India
Vidit Gujrathi eyes EWC 2026 Paris berth, calls India a chess power but not yet esports hub
Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi spoke to Times of India ahead of the India Rising: Road to EWC Chess LAN Finals, scheduled in Mumbai on Saturday. He reflected on a close call during the qualifier rounds and reaffirmed his ambition to qualify for the Esports World Cup 2026 in Paris. Vidit acknowledged India's rising stature in global chess while noting the country still has significant ground to cover before becoming a true esports hub. He also commented on the growing but still evolving connection between traditional chess and the esports ecosystem.
Vidit Gujrathi eyes EWC 2026 Paris berth ahead of Mumbai LAN Finals
Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi spoke to Times of India ahead of the India Rising: Road to EWC Chess LAN Finals, scheduled in Mumbai on Saturday. He reflected on a challenging qualifier campaign that nearly saw him eliminated from contention. Gujrathi acknowledged India's rising prominence in world chess while noting the country still has ground to cover at the global level. He also discussed the growing intersection between traditional chess and the esports ecosystem. The grandmaster expressed strong determination to secure qualification for the Esports World Cup 2026 in Paris.
Argentina edge Cabo Verde 3-2 in extra time to reach World Cup Round of 16
Defending champions Argentina survived a major scare at the FIFA World Cup 2026, defeating debutants Cabo Verde 3-2 in extra time to advance to the Round of 16. Lionel Messi opened the scoring, but Cabo Verde fought back twice to level the match on both occasions. An own goal eventually sealed the narrow victory for Argentina. Messi acknowledged the difficulty of the contest and praised Cabo Verde's spirited display. The result keeps Argentina's title defence alive while Messi extended his World Cup scoring record.
India Gets Permanent Esports World Cup Pathway via JioBLAST-Chess.com Tie-Up
India has secured a dedicated qualification route to the Esports World Cup (EWC) through a new initiative called India Rising. The program is a collaboration between JioBLAST, Chess.com, and the EWC Foundation, designed to build a sustainable pipeline of Indian esports talent. The initiative draws on India's strength in chess and its large gaming market to support long-term participation at the global level. Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi is set to use this pathway on Saturday, potentially becoming the fourth Indian to qualify for the EWC main event.
Louisiana family splits $240M of $1.7B sale among 540 non-equity workers
A Louisiana family sold Fibrebond, their 43-year-old electrical-equipment company, to power-management giant Eaton for $1.7 billion. Former CEO Graham Walker negotiated an unusual condition requiring 15% of the sale proceeds to be distributed among the company's 540 employees. None of these workers held any equity stake in the business prior to the deal. The arrangement resulted in a $240 million payout, with each employee receiving an average of $443,000.
NYC Mayor Mamdani Delivers Pro-Immigration Speech Ahead of July 4
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivered a pro-immigration address from City Hall ahead of Independence Day. Mamdani, himself a naturalized citizen, argued that immigration is central to American identity and national strength. His remarks stood in contrast to President Trump's immigration policies and rhetoric. The mayor criticized what he described as exclusionary politics and called on Americans to unite around shared ideals. He also highlighted the wide-ranging contributions immigrants have made to the United States.
Baloch Rebels Claim Suicide Car Bomb Killed 30+ Pakistan Coast Guards
The Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing attack on a Pakistan Coast Guards camp on July 3. The assault reportedly occurred at approximately 6:32 pm local time. According to the rebel group, a member of its elite Majeed Brigade drove an explosive-laden Mazda vehicle into the camp. The group claims the attack resulted in the deaths of more than 30 coast guard personnel. Pakistan authorities have not yet issued an independent confirmation of the casualty figures.

Germany scraps phone sick leave, requires doctor's note from day one
Germany is rolling out major economic reforms, including a significant overhaul of its sick leave policy. Starting next year, workers will be required to obtain a doctor's certificate from the very first day of illness. The change ends the existing practice that allowed employees to report sick leave over the phone without an in-person medical consultation. The government aims to reduce high workplace absenteeism and improve overall productivity. However, the reform has drawn strong pushback from trade unions and healthcare professionals, who warn of potential harm to worker rights and increased bureaucratic pressure on medical services.
Ronaldo invites Venezuelan earthquake survivor Andrés to a match after reaching out
Football star Cristiano Ronaldo has personally reached out to a young Venezuelan boy named Andrés, who lost everything in a recent earthquake. Ronaldo offered words of encouragement to the child, going beyond a simple message of support. The footballer has also extended an invitation for Andrés to attend one of his upcoming matches. The gesture has been widely seen as a compassionate response to the devastation caused by the earthquake. Ronaldo's outreach has helped rekindle hope for those affected by the disaster.
Tibetan Exile Self-Immolates Outside UN Office in Political Protest
A Tibetan exile set himself on fire outside a United Nations office in an act of political protest. Before the act, the individual left a final message reading 'For Tibet', indicating the protest was tied to the Tibetan cause. The incident occurred during a symbolically significant period for the Tibetan exile community. Preparations are currently underway for the Dalai Lama's upcoming 91st birthday celebrations, lending additional weight to the timing of the protest.

Relative of Pakistan Deputy PM Among Four Arrested in Lahore Gangrape Case
Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the gangrape of foreign women in Lahore, Pakistan. One of the accused, Muhammad Raza Dar, is reportedly a relative of Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. The other suspects have been identified as Hassan Raza, Sikandar Khan, and Sajid Ali. A Lahore court sent all four individuals to a five-day police remand on Friday. The case has drawn significant attention due to the alleged connection of one suspect to a senior government official.

Egypt coach raises Palestinian flag after World Cup last-32 win over Australia
Egypt defeated Australia in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw to advance to the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 for the first time in the country's history. Head coach Hossam Hassan made an emotional gesture after the match by holding up the Palestinian flag. Hassan dedicated the victory to both Egypt and Palestine. The Pharaohs will next face either Argentina or Cape Verde in the Round of 16.
Trump Says He Mostly Reads Newspapers, Often About Himself
President Donald Trump appeared on a podcast hosted by Second Lady Usha Vance. When asked whether he finds time for leisure reading while in office, Trump admitted he rarely reads for pleasure. He said his reading is largely limited to newspapers. Trump noted that the stories he ends up reading are typically about himself.

3 Children Dead, 7 Rescued After Storm Capsizes Boat on Wisconsin's Geneva Lake
A violent storm on Geneva Lake in Wisconsin caused a boat carrying ten people to capsize, killing three children. Strong winds and rough waves overwhelmed the vessel, prompting the rescue of the seven remaining occupants. The severe weather system caused widespread destruction across the surrounding region, including power outages and significant property damage. The incident disrupted holiday weekend activities for residents and visitors in the area.
Trump Suggests Inviting Obama and Biden to White House Football Event
Former and current US President Donald Trump floated the idea of inviting Barack Obama and Joe Biden to a White House football reunion. The suggestion was made during an appearance on a podcast hosted by Usha Vance, the US Second Lady. The episode was released on Friday, timed ahead of the 250th anniversary of American Independence. Trump's remarks were casual in tone, framing the idea as a potential gesture of bipartisan gathering at the White House.

