The Economic Times

A senior IPS officer, Deepak Gahlawat, posted at the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), has been arrested by the CBI in connection with a Rs 3 crore bribery case. Gahlawat allegedly promised a businessman favorable outcomes in a CBI probe into a fake drug manufacturing racket in exchange for the bribe. Searches at his premises yielded digital devices and documents, with the investigation stemming from an FIR registered earlier.

New Delhi is scrutinizing WhatsApp's upcoming username feature, exploring legal avenues to regulate its launch. Officials express concerns that the system, designed to enhance privacy by hiding phone numbers, could inadvertently facilitate impersonation and identity fraud. Discussions are ongoing to assess potential safeguards before the feature rolls out, aiming to prevent misuse.

France has officially set its next presidential election for April 18, 2027, with a run-off on May 2. As President Macron exits after two terms, the race is wide open. Current polls suggest the far-right National Rally is in a strong position, and a diverse field of candidates could lead to a final showdown between extreme political factions.

An Oxford PhD student, Matthew Hopkins, analyzed 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar object possibly older than our Sun. This visitor, the third confirmed, may originate from a star system formed around 7 billion years ago, originating from the galaxy's thick disc. Its chemical composition offers a unique glimpse into the early universe, providing valuable data for scientists studying cosmic history.

Assuming charge as the 31st Chief of Army Staff, General Dhiraj Seth on Wednesday pledged to modernise the Indian Army into a technology-driven, future-ready force and outlined his strategic vision under the acronym VIJAY, emphasising vigilance, innovation, jointness, self-reliance, and prioritising soldiers.

Kerala's Assembly witnessed a boycott by the LDF opposition after the Speaker disallowed their objection to the Finance Bill. The opposition argued the bill, proposing significant liquor tax cuts, bypassed crucial committee scrutiny. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan defended the move, stating all procedures were followed and referencing a Business Advisory Committee report.

The family of Avinash Shukla, arrested in connection with alleged theft of Ram temple offerings, seeks justice, stating he should be punished if guilty but freed if innocent. Avinash, involved in cash reconciliation, was reportedly questioned in jail, with Rs 20 lakh recovered from him. His father expressed distress over village questions, while his mother emphasized their values of honesty.

Five Surat Municipal Corporation officials are suspended following the 'mysterious' demolition of around 80 shanties. The civic body initially denied involvement but has now launched a departmental inquiry after an internal probe. This action follows controversy and allegations of political influence and builder interests behind the May 30th razing. Residents are seeking legal recourse, citing procedural irregularities.

Kerala Assembly saw a heated debate as the opposition LDF walked out, accusing Chief Minister V D Satheesan of misleading the House regarding reduced plan fund allocations to local bodies. Satheesan cited financial constraints and the previous LDF government's budgeting as reasons for the cuts, while the opposition blamed the current government and highlighted unspent balances. The adjournment motion was ultimately disallowed.

Bharti Enterprises Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal expressed strong optimism for an India-US trade agreement within weeks, highlighting its importance for industry. Speaking at the USISPF Leadership Summit, where he received an award, Mittal also emphasized the Indian diaspora's role in strengthening bilateral ties. The forum recognized Mittal, V. Prem Watsa, and Christopher T. Calio for their contributions to the India-US economic partnership.

Paramount Skydance Corp has offered solutions to EU competition watchdogs regarding its massive Warner Bros Discovery acquisition. The company expressed confidence these remedies will swiftly clear the deal, which a source indicated is likely to gain European Commission approval. While the US Department of Justice has given its nod, Paramount faces potential challenges from US states and Britain over the proposed merger.

Cyclospora infection symptoms: A widespread foodborne parasite outbreak, Cyclospora, has impacted at least 145 people across 17 US states, with a separate surge in Michigan sickening over 150. Health officials are investigating a potential domestically sourced contaminated food product, as infections are typically linked to international travel. Symptoms include prolonged diarrhea and digestive issues. Investigations are ongoing to pinpoint the exact source of contamination.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that the first installment of the Annapurna Yojana, a financial aid scheme for women, has reached approximately 1.1 crore beneficiaries. He also revealed that 26 lakh applications were rejected due to citizenship and domicile concerns, emphasizing the need for thorough scrutiny before disbursing public funds. The scheme offers a monthly allowance of Rs 3,000 to eligible women.

India's provident fund system has undergone a significant overhaul with the introduction of the Employees' Provident Fund Scheme, 2026, replacing the 1952 version. This modernization prioritizes digital compliance and simplified processes, aligning with new labor codes. Key changes include easier partial withdrawals for members and enhanced governance for employers, aiming for wider social security coverage and improved benefit delivery.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is on a four-day visit to France to bolster the India-France Strategic Partnership and economic ties. A key focus is the Economic and Financial Dialogue, co-chaired with her French counterpart, to explore avenues for enhanced bilateral cooperation and investment.

The BJP has strongly criticized Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy for his remarks on party national president Nitin Nabin. Reddy had compared the BJP's prospects in Telangana to its long struggle in West Bengal. The BJP spokesperson labeled Reddy as arrogant and obsequious, predicting his party's defeat in the upcoming state elections due to his perceived arrogance and sycophancy.

Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu shared an anecdote where a customer secured a 90% discount on Microsoft Office licenses after mentioning Zoho as an alternative. Vembu highlighted how competition benefits consumers, referencing Microsoft's past antitrust issues. He also expressed strong optimism for India's AI development, citing progress in academia and initiatives like BharatGen, suggesting India is poised to become a significant player in AI.

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has assumed the role of Vice Chief of the Air Staff, succeeding Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor. A distinguished officer with extensive experience, including a pivotal role in Operation Sindoor, Air Marshal Dixit previously served as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff. His tenure at HQ IDS was marked by significant contributions to integrated defence strategies and the formulation of future military roadmaps.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Sachin Ahir was elected unopposed as the deputy chairman of the Maharashtra legislative council, representing the ruling Mahayuti. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi initially fielded a candidate but withdrew it on appeal. Ahir's nomination as a Mahayuti candidate, a close aide of Aaditya Thackeray, marks a significant development, following recent defections of Lok Sabha MPs to the Shinde-led faction.

India's economic outlook has improved as falling crude oil prices ease inflation, strengthen the balance of payments and prompt economists to raise GDP growth forecasts. But the optimism comes with fresh risks, including an uneven monsoon, food inflation, geopolitical tensions in West Asia and uncertainty over global commodity prices, making the recovery far from assured.

Former India cricketer S Sreesanth's three-year ban by the Kerala Cricket Association has been lifted. The decision came after Sreesanth submitted an unconditional apology for remarks that had brought disrepute to the association. This revocation allows him to continue as co-owner of the Aries Kollam Sailors franchise in the Kerala Cricket League. The KCA has cautioned him against future misconduct.

India's primary long-term hurdle is generating enough productive jobs to harness its demographic advantage, according to Bank of America's Rahul Bajoria. He highlighted underemployment as a significant concern, urging a collaborative, decade-long effort from government, private sector, and households. Bajoria also noted that while AI presents challenges, proactive responses can mitigate risks, emphasizing the crucial need to revamp skilling and education to prepare the workforce for the future.

Volkswagen's aggressive cost-cutting measures are a stark warning to Europe's auto sector, according to BYD's European advisor. Alfredo Altavilla stated this signals a crucial moment for the industry as Chinese manufacturers like BYD aim for greater market penetration. BYD is actively considering Spain and France for a significant brownfield investment to expand its European production capabilities, with a decision imminent.

Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya has reportedly written to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, alleging neglect and non-cooperation regarding development projects in his home district, Indore. The letter, shared by the state Congress, warns of public platform action if issues like delays in the master plan and regional development are not addressed. Vijayvargiya declined to comment on the letter's authenticity, while the opposition cited it as evidence of BJP infighting.

Authorities have granted a 15-day extension to the Special Investigation Team examining alleged embezzlement of donations at Ayodhya's Ram temple. This move aims to deepen the inquiry and broaden its scope. Following a preliminary report, an FIR was filed, leading to the arrest of eight individuals. The SIT, comprising senior officials from the IAS, IPS, and Finance Department, continues its crucial work.

On Doctors' Day, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari criticized previous governments for leaving West Bengal's public healthcare system in a dilapidated state. He highlighted the poor condition of state-run hospitals and called for a unified effort to revive the health infrastructure. Adhikari noted encountering administrative decay when trying to implement new initiatives, contrasting his situation with that of former Chief Minister Jyoti Basu.

A US researcher has earned $100,000 for deciphering zebra finch calls, identifying 11 core words that convey identity and intent. Dr. Julie Elie's groundbreaking work, which involved experiments where birds chose preferred sounds, suggests a deeper understanding of meaning rather than just acoustics. This achievement marks a significant step in the quest for interspecies communication, with the ultimate goal of a $10 million prize for true two-way dialogue.

Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch's Economic Offences Wing has exposed a significant Kisan Credit Card loan scam. A daily wage JK Bank employee allegedly manipulated KCC limits and misused banking credentials to siphon off Rs 10.44 lakh for personal and family gain, causing substantial loss to the bank. A chargesheet has been filed against the accused for these fraudulent activities.

Arvind Kejriwal has questioned Union Home Minister Amit Shah's absence from the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, alleging the BJP uses Lord Ram for votes but fails to visit the shrine. Kejriwal pointed out that despite the temple's establishment, Shah has not visited, posing several questions about his faith and intentions. This comes amidst a political controversy surrounding alleged donation irregularities at the temple, with an FIR filed against eight individuals.

Railway Recruitment Board has announced Group D results for over 32,000 vacancies, with over a crore candidates appearing. Zone-wise merit lists, scorecards, and cut-off marks are now available on regional RRB websites. Candidates can download scorecards until July 16th. Those who cleared the Computer Based Test are shortlisted for the Physical Efficiency Test, with details to be released soon. Final selection depends on all stages.

Police have been deployed outside Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Sachin Ahir's Worli residence following his nomination for the Maharashtra Legislative Council deputy chairperson post as the ruling Shiv Sena's candidate. Ahir, a close aide of Aaditya Thackeray, filed his papers in the presence of top Mahayuti leaders, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar.

Cheteshwar Pujara, recently awarded MCC life membership, revealed England feels like home despite his stellar Australian record. He cherishes his time playing county cricket and the unique aura of Lord's, even without a Test century there for India. Pujara found batting at Lord's challenging due to the pitch and slope but valued the crowd's appreciation for good cricket. He fondly recalls his battles with Anderson and Broad.

India's GST revenue surged 13.9% to 1.95 lakh crore in June, driven by a significant 34.6% jump in import tax collections. While domestic GST saw a modest 6.5% rise, import receipts were the primary growth engine. This robust performance, despite global challenges, signals the Indian economy's underlying resilience and sustained consumer demand.

Kia India has launched two new top-tier Seltos variants, GTX(O) and X-Line(O), enhancing the SUV with advanced Level 2+ ADAS features and premium tech. These models offer turbo-petrol and diesel automatic options, boasting features like a 12.3-inch digital display and Head-Up Display. The X-Line(O) adds exclusive styling, aiming to bolster the Seltos' strong market position.

In a significant development, the United States has removed four Indian firms from its sanctions list. These companies, previously accused of supplying critical technology to Russia's military, have now been delisted by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. The firms include RRG Engineering Technologies, Lokesh Machines, Galaxy Bearings, and Shaurya Aeronautics, marking a shift in US-Russia-India economic relations.

West Bengal is launching the VB-G RAM G rural employment scheme on July 1, replacing MGNREGA. This new initiative promises 125 days of wage employment annually to eligible rural households, focusing on water security, rural infrastructure, and climate resilience. The scheme, aligned with 'Viksit Bharat at 2047', aims to benefit over 2.5 crore job card holders and will be jointly funded by the Centre and state.

The Delhi High Court has mandated the removal of certain social media posts that were directed at MP Raghav Chadha, concluding that the remaining material does not hold defamatory implications. In this temporary ruling, the court noted that the issue of personality rights was not relevant. Chadha had requested judicial action against misleading content, including AI-generated and deepfake materials that he argued harmed his reputation. A comprehensive decision is forthcoming.

Modern couples are increasingly embracing the DINK (Dual Income, No Kids) lifestyle, prioritizing personal fulfillment, financial security, and relationship quality over traditional parenthood. This shift reflects evolving societal values, with individuals now defining success and happiness on their own terms. Data indicates a significant rise in child-free couples, suggesting a growing acceptance of diverse life choices beyond conventional expectations.

India's manufacturing sector experienced its second-slowest growth in four years during June, primarily due to a slowdown in demand for goods impacting output and hiring. While cost pressures eased, new orders and export sales saw a significant dip, with European clients contributing to weaker international demand. Business confidence also declined, reflecting concerns over market conditions.

Iran said it would meet with Qatari mediators on Wednesday to discuss negotiations with the United States, after Tehran and Washington agreed to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to halt the Middle East war. They were there to meet with mediators, with Qatari officials, and the talks will be around all regional issues... including, of course, negotiations with Iran, but also including Lebanon, he added.

Mumbai experienced significant rainfall, with several areas receiving over 100 mm in 24 hours, leading to waterlogging in the Andheri subway and other low-lying spots. Traffic diversions were implemented. While BEST buses ran normally, suburban train services faced delays. Harbour line services were disrupted due to a snapped overhead wire. Eastern suburbs bore the brunt with an average of 109 mm of rain.