The Economic Times

Quote of the day by Tiger Woods highlights the importance of believing in yourself before taking on any challenge. The quote explains that confidence begins long before the competition starts. Tiger Woods says success requires preparation, commitment and the belief that victory is possible. His words continue to inspire athletes, professionals, students and anyone working toward personal and professional goals while facing setbacks with determination.

Today's Quote of the Day by Aryabhata reveals a surprising truth that challenged the world's understanding of the universe more than 1,500 years ago. His timeless words on perspective and motion continue to inspire curious minds, proving that great discoveries often begin by questioning what seems obvious.

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation board will meet July 25 to approve key provisions. This meeting will ratify crucial elements of the new centralised IT project. The CITES project aims to significantly enhance services for millions of subscribers. Simplified rules for partial withdrawals and automatic PF transfers are expected. Easier access to member information will also be a key benefit.

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation will auto-process 8.25% interest for FY26 by July 15. This credit will be applied to nearly 340 million members' accounts. A new CITES 2.01 member portal will also be launched simultaneously. The organization has also raised the auto-settlement limit for advance claims to 5 lakh. This new system aims to provide a unified view of member accounts and services.

India closely monitors West Asia maritime tensions following recent ship attacks. No Indian-flagged vessels were among those recently attacked near the Strait of Hormuz. Vessel movement through the Strait of Hormuz has once again been restricted by authorities. A decision on reissuing advisories for seafarers to West Asia is pending. The Directorate General of Shipping continues its 24x7 grievance redressal mechanism.

Private banks are expected to show stronger profit growth than public sector banks this quarter. Analysts predict private lenders' profits will climb ten percent year-on-year. Balance sheet growth also favors private banks, with higher deposit expansion. However, public sector banks led in loan book expansion during the June quarter. Investor focus will remain on individual bank performance and execution.

Improved July rainfall has narrowed the country's deficit to twenty-four percent. This development raises hopes for faster kharif sowing across several regions. However, overall sowing still trails last year's pace significantly. Government plans include contingency measures and a national seed reserve. Farmers are advised to shift to short-duration, less water-intensive crops.

Axis Bank has seen three senior executives resign from their positions. These departures add to a significant reshuffling occurring within private sector lenders. Anil Agarwal and Vikas Shinde, long-serving executives, have left the bank. Jimmy Tavadia, group head of trading, also resigned from his role. These changes coincide with the lender reorganizing key corporate banking positions.

Life insurers saw a 16.6% rise in new business premium during the April-June quarter. Private sector firms expanded faster than LIC, driven by regular premium products. Regular premium collections grew nearly twenty percent year-on-year, while single premium business increased. SBI Life Insurance emerged as the fastest-growing player among listed companies. Private insurers continue gaining market share while LIC retains its dominant position.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes has granted income-tax exemption to NCCL's Core Settlement Guarantee Fund. This tax benefit will continue for assessment years 2019-20 through 2026-27. The exemption ensures continued tax relief under the new Income-Tax Act provisions. This relief remains available as long as the fund files its income-tax returns. The notification removes uncertainty over the tax treatment of this important market safeguard.

Credit cards now hold 38% of unsecured credit, down from 56% in 2016. Small personal loans under fifty thousand rupees have gained significant market share. Card balances remain stable at fifteen to sixteen percent of total consumption credit. Delinquency data shows risk spilling across various credit products. Occasional card users exhibit low delinquency rates across their credit portfolios.

The Centre plans to invite bids for national highway projects using a new toll-cum-annuity model. This hybrid approach combines build-operate-transfer and hybrid annuity model features. The revised agreement aims to optimise risk allocation and boost investor confidence significantly. The government will provide upfront financial support for certain projects with viability gap funding. This initiative seeks to revive private sector participation in infrastructure development.

Indian banks are experiencing a slowdown in special foreign currency deposit collection. Rising overseas borrowing costs are impacting banks' leverage offerings to clients. High-net-worth individuals seek double-digit dollar returns, assessing tax implications. Banks are recalibrating deposit mobilization strategies after recent guideline releases. Investor expectations for higher spreads are increasing due to Indian supply.

Vehicles running on fuels other than petrol and diesel made up a record 40% of all passenger vehicles sold in June, FADA data released earlier this week showed.

The coal ministry has invited applications for a 37,500 crore scheme. This initiative promotes surface coal and lignite gasification projects across India. The government aims to convert domestic coal into higher-value fuels and chemicals. Eligible developers can receive financial support for commercial-scale projects. Applications are due by September 7, with a pre-application conference on July 20.

The National Investigation Agency conducted searches at twenty locations across multiple states. These searches are connected to a petrol bomb attack on an RSS office in Ranchi. Three men arrested in the attack were linked to the ISI-funded Tehreek-e-Taliban Hindustan. Officials stated the accused were radicalized in Dubai and communicated with handlers. They filmed the attack and sent the video to their handler after the incident.

The government plans to act against drugmakers with unlisted products. This move aims to stop the sale of irrational fixed-dose combinations. Expert committees suggest unapproved formulations could face license cancellation. Previous government directions failed to ensure lasting compliance with regulations. A new comprehensive framework is now being developed to resolve this issue.

US authorities have charged jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar for ordering Nijjar's assassination. This action is part of a wider crackdown on transnational organized crime groups. The probe focused on crime syndicates impacting the Indian diaspora globally. Nijjar's killing had previously strained India-Canada relations significantly. Bishnoi's syndicate reportedly has hundreds of operatives across India and abroad.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated disputes among leaders showed alliance strength. He believes these disagreements offer a lesson for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Rutte sees no need to alter his approach to dealing with President Trump. He emphasised that democracies can openly disagree and then reunite. This ability to converge around common purpose distinguishes democracies from other nations.

The Army is procuring hundreds of one-way attack drones for 1500 crore. Tata Advanced Systems Limited emerged as the lowest bidder for this significant procurement. Supplies are expected to commence within six months of contract signing. These drones are designed to be resistant to jamming and spoofing. Additional orders for similar systems are anticipated in the coming months.

Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drugs are regaining market share from Indian generics. Innovator brands show steady month-on-month sales growth, unlike generics. Eli Lilly's tirzepatide brands also experienced sales growth in the recent period. Doctors prefer innovator semaglutide due to similar pricing and pioneering status. The crowded generic market is causing brands to lose their individual market share.

Dutch prosecutors have initiated criminal proceedings against Tata Steel IJmuiden. The company faces charges for illegally releasing harmful substances into the environment. This action follows a 2022 investigation prompted by a complaint from over 800 individuals. Authorities allege failures in maintenance and unauthorized operations at the steel plant. Tata Steel acknowledges concerns and is implementing improvement measures to minimize issues.

NATO leaders concluded their summit in Ankara, with no firm date set for the next meeting. The upcoming summit will be hosted by Albania, though the exact timing remains undecided. Some alliance members prefer to reduce the frequency of annual summits. This shift comes after a recent summit which included US President Donald Trump. Albania's defense spending was also a factor in delaying the date announcement.

A Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist was killed in Shopian on Wednesday. Security forces launched an operation in Meemandar orchards after spotting suspects. The slain terrorist, Zakir Ahmad Ganie, joined the LeT's offshoot in 2023. Forces continue searching for another suspect named Latif in the area. Three over-ground workers were also apprehended in Anantnag.

Quote of the day by Nikola Tesla: One's salvation could only be brought about through his own efforts reminds people that lasting success begins with personal responsibility and self-discipline. The quote comes from Tesla's autobiography My Inventions and reflects his own journey of overcoming challenges. It continues to inspire people to take accountability, build resilience, pursue innovation, and achieve personal success through consistent effort rather than depending on others.

Global nuclear power capacity is projected to increase by forty-four percent over the next decade. This growth is driven by rising electricity demand and significant reactor construction in China and India. China is on track to become the world's largest nuclear nation by the end of this decade. Efforts to combat climate change and increasing social acceptance are also boosting nuclear energy.

Novo Nordisk is set to introduce Awiqli, an innovative once-weekly insulin, in India shortly. This remarkable treatment drastically cuts down the number of insulin injections from 365 annually to only 52. Awiqli could redefine the approach to diabetes management, offering promising cost savings compared to existing therapies.

India's peak power demand is projected to reach 300 GW next year. This surge is driven by expanding data centers, artificial intelligence, and electric vehicles. Energy storage has become a national imperative due to rising demand and renewable energy additions. India targets around 160 GW of storage by 2035, with clear roadmaps. The country requires 888 GWh of energy storage system capacity by 2035-36.

Japanese Proverb of the Day highlights the meaning of Good fortune and happiness will come to the house of those who smile. The saying reflects how positivity, kindness, and emotional attitude can influence a persons experiences and relationships. It suggests that a smile represents more than just happiness; it reflects optimism, warmth, and the ability to create a positive environment. The proverb emphasizes that people who approach life with kindness and a cheerful mindset are more likely to a

Total student enrollment reached a record 4.50 crore in 2023-24, showing significant growth. Women's participation rose substantially, contributing to a higher gender parity index in colleges. STEM course enrollment also increased, with women making notable gains in these fields. Enrolment across social categories like ST, OBC, and SC saw considerable percentage increases. The teaching workforce expanded, and undergraduate courses remain the most popular choice for students.

A train ticket examiner was suspended after a decorated AC coupe went viral. The incident occurred on the Nandigram Express on July sixth, 2026. An online decorator privately engaged by a couple entered the coach without authorization. This unauthorized entry is viewed as a serious lapse by railway officials. A detailed departmental inquiry has been ordered into the matter.

China's car sales have declined for nine consecutive months, impacting domestic demand significantly. Automakers are now increasingly focusing on export markets to offset these local sales slumps. Consumers with higher purchasing power are upgrading to new premium vehicles with advanced features. This trend benefits emerging Chinese brands while traditional German marques face challenges.

India suffered their worst T20 defeat by 125 runs against England. Fast bowlers Archer and Tongue were instrumental in England's dominant performance. England posted a total of 201 runs while India collapsed to 76 all out. Captain Shreyas Iyer described the team's performance as atrocious and unacceptable. India now faces a crucial series-deciding fourth T20I match tonight.

India and Myanmar reaffirmed border peace and security during a recent review meeting. Myanmar assured its territory would not be used against India's interests. The Indian delegation was led by Union home secretary Govind Mohan. Major General Min Thu led the Myanmar delegation at the important talks. Both sides emphasized maintaining stability along their shared border.

Turkey is actively engaging Indian wedding and MICE specialists to boost visitor numbers. The nation aims to significantly grow Indian arrivals over the next few years. Turkey welcomed approximately 250,000 Indian visitors in 2025. It plans to attract 90 million international visitors annually by 2028. Promotional efforts highlight global sports, music, and cultural heritage events.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged the EU to remain open and reduce export restrictions. Beijing desires an upward balance in trade and greater market access. European nations face a significant trade deficit with China, causing concern. China views the economic relationship as fundamentally complementary and mutually beneficial. The trip aimed to prevent escalating trade tensions into a full-blown trade war.

Indian transformer producers exude confidence in the face of new rules that allow Chinese competition. Their strong order books and ongoing capacity expansions illustrate their resilience. Many Chinese companies lack substantial manufacturing presence in India, making it harder to compete. Furthermore, government policies mandating significant domestic content in imported components ensure that local manufacturers maintain a competitive edge.

Today's Chinese Proverb by ancient Chinese wisdom speaks to a truth almost everyone discovers too late. The mistakes we wish we had avoided often become the lessons we value most, reminding us that experience can shape better decisions, deeper wisdom, and a more meaningful life.

Quote of the day by Friedrich Nietzsche: Friedrich Nietzsche's quote highlights purpose as a source of strength. Having a clear 'why' helps individuals face life's toughest challenges. This understanding equips people to confront hardship and uncertainty effectively. Focusing on deeper reasons inspires resilience and determination during difficult times. Nietzsche's timeless words continue to resonate in today's fast-paced world.

French Proverb of the Day highlights the meaning of You must crack the shell to get the almond. The saying reflects how valuable achievements, opportunities, and personal growth often require effort, patience, and the courage to overcome challenges. It suggests that the most rewarding experiences in life are often hidden behind obstacles, just like an almond protected inside a hard shell. The proverb encourages people to face difficulties with determination, reminding them that success and fulfi

Federal Reserve officials discussed rising inflation at their recent meeting. Most participants saw scenarios where inflation would fall on its own. However, nearly all considered rate increases necessary if inflation remained high. Policymakers also debated shortening the policy statement and ending forward guidance. The central bank ultimately kept interest rates unchanged at the meeting.

Manipur's government is reviewing security measures following a deadly ambush on Assam Rifles personnel. Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam discussed CRPF's CoBRA unit deployment and operational strategies. Director General G. P. Singh met with ground commanders, issuing firm directives against armed miscreants. Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh emphasized unity among all communities in Manipur. He also urged forgiveness and collective efforts to restore lasting peace in the state.

Can cats experience separation anxiety like dogs? New feline behavior research shows cats form emotional bonds, recognize human voices, and react to separation. Unlike dogs, cats show love through quiet signs like following owners, sleeping near their scent, and seeking attention after reunions. Studies from animal behavior experts reveal that many cats experience attachment, routine disruption, and stress when their trusted humans disappear, changing how we understand cat emotions.