In a significant legal development, an Indian appeals tribunal has overturned a five-year ban imposed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) on WhatsApp’s data-sharing practices with other Meta entities. However, the tribunal upheld a $25.4 million fine against Meta, citing the company’s abuse of its dominant market position. The ban, introduced in November 2024, had prohibited WhatsApp from sharing user data with Meta for advertising purposes, prompting the messaging platform to challenge the decision, warning it might have to withdraw certain features. The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) ruled that the rationale behind the ban was ‘missing altogether,’ leading to its reversal. Meta criticized the CCI for lacking the ‘technical expertise’ to assess the implications of its order. The case originated in 2021 following widespread backlash against WhatsApp’s privacy policy changes, which allegedly coerced users into accepting the updates or risk losing access to the service. A Meta spokesperson emphasized that the 2021 privacy policy update did not compromise the end-to-end encryption of personal messages. India remains Meta’s largest market, boasting the highest number of users for Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp globally.
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Valentine’s precision on lightning-fast greens propels him to November OMA title at JGE
Bradley Valentine emerged victorious at the November 2025 OMA Emirates Medalford, held at the prestigious Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Fire Course. Valentine’s exceptional performance, marked by a flawless seven-under-par round of 65, was pivotal in securing his win. He attributed his success to the lightning-fast greens, which he navigated with precision and control. The event, held in partnership with Unique Holding, saw a competitive field of 97 golfers battling under ideal late-autumn conditions. In the Gross Medal Division, David Bainbridge clinched second place with a three-under-par 69, narrowly outperforming James Finnigan, who finished with a commendable 71. The handicap divisions were equally thrilling. Chris Wilmot dominated Division A with a net 68, while Martin McGuigan triumphed in Division B after a rare three-way tie. Sheila McIlroy, the club’s first Lady Captain, delivered a standout performance in the Ladies Division with a net 67, narrowly missing the overall title due to a late bogey. The Seniors Division saw Andy Speirs claim victory with a net 68, and Sean Ewing led the Stableford Division with 39 points. Cameron McWhinnie, Assistant Golf Services Manager at Jumeirah Golf Estates, expressed gratitude to sponsors OMA Emirates and Unique Holding, as well as the dedicated staff who ensured the event’s success. The day concluded with a gala dinner and prize presentation, marking another triumphant chapter in the Medalford series. With the DP World Tour Championship approaching, the Jumeirah Golf Estates community is now gearing up for one of the most anticipated events on the global golf calendar.
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Former US vice-president Dick Cheney dies at 84
Dick Cheney, the former US vice-president who served under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, passed away on Monday evening at the age of 84. His family confirmed that his death was due to complications from pneumonia, cardiac disease, and vascular conditions. Cheney, often described as one of the most powerful vice-presidents in American history, played a pivotal role in shaping US foreign policy, particularly in the decisions that led to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In recent years, Cheney became a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump, aligning with his daughter Liz Cheney, who has been a prominent Republican opponent of Trump in Congress. Notably, during the 2024 election, Cheney surprised many by endorsing Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and condemning Trump, marking a significant shift in his political stance. His legacy remains a subject of both admiration and controversy, reflecting his profound impact on American politics.
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Six takeaways from Canada’s federal budget
On Tuesday, Canada’s Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne presented the nation’s federal budget, marking Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first major fiscal plan since taking office. The budget, described as both a political manifesto and a spending blueprint, outlines a comprehensive strategy to position Canada as the strongest economy in the G7. It comes at a time of significant global change, with Canada’s relationship with the US—its largest trading partner—undergoing rapid shifts. The budget warns of economic headwinds and emphasizes the need for a robust response to ensure Canada’s competitiveness on the global stage. The plan includes C$280 billion in spending, which could push the deficit to C$78.3 billion, the second-largest in Canadian history. Key investments target infrastructure, defense, housing, and digital corridors, while C$60 billion in spending cuts over five years will be achieved through public sector job reductions and AI adoption. The budget also introduces a Climate Competitiveness Strategy, aiming to make Canada a clean energy superpower by supporting low-emission projects and carbon capture technologies. Defense spending will see a significant boost, with C$81.8 billion allocated over five years to meet NATO targets and address Arctic security. Immigration targets are being reduced, and several Trudeau-era policies, including the consumer carbon tax and luxury vehicle tax, have been scrapped. The budget also addresses the impact of US tariffs, offering C$5 billion in support for affected industries and launching a C$10 billion loan facility to help businesses weather trade-related challenges.
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Australia’s Helen Garner wins Baillie Gifford nonfiction prize for her ‘addictive’ diaries
Australian literary icon Helen Garner has been awarded the esteemed Baillie Gifford Prize for Nonfiction for her compelling and unflinchingly honest diaries, titled ‘How to End a Story.’ The 82-year-old author received the £50,000 ($65,000) accolade at a ceremony in London on Tuesday. Garner’s work, which chronicles her life and career from 1978 to 1998, was praised by the judging panel for its sharp observations and ‘reckless candor.’ Robbie Millen, the jury chair, described the 800-page opus as ‘remarkable and addictive,’ blending the intimate, intellectual, and mundane into a groundbreaking diary format. Garner’s win marks the first time a diary has claimed the prize since its inception in 1999. She triumphed over five other finalists, including biographies of poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson and writer Muriel Spark, as well as works on 1970s revolutionaries, European wolves, and the history of slavery in the Muslim world. Garner, whose 1977 debut novel ‘Monkey Grip’ is hailed as a modern Australian classic, has long been celebrated in her homeland but is only now gaining broader international recognition. Her diverse body of work includes novellas, short stories, screenplays, and true crime books. Singer Dua Lipa, a devoted fan, recently selected Garner’s ‘This House of Grief’ for her book club, calling it ‘a thrilling discovery.’ Garner’s latest co-authored work, ‘The Mushroom Tapes,’ explores a notorious Australian murder case and is set for release this month in Australia and the U.K. Millen expressed hope that the prize would solidify Garner’s status as a literary giant. This marks the second consecutive year an Australian has won the Baillie Gifford Prize, following Richard Flanagan’s victory in 2023.
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Suspected drone sightings disrupt flights at Belgium airports
Airports across Belgium were thrown into disarray on Tuesday as suspected drone sightings forced the suspension of all flights at Brussels Airport, the nation’s busiest aviation hub. The disruption began around 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT) following a reported drone sighting, prompting an immediate halt to air traffic. Although operations briefly resumed an hour later, they were swiftly suspended again due to further sightings. Liege Airport also experienced similar disruptions, with no clear timeline for when normal operations might resume. Local media further reported drone sightings at Kleine-Brogel and Florennes military airbases, compounding the crisis. This incident marks the latest in a series of drone-related disruptions at European airports, including Munich, Copenhagen, and Oslo. A statement on the Brussels Airport website confirmed the suspension of all departing and arriving flights, with officials closely monitoring the situation and promising updates as they become available. Images from inside the airport showed camp beds being prepared for stranded passengers. Charleroi, Belgium’s second-largest airport, also briefly halted air traffic as a precaution. Initially, flights were diverted to Liege, but operations there were subsequently suspended due to additional drone sightings. Flights have since been redirected to nearby airports, including Ostend and Charleroi in Belgium, as well as Eindhoven and Maastricht in the Netherlands. This incident marks the fourth consecutive night of drone sightings over Kleine-Brogel, a key military base near the Dutch border. Belgium’s Defence Minister, Theo Francken, announced on Monday that an investigation is underway, describing the incidents as ‘a clear mission targeting Kleine Broge.’ Belgian news site VRT also reported drone sightings near Ostend and Antwerp’s Deurne airports over the weekend, further highlighting the growing threat posed by unauthorized drone activity.
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LDC CEO: I see potential and opportunities in China
In an exclusive interview with China Daily, Michael Gelchie, CEO of Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC), expressed his optimism about China’s economic prospects despite ongoing global discussions on ‘decoupling’ and ‘fragmentation.’ Gelchie emphasized that LDC employs a scientific approach to capital allocation when evaluating global investments, with a particular focus on China. He highlighted the country’s immense potential, driven by the rapid expansion of its middle class, and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to investing in the Chinese market. Gelchie’s remarks came ahead of the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE), where LDC plans to showcase its latest innovations and strengthen its presence in the region. His comments underscore the growing confidence among global business leaders in China’s ability to sustain robust economic growth and create opportunities for international enterprises.
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Bella Culley home after early Georgia jail release
Bella Culley, a 19-year-old pregnant teenager from Billingham, Teesside, has returned home after being released from prison in Georgia. Culley, who admitted to drug trafficking charges, had initially faced up to 20 years in jail. However, prosecutors revised the terms of her plea bargain, leading to her release. She had spent nearly six months in custody, including time in Georgia’s Rustavi Prison Number Five, before being transferred to a ‘mother and baby’ unit due to her advanced pregnancy. Culley was detained on May 10 after authorities discovered 12kg of marijuana and 2kg of hashish in her luggage at Tbilisi International Airport. Her family paid £137,000 to reduce her sentence to two years. On Monday, she walked free from court in Tbilisi, accompanied by her mother, and arrived at Luton Airport on an Easyjet flight. Culley claimed she was coerced into trafficking drugs by gangsters who allegedly tortured her with a hot iron. Georgian police have launched a separate investigation into her allegations of coercion.
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India ranked as Asia’s top research hub in QS World University Rankings 2026
India has solidified its status as Asia’s premier research and innovation hub, according to the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2026. The 17th edition of the rankings, featuring 1,529 universities across 25 higher education systems, highlights India’s growing academic influence, particularly in research productivity, faculty strength, and employability outcomes. With 294 ranked universities, including 137 new entrants, India is now the second most represented higher education system in Asia, trailing only China. The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) leads the pack, ranking 59th in Asia, followed by the Indian Institute of Science (64th) and IIT Madras (70th). India boasts seven universities in Asia’s top 100, 20 in the top 200, and 66 in the top 500, driven largely by research productivity. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, West Bengal, ranks first in Asia for research productivity, with Bharathiar University and the Indian Institute of Science following closely. India also excels in the Staff with PhD category, with 45 universities in Asia’s top 100. Jessica Turner, CEO of QS Quacquarelli Symonds, noted that India’s higher education transformation is now visible in measurable outcomes, with the country positioning itself as a global knowledge leader. Delhi has been recognized as the world’s most affordable student city, further enhancing India’s appeal as a study destination. Despite trailing in internationalisation metrics, India’s top institutions continue to excel in Employer Reputation, with IIT Bombay leading the charge. Experts suggest that strategic global partnerships and cross-border research programs will be crucial for India to bridge the gap in internationalisation in the coming years.
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Fire at a retiree boarding house in Bosnia kills several people, media reports say
A tragic fire broke out on Tuesday at a retirement boarding house in Tuzla, a town in northeastern Bosnia-Herzegovina, resulting in multiple fatalities. According to reports from Bosnian media, including the prominent daily newspaper Dnevni Avaz, at least eight individuals lost their lives in the incident. The fire originated on one of the higher floors of the building, causing significant damage and prompting an urgent evacuation by firefighters. Although police sources were cited in the media reports, official confirmation of the details has yet to be released. Visuals from the scene depicted intense flames engulfing one of the facility’s floors, highlighting the severity of the disaster. The incident has raised concerns about safety standards in such facilities and has left the local community in mourning.