The Economic Times
Elections 2026Economy / The Economic Times
Veena Devi and her son Sameer transformed a traditional Bihar delicacy into a thriving business in Bengaluru, which has been lauded by R Madhavan. They started MomsMade, offering healthy thekuas made with jaggery and whole wheat. This humble home kitchen venture grew into a successful empire, earning Rs 15 crore annually. The brand now employs 50 women in preparing and packaging traditional Indian snacks. Their inspiring journey highlights the potential of regional recipes in the modern market.
Jammu and Kashmir Police executed a special court proclamation against a terror handler. The proclamation directs the wanted terrorist to appear by August twenty-first. This action relates to twin bomb blasts which occurred in Katra and Narwal. The accused is a cross-border handler believed to have crossed over to Pakistan. Police seek public cooperation in sharing information about the accused's whereabouts.
India's fast-track courts have over 2.5 lakh cases pending as of December 2025. More than 1.4 lakh new cases were registered during 2025, while only 66,500 were resolved. The scheme, launched in 2019, has consistently seen over 2 lakh cases pending. The government has extended the scheme until September 30 this year.
The US has placed India in a lower tariff bracket of ten percent. Approximately forty-five percent of India's exports to the US remain outside this additional duty. The remaining fifty-five percent of exports will attract the ten percent additional duty. India continues to engage with the US on textile-specific measures. Both nations are negotiating a Bilateral Trade Agreement for early conclusion.
The Supreme Court expressed concern over in-laws being involved in marital disputes. It criticized the Bombay High Court for not examining case materials. The court quashed a POCSO case against a paternal aunt of a minor. This action followed allegations of sexual molestation by the aunt against her nephew. The Supreme Court found no substance in the complaint and ordered no further proceedings.
ONGC began drilling its first deepwater exploratory well in the Mahanadi offshore basin. This ambitious campaign aims to tap India's vast hydrocarbon resources. The government has opened nearly one million square kilometers for exploration. Recent successes strengthen the outlook for offshore exploration efforts.
The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor was removed from his post. This decision followed allegations of sexual misconduct with a female aide. Member states voted decisively to oust Karim Khan from his position. His removal occurs amid challenges from the United States and Venezuela's withdrawal. The court's work will continue with deputy prosecutors leading the office.
India faces intense monsoon activity with severe rainfall alerts issued by the IMD. A low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal strengthens monsoon rains across many states. Authorities warn of urban flooding, landslides, and traffic disruptions due to heavy downpours. Several regions including Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra are on high alert. Residents are advised to stay cautious and follow official advisories for safety.
Robert Louis Stevensons quote, There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy. By being happy, we sow anonymous benefits upon the world, reminds us that joy is not just personal but a gift to others. In his essay An Apology for Idlers, the Scottish novelist believed happiness creates unseen positive effects. Despite lifelong health struggles, Stevenson showed resilience through his celebrated works like Treasure Island and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned following widespread youth protests. These demonstrations demanded accountability for alleged NEET-UG examination irregularities. The NEET-UG exam, crucial for medical admissions, faced cancellation due to paper leaks. Investigators are probing a multi-state network suspected of facilitating the leak. The resignation marks a significant outcome for the protesting students nationwide.
Quote of the day: Socrates' timeless quote Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people encourages reflection on conversation quality over quantity. Strong minds engage with ideas, fostering innovation and continuous learning. Average minds focus on current events, remaining superficial in their understanding. Weak minds discuss people, often fueling negativity and misunderstandings.
Sonam Wangchuk celebrated the Union Education Minister's resignation as a democratic triumph. He credited the Cockroach Janta Party and Gen Z for this significant outcome. Wangchuk described the event as a result of sustained, non-violent public pressure. He congratulated the protesters for shedding fear and rising up nationwide. The activist urged for broader reforms following this accountability measure.
Thousands of users worldwide report problems accessing OpenAI's popular AI chatbot. Many users cannot log in, send prompts, or view their chat history. The outage began recently, affecting users across multiple continents and countries. OpenAI has acknowledged the disruption and is actively investigating the ongoing technical issues.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned from his post. This resignation follows widespread student protests and the NEET paper leak controversy. Arvind Kejriwal congratulated the youth, calling the resignation a victory for democracy. Telangana Congress president B Mahesh Kumar Goud also hailed the student's success. The minister's departure shows that persistent advocacy can force executive accountability.
The Cockroach Janta Party's agitation continues after Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned. The party now demands one crore rupees compensation for affected families. They also seek action against police personnel for alleged protest force. The CJP stated their protest is far from over. The party awaits a formal call for further talks.
Bad luck often keeps hitting the same spot reflects the idea that problems can sometimes keep piling up on the same people or places. This traditional Scottish saying highlights how misfortune, like fortune, can appear unevenly distributed. Similar expressions exist across European languages, capturing the universal human experience of facing one setback after another or seeing success continue to follow those who are already fortunate.
Retail leasing in Delhi-NCR surged seventy-eight percent to 1.3 million sq ft. Fashion retailers led this expansion, followed by food and beverage firms. Departmental stores also contributed significantly to the leasing growth. Vacancies in Grade A malls remained tight at six percent. This indicates a strong and expanding organized retail market.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari condemned attacks on journalists during a recent protest. He assured strict action against miscreants under the new Goonda Act. Around seventy individuals not connected to the protest were identified by authorities. Six journalists sustained serious injuries and received hospital treatment. FIRs have been lodged, and charges under the Goonda Act are included.
Hedy Lamarr was more than a Hollywood star. According to the National Women's History Museum, the Austrian-American actress co-invented a World War II radio guidance system using frequency hopping technology with composer George Antheil. Though ignored for decades and never profiting from the patent, her invention later became a foundation for modern wireless communication, influencing technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS. She was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 201
IND vs ZIM Harare Pitch Report and Weather Update: India seeks to secure the T20I series victory against Zimbabwe today. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Mayank Yadav starred in India's dominant seven-wicket win. Zimbabwe must perform strongly to extend the series and keep hopes alive. The Harare Sports Club pitch typically favors batters early before slowing down. Ideal weather conditions are forecast for the crucial second T20 International match.
The Odyssey director Christopher Nolan revealed his strict no-smartphone policy on film sets. He also admitted to not owning a smartphone himself, surprising many. Nolan explained he values quiet thinking time for his creative process. He relies on his team for all necessary information and communication. His latest film, The Odyssey, is currently enjoying significant success.
India's gem and jewellery exporters welcomed the US decision to retain the additional tariff on Indian shipments at 10%, giving them a tariff advantage over several rivals. However, the industry warned that total duties of up to 16% will continue to hurt exports and has urged faster India-US trade deal negotiations.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This action follows over a month of student-led protests concerning the alleged NEET exam paper leak. The Cockroach Janta Party hailed the resignation as a significant victory for student activism. The party had consistently demanded the minister's departure as a non-negotiable condition.
State Bank of India has recruited 1,930 Circle Based Officers nationwide. These new officers will strengthen customer service and banking operations across all branches. They will support customer engagement and deliver personalised banking services to over 53 crore customers. The bank continues to invest in talent development for an agile banking ecosystem. This recruitment reflects SBI's focus on evolving customer needs and digital initiatives.
Recent policy measures may shift India's balance of payments to a surplus. These actions aim to attract significant capital inflows and strengthen the external position. The Reserve Bank of India's initiatives are expected to boost foreign currency deposits. Government securities are becoming more accessible for foreign investors. These developments could ease pressure on the Indian rupee.
Nothing is reorganizing its business by creating dedicated units and regional hubs. The company denies shutting down operations in multiple international markets. It also disputes claims of a significant global workforce reduction. India remains a priority market for Nothing's smartphone business. Support and product availability for consumers will remain unchanged.
India vs Zimbabwe 2nd T20I Live Streaming: India secured a seven-wicket victory against Zimbabwe in their opening T20I match. This win marked Shreyas Iyer's first success as the team's captain. The Indian squad will now aim to clinch the series in the upcoming second match. Fans can watch the live telecast on Unite8 Sports and DD Sports. Live streaming will be available on the FanCode app and website.
Destination weddings are expected to rise to 30-32% of Indian weddings by 2028, up from nearly 25% currently, as couples increasingly choose smaller, experience-focused celebrations, according to WedMeGoods Destination Wedding Report 2026.
Ankit Pandey shared on X that his friend rejected a TCS placement despite being told it was a huge mistake. Instead, he built a rice business, buying directly from farmers, packaging under his own brand and supplying 200 retail shops. Pandey claimed the business now earns around Rs 25 lakh annually by selling 20,000 kg of rice every month. The post sparked debate online, with users discussing entrepreneurship, risk-taking and whether owning a business can outperform a corporate career.
Saudi Arabia intercepted two ballistic missiles from Yemen targeting oil refineries in Yanbu. U.S. forces launched air strikes on Iran after Houthi attacks on Saudi tankers. President Trump vowed major military punishment for Iran and its Houthi allies. The Strait of Hormuz remains a key waterway, with Houthi actions disrupting oil supplies.
Anahat Singh has become the first Indian in years to reach the World Junior Squash Championship final. She defeated Barb Sameh of Egypt in a closely contested semifinal match. Singh is now one step away from becoming India's first World Junior squash champion. She previously won a bronze medal in last year's tournament. Anahat will face Ruqayya Salem of Egypt in the championship match.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated development projects worth over 489 crore. He praised Prime Minister Modi for the National Education Policy and a new law. Adityanath stated his government maintains a strict stance against examination malpractices. He alleged past governments allowed such malpractices, hindering development. The Chief Minister highlighted development in Fatehpur and employment generation across the state.
China has fined a major online travel company nearly 5.2 billion yuan for monopolistic practices. The company restricted market competition by forming exclusive hotel partnerships and prioritizing certain vendors. This behavior eliminated competition and harmed consumer interests, according to regulators. The investigation began in January and found illegal gains of over 1.6 billion yuan.
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar reviewed the drought situation in Chitradurga. The state government shifted its development review meeting to address water shortages. Officials and public representatives discussed precautionary measures for affected districts. The Chief Minister assured farmers and the public of no water scarcity. The government is taking steps to manage the worsening drought conditions.
A district consumer commission ordered Flipkart and a seller to refund over two lakh rupees. The Powai resident ordered an iPhone but received beard growth oil and packing material. The commission found deficiency in service and unfair trade practices by the e-commerce platform. Flipkart and the seller failed to resolve the issue after multiple complaints were lodged. Apple India was dismissed from the case as the dispute was not product-related.
Viktor Frankl believed happiness and success happen by not caring about them. Fulfillment naturally emerges when one serves a cause greater than themselves. His logotherapy emphasizes finding meaning even amidst profound suffering. Obsessing over happiness makes it more elusive, while purpose brings it naturally. Focusing on meaningful work and relationships leads to authentic and purposeful living.
The Cockroach Janta Party has called for a nationwide silent candle march. Supporters will gather outside district collector offices on July twenty-sixth. This event aims to protest alleged police brutality against students and demonstrators. The party urges solidarity with victims of police violence across India. A poster shared on X announced the Nationwide Call for Candle March.
Indiabulls reported significant profit and revenue growth in FY26. The company's real estate business showed strong sales bookings and collections. New projects in NCR highlight a focus on luxury and value offerings. Financial services continue to provide stability to the overall business. Indiabulls is now expanding its real estate footprint to new cities.
Eating stale peanuts, or peanuts which have been stored in damp and humid conditions can inadvertently make you more susceptible to cancer - especially liver.
Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited announced a power cut for July 25. Urgent maintenance work at the Abbigere substation will cause the disruption. Electricity supply will be unavailable for four hours during the afternoon. Several areas including Kammagondanahalli and Abbigere Industrial Area will be affected. This outage is scheduled to occur between 10 am and 2 pm.
Aster DM Quality Care will invest Rs 1,315 crore in Karnataka's healthcare infrastructure. This significant investment aims to strengthen the state's medical facilities and services. The company plans to develop new hospitals and expand existing ones in Bengaluru. These developments will enhance access to advanced tertiary and quaternary care. The commitment underscores Aster's long-term confidence in Karnataka's healthcare ecosystem.

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