The Economic Times
Elections 2026National / The Economic Times
MIT's new DAAAM robot memory system marks a major advance in artificial intelligence. Unlike traditional robots, it remembers objects with their location and time. Powered by AI and spatial memory, it answers natural questions in seconds. The breakthrough could improve robots in homes, factories, hospitals, and warehouses, bringing machines closer to human-like memory and real-world assistance.
Get ready for 'Jailer 2'! The much-awaited sequel starring Rajinikanth will hit theatres worldwide on October 15. Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, this release strategically coincides with the Dussehra festivities, aiming to leverage the holiday weekend for maximum box office impact. Following the phenomenal success of the original 'Jailer', expectations are sky-high for this action-packed follow-up.
US employers significantly slowed hiring last month, adding just 57,000 jobs, a stark contrast to previous months. This cautious approach signals lingering economic unease, despite a slight dip in the unemployment rate. Inflation remains high, and consumer confidence is low, prompting businesses to remain wary. While the economy shows modest growth, a slowdown is anticipated in the current quarter.
ENG W vs SA W 2nd Semi-Final Live Streaming: England faces South Africa in a thrilling ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal at Kennington Oval. The Proteas, boasting a formidable pace attack, aim for a third consecutive final appearance. Their strong performance in a tough group has positioned them for a shot at their maiden ICC trophy. The winner will face formidable Australia in the final at Lord's.
Exciting news for aspiring Chartered Accountants! The ICAI has announced the CA Foundation May 2026 exam results will be out tomorrow, July 3rd, at 11:00 AM. Lakhs of students can check their performance on caresults.icai.org. Remember, a 40% in each paper and 50% aggregate are needed to pass. Get your login details ready!
India is set to host 11 major international sporting events in the coming six months, including the World Badminton Championships. Following past criticism of facilities, the Sports Ministry assures top-notch infrastructure, with the minister actively monitoring preparations. This comes as the nation aims to become an Olympic host and encourages National Sports Federations to bid for more global competitions.
India will send Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain to Iran for the burial ceremonies of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The high-level delegation's presence highlights the strong civilisational and people-to-people ties between India and Iran, forming a solid base for their political and economic relations. The funeral events are scheduled across several Iranian cities from July 4th to July 9th.
Indian spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin believes the European T20 Premier League is vital for cricket's global expansion, especially with its Olympic inclusion. Captain of the Dublin Guardians, Ashwin emphasized T20's viability over ODIs for growth. He also highlighted the league's role in nurturing Irish and Scottish talent, aiming to foster a culture of daily improvement.
Finding a snake or lizard inside the house is not exactly a rare experience in many Indian homes, especially in ground floor flats, older buildings, or homes near open land. While no plant is a guaranteed fix, some do have properties that snakes and lizards tend to avoid. Here are seven worth keeping around.
Psychology says people who open their heart out to anyone at any place aren't always showing emotional security or trust. Psychology explains that sharing personal experiences without considering the situation can come from different emotional needs, coping styles, personality traits, or social habits. Experts say context, boundaries, and self-awareness matter. Understanding this behavior can help people build healthier communication, stronger relationships, emotional balance, and better decisio
The Karnataka High Court has halted the state government's move to withdraw prosecution in 52 criminal cases, including those involving influential individuals and protests. A public interest litigation challenged the notification, alleging it was arbitrary and aimed at appeasing certain groups. The court issued notices and directed prosecutors not to act on the order, pending a response from the government. The opposition BJP criticized the decision as 'toxic appeasement politics'.
Sunscreen for men, women: The two major types of sunscreens chemical and mineral handle the sun's ultraviolet rays differently.
Psychology says loving the color orange may reveal surprising clues about your personality, emotional strengths and the way you connect with others. Color psychology suggests your favorite color is rarely a random choice. Instead, it may reflect hidden patterns in your thinking, relationships and everyday decisions that quietly shape your life.
A Chandigarh consumer commission has ordered a Bathinda rooftop restaurant to refund Rs 129 in service charge and pay Rs 5,000 as compensation after it was found to have automatically added the charge to a customer's bill without prior disclosure or consent, in violation of Central Consumer Protection Authority guidelines issued in 2022.
Psychology says people who like to go on trips with friends often aren't seeking only entertainment. Research in psychology shows that traveling with friends can strengthen social bonds, improve emotional well-being, reduce stress, and create lasting memories through shared experiences. Group travel also builds trust, communication, and cooperation. Understanding why people enjoy these trips offers insight into friendship, mental health, and the role social connections play in everyday life.
The Indian Army's Corps of Signals Dare Devils team has set a new world record inside the Atal Tunnel, traversing its length on two motorcycles with ten riders in under ten minutes. This historic feat, part of the 'Wheels of Valour: Sanchar Shakti' expedition, honors Kargil Vijay Diwas and showcases exceptional military professionalism, precision, and teamwork at high altitude. The achievement underscores the Corps' commitment to adventure and national service.
India has once again topped the Athletics Integrity Unit's list of dope offenders, with 162 names, underscoring a persistent doping crisis in the nation's sports. Kenya and Russia follow with significant numbers. The Athletics Federation of India has been re-categorised to Category A, signifying the highest doping risk, demanding more stringent testing protocols due to an inadequate domestic anti-doping program.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Sachin Ahir, now Maharashtra legislative council's deputy chairman, downplayed speculation about his future political path, stating he needs to 'play the innings first.' His election as a ruling Mahayuti candidate surprised many, especially given his close ties to Aaditya Thackeray. Ahir, a former NCP minister and three-time MLA, joined the undivided Shiv Sena before Thackeray's entry into politics, becoming a trusted aide.
The BJP has accused Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and her husband Robert Vadra of attempting to seize a four-acre land parcel in Uttarakhand. Party spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari alleged that Robert Vadra's sister, Saira Vadra, is involved, with a Congress MLA reportedly threatening a 90-year-old woman occupying the property to vacate it. The BJP claims this is part of a Gandhi-Vadra model of land acquisition.
A priest from a centuries-old temple near Ayodhya's Ram Mandir has accused Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai and his associates of illegally seizing control of the shrine using forged documents. Hari Shankar Safariwala claims the temple, valued at Rs 50 crore, has been under their control for five years despite repeated complaints to authorities. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has called for a thorough investigation.
India is set to face Sri Lanka in a two-Test series starting August 15, with matches in Galle and Colombo. This tour, part of the World Test Championship, presents a significant challenge for India's new captain Shubman Gill, especially after recent struggles against spin. The series marks India's return to Sri Lanka after a dominant 2017 performance and precedes a November tour of New Zealand.
India will send a high-level delegation, including Deputy Foreign Minister Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain, to Iran for the state funeral of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The visit on July 3rd highlights the deep civilizational and people-to-people ties between India and Iran, forming a strong basis for their political and economic relations. The funeral commences in Tehran on July 4th.
EPFO's online services remain inaccessible beyond the scheduled maintenance, frustrating members and employers. A major technology upgrade for better claim processing is underway, but the portal outage continues. Meanwhile, a new EPF Scheme, 2026, has been rolled out, simplifying withdrawals and enhancing digital compliance, though it's not linked to the current system migration.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has called for an end to objections regarding India-Pakistan dialogue aimed at improving bilateral relations. He highlighted that the decades-old conflict has intensified recently. Abdullah pointed out the hypocrisy where RSS leaders advocating for better ties face no criticism, while similar sentiments from Jammu and Kashmir leaders become contentious.
The Calcutta High Court has ordered a private bank to reveal the funds in the Trinamool Congress's frozen accounts. The court is examining a petition by the Mamata Banerjee faction challenging the debit freeze, which followed a complaint by rebel MLAs. The Bidhannagar Police will also present investigation records, with the court considering appointing special officers to manage the accounts during the legal proceedings.
Former Union Human Resource Development Minister Murli Manohar Joshi on Thursday asserted that Urdu is an Indian language and did not originate outside the country, while recalling the education reforms undertaken during the NDA government led by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Kidambi Srikanth retired early from the Canada Open due to fitness issues, while Tanya Hemnath and Aakarshi Kashyap advanced to the women's singles second round. It was a tough day for India as most other shuttlers, including Devika Sihag and Anmol Kharb, were eliminated in the opening rounds. The men's doubles pair also exited early.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked the Chief Commissioner of RTI stay on the new Maharashtra Right to Information Rules, 2026, following widespread opposition. The proposed changes, including increased fees and mandatory identity proof, were criticized by activist Anna Hazare for diluting the RTI Act's spirit. Hazare had threatened a hunger strike if the rules weren't withdrawn, citing procedural hurdles and higher costs.
Canva users facing technical glitches today have several powerful alternatives to keep their creative projects moving. From Adobe Express and Microsoft Designer for quick graphics to Photopea and GIMP for advanced photo editing, and CapCut or DaVinci Resolve for video, there's a tool for every need. Figma and Google Slides also offer robust options for presentations and documents, ensuring your work doesn't halt during Canva's downtime.
Goldman Sachs highlights that China's growing market share, not just the trade deficit, is the primary concern for EU growth. Chinese manufacturers are increasingly competing with European firms globally. While the EU may adopt a more assertive trade policy, broad tariffs like those seen in the US are unlikely, as the bloc seeks to maintain access to crucial materials from China.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk's health is declining on his fifth day of hunger strike, with low blood sugar and pressure. The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) holds the government responsible and demands the Education Minister's resignation. Meanwhile, students from AISA also continue their fast, with some advised to stop due to health issues. The protest, initiated over NEET irregularities, is gaining wider support.
Bypolls for three assembly seats in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat are scheduled for July 30, the Election Commission announced. The vacancies in Bankipur, Datia, and Manjalpur arose from resignations, disqualification, and a death. Nominations close on July 13, with counting on August 3. The Model Code of Conduct is now active in affected districts, and EVMs/VVPATs will be used. Candidates with criminal records must disclose their antecedents publicly.
Kerala's Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan has questioned Adani Group's move to sell a 49% stake in the Vizhinjam port to MSC without state government approval. He alleges this violates the agreement and could lead to MSC monopolizing the port, impacting Kerala's revenue. Chief Minister VD Satheesan is urged to clarify the government's stance and actions regarding this illegal share transfer, which Adani Ports touts as a major foreign investment.
Popular design platform Canva experienced significant disruptions on July 2, leaving many users unable to upload images or load projects. Complaints flooded in throughout the day as the service faced multiple issues. While Canva's engineering team worked to implement fixes, some users in Australia and New Zealand might still notice slower performance. The platform has since marked the main incident as resolved.
Authorities have arrested 119 individuals following the unearthing of a sophisticated fake international call center in Lucknow. Operating under the name Solaris Solution, the center allegedly used the Dollar App to perpetrate technical frauds and inducements, primarily at night. Police seized numerous laptops, mobile phones, and digital evidence during the raid, with further investigation into the broader cyber fraud syndicate underway.
Bihar has launched the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) scheme, aiming to curb labor outmigration and enhance working conditions. This national initiative guarantees eligible rural households 125 days of wage employment. Bihar's Rural Development Minister highlighted the scheme's potential to further reduce the need for residents to seek work outside the state, with significant budgetary allocations from both central and state governments.
Three former AIADMK ministers and several party functionaries defected to the ruling TVK in Mamallapuram, citing disillusionment with the AIADMK's current leadership. The move drew sharp criticism from the DMK, which alluded to corruption allegations against the defectors. TVK leaders welcomed the new members, criticizing the AIADMK's functioning and leadership.
Saleem Ahmad, CMD of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited, has taken on the additional role of leading Ircon International Limited. Ahmad stressed stakeholder collaboration and financial discipline in his new capacity. This dual leadership is anticipated to boost synergy between these key railway infrastructure firms, accelerating India's transport development. He has already engaged with Ircon's leadership to review operations.
Monsoon has finally arrived in parts of Rajasthan, seven days behind schedule, bringing relief to eastern districts. The India Meteorological Department forecasts further advancement and heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, across eastern and southeastern regions over the next few days. Residents can expect active monsoon conditions and widespread showers throughout the coming week.
A devastating rock collapse at a Bengaluru stone quarry claimed the lives of eight daily-wage labourers, primarily from Bihar. The incident occurred early Thursday morning during quarrying operations, trapping workers beneath massive boulders. While some injured were hospitalized, concerns remain about the toll potentially rising. Authorities are investigating the cause, with allegations of illegal quarrying and official complicity surfacing.
Delhi has rolled out a permanent winter anti-pollution plan, effective November 1 to February 28 annually. This framework mandates strict measures for vehicles, offices, and construction sites, including mandatory PUC checks for fuel, restrictions on older vehicles, and a 50% work-from-home policy for offices. The goal is to significantly curb the city's severe seasonal air pollution.
Tragedy struck in Thailand's Mukdahan province when an 11-year-old boy, driving his parents' truck without permission, crashed into a Buddhist procession. The devastating incident claimed the lives of eight monks and left ten others injured. Authorities are investigating the cause and emphasizing the critical need for enhanced road safety awareness, particularly for parents, to prevent such heart-wrenching accidents.

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