Economic Times

Physical attacks targeting cryptocurrency holders surged 33% globally in the first half of 2026, with losses soaring to $124 million. France emerged as the epicentre as criminals increasingly combined cyber intelligence, social engineering and violence to steal digital assets.

IDFC First Bank Q1 Results: IDFC FIRST Bank on Saturday reported its highest-ever quarterly profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 1,075 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, marking a 132.4% year-on-year increase from Rs 463 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.

AU Small Finance Bank recorded a 37% surge in Q1 net profit to Rs 796 crore, driven by robust loan growth and improved asset quality. Gross NPA dropped to 2.1%, while net interest income grew 32% to Rs 2,695 crore.

NTPC's board approved raising Rs 12,000 crore via non-convertible debentures. The company's group installed capacity grew to 90,904 MW by June 2026. Commercial power generation rose to 93.63 billion units in the April-June quarter. Coal-based plant load factor improved to 76.71 percent during this period. The average tariff remained stable at Rs 4.86 per unit.

Bitcoin traded near $64,000 and Ethereum underperformed as risk appetite weakened. The global crypto market capitalization edged down 2% to $2.19 trillion. Bitcoin's realized volatility is near multi-year lows, suggesting a coiled market. Ethereum remained comparatively weaker below key support levels. Market sentiment improved early on regulatory news but then pulled back.

Financial experts say retirement planning should focus on purpose-driven portfolios rather than arbitrary corpus targets. A balanced mix of liquidity, fixed income and equities can provide stable income, protect against inflation and support long-term financial security throughout retirement.

Gulf of Hormuz underwater army: Nearly fifteen hundred ships stuck in the Persian Gulf after fighting closed the Strait of Hormuz. These idle vessels are now becoming breeding grounds for marine invasive species, whose build-up of organisms on ship hulls increases fuel consumption significantly. Scientists urge stricter rules to prevent a major bioinvasion event.

FIFA World Cup Final Rematch Petition: An online petition urges FIFA to replay the 2026 World Cup Final after Argentine fans' concerns. Supporters allege irregularities during the match, but Change.org petitions hold no official power. FIFA regulations do not permit replays based on fan dissatisfaction or online signatures. This follows a similar French petition after their semifinal loss to Spain. Despite the petition, many Argentine fans celebrated their team's journey to the final.

How Potato became a biological trap: A routine kitchen shortcut involving foil-wrapped baked potatoes led to paralysis. This common practice can incubate dangerous botulism-causing bacteria overnight. Reheating leftovers in a microwave does not neutralize the potent botulinum toxin. Nerve damage from this poisoning requires extensive and uncertain recovery periods. Prompt refrigeration of potatoes after baking prevents this severe medical emergency.

Dystopian nightmare meaning: The internet widely uses "dystopian nightmare" to label unsettling real-life events. This trend reflects a psychological pattern of noticing threats and processing anxieties. Social media algorithms amplify this content, creating a shared cultural experience. It serves as a coping mechanism for uncertainties like AI and climate change. This collective expression helps people feel less isolated by their worries.

New Jersey Registered Voters News: New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission mistakenly registered thousands of noncitizens to vote. A software issue caused this error, affecting registrations in 2023 and 2024. Fewer than 400 of these individuals actually cast ballots in elections. Officials are now removing these wrongful registrations and investigating the cause. This incident highlights concerns about automatic voter registration systems nationwide.

Herman Sörgel proposed damming the Mediterranean Sea to create new land. This ambitious Atlantropa project aimed to generate vast hydroelectric power. The plan envisioned a unified Europe and Africa connected by infrastructure. However, engineering challenges and political will prevented its construction. The idea resurfaces today as a fascinating historical "what if".

The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement has officially come into force. Zero-duty consignments of Indian jewellery and coffee have now landed in the United Kingdom. This landmark pact is expected to significantly boost bilateral trade between the two nations. Businesses anticipate substantial growth and increased market competitiveness following the agreement. The pact aims to strengthen supply chains and support job creation across both countries.

Paisalo Digital is aggressively pursuing a technology-first strategy, aiming to double its loan book in three years while maintaining a healthy net interest margin. The NBFC is leveraging AI and Nvidia chips to reduce funding costs and boost yields. With a strong focus on asset quality and no immediate need for fresh equity, Paisalo is set for significant growth driven by AI, expanded distribution, and new products.

Indian automakers reported strong performance in June 2026, with healthy demand across passenger vehicles, two-wheelers, commercial vehicles and tractors. Brokerages including Motilal Oswal, Emkay and ICICI Securities highlighted broad-based growth, with several OEMs beating estimates. Maruti, M&M, TVS and Tata Motors stood out, while Hyundai underperformed in PVs. Analysts remain optimistic on the sector, favouring CVs and select two-wheeler players amid improving demand and pricing conditions.

Vedanta Iron and Steel shares have surged more than 100% in just 13 trading sessions since listing at Rs 20 on the NSE following Vedanta's mega demerger. The company, one of four new Vedanta entities to debut on June 15, has delivered stellar gains to investors after starting with a market capitalisation of Rs 7,821 crore.

Tamilnad Mercantile Bank shares rose sharply on Thursday after the lender reported strong Q1FY27 business growth. Total business rose 23% year-on-year, driven by a 27% jump in advances and nearly 20% growth in deposits. Rising institutional ownership and a bullish technical setup further supported investor sentiment toward the stock.

Indian textile exporters are experiencing a significant stock market surge, outperforming the broader market. New trade deals with the UK, EU, and potential US agreements are boosting competitiveness. Global brands shifting sourcing away from China are also creating opportunities. Investors are optimistic about Indian firms capturing substantial market share, with some analysts predicting further gains contingent on capacity expansion and sustained earnings growth.

Vedanta Aluminium shares surged after Emkay initiated coverage with a 'Buy' rating and a Rs 550 target, citing strong medium-term prospects. The brokerage anticipates a global aluminium deficit through 2028, driven by robust demand and supply constraints. Emkay believes structural cost reductions through backward integration will fuel earnings growth, positioning Vedanta Aluminium as a low-cost producer with a favourable risk-reward profile.

Cyclospora infection symptoms: A widespread foodborne parasite outbreak, Cyclospora, has impacted at least 145 people across 17 US states, with a separate surge in Michigan sickening over 150. Health officials are investigating a potential domestically sourced contaminated food product, as infections are typically linked to international travel. Symptoms include prolonged diarrhea and digestive issues. Investigations are ongoing to pinpoint the exact source of contamination.