The BJP-led NDA has won 19 of 26 Rajya Sabha seats, increasing its strength to 150. The alliance is now 13 seats short of a two-thirds majority, with potential further gains from TMC and AAP splits. Opposition INDIA bloc secured six seats.
Former US NSA John Bolton cautioned against a US-China "G2" framework, calling it a "dangerous sidelining" of India. He emphasized the need for closer India-US strategic cooperation to counter China's growing influence and advocated for a deeper dialogue between Modi and Trump on the "Chinese threat."
The St George's Cross flag, once a symbol of English national pride, now evokes mixed feelings due to its association with far-right groups and protests. While some see it as a unifying symbol for events like the World Cup, others find it intimidating and exclusionary, highlighting a complex debate about English identity.
US farm-belt officials met with Chinese provincial counterparts in Zhengzhou, China, for a cooperation dialogue. The meeting occurred amidst US travel warnings for China following Beijing's detention of an American citizen, ahead of US midterm elections.
Hardline factions in Iran are protesting against a leaked memorandum of understanding with the US, fearing it will reshape foreign policy and internal power dynamics. Protests have occurred in Mashhad and Tehran, with calls for the resignation of key negotiators. Analysts suggest hardliners aim to show their influence despite likely being sidelined by the leadership.
China's central bank is increasing its focus on stablecoins, urging enhanced monitoring and international regulatory cooperation due to their growing role in cross-border payments and the global monetary system. The PBOC also warned about potential disruptions from payment weaponization.
Cristiano Ronaldo's 20-year international career with Portugal began in a modest friendly in 2003. Despite debates about his current role and physical form, he remains a central figure, with coach Roberto Martinez highlighting his continued high-level performance. Ronaldo is set to play in a record sixth World Cup, aiming to lead Portugal to victory.
Malaysia received a completed food safety standards questionnaire from Thailand, a key step towards potentially lifting its ban on five species of Thai shrimp imposed on June 1. The ban was a response to Thailand's increased inspections of Malaysian sea bass.
As the Iran deal nears finalization, President Trump is shifting focus to the Ukraine-Russia war, urging a "deal" to end the conflict. Meanwhile, oil prices dropped significantly on optimism over Iran sanctions relief, and US stock markets saw mixed performance with the Dow hitting a record high while tech stocks pulled back.
Kylian Mbappe became France's all-time leading scorer with his 58th international goal in the World Cup opener against Senegal. The article traces his rise from Bondy to global stardom and examines why many believe he could become France's greatest player.
Kylian Mbappe has become France's all-time record scorer, surpassing Olivier Giroud with his 58th goal at age 27. The Real Madrid forward achieved this milestone in 99 games and is now second in World Cup goals behind Miroslav Klose.
Kylian Mbappe has equalled Olivier Giroud's record of 57 goals for France, becoming the nation's joint all-time top scorer at just 27 years old. The Real Madrid forward achieved this milestone in his 99th appearance for Les Bleus, with experts predicting he will break numerous records.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds has expressed concerns over Thames Water's creditor rescue plan, citing unfair costs to customers and delays to infrastructure and environmental improvements. Special administration is now the most likely outcome, influenced by potential Prime Minister Andy Burnham's preference for public ownership.
Reservations for the Xreal Aura, a new Android XR device developed in collaboration with Google, are now open for $99. The glasses, weighing under 95 grams and powered by the Snapdragon Reality Elite chip, are expected to launch in the US, UK, Japan, Canada, and South Korea this Fall. Early reservation holders will receive a $100 discount.
Amazon Prime Day 2026 is set for June 23-27, shifting from its usual July slot due to event overlaps. Early deals are live, with competitors like Walmart and Target also hosting sales. Price tracking tools can help identify genuine deals.
UK Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds opposes a £10bn rescue plan for Thames Water, citing undue burden on consumers. The plan, which would see creditors take over the company, faces criticism for 15 years of underperformance and pollution. Calls for nationalisation are growing.
UK Environment Secretary has reportedly objected to a £10bn rescue plan for Thames Water, citing undue burden on consumers. The plan involves creditors injecting cash and taking over the company, potentially avoiding fines for sewage leaks. This development pushes the troubled utility closer to public ownership.
The average age for a first-time home buyer in 23 European countries is 31.3 years, with Malta at 28 and Switzerland/Greece at 34.7. Factors like affordability, family support, and cultural acceptance of renting significantly influence these ages. The UK has the youngest buyers at 28.4, partly due to high family financial aid.
Italy and Japan are strengthening diplomatic ties, focusing on supply chains and technology cooperation. The leaders aim to reduce reliance on China for critical minerals and boost semiconductor manufacturing through joint ventures.
A new trend called 'micro-staycations' is emerging, where people opt for shorter holidays (four nights max) closer to home, often within 100 miles. This is driven by cost of living concerns and global uncertainty. The UK's Camping and Caravanning Club reported a 6% increase in members traveling 51-100 miles and a 7% drop in average travel distance.
A project in Gaoping, Shanxi, is producing 1,000 tonnes daily of building and industrial materials from coal gangue, a solid waste from mining. This marks a significant step towards comprehensive clean utilization of coal wastes in China.
Donald Trump has told Vladimir Putin that ending the conflict in Ukraine was vital and he is ready to help, according to a Kremlin foreign policy adviser. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also spoke with Trump, discussing peace and Ukraine's improved position on the eastern front.
Mediators are in Tehran to finalize a deal between Iran and the U.S. to end hostilities. The agreement aims to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted global markets, and establish a 60-day framework for technical discussions on Iran's nuclear program and frozen assets.
Iran's state media reported Sunday that no final decision has been made on a proposed peace deal with the US, despite US President Donald Trump and Pakistan signaling a deal could be signed within 24 hours. The deal hinges on Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending its nuclear program.
