India

India's services sector hits 17-month low in June amid weak demand, hiring

India's services sector slowed sharply in June 2025, recording its weakest growth in 17 months. The decline was driven by softening domestic demand and a near-stall in hiring activity. Export orders offered some relief, emerging as the sole notable bright spot during the period. The slowdown also weighed on the broader private sector, with the composite PMI reflecting reduced overall growth momentum. Despite the deceleration, the services sector continues to expand, remaining above the contraction threshold.

Tuchel calls Azteca clash against Mexico 'karma' 40 years after Hand of God

England manager Thomas Tuchel has described his side's upcoming World Cup match against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium as a moment of 'karma', referencing the infamous 1986 'Hand of God' incident. Tuchel expressed confidence that England can handle the high-altitude conditions at the venue through tactical discipline and mental resilience. The England boss also pointed to hydration breaks as a potentially key tactical tool, having already benefited from them in a previous victory. The match represents a significant occasion for England, who will be looking to rewrite history at the iconic Mexican ground.

Congress Leaders Convene in Morinda After Punjab Organisational Reshuffle

Senior Congress leaders, including CS Channi, held a key meeting in Morinda, Punjab, following the announcement of the party's new organisational team. The gathering brought together prominent Punjab Congress figures to discuss the recent structural changes within the party unit. The meeting comes at a significant moment as the party realigns its organisational setup in the state. Such meetings typically aim to ensure coordination and consensus among leaders following internal restructuring.

PM Modi’s maiden visit to New Zealand next week; first meet after trade deal

MP High Court upholds woman's sole right to terminate pregnancy without husband's consent

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has granted a woman permission to terminate her 13-week pregnancy, ruling that her consent alone is sufficient. The court held that approval from her estranged husband or any judicial authority is not required for the procedure. The bench drew upon Supreme Court precedents to reinforce a woman's autonomy over her own body and reproductive decisions. The ruling underscores the right of women to access safe and legal abortions free from external coercion.

Chirag Paswan’s 'no PM vacancy' response after Tejashwi Yadav's jibe at Nitish Kumar

Bus Plunges Into Balochistan Ravine, Killing 40 in Pakistan

A passenger bus plunged into a ravine in Pakistan's Balochistan province, killing at least 40 people. The bus had been carrying passengers who were stranded after their original vehicle broke down. The driver lost control of the vehicle, leading to the fatal accident. The incident is being described as one of the deadliest road crashes in Pakistan's recent history.

France Sees 30% Surge in Deaths Amid Record June Heatwave

France recorded a nearly 30% rise in deaths during an intense heatwave that struck in June, according to a new report. The extreme heat pushed temperatures to record levels across the country, placing significant strain on public health infrastructure. Hospitals in Paris were put on high alert as authorities feared the death toll could approach the scale of the catastrophic 2003 heatwave. The 2003 crisis remains one of Europe's deadliest heat events, having claimed tens of thousands of lives across the continent. Officials are closely monitoring the situation as climate-driven extreme heat events become increasingly frequent in France.

US Kicks Off Celebrations for 250th Independence Day Anniversary

The United States is preparing to mark the 250th anniversary of its Independence Day on July 4. Commemorative events and nationwide campaigns have already begun across the country ahead of the milestone occasion. The celebrations are being held under the banner 'America250', reflecting the significance of the landmark anniversary. The lead-up activities signal that this year's Independence Day will be observed on a larger scale than typical annual commemorations.

Riyad Mahrez retires from international football after Algeria's World Cup exit

Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez has announced his retirement from international football following his country's elimination from the FIFA World Cup. The 35-year-old's final match ended in a 2-0 defeat against Switzerland. Across his international career, Mahrez earned 119 caps, scored 40 goals, and provided 45 assists for the Algerian national team. He was also a key figure in Algeria's 2019 Africa Cup of Nations victory. His retirement marks the close of a defining chapter in Algerian football history.

Ex-OpenAI Researcher Shares Career Advice for Navigating the AI Era

Former OpenAI researcher Phil Chen has outlined career strategies for professionals adapting to the rise of artificial intelligence. He argues that as AI becomes proficient at solving well-defined problems, human value will increasingly lie in areas that AI cannot evaluate or replicate. Chen emphasizes prioritizing finite resources such as time, relationships, and reputation over financial gain. He also advises professionals to focus on identifying the right problems, taking on ambitious challenges, and mastering the final stages of execution. Chen encourages workers across fields to engage with research and develop skills that remain distinctly human.

Drought-Hit Regions in India Expand Between June 2025 and 2026

Drought conditions across India have worsened noticeably over a one-year period, according to recent data. A comparison of the final weeks of June 2025 and June 2026 reveals a significant expansion in drought-affected areas. The growing crisis has placed farmers under considerable stress, threatening agricultural livelihoods. The spread of drought underscores mounting concerns about water availability and crop sustainability across the country.

IRGC heavyweight resurfaces as Iran prepares days of mourning for Khamenei

Why America Celebrates Independence Day on July 4, Not July 2

The Continental Congress formally voted in favor of American independence on July 2, 1776, not July 4. However, July 4 became the date associated with Independence Day due to the adoption and signing of the Declaration of Independence on that day. This distinction between the two dates has long been a subject of historical debate among scholars. The gap between the vote and the declaration's adoption explains why the two dates carry different significance in American history.

US Law Names Shark Attack Alert System After Teen Who Lost Two Limbs

A new US law has been passed establishing a smartphone-based emergency alert system for shark attacks. The legislation was inspired by Lulu Gribbin, an Alabama teenager who lost her hand and leg in a shark attack off Florida in 2024. The alert system has been named in her honor, recognizing her story as the catalyst for the new safety measure. The law enables authorities to send immediate warnings directly to smartphones in areas where shark threats are detected.

NHS England to reward adults with discounts for daily 30-minute walking challenge

NHS England is launching a 'marathon a month' walking initiative that offers adults discounts in exchange for completing a daily 30-minute walk. The programme forms part of a broader 10-year national health plan aimed at tackling physical inactivity. Physical inactivity is currently linked to one in six deaths in the UK, highlighting the urgency of the initiative. Health experts have broadly welcomed the scheme but caution that it must be supported by wider preventive health policies. The rewards programme is expected to be funded in the long term through corporate and philanthropic contributions rather than public money.

Former Deputy Mayor's Son Dies After Coconut Tree Falls on Bike in Thane

Rahul, the son of a former Deputy Mayor, was killed in Thane when a coconut tree fell on his moving motorcycle. The incident occurred suddenly, leaving the rider trapped beneath the fallen tree. Local residents quickly rushed to the scene and pulled Rahul out from under the tree. Despite their swift response, Rahul succumbed to the injuries sustained in the accident.

Africa is building an 8,000-km 'Wall of Trees' to fight climate change

India's Discarded Hair Fuels a Multi-Million Dollar Global Wig Industry

Hair that Indians once threw away has become a valuable raw material driving a multi-million dollar global trade. The Chinese city of Xuchang, known as the world's wig capital, imports large volumes of Indian hair for processing. Low-wage workers in Xuchang transform this raw hair into wigs and extensions sold across the world. Brazil stands out as one of the largest markets consuming these finished hair products. The trade highlights the complex and largely invisible global supply chains underpinning the beauty and fashion industries.

Ketan Agarwal Murder Investigation Expands to Include Chetan Chaudhary's Classmate

The murder probe into the death of Ketan Agarwal has widened, with a classmate of accused Chetan Chaudhary now under scrutiny by investigators. Ketan and Siya had been engaged, with their families having fixed their wedding for November this year. The romantic connection between the victims and the accused appears to be central to the investigation. Authorities are examining the classmate's potential role or knowledge in connection with the crime.