1, Jul 2026
Bus Fire After Collision on Jaipur–Bandikui Expressway in Dausa
July 1: A passenger bus caught fire following a collision on the Jaipur–Bandikui Expressway in Dausa district, Rajasthan, on Tuesday, leaving several people feared dead.
According to initial reports, at least 25 passengers managed to escape from the burning bus, while others are feared trapped inside.
Fire services and police teams rushed to the spot and are currently carrying out rescue operations. The exact number of casualties is yet to be confirmed.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Further details are awaited as rescue efforts continue.
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- By Neel Achary
1, Jul 2026
Govt Revises Windfall Tax on Petroleum Products
New Delhi, July 1: The Government has revised the windfall tax structure on petroleum products, increasing the levy on petrol exports while reducing duties on diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF).
The updated rates are aimed at balancing domestic fuel supply priorities while responding to evolving global energy market conditions.
Officials said the revision reflects the need to ensure adequate availability of key fuels within the domestic market while maintaining a stable export framework for the energy sector.
The change in tax structure is expected to impact export margins for refiners, particularly in petrol shipments, while offering some relief to diesel and aviation fuel operations.
Industry stakeholders are closely monitoring the revision as it may influence refining economics and export strategies in the near term.
The government is expected to continue reviewing the windfall tax mechanism periodically in line with global crude price movements and domestic fuel demand conditions.
1, Jul 2026
UPI Transactions Jump 23 pc in June, Hit 22.72 Billion
New Delhi, July 1: Unified Payments Interface (UPI) continued its strong growth trajectory in June, recording a 23% year-on-year increase in transaction volume, which rose to 22.72 billion transactions, according to the latest data.
The surge reflects the continued expansion of digital payments across India, driven by increasing adoption among consumers, merchants, and small businesses. UPI has further strengthened its position as the country’s most widely used real-time payment system.
The growth in transactions highlights the deepening penetration of digital payment infrastructure, particularly in urban as well as semi-urban and rural markets. Higher usage across retail payments, peer-to-peer transfers, and merchant transactions contributed to the overall rise.
Market observers noted that the consistent increase in UPI usage underscores India’s ongoing shift toward a cash-light economy, supported by fintech innovation and improved digital access.
Officials and industry stakeholders expect transaction volumes to maintain upward momentum in the coming months as more services and use-cases continue to integrate with the UPI ecosystem.
1, Jul 2026
Indian Markets Open Higher as Strong Global Cues Lift Investor Sentiment
Mumbai , July 1: Indian equity markets opened on a positive note on Tuesday, supported by firm global cues and improved investor sentiment across major sectors.
Benchmark indices started the session in the green, with early gains driven by buying interest in banking, IT, and energy stocks. Broader markets also reflected a stable opening trend as investors tracked positive signals from overseas markets.
Market participants said optimism in global equities, along with easing concerns in key international markets, contributed to the upbeat start. Sentiment was further supported by selective stock-specific buying in heavyweight counters.
Analysts noted that investors are closely watching global economic indicators, crude oil price movements, and upcoming domestic macroeconomic data for further direction in the markets.
Trading activity is expected to remain influenced by global trends and institutional flows throughout the session.
1, Jul 2026
Kpil Awarded New Orders Of INR 2,957 Crores
July 01: Kalpataru Projects International Limited (KPIL), one of the leading engineering and construction players in the power and infrastructure sector, along with its international subsidiaries have secured new orders / notification of awards of approx. ₹ 2,957 Crores.
The details of the aforesaid new orders are as follows:
- Orders in the Power Transmission & Distribution (T&D) business in India and overseas market
- Orders in the Buildings and Factories (B&F) business in India
- Order in the Water business in Middle East (secured in joint venture /consortium)
Manish Mohnot, MD & CEO, KPIL, said, “We are pleased to announce new order wins across our T&D, B&F, and Water business verticals. The new orders secured in our T&D business reinforce our market leadership in India and the select global markets. Simultaneously, the successive wins in our B&F business from marquee clients underscore our commitment to best-in-class capabilities and timely execution. Notably, the order win in our Water business marks a significant milestone, signaling our strategic entry into the Middle East, a region with immense growth potential. Driven by a strongly diversified order book and robust visibility across businesses, we remain confident in achieving our growth targets for FY26–27.”
1, Jul 2026
Puri Srimandir Enters Quiet Phase as Holy Trinity Begins Anasara
Following the grand Snana Purnima ritual at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, Lord Jagannath along with Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra has entered the traditional Anasara period, a 15-day ceremonial seclusion believed to be the deities’ recovery phase after the sacred bath.
During this period, the deities are kept inside the Anasara Ghara, a restricted chamber within the temple, and are not available for public darshan. Devotees instead offer prayers to Anasara Pata, painted representations of the Holy Trinity.
Sacred Seclusion and Healing Rituals
According to tradition, the deities are considered to be in a state of “divine fever” following the Snana Purnima ritual. During Anasara, exclusive servitors including the Daitapatis perform age-old healing rituals using herbal preparations and sacred offerings.
The sanctum remains in a solemn state, with minimal lighting and restricted ceremonial activities. The idols are adorned only with white cloth and flowers, symbolizing purity and rest.
Pati Dian Darshan During Anasara
Although direct darshan of the deities is restricted, devotees can participate in Pati Dain Darshan, where they worship painted depictions of Lord Jagannath and His siblings. This practice allows devotees to maintain spiritual connection during the seclusion period.
Special arrangements are made in and around the temple premises for devotees to offer prayers and receive blessings through these sacred representations.
Alarnath Puja at Brahmagiri
During the Anasara period, devotees also traditionally visit the Alarnath Temple in Brahmagiri, where Lord Jagannath is believed to appear in the form of Lord Alarnath (Ananta).
Thousands of devotees gather at the temple to seek blessings during this phase, as it is believed that Lord Jagannath grants darshan there while remaining in seclusion at Puri. The site becomes a major spiritual center during the 15-day period.
Ritual Healing and Restoration
As per temple tradition, several prescribed rituals and offerings are carried out during Anasara, including herbal treatments and sacred medicinal preparations administered by traditional servitors. These rituals are believed to restore the divine form of the deities.
The seclusion concludes with Nabajouban Darshan, when the deities are re-painted and restored for public viewing ahead of the grand Rath Yatra.
Spiritual Significance
The Anasara period is deeply symbolic in the Jagannath tradition, reflecting themes of rest, renewal, and divine cycles. It also strengthens associated pilgrimage practices such as Pati Dain Darshan and Alarnath Darshan, which together sustain continuous devotion during the temple’s brief closure to the public.
1, Jul 2026
University of Greater Manchester Academic Centre launches new campus in Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah, July 01: The University of Greater Manchester Academic Centre Ras Al Khaimah officially opened its new campus in Sheikh Khalifa City, marking another significant milestone for British higher education in the Northern Emirates. It is one of the first international universities established in Ras Al Khaimah to operate from its own dedicated campus.
The new launch marks the university’s long-standing partnership with Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ). The University of Greater Manchester, earlier known as the University of Bolton Academic Centre – Ras Al Khaimah was established in 2008. The institution has grown alongside the emirate’s evolving higher education landscape, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to internationally recognised British education while supporting Ras Al Khaimah’s vision of developing knowledge, talent, and innovation.
The campus opening ceremony brought together education leaders, government representatives, and partners from the UAE and the UK to celebrate not only the opening of the new campus, but also nearly two decades of collaboration in advancing internationally recognised British higher education in Ras Al Khaimah.
Present at the event were Dr. Sudhir Kartha, Chairman of the Knowledgucate Group; Andrew Clark, Deputy Consul General of the British Embassy in Dubai; and representatives from the RAK Department of Knowledge and RAKEZ. The university’s UK-based executive leadership, including Acting Vice-Chancellor Dr. Greg Walker and Head of the Off-Campus Division Yusuf Giga joined the celebrations virtually.
Dr. Sudhir remarked, “Today marks a proud and historic milestone in our journey to expand access to world-class higher education in the Northern Emirates. This new campus reflects our commitment to creating a learning environment that brings internationally recognised qualifications closer to students in the UAE and the wider region. We are deeply grateful to His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, to the Department of Knowledge, RAKEZ, our partners at the University of Greater Manchester, and everyone who has supported this vision. This inauguration is not just the opening of a campus — it is the beginning of new opportunities, stronger partnerships, and a brighter future for our students.” He also announced the development of phase II by next academic year, 2027 that will expand the opportunities for the academic community.
RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad commented, “We are proud to have been part of University of Greater Manchester’s journey since its establishment. Over the past 18 years, we have seen the institution grow from one of the emirate’s pioneering international higher education providers into a well-established academic centre that continues to expand its contribution to Ras Al Khaimah.”
He added, “This new campus represents far more than a physical expansion. It reflects the confidence that long-standing partners have in Ras Al Khaimah as a place to invest, innovate and grow. At RAKEZ, we remain committed to supporting institutions that strengthen the emirate’s education ecosystem, nurture future talent and enhance Ras Al Khaimah’s appeal as a destination to live, learn and build successful careers.”
The new campus features purpose-built academic facilities designed to support interactive lectures, practical workshops, research activities and personalised student engagement, creating a modern learning environment for students across a range of disciplines and levels of study. The new campus offers a broad portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes spanning business, accountancy, law, psychology, engineering, artificial intelligence, data analytics, cloud and network security and construction management. With the capacity to accommodate up to 1,750 students in its first phase, the campus combines modern learning facilities with industry-focused education, career guidance, internships, annual career fairs and strong employer engagement to help prepare graduates for successful careers in the UAE and beyond.
This expansion reinforces Ras Al Khaimah’s continued development as a destination for internationally recognised higher education, broadening opportunities for students to pursue British qualifications locally while supporting the emirate’s ambitions to develop a highly skilled workforce aligned with future economic grow.
1, Jul 2026
Jharkhand YouTuber Kidnapped, Murdered During Robbery in Sundargarh; Main Accused Dies While Fleeing
Sundargarh, July 1 (UDN): A suspected robbery attempt ended in the murder of a Ranchi-based YouTuber in Odisha’s Sundargarh district, while the alleged mastermind of the crime died in a road accident during an attempt to flee with the victim’s vehicle, police said on Tuesday.
The victim, identified as Shivdhan Lohar of Ranchi, had travelled to Sundargarh along with his friend, Anmol Mallick, to admit a relative to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). The two were returning home in separate vehicles late Monday night when they were reportedly targeted by three armed assailants.
According to the police, the miscreants first attempted to stop Mallick’s vehicle, but he managed to escape. They then intercepted Lohar’s car and allegedly forced him into their custody before driving towards the Hemagiri area. During an alleged attempt to rob the victim of his vehicle and valuables, a confrontation reportedly broke out, following which Lohar was fatally attacked with a sharp weapon. His body was later abandoned near a railway overbridge.
After committing the crime, the accused allegedly fled in the victim’s car. However, their escape was cut short near Bhasma when the vehicle met with a major accident. The prime accused, identified as Subhendu, died on the spot, while another suspect sustained serious injuries and was admitted to GMCH, Sundargarh. A juvenile allegedly involved in the incident has also been detained.
Sundargarh Superintendent of Police Amritpal Kaur said the preliminary investigation points to robbery as the motive behind the murder. Police have recovered evidence from the crime scene and are analysing forensic and technical inputs to reconstruct the sequence of events.
The police are also verifying the criminal background of the deceased accused, who is believed to have been involved in an earlier murder case. A detailed investigation is underway to identify the role of each accused and establish all circumstances leading to the crime.
1, Jul 2026
IV Obninsk NEW‑2026 Youth Forum Wraps Up with Record International Turnout
Over 700 delegates from 85 countries gathered in Russia’s first science city
Moscow, July 01: The fourth Obninsk NEW‑2026 International Youth Forum has concluded in Obninsk, Kaluga Region. The event focused on building a skilled workforce for the global nuclear power industry and was supported by Rosatom, the Government of the Kaluga Region, and the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI.
More than 700 participants fr om 85 countries took part in person, alongside high‑level delegations from 10 nations. Thousands more students joined online through 25 partner broadcasting platforms, making this year’s forum the largest to date.
The speaker line‑up underscored the forum’s growing international prestige. Attendees heard addresses from Mikhail Mishustin, Chairman of the Russian Government; Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA; and Sama Bilbao y León, Director General of the World Nuclear Association. A high‑level plenary session featured IAEA Deputy Director General Mikhail Chudakov, as well as heads of national nuclear agencies from partner countries, including Almasadam Satkaliev (Kazakhstan) and Azim Akhmedhadzhaev (Uzbekistan).
The programme was split into two parts. The morning sessions explored youth engagement: how young communities are reshaping the nuclear industry, what joint projects can emerge from international cooperation, and what role Obninsk could play in building a global network of young nuclear leaders. The afternoon was given over to expert panel discussions with representatives from various nuclear organisations. One standout contribution came from Alexander Alekseev, Deputy Director of the Science and Integration Department at the ITER Organization, who spoke about the importance of thermonuclear research and voiced his hope that fusion would become a lifelong mission for talented scientists and engineers.
The forum also served as the centrepiece of a 10‑day educational marathon for young professionals from around the world who are building careers in nuclear and related fields. As part of that marathon, the first modules were launched of the joint Rosatom Academy–IAEA programme on human resource management for newcomer countries, the Obninsk Tech Summer University, and the international female camp “Invisible Force”.
Tangible outcomes included two agreements signed in the presence of Rosatom, Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov, and Kaluga Region Governor Vladislav Shapsha. The documents are designed to promote Russian engineering education in nuclear technologies abroad and to give further momentum to the Obninsk Tech project, which is being developed with IAEA support.
A separate highlight was the meeting between Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev and the new members of the Impact Team 2050 International Youth Council – 13 young leaders from 13 countries. They discussed ways to spread the message of peaceful atomic energy among younger generations and to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Another notable event was the presentation of the book Principles in Action – a collection of real‑life stories and practices showing how the ideas of the Youth Declaration of Nuclear Cooperation have been applied in education, science, medicine and environmental protection.
Alexey Likhachev: “Our mission is to meet the global challenge of training qualified specialists for the nuclear industry. The world’s growing reliance on nuclear power requires not only new technologies, but also a robust international education system. In Obninsk – Russia’s first science city – we are building exactly that kind of open, modern, forward‑looking environment. The Obninsk Tech international education cluster is already taking shape here with IAEA support, and the agreements signed today will help us scale up Russian nuclear engineering education abroad.”
Vladimir Shevchenko, Rector of MEPhI: “The world is changing tectonically, and we cannot afford to be passive observers. I am confident that Obninsk Tech will become a place wh ere our own and international students not only study, but also regularly exchange experience and build the horizontal ties that turn a group of individuals into a team of creators. This is more than just a MEPhI campus project – it is a national‑scale effort involving leading universities, especially members of the Rosatom partner university consortium. By bringing together the best programmes, faculty and practices for working with international students, Obninsk Tech will strengthen Russia’s nuclear leadership through educational leadership.”
1, Jul 2026
InvestYadnya Appoints Former Kotak Mahindra Bank’s DIFC Branch Dubai CEO Amul Sharma to Strengthen Financial Leadership and Growth Strategy
India, July 01 : InvestYadnya, a rapidly growing investment advisory and wealth management platform, has announced the appointment of Amul Sharma, former CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank’s DIFC Dubai branch, to its leadership advisory ecosystem as the company looks to strengthen its financial leadership and accelerate long-term growth initiatives.
With over two decades of experience across banking, wealth management, strategic business leadership, and financial governance, Sharma brings extensive expertise spanning Indian financial markets, investor-focused banking, and global financial ecosystems. His appointment marks a significant milestone for InvestYadnya as it continues to strengthen its research-led and investor-centric approach in India’s evolving wealth management landscape.
Over the course of his career within the Kotak Mahindra Group, Sharma has held leadership responsibilities across retail banking, wealth advisory, customer relationship management, and strategic business transformation. His experience in understanding investor behaviour, building long-term financial relationships, and navigating evolving market dynamics is expected to contribute meaningfully to InvestYadnya’s vision of enabling informed investing and sustainable wealth creation for Indian investors.
“Amul Sharma Sir’s leadership experience and deep understanding of financial markets bring tremendous strategic value to Invest Yadnya,” said Parimal Ade, Founder – InvestYadnya.in. “His perspective on investor trust, wealth management, and long-term value creation aligns closely with our mission of building a transparent and future-ready investment platform for Indian investors.”
Commenting on his association with Invest Yadnya, Amul Sharma said, “India’s investment ecosystem is undergoing a significant transformation as more individuals actively participate in wealth creation and financial planning journeys. InvestYadnya has built a strong foundation around research, transparency, and investor education. I look forward to contributing to its next phase of growth and supporting its vision of creating long-term value for investors through credible and research-backed financial insights.”
As India witnesses rising retail participation in capital markets and increasing awareness around long-term financial planning, InvestYadnya sees Amul Sharma’s appointment as an important step toward enhancing its strategic capabilities, investor engagement, and research-driven financial ecosystem.
Amul Sharma has also played key leadership and governance roles across international financial centres, including serving as CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank’s Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) branch. In addition, he has been associated with board-level oversight responsibilities across entities in Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM) and Mauritius, bringing valuable experience in regulatory governance, cross-border financial ecosystems, and strategic growth frameworks.
With Amul Sharma joining its advisory leadership ecosystem, InvestYadnya aims to further strengthen its capabilities across investment research, investor education, strategic growth initiatives, and technology-led financial innovation for the Indian market.
