Indian stock markets were expected to open in positive territory following a decline in global oil prices. Crude oil slipped below the $90 mark, falling over 2% amid reports of a potential US-Iran ceasefire. Lower oil prices tend to benefit import-dependent economies like India by easing inflationary pressures. The development provided a positive cue for benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ahead of the trading session.
Several Indian states and Union Territories have declared a school holiday on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, primarily on account of Eid-e-Milad. However, there is no uniform nationwide closure order, with arrangements varying by state calendars, local directives, and individual school policies. Schools in Delhi-NCR may remain closed where the festival holiday is applicable. Kerala is also observing Thiruvonam, while Uttar Pradesh marks the day as Barawafat in relevant areas. Parents and students are advised to check their respective state or school notifications for accurate holiday status.
A video has surfaced showing councillors from Shahjahanpur Municipal Corporation allegedly swearing an oath to equally divide civic funds among sixty members. The footage, which has gone viral, depicts the councillors making the pledge while holding Gangajal, considered sacred in Hindu tradition. The incident has prompted the municipal body to launch an official inquiry into the matter. Authorities will examine the video's authenticity and identify those involved before deciding on further action.
SpaceX plans to construct its largest rocket launch facility in southern Louisiana, to be known as Starbase Louisiana. The $100 billion project will transform coastal wetlands into a major aerospace hub capable of supporting thousands of Starship launches annually. Construction is expected to begin in 2029, marking a significant expansion of SpaceX's launch infrastructure. The development is projected to create more than 3,000 jobs and deliver considerable economic benefits to the surrounding region.
A woman and her parents died after jumping into a river along with her young son in Andhra Pradesh. Before her death, the woman accused a rifle shooting coach of harassing her and being responsible for her husband's death. Her son survived the incident after being rescued from the river. A special investigation team was formed, leading to the coach's arrest in Meerut. Police are now probing allegations of murder, threats, and financial control linked to the coach.
The Trump administration has temporarily paused visa interviews at US embassies and consulates worldwide. The move is part of a broader immigration crackdown pursued by the administration since taking office. Measures under this drive have included revoking existing visas and green cards, as well as rejecting new applications on various grounds. The suspension affects prospective visa applicants across the globe, though the duration of the pause has not been specified.
India's hockey team put up a disappointing performance at the Hockey World Cup held in Amstelveen. Their struggles were encapsulated by a 3-5 defeat to Argentina on Monday. The campaign was undermined by recurring defensive errors and poor decision-making throughout matches. Despite showing occasional promise, the team repeatedly failed to convert attacking pressure into goals. The familiar flaws on display have raised serious concerns about the team's overall form and preparation.
The United States has temporarily suspended visa appointments at consulates globally as part of a consular officer training program. The initiative is aligned with the Trump administration's broader push to tighten immigration enforcement. Applicants seeking immigrant visas are being informed of rescheduled interview dates as a result of the pause. The administration is simultaneously imposing stricter controls on legal immigration and visa issuances. These measures reflect ongoing reviews and policy adjustments being made to the US visa system.
A French tourist visiting India was struck by the extensive use of UPI QR codes for everyday transactions across the country. She observed that digital payments were accepted even by small roadside vendors for purchases as low as Rs 20. The seamless adoption of cashless payments was visible across all types of sellers, from street stalls to local shops. This stood in sharp contrast to her home country France, where such widespread digital payment infrastructure is far less common.
A deadly road accident in Telangana claimed six lives and left several others injured. A passenger bus travelling from Hyderabad to Eluru, en route to Vijayawada, collided with a container truck from behind. The rear-end crash resulted in significant casualties among those on board the bus. Authorities have been alerted and rescue operations were undertaken at the accident site.
Indian stock exchanges BSE and NSE are observing a settlement holiday on August 26 on account of Eid-e-Milad. While trading activity will continue as usual on both exchanges, the clearing and settlement of shares and funds will not take place during this period. Settlement holidays differ from trading holidays, meaning investors can still buy and sell securities on the day. Traders should be aware that any transactions executed will be settled on a later date due to the holiday.
A young boy in Gujarat was murdered by a villager identified as Savanji Thakor. The accused allegedly kidnapped the child before disposing of his body in a nearby well. The incident is reported to have stemmed from a land dispute compounded by witchcraft claims. Authorities recovered the boy's body from the well the following day. The case has drawn attention to the dangerous intersection of property conflicts and superstition-driven violence in rural areas.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has publicly attacked the RSS and BJP, alleging that they opposed B.R. Ambedkar's Constitution and favoured the Manusmriti instead. Owaisi highlighted the contributions of Muslim freedom fighters in India's struggle against British colonial rule. He also brought up VD Savarkar's clemency petitions written to the British during his imprisonment, questioning the BJP's nationalist credentials. The remarks come amid an intensifying national debate over the relevance of Manusmriti versus the constitutional values enshrined in India's 1949 Constitution.
A US federal judge has ordered Guardant Health to pay over $245 million to TwinStrand Biosciences and the University of Washington. The ruling follows a jury verdict finding that Guardant Health had infringed patented DNA sequencing technology. Under the judgment, the company must pay an initial lump sum along with ongoing royalties through March 2033. Guardant Health has announced its intention to appeal the decision, expressing confidence in its legal position.
Intel's share of the PC and server CPU market has dropped below 70% for the first time in 31 years, marking a significant milestone for the struggling chipmaker. AMD has simultaneously reached a historic high of 30.7% market share, boosted largely by strong shipments of gaming console chips. The desktop CPU segment has been hit particularly hard, recording a notable decline in overall shipments. The figures underscore a broader shift in the semiconductor industry as competition between the two rivals intensifies.
A private travel bus crashed into a moving truck near Durgapuram stage in Hyderabad on Wednesday morning. The bus was carrying 43 passengers en route from Hyderabad to Vijayawada when the collision occurred. Six people lost their lives as a result of the accident, while several others sustained injuries. The wounded were rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical care. Police have launched an investigation to establish the exact cause of the crash.
The United States has imposed sanctions on four India-based companies and three Indian nationals as part of its efforts to restrict Iran's economy. The move targets entities allegedly conducting business with Iran in violation of US sanctions policy. Washington had earlier this week warned countries against continuing trade relations with Tehran. While the US threatened broader penalties for nations doing business with Iran, it indicated such measures would not be enforced immediately.
