National News

Elon Musk's wealth surge highlights a future arriving early. China's consumer spending shows a wobble, while Indian tech jobs face a squeeze. However, blue-collar roles are growing, and civil engineering sees a comeback. India's universities are rising, but China leads. Meanwhile, India's subsidy bill has tripled, reflecting a complex economic landscape where the future is here, but not for everyone.

Sweden's Saab has teamed up with General Atomics from the US to achieve a major milestone: the successful testing of the MQ-9B drone featuring cutting-edge early warning radar technology. This development could redefine aerial surveillance operations, making it more accessible for countries, particularly India, which face vast border and maritime security challenges.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has officially clarified that E20 petrol does not attract ants, dismissing viral social media claims. The company stated there is no scientific evidence to support the notion, explaining that the ethanol used in fuel is processed to remove sugars and contains insect-repellent denaturants.

A Shimla luxury hotel has been ordered to pay Rs 20,000 compensation to a guest injured on a damaged road. The woman slipped and hurt her foot after the hotel failed to provide promised transport back to her apartment from the restaurant. The consumer commission found the property negligent in ensuring guest safety.

Another youngster from the Sooryavanshi household is beginning to attract attention. Ten-year-old Ashirvad Sooryavanshi, who started playing cricket only six months ago, smashed 103 off 87 balls in his first match for Cricket Academy Tajpur. A right-handed batting all-rounder and fish lover, Ashirvad trains on the same pitches where elder brother Vaibhav honed his skills and dreams of watching him score a century in the UK.

With a US sanctions waiver in place for three months, India stepped up Russian crude oil procurement, and import levels touched near all-time highs. According to analysis of data by Sumit Ritolia, Manager Modelling and Refining at Kpler, India’s crude imports from Russia could hit an all time high of 2.35 million barrels per day in June.

Ranchi RSS office attack probe reveals links to Pakistan's ISI-backed Tehreek-e-Taliban Hindustan. Three arrested individuals allegedly communicated with handlers via encrypted apps, sharing footage of the incident. Two accused reportedly met a Pakistani national in Dubai, where they were allegedly radicalized and agreed to support TTH's anti-India agenda.

Ukraine launched a significant drone attack on a major Moscow oil refinery, causing a large fire and disrupting airport operations. This strike, occurring after pledges of Western support, underscores Kyiv's strategy to pressure Russia's energy infrastructure and escalate the conflict's domestic impact.

Many Indian cities struggle to impress travellers from the air, often revealing informal settlements and pollution, unlike the orderly, greener landscapes of Singapore, Bangkok, or Colombo. This stark contrast stems from rapid urbanisation, immense population density, and governance challenges, despite India's economic growth. While infrastructure is improving, the sheer scale of the problem presents a significant hurdle.

Delhi High Court upheld the Centre's temporary ban on Telegram, citing its potential misuse for exam fraud and misinformation ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination. The government's order, issued under the IT Act, was deemed well-founded. The restriction aims to prevent cheating rackets from exploiting the platform, with the ban in effect until June 22.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended birthday wishes to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on his 56th birthday. Several Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Pawan Khera, lauded Gandhi's dedication to constitutional values, social justice, and his resilience in politics. Leaders from Kerala also highlighted his journey and outreach efforts.

Accenture's stock plummeted nearly 20% following fiscal third-quarter results that missed revenue expectations and showed a decline in new bookings. Despite the drop, CEO Julie Sweet urged investors to remain patient, highlighting the company's strong positioning for long-term growth driven by AI adoption and a revised salary structure to offer immediate cash to employees.

A shooting incident in New York's Times Square on Thursday resulted in one juvenile suspect being taken into custody and a firearm recovered. Video captured two individuals firing weapons before fleeing the scene. Authorities are actively searching for additional individuals involved in the incident, which occurred without reported injuries.

Modi addressed the Indian diaspora earlier in the day and said India is emerging as a "trusted partner" to the world

Six of Shiv Sena (UBT)'s nine Lok Sabha MPs have reportedly shifted allegiance to the Eknath Shinde-led faction, failing to attend a party meeting after writing to the Speaker to form a separate group. Citing ideological deviations and fear of a merger with Congress, the rebel MPs are expected to formally join the Shinde camp next week.