Fears for British church leader charged over religion conversion in India IN FULL The Independent UK · Aug 20
From 'govt's failure' to 'strong foreign policy': Leaders divided over US diplomat's J-K remarks US Ambassador Gor stated Jammu and Kashmir is an important part of India. Pakistan protested these remarks by summoning the US charge d'affaires. The BJP welcomed the statement as a diplomatic achievement for India. Congress stated the US diplomat merely stated the obvious fact. Other political leaders offered differing interpretations… The Economic Times · Aug 20
India amends Foreign Trade Policy for easier rupee invoicing and payments for exporters The government has amended its Foreign Trade Policy to ease rupee invoicing for exporters. Eligible rupee receipts now qualify for export benefits and obligations, aligning with new regulations. This change applies to exports to all countries, with specific rules for ACU members. Rupee settlements may reduce costs and risks for… The Economic Times · Aug 20
Kuldeep at cross roads: What is ailing left-arm wrist spinner as India look at Saransh for 2nd Test Kuldeep Yadav faced challenges on the Galle pitch, taking no wickets in his eleven overs. He was India's third spin option behind Jadeja and Suthar, who claimed fourteen wickets. The think tank may replace Kuldeep with off-spinner Saransh Jain for the upcoming Test. Former spinner L Sivaramakrishnan advised focusing on… The Economic Times · Aug 20
2nd Test: Balanced pitch awaits India, SL at Colombo The Sinhalese Sports Club pitch for the second Test is expected to be balanced. Officials are considering a well-balanced track to aid young batters. This approach avoids potential backfire from an overtly spin-friendly surface. Past SSC pitches favored batters, but recent performance shows a shift. Batting first at this venue… The Economic Times · Aug 20
India calls for joint advocacy for standards in international telecom, ICT bodies India advocates for BRICS nations to build institutional capacity together. Member states should jointly advocate for fair international telecom standards. India offers open-source frameworks for digital public infrastructure to member states. This infrastructure enables banks and government departments to build services. Digital public infrastructure is essential for sustainable development across… The Economic Times · Aug 20
Rs 91,685 crore gone! 88% retail investors lost money in F&O trading in FY26 even after strict Sebi rules Individual traders incurred substantial losses in India's equity derivatives market during FY26. Options trading accounted for the vast majority of these aggregate net losses. Active traders declined significantly, and new entrants also dropped considerably. Smaller investors with limited equity holdings experienced heavier losses than larger ones. The profit pool remained… The Economic Times · Aug 20
India can help create conditions for Iran-US agreement: Iranian Consul General on ending West Asia conflict Iran's Consul General in Mumbai believes India can help foster conditions for an Iran-United States agreement. He described India as a peace-loving country capable of contributing to mediation efforts. Several countries already act as intermediaries between Iran and the United States. An agreement could bring peace, stability, and harmony to… The Economic Times · Aug 20
UAE companies keen to invest in Rajasthan hospitality sector: UAE Ministry Rajasthan's Chief Minister invited United Arab Emirates companies to invest in key sectors. He highlighted the state's rich heritage and tourism potential for investors. The government pledged full support for companies seeking to invest in Rajasthan. Bilateral trade between India and the UAE has exceeded one hundred billion dollars annually.… The Economic Times · Aug 20
In implicit message to Beijing, India and Japan oppose unilateral actions impeding freedom of navigation India and Japan on Thursday signed a maritime security pact and agreed to deepen defence cooperation to support a free and open Indo-Pacific. Defence ministers Rajnath Singh and Shinjiro Koizumi opposed unilateral attempts to alter the status quo by force or coercion, while backing joint naval shipbuilding, intelligence-sharing and technology… The Economic Times · Aug 20
India allows duty-free sugar imports as prices climb ahead of festive season Centre has allowed duty-free imports of 1 million metric tonnes of sugar as prices surge nearly 40% in two months amid tightening supplies. The move comes alongside stricter stockholding limits for bulk consumers, with festive demand expected to rise through November and weather conditions adding pressure to sugarcane availability. The Economic Times · Aug 20
Family issue urgent appeal for British church leader accused of trying to convert Hindus in India Exclusive: Pankaj Devnoor’s family in the UK say they fear for his safety and that they will fight to bring him home The Independent UK · Aug 20
India eases rules for rupee export payments, seeks to widen trade settlement India has eased export payment rules, allowing rupee settlements with non-Asian Clearing Union countries. This move aims to promote wider use of the local currency in international trade transactions. Eligible rupee export receipts will now qualify for trade-policy benefits and count towards exporter obligations. The changes align with recent Reserve… The Economic Times · Aug 20
Finally: Skoda's New Sedan Has Massaging Rear Seats Too bad the updated Slavia is only for the Indian market. Motor1 · Aug 20
The Economic Times · Aug 20 India's battery storage self-reliance a decade away amid tech, financing and execution delays: Report India has just 2 GWh of commissioned cell manufacturing capacity as of 2026, against China's cumulative capacity of 2,695 GWh, the report said, noting China controls between 85% and 98% of global capacity across every major supply chain component, from cathode to anode, separator and electrolyte.
The Economic Times · Aug 20 Cross-border trade in local currencies reduces transaction costs: RBI deputy governor Local currencies will increasingly drive cross-border trade and payments, reducing costs and improving efficiency. Technology will be leveraged across the entire customer transaction chain for digital origination and reporting. India's foreign exchange reserves have significantly grown, and domestic forex market turnover has doubled recently. The market faces challenges with skewed…
The Economic Times · Aug 20 With $9.3 billion existing Dubai investment, 55,274 jobs; new MoUs seek to expand India-UAE AI and trade ties The agreements were signed in Bengaluru between the Indian industry bodies and a delegation led by Dubai Chambers’ president and chief executive officer, Mohammed Ali Rashed Lootah. The delegation held eight meetings with Indian and multinational companies and technology startups.
The Economic Times · Aug 20 India enters 'long-term arrangement' with Mauritius to supply petrol, diesel and aviation fuel India has signed a long-term supply arrangement with Mauritius for petrol, diesel and aviation fuel, strengthening energy cooperation between the two countries. The agreements, signed during Oil Minister Hardeep Puri’s visit, include a government-to-government MoU on oil and gas cooperation and a sales agreement with Indian Oil. Mauritius disclosed no…
The Economic Times · Aug 20 Can NRIs open joint FCNR (B) accounts with resident Indian relatives? Know what the latest rules say Non-Resident Indians are allowed to set up joint FCNR (B) accounts with their resident family members. These accounts must function on a 'Former or Survivor' arrangement for the NRI. Eligible resident relatives include immediate family members and their spouses. The money for these accounts should be sourced from international transfers…
The Economic Times · Aug 20 India bond yield curve flattens on central bank unpredictability, demand for long-term debt Indian bond yields are experiencing a flattening trend as the central bank's policy adjustments begin to influence borrowing costs. The Reserve Bank of India has hinted at possible interest rate increases, prompting a rise in shorter-term yields. Meanwhile, robust demand from institutional investors is driving interest in longer-term government securities,…
MyLifeXP · Aug 20 Why Girls Don't See Bhasm Arti the Real Reason Behind It ? Bhasm Aarti is one of the most famous rituals at the Mahakaleshwar Temple. It takes place very early in the morning, usually around 4 am. Devotees often reach the temple hours before sunrise because they do not want to miss it. People come from different cities to experience this aarti.…
The Economic Times · Aug 20 Investors dump India bonds after hawkish RBI minutes Domestic bonds experienced mounting pressure after the Reserve Bank of India's recent policy minutes conveyed a hawkish tone. The escalation in oil prices further compounded this decline in bond values. Policymakers expressed a willingness to raise interest rates if inflation concerns arise, triggering fears of increased borrowing costs within the…
The Economic Times · Aug 20 Weather Tomorrow August 21: IMD predicts rain, thunderstorms and heavy showers across several states; check Delhi, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh forecast and upcoming weather outlook Weather Tomorrow August 21: Several areas in India are bracing for heavy rainfall, prompting new weather alerts. On August 21, Delhi and Punjab can expect light to moderate showers accompanied by thunderstorms. Meanwhile, Maharashtra is preparing for morning storms, and Jammu and Kashmir are likely to have a mix of…
The Economic Times · Aug 20 India’s infrastructure output grows 5.4% in July, down from revised 6% in June India's infrastructure output grew 5.4% year-on-year in July 2026. This growth moderated from the revised 6% expansion recorded in June. The July figure shows a 0.6 percentage-point slowdown from the previous month. Data covers nine key infrastructure sectors under the revamped Index of Core Industries. The new series uses 2022-23…
The Economic Times · Aug 20 School Assembly News Headlines, August 21, 2026: Top national, international, business, sports updates and thought of the day School Assembly News Headlines: On September twenty-ninth, the Delhi High Court is set to review appeals concerning Prime Minister Modi's academic records. In a move to enhance efficiency, Haryana is leveraging GIS technology to rapidly assess infrastructure initiatives. Meanwhile, North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile, and India strengthens…