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'Meetings inside a car': BJP's Sambit Patra hits out at INDIA bloc, casts doubts on opposition unity

BJP MP Sambit Patra made sharp remarks against Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, saying in his presence ‘no one’s future will prosper'.

'Does he really want to?': De Villiers has one big 'doubt' about Sooryavanshi

Speaking at an event in Mumbai on Sunday, de Villiers said Sooryavanshi has the skill to succeed in Test cricket but questioned whether the teenager would want to take that path.

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SpaceX IPO explained: Can Indians invest and how does it work?

SpaceX's monumental $1.75 trillion IPO is generating immense global interest, with bankers reporting double the demand for available shares. While Indian investors cannot directly participate in the IPO allotment, they can invest in SpaceX shares on secondary markets after listing through international brokers under the RBI's LRS scheme.

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Water purifiers fuel a Rs 9,000 crore economy

You do the research, read lists of reviews, compare the filtration stages, and shell out a significant sum for the most promising, tech-savvy water purifier in the market. Then, just two months into installation, the machine starts throwing a series of confusing, flashing signals. The premium buying experience instantly evaporates, replaced by the sheer frustration of tracking down customer care and waiting at home for a technician to show up.In India’s competitive consumer durables sector, this exact friction point has transformed the landscape of water purifiers. The ultimate battle is no longer just about who can build and sell the best machine; it is increasingly about who can maintain trust after the hole has been drilled in the customer's kitchen wall.While the water purifier market is traditionally viewed through the lens of one-time appliance sales, companies like Eureka Forbes, the legacy player behind AquaGuard, are increasingly betting on a far larger opportunity hidden beneath the surface: the recurring service economy built around filters, annual maintenance contracts (AMCs) and nationwide technician networks.According to internal projections by Anurag Kumar, Chief Growth Officer at Eureka Forbes, the water purifier service market alone is on track to cross Rs 9,000 crore by FY30, nearly matching the projected Rs 10,000 crore size of the product market itself.131582773Also read: Beyond the room: Why India Inc's luxury hospitality bet is becoming an experience businessBreaking down the mathFor decades, the consumer durable playbook was simple: manufacture, distribute, sell, repeat. But water purification is far different from selling a television or a refrigerator; it is an active, evolving health product bound to the fluctuating quality of local municipal and groundwater supplies."The market for product categories for water purifiers is about Rs 3,800 crore today," Kumar says in an exclusive interview with ET Online. "I think you would add another, roughly about Rs 3,500 crore of service category as well to it."Citing independent industry reports, Kumar highlighted that by FY30, this parallel economy is set to explode. The product market will expand to over Rs 10,000 crore, while the service and aftermarket ecosystem will chase it tightly at more than Rs 9,000 crore, growing at a combined double-digit compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11% to 12%.This shifting weight from hardware to service fundamentally changes corporate strategies. For an industry dealing with an urban penetration rate of just 14% (and a mere 7% nationally), the recurring revenue from existing households forms a highly resilient cash-flow cushion that protects margins even during macro-economic slowdowns.131582808Service scale becomes the biggest moatThe Rs 9,000 crore service opportunity explains why tech-first aggregators and rental startups are rushing into the service category. However, scaling an on-demand service infrastructure across India’s complex geography is entirely different from coding an app.For legacy companies like Eureka Forbes, this operational network has become a major competitive advantage."After sales service can make or break a brand," says Kumar. "I think a lot of the trust that AquaGuard has today is really thanks to the fact that people have trust in our service... It's a very, very important integral part of our business and a very, very crucial moat that we continue to nurture."To defend this moat against new-age tech startups, Eureka Forbes operates at a scale that resembles a logistics company more than an appliance manufacturer. The company has deployed more than 8,000 technicians mapping out an operational footprint across 19,500 PIN codes.Also read: Apple expected to unveil new AI features at last developers conference with CEO Tim CookThe push to reduce maintenance costs"Once you sell a product, then you have it for life and there's some revenue which comes with it," Kumar says, referring to filter replacements, AMCs and servicing requirements.Interestingly, the biggest threat to this recurring service revenue is not new-age competitors, it has been consumer fatigue over high maintenance costs. Historically, the dread of paying steep annual fees to replace purifier filters has acted as a primary barrier keeping the remaining 86% of urban Indian households from adopting organised water purifiers.To beat this, Eureka Forbes pulled off a counter-intuitive strategic gear: they disrupted their own short-term revenue model to secure long-term market share.Last year, the company introduced a range of purifiers featuring "long-life" filters extending the replacement cycle from the traditional 12 months to a full two years."We did that because we fundamentally heard from consumers that there was also a barrier to the category around maintenance cost being high," Kumar reveals. "What two-year filters actually did was they actually lowered the maintenance cost because now you don't have to change filters every year. You have to change once every two years."Digitising a 1980s direct-sales DNAEureka Forbes, a company historically known for its door-to-door service, and making Aquaguard synonymous with water purifiers in India, faced a new piece of necessary upgrade with building digitisation. The multi-billion dollar service landscape required a complete digital overhaul of consumer interactions. The brand that built its empire in the 1980s on the soles of direct-sales agents knocking on suburban doors has had to pivot entirely to an on-demand, algorithmic infrastructure.An army of thousands of field technicians is only as efficient as the software directing them. For modern consumers who manage their entire lives via smartphone screens, a bland "technician will visit tomorrow" promise no longer cuts it."We've digitised that service," notes Kumar.The long-term playAs water contamination concerns spike across rapidly expanding urban clusters, the structural demand for pure drinking water will continue to climb, and so for water purifiers.However, as the hardware itself faces gradual commoditisation and intense price competition from newer market entrants, the center of gravity has largely shifted. Where the growth moves nextCapturing a dominant share of the service market is only half the blueprint. As Kumar maps out the strategic trajectory for Eureka Forbes over the next three to five years, the company's growth engine eyes two distinct tracks: aggressive geographic widening and targeted product diversification. Geographically, Kumar notes, the company is bypassing deep rural pockets for the time being to focus heavily on India’s rapidly urbanising Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns. Instead, the company is doubling down on smaller towns where they can immediately deploy their signature localised service infrastructure without stretching their logistics network too thin.Simultaneously, the brand is attempting to de-risk its reliance on the kitchen wall by expanding into adjacent consumer durables. Kumar outlined a product pipeline anchored in high-growth, premium categories, including robotic vacuum cleaners, air purifiers, and household water softeners. The underlying playbook here is pure cross-selling. By utilising the same 8,000-strong technician network to service these newer household appliances, Eureka Forbes is betting that its aftermarket footprint can drastically lower its customer acquisition costs; positioning the legacy firm to evolve from a single-product manufacturer into a broader home-health ecosystem player.

How many days can you stay in Europe?

Travellers visiting Europe can now use a new online tool under the European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES) to check how many days they are still allowed to stay in participating European countries.The tool is offered for non-EU nationals travelling for short stays and helps visitors track their remaining authorised stay under Europe's immigration rules. It also indicates whether a planned entry into an EES country would be permitted.What is the EES online tool?The EES online tool is an authorised stay verification service available on the European Union's EES website. It allows travellers to calculate the number of days they can still spend in countries covered by the Entry/Exit System.When users submit their details, the system provides an "OK" or "not OK" response regarding their eligibility to enter. It also shows how many days of authorised stay remain.The same service is also available through equipment installed at some external border crossing points.What information do travellers need?To use the tool, travellers must provide:The European country they are visiting or plan to visitTheir travel document type, such as a passportPassport numberThe three-letter code of the country that issued the passportDepending on the purpose of the check, travellers may also need to enter:Their intended date of arrivalTheir intended date of departureBoth arrival and departure dates for future travel plansHow does the calculation work?The tool uses information recorded under the Entry/Exit System to determine the number of days a traveller is authorised to remain in participating European countries.Travellers who are planning a future trip can use the calculator to estimate how long they will be allowed to stay. Those already in Europe can check how many days remain before they must leave.The system can also calculate how many authorised days would remain after a planned trip ends.Key points travellers should knowThe European Union has stated that the remaining authorised stay shown by the tool does not include any time spent in the Schengen area that began before April 10, 2026, when the EES became fully operational.The EU has also stated that until October 6, 2026, the "OK" response may not always be reliable for some travellers holding single-entry or double-entry visas if previous visa use between October 12, 2025, and April 9, 2026, was not recorded in the EES.Who can use the tool?The authorised stay verification tool is intended for non-EU nationals travelling to EES-participating countries for short stays.It does not apply to people covered by EU free movement rules, including certain family members of EU citizens and individuals holding specific residence documents.The online calculator gives travellers a quick way to verify their remaining stay period before travelling or while already in Europe. By checking their status in advance, visitors can better plan their trips and reduce the risk of overstaying under the EU's new Entry/Exit System.

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HFCL shares slip 10% in two sessions after sharp 165% rally in 2026

HFCL shares extended their decline on Monday, falling nearly 5% in intraday trade to Rs 177.87, marking a second consecutive day of losses. The stock has now corrected about 10% in just two sessions, largely driven by profit booking after a stellar multi-month rally.Despite the recent pullback, HFCL remains one of the standout performers of 2026, having surged nearly 165% during the year on the back of strong defence orders, rising optical fibre demand, and robust order inflows.A key driver behind HFCL’s sharp upmove has been the growing global demand for high-speed digital infrastructure, fuelled by the rapid expansion of AI technologies. Optical fibre networks are increasingly seen as the backbone of this transformation, placing companies like HFCL in a strong structural growth position.Operationally, the company delivered a strong turnaround in the March quarter. Revenue nearly doubled year-on-year to Rs 1,824 crore, while EBITDA improved significantly to Rs 315 crore, compared to a loss in the previous year. Net profit also swung to Rs 184 crore from a loss of Rs 83 crore, reflecting a clear improvement in business fundamentals.According to Balaji Rao, Research Analyst at Bonanza, “The structural shift is real, product revenue has grown from 27% of the mix in FY21 to 59% in FY26, and exports now account for 41% of revenue. That’s a business fundamentally changing its character.”Order inflow remains supportiveRecently, HFCL received a purchase order worth approximately Rs 135.09 crore from RailTel Corporation of India, a Government of India PSU under the Ministry of Railways. The order is for the annual maintenance contract of the “Secure Operations Network” project for data centres supporting Indian defence forces.Valuation and technical concerns emergeAfter the sharp rally, valuation comfort has reduced, with HFCL trading at a price-to-earnings multiple of around 91.93, significantly higher than many peers in the telecom equipment space.From a technical standpoint, the stock also appears stretched. According to Trendlyne data, the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 73.1, a level typically considered overbought, indicating the possibility of short-term consolidation or a pullback.In the March 2026 quarter, Foreign Institutional Investors slightly reduced their stake from 7.48% to 7.08%, while Mutual Funds increased their holdings from 6.68% to 6.92%, suggesting selective institutional interest despite recent volatility.(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times.)

4 bullets for wife, 7 for son: Gurgaon security officer held for double murder

A shocking incident unfolded in Gurgaon's Ashok Vihar Phase 3 where a security officer allegedly shot his wife and son dead following a heated family argument. The 56-year-old man reportedly used his licensed revolver after his son intervened in a dispute between his parents. Police have taken the accused into custody.

‘Can it last three months?’ Stalin questions stability of TVK government in Tamil Nadu

DMK chief MK Stalin questioned the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government's longevity, suggesting recent events have sparked doubts about its stability. He welcomed former VCK MLA Panaiyur Babu into the DMK, highlighting the party's welfare and development achievements. Stalin's remarks join a growing wave of opposition criticism against the new government.

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Siniakova, Townsend win French Open doubles title

The rise of Mohammad Saleem Safi: Quit cricket at 16, now bags 6/140 vs India

Three years after catching Rana Naved-ul-Hasan's attention at Afghanistan's high-performance centre, Mohammad Saleem Safi delivered the performance of his life against India. The 23-year-old pacer claimed a maiden six-wicket haul, completing a remarkable journey from financial hardship and self-doubt to becoming Afghanistan's newest pace sensation.

Quote of the day by Cate Blanchett

Known as a luminary of modern cinema, Cate Blanchett personifies the reality that influential women often encounter doubt at their inception. Her illustrious career, packed with bold performances and critical accolades, parallels the path of Katharine Hepburn. Blanchett’s journey illustrates that a woman’s straightforwardness is often misinterpreted, signaling that apprehension towards the unfamiliar is merely a precursor to transformative moments.

'Shaktimaan' co-star reacts to Mukesh Khanna rejecting Ranveer Singh for the role

Shaktimaan co-star Lalit Parimoo suggests Mukesh Khanna's rejection of Ranveer Singh for the iconic role might be a publicity stunt. While praising Ranveer's acting prowess, Parimoo expressed doubts about the film capturing the original show's magic, emphasizing the need for high-tech production to meet modern superhero expectations. Official casting remains unconfirmed. Read on to know more in detail.

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Iran war hobbles power to shape oil market

OPEC+ ministers meet Sunday to weigh higher production quotas in a bid to cap oil prices that have surged since the Iran war effectively choked off Gulf crude shipments.But even if the cartel members vow to ramp up output by thousands of barrels per day, analysts say geopolitical realities mean they probably won't move the needle on prices.Also read: OPEC+ leaders expected to up July oil output target despite Hormuz disruption, sources sayWith the crucial Strait of Hormuz shut since US and Israeli attacks on Iran in late February, oil prices have nearly doubled, igniting inflation pressures worldwide.Ministers from the 21 member states of OPEC+, the main oil producing nations and their allies, are holding their quarterly meeting online.The group is likely to beef up its production quotas by "188,000 barrels a day", said Jorge Leon, analyst at Rystad Energy, similar to recent increases. But in reality, only seven members -- Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman -- have the capacity to do so.Dwindling supply Tehran's threats of retaliatory attacks to US and Israeli strikes have virtually blocked the vital Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of global oil and gas supplies normally pass.That is equivalent to about 20 million barrels a day. But with key Gulf producers shut out of the global market, pledges to raise output in a bid to ease spiralling prices are unlikely to sway traders. "Any announced production increases or changes to output targets will have limited practical value," said Ole Hansen, a commodities analyst at Saxo Bank."There is very little OPEC can do," he told AFP.OPEC+ itself says daily production has plummeted to just 33 million barrels a day as tankers remain stuck, compared to nearly 43 million before the conflict.A US blockade on Iranian ports means "it will be even less than that" in reality, said Homayoun Falakshahi, head of crude oil analysis at data firm Kpler.Also read: Oil prices fall on mounting hopes for de-escalation in US-Iran WarUAE slams the door The United Arab Emirates' recent decision to quit OPEC further saps away at the cartel's influence, given its huge excess production capacity.And Abu Dhabi has made clear it wants to boost output."They don't want to be dictated to, they want to maximise their revenues," said Lawrence Haar, a lecturer in finance at the University of Brighton in England. And the cartel risks seeing other countries follow the UAE's example."If Iraq were to leave, it could mark the end of OPEC+," Falakshahi said.Saudi Arabia, by far the cartel's most influential member, "is going to do what it takes to stop anyone else from leaving," Falakshahi predicted.That could translate into more flexible output quotas or decreased penalties for any excess production.But "for now, the compensation framework has effectively become irrelevant due to widespread production shut-ins," Hansen said.As a result, the Iran war has largely neutralised the cartel's stated mission "to secure an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consumers, and a steady income to producers". For Falakshahi, the only factor limiting further oil price spikes at the moment is China, "which is buying less oil than normal" by tapping into its vast strategic reserves.

The Hindu National

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Three arrested in Chebrolu double murder case

The bodies of a woman and her mother were found in a cashew orchard in Eluru district on May 29

Unapologetically Shreyas! The misunderstood leader who never gave up

Shreyas Iyer's journey from overlooked talent to India's T20I captain is a testament to resilience. Overcoming injuries and selector doubts, his consistent performances in domestic and IPL cricket, coupled with leadership acumen, have finally earned him a prominent role. Iyer's unwavering determination shines through his remarkable comeback.

Hindustan Times

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Double whammy for Mamata Banerjee? Buzz over repeat of TMC rebellion in Parliament

Mamata Banerjee founded TMC after separating from the Congress in 1998. Ever since, the party has been a major force in West Bengal with Banerjee at its centre.