NewsBytes

SoftBank Group has resumed negotiations with a group of lenders for a $10 billion loan, secured by its stake in OpenAI, according to Reuters. The move comes after earlier attempts were unsuccessful due to concerns over the valuation of private companies. To ease lender apprehensions, SoftBank is now offering to guarantee repayment of the loan, giving banks recourse if pledged OpenAI shares lose value.

The much-discussed trade of all-rounder star Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is not as simple as it seems. On Wednesday, both Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) denied any ongoing discussions regarding a possible trade for the star player. "We have not taken any decision, and it is definitely not on the table as yet," CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan told Cricbuzz.

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile has officially begun its ambitious Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) project. The observatory, which houses the world's largest digital camera, will take detailed images of the southern sky every 40 seconds for the next decade. The goal is to create a time-lapse panorama of intergalactic evolution and solve some of the universe's biggest mysteries, including dark matter.

The ongoing FIFA World Cup has witnessed a shocking surge in online hate comments, with a staggering 89,000 abusive posts detected during the group stage. This is a massive 13 times increase compared to the previous edition held in Qatar. The data was revealed by FIFA's Social Media Protection Service (SMPS), which analyzed over six million posts and comments for offensive content.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held bilateral talks at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Thursday. The meeting was aimed at strengthening the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan. The talks were attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and senior officials from both countries.

Honda has started producing batteries for energy storage systems, Nikkei Asia reported. This marks the automaker's entry into the booming energy market. The move comes just three months after Honda scrapped its EV programs in the US. The batteries that were initially meant for these EVs will now be used in data centers instead of cars.

Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has been named the captain and mentor of the Dublin Guardians for the inaugural season of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL). The ICC-approved tournament will see Ashwin play a dual role, guiding his team's on-field strategies while also developing players. He will lead a franchise owned by former Indian cricket team captain Rahul Dravid.

Shraddha Kapoor, who is gearing up for the release of her upcoming film Eetha next month, has reportedly increased her fee to ₹15 crore for the project. The film, directed by Laxman Utekar and based on the life of renowned Tamasha artist Vithabai Narayangaonkar, will mark Kapoor's return to the big screen after Stree 2. As per industry reports, she used to charge somewhere between ₹5-7cr for movies like Stree 2 and Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar.

A recent study by Proofpoint, a US-based cybersecurity firm, has revealed that 41% of India's leading companies are at risk of email impersonation and phishing attacks. The research examined the adoption of Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance (DMARC), an email authentication standard, among the Fortune 100 India companies in June 2026. Major corporations like Reliance Industries, Wipro, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and State Bank of India (SBI) were part of thi

SKODA Auto India has launched the new KODIAQ RS at a starting price of ₹66.99 lakh (ex-showroom). The launch marks the introduction of the iconic RS performance badge on the KODIAQ SUV in India. However, it is worth noting that only 50 units were made available for purchase and they were sold out within six minutes of bookings opening.

The results of the re-National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) will be declared by July 20, a senior official of the National Testing Agency (NTA) has confirmed. The exam was conducted on June 21 after the May 3 examination was canceled due to a paper leak. The official has assured that despite this delay, MBBS students' academic year will not be affected and will start on time.

Acclaimed filmmaker Nagraj Manjule is set to return with his third Marathi feature, Khashaba, after Fandry and Sairat. The film is a biopic on Khashaba Jadhav, who became independent India's first Olympic medalist by winning a bronze in freestyle wrestling at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. The teaser for the film was released on Thursday.

Sony has announced that it will stop producing physical disks for all new PlayStation games from January 2028. The move marks a shift toward an all-digital future, with all new releases only available digitally via the PlayStation Store and other retailers. However, games released before this cut-off date will still be available on disk.

African sculptures are famous for their intricate designs and cultural significance. They are usually made from materials like wood, clay, and metal. However, using plastic bottles for making these sculptures is an innovative and sustainable approach. This not only helps in reducing plastic waste but also provides a unique medium for artists to explore their creativity. Here are some insights into how plastic bottles can be transformed into beautiful African sculptures.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti will attend the state funeral of Iran's slain supreme leader, Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. The funeral will be held in Tehran from July 3-6. She received an official invitation for the event as a distinguished guest of India from Mohseen Qummi, Director of International Relations at the office of Iran's Supreme Leader.

Kate Middleton is reportedly trying to convince her husband, Prince William, to meet with his estranged brother, Prince Harry, during the latter's upcoming visit to the United Kingdom. The meeting would also include Harry's wife Meghan Markle and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. A source told Us Weekly, "At this time, William is not planning to be there, but things could change."

South Africa's Wild Coast is a surfer's secret paradise, often overshadowed by more famous destinations. This rugged coastline offers some of the best waves and untouched beaches for those looking to escape the crowds. With its diverse marine life and stunning landscapes, the Wild Coast promises an unforgettable surfing experience. Here are some key insights into why this region should be on every surfer's radar.

The Ranveer Singh-led action drama Dhurandhar will be released in Japan on July 10, 2026. The film, alongside its sequel, was a major commercial success in India. Ahead of the release, Singh recorded a special video message for Japanese audiences, inviting them to watch the film on the big screen.

Sony Pictures has announced that its upcoming baseball film, The Comebacker, starring Tom Hanks, will be released on July 30, 2027. The movie is a collaboration between Hanks and director Marielle Heller, who previously worked together on A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. In this new project, Hanks plays the pitching coach of a major league pitcher whose life is upended when he is hit in the head by a line drive on the field.

A Tesla Semi truck was involved in a deadly accident on Sunday, marking the first known case of a fatal crash with this electric vehicle model. The incident occurred on US Highway 50 in Nevada and resulted in two fatalities. Preliminary investigations suggest that the driver of the electric truck may have dozed off before rear-ending two passenger vehicles waiting at a red light.