The Economic Times

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah defended inviting Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to a Delhi protest. He accused the BJP and media of creating controversy to divert attention from statehood restoration. Abdullah questioned the BJP's claims about separatism's elimination in Kashmir. He stated the invitation controversy was manufactured to shift public focus. The large rally demonstrated strong public commitment to restoring Jammu and Kashmir's statehood.

Vietnamese police arrested on Sunday the captain of a speedboat that capsized near southern Phu Quoc island, killing 15 Indian tourists, authorities said. Police in southern An Giang province said they arrested the 57-year-old captain of the boat for violations of laws resulting in the capsize.

Senior water secretaries will meet Monday to review key water sector initiatives. The conference aims to strengthen Centre-state coordination on reforms and implementation. Discussions will cover modernization of schemes and the 'Catch the Rain' campaign. Dam safety and state water reforms are also key agenda items. This meeting facilitates timely program implementation and sustainable water management.

Monkeys at Jaipur's Galtaji temple are suffering from a severe skin disease. This condition, hyperkeratosis, results from feeding them sweets and processed foods. Experts warn that this practice is causing significant health issues and difficulty in movement. Awareness campaigns and warning boards are being used to discourage feeding the animals. Forest officials are working to capture and treat infected monkeys for their survival.

A Brown University professor noted unusual perfect scores on a take-home midterm exam and exposed a massive AI cheating scandal. Many students achieved top marks, which contrasted sharply with prior years. The subsequent in-person final exam saw a dramatic drop in the class average. When the exam was held in person, the class average reportedly fell from 96 to 48.

Minister Piyush Goyal will visit Spain, Belgium, and Finland to boost trade. He will meet industry leaders in Spain to explore automotive and renewable energy opportunities. In Belgium, CEO-level meetings will focus on technology and sustainable manufacturing collaborations. The India-EU Business Roundtable will discuss foreign direct investment and resilient supply chains. Finland's clean energy and digitalization sectors will be key discussion points.

Moroccan Proverb of the Day: A Moroccan proverb highlights human nature's tendency to notice others' faults. It encourages self-reflection before offering any criticism to others. This wisdom remains highly relevant in today's social media environment. Developing the habit of self-examination fosters greater humility and stronger relationships. Personal growth begins with acknowledging and correcting one's own imperfections.

Iran announced it was again closing the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday and hit Gulf neighbours in retaliation for US strikes, further undermining efforts to salvage Middle East peace efforts. US strikes 140 targets CENTCOM said Saturday the US military had hit approximately 140 targets in Iran in retaliation for Tehran's attack on another commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

Uttarakhand is experiencing heavy monsoon rains, leading to widespread disruptions across the state. One hundred twenty-six roads are closed due to rain damage and blockages. A landslide has blocked the Kedarnath Highway, impacting pilgrim movement and Yatra progress. Authorities are working to clear debris and restore traffic on the affected routes. Residents are advised to stay updated and avoid vulnerable areas.

Norwegian Air and British Airways engaged in a playful social media logo bet. The wager was tied to the FIFA World Cup quarter-final match outcome. Norwegian Air temporarily changed its Instagram logo after England's victory. This friendly competition garnered significant online attention and praise. Other international airlines also joined the light-hearted social media exchange.

Apple vs OpenAI: Apple has filed a significant lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing it of stealing trade secrets. The company alleges OpenAI orchestrated a campaign to recruit Apple's engineers and designers. A former Apple engineer's LOL message about accessing internal servers is a key piece of evidence. Apple claims hundreds of employees left for OpenAI's hardware business. The lawsuit seeks to hold OpenAI accountable for its alleged actions.

Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani acquired Villa Certosa for 350 million which is Europes most ostentatious villa. This Sardinian estate boasts an artificial volcano and an underground sea cave. The property is larger than Vatican City and features many amenities like a remote-controlled erupting volcano, 126 rooms, five swimming pools, a football pitch and more.

Volkswagen's CEO is pursuing cost cuts to improve automaker performance. He aims to avoid closing German plants while streamlining the model lineup. Factory costs in Germany have already seen significant reductions. The company acknowledges its products are popular but earn insufficient profits. Further reductions across all cost areas are now being pursued.

India's cricket team faced batting issues after losing two T20 series. England secured a dominant 4-0 series victory over the Indian squad. Earlier, Ireland had also achieved a 2-0 whitewash against the Indian team. Experts noted the batting unit appeared out of rhythm and struggled with bounce. This performance serves as a wake-up call for the Indian squad.

The National Mission for Clean Ganga is restoring five wetlands across three states. Conservation efforts will expand to other high-priority wetlands identified scientifically. These wetlands play a vital role in maintaining river health and biodiversity. Scientific assessments have laid the foundation for phased restoration across the Ganga basin. The long-term objective is a basin-wide network of healthy floodplain wetlands.

Quote of the Day by Confucius: Confucius' ancient wisdom emphasises self-reflection over criticising others. He encourages us to examine our own faults before judging someone else's actions. This approach nurtures humility, personal growth and stronger character. In today's world, where social media often amplifies criticism, self-awareness is more important than ever. Confucius reminds us that lasting improvement begins with changing ourselves before trying to

Quote of the day: Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, stressed humility despite his immense fame. His words remind us to stay grounded, avoiding arrogance and self-importance. Presley transformed popular music by blending diverse genres into a captivating sound. He achieved global stardom through electrifying performances and a successful film career.

Former CEC SY Quraishi recounts Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's profound respect for the Election Commission. Singh expressed deep anguish over ministerial loose talk concerning the poll watchdog's functioning. He emphasized the Election Commission's vital role as the soul of democracy. The former Prime Minister offered to commit suicide if the institution was undermined.

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation has launched a new amnesty scheme for provident fund trusts. This one-time opportunity allows exempted trusts to regularise their status for six months. The scheme offers retrospective regularisation and waives certain compliance requirements. Pending assessments for dues and damages will be withdrawn under specific conditions. Eligible establishments can submit applications through their regional EPFO offices.

Alexander Zverev aims to dethrone Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon final on Sunday. Zverev recently won the French Open, his first Grand Slam title. Sinner has a strong nine-match winning streak against Zverev. Zverev has improved his game, particularly his forehand, for the grass court. Sinner demonstrated impressive form by defeating Novak Djokovic in straight sets.

Indian Naval Ship Sudarshini arrived in Boston for Sail Boston 250. The ship entered the historic port flying the Indian flag. Consul General Raghuram S visited the vessel at sea. This event marks the 250th anniversary of America's founding. Sail Boston 2026 is a significant international maritime gathering.

Archaeologists discovered a sealed bronze bottle containing ancient beer. This remarkable find offered insights into Qin-era brewing and burial practices and what stunned scientists was that they identified over 2,400 compounds confirming a deliberately brewed alcoholic beverage. The beer recipe, using multiple grains, was never recorded in historical texts.

A mild earthquake of magnitude 4.5 struck the Bay of Bengal early Sunday. Tremors were felt in several parts of Visakhapatnam city, which experienced mild shaking. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 km, with its epicentre offshore. Officials reported no casualties or property damage following the event. Residents remained calm as the situation returned to normal after the tremors.

India and New Zealand elevated their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership. Both nations aim to double bilateral trade between them by the year 2030. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stated this will boost jobs and wages in New Zealand. Extensive discussions covered trade, defense, and cultural exchanges between the leaders. Several Memoranda of Understanding were exchanged following the productive talks.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the 'Mission 5 Million Trees' campaign in Ahmedabad. This initiative aims to plant fifty lakh trees across the city to enhance green cover. The campaign involves extensive plantations along roads, gardens, and open spaces. Public participation is encouraged through initiatives like 'Green Volunteer' and 'Memorial Park'. Residential societies will also be transformed into 'Green Societies' under this program.

Jasmine Sandlas revealed her engagement to Shekhar Chaudhary during her India tour. She proudly introduced her fianc to the cheering audience on stage. The singer's heartfelt moment quickly went viral across social media platforms. While Sandlas enjoys public attention, Chaudhary prefers to remain private. The Dream Girl India Tour continues with upcoming shows in Mumbai and Bengaluru.

Linda Noskova secured her maiden Wimbledon title after a challenging match. She recovered from squandering five match points in the second set. Noskova found inspiration in the trophies while taking a break. She then dominated the deciding set to claim the championship. This victory marks a significant achievement for the young Czech player.

Several nations reaffirmed China's expansive South China Sea claims are illegal. A 2016 arbitration ruling declared China's claims lack legal basis. These countries oppose destabilizing actions threatening regional peace and stability. They also oppose the use of forces to harass lawful operations at sea. Territorial disputes should be resolved peacefully under the UN Convention.

Best Italian Proverb of the Day: Once the Law Is Made, a Loophole Is Found explores the timeless idea that whenever rules are created, someone often searches for a way around them. Discover the meaning, translation and enduring life lesson behind this famous Italian proverb, and why its message about ethics, responsibility and human ingenuity remains relevant in the modern world.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a campaign to plant thirty-five crore saplings. He stressed the importance of caring for Mother Earth's health. The state government also replaced halogen lights with energy-saving LEDs. This initiative significantly reduced carbon emissions and saved money. Solar energy initiatives are also making green energy more accessible.

India and England will compete in a three-match ODI series during July 2026. The series will feature matches at Edgbaston, Sophia Gardens, and Lord's. Jasprit Bumrah's return to ODI cricket after 2023 is a significant development for the team. Both teams have announced their respective squads for the upcoming fixtures. Fans anticipate a competitive and engaging contest between these two strong sides.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former emir of Qatar who transformed the Gulf nation into a global hub for diplomacy, media and investment, has died at 74, state media reported. The cause of death was not disclosed.

German engineers like Max Peil struggle to find employment despite qualifications. The nation's automotive sector faces painful adjustments due to Chinese competition. Exports have declined, impacting Germany's once-strong industrial position. Young engineers now face a more challenging job market than before. This situation signals a significant shift in the country's economic landscape.

Weather Forecast Today: The India Meteorological Department forecasts an active monsoon day across many Indian states. Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are expected in northern, eastern, and northeastern regions. States like Uttarakhand, Bihar, and Assam are under heavy rainfall warnings. Delhi, however, anticipates mostly cloudy skies without any rainfall alerts. Residents are advised to remain alert for potential waterlogging and localized flooding.

Looking to brighten your home without risking your pets safety? These six pet-friendly indoor plants are non-toxic to cats and dogs, adding greenery, freshness, and peace of mind to your space.

Bangladesh's first nuclear power plant is nearing completion on the Padma river banks. This facility will supply a substantial portion of the nation's electricity needs. The project aims to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels and external shocks. While facing cost escalations, the plant is expected to offer long-term energy security. Small modular reactors are also being explored for future energy diversification.

Congressman Ro Khanna detained: Congressman Ro Khanna reported being detained by armed Israeli settlers in a Palestinian village. He stated settlers carrying American-made rifles blocked his vehicle for over an hour. Israeli security forces eventually arrived and dispersed the settlers, allowing his delegation to proceed. Khanna was visiting the occupied West Bank to understand conditions for Palestinians. He is also considering a 2028 presidential election bid.

Rescue teams recovered the last missing person, raising the death toll to nine. Fourteen individuals were successfully rescued from the collapsed waste processing unit. The incident occurred after an adjacent garbage mound fell onto the building. The company will cover medical expenses and provide compensation to victims' families. A job and education support will also be offered to affected families.

A fire erupted in a northwest Delhi residential building on Saturday night. Police and fire services launched a massive evacuation and firefighting operation. Narrow lanes complicated the fire tenders' swift arrival at the scene. Gas cylinder and air conditioner unit explosions occurred during the incident. No casualties were reported due to timely police and fire department efforts.

A massive wildfire has broken out near Jaisalmer's border region. Flames quickly engulfed a large area in Raimala village due to strong winds. Fire tenders and a brigade team were dispatched to control the raging blaze. Civil defence and local villagers are assisting relief efforts. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and no casualties have been reported.

The European Union's plan to regulate children's access to social media follows the implementation or proposal of similar measures around the world. In China, where the internet is tightly regulated by the state, minors' access to social media has been restricted progressively since 2019.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla provided financial aid to families of deceased pregnant women. He assured that those found guilty during investigations would face consequences. Medical experts submitted recommendations to prevent future incidents at the hospital. Four maternal deaths were reported at Bhilwara District Hospital since the sixth. Investigations are underway to determine the causes and address any treatment gaps.

A special investigation team is intensifying its probe into alleged donation embezzlement at Badrinath Dham. CCTV footage shows a suspended employee suspiciously hiding cash and valuables from the counting room. Investigators are examining additional footage and call records of the accused employee. The investigation began after irregularities were detected during cash offering counting on July 2.

The Indian Army has released the Agniveer CEE Result 2026 online. Candidates can check their qualifying status on the official website. Shortlisted candidates will proceed to physical and medical examinations. The merit list is prepared based on the entrance examination performance. Further recruitment stages will be announced by respective Army Recruitment Offices.

South Korea issued its first-ever emergency heatwave alert on Sunday under a new warning system introduced this year, advising people to halt outdoor activities and keep cool. Under the emergency warning, people engaged in outdoor activities should stop immediately and move to a cool place, she said.