Meta announced the Meta Gaming Accelerator on Tuesday, an incubator designed to empower small and medium-sized game developers nationwide and assist open the next chapter of gaming growth in India.

A flourishing creator economy, mobile-first usage, and cutting-edge technology like artificial intelligence have all contributed to the gaming industry’s explosive growth in India.

According to Arun Srinivas, Managing Director and Head of Meta (India), “India’s gaming community is a hotbed of creativity and innovation, but we need to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity to unlock its full potential.”

“In order to give Indian game developers access to state-of-the-art advertising technologies, knowledgeable mentorship, and crucial advice that they require in order to grow their companies and take on the world, we are creating the Meta Gaming Accelerator,” he added.

Bitkraft Ventures, Kalaari Capital, Lumikai Fund, and Elevation Capital are the four top venture capital funds collaborating on the Accelerator’s launch.

Through a defined curriculum, the program’s initial phase aims to empower 20–30 up-and-coming Indian developers and studios.

With an emphasis on how developers may use Meta’s AI tools, such as Llama, into their game creation and optimization processes, it will provide strategic counsel in the areas of monetization, user acquisition, cross-border scalability, and AI-led game development.

At a high-stakes Demo Day at the end of the program, participating developers will showcase how they have used Meta’s ecosystem to address actual growth concerns.

Investors, Meta executives, and industry participants will be present at the event, where top-performing studios will receive platform-level amplification and possible funding to drive acquisitions using Meta’s solution.

“We hope to not only empower local success stories but also create a launchpad for Indian gaming companies to scale globally by combining expert sessions from Meta with structured guidance from the nation’s top Venture Capital firms,” Srinivas stated.

In the most recent update issued by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday, India’s Smriti Mandhana has taken back the top spot in the women’s ODI batting rankings for the first time since November 2019.

After South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt dropped to joint-second place with England’s new skipper Nat Siver-Brunt after innings of 27 and 28 in the opening two ODIs against the West Indies, the 28-year-old moved up one spot to reclaim the top spot.

Wolvaardt’s more than six-month reign at the top has come to an end, and Mandhana now sits comfortably with 727 rating points. In the conclusion of India’s recent tri-series against South Africa and Sri Lanka in Colombo, the star batswoman, who has been in outstanding form lately, hit her 11th career century.

With a half-century in the opening game of the three-match series, Wolvaardt’s teammate Tazmin Brits moved up five spots to 27th place. The series is currently tied after South Africa overcame a four-wicket loss to defeat the hosts by 40 runs in the second game played over the weekend in Barbados.

On the ODI batting charts, West Indies duo Shemaine Campbelle (up seven spots to 62nd) and Qiana Joseph (up 12 spots to equal 67th) also saw increases.

In other changes, Sune Luus, the former captain of the Proteas, moved up seven spots to 42nd in the bowlers’ list and seven spots to 42nd in the batters’ list after hitting 76 in the second game. Qiana Joseph, the opener for the West Indies, jumped 12 spots to share 67th place after her 60-run innings in their opening game.

In the bowlers’ list, Afy Fletcher, a spinner for the West Indies, achieved the biggest advances. She moved up four ranks to 19th overall on the list of ODI bowlers, which is still led by England’s Sophie Ecclestone, after taking four wickets in the West Indies’ most recent match against South Africa.

During the G7 Summit in Canada, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated that he will meet with a number of leaders to discuss important global concerns.

Prime Minister Modi has arrived in Calgary, Canada, to participate in the G7 Summit.

He said on his X account after landing on Tuesday that he will highlight the Global South’s priorities in his discussions with leaders.

“Landed in Calgary, Canada, to take part in the G7 Summit. Will be meeting various leaders at the Summit and sharing my thoughts on important global issues. Will also be emphasising the priorities of the Global South,” PM Modi posted on his X handle.

At the request of Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada, he traveled to Calgary to attend the G7 Summit. Acting Indian High Commissioner Chinmoy Naik, Canadian authorities, and leaders of Canada’s First Nation, or original inhabitants, welcomed him upon his arrival.

He and other invited guests will be featured at Tuesday’s session, which will take place in the charming resort town of Kananaskis, where the summit began earlier on Monday under strict security.

Following a fruitful trip to Cyprus, where he held “wide-ranging talks, covering the full range of India-Cyprus relations” with President Nikos Christodoulides, Prime Minister Modi landed in Canada.

Alongside host Carney, who is also the G7 President, he will be engaging with G7 leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President Antonio Costa.

US President Donald Trump was leaving the conference early to return home to address the Iran-Israel conflict, therefore PM Modi will not be meeting him.

Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese of Australia and Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, as well as Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, and Lee Jae-Myung of South Korea, have also been invited to the G7 summit.

Following the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22 and Operation Sindoor, which targeted terrorist organizations operating in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, PM Modi will get the chance to meet in person with these influential leaders of developed nations.

The timing of PM Modi’s visit is particularly crucial for India-Canada ties, which Carney is attempting to mend after previous Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was swayed by Khalistan supporters, damaged them.

In order to assist India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in investigating the June 12 deadly crash of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a high-level team of foreign aviation investigators and Boeing personnel have traveled to Ahmedabad.

241 people died in the horrific disaster, including the crew and passengers.

According to some sources, the investigative delegation consists of representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Their participation complies with international civil aviation standards, namely Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which requires cooperation with the nation where the aircraft was manufactured and with victims who have a substantial representation.

53 British citizens, seven Portuguese, one Canadian, and 181 Indian citizens—12 of them were crew members—were among the dead. On the day of the incident, the AAIB sent a five-person “Go Team” headed by the Director General to begin a formal investigation.

Top officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and the Civil Aviation Ministry eventually supported this, as did forensic analysts and medical specialists.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and other central authorities are also supporting the investigation.

The recovery of the Flight Data Recorder (FDR), also referred to as a “black box,” on June 13 marked a significant milestone. It is anticipated that the data would provide important new information on the last few minutes of the aircraft. Also recovered is the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), which records sound from within the flight deck. As per international protocol, Boeing is deferring to the AAIB while communicating with Indian authorities.

Experts from GE Aerospace, the aircraft’s engine supplier, who canceled other commitments to focus on the probe in India, will join the US-based company.

P.K. Mishra, the principal secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, visited the crash scene and the Civil Hospital on Sunday, where the bodies of the victims are being identified. Later, after evaluating relief efforts and restating the Center’s commitment to helping the affected families, he presided over a high-level meeting with state and federal leaders.

He was accompanied by Mangesh Ghildiyal and Tarun Kapoor, both PMO staffers. Amid requests for a comprehensive probe into the causes of the fatal disaster and increased public scrutiny of Boeing, the investigation proceeded.

Arun Srinivas has been named Managing Director and Head of Meta’s operations in India. This comes after Sandhya Devanathan assumed a more expansive role as the leader of Southeast Asia and India.

“Arun Srinivas has been appointed as the Managing Director and Head of Meta in India. In a statement, the IT giant said, “This comes after Sandhya Devanathan was recently announced to have taken on an expanded role of leading both India and South East Asia.”

In his new and enlarged position, Srinivas will continue to support Meta’s long-term business growth and dedication to India while concentrating on aligning the organization’s business, innovation, and revenue priorities to serve partners and clients.

In order to propel India’s market expansion, the tech behemoth stated that he will oversee the India charter and fortify the strategic ties with the nation’s top developers, advertisers, brands, and partners.

According to the corporation, he will continue to report to Devanathan and move into his new position on July 1, 2025.

“We are thrilled to have Arun leading our efforts in this crucial market, as India remains at the forefront of economic growth and innovation,” stated Devanathan, Vice President (India and South East Asia), Meta.

Arun’s remarkable record of creating high-performing teams, advancing product innovation, and cultivating solid relationships makes him the perfect leader to propel Meta’s ongoing investment in India, where the company is setting the standard for AI use, WhatsApp, and Reels.

“As we grow the business in India, he will still collaborate closely with me,” Devanathan continued.

With almost thirty years of experience in sales and marketing executive positions at firms like Hindustan Unilever, Reebok, OLA, and investment firm WestBridge Capital, Srinivas is a postgraduate of IIM Kolkata.

He is the Director and Head of Ads Business in India at the moment. Since joining the firm in 2020, he has been instrumental in spearheading Meta’s efforts with the biggest advertisers and agency partners in the nation, concentrating on strategic revenue objectives like messaging, AI, and reels.

The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) on Friday announced urgent steps to alleviate the financial burden on the victims’ families following the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad.

In order to assist the impacted families, the insurance promised to speed up claim settlements and provide a number of concessions.

The losses of the passengers, crew, and ground staff who perished in the incident were also deeply regretted by LIC.

The firm released a statement saying, “LIC of India expresses deep grief over the death of on-board passengers and crew members of Air India flight AI-171, as well as people on the ground who were killed due to the plane crash in Ahmedabad.”

The insurer promised that it will expedite claim settlements to provide financial relief and that it is entirely committed to aiding individuals affected. To make the claims procedure easier for the relatives of the victims, LIC has made a number of unique concessions.

“Any evidence in government records of the policyholder’s death from the plane crash or any compensation paid by the Central/State Government or Airline Authorities will be accepted as proof of death in lieu of death certificates,” the statement read.

Additionally, LIC stated that every attempt will be made to contact the claimants and guarantee a speedy settlement of the claims.

Families can get in touch with the closest LIC Branch, Division, or Customer Zone for more help. 022-68276827 is another number to reach the LIC call center.

Special measures for policyholders impacted by the catastrophe were also announced by private insurer Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance.

To give priority to the death and disability claims of those affected, the business has established a dedicated claims settlement desk.

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the scene of the collision and spoke with the injured at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital.

PM Modi expressed his sorrow on social media platform X, saying that the nation as a whole was startled by the number of people killed in the tragedy.

With a resounding victory over Australia in the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord’s, South Africa has changed the course of history and finally dispelled the dreadful label of “chokers.” This victory represents the squad’s first-ever ICC title in Test cricket and may be their most pivotal moment. The team has been plagued with heartbreaks and near-misses for a long time.

Temba Bavuma’s team entered as underdogs against the tough Australians on the biggest platform in sports. However, they performed like champions in waiting once the game started; they were composed under duress, merciless in their execution, and unified in their goal.

The speed and accuracy of South Africa’s fast-bowling team, captained by Kagiso Rabada, lit up Lord’s. Due to their inability to handle the Proteas pacers’ unrelenting aggression, Australia was cheaply bowled out in both innings. Then came the decisive moment: Aiden Markram’s magnificent 136 in the second innings, which wiped Australia out of the game and placed South Africa within striking distance of victory.

After finishing their pursuit of 282 on 213/2 on the third day, South Africa was at last on the verge of winning the championship. The Proteas won the Ultimate Test in 83.4 overs as Aiden Markram, who finished day three at 102 not out, made an incredible 136. It was their eighth consecutive victory in the red-ball format.

Social media was ablaze with tributes and joy after the decisive victory. Worldwide trends included hashtags like #ProteaFire, #LordsAtLords, and #ChokersNoMore. Bavuma’s leadership was praised by both cricket luminaries and fans, who hailed the team as “true lords of Test cricket” and referred to him as “The Don of Lord’s.”

Beyond the memes, though, there was emotion—the type that only results from decades of anguish and near-misses culminating in victory. This was more than just a trophy win for South Africa. It was about changing a story, eradicating a stigma, and embracing a heritage that had been earned over a long time.

“The past several days have been very memorable. The 35-year-old Temba Bavuma stated during the post-match presentation, “There were moments when it seemed like we were playing in South Africa.” “Despite the skeptics, we came in with faith and prepared well. I’m happy with our performance. For us and everyone back home, this is a unique occasion. There was energy. We have persevered, reaching the doorstep and experiencing heartbreaks. However, the sun has been with us lately.

When South Africa won the 2025 ICC World Test Championship, Dale Steyn was ecstatic, saying he was happy that the team had finally taken home a trophy they had been chasing for a long time. “I thought that South Africa also benefited from the support at Lord’s, particularly from the English supporters.” The Ashes rivalry may have played a role, but that support was helpful. The team performed exceptionally well in this huge game. The best players stepped up when it counted in this flawlessly organized Test match.

“I believe that if I had gone to bat, the feelings would have motivated me in the appropriate way. We are grateful to everyone who has helped us; we have persevered in the face of hardship. At the end of the championship match, Keshav Maharaj said, “We honor those who have come before us, may this be a stepping stone for greater things to come.”

“We may have benefited a bit more from the circumstances if we batted another session. In the fourth inning, they were outstanding. They didn’t give us an opportunity, even if the wicket didn’t have much. At the post-match presentation ceremony, Cummins expressed his disappointment, saying, “SA showed why they’re here and are deserved winners, they kept themselves in the game throughout.”

Taking to X, Sachin Tendulkar wrote, “Test cricket continues to weave its magic. In a final where every session had its own story, @ProteasMenCSA found calm in the storm. Markram’s composure and Bavuma’s grit under pressure stood tall in the fourth innings. A century that will be remembered, a partnership that turned hope into history. Congratulations to South Africa on becoming World Test Champions!”

“Congratulations @ProteasMenCSA. Fantastic win and so well played! Hats off to Markram for that match-winning century, and Temba for leading with such ice and fire all through,” AB de Villiers wrote on X.

“The @HomeOfCricket Lord’s was a fantastic venue, and the huge crowds every day once again showed interest in Test cricket!” wrote Jay Shah on X.

“If he is quiet for too long, you know he is up to no good. And some of the music they play…my goodness! But they are the reason we do this and keep coaching. Cricket means so much to all of us, and to the people of this country,” said Head Coach Shukri Conrad in a Cricket South Africa (CSA) statement on Sunday.

Even if hiring is slowing down globally, a new study published on Friday claims that India’s formal employment market is recovering strongly due to increased demand across a range of businesses.

Indeed, a global job portal, reports that Indian job postings rose 8.9% in May, indicating a strong rebound following a short hiatus.

The growth shows the resilience and vibrancy of India’s labor market, which is still among the strongest in large countries and is still roughly 80% greater than it was prior to the outbreak.

India’s employment growth is being driven by the country’s shift to a more formal and structured economy.

“As the nation evolves, the formal sector continues to generate more jobs than the overall employment growth rate. According to Indeed’s APAC Senior Economist Callam Pickering, this consistent upward trend has put India’s economy ahead of many other global economies.

In around 80% of occupations, job postings have increased during the past three months, according to the report.

Childcare (up 27%), personal care and home health (25%), education (24%), and production & manufacturing (22%), which showed rising demand for both social and industrial services, had the most notable gains.

The software development sector, which continues to rule India’s formal job market, accounts for almost one in five Indeed job postings.

The study also emphasized the increasing demand for talent with generative AI skills.

As of May, 1.5% of all job postings in India mentioned generative AI, more than twice as many as the previous year.

Jobs associated to generative AI are starting to emerge in industries such as management, marketing, and scientific research, in addition to being focused on technology and data analytics.

Even though Maharashtra has the most jobs overall, regional hubs like Telangana and Karnataka have become crucial sites for generating AI opportunities.

The black box was recovered from the wreckage of the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which went down in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, just minutes after takeoff.

The flight data recorder, sometimes known as the “black box,” is expected to play a key role in identifying the cause of the disaster.

Engine performance, altitude, flight speed, and cockpit audio, including pilot-to-air traffic control communications, are among the crucial data it contains.

These specialist devices are designed to withstand intense heat, water, and impact, ensuring that crucial data will remain intact even in the most extreme conditions.

Contrary to its name, the black box is typically painted bright orange to make it easier to locate among debris.

Made of incredibly durable materials like steel and titanium, the device’s two main parts are the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR). The DFDR captures technical flying parameters, while the CVR records audio from the cockpit, including pilot chats and radio exchanges with air traffic control.

Meanwhile, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) discovered a digital video recorder (DVR) amid the wreckage.

Given the video evidence of the final moments of the disaster, investigators believe this may be additional evidence.

Authorities are immediately preparing to review the DVR and flight recorders to establish a comprehensive timeline of the events leading up to the disaster.

In the meantime, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to the family of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and expressed his condolences for the seasoned BJP leader’s death in Thursday’s horrific Air India plane tragedy.

Among those present was Rupani’s wife, Anjali Rupani, who had just returned from London following the disaster.

Rupani’s death was described as “unimaginable” by the Prime Minister in a moving homage that was put on X, recalling their friendship.

“I met the family of Shri Vijaybhai Rupani Ji. It is inconceivable that Vijaybhai is not with us. “Even during some of the most difficult times, we worked shoulder to shoulder,” PM Modi remarked, referring to his decades-long friendship with me.

“Vijaybhai was modest, diligent, and deeply devoted to the party’s ideology,” PM Modi stated. Before devotedly serving as Gujarat’s chief minister, he rose through the ranks of the organization and held a number of different posts.

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with victims of the Air India jet tragedy at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital.One day following the fatal plane disaster that killed 241 people, including 12 crew members, he came to the city to assess the situation.

From the airport, the prime minister made his way directly to the crash site and toured the area that had been damaged. He then proceeded to the hospital, where he conversed with the attending physicians and the injured.

During the hospital visit, he was joined by Union Minister C.R. Paatil, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu.

On Thursday afternoon, just after taking off from Ahmedabad airport, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operated by Air India carrying 242 passengers crashed.241 people were killed when the plane, which was flying as Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed into a residential complex close to BJ Medical College.

The flight consisted of two pilots, ten crew members, and 230 passengers.According to officials, Ramesh Vishwashkumar, the passenger in seat No. 11A, was the only one who survived the collision.

Also read: Air India plane Trajedy: Tata Group said it will provide Rs 1 crore to victims’ families

Officials said the individual, who was sat in 11A and survived the collision, is a British national of Indian descent and is receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital.

On his X handle on Thursday, the Prime Minister, who had been Gujarat’s chief minister for 12 years, had shared his sorrow. “We are shocked and grieved by the tragedy in Ahmedabad. It is beyond words how heartbreaking it is. I’m thinking of everyone who is impacted by this awful time. have communicated with ministers and officials who are trying to help people impacted.

One of the deadliest aviation catastrophes in Indian history, according to certain accounts, was the accident. A thorough investigation into the disaster has been started by the government.