Two red panda cubs, named Nuba and Numa, have been born at a zoo in Sikkim after a seven-year gap in successful breeding. The cubs are reported to be in good health and showing strong developmental progress. Their birth marks a notable milestone for red panda conservation efforts in the region. Members of the public are now being offered the opportunity to symbolically adopt the cubs.
Former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja has spoken out in support of imprisoned ex-PM Imran Khan, expressing concern over his prolonged detention. His remarks followed a joint appeal by 21 former international cricket captains addressed to Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif. The letter called for proper medical treatment and improved conditions for Imran Khan in custody. Notable signatories include Indian cricket icons Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, and Dilip Vengsarkar. The appeal was prompted by concerns that a recent medical examination fell short of directions previously issued by Pakistan's Supreme Court.
Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration, led by Tukaram Mundhe, has launched a sweeping food safety drive across the state. The agency's teams have carried out over 3,000 raids on food businesses, uncovering hygiene violations and suspending operating permits. The crackdown has now expanded to target the sale of loose edible oil, enforcing packaging regulations that have been in place since 2011. While traders have raised concerns about mandatory packaging requirements, the FDA maintains the move is necessary to curb adulteration risks. During recent inspections, authorities seized edible oil worth more than Rs 5 crore.
Karnataka Minister B Nagendra has offered to resign following corruption allegations levelled against him. The controversy centres on alleged financial irregularities worth Rs 89 crore in the Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation. The BJP has been mounting pressure on the government, demanding Nagendra's removal from the cabinet. The allegations involve suspected misappropriation of funds meant for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes communities in Karnataka.
Former Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan has shed light on the conduct of Operation Sindoor, stating that loitering munitions were deployed in the vicinity of Sargodha in Pakistan. These munitions were programmed to seek out radar installations in the region. After failing to locate their primary targets, the munitions may have struck the Kirana Hills area. Chauhan's remarks provide the clearest official-level explanation yet of how the operation unfolded near the sensitive Pakistani site.
India has called on the international community to take collective action to protect critical maritime routes and infrastructure. Speaking at the United Nations, India emphasized that secure shipping lanes are vital for the uninterrupted global movement of essential commodities. The country warned that conflicts and attacks on maritime routes pose serious risks to worldwide food and energy supplies. India also highlighted the importance of unimpeded humanitarian access and thorough assessments of global supply chains. Additionally, India advocated for strengthening domestic agriculture and diversifying supply networks as key measures to ensure long-term food security.
The Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) can serve as the stable, debt-oriented component of a retirement portfolio. For the financial year 2025-26, an interest rate of 8.25% has been recommended for EPF accounts. Investors planning for retirement must weigh the safety of EPF against the growth potential of equities. Understanding the role each asset class plays is essential before building a balanced retirement strategy.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has been awarded a record compensation package worth $96.5 million, reflecting the company's growing focus on artificial intelligence and cloud services. The package is largely composed of stock awards and performance-based incentives rather than a fixed salary. Nadella's earnings are directly linked to shareholder returns and overall company revenue, aligning his pay with key business outcomes. The move signals Microsoft's confidence in its AI and cloud strategy as central pillars of future growth.
Australian Test cricketer Will Pucovski, who was forced to retire from professional cricket in April 2024 at just 27 years old, has filed a lawsuit against his former school. Pucovski suffered 13 documented concussions over the course of his cricket career, which ultimately cut short his professional playing days. The legal action suggests he holds the school partly responsible for some of the head injuries he sustained. Pucovski had shown considerable promise as a top-order batter for Australia before his repeated concussions made it impossible for him to continue playing.
Several bank branches across India will remain closed on Wednesday, August 26, in observance of the Id-E-Milad and Thiruvonam festivals. The closures are region-specific, affecting states where these festivals are officially recognized as public holidays. Customers can still access banking services through ATMs and online platforms during the holiday. Additionally, banks will be shut on August 28 for Raksha Bandhan and again on August 30 for the regular weekly Sunday holiday.
The central government has approved housing assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for flood-affected families in Assam, allocating nearly Rs 5,000 crore for the construction of approximately 3.8 lakh homes. An additional Rs 139 crore has been earmarked to boost agricultural investment in the region. The dual-pronged package aims to help displaced residents rebuild their lives while also strengthening the local farming sector. The initiative is part of a broader effort to build long-term resilience in communities repeatedly impacted by flooding in Assam.
Iran has blacklisted 45 ships, including vessels from India and Pakistan, accusing them of violating transit rules in the Strait of Hormuz. The Islamic Republic has threatened to confiscate any ships found breaching these regulations. An AFP data analysis revealed that roughly one-third of the blacklisted vessels have already been attacked during the ongoing Middle East conflict. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global shipping chokepoint, making such tensions particularly significant for international trade and energy supply chains.
NASA is preparing to launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, a mission valued at approximately $4 billion. The launch is scheduled for Sunday from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The telescope is designed to investigate key cosmic mysteries, including the study of exoplanets and dark energy. Roman is expected to significantly advance our understanding of the universe's structure and expansion.
A fire broke out at a hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of 15 newborns. The incident occurred in the Pakistani capital, making it a tragedy of significant scale. The fire affected a ward housing newborn infants at the medical facility. Further details regarding the cause of the fire and the timeline of events have not been confirmed in the available information.
India's Unified Payments Interface, commonly known as UPI, has fundamentally changed the way citizens and businesses conduct financial transactions. The system has driven widespread financial inclusion by bringing millions of previously unbanked individuals into the digital economy. UPI's rapid adoption has reshaped commerce across the country, from street vendors to large retailers. The platform's success has positioned India as a global leader in fintech innovation.
Indian stock exchanges NSE and BSE will continue normal trading operations on Eid-e-Milad. However, August 26 has been designated a settlement holiday across all stock exchanges in India. This means that while trades can be executed, the processing of funds and securities will be paused for the day, causing a one-day delay in trade settlements. Commodity markets will operate as usual, whereas currency markets will remain closed for the occasion.
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan started his career with a modest earning of just Rs 75 as his first paycheck in the 1980s, before making his acting debut. His breakthrough came with the hit film Maine Pyar Kiya, for which he was paid Rs 31,000. Over the decades, his films have collectively earned billions of rupees at the box office. Today, Khan commands a fee of Rs 100 crore per film and reportedly charges Rs 250 crore for hosting the reality show Bigg Boss.