India

India mulls plan to cut reliance on gold imports amid high-level talks

The Indian government is working on a proposal aimed at reducing the country's dependence on imported gold. The initiative has gained momentum following a series of meetings held over the past two weeks. These discussions involved senior government ministers, Reserve Bank of India officials, banking representatives, and gold industry stakeholders. The coordinated effort signals a push toward structural changes in how India sources and manages its gold supply.

Germany mandates doctor's note from day one of sick leave under new reform

Germany has tightened its sick leave policy, now requiring employees to obtain a doctor's certificate starting from the first day of illness. Previously, workers could take up to six weeks of paid sick leave per illness without immediate medical documentation. Chancellor Friedrich Merz supports the change, arguing it will strengthen the country's economy and competitiveness. The reform is part of a broader set of measures that also include raising the retirement age and introducing more flexible hiring practices. However, medical professionals have raised concerns that the new rule could place additional pressure on an already strained healthcare system.

Palo Alto Networks CEO: AI Could Cut Corporate Team Sizes by Half in 3 Years

Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora has predicted that artificial intelligence will significantly shrink corporate workforces in key departments. He specifically cited marketing, HR, and finance as areas where team sizes could be reduced by as much as 50%. Arora believes these changes could unfold within the next three years. At the same time, he noted that demand for workers with AI skills and expertise is expected to rise.

Sukhjinder Randhawa’s meeting with Amit Shah fuels buzz amid Punjab Congress reshuffle

'Username feature facilitates cybercrime': Centre on IT notices to WhatsApp, Telegram & Signal

Indian Navy deploys P-8I aircraft at RIMPAC 2024 multinational naval exercise

India has deployed its P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to participate in RIMPAC, the world's largest naval exercise hosted by the United States. The triennial exercise brings together thirty nations under the theme 'Partners: Integrated and Prepared.' Its primary objective is to strengthen interoperability and operational readiness among the participating navies. The exercise includes a wide range of training scenarios spanning multiple operational domains as well as humanitarian activities. India's participation highlights the deepening naval cooperation between New Delhi and Washington.

Karthik blames 'Ireland hangover' for India's toss call in rain-hit England T20I

India chose to bat first against England in the opening T20I despite overcast conditions, a decision former cricketer Dinesh Karthik linked to a psychological 'Ireland hangover' following a recent series loss. The team nevertheless put up a competitive total of 189/7 before rain forced the match to be abandoned. Captain Shreyas Iyer led from the front with a notable batting performance during the contest. Iyer also reached a personal landmark, surpassing 5,000 international runs in the same innings.

Deepti Sharma likens MS Dhoni to Djokovic for composure under pressure

Indian cricketer Deepti Sharma has drawn a comparison between MS Dhoni and tennis star Novak Djokovic, citing their shared ability to stay calm in high-pressure situations. Deepti made the remarks during her first-ever visit to The Championships at Wimbledon, which she described as a dream come true. She named Djokovic as her favourite tennis player at the event. Deepti also expressed a wish to watch tennis together with cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar, Ravi Shastri, and Sunil Gavaskar.

Can Europe survive without the US? Inside its $900 billion-military overhaul, defence reset

UP DSO Booked for Land Forgery and Bank Fraud After Mother's Complaint

Uttar Pradesh police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against District Supply Officer (DSO) Seema Chaudhary. The case was initiated following a complaint filed by her own mother. Chaudhary faces charges related to land forgery and bank fraud. The complaint prompted authorities to formally book the serving government officer under relevant legal provisions.

Alibaba bans Anthropic's Claude Code over security and backdoor concerns

Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba has prohibited the use of Anthropic's AI coding tool Claude Code across its offices, effective July 10, 2026. The company classified the software as 'high-risk' following internal security assessments that raised concerns about potential backdoors. Reports had suggested the tool covertly monitored user locations and checked for affiliations with Chinese AI laboratories. The ban comes amid broader tensions between the two companies, after Anthropic accused Alibaba's Qwen lab of using fraudulent accounts to scrape data.

Aadhaar App Adds Free Email Update Feature Starting July 2025

The Aadhaar app has introduced a new feature allowing residents to update their email address directly through the application. The service is being offered free of charge for a period of six months, beginning July 1, 2026. The update is available exclusively through the Aadhaar app and not via other channels. The move is aimed at making it more convenient for users to keep their Aadhaar details current and accurate.

Stalin accuses Tamil Nadu govt of running a 'police regime' after ex-DMK MLA arrested

DMK president and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has sharply criticised the current state government following the arrest of a former DMK MLA. Stalin accused the administration of operating what he called an 'action cinema-style police regime,' prioritising political arrests over public safety. He alleged that the Chief Minister is using law enforcement to silence opposition voices and consolidate power. Stalin also pointed out that rising crime rates, including sexual assault cases, are being neglected while critics are targeted.

How Terror-Linked Kashmiri Groups Allegedly Use Texas as US Base of Operations

A report alleges that terror networks and Islamist groups have established significant operational presence across Texas. These organizations are accused of exploiting American political figures, institutions, and nonprofit structures to further their agendas. The groups in question are said to have links to Kashmiri militant outfits with a history of violence. Critics argue that US nonprofit and political infrastructure is being misused to advance radical goals on American soil.

Groww, Zerodha, Upstox Get GIFT City Approval. But A Bigger Challenge Awaits

According to Kinjal Shah, CA and Vice President of the Bombay Chartered Accountants Society, that is now the defining challenge for GIFT City.

US report reveals Secret Service missed 102 alerts before 2024 Trump assassination attempt

A critical US government report has exposed major security failures surrounding the 2024 assassination attempt on President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania. The Secret Service missed 102 local police radio alerts that could have flagged the gunman before the attack. The agency also lacked a joint communications hub, severely limiting coordination between security teams on the ground. Compounding the failures, a counter-drone system was inoperable and failed to detect a drone flight conducted by the attacker prior to the shooting. The security breakdown ultimately left the President vulnerable, resulting in casualties and injuries during the incident.

Auto vs On: How Your Thermostat Fan Setting Affects Comfort and Energy Bills

The fan setting on a home thermostat plays a significant but often overlooked role in indoor comfort and energy consumption. The 'Auto' mode runs the fan only during active heating or cooling cycles, making it more energy-efficient and better at controlling indoor humidity during summer. The 'On' setting keeps the fan running continuously, resulting in more consistent temperatures and improved air filtration throughout the home. However, this constant operation comes at a higher electricity cost. Households with allergy sufferers or pets may benefit from the 'On' setting, while others should weigh their priorities before choosing.

Morgan Stanley warns Delhi EV Policy 2026 could strain automakers if other states follow

Delhi's EV Policy 2026 plans to phase out petrol and CNG two-wheelers by April 2028 and mandate electric three-wheelers from 2027. The policy backs its targets with Rs 70 billion in direct consumer incentives and a plan to deploy over 30,000 charging points across the city. However, a Morgan Stanley report has flagged that if other states replicate the policy, it could pose a significant challenge for the automotive industry. The pressure would be felt most acutely in the two-wheeler segment, which remains a dominant category for major automakers.

Micron pledges $250M to Trump Accounts, joining Dell in corporate push

Chip manufacturer Micron has announced a $250 million contribution to Trump Accounts, a new savings initiative set to open for contributions on July 4. The company will match employee contributions of up to $1,000 per child and provide $250 seed funding for children in communities across seven states where it operates. President Trump described it as the largest corporate investment of its kind. The pledge follows Dell's earlier $6.25 billion donation to the same program. The move also builds on Micron's previously announced $200 billion commitment to US-based manufacturing.

Madras HC grants divorce citing mental cruelty beyond thali removal

The Madras High Court has granted a husband a divorce on grounds of mental cruelty. While the wife had removed her thali chain during their separation, the court clarified that this act alone is insufficient to constitute grounds for divorce. However, it was considered as supporting evidence alongside public accusations made by the wife and a prolonged period of separation between the couple. Together, these factors indicated an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. The ruling underscores that courts must assess the broader context of a relationship rather than relying solely on symbolic gestures.