8 insights · curated today
🔒 Impact & source links — PremiumThe National Testing Agency is facing fresh allegations of a paper leak, this time for the UGC-NET exam. A PDF allegedly linked to the sociology paper is being investigated by the Education Ministry. This comes right after the NEET-UG controversy and errors found in other NET papers.
Foreign direct investment into India rose by 44%, helping the country climb two places in global FDI rankings. Globally, FDI inflows rose from $1,530 billion in 2024 to $1,620 billion in 2025. India's share of that growing pie increased significantly.
The Enforcement Directorate has frozen three TMC bank accounts holding Rs 440 crore as part of a money laundering investigation. The probe is linked to an alleged Rs 160 crore laundering case where funds were reportedly used to buy an aircraft and a helicopter. Those assets were then rented back to the TMC for party use.
India's food regulator FSSAI has issued notices to several companies for misleading product labels. Kubera Foods was flagged for putting '100% Natural' on buns that contain preservatives, Ferns N Petals for selling chocolate made with vegetable fat instead of cocoa butter, and Lotte India for incorrect vegetarian claims and missing nutritional information.
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The National Testing Agency is facing fresh allegations of a paper leak, this time for the UGC-NET exam. A PDF allegedly linked to the sociology paper is being investigated by the Education Ministry. This comes right after the NEET-UG controversy and errors found in other NET papers.
Foreign direct investment into India rose by 44%, helping the country climb two places in global FDI rankings. Globally, FDI inflows rose from $1,530 billion in 2024 to $1,620 billion in 2025. India's share of that growing pie increased significantly.
The Enforcement Directorate has frozen three TMC bank accounts holding Rs 440 crore as part of a money laundering investigation. The probe is linked to an alleged Rs 160 crore laundering case where funds were reportedly used to buy an aircraft and a helicopter. Those assets were then rented back to the TMC for party use.
India's food regulator FSSAI has issued notices to several companies for misleading product labels. Kubera Foods was flagged for putting '100% Natural' on buns that contain preservatives, Ferns N Petals for selling chocolate made with vegetable fat instead of cocoa butter, and Lotte India for incorrect vegetarian claims and missing nutritional information.
US Central Command carried out fresh strikes against Iran following what it described as Iranian aggression against commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump warned the situation would 'get much worse' if Iran does not stop. Both sides had already exchanged strikes on military targets before this latest escalation.
Russia accounted for more than 40% of India's total oil imports in May 2026, even as India continued paying a premium on those purchases. A Hindu analysis also found that India resumed importing oil from Iran and Venezuela starting in April and continued through May 2026.
Starting July 10, the US immigration authority USCIS will reject any H-1B visa or green card application that does not have a proper handwritten signature. There is no second chance — improperly signed forms will be thrown out without an opportunity to fix them. This affects anyone currently filing or planning to file US immigration paperwork.
Canadian police have found no evidence connecting India's government to the organized crime charges related to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. US indictments against Lawrence Bishnoi's gang did not implicate any Indian government officials. This aligns with India's own position on the 2023 allegations that had severely strained India-Canada ties.
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US Central Command carried out fresh strikes against Iran following what it described as Iranian aggression against commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump warned the situation would 'get much worse' if Iran does not stop. Both sides had already exchanged strikes on military targets before this latest escalation.
Russia accounted for more than 40% of India's total oil imports in May 2026, even as India continued paying a premium on those purchases. A Hindu analysis also found that India resumed importing oil from Iran and Venezuela starting in April and continued through May 2026.
Starting July 10, the US immigration authority USCIS will reject any H-1B visa or green card application that does not have a proper handwritten signature. There is no second chance — improperly signed forms will be thrown out without an opportunity to fix them. This affects anyone currently filing or planning to file US immigration paperwork.
Canadian police have found no evidence connecting India's government to the organized crime charges related to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. US indictments against Lawrence Bishnoi's gang did not implicate any Indian government officials. This aligns with India's own position on the 2023 allegations that had severely strained India-Canada ties.
8 insights · curated today
🔒 Impact & source links — PremiumThe Indian government has summoned Meta after reports emerged that Instagram was running ads allegedly promoting child sexual abuse material. Meta has denied playing a role in the matter. The government's action follows days of public reports about the disturbing ads appearing on the platform.
India's competition regulator, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), has approved edtech giant upGrad's proposed acquisition of rival Unacademy. The deal merges two of India's biggest online learning platforms. No conditions or objections were raised by the watchdog.
Listed EV maker Ola Electric is facing insolvency petitions filed by two of its suppliers. The company says the dispute is linked to an ongoing arbitration process. This adds to a string of challenges for the Bhavish Aggarwal-led company.
Rapido averaged 82 million monthly active users between March and May 2026, a 67% jump year-on-year. That puts it ahead of Uber (39 million), Ola (27 million), Blinkit (79 million), Swiggy (67 million), and Zomato (63 million). The bike-taxi app has quietly become India's most-used consumer mobility and delivery platform by this measure.
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The Indian government has summoned Meta after reports emerged that Instagram was running ads allegedly promoting child sexual abuse material. Meta has denied playing a role in the matter. The government's action follows days of public reports about the disturbing ads appearing on the platform.
India's competition regulator, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), has approved edtech giant upGrad's proposed acquisition of rival Unacademy. The deal merges two of India's biggest online learning platforms. No conditions or objections were raised by the watchdog.
Listed EV maker Ola Electric is facing insolvency petitions filed by two of its suppliers. The company says the dispute is linked to an ongoing arbitration process. This adds to a string of challenges for the Bhavish Aggarwal-led company.
Rapido averaged 82 million monthly active users between March and May 2026, a 67% jump year-on-year. That puts it ahead of Uber (39 million), Ola (27 million), Blinkit (79 million), Swiggy (67 million), and Zomato (63 million). The bike-taxi app has quietly become India's most-used consumer mobility and delivery platform by this measure.
Judges at the EU's General Court in Luxembourg ruled against Apple's challenge to being regulated under the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA). The court said regulators were right to bring Apple's App Store and iPhone under the DMA's scope. Apple had argued against being designated as a so-called gatekeeper under the rules.
Microsoft has announced layoffs affecting 4,800 employees, offering severance packages of up to 39 weeks' pay. Compensation varies depending on employee level, with options for continued stock vesting and health insurance. The cuts are aimed at reducing costs as the company pours money into AI investments.
SpaceX released Grok 4.5, an AI model built specifically for coding and autonomous agents, at roughly half the price of competing models from Anthropic and OpenAI. It is the first major product to come out of SpaceX's $60 billion acquisition of AI coding startup Cursor, completed just weeks ago. The launch is seen as a direct challenge to the dominance of ChatGPT and Claude in the AI tools market.
OpenAI has launched GPT-Live, two new voice models that replace the existing Advanced Voice Mode in ChatGPT. Unlike the old system, GPT-Live can listen and speak simultaneously — much closer to how a real human conversation works. The upgrade fundamentally changes the architecture of how users interact with ChatGPT by voice.
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Judges at the EU's General Court in Luxembourg ruled against Apple's challenge to being regulated under the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA). The court said regulators were right to bring Apple's App Store and iPhone under the DMA's scope. Apple had argued against being designated as a so-called gatekeeper under the rules.
Microsoft has announced layoffs affecting 4,800 employees, offering severance packages of up to 39 weeks' pay. Compensation varies depending on employee level, with options for continued stock vesting and health insurance. The cuts are aimed at reducing costs as the company pours money into AI investments.
SpaceX released Grok 4.5, an AI model built specifically for coding and autonomous agents, at roughly half the price of competing models from Anthropic and OpenAI. It is the first major product to come out of SpaceX's $60 billion acquisition of AI coding startup Cursor, completed just weeks ago. The launch is seen as a direct challenge to the dominance of ChatGPT and Claude in the AI tools market.
OpenAI has launched GPT-Live, two new voice models that replace the existing Advanced Voice Mode in ChatGPT. Unlike the old system, GPT-Live can listen and speak simultaneously — much closer to how a real human conversation works. The upgrade fundamentally changes the architecture of how users interact with ChatGPT by voice.
8 insights · curated today
🔒 Impact & source links — PremiumThe Strait of Hormuz is back under what analysts are calling 'full-conflict conditions' after the US launched additional strikes on Iran. Oil prices surged to their highest levels in more than two weeks, with volatility expected to persist in energy markets. President Trump declared an interim deal with Iran 'over' while speaking at a NATO summit.
Traders on prediction market platform Kalshi now give only a 43% chance that Strait of Hormuz shipping traffic returns to normal by December 1. Most speculators believe disruption will stretch well into 2027. This comes as US and Iranian forces continue to exchange strikes.
Investors are more bullish on the US dollar than they have been in a decade, according to MarketWatch. The sentiment is being driven by rising Middle East tensions, oil price spikes, and expectations that the US Federal Reserve may keep interest rates high for longer. A stronger dollar typically means a weaker rupee.
Minutes from the US Federal Reserve's June 16-17 meeting show officials were divided on the direction of interest rates. The disagreement is significant because markets globally, including India, have been waiting for the Fed to start cutting rates. The split suggests cuts may not come soon.
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The Strait of Hormuz is back under what analysts are calling 'full-conflict conditions' after the US launched additional strikes on Iran. Oil prices surged to their highest levels in more than two weeks, with volatility expected to persist in energy markets. President Trump declared an interim deal with Iran 'over' while speaking at a NATO summit.
Traders on prediction market platform Kalshi now give only a 43% chance that Strait of Hormuz shipping traffic returns to normal by December 1. Most speculators believe disruption will stretch well into 2027. This comes as US and Iranian forces continue to exchange strikes.
Investors are more bullish on the US dollar than they have been in a decade, according to MarketWatch. The sentiment is being driven by rising Middle East tensions, oil price spikes, and expectations that the US Federal Reserve may keep interest rates high for longer. A stronger dollar typically means a weaker rupee.
Minutes from the US Federal Reserve's June 16-17 meeting show officials were divided on the direction of interest rates. The disagreement is significant because markets globally, including India, have been waiting for the Fed to start cutting rates. The split suggests cuts may not come soon.
President Trump announced at a NATO summit that an interim ceasefire deal with Iran is 'over' and warned of additional US military strikes. The US military then confirmed it launched further strikes on Iran. US stocks fell, with the Dow dropping about 1%, while oil prices surged to a two-week high.
US Federal Reserve officials were divided at their June meeting on whether to raise, cut, or hold interest rates, according to newly released meeting minutes. Analysts note there have been very few times in the last 35 years when the Fed made only a single rate move in one direction. The disagreement could drag on for an extended period.
China warned that specific versions of Anthropic's Claude Code AI tool contain backdoor vulnerabilities that could send sensitive information to a remote server. The warning targets an AI coding assistant made by one of the biggest US AI companies. This adds a new dimension to the global AI and technology rivalry between the US and China.
Bank of America analysts say Nvidia's stock is trading at a significant discount and called the current weakness an 'enhanced' buying opportunity for investors. The recommendation comes after Nvidia underperformed the broader market for a sustained period. BofA is urging investors to take advantage of the dip.
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President Trump announced at a NATO summit that an interim ceasefire deal with Iran is 'over' and warned of additional US military strikes. The US military then confirmed it launched further strikes on Iran. US stocks fell, with the Dow dropping about 1%, while oil prices surged to a two-week high.
US Federal Reserve officials were divided at their June meeting on whether to raise, cut, or hold interest rates, according to newly released meeting minutes. Analysts note there have been very few times in the last 35 years when the Fed made only a single rate move in one direction. The disagreement could drag on for an extended period.
China warned that specific versions of Anthropic's Claude Code AI tool contain backdoor vulnerabilities that could send sensitive information to a remote server. The warning targets an AI coding assistant made by one of the biggest US AI companies. This adds a new dimension to the global AI and technology rivalry between the US and China.
Bank of America analysts say Nvidia's stock is trading at a significant discount and called the current weakness an 'enhanced' buying opportunity for investors. The recommendation comes after Nvidia underperformed the broader market for a sustained period. BofA is urging investors to take advantage of the dip.
8 insights · curated today
🔒 Impact & source links — PremiumResearchers have found that nine of the most popular AI tools can be exploited by hackers to assemble large botnets. The attack method, called 'HalluSquatting', takes advantage of AI systems' tendency to hallucinate — making up package names or links that don't exist — which hackers then register and weaponise. This is a newly identified threat vector that affects widely used AI development tools.
A lawsuit in the US alleges that a man used xAI's Grok chatbot to generate approximately 7,000 sexual images of his stepdaughter before shooting himself. X (formerly Twitter) is accused of shielding child predators and reportedly only reported a single gang rape prompt to authorities despite the scale of the abuse. More young girls have now joined the lawsuit against X over Grok-generated child sexual abuse material.
A major AI academic cheating scandal has hit Brown University in the US, with a professor warning that widespread AI cheating leads to 'a failed society' and declaring 'we cannot choose to become idiots.' The scandal is sparking intense debate about how universities should detect and respond to AI-assisted dishonesty. It reflects a growing global crisis in academic integrity as AI tools become more accessible.
Google has paid out $250,000 in bug bounty rewards for a high-severity Linux vulnerability that allows untrusted users to gain root privileges and escape guest virtual machines. It is one of two serious Linux vulnerabilities to surface this week. Both flaws affect cloud infrastructure that millions of businesses worldwide — including in India — rely on.
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Researchers have found that nine of the most popular AI tools can be exploited by hackers to assemble large botnets. The attack method, called 'HalluSquatting', takes advantage of AI systems' tendency to hallucinate — making up package names or links that don't exist — which hackers then register and weaponise. This is a newly identified threat vector that affects widely used AI development tools.
A lawsuit in the US alleges that a man used xAI's Grok chatbot to generate approximately 7,000 sexual images of his stepdaughter before shooting himself. X (formerly Twitter) is accused of shielding child predators and reportedly only reported a single gang rape prompt to authorities despite the scale of the abuse. More young girls have now joined the lawsuit against X over Grok-generated child sexual abuse material.
A major AI academic cheating scandal has hit Brown University in the US, with a professor warning that widespread AI cheating leads to 'a failed society' and declaring 'we cannot choose to become idiots.' The scandal is sparking intense debate about how universities should detect and respond to AI-assisted dishonesty. It reflects a growing global crisis in academic integrity as AI tools become more accessible.
Google has paid out $250,000 in bug bounty rewards for a high-severity Linux vulnerability that allows untrusted users to gain root privileges and escape guest virtual machines. It is one of two serious Linux vulnerabilities to surface this week. Both flaws affect cloud infrastructure that millions of businesses worldwide — including in India — rely on.
Meta is developing prototype 'super sensing' smart glasses that could continuously record audio and take photos every few seconds, according to the Financial Times. Wearers would be able to ask Meta AI questions about everything the glasses have captured. The images recorded would not be displayed to the wearer in real time.
OpenAI has released a new voice model called GPT-Live-1 for ChatGPT's voice mode, designed to interrupt users less and wait if they pause mid-sentence. The company's research lead described it as being more like 'talking to another person.' The upgrade aims to make voice-based AI conversations feel more natural.
Jeff Bezos's space company Blue Origin is raising $10 billion in private capital for the first time, giving it a valuation of $130 billion. This is the first time the company has sought outside investment after being funded entirely by Bezos. The fundraise signals a major shift in how Blue Origin plans to scale its operations.
As part of a sweeping Xbox 'reset', Microsoft is laying off 3,200 workers, shutting down studios, and redirecting its remaining teams toward 'higher priority projects.' Obsidian Entertainment — the studio behind Grounded and The Outer Worlds — has cancelled multiple projects and is now working on a new Fallout title instead of the previously planned Avowed sequel. The restructuring represents one of the biggest shake-ups in gaming industry history.
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Meta is developing prototype 'super sensing' smart glasses that could continuously record audio and take photos every few seconds, according to the Financial Times. Wearers would be able to ask Meta AI questions about everything the glasses have captured. The images recorded would not be displayed to the wearer in real time.
OpenAI has released a new voice model called GPT-Live-1 for ChatGPT's voice mode, designed to interrupt users less and wait if they pause mid-sentence. The company's research lead described it as being more like 'talking to another person.' The upgrade aims to make voice-based AI conversations feel more natural.
Jeff Bezos's space company Blue Origin is raising $10 billion in private capital for the first time, giving it a valuation of $130 billion. This is the first time the company has sought outside investment after being funded entirely by Bezos. The fundraise signals a major shift in how Blue Origin plans to scale its operations.
As part of a sweeping Xbox 'reset', Microsoft is laying off 3,200 workers, shutting down studios, and redirecting its remaining teams toward 'higher priority projects.' Obsidian Entertainment — the studio behind Grounded and The Outer Worlds — has cancelled multiple projects and is now working on a new Fallout title instead of the previously planned Avowed sequel. The restructuring represents one of the biggest shake-ups in gaming industry history.
8 insights · curated today
🔒 Impact & source links — PremiumAn Indian national named Unnikrishnan S. was among the inmates killed during prison riots in Sri Lanka. The High Commission of India has not yet issued an official statement, though official sources in Colombo confirmed a note verbale on the incident was sent.
The US has launched fresh strikes on Iran following attacks on three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump called it retribution, said the US would hit Iran 'hard', but left the door open to more talks. Iran has promised strong retaliation.
The United States has decided to remove Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, giving a boost to Syrian leader Sharaa. With this move, only three countries remain on the blacklist: Iran, North Korea, and Cuba.
China's coast guard has conducted patrols off Taiwan's eastern coast and, for the first time, radioed cargo ships passing Taiwan to ask about their crew and destination. China has described this as a 'new normal.'
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An Indian national named Unnikrishnan S. was among the inmates killed during prison riots in Sri Lanka. The High Commission of India has not yet issued an official statement, though official sources in Colombo confirmed a note verbale on the incident was sent.
The US has launched fresh strikes on Iran following attacks on three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump called it retribution, said the US would hit Iran 'hard', but left the door open to more talks. Iran has promised strong retaliation.
The United States has decided to remove Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, giving a boost to Syrian leader Sharaa. With this move, only three countries remain on the blacklist: Iran, North Korea, and Cuba.
China's coast guard has conducted patrols off Taiwan's eastern coast and, for the first time, radioed cargo ships passing Taiwan to ask about their crew and destination. China has described this as a 'new normal.'
The US launched new military strikes on Iran after Trump declared a three-week-old ceasefire was 'over.' Both sides said they hit dozens of targets in the first wave. Trump said the attacks were retribution for Iran's strikes on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
NATO members at their summit pledged €70 billion in military assistance to Ukraine for 2026. Trump also announced Ukraine would get a licence to produce Patriot missiles domestically, though the systems have lengthy production times. Russia denounced the summit's decisions.
Far-right French leader Marine Le Pen launched her presidential campaign the day after a court ruled she could run for office again. Her return has sidelined her protégé Jordan Bardella, who had been set to be the National Rally's candidate. Cheers and boos greeted her campaign kickoff in a rural stronghold.
A landslide hit a girls' school in Bangladesh after heavy monsoon rains battered the south-eastern coast, killing eight people. Rescuers pulled bodies from the mud at the site.
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The US launched new military strikes on Iran after Trump declared a three-week-old ceasefire was 'over.' Both sides said they hit dozens of targets in the first wave. Trump said the attacks were retribution for Iran's strikes on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
NATO members at their summit pledged €70 billion in military assistance to Ukraine for 2026. Trump also announced Ukraine would get a licence to produce Patriot missiles domestically, though the systems have lengthy production times. Russia denounced the summit's decisions.
Far-right French leader Marine Le Pen launched her presidential campaign the day after a court ruled she could run for office again. Her return has sidelined her protégé Jordan Bardella, who had been set to be the National Rally's candidate. Cheers and boos greeted her campaign kickoff in a rural stronghold.
A landslide hit a girls' school in Bangladesh after heavy monsoon rains battered the south-eastern coast, killing eight people. Rescuers pulled bodies from the mud at the site.
8 insights · curated today
🔒 Impact & source links — PremiumIndia opener Pratika Rawal has been ruled out of the upcoming women's Test against England at Lord's after picking up a knee injury. Head coach Amol Muzumdar confirmed she cut her knee while fielding during India A's second 50-over match against England A in Taunton. Punia has been named as her replacement.
The All India Football Federation and Indian Super League clubs have agreed to a four-year deal that moves Indian top-flight football to a club-led model. A special purpose vehicle will handle commercial operations, while the AIFF receives annual administration fees and 10% of net profits. The deal resolves a long-running dispute between the federation and clubs.
Arnav Paparkar has become the first Indian player in 36 years to reach the boys' singles quarter-finals at Wimbledon. The last Indian to achieve this was Leander Paes. It is a landmark moment for Indian junior tennis.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has returned to his 'reset and transition' explanation after India's fourth consecutive T20I defeat in their new cycle. The recurring narrative is drawing increasing scrutiny as results continue to worsen. Questions are now being raised about India's direction following their World Cup triumph.
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India opener Pratika Rawal has been ruled out of the upcoming women's Test against England at Lord's after picking up a knee injury. Head coach Amol Muzumdar confirmed she cut her knee while fielding during India A's second 50-over match against England A in Taunton. Punia has been named as her replacement.
The All India Football Federation and Indian Super League clubs have agreed to a four-year deal that moves Indian top-flight football to a club-led model. A special purpose vehicle will handle commercial operations, while the AIFF receives annual administration fees and 10% of net profits. The deal resolves a long-running dispute between the federation and clubs.
Arnav Paparkar has become the first Indian player in 36 years to reach the boys' singles quarter-finals at Wimbledon. The last Indian to achieve this was Leander Paes. It is a landmark moment for Indian junior tennis.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has returned to his 'reset and transition' explanation after India's fourth consecutive T20I defeat in their new cycle. The recurring narrative is drawing increasing scrutiny as results continue to worsen. Questions are now being raised about India's direction following their World Cup triumph.
Arthur Fery, a British wildcard, defeated Italy's Flavio Cobolli in straight sets to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals. He is the first British wildcard and only the second player in tournament history to achieve this feat. Fery said he was always confident, having already beaten Cobolli at the Australian Open earlier this year.
Egypt have alleged bias in favour of Argentina and favouritism towards star player Lionel Messi at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Argentina came from 2-0 down in the 67th minute to beat Egypt 3-2, with Messi among the scorers. The allegations have sparked a wider debate about refereeing fairness at the tournament.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in tournament history as the quarter-finals arrive. BBC Sport examines the leading scorers and who is best placed to take the top prize. The race is still wide open heading into the final eight.
The Chennai Grand Masters 2026 will be held from July 16 to 22 in Chennai, featuring world champion Gukesh Dommaraju, Arjun Erigaisi, and Hans Niemann among others. The eight-player single round-robin tournament carries a Rs 75 lakh prize pool and crucial FIDE Circuit points. Organisers confirmed there will be no Challengers section this year.
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Arthur Fery, a British wildcard, defeated Italy's Flavio Cobolli in straight sets to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals. He is the first British wildcard and only the second player in tournament history to achieve this feat. Fery said he was always confident, having already beaten Cobolli at the Australian Open earlier this year.
Egypt have alleged bias in favour of Argentina and favouritism towards star player Lionel Messi at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Argentina came from 2-0 down in the 67th minute to beat Egypt 3-2, with Messi among the scorers. The allegations have sparked a wider debate about refereeing fairness at the tournament.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in tournament history as the quarter-finals arrive. BBC Sport examines the leading scorers and who is best placed to take the top prize. The race is still wide open heading into the final eight.
The Chennai Grand Masters 2026 will be held from July 16 to 22 in Chennai, featuring world champion Gukesh Dommaraju, Arjun Erigaisi, and Hans Niemann among others. The eight-player single round-robin tournament carries a Rs 75 lakh prize pool and crucial FIDE Circuit points. Organisers confirmed there will be no Challengers section this year.
8 insights · curated today
🔒 Impact & source links — PremiumTCS reported its first revenue decline last fiscal year and three quarterly revenue contractions over the past eight quarters. The upcoming Q1 results are being watched closely as AI-led disruption and slowing client spending weigh on India's largest IT company. CEO K. Krithivasan is under pressure to show a credible path forward.
Rapido averaged 82 million monthly active users between March and May 2026, up 67% year-on-year. That puts it ahead of Uber at 39 million, Ola at 27 million, Blinkit at 79 million, Swiggy at 67 million, and Zomato at 63 million. The bike-taxi platform has quietly become India's most-used mobility and delivery app.
Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian told Mint that a multi-year capital expansion plan will follow the $15-billion investment in Andhra Pradesh announced last October. Kurian said demand for AI infrastructure in India is growing and more data centres will be set up. No specific new locations or amounts were announced.
Dutch prosecutors have summoned Tata Steel Netherlands on suspicion of multiple criminal offences, including the unlawful release of harmful substances into the air and failing its duty of care through insufficient maintenance. The case puts one of Tata Group's major European assets under serious legal scrutiny. No verdict has been issued yet.
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TCS reported its first revenue decline last fiscal year and three quarterly revenue contractions over the past eight quarters. The upcoming Q1 results are being watched closely as AI-led disruption and slowing client spending weigh on India's largest IT company. CEO K. Krithivasan is under pressure to show a credible path forward.
Rapido averaged 82 million monthly active users between March and May 2026, up 67% year-on-year. That puts it ahead of Uber at 39 million, Ola at 27 million, Blinkit at 79 million, Swiggy at 67 million, and Zomato at 63 million. The bike-taxi platform has quietly become India's most-used mobility and delivery app.
Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian told Mint that a multi-year capital expansion plan will follow the $15-billion investment in Andhra Pradesh announced last October. Kurian said demand for AI infrastructure in India is growing and more data centres will be set up. No specific new locations or amounts were announced.
Dutch prosecutors have summoned Tata Steel Netherlands on suspicion of multiple criminal offences, including the unlawful release of harmful substances into the air and failing its duty of care through insufficient maintenance. The case puts one of Tata Group's major European assets under serious legal scrutiny. No verdict has been issued yet.
Microsoft has laid off 4,800 employees, affecting 2.1% of its global workforce, while simultaneously launching an initiative to deploy 6,000 industry and engineering experts as part of its Microsoft Frontier Co. programme. Most US employees are being offered severance packages of up to 39 weeks of base pay, with options for continued stock vesting and health insurance. The cuts are heaviest at Xbox.
US stock futures fell and oil prices surged more than 5% after President Donald Trump announced that the ceasefire with Iran was over. The development signals a sharp escalation in US-Iran tensions that had appeared close to a nuclear deal. Markets reacted immediately to the news.
A Morgan McKinley survey found that close to 70% of workers say they did not receive a pay raise in the past six months. The research also found that increased transparency about pay and workforce decisions can help close the perception gap between employers and employees. The finding points to a widening disconnect between how companies and workers see the job market.
Tech layoffs in 2026 have been dominated by cloud computing companies, with Oracle accounting for the lion's share of cuts so far. The US leads all countries in headcount reductions. The wave of eliminations reflects a broader industry reset as firms restructure around AI priorities.
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Microsoft has laid off 4,800 employees, affecting 2.1% of its global workforce, while simultaneously launching an initiative to deploy 6,000 industry and engineering experts as part of its Microsoft Frontier Co. programme. Most US employees are being offered severance packages of up to 39 weeks of base pay, with options for continued stock vesting and health insurance. The cuts are heaviest at Xbox.
US stock futures fell and oil prices surged more than 5% after President Donald Trump announced that the ceasefire with Iran was over. The development signals a sharp escalation in US-Iran tensions that had appeared close to a nuclear deal. Markets reacted immediately to the news.
A Morgan McKinley survey found that close to 70% of workers say they did not receive a pay raise in the past six months. The research also found that increased transparency about pay and workforce decisions can help close the perception gap between employers and employees. The finding points to a widening disconnect between how companies and workers see the job market.
Tech layoffs in 2026 have been dominated by cloud computing companies, with Oracle accounting for the lion's share of cuts so far. The US leads all countries in headcount reductions. The wave of eliminations reflects a broader industry reset as firms restructure around AI priorities.
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8 insights · curated today
🔒 Impact & source links — PremiumUS-Iran War Restarts: What It Means for India's Oil Bill and Economy
President Trump declared the US-Iran ceasefire over and the US began a second day of strikes against Iran. Crude oil prices jumped and stock prices fell in response. The conflict adds major uncertainty to an already fragile global economy.
China Fires Long-Range Missile Into South Pacific — India's Strategic Neighbourhood Shifts
China tested an intercontinental ballistic missile in the South Pacific, just hours after Australia signed a defence agreement with Fiji. Australia condemned the test as 'destabilising to the region' and warned of dangerous nuclear proliferation. Regional leaders including the Solomon Islands PM also pushed back.
IOC Lifts Decade-Long Ban: Russian Athletes Cleared to Return to Olympics
The International Olympic Committee has cleared Russian athletes to return to Olympic competition, effectively overturning a ban imposed after a state-sponsored doping scandal and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The decision reverses years of international sporting sanctions against Russia.
Catnip as Good as DEET? Cheap Mosquito Repellent Could Be a Game-Changer for India
A study in Uganda found that a lotion made from catnip — a common herb — repelled mosquitoes just as effectively as DEET, the widely used synthetic chemical. The active compound, nepetalactone, is what makes cats go wild but also keeps insects away. This is the first field trial confirming its effectiveness as a topical repellent.
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US-Iran War Restarts: What It Means for India's Oil Bill and Economy
President Trump declared the US-Iran ceasefire over and the US began a second day of strikes against Iran. Crude oil prices jumped and stock prices fell in response. The conflict adds major uncertainty to an already fragile global economy.
China Fires Long-Range Missile Into South Pacific — India's Strategic Neighbourhood Shifts
China tested an intercontinental ballistic missile in the South Pacific, just hours after Australia signed a defence agreement with Fiji. Australia condemned the test as 'destabilising to the region' and warned of dangerous nuclear proliferation. Regional leaders including the Solomon Islands PM also pushed back.
IOC Lifts Decade-Long Ban: Russian Athletes Cleared to Return to Olympics
The International Olympic Committee has cleared Russian athletes to return to Olympic competition, effectively overturning a ban imposed after a state-sponsored doping scandal and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The decision reverses years of international sporting sanctions against Russia.
Catnip as Good as DEET? Cheap Mosquito Repellent Could Be a Game-Changer for India
A study in Uganda found that a lotion made from catnip — a common herb — repelled mosquitoes just as effectively as DEET, the widely used synthetic chemical. The active compound, nepetalactone, is what makes cats go wild but also keeps insects away. This is the first field trial confirming its effectiveness as a topical repellent.
DOGE Cuts to USAID Ebola Programs Are Costing Lives, Experts Say
Experts say cuts made by Elon Musk's DOGE to USAID's Ebola response programs have hindered efforts to contain the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, resulting in what they describe as 'significant numbers' of deaths. Musk has continued posting about USAID on X despite criticism. SpaceX stock also dropped sharply after its IPO and Tesla is facing lawsuits.
Sudan's El Obeid Is Being Bombed Daily. Aid Workers Say It's the Worst Yet.
Aid workers in the Sudanese city of El Obeid say drone strikes this past weekend were the most violent so far in the war between Sudan's armed forces and the paramilitary RSF. Drones hit schools and fuel stations, killing more than 20 people including students. One aid volunteer said seeing 40 to 45 drones at a time has become the norm.
Cuba's Third Nationwide Blackout This Year Plunges the Island Into Crisis
Cuba suffered its third nationwide power outage since January, according to the state electricity company. The island was already struggling with energy shortages before the US imposed an oil blockade in January under President Trump. Residents describe living through the outages as agony.
Canada Picks German Firm for $Multibillion Submarine Deal, Deepening NATO Ties
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that German consortium TKMS has won the contract to build 12 new submarines for Canada, beating out a South Korean rival. It is one of Canada's largest-ever defence contracts. The deal was announced just before a crucial NATO summit.
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DOGE Cuts to USAID Ebola Programs Are Costing Lives, Experts Say
Experts say cuts made by Elon Musk's DOGE to USAID's Ebola response programs have hindered efforts to contain the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, resulting in what they describe as 'significant numbers' of deaths. Musk has continued posting about USAID on X despite criticism. SpaceX stock also dropped sharply after its IPO and Tesla is facing lawsuits.
Sudan's El Obeid Is Being Bombed Daily. Aid Workers Say It's the Worst Yet.
Aid workers in the Sudanese city of El Obeid say drone strikes this past weekend were the most violent so far in the war between Sudan's armed forces and the paramilitary RSF. Drones hit schools and fuel stations, killing more than 20 people including students. One aid volunteer said seeing 40 to 45 drones at a time has become the norm.
Cuba's Third Nationwide Blackout This Year Plunges the Island Into Crisis
Cuba suffered its third nationwide power outage since January, according to the state electricity company. The island was already struggling with energy shortages before the US imposed an oil blockade in January under President Trump. Residents describe living through the outages as agony.
Canada Picks German Firm for $Multibillion Submarine Deal, Deepening NATO Ties
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that German consortium TKMS has won the contract to build 12 new submarines for Canada, beating out a South Korean rival. It is one of Canada's largest-ever defence contracts. The deal was announced just before a crucial NATO summit.