India

Microsoft Layoffs Hit Sales and Xbox Units; Severance Details Emerge

Microsoft has carried out a fresh round of layoffs primarily affecting its commercial sales division and Xbox gaming business. The cuts represent some of the most significant reductions within these specific units. Affected employees are expected to receive severance packages, though exact amounts vary by role and tenure. The layoffs are part of broader workforce restructuring efforts the company has been undertaking.

Aswath S becomes India's 98th chess Grandmaster after Pune tournament win

Chennai teenager Aswath S has earned the title of Grandmaster, becoming India's 98th, after clinching his final GM norm at the Pune International GM Round Robin 2026. The young player had to pause his chess career for four months to sit his Class 10 board examinations before returning to complete the achievement. Aswath drew significant inspiration from his family, who are themselves chess coaches and mentors. With the title now secured, the teenage prodigy has set his ambitions on breaking into the ranks of the world's chess elite.

Modi and Albanese Meet to Strengthen India-Australia Ties Across Key Sectors

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation between the two nations. The leaders engaged with top business executives at a CEO Forum, signaling strong intent to deepen economic partnerships. Their discussions focused on advancing collaboration in clean energy, infrastructure development, and artificial intelligence. The meeting underscores growing strategic and commercial ties between India and Australia.

DNA Test Reveals Drug Response and Fasting Risk That Years of Blood Tests Missed

Nickhil Jakatdar underwent genetic sequencing that uncovered health insights his routine blood tests had failed to detect over eleven years. The analysis showed his body metabolizes rosuvastatin, a common statin medication, more slowly than most people, which will inform his future treatment decisions. His genome also carried a variant linked to Gilbert syndrome, a liver condition affecting bilirubin processing. This finding suggested that prolonged intermittent fasting may not be suitable for him, contrary to its general popularity. Together, these personalized genetic insights allowed him to tailor his healthcare approach with greater confidence.

Modi's Australia Visit Deepens Defence Ties, Boosts Indo-Pacific Security Cooperation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Australia has significantly strengthened bilateral strategic and defence relations between the two nations. Both countries are expanding maritime security efforts through joint patrols and enhanced intelligence sharing. Military exercises, including Pitch Black and Talisman Sabre, are set to improve operational interoperability between their armed forces. The defence partnership also covers secure communications infrastructure and joint industrial collaboration. Together, India and Australia are consolidating their positions as key security partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

Thane Doctor Resigns After Assault by Shiv Sena Corporator, Cites Fear

A doctor at Shastri Nagar Hospital in Dombivli has resigned following an assault allegedly carried out by a Shiv Sena corporator. The incident occurred on July 6 at the hospital, which is operated by the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation. The doctor cited a strong sense of fear as the primary reason for stepping down from the position. The assault has raised concerns about the safety of medical professionals working in civic-run healthcare facilities.

Trump Claims He Is Top Target on Iran's Assassination List

President Donald Trump has claimed that he is the number one target on Iran's alleged kill list, suggesting he may be in danger. He made these remarks during an interaction with reporters aboard Air Force One. The comments came while Trump was being questioned about his choice of aircraft after departing a NATO conference. Trump had declined to use a new presidential jet gifted by Qatar for the trip. The statements add to ongoing tensions surrounding alleged Iranian plots targeting the former and current U.S. president.

FIFA Chief Infantino Faces IOC Ethics Complaint Over Alleged Trump Lobbying

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing a formal ethics complaint filed with the International Olympic Committee. The complaint was lodged by human rights organisation FairSquare, which alleges Infantino breached political neutrality rules. The controversy centres on the overturning of US footballer Folarin Balogun's World Cup suspension. US President Donald Trump publicly took credit for influencing FIFA's decision to reverse the ban, raising concerns about political interference. FairSquare cited Infantino's conduct and his ties to the Trump administration as the basis for the complaint.

Delhi hospital performs rare twin liver transplant using family donors

Two young twins from the Philippines received life-saving liver transplants at a Delhi hospital. Their mother and maternal uncle each donated a portion of their liver to one of the children. The procedure marked the hospital's first-ever pediatric twin liver transplant. Doctors successfully completed the complex dual surgery, and both children are reported to be recovering well.

Flood sweeps 3,000 LPG cylinders into Maharashtra river, recovery ops underway

Heavy rainfall triggered severe flooding in the Rasayani industrial area of Raigad district, Maharashtra, on Wednesday. Approximately 3,000 LPG cylinders were washed into the Patalganga river due to the sudden floodwaters. Authorities have so far recovered around 1,000 of the displaced cylinders. The district administration has urged local residents to hand over any cylinders they may have found. The incident is attributed entirely to the unexpected and rapid onset of flooding in the area.

Indian Law Bars Landlords from Claiming Rent on Disaster-Hit Uninhabitable Homes

Natural disasters can severely disrupt housing stability for tenants across India. Under the Transfer of Property Act, 1882, tenants are legally entitled to terminate their lease if the property becomes uninhabitable due to a disaster. The Model Tenancy Act, 2021, further reinforces these protections by prohibiting landlords from demanding rent until the damaged property is fully restored. Together, these laws provide a legal framework that shields tenants from financial obligations on homes rendered unlivable by natural calamities.

Rohit Sharma arrives in London early to prepare for ODI series against England

Indian ODI captain Rohit Sharma has travelled to London ahead of schedule to begin preparations for the upcoming one-day international series against England. The 39-year-old is keen to acclimatise to English conditions well before the matches begin. Rohit has a remarkable ODI record in England, having scored 1,428 runs in 27 matches at an average of 64.9. He has also struck seven ODI centuries in England, the most by any visiting batter.

Finnish Startup Deploys Autonomous Airships to Bolster European Border Surveillance

A Finnish startup has developed autonomous airships designed to monitor borders and track potential security threats. The technology is being deployed as part of broader European defence efforts amid concerns over Russia. The high-altitude airships operate without human pilots, offering persistent surveillance capabilities over large areas. Their use reflects a growing trend of integrating advanced autonomous systems into European security infrastructure.

India news LIVE updates, 9 July 2026: Bengaluru Metro Green Line faces delays due to technical issue, says BMRCL

Morocco lose Saibari to hamstring injury ahead of France World Cup quarter-final

Morocco winger Ismael Saibari has been ruled out of the upcoming quarter-final clash against France due to a hamstring injury. Coach Mohamed Ouahbi confirmed the absence of the key attacking player ahead of the high-stakes fixture. Despite losing an influential squad member, Ouahbi assured that Morocco would stick to their established tactical approach in the match. France, meanwhile, enters the contest with an unbeaten record and is seeking a third straight semi-final berth.

Andhra Pradesh: Man Killed by State Bus While Distracted on Phone Mid-Road

A man was fatally run over by an Andhra Pradesh state bus while crossing a road, with the incident captured on camera. According to local witnesses, the victim was distracted by his mobile phone at the time of the accident. The footage shows the bus crushing the man as he crossed the road without noticing the approaching vehicle. The incident has drawn attention to the dangers of using mobile phones while crossing busy roads.

India T20 Team Under Scrutiny After Defeats; Iyer, Gambhir Call for Reset

The Indian T20 cricket team is at a critical crossroads following a string of recent defeats. Captain Shreyas Iyer has openly condemned the team's batting performances, calling them unacceptable. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has framed this difficult period as a necessary reset amid ongoing lineup changes. A key challenge for the squad is adapting to international playing styles and moving away from IPL-ingrained habits. Both leadership figures appear focused on rebuilding the team's approach for stronger future outings.

Watch: US launches fresh strikes on Iran after ships targeted in Hormuz - 10 videos show devastation

Allahabad HC: Family courts can formally declare undisputed private talaq

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that family courts have the authority to formally declare a divorce where a private talaq has been pronounced and is not disputed. The case involved a couple whose marriage broke down, leading the husband to pronounce talaq. The wife acknowledged receiving all talaq notices and raised no objection to the divorce. Despite this, the family court had dismissed the declaration, a decision the high court subsequently set aside. The Allahabad HC ultimately decreed the divorce, affirming that such declarations fall within the jurisdiction of family courts.

Modi Courts Australian Investment in Infrastructure, Clean Energy and Tech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Australia to strengthen bilateral economic and trade relations between the two nations. Modi extended a formal invitation to Australian businesses to invest in India's growing economy. Australian pension fund AustralianSuper announced a major new investment in an Indian infrastructure fund during the visit. Talks between the two sides focused on opportunities across clean energy, critical minerals, and technology sectors. Both countries signaled intent to deepen cooperation in trade and emerging industries going forward.