The Economic Times

Quote of the day by Dwayne Johnson reminds people that success is built through daily effort, discipline, consistency, competition and hard work. The quote encourages people to complete tasks others avoid today so they can achieve goals others cannot reach tomorrow. It also explains the value of delayed gratification, building habits, staying focused and accepting challenges instead of making excuses in everyday life and work.

FIFA World Cup 2026 match schedule for 29 June: The FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage heats up on June 29 with three crucial Round of 32 matches. Football giants Brazil face Japan, while Germany takes on Paraguay in late-night fixtures. The Netherlands will clash with Morocco in a highly anticipated encounter. These do-or-die games determine who advances to the Round of 16. Indian fans can catch the action live on Unite8 Sports channels and stream it on ZEE5.

Exciting news for those in the northern states! The southwest monsoon is set to make significant progress in the next five to six days, providing much-needed relief from the heat. While Delhi swelters in its warmest morning in two years, the India Meteorological Department anticipates rain in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and surrounding areas. However, residents of Uttar Pradesh should brace for heatwave conditions on June 28-29.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon the populace to dismiss superstition, emphasizing its role in hindering rational thought and prompting harmful choices. He commended those promoting science and logic in countering outdated beliefs. Citing the Hargila bird in Assam, previously seen as unlucky, Modi showcased how awareness of its ecological significance shifted local attitudes through informative campaigns.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded citizens for heeding his call to curb extravagant spending amidst the West Asia crisis. Many have pledged to forgo gold purchases, postpone foreign vacations, and embrace chemical-free farming, demonstrating remarkable public cooperation. The PM expressed gratitude for this collective spirit, highlighting how Indians are uniting to navigate global challenges, with families opting to recycle old gold and carpool to conserve resources.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the inseparable security and defense ties between India and Seychelles, highlighting new avenues for industrial cooperation. He emphasized India's vision for the Indian Ocean as an 'Ocean of Opportunity.' Discussions focused on strengthening maritime security, digital connectivity via UPI, and collaboration in the blue economy, including clean energy and space exploration, reinforcing decades of close partnership.

The index, proposed by the ministry of statistics and programme implementation (MoSPI), will provide insights into the health of the large yet often difficult-to-measure informal sector.

The account said the EU has altered its approach after an electric-vehicle subsidy probe, using pressure and conditions to strengthen its negotiating position. It accused the bloc of being a ule-breaker and said its ormative power is weakening as it increasingly defines rules in ways that create barriers to market access.

India's Census 2027 is progressing with the second pre-test for population enumeration scheduled from July 6-18, 2026, in select areas. This phase follows successful house-listing operations across 19 states and five UTs. For the first time, the census is leveraging digital tools alongside traditional methods, with enumerators using a mobile app. Residents can also opt for self-enumeration from July 1-5, 2026, a feature that has already seen significant public participation.

Any moderation in El Nino effects and resolution of geopolitical uncertainty will further reduce the downside risks to growth. Operationalising the FTAs signed with 37 countries will boost exports and FDI, and thus growthRam Singh, Director, Delhi School of Economics

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath challenged Akhilesh Yadav to support the 'liberation' of Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura, countering Yadav's criticism of the BJP over Ram Temple donations. Yadav accused the BJP of running a business under the guise of religion, prioritizing money over faith. Meanwhile, Ayodhya police raided the homes of those arrested in the alleged donation embezzlement case, as political parties traded barbs over the issue.

India is facing a significant shortage of stablecoins like USDT, causing its price to surge locally. This premium, usually modest, has ballooned to over 8.5% following Enforcement Directorate actions against entities facilitating crypto-based money transfers. The crackdown has disrupted a popular remittance channel for NRIs, impacting USDT supply and raising concerns about regulatory ambiguity and the urgent need for clear crypto policies.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath challenged Akhilesh Yadav to support the 'liberation' of Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura, countering Yadav's criticism of the BJP over Ram Temple donations. Yadav accused the ruling party of running a 'business' under the guise of religion, prioritizing money over faith. Meanwhile, police raided homes of those arrested in the alleged donation embezzlement case, as other political leaders weighed in on the controversy.

The Trinamool Congress is facing an internal crisis as the Mamata Banerjee faction filed multiple police complaints against dissident leader Ritabrata Banerjee and his group. Allegations include unauthorized use of the party's logo and impersonating party leadership, notably naming Arup Roy as chairperson. The complaints also question the funding behind the dissident faction's activities, hinting at a deeper power struggle within the party.

The Madras High Court has ruled that individuals converting to Islam cannot claim Backward Class Muslim status, deeming a recent Tamil Nadu government order extending reservation benefits to converts unconstitutional and arbitrary. The court refused an adjournment request, criticizing the petitioner's attempt to delay proceedings by changing lawyers just before the judgment. The bench emphasized the petitioner's weak case, which was only bolstered by the now-invalidated government order.

Indian businesses are eager to embrace AI but face hurdles in scaling projects securely and with clear governance. Leaders at an Economic Times roundtable emphasized that successful AI adoption hinges on workflow redesign, data security, and employee training, not just advanced models. Key concerns include technical debt, trust issues, and the need for secure by design principles to mitigate risks like data leaks and unpredictable AI behavior.

Jammu and Kashmir's ruling NC and opposition PDP are locked in a bitter blame game over recruitment practices. The PDP accuses the NC government of backdoor appointments, while the NC claims outsourcing is a transparent administrative measure inherited from previous regimes. Both parties also accuse each other of furthering the BJP's agenda. The NC government defended its outsourcing policy, stating it meets urgent needs and follows procurement processes.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is on a three-day visit to Srinagar to connect with voters and grassroots election officials. He will engage with Booth Level Officers in Budgam, emphasizing their crucial role. This visit underscores the Election Commission's commitment to boosting voter participation, enhancing preparedness, and fostering democratic engagement across Jammu and Kashmir.

India's T20 World Cup 2026 journey concluded as Australia secured a dramatic six-wicket victory at Lord's. Chasing 171, the defending champions mounted a remarkable comeback, with Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner smashing half-centuries to overhaul the target. Despite a strong start and Harmanpreet Kaur's fiery unbeaten 56, India's bowlers couldn't defend the competitive total, leading to their exit from the tournament.

As America marks its 250th anniversary, President Trump's actions have drawn comparisons to monarchy, with critics pointing to his use of power to enrich himself and target political opponents. His administration's approach, including leveraging the presidency for personal gain and demanding loyalty from the Justice Department, has sparked debate about the nature of presidential authority and echoes fears of centralized power.

Ireland achieved a historic maiden T20 series victory against India, securing a nail-biting one-run win in Belfast. Jai Moondra and Matthew Hollard's exceptional three-wicket hauls proved decisive, restricting the T20 World Cup champions to 153-9 in pursuit of Ireland's 154-8. This marks India's first T20 bilateral series defeat since 2023 and a rare series loss in the format.

Strait of Hormuz: Iran has been insisting on controlling passage through the vital strait, through which a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas travel in normal times, something it did not have before the war.

Flights between Tehran and Dubai are set to resume on Monday, according to Iranian state media. This comes just weeks after Iran launched drone and missile strikes on UAE targets during the recent Middle East war. Dubai's airport, which had suspended operations due to attacks, will once again welcome flights from Iran.

India's foreign secretary clarified that any projects in Seychelles, including those on Assumption Island, will align with the host nation's priorities and people's interests. While the specific issue wasn't discussed during Prime Minister Modi's visit, New Delhi remains open to hearing Seychelles' ideas. India emphasized its development cooperation is built on respect and friendship, not transactional exchanges, seeking only goodwill in return.

Under the programme, newborns will receive up to nine home visits during the first 42 days of life, while at-risk children will receive up to eight home visits till the age of 36 months, according to the Union Health Ministry.

Monsoon is poised for a significant advance into northern states over the next five to six days, according to the IMD. Meanwhile, Delhi sweltered through its warmest morning in two years, with temperatures soaring. Heatwave conditions are also anticipated in Uttar Pradesh. Experts attribute the delay and high temperatures to interacting dry and moist winds, with monsoon arrival in Delhi expected around July 4.

Weather tomorrow: India braces for an active monsoon on June 29th, with widespread moderate to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds anticipated across northern, eastern, central, and southern states. Eastern and northeastern regions, including Assam and West Bengal, are set for intense downpours. Northern plains like Delhi NCR can expect thunderstorms offering respite from heat, while the south sees continued active monsoon conditions.

The exchanges underscored the fragility of a Pakistan-brokered agreement aimed at ending the war launched by the United States and Israel in February, which disrupted shipping through the strait and rattled global energy markets.

FIFA World Cup 2026 bracket: France, Spain, England, Argentina, all of the pre-tournament favorites, made it through, and a few surprise sides are through, too.

NASA is launching a daring $30 million mission this week to rescue the aging Swift Observatory from falling back to Earth. A robotic lifesaver from startup Katalyst Space Technologies will boost the telescope to a higher orbit, preventing its loss due to intense solar activity. This pioneering effort could pave the way for future in-space servicing of valuable observatories like Hubble.

England's inspirational captain Ben Stokes is retiring from international cricket after a stellar career. Known for his fighting spirit and match-winning performances, Stokes led England to a historic World Cup triumph and spearheaded the Bazball revolution. His extraordinary all-round abilities and clutch performances on the biggest stages have cemented his legacy as one of cricket's modern greats.

NYC pride parade 2026: NYC Pride March and the San Francisco Pride Parade are setting out to further their legacies as some of the world's largest and oldest such celebrations.

Kerala is bracing for heavy rainfall as the IMD has issued an orange alert for 11 districts. This signifies the potential for very heavy downpours, with warnings extending to several days. Authorities are urging residents in vulnerable areas to relocate if necessary and advising caution. Control rooms are operational, providing assistance via emergency numbers.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage begins Sunday with South Africa facing Canada. The Round of 32 bracket is set, featuring intense single-elimination matches where only winners advance. Giants like Germany, Brazil, France, England, Portugal, Spain, and Argentina are all in contention. A highly anticipated Messi vs. Ronaldo final remains a possibility if both nations reach the championship game.

Quote of the day by Julia Roberts reminds people that every face tells the story of life, emotions, and experiences. Her words encourage accepting natural aging instead of chasing cosmetic procedures. The quote continues to inspire discussions about authenticity, self-acceptance, family values, personal success, and legacy. It also reflects Roberts' own decision to age naturally despite the pressures of Hollywood and the entertainment industry.

Justice Mahabir Singh Sindhu, a respected judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, passed away at 59 in Gurugram. Elevated in 2017, he was known for his extensive legal practice and representation of various institutions. His career included significant roles as government counsel and advocate general for both Punjab and Haryana. Justice Sindhu's contributions to the legal framework and commitment to justice were widely acknowledged.

Arunachal Pradesh's Keyi Panyor district has tragically seen its death toll rise to three following devastating rain-triggered flash floods. An additional 23 NDRF personnel have been deployed to bolster rescue efforts. The deluge has also impacted Assam's Dhemaji district, with reports of missing persons and significant damage to homes. Residents in vulnerable areas are urged to stay vigilant.

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has warned the pan masala and gutkha industry of an outright ban if any intoxicating substances are found in their products. He emphasized that tackling the drug menace requires more than just local efforts, likening it to a tap and bucket scenario where open borders allow drugs to flow in. Shivakumar also cautioned medical students that a drug conviction would irrevocably end their careers.

Celebrity fitness guru Yasmin Karachiwala has unveiled a surprising yet healthy dessert: cauliflower brownies. This innovative recipe swaps traditional flour and butter for steamed cauliflower, creating a moist and rich chocolate treat. Karachiwala explains that the dark chocolate masks the vegetable, while the cauliflower ensures a tender texture. A touch of maple syrup can be added for extra sweetness, offering a guilt-free indulgence.

The Delhi High Court has directed the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) to re-examine a Forest Service exam candidate's challenge to the official answer key. The court clarified that questioning incorrect suggested answers is not the same as seeking re-evaluation. It emphasized that courts can intervene if answers are demonstrably wrong, remitting the case for a swift decision on the petitioner's candidature.