business Retail and wholesale sugar prices have jumped by around 40%, reaching up to 50% in certain states. In eight states including Uttarakhand and Odisha, the price crossed ₹65 per kg recently. As of August 23, Odisha saw the highest rate at ₹67.4 a kilogram. The government cited low domestic production and global supply issues as reasons for the hike. The Union Commerce Ministry has approved imports of 10 lakh tonnes until October 31, 2026.
world Pope Leo XIV called for an international response to the deadly Ebola outbreak happening in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Speaking at St. Peter's Square, the Pope emphasized collaboration between global bodies and local communities to stop more deaths. This comes while Central Africa deals with various crises, including dangerous mining conditions. Leo also prayed for victims of a mine collapse in Zamboye, Central African Republic, where over 100 people died. The Pope also remembered communities in central Italy ten years after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake. 🌍
tech Singapore has unveiled a world-first biological data centre prototype integrating living human neurons into a server-rack setup. This project is a partnership between NUS Medicine, DayOne, and Cortical Labs, taking place at the NUS Life Sciences Institute. The system comprises 20 CL1 units, estimated to house roughly 16 million neurons, demonstrated on August 6th. This aims to create a new computing category where biology works alongside traditional electronics, moving beyond pure silicon reliance. Researchers believe this biological approach could eventually tackle the massive data needs of conventional AI systems. 🧠
business The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has initiated a pilot project in Bulandshahr for collecting cow urine from local farmers. This initiative aims to significantly boost the income of the involved farmers and provide an additional earning opportunity for women. The program also supports the maintenance of cows that are no longer milk-producing. The pilot project commenced recently in the Bulandshahr district under state supervision. Future plans involve scaling up this beneficial agricultural venture across more regions. 🐄
Urban Company shares experienced a 6% rise following a strategic shift by Kent RO. This change involves Kent RO reducing its advertisements on 'Native' water purifiers. The news broke after Kent RO decided to adjust its promotional activities. This move suggests a potential realignment in the digital advertising landscape for water purifiers. Investors are watching closely to see how this affects future market dynamics. 📈
The Apple iPhone 17 is seeing a temporary price reduction in India. This offer is available for customers in India who avail exchange bonuses and various discounts. The price has dropped to Rs 40090 for a limited period. This price adjustment is part of a promotional campaign by Apple. Consumers are advised to act fast to grab this special deal. 📱
tech Xiaomi has updated its after-sales rules, explicitly excluding second-hand products from warranty coverage. This change impacts the "Three Guarantees" policy, battery protection, and replacement services across the board. Devices bought from resale markets or recycling programs are now ineligible for these official benefits. The "Three Guarantees" system is usually mandated by Chinese consumer laws for new items. Users should verify their warranty eligibility if they purchased a phone through non-official channels. 📱
business Union Minister Piyush Goyal announced that India is negotiating FTAs with 8 to 9 more blocs and nations. This discussion took place in Tokyo, Japan, with business representatives on August 24, 2026. These new talks aim to cover an additional $15 trillion of GDP, adding to existing agreements. The ultimate goal is for India's FTAs to cover about 75% of global trade. This strategy positions India as a trusted partner in global value chains. 🤝
world An 18-year-old woman sought a divorce from her husband in Sheberghan, Kabul, accusing him of abuse. This incident took place under the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan, where women face severe restrictions on education and movement. Governor Abdullah Sarhadi, a former Taliban commander, dismissed her concerns, calling women 'mindless'. The BBC observed this in the context of five years after the Taliban's 2021 takeover. The situation reveals the harsh realities of life under the extreme Islamist governance. 😟
tech Elon Musk pointed out that global AI ambitions are heavily dependent on stable electricity supply. India aims to build a massive AI and data centre ecosystem, with IT load potentially reaching 16 GW by 2030. Deloitte projects capacity will grow from 1.5 GW in 2025 to 8-10 GW by 2030 due to AI growth. This expansion puts major pressure on India's power, water, and infrastructure systems. The focus must now shift to sequencing renewable energy alongside demand for sustainable scaling. ⚡
entertainment Five zodiac signs are set for great vibes throughout the week of August 24 to August 30, 2026. Pisces, Aries, Virgo, Capricorn, and Aquarius are the lucky ones this week across the board. The period includes a powerful Lunar Eclipse in Pisces and Mercury entering Virgo on August 25. This transit period is encouraging self-belief and seizing new opportunities. Signs should focus on action, relationships, or inner peace depending on their sign.
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