Capital of Maharashtra, India's financial hub and most populous city proper
Linus Torvalds has publicly backed AI-assisted code reviews as a pragmatic tool for Linux, while the broader community weighs automated bug reporting and safety concerns. Rust is gaining traction for safer kernel code, and maintenance workflows are adapting to AI-driven inputs amid ongoing release cadence.
Cred’s leadership shift and Meta’s $900 million investment strengthen WhatsApp’s push into payments and business services. Kunal Shah departs Cred to lead WhatsApp; Miten Sampat becomes interim WhatsApp chief strategy officer as Cred scales toward an IPO.
Two reviews of Abir Mukherjee’s The Pinnacle and Robert J Harris’s Crescendo (plus other titles) chart crime, power and celebrity in modern Mumbai and classic Hollywood. The Guardian and The Scotsman assess a city’s glitter and grit through money, influence and murder.
Global personal luxury goods sales are forecast to grow 2%–4% in 2026, reaching about €365–€373 billion. The Americas drive the rebound, with U.S. demand leading growth; China and Europe show uneven recovery amid geopolitical tensions. Experiential luxury and new spending patterns are reshaping the market.
Across a string of European and U.S. outlets, regional burger and sandwich chains are gaining ground on giants as consumers chase value, quality, and customizable experiences. Dame in New York exemplifies a modern British dining wave, while US outlets highlight ongoing shifts in fast food and casual dining.
AP News reports that monsoon rains have been erratic and late, hindering planting in northern India. Water restrictions in Mumbai reflect dwindling reservoirs as El Niño and a warming climate reduce rainfall. Farmers fear losses and debt as June–July sowing windows close without adequate rain.
WhatsApp has begun reserving usernames to replace phone numbers for contact, a move the company frames as a privacy feature. Several countries are scrutinising the plan as regulators warn of potential rises in fraud and impersonation. The rollout is to be gradual this year, with high-profile handles reserved to prevent abuse.
Indian markets show strong demand for public offerings while foreign investors pivot toward Indian government bonds in anticipation of potential index inclusion and tax reforms.
Fifteen Indian tourists have died after a speedboat overturned near Hon May Rut Ngoai island off Phu Quoc. The boat carried 32 Indians and four Vietnamese crew. The captain is under investigation for safety violations. Survivors have been hospitalised; 16 have been discharged and one remains in critical care. A flight carrying remains to Mumbai is scheduled for today, with home states coordinating onward travel.
Monsoon rains have killed at least 51 people across Bangladesh, with Cox’s Bazar bearing the heaviest toll. Authorities say floods and landslides have affected over a million people, prompting relief efforts and evacuation. The downpour is expected to ease only slowly as warnings of further floods persist.