Independent News & People Network Desk of News

Gold surges ₹2,000 to ₹1.58 lakh/10g; silver rises ₹730 in Delhi

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-08-18T11:55:54+00:00

The yellow metal of 99.9% purity appreciated by ₹2,000 to ₹1,58,800 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes) from Monday's closing level of ₹1,56,800 per 10 grams

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Uzbekistan keen to import steel from India to cut logistics costs

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-08-18T11:52:34+00:00

The country is keen to import steel from India via a shorter, alternative route; It would lower its logistics cost, the industry member said

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UK retailers too slow to pass on fuel price falls, watchdog says

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-08-18T11:43:42+00:00

Competition and Markets Authority raises concerns about ‘passive pricing strategies’ used by some petrol stationsBusiness live – latest updatesSome petrol stations are still not passing on changes in wholesale prices quickly enough and more than 1,000 warning letters have been sent to retailers failing to give prices to the Fuel Finder service, the UK competition watchdog has said.The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) raised concerns in its latest quarterly update on the fuel market over “passive pricing strategies” used by the majority of retailers, which it said were helping to keep p

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‘Our task is to laugh at these enemies’: the Ukrainian unit posting drone videos of Russian soldiers’ last moments

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-08-18T11:43:23+00:00

Creators of chase compilations reject any moral qualms and say they show ‘death is waiting’ for those who join warTo many observers they will appear dehumanising and offensive. To many Ukrainians, however, they are a brutal reminder of the fate that awaits Russian soldiers who take part in Vladimir Putin’s invasion, as well as a potent propaganda weapon.Over the past year and a half, videos of kamikaze drones chasing Russian service personnel to their deaths have become a distinctive genre on social media. They are the brainchild of Robert Brovdi, the head of Ukraine’s unmanned systems forces

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IMD Update: Heavy rain lash over West Bengal, Odisha, Uttarakhand

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-08-18T11:37:11+00:00

The monsoon trough’s eastern end dipping into the Bay is a telling signal: the waters could spring back to life sooner rather than later, with another low-pressure area potentially taking shape

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First Thing: Meta’s treatment of children on social media in spotlight as landmark trial set to begin

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-08-18T11:36:14+00:00

Several US states have accused Instagram and Facebook’s parent company of deliberately causing young people harm with its products. Plus: the Italian nuns fighting to keep control of their spot in the sunGood morning. More than half of the states in the US have joined together in an unprecedented lawsuit against Meta that goes to trial on Tuesday, accusing the parent company of Instagram and Facebook of deliberately designing addictive products that lured in young people and caused them harm.The sweeping legal proceedings could have profound consequences for the company. The attorneys general

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Tata Sons AGM adjourned due to lack of quorum

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-08-18T11:35:04+00:00

The meeting had to be adjourned because Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and Sir Ratan Tata Trust, which jointly nominate a representative, could not be present

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ASK Property Fund books ₹340 crore exit from Chennai housing project

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-08-18T11:26:08+00:00

The fund, which is the real estate private equity arm of the Blackstone-backed ASK Asset & Wealth Management Group, had deployed the capital into the project in 2023

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Cash demand stays strong despite digital payments boom, says RBI Deputy Governor Murmu

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-08-18T11:24:07+00:00

Addressing central bankers from across the world, Murmu noted that currency in circulation continues to grow at double-digit rates despite a decline in cash’s share of individual transactions due to increasing digital payment adoption.

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ICICI Bank stock slips 0.45% as bank prices $750 million bond issue

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-08-18T11:22:45+00:00

The bank’s IFSC Banking Unit priced five-year Senior Unsecured Fixed Rate Notes at a 5.417% coupon early Tuesday under its $7.5 billion Global Medium Term Note Programme

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Burnham confirms West Midlands to take public control of local bus network – UK politics live

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-08-18T11:20:15+00:00

The prime minister says the ‘absolutely massive’ move would protect thousands of jobsThe prime minister, Andy Burnham, has confirmed a new partnership between the government and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to take local control of bus services in the region.Burnham said the “absolutely massive” move would protect thousands of jobs, which were threatened after the parent company behind local operator National Express indicated it was leaving the market.Buses in Manchester and London are franchised (ie owned by a private company but operated under a local authority brand.) It se

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Sydney Swans will sanction players for ‘serious breach’ over incident that led to sexual assault allegations

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-08-18T11:18:19+00:00

AFL club’s board meets on Tuesday night to decide penalties after league boss calls reports ‘deeply concerning’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Sydney Swans AFL club will decide on sanctions for players for “serious breach” of standards over an incident that led to a report of sexual assault.Victorian police on Tuesday confirmed the sexual crimes squad was investigating a reported sexual assault at Melbourne’s Pullman Hotel early on Monday morning. No arrests have been made and no charges have been laid. Contin

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Controversial NDIS bill passes Senate with ‘substantial’ amendments as Labor and Coalition strike deal

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-08-18T11:04:25+00:00

David Pocock says legislation still includes ‘indiscriminate cut’ impacting thousands of participants but will pass lower house on WednesdayGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe government’s controversial NDIS bill will pass after “substantial” amendments were agreed to in a deal between Labor and the Coalition, with some of the changes attracting heavy criticism from the Greens, the ACT senator David Pocock and the disability community.Sixty-three government amendments across both houses were introduced as part of backroom deals to pass the bill in the upper house on

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England’s ancient oak trees dying in extreme hot and dry weather

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-08-18T11:00:43+00:00

Woodland Trust says trees struggling in drought stress, with older ‘survivors’ disproportionately affectedEngland’s ancient oak trees are dying in the summer’s extreme heat and dry weather, according to the Woodland Trust, with trees and ecosystems unable to adapt fast enough to the changing climate.The heatwaves across much of Europe this summer have had a notable impact on crop growth and plant health. To cope with the extreme conditions, many trees are undergoing “early autumn”, wilting and losing their leaves early.Crow Leasow oak, Shropshire.Tea Party oak, Suffolk.King John oak, Devon.Enm

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