The Economic Times

Maharashtra government will form an expert committee within 30 days to draft AI usage SOPs, aiming for national policy input. This comes as opposition lawmakers questioned the installation of a facial recognition system in the Vidhan Bhavan without their consent. The Home Minister stated existing laws cover privacy violations by AI devices, and security personnel will receive training. The Legislature Secretariat's jurisdiction over the facial recognition system was highlighted.

Australia aims for another Women's T20 World Cup final as they face the West Indies in the semifinal. Unbeaten in the group stage, the dominant Australians, six-time champions, clash with a West Indies side that secured their spot after a mixed campaign. The match, held at Kennington Oval, promises an exciting encounter with Australia holding the edge.

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust's meeting has been moved to July 6, where the future of General Secretary Champat Rai and member Anil Mishra, who have reportedly resigned, will be decided. The Trust will also discuss operational restructuring for transparency, potential new members, and improving visitor facilities, especially for extreme heat. Treasurer Govind Dev Giri requested the early meeting due to several critical issues.

A Microsoft employee in Italy has resigned, alleging the tech giant fuels Israel's military actions in Gaza. His farewell email claims Microsoft's data centers and cloud services have powered the genocide of our people in Palestine for nearly three years. The employee cites reports of Israeli intelligence using Microsoft's Azure platform for surveillance data, a claim Microsoft denies, stating it found no evidence of harm to civilians.

Germany is pushing for a massive 400 billion cut to the European Commission's proposed 2 trillion budget for 2028-2034, deeming it unaffordable. As the EU's largest net contributor, Berlin warns that an agreement is currently impossible due to the significant increase from the previous budget. Chancellor Merz is urging member states to finalize a deal this year to provide planning certainty ahead of crucial elections.

A four-year-old boy, Nirbhay, fell into a 220-foot borewell in Ambala, triggering a massive rescue operation involving the Army and NDRF. The incident echoes the harrowing 2006 rescue of 'borewell boy' Prince, who survived a similar ordeal. While rescue efforts for Nirbhay are underway, Prince's story offers a beacon of hope against the persistent danger of open borewells.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled a 15 billion Defence Investment Plan, aiming to bolster Britain's military for future conflicts. This significant funding boost will enhance capabilities in drones, autonomous weapons, and the navy, while also strengthening the nuclear deterrent and a next-generation fighter jet program. Starmer emphasized deterrence as key to avoiding war, with the plan set to be presented at an upcoming NATO meeting.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted Gujarat's potential as a major defence manufacturing hub, emphasizing its industrial strength and skilled workforce. He noted significant growth in India's domestic defence production and exports, while stressing the need for complete self-reliance. Singh pointed to initiatives like 'Make in India' and private sector involvement, citing Vadodara's role in manufacturing military aircraft and advanced artillery systems as key developments.

A Meerut youth, Sanket Kumar, transformed a two-mark JEE Advanced miss into a stellar ISRO career. Undeterred by the 2021 setback, he self-studied for a year, aced the exam in 2022, and secured admission to IIST. His impressive 8.2 CGPA earned him a direct ISRO scientist interview, culminating in his dream job. His family's unwavering support was crucial to his success.

India's fiscal deficit stood at 1.62 lakh crore during April-May, accounting for 9.6% of the full-year budget estimate, according to government data released on Tuesday.

The BJP has accused opposition parties of peak hypocrisy for criticizing the Election Commission's electoral roll revision process. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla stated that opposition parties conveniently support the same exercise when it benefits them politically, but oppose it elsewhere to create excuses for electoral losses. He alleged that the opposition is targeting constitutional institutions after repeated defeats, pushing a false narrative to shield themselves from accountability.

Psychology says people who deeply love their cats may be influenced by attachment theory, empathy, caregiving instincts, and the psychology of human-animal relationships.

The India Open Super 750 badminton tournament is moving to February for the 2027 season, from February 2-7 in New Delhi, due to player concerns about air quality and venue conditions in January. It will revert to its traditional January slot in 2028. The BWF is also introducing a new 3x15 scoring system and a revamped format for Super 1000 events to modernize the sport.

Psychology says people who are rarely satisfied with their haircuts may be affected by expectation bias, self-discrepancy theory, loss aversion, and appearance adaptation.

Indian chess prodigies D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa are set to compete in the Zagreb Rapid and Blitz Tournament, a prestigious Grand Chess Tour event. Gukesh, the reigning world champion, joins as a wildcard despite a recent sabbatical, while Praggnanandhaa enters on a high after his Norway Chess triumph. The tournament features a strong international field, promising exciting rapid and blitz battles.

India experienced its driest June in over a decade, with monsoon rainfall falling nearly 40% below average. This deficit has delayed crucial crop sowing and prolonged heatwaves in northern regions. With a significant portion of farmland reliant on rain, the weak monsoon start raises concerns for agriculture and the economy, though improved rainfall is anticipated later in the season.

India, under its BRICS Chairship, hosted the third preparatory meeting for the BRICS Women's Working Group virtually. Discussions centered on advancing key outcomes like a Digital Repository of Best Practices and Capacity Building Guidelines, aligning with the theme Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability. Member nations reaffirmed their commitment to collaborative efforts for women's empowerment, with upcoming meetings scheduled in Kochi.

The Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for the global trade of crude oil and liquefied natural gas, is at the centre of disputes in negotiations to end the Middle East war, even after the US and Iran signed a preliminary deal. About one-fifth of consumption of global oil and petroleum products flows through the strait, averaging 20 million barrels per day in 2024, according to the EIA.

The year 2025 saw a striking 10.8% increase in global personal wealth, the highest growth rate in years, unleashing nearly one million new dollar millionaires across the globe. The United States was at the forefront, contributing over 440,000 millionaires to this count. Nevertheless, this wealth boom has not benefited everyone equally, as a stark divide remains, with many countries witnessing a drop in their median wealth.

Organized extortion syndicates operating from abroad are orchestrating firing incidents in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis revealed. These groups use VPNs and virtual numbers to threaten individuals and hire local criminals for attacks when demands are not met. The government is working with the Centre to apprehend those involved and dismantle these criminal networks, including those linked to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.

Industrialist Harsh Goenka shared a powerful social media message highlighting how our daily environments profoundly shape our perspectives. He illustrated this by comparing exposure to a fish market versus a perfume shop, and the company of complainers versus grateful individuals. Goenka's insight emphasizes that our surroundings can either foster a focus on problems or cultivate an outlook of endless possibilities, urging a conscious choice in our daily associations.

A timeless proverb, As long as a man lives, the entire world is too small for him; after death, the grave is big enough, offers a profound insight into human ambition and mortality. It highlights how our desires often outpace our achievements during life, yet death brings a stark equality.

The European Commission has implemented new quotas to curb duty-free steel imports, aiming to bolster the EU's steel sector and boost capacity utilization. Annual tariff-free imports will be cut by 47% to 18.3 million tonnes, with a hefty 50% duty on out-of-quota steel. Half of these quotas are reserved for free trade partners, with country-specific allocations designed to minimize impact on most allies.

The BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry has successfully appointed Sharmishtha Ghosh as the new Executive Director for International Partnerships and Outreach. This position is pivotal as BRICS prepares to welcome 11 nations and India takes the helm in 2026. Ghosh's vision will center around amplifying trade and investment flows, while her profound expertise in global business strategy will guide efforts to enhance market access and international dialogue among enterprises.

Deep within Uranus and Neptune, immense pressure and heat are transforming carbon into diamonds that rain down through the planets' interiors. Scientists at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory recreated these conditions, confirming the rapid formation of nanodiamonds. This phenomenon could create vast diamond layers, influencing planetary heat escape and magnetic fields, and may be a common process on exoplanets across the galaxy.

Kerala Lottery Sthree Sakthi SS-526 results are eagerly awaited, with the top prize of 1 crore and other significant winnings set to be announced soon by the State Lotteries Department. Participants can verify winning numbers, including consolation prizes, on the official Kerala Government Lotteries website. Winners are urged to confirm their tickets through authorized channels after the official declaration.

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that a husband cannot deny maintenance to his wife simply because her parents offer financial help. The court emphasized that parental support is not the wife's income and doesn't absolve the husband of his legal duty. Allowing a wife's plea, the High Court increased her maintenance and that of her two children, deeming the family court's initial award inadequate.

Darjeeling's famed tea industry is facing severe financial strain due to aging bushes, climate woes, and labor shortages, leading to a significant production drop and falling prices. Industry leaders are urging the government for targeted interventions, including a sustainable pricing framework with a Minimum Sustainable Price, and the extension of agricultural and welfare schemes to bolster the sector's long-term viability and resilience.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced plans to amend the Mumbai Police Act during the ongoing monsoon session to prevent dance bar operators from exploiting legal loopholes. The amendment aims to ensure licenses are issued strictly under dance bar provisions, closing avenues for operators to bypass regulations. Fadnavis also addressed concerns about noise pollution and repeated violations, indicating potential permanent license cancellations and action against errant police pers

India faces a significant water crisis, with demand projected to double supply by 2030, creating a massive 20 lakh crore investment opportunity. Rapid urbanization, industrial growth, and AI data centers are fueling this demand. Government initiatives and private sector involvement are expected to drive substantial growth across water infrastructure, purification, and treatment sectors, presenting a long-term investment horizon.

Karnataka's Chief Electoral Officer has initiated a door-to-door drive to distribute voter enumeration forms across the state, urging citizens to return them by July 29. The process aims to update electoral rolls, with forms being delivered even to unmapped voters. No documents are required at this stage, and photograph submission is optional. New voters turning 18 by October 1, 2026, are encouraged to enroll.

A Maharashtra farmer's shock at receiving just one paisa instead of her Rs 2,000 PM-Kisan installment was attributed to a technical glitch. Her family, facing urgent needs for the kharif sowing season, was relieved when officials confirmed the correct amount was credited. The Agriculture Department assured the public that the erroneous message was a system error, and the farmer received her full payment.

Actress Dia Mirza sparked a social media debate after recounting her son Avyaan's encounter with a coconut delivery man over plastic packaging. Mirza shared on a podcast how her five-year-old son lectured the vendor about their 'no plastic' home policy. While some praised the child's conviction, many criticized Mirza for promoting entitled behavior and a lack of courtesy towards a service worker, especially given her own environmental advocacy.

Delhi SIR 2026 Starts: Know how to check your name in the electoral roll online, eligibility rules, verification process, documents required and what voters need to do. Delhi's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is underway, with Booth Level Officers verifying voter details door-to-door. Residents can check their names online via ECI portals and the Delhi CEO website.

India faces England in a crucial five-match T20I series, aiming to rebound from a disappointing defeat to Ireland. All eyes are on 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose potential debut could shake up the batting order amidst struggles from established players like Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan. The team management faces a tough call balancing youth and experience as they prepare for a formidable English attack.

The Supreme Court declined to hear a plea for an independent probe into the alleged extra-judicial killing of activist Bharat Bhushan Tiwari in a Bihar police encounter. Justices directed the petitioner to approach the Patna High Court. Tiwari's family claims he surrendered before being shot, while police stated they fired in self-defense. The Bihar government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident.

Taxpayers get a breather as the government extends the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) appeal filing deadline by a month to July 31. This move addresses technical glitches on the portal, overwhelmed by a recent surge in nearly 30,000 appeals. The finance ministry urges taxpayers to file well before the new date to prevent last-minute congestion and ensure smooth processing of challenges against GST authority orders.

Taxpayers now have until July 31, 2026, to file appeals with the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT). This extension, a month beyond the previous June 30 deadline, comes after a recent surge in filings caused technical issues on the GSTAT portal. The move provides crucial extra time for those needing to submit cases under Section 112 of the GST law.

Business strategy is being reshaped by geopolitics, AI, shifting supply chains and new economic realities. In this executive masterclass, Ram Charan explores six critical forces every business leader must understand to strengthen resilience, seize emerging opportunities and lead with confidence through the decisive decade.

Outgoing Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi emphasized that future conflicts will be joint, integrated, and theatre-oriented, stressing the need for the armed forces to see together, take decisions together and take actions together. Reflecting on his four-decade career, he highlighted the Army's operational readiness on northern and western borders, citing Operations Snow Leopard and Sindoor as examples of jointness and integration.

AP EAMCET Toppers List 2026: AP EAMCET 2026 results and toppers list are set for release on June 30 by APSCHE. The official list will highlight top 10 engineering and agriculture/pharmacy students, including names, ranks, and districts. A separate list of high-performing candidates, compiled from student submissions, will also be available. Following the announcement, eligible students will proceed to the crucial counselling phase for admissions.

Get ready for a packed first week of July with exciting OTT releases! Netflix, Prime Video, and JioHotstar are dropping highly anticipated sequels like Enola Holmes 3 and The Devil Wears Prada 2, alongside returning favorites such as X-Men '97 Season 2 and Silo Season 3. From Hollywood blockbusters to Korean dramas and Indian regional content, there's something for every viewer to enjoy.

George R.R. Martin, the visionary behind 'Game of Thrones,' emphasizes the enduring power of stories, likening them to cherished friends. His quote from 'A Storm of Swords' highlights how revisiting tales offers comfort, wisdom, and a connection to our past. As fans eagerly await 'The Winds of Winter,' Martin's profound insights into memory and human connection continue to resonate, proving that some narratives possess timeless value.

General Dhiraj Seth has assumed charge as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff, marking a significant moment as the first from the Armoured Corps to lead the force since 1997. A decorated officer with extensive command experience, General Seth takes the helm during a crucial period of transformation for the Indian Army, focusing on technological integration and operational reforms.

Snoring, often dismissed as a mere annoyance, can signal underlying health issues like sleep apnea. The sound arises from obstructed breathing due to relaxed throat tissues. Factors such as excess weight, nasal congestion, sleep position, alcohol, and aging contribute. Persistent loud snoring warrants medical attention to rule out serious conditions and improve sleep quality.