The Economic Times

Kawa UAV Pvt. Ltd. successfully flew India's first indigenous jet-powered loitering munition, Divyastra Mk3. This advanced system was powered by an indigenous jet engine developed by DG Propulsion. The Defence Research and Development Organisation also completed trials for its Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile. These trials included both air-to-ground and air-to-air modes for various targets. These developments mark significant milestones in India's defense manufacturing

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said Prime Minister Narendra Modis dimagi Naxal remark was not aimed at opposition leaders but at supporters of Maoists and separatism. Congress rejected the clarification, accusing Modi of using the term against political opponents.

Veteran Bengali filmmaker Raja Sen, best known for his National Award-winning debut film Damu, died at 71 at SSKM Hospital in Kolkata on Sunday after prolonged illness. Sen, who worked across Bengali cinema, television and documentaries for decades, had been undergoing treatment for multiple complications involving his lungs, heart and kidneys.

Former West Bengal MLA Asish Banerjee was found dead in his party office. A suicide note was recovered from the scene by police officials. Banerjee wrote about his political career and alleged mistreatment by his party. He also stated he never engaged in any corruption during his service. His nephew confirmed he was not corrupt and the family will avoid politics.

The Maharashtra government has simplified the Lek Laadki scheme for eligible girls. Beneficiaries can now apply online and receive financial assistance directly. Applications for eligible girls from April 2023 are accepted until August 2027. New cases require submission within one year of the girl's birth. This initiative aims to empower girls and encourage their education.

A BJP MLA has requested an apology from Sonia Gandhi for an alleged incident. He claims Vande Mataram was not fully sung at the AICC headquarters. The MLA, a descendant of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, expressed deep pain and anger. He cited historical instances of the song's importance in India's freedom struggle. The MLA urged Gandhi to introspect and apologize to the nation.

A 44-year-old school watchman from Kerala has won Dh100,000, around Rs 26 lakh, in the UAEs Big Ticket Series 289. Saidalavi Kariodan Varichalil, who has lived in the UAE for 17 years, said he plans to send his prize money to his family in India and has already bought another ticket for the next draw.

An Indian Navy sailor and his family were discovered deceased at their Mumbai residence. Police found the sailor hanging, while his wife and two young children were also found dead. Preliminary investigations suggest the sailor died by suicide and the others may have been poisoned.

Akshay Kumar supports his son Aarav's fashion career despite a modest starting salary. Aarav travels extensively to learn about diverse prints and styles. This approach allows young individuals to gain practical industry knowledge. Parents should guide children without imposing their own career aspirations. Starting small builds essential skills and a strong foundation for future success.

Quote of the Day by Thomas Jefferson highlights the need for new actions to achieve different outcomes. Many personal goals require breaking familiar patterns and accepting uncertainty. Taking risks and trying new things can lead to unforeseen possibilities. Jefferson, a key figure in American history, owned enslaved people. His legacy shows that change often demands leaving comfort zones and trying something different.

Amid the reservoir development in the 1940s, the remote Russian city of Vesyegonsk grappled with significant flooding, with two-thirds of its area underwater. Although wooden homes were salvaged through relocation, stone structures were lost entirely. During World War II, it was primarily women who managed the arduous task of resettling displaced families, ultimately forming a revitalized town that retained the name of its predecessor.

NTA has released the UGC NET June 2026 provisional answer key. Candidates can submit objections against the official answers until August 18, 2026. A processing fee of Rs 200 is required for each question challenged. Candidates can calculate their expected scores using a simple formula. The agency will review all objections before finalizing the answer key.

Mutual funds raised their cash holdings by Rs 7,856 crore to Rs 1.90 lakh crore in July, recovering from a 19-month low in June. PPFAS held the most cash at Rs 25,291 crore, followed by SBI and HDFC Mutual Fund.

The finance ministry has asked ministries and departments to adopt the Producer Price Index (PPI) instead of the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) for price escalation clauses in future government contracts once PPI becomes available. The move follows the launch of monthly PPI data and aligns with international practices and IMF recommendations.

India must treat maritime insecurity as a long-term trade risk as the Red Sea crisis crosses 1,000 days, GTRI said. Longer shipping routes have raised freight, insurance and working-capital costs, particularly hurting MSME exporters trading with Europe and the US.

BJP leader R Ashoka has demanded a white paper on Karnataka's guarantee schemes. He alleges that Chief Minister D K Shivakumar presented contradictory figures during his Independence Day address. Official records and the Chief Minister's Office have provided different beneficiary and expenditure numbers.

Persian Gulf allies express growing weariness with Iran peace deal negotiations. United States officials reject assessments of President Trump's diplomatic handling of Iran. The US is adopting a low-key approach towards Iran, avoiding immediate military action. Regional intermediaries are working to revive a memorandum of understanding for the Strait of Hormuz. Divergences exist among Gulf states regarding the appropriate course of action against Tehran.

Cami Clark, wife of Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, has remained largely unknown outside Silicon Valleys elite despite her proximity to some of the technology worlds most powerful figures. Her unconventional career includes a women-focused pornography startup, a pitch for investment to Jeffrey Epstein, ties to Eric Schmidt and a proposed role in Anthropics early funding.

A Polish bus overturned on a Hungarian motorway, resulting in twelve fatalities. At least ten individuals sustained injuries in the early Sunday morning accident. The bus was traveling towards Nyiregyhaza when it veered off the road. Preliminary information suggests the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel. Authorities have taken the bus driver into custody following the incident.

India could reach a $20 trillion economy by 2036 with reforms. This requires sustained rupee growth and appreciation, according to a research report. Services will become the principal engine of economic expansion, growing significantly. Proposed reforms span multiple sectors, including capital markets and human capital. Successful execution across many fronts will determine achieving this ambitious economic milestone.

Mexican Proverb of the Day: He who is born to be a flowerpot never leaves the hallway explores a traditional belief that people cannot easily rise beyond their abilities or circumstances. The proverb reflects a fatalistic view of destiny, while modern ideas about learning and personal development challenge its assumption that human potential is permanently fixed.

A passenger fired a weapon during a Varanasi airport security check on Sunday. This incident occurred while he was travelling with his wife on flight IX-1810. Two AAICLAS screeners sustained injuries during the weapons check at the airport. Both injured screeners received immediate medical treatment at New Laxmi Trauma Centre. Local police have been informed and an investigation into the incident is now underway.

Iran's foreign minister stated Hormuz Strait talks with Oman are technical. These discussions focus on updating vessel navigation routes for transit. Reopening the Strait depends on Washington fulfilling specific conditions. Iranian officials rejected US President Trump's claims about Hormuz Strait territory. Iran asserts command over the Strait of Hormuz, which remains Iranian.

A parliamentary committee highlighted a significant 43 percent vacancy rate within DIPAM. This shortage severely impacts the department's ability to manage public assets. The committee urged the finance ministry to form a task force for filling vacant positions. DIPAM oversees public assets valued at over Rs 42.76 lakh crore. The ministry is also developing a roadmap for CPSE REITs.

Uttrakhand weather alert: Uttarakhand anticipates heavy to very heavy rainfall, prompting orange alerts for several districts. The India Meteorological Department has also issued yellow alerts for remaining areas. These weather conditions may trigger landslides and flash floods, disrupting services and transportation. Authorities advise residents and travellers to remain cautious and monitor updates closely. Precautionary measures are recommended for vulnerable structures and water bodies.

Nobel laureate Herta Mller offers a perspective on resilience and survival. She suggests that life's continuation needs only a single breath. This idea challenges modern anxieties about achieving complete success. It reminds us that hardship does not negate our ongoing journey. Our current state does not define our final narrative chapter.

Bangladesh achieved a remarkable nine-wicket win against Australia in Darwin. Mehidy Hasan Miraz took five wickets, restricting Australia's lead significantly. Cameron Green scored a century, setting a modest target for Bangladesh. Bangladesh chased the target with ease, securing their first win on Australian soil.

A viral video showed a rat inside an ice cream storage crate at a quick-commerce delivery hub. This incident raised significant concerns over hygiene and food safety standards at online grocery centres. Residents have urged authorities to inspect the facility and take appropriate action if violations are found. The Maharashtra FDA recently suspended a Malad food establishment's license due to serious hygiene issues.

Galle weather has delayed the start of Day 2 in the India vs Sri Lanka first Test, with persistent rain preventing play in Galle on Sunday. The weather had also disrupted Day 1, but India still reached 288/2 at stumps after Devdutt Padikkal scored his maiden Test century and remained unbeaten on 131, with Rishabh Pant on 27.

Students in Jharkhand are protesting alleged recruitment exam irregularities. They plan to burn effigies of the Chief Minister and a Congress leader. Protesters will gherao the Chief Minister's residence demanding his resignation. They seek cancellation of suspicious examinations and an independent probe. The government announced measures for a more transparent recruitment process.

European businesses face significant losses from extreme heatwaves. Traditional insurance often fails to cover these indirect operational disruptions. Many companies report substantial turnover declines during prolonged hot weather. Parametric insurance offers a potential solution for automatic payouts. Businesses must also adapt operations to withstand increasing heat impacts.

Researchers explored hair whorl direction differences between hemispheres. Counterclockwise whorls were more frequent in the Southern Hemisphere population. Twins showed a tendency for same-direction whorl rotation, indicating genetic influence. Environmental factors may also play a role in hair whorl formation. This study offers insights into developmental processes and cell organization.

Hurricane Lala formed and is heading towards Hawaii's Big Island. Maximum sustained winds reached 75 mph, making it a Category 1 storm. Forecasters warned of life-threatening mudslides and flooding on the mountainous island. Tropical storm force winds are expected to impact other Hawaiian islands by Sunday. Officials urged residents to take the storm seriously and prepare for its arrival.

Indian equities are likely to remain range-bound in the week of August 1721, with elevated crude prices, global uncertainty and shifting US Fed expectations keeping investors cautious. Sensex fell around 500 points and Nifty 205 points last week, while broader markets declined further. Analysts highlight four key factors that could drive Dalal Streets direction this week, including crude prices, global cues, inflation risks and geopolitical developments.

UGC NET June 2026 out today: The National Testing Agency is set to release the provisional answer key for UGC NET June 2026 today. Candidates can access their responses via the official website and calculate their potential scores. Should they find errors, objections may be submitted, accompanied by a processing fee. The NTA will consider all submitted challenges prior to confirming the results, which hold significant importance for academic and research opportunities across the country.

Maharashtra FDA has issued show-cause notices to Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff over their endorsement of Vimal Pan Masala/Elaichi advertisements. Citing Section 24 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, the regulator has directed them to remove the promotional content from social media within 15 days, warning of action.

Mutual funds reduced their exposure to several small-cap stocks in July, with Amara Raja Enterprises witnessing the highest net selling. Welspun Corporation, NBCC, IIFL Finance and Physicswallah were the other major names on the list, according to Motilal Oswal Financial Services. Monthly shareholding changes ranged from a 10.5% decline to an 8.5% increase.

A magnitude-7.7 earthquake in eastern Indonesia has killed at least 51 people and injured more than 110, prompting the evacuation of around 5,000 residents. Landslides blocked roads, while more than 1,300 homes were damaged.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly blamed predecessors and others for economic, foreign-policy and domestic problems, drawing scrutiny over his approach to presidential accountability. The issue is gaining attention as Republicans prepare to defend their congressional majorities in the November midterm elections.

A BJP leader was arrested in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district. He allegedly extorted money from vehicles and abducted a businessman's son. The abduction occurred after the family failed to pay the demanded amount. The accused is also accused of regularly collecting money from goods vehicles. Police are investigating the allegations against the arrested BJP leader.

New Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 27.8 degrees Celsius on Sunday. The weather office has predicted light rain for the city. The maximum temperature is expected to reach 34 degrees Celsius today. Relative humidity stood at 73 percent while air quality was satisfactory. The Air Quality Index reading was 85 at 9 am.

Vishal Garg, the Indian-American entrepreneur, has been removed as chief executive of Better Home & Finance. The company's board cited concerns over his judgment, temperament, and credibility for the decision. Better experienced significant financial losses and a sharp decline in its stock price during his leadership. Garg claims the company was nearing a turnaround and feels he was hoodwinked by a new board member.

An Indian oil-tanker captain recounts 75 days stranded with his crew in the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran war. He calls for protected evacuation corridors, enforceable rights to refuse war-zone transit and real-time tracking of seafarers trapped in conflicts.

South Korean troops fired warning shots after North Korean soldiers crossed the military demarcation line. Multiple North Korean soldiers entered the demilitarized zone in the eastern area last week. These soldiers were likely patrolling the area when they crossed the line. No other unusual activity was reported after the North Korean soldiers returned. The two Koreas remain technically at war after their 1950-53 conflict.