The Economic Times

India has amended its tax treaty with Sri Lanka to introduce a Principal Purpose Test (PPT), allowing authorities to deny treaty benefits where tax advantage is a key objective of an arrangement. Effective for income from FY28, the change targets treaty shopping and aligns the DTAA with global anti-tax avoidance standards.

States' fiscal deficit is expected to moderate to 3.4 per cent of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) in FY27, supported by stronger tax collections and an improvement in revenue receipts, according to an ICICI Bank report.

Punjab Police arrested Inspector Gurinderjit Singh Nagra over allegations linking him to a US federal indictment in an alleged extortion conspiracy involving an India-based organised crime syndicate.

Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched its Vikram-1 rocket into orbit on Saturday. This marked India's first privately developed rocket to reach space. The mission, named Aagaman, achieved orbital success on its very first attempt. This accomplishment is notably rare in the history of private space launches. The company's achievement contrasts with SpaceX's initial launch failures.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Skyroot Aerospace for Vikram-1's successful orbital launch. This achievement marks India's entry into private orbital launch capabilities. The Vikram-1 rocket successfully entered a nearly 450-km orbit after its final burn. Mission Aagaman executed flawlessly from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The carbon-composite rocket completed all planned flight stages and module firings.

Iraq signed 48 agreements and partnerships with American companies, many in the oil sector, during a visit to the US by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, his office said Saturday. A total of 48 agreements, memoranda of understanding, cooperation agreements, and partnership declarations were signed between public and private sector entities in Iraq and the United States, the Iraqi leader's media office said.

Pakistan registered a current account deficit of USD 139 million in the last fiscal year. This marked a reversal from the previous year's surplus of USD 1.838 billion. Exports saw minimal growth while imports remained high, creating a significant trade deficit. Remittances played a crucial role in supporting the economy during this period. The situation in West Asia could further impact the country's economic outlook.

Senior Delhi Police officers met to review law and order after activist Sonam Wangchuk's hospital transfer. Wangchuk was moved to Safdarjung Hospital due to his deteriorating health condition. Police removed protesters from Jantar Mantar following court orders and medical advice. Heavy police presence was noted at the protest site during the operation. The meeting assessed the overall law and order arrangements in the area.

Pests like aphids, whiteflies, and fungus gnats are a constant headache for anyone growing plants indoors. Before reaching for chemical sprays, consider this: that roll of aluminium foil sitting in your kitchen is quietly one of the most effective, low-cost pest deterrents available. Here is how to use it properly.

Spain and Argentina will compete for the FIFA World Cup 2026 title. The championship match is scheduled for July 19, 2026, in New Jersey. Indian viewers can watch the final live in the early hours of July 20. England and France will play in the third-place play-off match. ZEE5 and Unite8 Sports will broadcast the final live in India.

Madhya Pradesh forest department offers villagers a bounty for collecting sal borer beetles. This unique conservation drive involves children, women, and elderly villagers actively participating. Over eleven lakh sal borers have been collected so far from designated trap trees. This initiative aims to protect vast stretches of vital sal forests in Dindori.

NMC MBBS Seat Matrix 2026: The National Medical Commission has published the 2026 MBBS seat matrix for aspiring doctors. This year offers 1,36,939 MBBS seats, a significant increase from last year. Private medical colleges contributed the majority of these newly added seats. Twenty-five new medical colleges have also entered the fray this year. Karnataka leads with the highest number of total MBBS seats available.

Pakistan and China will strengthen cooperation in immigration and border management. A joint working group will be established to enhance security and efficiency. Both nations aim to expedite immigration processes and combat illegal activities. China will continue supporting capacity building for Pakistani institutions.

Rohit Sharma will be under intense scrutiny in the series-deciding third ODI against England as speculation over his international future grows despite the BCCI ruling out retirement talks. After a quiet series so far, the veteran opener will look to rediscover his form, while India will rely on in-form batters Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli to seal the series. The visitors may also tweak their bowling attack due to Washington Sundar's injury, with Kuldeep Yadav in contention, as they aim to conta

FIFA World Cup trophy: The FIFA World Cup trophy captures football's emotions in its spiraling form. Designed by Silvio Gazzaniga, it replaced the Jules Rimet Trophy after Brazil's 1970 win. The original trophy was stolen twice and never recovered, while the current one is gold-plated. Winning captains lift the original trophy but return it to FIFA after the ceremony. Gazzaniga's iconic design will continue to be used through at least the 2038 tournament.

Country-wise FIFA World Cup winners list from 1930 to 2026: Reigning champions Argentina will face Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. This title clash concludes the first-ever 48-team edition of the men's tournament. Argentina aims to defend their World Cup title successfully after a long streak. Led by Lionel Messi, the team has an unbeaten run in World Cup games. The final will be held at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford.

FIFA World Cup Final ticket prices: FIFA World Cup 2026 Final tickets remain in high demand ahead of Argentina vs Spain at New York New Jersey Stadium. Here's how fans can still buy tickets, the official booking options, latest ticket prices, categories and important details before the title clash.

A 5.0-magnitude earthquake struck several southeastern provinces in Turkey on Saturday morning without causing casualties or damage, the country's disaster management agency said. 20 am (0320 GMT) in the Battalgazi district, in Malatya province, and was felt in the provinces of Malatya, Elazig, Adiyaman, Tunceli and Sanliurfa.

Rescue crews searched for survivors after a landslide in Chongqing killed eight people. Massive rocks and soil buried over ten residential buildings on Friday morning. Ten people were rescued and hospitalised, while over 1,100 residents were relocated. Persistent rain complicated rescue efforts, with teams inspecting collapsed structures and riverbanks. Authorities allocated relief funds to support infrastructure restoration after the disaster.

Lionel Messi acknowledged Lamine Yamal as an amazing player before the World Cup final. Argentina aims to prevent the young Spanish sensation from achieving a historic milestone. Defending champions Argentina secured a thrilling comeback win against England in their semifinal. Spain reached the FIFA World Cup final after defeating France with a composed performance. Lamine Yamal played a key role in Spain's victory, winning a crucial penalty.

The United States issued a travel warning for the Middle East due to escalating regional tensions. Escalating hostilities between the United States and Iran involved fresh military strikes. Fighting intensified over the Strait of Hormuz, impacting global oil prices significantly. Kuwait and Bahrain reported missile and drone interceptions amid the widening conflict. Commercial vessel crossings dropped, while Iran maintained its maritime access demands.

Maharashtra's onion growers welcome a new agricultural market near Vadhvan port. They propose developing Nashik as a national onion export hub for global trade. This initiative aims to boost farmer incomes and India's position in the onion market. The growers seek direct farmer benefits and improved export infrastructure. A stable export policy and processing incentives are also requested.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was hospitalized due to his prolonged hunger strike. He remains stable but requires continuous medical observation and treatment. His wife requested that no treatment be administered without family consent. Police removed protesters from the Jantar Mantar site after his hospitalization. Opposition leaders criticized the government's actions against peaceful protests.

Sabyasachi Laskar, West Bengal's top NEET-UG scorer, will pursue computer science engineering at IIT Kharagpur. He aims to develop energy-efficient computer hardware for global sustainability initiatives. Laskar secured All India Rank 35 in the NEET-UG examination. He had already secured admission to IIT Kharagpur before the NEET retest. His mother confirmed engineering was always his primary career aspiration.

The protestors have been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after the NEET paper leak fiasco. The joint demonstration witnessed students and political activists raising slogans and carrying placards to press their various demands.

Pakistan fuel price: Pakistan will now adjust petroleum prices daily to manage oil price fluctuations. The government aims for greater transparency in fuel pricing decisions. This move follows criticism regarding delays in passing on lower fuel costs. Turkish Petroleum will begin oil and gas extraction in Pakistan soon. Petrol pump owners have rejected the deregulation policy and plan protests.

Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke began an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar after Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to hospital, urging supporters to intensify the protest and join the July 20 march.

PV Sindhu reached her first final in over two years at the Japan Open after Tokyo Olympic champion Chen Yufei retired injured during their women's singles semifinal with the Indian leading 21-19, 15-10.

Pawan Kumar Chandana: Skyroot Aerospace CEO and co-founder Pawan Kumar Chandana, a child who was once bad at maths, is now the head of this ambitious space company. If Skyroot is successful, it will be in a very small club of private space companies in the world. The launch is a big milestone for Indias private space sector and will keep entrepreneurs like Pawan in the league of Elon Musk and others.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was moved to a hospital from his protest site. Protestors alleged police forcefully removed him despite his deteriorating health. Delhi Police stated Wangchuk was shifted to the hospital as per court orders. This action followed a 20-day hunger strike by the activist. Protestors were asked to peacefully vacate the Jantar Mantar site.

India's first privately developed orbital rocket, Vikram-1, will launch Saturday into low earth orbit. The rocket will deploy multiple technology demonstration payloads, both domestic and foreign. It will also carry a micro-art payload and a handwritten postcard from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This launch marks the private space sector's entry into the orbital launch market. Engineering data from this test flight will guide future commercial satellite missions.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was moved to Safdarjung Hospital after a 20-day hunger strike. Delhi Police removed protesters from Jantar Mantar following court orders and medical advice. Wangchuk's health had deteriorated, prompting the hospital transfer for essential medical care. Protesters alleged plainclothes police posed as a medical team to take Wangchuk away. The activist was on hunger strike demanding action on examination irregularities and paper leaks.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk was hospitalized after his health deteriorated during a hunger strike. Security was heightened around Jantar Mantar and New Delhi following the incident. Police stated the hospitalization followed a High Court order and medical advice. Some protesters caused a brief commotion while obstructing the hospital transfer. Authorities requested protesters to peacefully vacate the Jantar Mantar site.

France and England will compete for third place in the World Cup. Both teams expressed disappointment after losing their semifinal matches. Coach Didier Deschamps will conclude his tenure with France after this game. Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane are contenders for the Golden Boot award. This match represents a final World Cup appearance for some veteran players.

The recent World Cup brought excitement but did not significantly boost Mexico's economy. Weak investment and trade agreement uncertainty continue to weigh on economic growth. Official tourism targets for the tournament were not met by the country. Some host cities experienced uneven economic benefits from the event. Trade certainty under the USMCA remains the main driver for the Mexican economy.

Sonam Wangchuk was hospitalized by Delhi Police after a 20-day hunger strike. He protested alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and demanded accountability. Doctors noted significant weight loss, raising health concerns for the activist. The Delhi High Court had ordered regular monitoring of his critical condition. Wangchuk urged supporters to march to Parliament to ensure their concerns were addressed.

Andhra Rain Alert Today: Andhra Pradesh faces scattered showers and humid heat this week. Vijayawada expects rain chances to rise significantly by Monday. Visakhapatnam's wettest day is forecast for Sunday with higher probabilities. Rayalaseema region remains drier and hotter with limited rainfall chances. The state's monsoon season shows a substantial rainfall deficit so far.

Army troops fired on suspicious movement along the Line of Control in Rajouri district. This small arms firing occurred near Tarkundi forward area late Friday night. The troops observed suspected terrorists prompting the initial exchange of fire. Retaliatory firing was also reported from across the border during the incident. A search operation was launched Saturday morning to confirm infiltrator presence.

President Donald Trump will attend the World Cup final and present the trophy. He previously asked FIFA to review a controversial red card incident. Trump and FIFA President Infantino praised each other at a New York reception. The United States is considering a solo bid for the 2038 World Cup. Trump's presence at the event is expected to draw mixed reactions.