NASA is launching the $30 million Swift Boost mission to save its ageing Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, which has exceeded its original two-year mission timeline and made significant discoveries in astrophysics. Without intervention, the telescope could fall back to Earth by 2026, making the costly rescue necessary.
US Presidential Counsellor Peter Navarro said he was “firebombed” by Indians on the internet after he wrote about India’s growing role in the Russian oil trade during the Ukraine war.
Bihar and West Bengal, known for their production of rice, wheat, and maize, will be joining the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) next season. This scheme offers subsidized insurance against crop damage caused by natural disasters. Currently, 25 states and Union Territories are already implementing the scheme, with a budget of Rs 12,200 crore allocated for the current fiscal year.
SBI's research department predicts that the Indian economy grew at 8% in the April-June quarter, supported by strong consumption and demand, industrial activity, and government spending. This projection is higher than the RBI's forecast of 7%. The report also mentions that high-frequency indicators and monsoon progress point towards continued growth momentum.
BRICS nations are working towards connecting their fast payment systems and central bank digital currencies, while also promoting the use of local currencies for cross-border trade. India is determined to internationalize the rupee and expand the use of local currencies.
India's direct tax collections grew by 23.1% to Rs 8.11 lakh crore during April 1-August 10, driven by a slowdown in refund payouts. This accounts for 30.1% of the government's target for the fiscal year, with a pace much higher than projected. Corporate tax collections rose by 19.8% and personal income tax by 23.4%, while STT collections saw a sharp increase of 51.3%.
A parliamentary panel has advised Indian Railways to expand its freight basket beyond traditional commodities and review freight rates annually. It also recommends modernizing infrastructure and addressing crew shortages on dedicated corridors.
Newly widened ₹70 crore Green City–Madhopur Bandha road in Gorakhpur provides relief to commuters travelling towards Lucknow, Varanasi, Nepal and other districts. The road will reduce traffic in the city and improve movement for residents and heavy vehicles. It also addresses waterlogging issues and is part of a larger plan to strengthen the bypass network.
India's RITES Limited is supplying 200 broad-gauge passenger coaches to Bangladesh Railway, with production taking place at RCF Kapurthala. The first 20-coach LHB rake, featuring new design elements, will be released soon. The coaches have been modified to meet Bangladesh Railway's needs and offer improved safety and efficiency.
Renowned fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee has announced a collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum of Art to create jewellery, accessories, and clothing inspired by the museum's art collection. The first collection, debuting at New York Fashion Week, will be inspired by the Byzantine Empire.
"Pied-à-terre, a French phrase meaning "foot on the ground," has become a symbol of luxurious living in cities like Paris. However, the term has taken on a new meaning in New York City, where Mayor Zohran Mamdani proposed a "pied-a-terre tax" on secondary residences worth over $5 million. The tax was temporarily blocked due to a lawsuit filed by homeowners.
The Indian smartphone market is struggling in the second half of 2026 due to high memory costs and cautious consumers. IDC and Counterpoint predict a decline in shipments and a 15% increase in smartphone prices. Chinese brands, including market leader Vivo, are most affected. The entry-level market is declining, while the $400-600 segment is growing.
AI is transforming the entry-level job market, prompting engineering colleges to teach it as a core skill. This goes beyond producing AI engineers, as students from all fields must be equipped to utilize AI. Colleges are adopting problem-based, interdisciplinary learning and educating students on the potential and constraints of AI.
Bernstein has increased its target price for One97 Communications, the parent company of Paytm, due to the expected implementation of a merchant discount rate for UPI transactions. This could greatly boost Paytm's profits and the brokerage has factored this into their projections from FY28E. They have also maintained an 'Outperform' rating and raised the target price to Rs 2,200.
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) increased their stakes in Lenskart Solutions, Billionbrains Garage Ventures, HFCL, Anthem Biosciences, Pine Labs, and JSW Infrastructure during the first quarter of FY27, according to Elara Securities. These six stocks were the top additions in the brokerage's June-quarter list, with Lenskart leading the pack with a 3x increase in FII holding.
Jaipur's metro network is expanding with the second phase of the project, connecting areas like Harmada, Vidhyadhar Nagar, Todi Mod, and the airport. The project has a cost of ₹13,037 crore and will have 36 stations, covering areas like Sitapura, VKI, and Harmada Ghati. This will greatly benefit the public and improve transportation in the city.
HAL, the Indian defence manufacturer, plans to give shareholders a dividend of Rs 10 per share, which is 200% of the face value. The decision will be made at the AGM on August 28, 2026, with a record date of August 14 and payment in September. HAL has a consistent history of dividend payouts and will announce Q1 results on August 12. The stock has been steadily rising.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg believes artificial intelligence will create an abundance of jobs instead of causing mass unemployment.
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) have finally turned buyers in Indian equities after several months of heavy selling. In July 2026, FIIs invested $2.5 billion, their highest monthly inflow in 13 months. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) also remained supportive with $3.7 billion of inflows.
Motilal Oswal recommends buying Gopal Snacks, Cello World, and Lemon Tree Hotels with potential gains of 30% to 43%. Gopal Snacks will benefit from distribution expansion and cost savings, while Cello World needs demand recovery and better capacity utilization. Lemon Tree Hotels is banking on expansion and higher management income.
Jefferies highlights medium-term growth and market-share opportunity across India's listed travel-tech companies, with TBO Tek delivering the strongest quarter among the three companies in comparison. MakeMyTrip remains the largest by market capitalization, while Ixigo faces margin pressure due to investments in technology and hotels.
SCR announces special trains between Charlapalli and Velankanni. The trains will run on two occasions in August and September and will connect passengers from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. The special trains will have 2AC, 3AC, Sleeper Class, and General Second Class coaches. The move aims to handle the expected rush and provide an alternative rail option for passengers.
Indian Railways has extended the special train service between Ranchi and Anand Vihar Terminal till September 2026, with eight services planned in each direction. The train will run every Saturday and Sunday, providing more travel options for passengers from Jharkhand, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. The train will make key stops at stations such as Ranchi, Daltonganj, Sasaram, and Ghaziabad.
The NSE has revealed that BSE will join the Nifty 50 index, replacing Wipro. This will affect the flow of passive funds between the two stocks. BSE's inclusion in the index could boost demand for their shares, while Wipro will move to the Nifty Next 50. The Nifty 100 and Nifty 500 will also experience changes, with multiple stocks entering and exiting.
Trump has demanded that Iran pay compensation to American victims of attacks linked to Tehran, turning Iran’s own demand for war reparations back on the country.
The Donald Trump administration has revoked more than 175,000 US visas issued to foreign nationals, the State Department said on Monday. The move comes as the administration continues its wider immigration crackdown, which has taken away travel and immigration rights from tens of thousands of people.
The RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group has acquired a 1.4 GW solar portfolio from ReNew Solar Power for Rs 4,859 crore, as part of the surge in mid-sized mergers and acquisitions in the renewable energy sector. This is one of many deals in the past six months, as companies aim to expand their portfolios through inorganic growth.
Despite El Nino's negative impact on the southwest monsoon, frequent low-pressure systems in July improved rainfall in central India and reduced the deficit from 36% to 12%. Climate experts predict continued variability in rainfall, but recent showers have aided kharif crop sowing. While the monsoon season has seen below-average rainfall, there are signs that El Nino may have a beneficial effect.
India's unemployment rate reached 5.4% in April-June 2026, the highest in four quarters, affecting both rural and urban areas. The rise in joblessness was mainly among young females in cities. Out of the 566 million employed, 402 million were male and 164 million were female. The labour force participation rate also decreased, raising concerns about the declining female participation rate.
Acer India aims to boost market share in PC segment through premium laptops, gaming PCs, and offline retail. Chief sales officer, Sanjeev Mehtani, prioritizes profitability and expansion in untapped areas. Despite challenges, Acer is now the second-largest PC maker in India. Focus on enterprise, small and medium businesses, and reclaiming lost ground.
TCG Real Estate, a part of The Chatterjee Group, has launched a new residential brand, Yukio, with two properties in Pune and plans to add 1,500 more beds in other cities. It aims to cater to the evolving urban housing landscape and provide curated amenities for young professionals.
India to produce first gene-edited rice this winter, Pusa DST Rice 1, with high tolerance to salinity and alkalinity. Expected to increase yield by 10-30% under stress conditions and promote sustainable agriculture. Genome-editing technology used for precise changes in plant genes, reducing environmental impact. Will be available for widespread adoption by farmers in upcoming seasons.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg urges for a reevaluation of AI policies in the US and introduces Muse Glimmer, an open-weight model for agentic tasks on consumer hardware. He defends the use of AI distillation and advocates for less restrictions on training data to maintain the country's leadership in open source. Meta also plans to release its advanced model, Muse Spark 1.2, soon.
India and the SACU are finalizing a PTA that will lower duties on select items. This is happening amidst South Africa's plan to raise duties on cars from India and China. The ToR outlines the goals and areas of focus for trade talks, aiming to enhance trade and collaboration in key industries.
Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC introduced two new investment funds, Apex Equity Long-Short Fund and Apex Equity Ex-Top 100 Long-Short Fund, with a flexible equity investment approach. These funds provide diversified exposure to the equity market and can adjust equity exposure according to market conditions. They are ideal for long-term growth and are open for subscription until August 24, 2026.
The Indian government's iDEX programme has boosted the country's defence innovation ecosystem, with numerous start-ups and MSMEs working on military-defined issues. The programme has expanded to include more complex technologies and increased funding to bridge the gap between development and usability. Other initiatives have also been launched to support indigenous defence technology.
Axis Securities predicts Nifty to reach 27,200 by the end of 2026 with a price to earnings multiple of 19.5x. This is dependent on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, improvement in monsoon, and a rate cut by RBI. In a bull case scenario, Nifty could close at 28,615 with FPI inflows of Rs 1.4-1.8 lakh crore. However, in case of an escalation in the West
FlixBus India is expanding its intercity mobility services in India, with Andhra Pradesh as its fastest-growing market. It plans to increase its fleet by 80% this year and aims to make India its biggest market by 2030. The company also plans to establish a Global Capability Centre and deploy 500 electric buses with Vertelo.
The Railway Board has approved new daily services and extensions of existing trains in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. Passengers can now enjoy more travel options and improved connectivity on key regional routes. The new services include the Kasganj-Aishbagh Express and Valsad-Surat MEMU, while three existing trains will be extended to additional destinations.
Russia is exploring an alternative rail route to the Indian Ocean through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz and the Bosphorus for shipping. The proposed route could also strengthen connectivity with India, Central Asia, and Iran. However, the commercial viability and geopolitical complexities of the route remain uncertain.
The MMRDA is constructing a 9.6-km metro line between Thane and Dombivli to alleviate transportation congestion. The project will cost Rs 4,500 crore and include 7-8 stations. It will enhance connectivity between various modes of transport and link with the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail station at Diva. Additionally, it will connect with Mumbai Metro Line 12, improving accessibility to Kaly.
Jefferies, a global brokerage house, has increased SBI Life Insurance's target price to Rs 2,600, predicting a 40% potential gain. The company had a strong Q1FY27, surpassing estimates with a 19% higher Value of New Business (VNB). The growth was driven by APE and group term insurance, as well as a rise in agency channel and individual product sales.
A little more than a decade ago, David Wright and Melanie Alder were selling fridge magnets online from Alder’s living room. They were not chasing a billion-dollar business. They were simply looking for a way to earn some extra money and support their families.
A special train will operate between Mumbai CSMT and Madgaon on select days, providing another option for passngers to reach Goa by rail. The train will operate in both directions with multiple stops along the Konkan coast, allowing passengers from various stations to board. The train will have 24 coaches and will run on August 13 and 15, 2026.
Indian Railways has launched a new special train between New Delhi and Supaul, connecting major stations in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. The train will run daily from August 6 to September 30, 2026, offering passengers a direct rail service to the Mithilanchal region. The service will also provide an additional option for passengers and improve connectivity between major cities and towns.
Jefferies, a brokerage firm, has adjusted its India-focused long-only equity portfolio by removing HDFC Bank and PolicyBazaar and adding MCX and Lenskart. It has also replaced REC with Bajaj Finance and increased its allocation to Eternal while reducing Bharti Airtel. These changes reflect positive trends in foreign investments and strong domestic indicators, such as bank credit growth.
According to Oxford International’s third Student Global Mobility Index, as many as 81% of Indian students who plan to study abroad said they expect to return to India after finishing their courses.
Middle East diplomacy entered a tense holding pattern this weekend, with US President Trump signalling restraint toward Iran while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu openly rejected a US-backed Gaza peace framework, exposing cracks in Washington's regional strategy just months before midterm elections.
The Mehta Schools, funded by the Mehta Family Foundation, are a new approach to Indian technical education with a focus on global challenges. The latest addition is the Mehta Family School of Sustainability at IIT Indore, offering India's first undergraduate degree in Environmental Economics and Sustainable Engineering. This model extends to other domains and emphasizes global collaborations.
IITs are shifting from traditional engineering programs to include humanities, social sciences, and management. This was showcased in IIT Delhi's 57th convocation where non-traditional programs like Bachelor of Design and MA in Culture, Society, Thought were introduced. They are also collaborating with NITs and implementing new initiatives to break disciplinary barriers.
In the first half of 2026, EV sales in India doubled hybrid car sales, with top EV models outperforming total hybrid sales by more than double. This is due to automakers launching affordable EVs with diverse body styles. Toyota leads in hybrids, but other global players are gearing up to introduce new models. With more options for green cars, the customer will ultimately benefit.