The Economic Times

Japanese saying of the day Even a dog won't interfere in a married couple's quarrel explores timeless lessons about marriage, conflict, communication, forgiveness, and personal boundaries. It highlights why outsiders often misunderstand relationship disputes and how patience, understanding, and direct communication can help couples navigate challenges and strengthen family bonds.

An FIR has been registered against Samajwadi Party MLA Rakesh Kumar Verma in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly making objectionable remarks against BJP MP Kangana Ranaut. A viral video purportedly showed the MLA making inappropriate comments, leading to a complaint by a BJP Yuva Morcha district president.

AI is now performing nearly 37% of entry-level tasks in India, exceeding the global average. HR leaders anticipate entry-level roles will evolve to supervising AI systems within five years, with AI also expected to create new job categories. Organizations are increasingly focusing on AI skills for all roles, enabling employees to concentrate on higher-value, strategic responsibilities.

Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi announced that approximately 3 crore new ration cards can be issued. This follows state governments removing 2.21 crore ineligible beneficiaries from PDS lists. The Centre identified 8.51 crore ineligible individuals, and states have acted on a significant portion. Digitisation of the Public Distribution System has enabled this process.

Moroccan proverb of the day on love: A Moroccan proverb reminds us that only those who have felt the heat of love can truly understand its impact. Its wisdom extends beyond romance, highlighting how personal experiences shape our perspectives and emotions. The saying encourages empathy and patience, reminding us that other people's feelings are deeply personal and not always visible from the outside.

A 45-year-old woman was found dead on a terrace in South Delhi. Police arrested a doctor, Manish Gupta, who allegedly killed her with a bat and knife. The victim, Meena, worked as his domestic help for 15 years. The motive remains unclear, though a personal dispute is suspected. This incident follows a similar crime in the area two months prior.

FSSAI busted an inter-state counterfeit ghee racket, seizing over 6,500 litres of suspected adulterated products and raw materials in Delhi and Haryana. Investigations began after misleading advertisements prompted a decoy operation, revealing products mixed with vegetable oils. Raids uncovered significant quantities of fake ghee, leading to an FIR and ongoing investigations.

The CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exam Result 2026 is anticipated soon, with media reports suggesting a release in the last week of June. While an official date remains unconfirmed, students can access their results via the official website cbseresults.nic.in and other digital platforms like DigiLocker and UMANG App.

Many people repeatedly charge their phones not due to addiction, but a deep-seated fear of being unreachable. This anxiety stems from the possibility of missing an urgent call from family or friends needing help. A dead phone represents being cut off, leading to constant readiness.

The American idiom Don't take no wooden nickels originated from promotional tokens with no real value, evolving into advice to be cautious and avoid being tricked. This saying encourages vigilance against scams and bad deals, reminding people to trust their instincts and think critically in various situations.

Housing Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced plans to financially assist contractors for temporary labourer housing at project sites, funded by labour cess. The government is also considering mandatory durability certificates for buildings and promoting sustainable practices like waste management and water harvesting. An increased infrastructure budget and new cities in NCR are also highlighted.

Karnataka Assembly members cast votes for seven Legislative Council seats. High voter turnout was recorded. Key leaders including the Chief Minister and former CM participated. The ruling Congress aims to secure a majority. A contest is anticipated for the seventh seat. Legislators were sequestered amid fears of cross-voting.

Kevin Warsh's first Federal Reserve meeting as chair saw interest rates held steady, but a shift away from forward guidance blindsided traders. New projections and Warsh's emphasis on price stability led markets to price in potential rate hikes within months, injecting uncertainty into financial markets.

A startup founder's frustration over land acquisition for a satellite factory near Bengaluru has ignited a fierce competition between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Both states are actively wooing Pixxel, with Karnataka assuring support and Andhra Pradesh highlighting its investor-friendly initiatives and dedicated aerospace parks.

The Italian proverb Chi fa da s, fa per tre teaches the value of self-reliance and initiative. Meaning He who does things by himself, does the work of three, the saying suggests that personal effort and determination often produce efficient results. Popular for generations, it encourages individuals to take responsibility, trust their abilities and act decisively when faced with challenges.

The government will decide on extending import duty exemptions for 40 products after June 30. This decision hinges on the evolving situation in West Asia and its impact on cargo movement. Revenue implications for the government are also a key consideration. The current exemption was put in place to support domestic industries facing supply chain disruptions.

US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi struck a friendly tone during their first face-to-face meeting in over a year, with Trump calling Modi a long-time friend and a tough trade negotiator despite his calm demeanor.

The landmark India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will come into force from July 15, 2026, with the government working to ensure that customs notifications and related processes are put in place so that exporters can start availing concessions from day one, senior government sources told ANI.

Actress Sara Arjun, celebrating her 21st birthday on June 18, 2026, has established herself in Bollywood with her role in the Dhurandhar franchise. Beginning her career at a young age, she gained recognition for her breakthrough performance in the Tamil film Deiva Thirumagal and has since worked across multiple film industries.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a six-month Pentagon review of American forces in Europe, contingent on allies taking greater responsibility for their own security. He criticized European nations for denying U.S. forces access to bases for potential attacks on Iran, deeming it shameful and putting American troops at risk.

Kerala lottery results today: Kerala Lottery Karunya Plus KN-628 results for Thursday, 18 June 2026, have been officially declared. Ticket holders can now check their numbers for the Rs 1 crore first prize and other attractive cash rewards. Full list of other winning numbers here.

The Nationalist Citizens Party of India is reaching out to Shiv Sena UBT MPs. The party anticipates its parliamentary strength will soon increase. Meanwhile, founding members are seeking clarity on the identity of their newly appointed president. Discussions are ongoing regarding party restructuring and potential new inductions.

India will allow imports of up to 3.78 lakh conventional-engine passenger cars from the UK at concessional duties under a new trade pact starting July 15. Import duties will fall from 110% to 10% with quotas, while Indian electric and hybrid cars will gain duty-free access to the UK market from the sixth year.

Washington's decision to rename the US Indo-Pacific Command back to Pacific Command has sparked debate over India's strategic importance. Despite assurances from President Trump, analysts view the move as a symbolic downgrading, occurring amidst existing bilateral friction and concerns about US policy in Asia.

Farmers in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts are shifting to water-saving rice farming techniques. Facing potential El Nino impacts, cultivators are embracing Direct Seeded Rice and Alternate Wetting and Drying. These methods significantly reduce water usage and labor costs. The Dr Reddy's Foundation is actively promoting these changes, alongside soil health improvements, to ensure sustainable agriculture in the region.

Nestled in West Sikkim, Khecheopalri Lake, known as the Wishing Lake, is a sacred site for Buddhists and Hindus, believed to grant wishes. Its unusually clean waters, attributed by locals to guardian birds, have captivated visitors, drawing renewed attention through viral videos showcasing its serene beauty and spiritual aura.

President Droupadi Murmu stated that indigenous people's connection with nature offers peace. Their traditions of worshipping earth and trees embody harmony. This way of life contrasts with rampant materialism. Tribal communities live with self-respect and patience. Real empowerment includes economic development and spiritual awakening. Organic farming is returning as foreign pesticides harm land. The Brahma Kumaris are supporting indigenous communities.

India's ban on Telegram stemmed from a dispute over alleged NEET exam paper leaks, with the government accusing the messaging platform of failing to proactively remove channels offering leaked papers and related scams. Documents reviewed by Reuters show weeks of exchanges between the IT Ministry and Telegram before New Delhi imposed an emergency ban on June 16.

A dried-up Bengaluru pond, Bikkanahalli Kunte, has been revived in just 24 hours by environmentalist Gurunandan Rao and volunteers. After months of securing permissions and addressing encroachments, the team cleared silt and waste, restoring the water body. The successful restoration has already attracted wildlife and improved local water storage capacity.

After 4.5 years at INR 70k, an employee was unexpectedly laid off. The same day, they received a WFH job offer paying INR 1.58 lakhs monthly in USD. This significant salary jump, while life-changing, has left the individual questioning their past worth and feeling a sense of disbelief.

The Delhi High Court has refused to relax the mandatory 30-day waiting period prescribed under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, for a couple seeking early solemnisation of their marriage due to the groom's impending overseas employment.

Entrepreneur Ankiti Bose has received interim relief from a Delhi court. The Dwarka Court has ordered the removal of a defamatory article. The court restrained defendants from publishing similar content. Bose is a complainant in a Mumbai FIR. The court emphasized media caution in reporting ongoing investigations. This order protects Bose's reputation and ensures fair justice.

Ancient marine fossils, locally called 'Asura Hadda', have been found in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district. These 15-million-year-old discoveries point to a shallow sea that once covered the area. Researchers found shark teeth, vertebrae, fish bones, and mollusc shells. This site offers a glimpse into a rich prehistoric marine ecosystem. Further research is needed to understand the sea's recession.

Tesco's chief executive Ken Murphy stated that a recent slowdown in sales growth should not be overemphasized. He linked the performance to the weather. Last year's sales growth was exceptional due to outstanding weather conditions. Murphy believes the weather is the biggest factor impacting the market. The group faced a tough comparative period.

Six Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs missed a crucial party meeting. This move suggests a formal shift to Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena is imminent. The absent MPs have reportedly signed a letter seeking a merger. Verification of signatures is underway. This development follows a whip issued by Shiv Sena (UBT) for the meeting.

The government has approved an 8.25% interest rate on Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) deposits for FY26, clearing the proposal recommended by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation's (EPFO) Central Board of Trustees in March. The interest is expected to be credited to the accounts of over seven crore EPF subscribers later this month.

A Delhi court has declined a woman's request for interim maintenance despite her husband's monthly income exceeding Rs 1 lakh, observing that such relief is not an automatic consequence merely because one spouse earns more than the other. The court noted that the woman was educated, gainfully employed and earning over Rs 60,000 a month.

A colossal air purification tower in China, standing over 100 meters tall, has shown promising results in tackling smog. Researchers reported a 15% reduction in harmful PM2.5 particles across a 10-square-kilometer area during 2018 tests. This solar-powered giant, the world's largest of its kind, offers hope for cleaner air in heavily polluted cities.

US-Iran Peace MoU: The US and Iran have signed a preliminary 14-point memorandum of understanding, outlining plans for sanctions relief, economic cooperation, and de-escalation of military tensions. The agreement includes provisions for releasing frozen assets and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with both nations entering a 60-day negotiation period to finalize a comprehensive deal.

AP Inter Supplementary Results 2026: The Board of Intermediate Education, Andhra Pradesh has released the AP Intermediate Supplementary Results for 2026. Students can now check their marks for both first and second year courses online. The results are available on the official BIEAP websites. Candidates can also access their marks through a WhatsApp service and DigiLocker.

West Bengal's new BJP government is taking firm action against anti-social elements and illegal foreigners. Governor R N Ravi stated the administration is committed to ending corruption syndicates and a 'threat culture'. The government prioritizes law and order, border security, and industrial growth. Transparent governance and zero tolerance for atrocities are key objectives.

India mandates E20 petrol from April 1, 2026. Viral claims suggest E20 attracts ants due to sugar. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) refutes this, calling it baseless. Fuel-grade ethanol undergoes purification, removing sugars. Denaturants in ethanol repel insects. BPCL confirms E20 petrol does not attract ants or insects around fuel caps.