in sales in the North American market and higher expenses.
Axis Bank MD & CEO Amitabh Chaudhry has cautioned that the surge in FCNR(B) deposits could lead to 'abnormal lending' as banks seek to deploy excess liquidity, while also hinting at a potential interest rate hike in the near future.
The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) has chosen seven to eight biotechnology startups as the initial group to receive funding from the government's ~1 trillion Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, with an average investment of approximately ~25 crore per startup.
State Bank of India Chairman C S Setty stated that banks will take three to four months to deploy the significant funds mobilised through foreign currency non-resident (bank), or FCNR(B), deposits, which is unlikely to cause "abnormal lending". He also highlighted the need for agentic artificial intelligence (AI) costs to fall sharply for its widespread deployment in India, envisioning its role in transforming banking from fraud detection to personalised financial assistance.
More than a dozen Shiv Sena functionaries, including district and city unit chiefs and an MLA's son, have been booked for allegedly assaulting, abusing, and threatening hospital staff in Palghar. The incident occurred after 'govindas' injured during Dahi Handi celebrations were brought for treatment, and a dispute arose over medical bills. The NCP (SP) has condemned the incident, calling it an attack on the medical system and the rule of law, and demanded strict action.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Ravi Kumar Diwakar of Muzaffarnagar has declared he would prefer death over being a "coward judge," delivering his 23rd capital punishment in four months, this time in a dowry death case. He asserted he would not succumb to pressure from mafias and criminals, despite receiving threats and having numerous cases transferred from his court.
Dhruv Sheoran and Vishesh Sharma have taken the joint lead at the Telangana Golconda Masters, both carding course-record scores of 10-under 60. The duo holds a one-shot advantage after the first round of the Rs 1 crore tournament. Amardeep Malik is in solo third, one stroke behind.
Non-resident Indians are increasingly investing in luxury homes in India, driven by geopolitical uncertainties, particularly the Iran war. This trend is observed across major cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and the National Capital Region, with developers noting a significant rise in NRI pre-sales. While some see it as a temporary shift, others believe India is becoming a stable, long-term investment destination for NRIs, especially those from West Asia.
The actor wore a sculptural Rahul Mishra creation from his Devi Fall 2026 Couture collection, paired with a Piaget Limelight Gala Precious Rainbow watch reportedly worth a staggering Rs 1.66 crore.
An RTI reply has revealed that over Rs 262 crore was spent on salaries, allowances, and facilities for Rajya Sabha MPs in the financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26. This includes more than Rs 151 crore specifically for allowances and travel, with a significant increase in expenditure from the first to the second year.
Two suspected sharpshooters, Mohit and Sumit, wanted in the murder of Haryanvi singer and YouTuber Ankit Balyan, were killed in a police encounter in Shamli. The accused, carrying a reward of Rs 50,000 each, died during treatment after being injured in retaliatory police firing. Balyan was shot dead on August 26 outside a gym.
West Bengal could be the Bharatiya Janata Party's real test case of its business-friendly policies, points out Kanika Datta.
'The sales pressure on the ground, a board and CEO not fully aligned, and a senior team that isn't pulling together -- that's when these things surface.'
Traitors 2 gave us near slice-of-life glimpses of actors Rhea Chakraborty, Mallika Sherawat and Shweta Tiwari -- especially how they think, and make dumb decisions, notes Divya Nair.
Indian listed companies experienced their fastest revenue growth in 15 quarters during Q1FY27, with combined net sales rising 18.4% year-on-year, while net profit grew 16%, primarily driven by mining, metals, and banking sectors, despite a contraction in operating margins due to higher input costs.
The iQOO Z11 has joined the brand's Z series in India, with sales set to begin on August 25.
Toxic has amassed a staggering Rs 41.75 crore in advance sales in India alone.
Samsung India Electronics has initiated job cuts in its Consumer Electronics (CE) division, laying off 8-10 mid-to-senior-level employees with plans to let go of another 40-50 staff. This move is part of a cost-rationalisation exercise driven by rising input costs, muted consumer demand, and intense competition from rival Korean and Chinese players.
FMCG giant Nestle India reported a significant 48.26 per cent year-on-year increase in consolidated net profit, reaching Rs 958.68 crore in the June quarter of this financial year, driven by strong volume growth and consumer trust.
The Supreme Court has suspended the sentence of Hopeson Nignshen, a self-styled NSCN(M) "lieutenant", who was convicted for the abduction and killing of three Manipur government officials in 2009. Nignshen has been incarcerated for over 17 years, and his appeal is still pending. The suspension comes with the condition that he remains within Delhi until his appeal is disposed of.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a significant waiver of approximately Rs 48,000 crore in pending electricity dues for farmers, aiming to facilitate new agricultural power connections and support the state's agricultural sector.
Shares of HDFC Bank rose nearly 3 per cent after its Managing Director and Chief Executive Sashidhar Jagdishan decided not to seek reappointment after his current term concludes on October 26.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale stated that opposing reservation is unconstitutional and that the policy would be given up if casteism is eliminated. He highlighted the historical context of reservations for SC/ST and OBCs, and the Modi government's EWS quota. Athawale also criticised the opposition, praised government achievements, and discussed various welfare schemes and infrastructure projects in Chhattisgarh.
Prasar Bharati Chairman Prasoon Joshi voiced concerns over AI's impact on India's cultural heritage, including music and endangered languages, advocating for human-AI collaboration. Meanwhile, a Spotify report revealed significant growth in royalties for Indian artists, with linguistic diversity driving economic strength in the creative industries, highlighting the platform's role in enabling talent across various Indian languages.
IndiGo, India's largest airline, reported a net loss of Rs 238 crore for the June quarter, primarily attributed to a significant surge in fuel prices and operational constraints stemming from the West Asia conflict.
