The Economic Times

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has initiated action against certain alcoholic beverage makers. Manufacturers allegedly used external flavouring substances to mimic natural tastes and aromas. These products should be labelled as flavoured spirit to avoid misleading consumers. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of artificial flavours in several product samples. An Old Monk rum variant's 7 years old blended claim was also found to be misleading.

Retired US General Jack Keane criticized Pakistan and Qatar as compromised mediators in Iran diplomacy. He stated both nations favor Tehran over Washington, influencing US decisions. Saudi Arabia also discouraged stronger military action against Iran, Keane alleged. The kingdom denied airbase access and advised negotiations instead of operations.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay's son Jason Sanjay has revealed the secrets about his family. Speaking first time after his father became the CM, Jason Sanjay said that appa wanted him to create his own idendity and never spoon fed him. He also revealed that his 'mother is a spy' who always catches him when he does something wrong.

Congress MP Manish Tewari sought to suspend parliamentary business for urgent discussion. He proposed a new anti-defection law to curb opportunistic political defections. The proposed law aims to prevent defections while protecting principled dissent. Several bills, including the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, are scheduled.

Quote of the day: Rene Descartes, the French philosopher, posited that constructive criticism from friends is invaluable. He maintained that authentic friendships provide truthful insights, essential for personal growth. Unlike the momentary gratification from accolades by strangers, the feedback from close companions encourages deeper development. Descartes emphasized reason and independent thought.

Global watchdogs condemn escalating state violence and press restrictions in Rawalakot. Amnesty International and CPJ Asia demand an end to the crackdown. They highlight enforced disappearances of journalists and widespread internet shutdowns. Reports indicate significant casualties during ongoing protest movements.

Tamil Nadu rain today: Moderate rainfall is expected across several Tamil Nadu districts including Chennai on Tuesday. Thunderstorms with lightning will occur at isolated places across the state and Karaikal. Heavy rain is forecast for ghat areas of Theni and Tirunelveli later this week. Isolated thunderstorms with gusty winds are also predicted for Tamil Nadu. Light rain is anticipated for the rest of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

A massive fire erupted at an electronic chip manufacturing unit in Noida. Two firefighters tragically lost their lives while battling the intense blaze. Three other firefighters sustained injuries and were rushed to the hospital. The incident occurred late Monday night at the ILGIM company. Investigations into the cause of the fire are currently underway.

In June, Venezuela experienced two catastrophic earthquakes, resulting in the tragic loss of 6,125 lives, as reported by lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez. Almost 61,000 people sought medical care following these disasters. Officials noted that 16.5% of the debris has been cleared, while Acting President Delcy Rodriguez defended the government's handling of the situation amid criticisms regarding the timeliness of aid to those affected.

A young student has developed an energy-harvesting system called VERDA. This technology captures power from everyday movements for cleaner energy generation. He is a finalist in the 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge competition. Ahmed will work with a scientist to further develop his innovative project. He hopes to become an inventor focused on environmental protection technologies.

BJP president Nitin Nabin accepted the people's mandate in three assembly by-elections. The party will conduct a thorough introspection of election results in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. BJP faced defeats in Bihar's Bankipur and Madhya Pradesh's Datia assembly seats. However, the party retained the Manjalpur assembly seat in Gujarat.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will introduce the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha. This legislation seeks to amend key financial and tax-related acts for the upcoming year. The House will also discuss excess grants for the 2022-23 financial year. Following this, an Appropriation Bill will be presented for parliamentary approval.

WestJet and flight attendants have reached a tentative agreement to end a disruptive strike. This deal aims to resolve disputes over pay for pre-flight duties performed by cabin crew. Hundreds of flights were cancelled, impacting thousands of travelers over the holiday weekend. The union's membership will now vote on the proposed agreement to ratify the deal. WestJet is working to restore normal flight operations and assist affected passengers.

Japan's government promotes its military expansion as a path to economic growth. The defense white paper advocates for technology and startup funding in arms production. This strategy aims to deter China's growing military activities and potential conflict. Japan is financing its largest military buildup since World War Two.

Telegram's messaging application has been restored on Apple's App Store. The popular platform experienced a temporary unavailability earlier today. Telegram has grown to over one billion monthly active users globally. It offers large group chats and optional end-to-end encryption features. This restoration ensures continued service for its extensive user base.

Gulf waterway traffic held steady as United States and Iran talks progressed ambiguously. Bab el-Mandeb strait saw unchanged vessel crossings, with most transponders active. Strait of Hormuz traffic slowed slightly, with entries exceeding exits via Iran. Houthi threats prompted Saudi supertankers to divert from the Gulf of Aden.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast across many Indian regions on Monday. Isolated extremely heavy rainfall is expected over Assam, Meghalaya, and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim. Many northern states, including Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, will experience heavy showers. Thunderstorms, gusty winds, and squally weather are predicted for several other areas. Coastal regions of Karnataka and Kerala anticipate squally weather with strong winds.

Capital One closed Donald Trump's accounts in 2021 after flagging suspicious financial activity. The bank stated these closures resulted from anti-money laundering team analysis and regulatory guidance. Trump alleges Capital One illegally closed his accounts for political reasons after January 6 attacks. Both Capital One and JPMorgan Chase deny severing relationships for political motivations. Trump's legal team maintains the de-banking was for blatantly political reasons.

Delhi anticipates generally cloudy skies with light rain spells throughout the week. Noida and Ghaziabad may experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning on Tuesday. Gurugram expects similar cloudy conditions with intermittent rain until Thursday. Temperatures will remain moderate across these regions during the forecast period. Rain activity is expected to ease in Delhi by Sunday.

Aam Aadmi Party leader Somnath Bharti criticizes the BJP and Election Commission's voter revision process. He claims the exercise aims to delete approximately thirty lakh votes in Delhi. Bharti highlights difficulties faced by voters and tenants in proving their eligibility. He alleges Booth Level Officers are instructed by BJP legislators. The party warns of consequences if the process is not changed.

Americans now see Democrats as better economic managers than Republicans. President Donald Trump's approval rating has fallen to thirty-five percent. Rising energy prices following the Iran war are impacting household finances. This shift could affect Republican chances in upcoming midterm elections. Independents favor Democrats over Republicans by twelve percentage points.

A cargo vessel was struck by an unknown projectile near Al Khasab, Oman. This incident occurred amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing discussions with Iran. US President Trump claimed a planned military strike against Iran was postponed after diplomatic interventions. He reiterated that preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains Washington's primary objective.

Iran's high-ranking military advisor, Mohsen Rezaee, has dismissed US President Trump's statements about the potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized that Iran would take action against any unauthorized vessels in the area. While Trump suggested ongoing discussions for this reopening and for Iran's denuclearization, Iran has unequivocally denied any claims regarding negotiations with the United States.

Scientists revealed first animal on Earth: Emerging research proposes that placozoans could be the oldest animals on Earth, reshaping the established perception of sea sponges as the earliest fauna. Scientists have discovered that placozoans are situated earlier on the animal evolutionary tree. This discovery invites a fresh perspective on the origins of nervous systems in the animal kingdom.

Iran awaits Ukraine's concrete actions to support its claim of an unintentional drone strike. Iranian officials possess evidence contradicting Ukraine's explanation of the Caspian Sea incident. Tehran will take necessary measures to hold Ukraine accountable for the attack. Ukraine's foreign minister assured Iran that the strike was unintentional and sought no escalation. Iran conveyed its clear stance against any attack on its citizens or interests.

The Supreme Court dismissed the Indian Energy Exchange's appeal against the CERC's market coupling order. Justices refused to interfere with the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity's previous ruling on the matter. The court kept legal questions open for future consideration as norms are still in draft. CERC plans to introduce power market norms, including market coupling, within six weeks.

Today's Quote of the Day by Jamie Dimon: Jamie Dimon's quote about leadership deconstructs managerial capability into four distinct human dimensions. Rather than evaluating a leader solely by quarterly performance metrics, revenue growth, or academic credentials, Dimon forces executives to evaluate candidates through personal, parental, structural, and financial lenses.

The Lenin, the world's first nuclear icebreaker, symbolizes Russia's Arctic legacy today. This historic vessel served for thirty years along the Northern Sea Route. Russia now operates the world's largest icebreaker fleet, including nuclear-powered ships. India and Russia are expanding cooperation on the Northern Sea Route corridor. Both nations aim to strengthen transport and logistics connectivity through this vital waterway.

Twenty-five states have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration's latest tariffs. They argue the president's actions exceed his legal authority to tax imports. Previous tariffs imposed by Trump have faced similar legal challenges. The administration claims the tariffs address unfair trade practices and forced labor. This legal battle continues despite prior court rulings against the president.

The government is set to introduce the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, extending tax incentives for electronics manufacturing, easing rules for foreign investment funds, and offering relief for REITs, InvITs, data centres and sovereign debt investors. The proposed changes aim to boost investment, strengthen supply chains and make India's tax regime more business-friendly.

Tanzanian proverb of the day: A Tanzanian saying emphasizes earning money without letting it define one's worth. True success stems from character, integrity, and treating others well. Wealth offers comfort and opportunities but should not be life's sole foundation. Money should serve as a tool to support a good life.

Quote of the day by Zig Ziglar: Motivational speaker Zig Ziglar emphasized personal growth over mere achievement. He believed the journey and lessons learned shape individuals profoundly. Ziglar's own life, from humble beginnings to global influence, exemplified this philosophy. His teachings continue to inspire millions through his enduring legacy.

Japanese proverb of the day: A Japanese saying teaches that profit and loss are closely linked. Every opportunity carries inherent risks which must be carefully considered. Excitement can sometimes overshadow potential problems and negative outcomes. Preparation and understanding risks strengthen confidence in decision-making processes.

Quote of the day by Justin Bieber reminds people that success and happiness come from caring for their own lives instead of comparing themselves with others. The quote encourages personal responsibility, daily effort, and contentment. It also highlights the importance of investing time in relationships, work, and personal growth. The line comes from Justin Bieber's 2012 song As Long As You Love Me featuring Big Sean and continues to inspire many people.

Quote of the day by John Keats: John Keats believed self-criticism surpasses external praise or blame. His love of beauty made him a severe judge of his own creations. This perspective emphasizes personal standards over public approval for true satisfaction. Keats, a celebrated Romantic poet, died young from tuberculosis.

In 1868, an American woman inventor created a machine that changed the future and led to the mass manufacture of flat-bottom paper bags still widely used to carry groceries all around the world. Margaret E. Knight developed a machine that changed paper bag production. Her invention reduced manual work and helped businesses produce square-bottom paper bags on a large scale. She later earned many patents and became one of the most productive women inventors in American history.

Quote of the day by George Eliot remains relevant because they remind us that companionship does not always need complicated explanations. Sometimes the most comforting friend is the one who simply stays nearby. Animals can offer affection without demanding perfection, presence without interrogation and companionship without unnecessary judgment.

Quote of the day by Roald Dahl: Roald Dahl's quote describes adults as the enemy of children during socialization. This perspective reflects the reality of teaching societal rules and moral behavior. Learning kindness and responsibility takes time, and adults guide this essential development.

Samir Modi has withdrawn all legal cases against his mother, Bina Modi. This action comes amid ongoing efforts to settle the distribution of the late KK Modi legacy. Both brothers have blamed their mother for not following the family trust's distribution plan. Modi expressed his desire for family reconciliation and stated he is a builder. He is hopeful that the family will reconcile and that legacies are beyond companies.

The government withdrew thousands of tax appeals after raising litigation limits. This action reduced disputed tax demand by over sixteen thousand six hundred eighty-eight crore rupees. Appeals were withdrawn from the ITAT, High Courts, and Supreme Court levels. Additionally, many new appeals were not filed by the department. This policy change significantly lowered the overall tax litigation burden.

Japanese proverb of the day highlights how humor can reveal thoughts that people hesitate to express directly. The proverb, A joke is often the hole through which truth whistles, explains that jokes, teasing, and sarcasm often carry hidden feelings, opinions, and truths. It teaches lessons about communication, self-awareness, emotional honesty, and listening carefully. The saying remains relevant because people continue to use humor to express difficult emotions and sensitive ideas.

The rules currently don't regulate such ambulances as a distinct vehicle category. Consequently, there are no national requirements governing their construction, functional safety, patient-handling systems, type approval, registration and fitness inspection.