The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the nation’s food safety authority, has sent notices to beverage companies regarding their use of the term “energy drink” and their allegedly deceptive product label claims, stating that no standard has been established for these items under the food safety laws.

The food regulator stated in an Instagram post that it had issued alerts to companies such as Hell Energy (Hell Energy Private Limited), Red Bull Energy Drink, Adrenaline Rush and Sting from PepsiCo India Holdings Private Limited, Campa Energy Drink, and Monster Energy for purportedly misbranding and labeling violations.

No standard for energy drinks or similar items has been notified under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, or the rules and regulations created in accordance with it, according to FSSAI.

Additionally, the watchdog stated that the Food Category System, which is included in the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations of 2011, should not be used for naming or labeling products.

According to the FSSAI, the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 forbids functional or therapeutic claims for food products, such as “boost energy levels,” “enhance focus,” “vitalizes body and mind,” “stimulates mind,” “energizes body,” and “aid in general weakness. ”

The authority also stated that the brands had used terms like energy drink to promote and label their products while making statements that are not permitted by the current regulatory structure.

In an attempt to prevent misleading claims and misbranding in the food and beverage industry and to ensure that product labels adhere to the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act and associated laws, the FSSAI is continuously sending out these notices.

The regulator sent notices to several food business operators (FBOs) in June for alleged infractions connected to misleading product claims, branding and labelling policies, and customer complaints, and instructed them to make the necessary repairs.

Report says, up to 85% of Indian consumers expressed great faith in artificial intelligence (AI) and enthusiasm for its part in defining the future, while around 94% said technology has improved their lives.

According to the report from Assurant, Inc. , India’s Technology Sentiment Index score of 74, significantly higher than the global average, demonstrates a high level of confidence in technology and a willingness to embrace cutting-edge experiences.

Consumers are therefore more accepting of AI-powered gadgets that boost productivity, communication, and daily convenience.

According to the study, smartphones, computers, and linked devices facilitate everything from employment and entertainment to communication and financial transactions, leading to higher demand for seamless, constantly available experiences.

“Although connected technology is growing more and more essential to daily life all over the world, what counts most now is how successfully these experiences fit individual demands, balancing innovation with simplicity, trust, and reliability,” remarked Federico Bunge, President, International at Assurant.

According to Bunge, India is experiencing this transformation at a phenomenal rate, with consumers who are extremely optimistic and digitally fluent embracing AI-driven innovation and demanding continuous, frictionless experiences that easily fit into their daily lives.

The report emphasized the significance of dependable performance and accessible support by highlighting how difficulties—like connectivity or storage limits—can interfere with daily living.

The report states that protection programs are quickly becoming a major enabler of consumer trust and a brand value enhancer.

According to the survey, around 97% of Indian customers indicated that personalized protection programs raise their probability of buying a device and registering for protection.

Country Director at Assurant India, Harini Kannan, said, “India stands out as one of the most vibrant and progressive connected consumer markets worldwide. ”

“Consumers are adopting innovation on a wide scale, but they expect the technology to operate effortlessly in the background. This creates a tremendous chance for companies to stand out through protection and service experiences, according to Kannan.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), India’s markets regulator, issued an ex-parte interim order on Tuesday against the promoters and associates of Darjeeling Industries Limited, accusing them of orchestrating a complex plot that included circular funding, misuse of preferential issue proceeds, and suspected stock price manipulation.

Additionally, the regulator has questioned the listed company’s very existence, stating that it was unable to locate any operational presence at either of its stated registered office locations.

SEBI identified ten noticees in its 62-page interim ruling, including Managing Director Ashok Dilipkumar Jain, who it claimed was the brains behind the alleged plot.

Dilip Sanklecha, Sonali Parmar, Abhishek Prakash Jain, Kirti Ravi Kothari, Kalidas Magar, Joy Banerjee, Punyah Sachin Jain, and director Pradeep Sutodiya are the other noticees. The regulator stressed that its conclusions are prima facie and require further inquiry and responses from the notifyees.

Darjeeling Industries collected Rs 11. 76 crore by issuing convertible warrants to ten non-promoter investors, according to SEBI. The regulator claimed that Ashok Jain directly or indirectly financed at least Rs 1. 71 crore, or more than 58 percent of the amount, through his relatives and related companies, despite the investors first subscribing Rs 2. 94 crore. According to SEBI, this cast significant question on the allottees’ real independence as investors.

Additionally, the regulator claimed that Darjeeling Industries gave Ashok Jain the entire amount of Rs 2. 94 crore almost immediately after getting the subscription money. SEBI dubbed the sequence of transactions as circular funding, claiming that the money went via a number of companies after returning to the original firm.

According to the ruling, a big chunk of the cash was redirected to businesses that appeared to have no relationship to Darjeeling Industriies’ stated agricultural trading business.

Payments of approximately Rs 3. 09 crore to Lifeway Hygiene LLP (a baby-care products maker), Rs 1 crore to Shree Adhyashakti Metals Pvt. Ltd. (a scrap recycler), more than Rs 1. 28 crore to Antala Industries, Rs 40 lakh to Le Lavoir Ltd. (where Ashok Jain is also a director), and an additional Rs 40 lakh to the newly established Ghantiram Foods were questioned by SEBI.

After they were received, a sizable portion of the money that was sent to Ghantiram Foods was withdrawn in cash, according to the investigators.

Additionally, SEBI questioned the company’s real activities. Investigators discovered during inspections that Darjeeling Industriies was not operating out of its stated Mumbai registered office, which had been previously acquired by an unrelated finance firm that had purchased the property.

The firm continued to provide the address for board meetings, nevertheless. The office was locked when it was visited at the stated location in Rajkot, and there were no indications of trade or business. Additionally, the regulator pointed out that the company’s publicly available website was inactive.

In addition, the ruling was based on information obtained during a distinct investigation involving Surendra Jain, who is a suspect in the Sunshine Capital incident.

According to SEBI, WhatsApp chats supposedly tied Ashok Jain to Surendra Jain and included debates about Darjeeling Industries, shareholder lists, business expenses, and market operations.

According to the regulator, these talks, when examined in conjunction with the fund trail and trading patterns, suggested a coordinated scheme to manipulate the company’s shares.

Since a considerable portion of the preferentially assigned shares’ lock-in period was set to expire on June 30, SEBI claimed that it responded quickly. The regulator was worried that the notification recipients may have sold their shares and recorded illegal earnings at the expense of public investors.

At current market prices, it was estimated that shares owned by Ashok Dilipkumar Jain and related entities may have brought in as much as Rs 29. 05 crore.

In light of its ongoing investigation, SEBI has forthwith placed the noticees under market restrictions. The regulator reaffirmed that the interim order’s conclusions are preliminary and that all affected parties will have a chance to present their defense before any final ruling is made.

Sanjay Malhotra, the governor of the Reserve Bank of India, stated that, India’s financial system continues to be a major source of strength and support for the real economy and the country’s growth momentum. This is due to the continued soundness of banks and NBFCs, which are backed by strong capital and liquidity positions, healthy profitability, minimal levels of non-performing assets, and robust credit growth.

In the foreword to the RBI’s Financial Stability Report, Malhotra remarked: The financial system and economy of India have shown amazing resiliency in the face of major external shocks.

Macrofinancial stability has been maintained by robust growth, minimal inflation, sound balance sheets of both financial and non-financial enterprises, and significant buffers.

India’s sound macroeconomic fundamentals, according to the Financial Stability report, give it a stronger position than many of its counterparts and more resilience to external shocks than in previous crisis episodes. Recent policy initiatives by the government and the Reserve Bank, as well as the interim peace agreement, have contributed to a favorable balance of hazards.

The domestic financial system, according to the research, is still robust due to strong balance sheets of both banks and non-banks. SCBs are still sound and secure, thanks to solid capital and liquidity buffers, a sustained improvement in asset quality, and consistent profitability.

Results from macro stress tests suggest that the banking system is still well-positioned to withstand potential shocks, with anticipated aggregate capital ratios staying comfortably above regulatory limits even in hypothetical unfavorable scenarios.

Solid capitalisation, high profitability, and increasing asset quality continue to support the financial health of non-banking financial firms (NBFCs).

With the solvency ratio of life insurers staying over the minimal threshold, the insurance industry maintains its balance sheet strength.

Malhotra added that we are nevertheless conscious of the changing external and internal risks and are dedicated to strengthening the guardrails that shield our economy and financial system from potential shocks.

Inflammatory pressures might be revived and monetary conditions tightened as a result of ongoing supply chain issues.

Meanwhile, the study stated that bond market fragilities, high public debt, leveraged NBFIs, and stretched asset valuations continue to be important vulnerabilities that could magnify future shocks.

Julian Quinones‘ incredible first-half goal and Raul Jimenez‘s guidance led Mexico to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16. The co-hosts won their first World Cup knockout match in 40 years with a resounding 2-0 victory over Ecuador at Mexico City Stadium on Wednesday.

Mexico had not played in a knockout game at the World Cup since hosting it in 1986. The scoreline was the same as that of their lone prior knockout win, when they beat Bulgaria in 1986, which was also the last time Mexico hosted the quadrennial event.

Additionally, EL Tri is the first host nation to win its first four World Cup games since Italy in 1990.

The co-hosts had obviously been champing at the bit as they burst out of the gates at Mexico City Stadium, where kickoff was postponed by an hour due to unfavorable weather. Following the restart, Ecuador had a lot of possession, but Mexico’s tenacious back line kept strong, increasing their incredible streak of not allowing a goal at the 2026 finals to four games.

According to FIFA, Gilberto Mora, Luis Romo, Jimenez, and Mora could have all broken the scoreless in the first fifteen minutes, and while Ecuador’s John Yeboah toe-poked an 18th-minute attempt against the exterior of the post, it was Quinones who ultimately got the scoring started four minutes later with a ferocious drive.

After Pele, who was 17 years and 239 days old when he played for Brazil against Wales in 1958, Mora (17 years and 259 days) is only the second 17-year-old and second youngest player to start a World Cup knockout-stage game.

FIFA reports that Roberto Alvarado bent a ball behind Ecuador’s back line, and Quinones, who was onside because he had been in his own half when the pass was made, raced towards goal and then almost ripped the net off as he lashed beyond Hernan Galindez from just within the area.

After thirty minutes, Quinones lit the blue touchpaper and set up Jimenez to give El Tri a two-goal lead, further increasing the stadium’s delirious atmosphere.

Johan Vasquez and Cesar Montes expertly oversaw the team’s rear guard, and both players came close to scoring with headers from corners. Raul Rangel, the goalkeeper, remained unassailable and has now recorded four straight clean sheets.

The Player of the Match, Quinones, said that what counts most right now is teamwork. You may shine as an individual, but the team’s strong performance makes this conceivable. That is our mindset. We must continue to fight. That is life: you battle, fight, and struggle until you achieve your goals. Everyone who stood by us and had faith in us deserves our gratitude.

On July 6, Mexico will play the victor of the Round of 32 match between England and Congo DR at the same location, Mexico City Stadium.

Paraguay knocked out four-time champions Germany with a wild penalty shootout (4-3) win after the two teams were tied at 1-1 in regulation time in the Round of 32 match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 here at Boston Stadium on Tuesday.

Germany had never lost on penalties at the FIFA World Cup. After being down and out seemingly, Manuel Neuer got them back on level terms, only for Paraguay to finally seize their third spot-kick shot at reaching the last 16.

Julio Enciso put La Albirroja ahead in the 42nd minute. The Germans used their own aerial prowess to equalise with Kai Havertz diverting Florian Wirtz’s cross into the bottom corner. After another header, from Jonathan Tah, was ruled out, the tie went to a shootout.

Gill repelled two penalties in it to leave the Paraguayans all but through, only for Manuel Neuer to inspire a remarkable fightback. Finally, with what was the third spot-kick the Paraguayans had to progress, Jose Canale kept his cool to send Gustavo Alfaro’s charges through.

Germany started the penalty shootout but immediately found themselves on the back foot when Kai Havertz hit his spot-kick straight at the Paraguay goalkeeper. Mauricio capitalised on the error by burying his shot into the corner, though Joshua Kimmich quickly responded for the Germans, hesitating before confidently converting his effort.

Gustavo Gomez then struck well to put Paraguay ahead 2-1, only for Jamal Musiala to level the score at 2-2 with an effortless finish. The drama intensified as Matias Galarza successfully converted to put Paraguay on the brink of victory after Nick Woltemade’s subsequent effort for Germany was saved.

However, the four-time champions clung on as Antonio Sanabria saw his potential match-winning strike repelled, allowing Nadiem Amiri to step up and coolly make it 3-3.

With a second chance at glory dangling before Paraguay, veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer delivered another clutch moment to keep Germany alive by denying Fabian Balbuena.

Yet, the South Americans would not be denied a third time, as Jose Canale stepped up and buried his decisive effort to spectacularly knock Germany out of the tournament.

Former G20 Sherpa and ex-NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant has emphasized that stronger economic and strategic ties between India and the United States would create significant benefits for both nations, highlighting the growing importance of bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, technology, and innovation.

Speaking amid ongoing discussions on a proposed India–US trade agreement and reports of high-level diplomatic engagements, Kant said the United States remains one of India’s most important trading and investment partners.

He noted that expanding the relationship would help both economies unlock new opportunities in an increasingly competitive global landscape.

Kant pointed out that the United States accounts for nearly 26% of global GDP and represents almost half of the world’s total market capitalization, making it a crucial destination for investment, technology collaboration, and business partnerships.

According to him, deeper engagement with the American market could accelerate India’s long-term economic growth while also strengthening supply chains and innovation ecosystems.

He also stressed that India has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies and is steadily increasing its influence in global manufacturing, digital infrastructure, and emerging technologies. As India advances toward its long-term economic ambitions, stronger cooperation with the United States could help both countries remain competitive in sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, clean energy, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing.

Kant added that while India stands to benefit from closer ties with the US, Washington must also recognize India’s growing geopolitical and economic significance. He described India as a vibrant democracy that has implemented major structural reforms and is well positioned to become one of the world’s largest economies in the coming decades.

His remarks come at a time when New Delhi and Washington are working toward finalizing a bilateral trade agreement. Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal recently indicated that negotiations are nearing completion, with both sides seeking to enhance market access, strengthen investment flows, and deepen cooperation across multiple industries.

Analysts believe that a stronger India–US partnership could improve resilience in global supply chains, encourage greater technology transfers, boost foreign direct investment, and expand opportunities for businesses in both countries.

As geopolitical and economic dynamics continue to evolve, the relationship between the world’s largest democracy and the world’s largest economy is expected to play an increasingly important role in shaping global growth and innovation.

Meta-owned WhatsApp has officially started rolling out global username reservations, introducing one of its most significant privacy-focused updates in years.

The new feature allows users to reserve unique usernames that can eventually be used instead of sharing personal phone numbers when connecting with new contacts.

The announcement marks a major shift in how people will interact on the world’s largest messaging platform, which serves more than three billion users globally. The feature is expected to become available gradually over the coming months, with username reservations opening first before the full messaging functionality is enabled.

A New Layer of Privacy

Until now, WhatsApp users have had to exchange phone numbers before initiating conversations. While the platform has long offered end-to-end encryption, sharing a personal number has remained a privacy concern—particularly when interacting with new acquaintances, businesses, community groups, or event participants.

The new username system changes that by allowing users to share a unique handle instead of their mobile number.

According to WhatsApp, usernames are designed as a privacy feature rather than a social networking identity. Unlike platforms such as Telegram or Instagram, WhatsApp will not maintain a public username directory or recommend usernames through search. Anyone wishing to contact a user must already know their exact username.

Your phone number is secure. You no longer need to share your phone number; you may now use your individual username. There are no suggestions and no public directory; in order to locate you, people must be aware of your precise username. You may change your username immediately in the app,” WhatsApp stated.

You may establish a “username key” to restrict who can message you; anyone who messages you for the first time using your username will need the key to contact you, giving your account an extra layer of security. You can change the key at any time.

Without disclosing your phone number, you may communicate with others on WhatsApp using a username. “You choose your own, and it doesn’t have to match your handle on any other app,” the Mark Zuckerberg-owned platform said in a statement.

It’s a privacy function at its heart, not a social media handle; there’s no directory to explore or suggestions, so users must know your precise username to get in touch with you for the first time, it continued.

How Username Reservations Work

Users who receive access to the feature can reserve a username by updating to the latest version of WhatsApp and navigating to:

Settings → Account → Username (Android)

or through the profile settings on iPhone.

Usernames must be unique and will generally contain between three and thirty-five characters. Once reserved, they can later be used when the broader feature launches globally.

Extra Protection Against Spam

WhatsApp is also introducing an optional username key, an additional privacy mechanism that requires people to know both the username and the user-generated key before initiating contact.

This extra verification aims to reduce unwanted messages and spam while giving users greater control over who can reach them.

Importantly, existing contacts and ongoing chats will continue functioning normally, and users can still choose to share their phone numbers whenever they prefer.

Priority for Brands and Public Figures

Meta has confirmed that businesses, creators, and organizations will be able to claim usernames matching their existing Facebook or Instagram accounts whenever available.

To reduce impersonation risks, usernames associated with celebrities, public figures, and well-known organizations have already been reserved internally before the public rollout.

This approach is intended to protect verified identities while ensuring consistency across Meta’s family of platforms.

Why the Update Matters

Privacy experts have long argued that requiring phone numbers for first-time communication creates unnecessary exposure, particularly in online marketplaces, educational groups, volunteer organizations, and business interactions.

The username system offers users a safer alternative without sacrificing WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption.

For businesses, the feature could simplify customer engagement by allowing customers to contact official accounts without needing to save phone numbers.

Industry Perspective

The move also brings WhatsApp closer to competitors like Signal and Telegram, both of which have offered username-based communication for some time.

However, WhatsApp has intentionally taken a more privacy-focused approach by eliminating public username discovery and search functionality, making unsolicited contact significantly more difficult.

Looking Ahead

The global reservation phase has already begun, while the full username messaging experience will roll out later this year in stages. Users will receive an in-app notification once the reservation feature becomes available for their account.

As privacy expectations continue to evolve, WhatsApp’s username initiative represents one of the platform’s biggest identity and security changes since the introduction of end-to-end encryption. If widely adopted, it could fundamentally change how billions of people connect while keeping personal phone numbers private.

The Department of Consumer Affairs has implemented an “Improvement Notice” system under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, enabling enterprises to fix specific first-time procedural or regulatory non-compliance issues prior to the initiation of penalty proceedings.

According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026, which promotes ease of doing business (EoDB), promotes voluntary compliance, and lowers unnecessary litigation, has put the reform into effect.

According to the statement, the new mechanism permits a Legal Metrology Officer to issue an Improvement Notice to companies that commit specific first-time procedural or regulatory errors, specifying the problem and allowing a fair amount of time for correction.

Penal procedures can be avoided if the company complies within the deadline.

Nevertheless, further action under the Legal Metrology Act will be taken against continuous infractions, failure to follow the Improvement Notice, fraud, tampering, and other acts that negatively influence consumer interests.

Pralhad Joshi, the Union Minister for Public Distribution, Food, and Consumer Affairs, declared that the Improvement Notice mechanism’s introduction is “another step towards trust-based government and simplicity of conducting business. ”

The government has implemented the Improvement Notice mechanism under the Legal Metrology Act of 2009, according to his message on the social media network X, which gives businesses the chance to correct certain first-time procedural and regulatory non-compliances before penal proceedings are started.

To safeguard the interests of consumers, the minister stated that the measure would promote voluntary compliance, lessen needless litigation, and reduce the compliance burden while guaranteeing severe action against fraud, tampering, and recurring offenses.

The government announced that the mechanism strives to establish a more transparent, predictable, and business-friendly regulatory framework while upholding strict consumer protection norms.

Manufacturers, importers, packers, merchants, repairers, traders, MSMEs, and other regulated businesses covered by the Legal Metrology Act will also be subject to the reform.

The process addresses several first-time non-compliance with rules and regulations, such as those pertaining to packaged products, documentation and record maintenance, model approval, production, sale and repair of weights and measures, importation of weights and measures, and submitting statutory information and returns.

The department further stated that the new framework does not weaken enforcement under the Legal Metrology Act or lessen consumer protection.

Only certain first-time procedural and regulatory violations are eligible.

According to the ministry, the Improvement Notice system reflects the government’s aim of “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance” by encouraging trust-based regulation, decreasing superfluous compliance burdens, and promoting voluntary compliance.

It further stated that the reform safeguards consumer interests and strikes a balance between preserving the integrity of the legal metrology system and assisting honest enterprises in achieving compliance.