India

Nifty 50, Sensex close higher as realty and IT sectors lead weekly gains

Indian stock markets ended Friday's session on a positive note, supported by upbeat global cues, declining crude oil prices, and expectations of easing interest rates. The Nifty 50 closed the week with gains of nearly 1%, while the BSE Sensex also rose. Realty and IT sectors were the top performers of the session, whereas PSU Banks and Auto sectors lagged behind. The Indian rupee added to the positive mood by strengthening against the US dollar.

Women-owned businesses thrive in western India but lag in the north

Women's entrepreneurship in India is on the rise, but growth remains geographically uneven across the country. Cities in Gujarat and Maharashtra lead the way in female-owned businesses, while northern cities trail significantly behind. Experts point to a mix of economic structures, local conditions, and societal norms as key factors driving this regional disparity. Although government schemes have played a role, meaningful progress is seen as dependent on grassroots shifts within households and local markets. The overall picture reflects a patchwork of advancement rather than a consistent national trend.

UP RERA clears Rs 1,278 crore worth of housing projects in four districts

Month after Assam ‘stalker’ attack kills cousin, teen girl dies in ICU

Fire breaks out at Lucknow restaurant, employees feared trapped in Khurram Nagar

A major fire broke out at Vijay Paradise restaurant in Lucknow's Khurram Nagar area on Friday afternoon. Several employees are feared to be trapped inside the burning establishment. Emergency services launched a rescue operation and are actively working to control the situation. The incident comes in the wake of a series of recent fires in Lucknow, including a deadly blaze last week that resulted in multiple casualties and injuries.

'Teetering on the brink of failure': Ex-Singapore diplomat's blunt warning for Pakistan

India Approves Rs 52,000-Crore Defence Procurement for Army, Navy and Air Force

India has granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for defence acquisitions worth Rs 52,000 crore covering all three branches of its armed forces. The approved procurement spans both domestically developed and advanced imported military equipment. Key focus areas include air defence systems, counter-drone technology, surveillance platforms, and unmanned systems. The move reflects India's continued push to modernise its military capabilities across multiple operational domains.

Maharashtra to form UCC drafting committee within two weeks

Maharashtra has announced plans to set up a committee within two weeks to draft legislation for a Uniform Civil Code. A retired high court judge will lead the panel responsible for preparing the draft. The UCC seeks to establish a single legal framework governing personal matters such as marriage and inheritance across all communities. Currently, Goa, Uttarakhand, and Assam are the only Indian states that have implemented a Uniform Civil Code.

PM Modi to Inaugurate HPCL Mega Refinery in Rajasthan's Pachpadra on July 4

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Pachpadra, Rajasthan, on July 4 to inaugurate the HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited (HRRL) refinery. The project is one of India's major energy infrastructure undertakings, developed under the state's oil and gas sector. The refinery is expected to strengthen India's energy security by boosting domestic refining capacity. It is also anticipated to generate significant economic opportunities for the surrounding region.

RSS Condemns Ram Temple Donation Box Theft, Blames Anti-National Forces

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has strongly condemned a theft of money from donation boxes at the Ram Temple. The organization stated that the incident has deeply hurt the sentiments and faith of devotees of Lord Ram across the country. RSS alleged that anti-national forces are attempting to malign Hinduism through such incidents. The organization called the theft an unfortunate incident that has affected millions of devotees.

'Amazon of guns': New ruling could allow Trump Jr to profit off home-delivery of guns

Chandigarh Consumer Commission Orders Visa Consultancy to Refund Rs 12.35 Lakh for Canada Visa Fraud

A Chandigarh consumer commission has directed a visa consultancy and one of its former employees to refund Rs 12.35 lakh to a 21-year-old woman. The consultancy had provided fraudulent admission documents for a Canadian college, deceiving the complainant into believing her study visa process was legitimate. The commission ruled that the consultancy was guilty of deficiency in service and unfair trade practices. Along with a full refund, the commission also ordered payment of interest and compensation for the harassment caused to the victim.

Nepal's Jimbu herb helps protect snow leopards from retaliatory killings

A traditional Himalayan herb called Jimbu, commonly used in Nepalese cuisine, is proving to be an unexpected tool in snow leopard conservation. The herb's strong scent repels blue sheep, which are the primary prey of snow leopards, from raiding farmers' crops. By keeping blue sheep away from villages, snow leopards are also less likely to venture near human settlements. This reduces the risk of herders killing the endangered cats in retaliation for livestock losses. A pilot project is now underway to domesticate Jimbu and scale up its use as a conservation strategy.

IAS Officer Lokhande Prashant Sitaram Named New CBSE Chairperson on Additional Charge

Senior IAS officer Lokhande Prashant Sitaram has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The appointment is on an additional charge basis, meaning he will simultaneously continue in his existing role as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. Sitaram belongs to the 2001-batch AGMUT cadre and holds qualifications in engineering and industrial management. He will serve in the position until the central government selects a full-time, regular Chairperson for the board. The interim arrangement is intended to maintain continuity in CBSE's day-to-day functioning during the transition period.

Jaipur Woman Caught on CCTV Stealing Jewellery, Threatens Homeowner When Confronted

A woman was caught on CCTV stealing jewellery from a residence in the Muhana neighbourhood of Jaipur, Rajasthan. When the homeowner confronted her about the theft, she became aggressive and began making threats. The homeowner recorded her erratic behaviour on video, during which she threatened to remove her clothes. The footage has since surfaced, drawing attention to the incident. Authorities are reportedly looking into the matter.

EU-US Trade Hits Record €875bn but Tariff Strain Weighs on Key Sectors

EU-US goods trade reached a record €875 billion last year despite existing tariffs, according to a new study. However, the report highlights significant underlying pressure, particularly in Germany's automotive sector, which experienced a notable decline in exports. Ireland's booming pharmaceutical exports helped mask broader regional weaknesses in the overall trade figures. Services trade also hit record levels, though the EU ran a deficit in that category. The study cautions against further tariff escalation, stressing the importance of trade stability between the two blocs.

Congress Party's Committee Culture: A Pattern of Deferral Over Decision

The Indian National Congress has developed a notable tendency to form committees whenever faced with difficult questions or internal challenges. Critics observe that these committees rarely produce meaningful outcomes or actionable decisions. This approach has become something of a default mechanism within the party's organizational culture. The pattern raises questions about the party's ability to make swift, decisive choices in a competitive political environment.

Tirumala's Srivari Laddu Sales Hit Record High of 1.27 Crore in June 2026

The sale of Srivari laddus at the Tirumala Tirupati temple reached an all-time high in June 2026, with over 1.26 crore units sold. This surpassed the previous month's figure of approximately 1.21 crore laddus sold in May 2026. The upward trend has been consistent, with April 2026 recording around 1.12 crore laddus sold. The iconic prasadam of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has thus seen three consecutive months of rising sales figures.

Germany football coach Nagelsmann resigns after World Cup round-of-32 exit

Julian Nagelsmann has resigned as Germany's national football coach, the German Football Association (DFB) confirmed on Friday. His departure comes just four days after Germany were eliminated from the FIFA World Cup by Paraguay in the round of 32. The match ended 1-1 after regular time, with Paraguay advancing via a penalty shootout. The shock early exit prompted Nagelsmann's decision to step down from the role. Jurgen Klopp has been widely tipped as a potential successor to lead the German national side.

Falling Oil Prices Fuel Speculation of Petrol, Diesel Rate Cut in India

Global crude oil prices have dropped to levels seen before the US-Iran conflict, raising expectations of fuel price relief in India. Petrol and diesel prices in India have increased by approximately Rs 7.5 per litre since May 15. The first retail price hike had come more than two and a half months after the US-Iran war began. Private fuel retailer Nayara Energy has already moved ahead by cutting its petrol and diesel prices. This development has intensified speculation about whether state-owned oil companies will follow suit with a similar reduction.