| 24 August, 2026, 11:52 AM IST |

ET Magazine

Sunday paper has revamped form, content & style to become more personal. Stories bridge macro-micro divide, connecting business & economy to everyday decisions and offer incisive analysis & encourage fresh thinking.

Girls just wanna have fun: The rise of women-only communitiesWomen in India are actively reclaiming leisure time through various initiatives. New communities are forming around hobbies, sports, and social connections. These groups provide a much-needed space for women to prioritise personal time. Many women now schedule leisure as a non-negotiable part of their lives. This reflects a growing desire for self-care and identity beyond traditional roles.

In the age of dating apps, basic decency is apparently a green flagModern dating apps facilitate casual and impersonal rejections, which is a concerning trend. This ease of disconnection leads to a decline in basic human decency and empathy. The author argues that even minimal courtesy is now considered exceptional behavior. Apps remove obstacles, making ghosting and other dismissive actions the default. Basic politeness and acknowledging another person's time are essential dating courtesies.

In their 60s, they found love. What they kept separate was their moneyOlder Indians are forming new relationships and seeking companionship in later life. These couples often prioritize financial independence and separate their accumulated wealth. Succession planning becomes complex as families have inheritance expectations. Legal and financial arrangements are crucial for navigating these new unions. Balancing love and inheritance requires careful consideration and clear communication.

China's open-source bout is changing AIAmerica's attempt to contain China's AI ambitions may have altered the industry, accelerating a shift towards open models, cheaper intelligence and platforms.

Anthropic hires Google chip veteran Amir Salek as part of push into hardwareAI firm Anthropic has hired a Google chip founder for its new semiconductor team. This move signals Anthropic's ambition to develop its own custom AI chips. The company is also securing significant data center capacity deals. Rival OpenAI is pursuing similar custom chip development strategies. These efforts aim to address supply shortages and optimize AI hardware.

Trump told Lula that officials should meet soon to discuss tariffs, Brazil saysBrazilian and U.S. presidents spoke by phone regarding recent tariffs imposed on Brazilian goods. Lula reiterated that negotiations are the best way to resolve the ongoing trade dispute. Trump suggested officials from both countries meet as soon as possible to discuss matters. The tariffs would harm both economies and cited allegations are unfounded. Brazil seeks further consultations with U.S. trade authorities for potential reciprocal measures.

Bhavnagar Hooch toll rises to 9; 17 hospitalised, 3 in ICUNine people died from spurious liquor in Bhavnagar by Saturday evening. Seventeen individuals remained hospitalized, with three in critical condition after consuming the toxic brew. Police arrested thirteen people and named twenty-one in the FIR, identifying Raees as the mastermind. Forensic reports confirmed high methanol content, which made the liquor fatally toxic. Raw materials were sourced from Madhya Pradesh and Ahmedabad for final production in Bhavnagar.

India gets $72.8 billion in dollar inflows under RBI swap facilityIndia has received $72.8 billion in dollar inflows through FCNR(B) deposits, external commercial borrowings and overseas foreign currency borrowings under the RBI’s special swap facility as of August 21.

Festive hiring boom shifts to tier II and III cities as demand surgesTemporary hiring for festivals is now expanding beyond major Indian cities. Tier II and Tier III markets are experiencing faster growth in seasonal employment opportunities. E-commerce and organised retail are driving this significant shift in hiring patterns. Companies are increasingly focusing on these smaller cities for their fulfillment needs.

A Venice fly trap: Skip Kapoor, see SinghAnish Kapoor's London exhibition features visceral art and large-scale installations. The author visited the Venice Biennale, exploring diverse artistic expressions. Dayanita Singh's intimate archival works offered a profound contrast to Kapoor's scale. Lee Ufan presented quieter, contemplative pieces bridging painting and sculpture. The journey through art destinations often lingers longer than the art itself.

Man United beaten 2-0 as Hull makes dream return to Premier LeagueHull City achieved a significant Premier League return, defeating Manchester United 2-0. Goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy secured the victory for Hull. Manchester United showed a tepid performance, struggling to impress their fans. The team's display indicated a long road ahead to recapture past glories. This result suggests United is unlikely to challenge for the title this season.

With spin options in focus, India must resist pre-judging the SSC pitch in 2nd Test against Sri LankaIndia secured a victory in Galle, which demanded hard work from players. Coach Gautam Gambhir desires a balanced Test wicket for future matches. He also advocates for three-match Test series over shorter formats. India plans to select the best bowling attack to secure twenty wickets. The team will adapt to the playing surface and not pre-judge conditions.

TikTok reaches $400 million settlement with US Justice Department over children's privacyTikTok has agreed to a $400 million settlement with the US Department of Justice. This resolution addresses allegations of violating federal children's privacy laws. The company will pay $300 million immediately and $100 million later. This action follows a 2024 lawsuit concerning data collection practices. The settlement aims to protect children's online privacy and data security.

OpenAI cuts developer pricing for frontier GPT-5.6 Sol model by more than 20%The price cuts are effective on OpenAI's application programming interface, or API, and are rolling out across eligible plans for credits on its agentic AI product ChatGPT Work and its coding tool Codex, ⁠OpenAI said.

US, Iran keep up hostile rhetoric ahead of new sanctionsNew United States sanctions targeting Iran are scheduled for announcement impacting global trade partners. Oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have virtually halted as Iran maintains its leverage. Tehran has criticized the impending sanctions as an assertion of extraterritorial sovereignty over UN members.

Finding Aryna: World No. 1 Sabalenka searches for lost zingWorld number one Aryna Sabalenka faces a challenging period in her tennis career. Her recent performances have shown a decline in her powerful game. The top ranking is now under threat from other strong competitors. Sabalenka must overcome mental frailties and technical errors to regain form. Her upcoming US Open title defense faces significant uncertainty.

Multitasking is dead, long live monotasking: Doing one thing well may be the real superpower in 2026The author argues that multitasking hinders effective task completion and quality. He suggests that focusing on one task at a time offers better results. Societal pressures currently favour parallel workstream management, which is detrimental. The future may necessitate a shift towards monotasking for human endeavours.

Gujarat panel to frame promotion quota policy for disabled employeesA five-member committee has been formed by the Gujarat government to create a promotion reservation policy. This panel will examine central guidelines and court judgments on the matter. It will also assess policies adopted by other state governments. The committee's mandate includes studying fair promotion reservation and implementation steps. The government will use these recommendations to establish a clearer policy framework.

Boris Johnson recalls Queen Elizabeth's remark on India's enduring Russia tiesBoris Johnson reflected on Queen Elizabeth II's observation regarding India's robust ties with Russia, a bond that traces back to 1952 during Prime Minister Nehru's tenure. He emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration between India, the US, and the UK, lauding India's pivotal role in supplying COVID-19 vaccines to Britain. Additionally, he mentioned the positive implications of Brexit for trade relations between India and the UK.

US-India trade deal nearly final, Rubio to visit India in October: Sergio GorUS Ambassador Sergio Gor revealed that the US-India trade agreement is on the verge of finalisation, clarifying that Congress's push for tariffs differs from the previous Trump admin. He underscored Trump's admiration for Modi, while also stressing the urgency of resolving the Russia-Ukraine crisis, highlighting India's critical role as evidenced by numerous high-ranking visits from US officials.

Keeping the flame alive in badminton: From Jwala-Ashwini to Treesa-Gayatri, India’s women’s doubles story finds another chapter on the Worlds podiumIndian women's doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand secured a bronze medal at the BWF World Championships. This achievement marks a significant return for Indian women's doubles on the world stage. The unseeded duo overcame strong opponents to confirm their medal position. Their performance offers a bright spot amidst a challenging tournament for Indian players.

BJP targets Gen Z voters with new outreach plan; Nitin Nabin, Smriti Irani, Vinod Tawde part of special teamThe BJP has formed a special team to focus on outreach to Gen Z voters. This new initiative aims to understand and engage with young people's concerns. The party also passed a resolution condemning the Congress Working Committee's Vande Mataram stance. A nationwide 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' will mark Prime Minister Modi's 25 years as Gujarat CM. This month-long campaign will begin soon to honor the milestone.

Assam-Meghalaya border tension: RAF, CRPF conduct flag march amid ongoing protests and tourist disruptionPassenger vehicles and taxi services to Meghalaya remain suspended for a third consecutive day. Tension along the Assam-Meghalaya border was triggered after several people from Assam were injured. Assam-based drivers blocked traffic to Meghalaya, and a counter-blockade was initiated on the Meghalaya side. Meghalaya expressed regret over the incidents and assured strong action against those responsible.

Day 2 of Imphal-Guwahati bus service goes off without a hitch, after 3 year suspensionPublic transport services between Imphal and Guwahati resumed smoothly on Saturday. Over two hundred passengers departed Imphal in a fleet of buses and vehicles. This resumption follows a three-year suspension due to ethnic unrest in Manipur. Interstate passenger bus services had been suspended since May 3, 2023. The restoration of this crucial inter-state link is widely appreciated by the public.

India wasn't always one: The forgotten story of its unificationIndia's journey to independence in 1947 initiated a challenging process of national unification. Despite gaining freedom, several former Portuguese and French colonies remained distinct entities for years. Additionally, many princely states pursued their own forms of independence, complicating the national formation. Vallabhbhai Patel emerged as a pivotal figure in integrating these varied regions, showcasing India's complex trajectory towards unity.