India

MacKenzie Scott's $26B Philanthropy Draws Fire from Trump Allies Over Progressive Causes

MacKenzie Scott, ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has donated over $26 billion to charitable causes since her divorce. Her giving has faced criticism from figures including Katie Miller and Elon Musk, who object to her funding of progressive organizations. Miller specifically took issue with Scott's financial support for Planned Parenthood and racial justice groups. Scott, who acquired a major Amazon stake through her divorce settlement, has pledged to give away the bulk of her fortune. Her donations span a wide range of non-profits in sectors including education, healthcare, and climate change.

West Bengal BJP to form UCC panel under ex-SC judge Ranjana Prakash Desai

West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari announced that a draft Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill will be presented before the state cabinet on July 2. The bill is set to be subsequently tabled in the state assembly. The proposed legislation aims to create a unified civil framework covering marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption across all religions. State BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya clarified that constitutionally protected tribal communities will be exempt from the bill's provisions. Retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai has been named to lead the panel overseeing the UCC process in the state.

Retiring Army Chief Dwivedi Warns Against Slow Adoption of Military Technology

General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Indian Army, is set to retire tomorrow after completing his tenure. In one of his final statements, he emphasized that technology must be integrated at all levels of the armed forces, not just at higher headquarters. He cautioned that if military doctrine fails to evolve quickly enough, technological advancements will outpace organizational readiness. His remarks reflect broader concerns about modernizing the Indian Army to meet the challenges of future warfare.

ICC Reveals Qualification Path for Cricket's Return to 2028 LA Olympics

The International Cricket Council announced on Monday the qualification framework for cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. It will mark the sport's return to the Olympic stage after a 128-year absence. Both the men's and women's T20 competitions at LA28 will feature six teams each. India's women's team has already secured qualification, while the men's team is yet to do so. The differing qualification statuses stem from the distinct pathways set out by the ICC for each format.

UK Royal Navy to Replace Type 45 Destroyers With Six Drone-Capable Warships

The Royal Navy is planning a major fleet overhaul by retiring its ageing Type 45 destroyers. Six new hybrid warships will be built to take their place, designed specifically to deploy and control uncrewed systems. The move reflects a broader shift in modern naval strategy toward integrating drone technology into frontline operations. The decision signals the UK's commitment to modernising its maritime defence capabilities for future warfare demands.

Uruguay crash out of World Cup 2026; federation cancels team's charter flight home

Uruguay were eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after finishing last in Group H with no wins, suffering a loss to Spain and draws against Cabo Verde and Saudi Arabia. The two-time champions' exit was marred by reports of internal discord, with players reportedly raising concerns over head coach Marcelo Bielsa's methods. The situation worsened off the pitch when the football federation allegedly cancelled the team's chartered flight back home. Bielsa, reflecting on his three-year stint in charge, acknowledged that his tenure had yielded little due to poor performances. The chaotic conclusion has raised serious questions about the future direction of Uruguayan football.

Axis Bank CFO Puneet Sharma Resigns, to Stay On Until August 31

Axis Bank's Chief Financial Officer Puneet Sharma submitted his resignation on June 28, 2025, and will remain in the role until August 31. Sharma joined the bank in March 2020 and oversaw finance, legal, and investor relations during his tenure. Under his watch, the bank's stock price nearly doubled. He is departing to explore new professional opportunities. Sharma brings more than two decades of experience in finance, having previously held positions at Tata Capital and Citibank.

From corruption charges to quality certification: UDF’s reversal on labour contract society

Middle East Realignment: Two Rival Blocs Taking Shape After Regional Conflicts

The post-war Middle East appears to be reorganizing itself into two distinct geopolitical groupings. One emerging bloc is centered around Qatar, Oman, and Iran, pointing toward a closer trilateral partnership. A separate grouping is simultaneously forming among Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Egypt. These shifting alliances suggest a significant realignment of regional power dynamics in the wake of recent conflicts. Analysts indicate both blocs could solidify in the near term.

5 killed in shooting in northern Germany; motive behind attack unclear

Strong aftershock rocks Caracas as Venezuela battles earthquake aftermath

Suvendu Adhikari reveals two FIRs filed against TMC's Humayun Kabir in Bengal Assembly

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari disclosed in the West Bengal Assembly that two First Information Reports have been filed against Trinamool Congress leader Humayun Kabir. Adhikari indicated that these FIRs are expected to be converted into formal legal cases. The announcement was framed as a warning directed at Kabir. The statement also carried an implicit political jab at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her party.

Woman Dead, Boyfriend Unconscious at Bengaluru Homestay in Suspected Poisoning

A woman was found dead and her boyfriend discovered unconscious at a homestay located near Bengaluru. Authorities responded to the scene and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Investigators recovered a rope from the location, along with tablets that raised suspicions of poison consumption. The evidence found at the scene has led police to suspect that poison may have played a role in the woman's death. The case is currently under investigation as authorities work to determine the exact cause of death.

Google limits Meta's access to Gemini AI models amid global compute shortage

A severe shortage of computing power is disrupting AI development across the tech industry. Google has reportedly restricted Meta's access to its advanced Gemini AI models due to overwhelming demand for inference workloads. The capacity constraints are directly delaying Meta's planned AI model releases for developers. Meta's engineers have been directed to conserve processing power as a result of the crunch. The situation underscores the mounting pressure on data centers globally as demand for AI infrastructure continues to surge.

Sibal Slams BJP Over Alleged Ram Temple Donation Embezzlement, Urges Voters to Act

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal has launched a sharp attack on the BJP government, accusing it of corruption and betraying public trust in connection with Ram Temple donations. He called on voters to remove the ruling party from power, claiming its promises, including the 'Achhe Din' slogan, were never fulfilled. The remarks come amid an ongoing SIT investigation into alleged misappropriation of funds collected for the Ram Mandir, which has so far resulted in eight arrests. A petition related to the matter is scheduled to be heard by the Supreme Court in July.

Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron sued in US over alleged DRAM price-fixing

A class action lawsuit has been filed in California against Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron, the three companies that collectively produce nearly all of the world's memory chips. The complaint accuses the trio of deliberately restricting the supply of DDR3 and DDR4 DRAM to drive up consumer prices. Plaintiffs allege the manufacturers shifted production focus toward high-bandwidth memory chips designed for AI applications, which command higher prices. This is reportedly the third time the same companies have faced legal action over similar price-fixing allegations.

Champat Rai's Brother Defends Him After Ram Temple Trust Resignation

Champat Rai has resigned as general secretary of the Ram Temple Trust following allegations of large-scale embezzlement of devotees' donations. His brother Sunil Bansal came to his defence, highlighting Champat Rai's early career as a teacher in Rohtak during 1970-71 and later as a physics lecturer at RSM Degree College in Dhampur from 1972. Sunil Bansal's remarks appeared aimed at underscoring his brother's long history of dedication and personal sacrifice. Questions have been raised over Champat Rai's alleged role in the financial irregularities at the trust.

Baby Humpback Whale Dies After Washing Ashore on Mumbai's Bandra Coast

A 26-foot juvenile humpback whale was found stranded on the rocky shoreline of Bandra in Mumbai. Authorities launched a multi-agency rescue operation in an attempt to save the animal. Despite the coordinated efforts of officials and rescue teams, the whale did not survive. The incident highlights the challenges of rescuing large marine mammals that become beached in urban coastal areas.

India gifts patrol vessel to Seychelles, reinforcing Indian Ocean security role

Prime Minister Modi's visit to Seychelles resulted in India gifting a patrol vessel named 'Lespwar', along with other defence assets, to the island nation. The handover is part of India's MAHASAGAR initiative, which aims to strengthen maritime security cooperation across the Indian Ocean region. The donation is intended to enhance Seychelles' own maritime capabilities amid shifting geopolitical dynamics in the area. The move reflects India's broader strategy of positioning itself as a net security provider by supplying partner nations with indigenously developed defence equipment.

Princess Catherine Scales Three Peaks in 24 Hours to Support Cancer Charity

UK's Princess Catherine completed a three-peak mountaineering challenge within a single 24-hour period. The feat was undertaken to raise funds and awareness for a cancer charity. The endeavour follows Catherine's own personal recovery from cancer, making the effort particularly meaningful. Her participation has drawn significant public attention to the cause.