Slams

US president hits out at ExxonMobil and Chevron, saying they should ‘give some of that back to the public’Business live – latest updatesDonald Trump has criticised oil companies for “making too much money” from the global energy market disruption caused by his war on Iran.Brent crude had been trading at about $70 (£52) a barrel before the first US-Israeli strikes at the end of February, but by the end of April had soared as high as $126 and is now trading at about $85 a barrel. Continue reading...

• Actress Bhumi Pednekar faced significant online backlash after criticizing student protests and remarks directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that such behavior is not part of Indian culture. • A former teacher of the actress publicly condemned her comments on August 4, 2026, describing Pednekar's stance as "disrespectful" and "almost disdainful." • The controversy highlights the ongoing tension between celebrity political commentary and the right to student activism in India.

• Actress Kangana Ranaut criticized Hrithik Roshan on August 2, 2026, regarding a viral "we need to apologise" social media trend. • Ranaut urged the actor to "stop adding fuel to fire," signaling a resurgence of the long-standing public feud between the two stars. • The clash highlights the volatile nature of celebrity disputes and their ability to dominate digital trends and entertainment news cycles.

• Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned several European Union member states for their response to a recent mass influx of illegal migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. • Sánchez described the actions of these EU nations as "selfish, polarising and unlawful," highlighting a lack of solidarity during the crisis. • The situation underscores deep tensions within the EU regarding the distribution of migration burdens and the legal obligations of member states to support border regions.

• Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez sent a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticizing the European Union's lack of solidarity regarding Ceuta. • Sánchez claims that this lack of support is fueled by "prejudice, misinformation and attacks" intended for political gain. • The move highlights growing tensions between Spain and EU leadership over the management and security of the Spanish exclaves in North Africa.

• The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has strongly condemned the deteriorating law and order situation following the killing of a youth. • The party expressed grave concern over the rising violence and the failure of security apparatuses to protect citizens. • This incident highlights the ongoing instability and security challenges facing urban centers, fueling political tension and public outcry.

• The Lok Sabha held a marathon debate on Tuesday regarding the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026. • Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized the Opposition for focusing on political attacks rather than legislation, while the government defended the bill as a necessary framework to stop paper leaks. • The debate grew contentious as Opposition members accused the NDA government of overseeing "thefts," specifically citing election votes and Ram temple donations.

• India has strongly condemned the recent elections held in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK), labeling the process a "cosmetic electoral exercise." • The Indian government asserts that these polls are a strategic attempt by Pakistan to camouflage its illegal occupation of Indian territory. • This diplomatic clash highlights the ongoing territorial dispute over Kashmir and rejects Pakistan's claims regarding the region's governance and legacy.

• Parliament was adjourned on Monday following an uproar by opposition MPs, led by Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who protested alleged police misconduct. • Congress leader Pawan Karedzo submitted a Suspension of Business Notice under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha to demand a discussion on the use of tear gas, pellet guns, and lathi-charges against protesters and journalists. • The disruption led to the postponement of a critical debate regarding the anti-paper leak Bill, while Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized the Congress party for the delays.

• On July 27, 2026, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned demands for the arrest of Mamdani, accusing the move of "fomenting hate." • Netanyahu further dismissed the International Criminal Court's (ICC) charges regarding the war in Gaza, labeling the legal proceedings as "bogus." • This escalation highlights the deepening diplomatic tension between Israel and international legal bodies over the conduct of the Gaza conflict.

• Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike on Thursday following a video message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi promising to address the protesters' concerns. • Rahul Gandhi criticized the timing of the PM's late-night message and reiterated three specific demands put forward by the students. • Senior leader Murli Manohar Joshi condemned the use of force against women protesters, warning that such actions alienate citizens from the vision of a developed India.

• Rahul Gandhi condemned the Modi government's decision to remove climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar. • Gandhi accused the Centre of using force to suppress individuals who raise critical issues affecting students across India. • The incident highlights growing political tension regarding the government's handling of dissent and student-led activism.

• The European Commission issued two binding orders on Wednesday under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) requiring Google to modify its Android and Search services. • A taxpayer watchdog has criticized these mandates, labeling the move as "tech overreach" and questioning the regulatory approach. • The orders aim to curb Google's market dominance by forcing changes to how the company integrates its services and manages data within the EU.

• The European Commission issued two binding orders under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) on Wednesday, requiring Google to modify its Android and Search services. • These orders aim to curb Google's market dominance by forcing the company to ensure fair competition and prevent the preferential treatment of its own services. • A taxpayer watchdog has criticized the move as "tech overreach," arguing that the EU's regulatory approach may stifle innovation and exceed the DMA's intended scope.

• Former President Donald Trump delivered a July Fourth speech in Washington, D.C., where he characterized the U.S. as a "nation of winners" and criticized communism. • The "Salute to America 250" event faced temporary disruptions when attendees were ordered to evacuate the National Mall due to thunderstorms. • This celebration marked the first time a Fourth of July event in the capital was designated as a National Special Security Event, a high-level security status usually reserved for inaugurations and the Super Bowl.

• Palantir CEO Alex Karp has launched a scathing critique of AI industry leaders, specifically targeting OpenAI and Anthropic. • Karp described the current state of the AI industry as "effing insane," suggesting that "something has gone completely wrong" with the trajectory of development. • The criticism highlights growing tensions between established data analytics firms and the rapidly scaling generative AI giants over industry ethics and direction.

• Asian markets faced a significant tech sell-off on July 2, 2026, with South Korea's KOSPI slumping up to 6% and triggering a sidecar. • Major semiconductor firms Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix both saw their shares drop by more than 7%, while Japan's Nikkei fell approximately 1%. • Hong Kong markets bucked the regional trend, showing strength in local biopharma and tech sectors, though Shanghai remained in the red.

• Former Indian Ambassador Dinkar P. Srivastava has condemned Pakistan for manipulating the electoral framework in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) to control political outcomes. • Srivastava specifically highlighted the use of refugee seats as a strategic tool employed by Islamabad to distort the democratic mandate and undermine local will. • This interference comes amid widespread protests across the region, where residents are demonstrating against the suppression of their democratic rights.

• Former diplomat and author DP Srivastava has criticized Islamabad for interfering in the Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) elections, claiming the electoral mandate has been "completely distorted." • The unrest is driven by protesters demanding the immediate abolition of "refugee seats" within the PoJK legislative assembly, which they view as a constitutional trigger for public fury. • This situation highlights the growing instability and governance crisis in the region as local populations challenge the legitimacy of the current electoral framework.

• US lawmaker Ro Khanna criticized the Trump administration for pursuing a unilateral military conflict against Iran without consulting key global allies. • Khanna highlighted that the US failed to engage India, despite the far-reaching consequences the conflict would have on international partners. • The criticism follows repeated pleas from New Delhi for restraint as tensions escalated in West Asia during the US-led campaign.

• 'Yellowstone' creator Taylor Sheridan criticized Marvel movies and studio executives for prioritizing exposition over narrative progression. • Sheridan specifically slammed the use of "information dumps" that viewers must endure to reach the action, arguing that this approach hinders actual plot movement. • The critique highlights a growing tension between traditional storytelling methods and the formulaic nature of modern big-budget superhero franchises.

• Former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav criticized the BJP-led central government, claiming that examination paper leaks will persist as long as they remain in power. • Yadav argued that the government's failure to learn from previous scams is jeopardizing the futures of students and job aspirants across the country. • Separately, Champat Rai and Anil Mishra of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust have resigned, taking moral responsibility for alleged embezzlement of Ram Mandir donations.

• President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned a "vile" drone strike that allegedly targeted a spent nuclear fuel facility near the Chernobyl site. • Zelensky stated that attacks on nuclear infrastructure are "completely unacceptable" and violate the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) "seven indispensable pillars" for nuclear safety during armed conflict. • The incident highlights the extreme risks posed to global security when nuclear facilities are caught in the crossfire of the ongoing war.

• Poonam Dhillon, head of the actors' association, criticized Ranveer Singh for allegedly failing to honor professional commitments amid a controversy surrounding the film *Don 3*. • Dhillon emphasized that all actors should uphold their agreements, sparking a public row regarding the star's professional conduct. • In response, a spokesperson for Ranveer Singh stated that the actor maintains the highest regard for the film fraternity and the *Don* franchise.

• Amy Duggar publicly criticized Kendra Duggar for standing by husband Joseph during ongoing family controversies. • The Us Weekly report highlighted tensions within the Duggar family reality TV circle. • Amy's comments sparked discussions on loyalty and family dynamics in conservative celebrity households.

• Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) criticized the Republican SAVE Act on March 18, 2026, as 'one of the most extreme voter suppression bills in recent history.' • The bill mandates in-person proof of citizenship like passports, which 140 million Americans lack, banning online, mail, and automatic registration. • It would disenfranchise rural voters, veterans, and women changing names, despite existing laws prohibiting noncitizen voting under penalty of perjury.

• A powerful winter storm is impacting the Midwest, causing significant travel disruptions for millions of Americans as the system is forecast to move eastward. • The severe weather creates additional operational challenges across transportation networks already strained by various crises and conflicts affecting global commerce. • Forecasters warn of continued travel trouble as the storm progresses across the country over the coming days.