Program

• Samsung has launched its 2026 startup acceleration program in India, inviting applications from deep-tech startups to collaborate within its global mobile ecosystem. • The program provides up to $50,000 in grant funding with no equity stake required for Proof-of-Concept (PoC) development, allowing startups to validate and scale innovations. • Building on the success of the initiative launched in 2023, the program aims to bridge the gap between emerging Indian startups and Samsung's established mobile technology infrastructure.

The little-known publicly funded scheme is used by about 800 families with children who cannot access mainstream careGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastRebecca Mohr Bell, a cattle farmer and business owner, lives 100km south-west of Katherine in the Northern Territory, and with three young children, has relied on in-home childcare since 2018.The little-known taxpayer supported program is used by about 800 families with children who cannot access mainstream care, including because they live in remote locations, have serious illness or a disability, or because their parents work unusual hours. Continue reading...

• A comprehensive mapping identifies every major startup credit program available in 2026, targeting AI and cybersecurity innovators. • Analysis shows most founders are leaving around $500K on the table by overlooking these non-dilutive funding sources. • The resource aids US-based scaling startups in accessing credits essential for growth amid competitive venture landscapes.

Two months after the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran started the war, peace talks are on hold, with control of the Strait of Hormuz and the future of Iran's nuclear program as the two main points of contention.(Image credit: Vahid Salemi)

• The Taliban government announced restrictions on international health NGOs operating in Afghanistan on Monday, citing concerns over 'political interference' and threatening revocation of licenses for non-compliant organizations. • Medical organizations warned that the restrictions would devastate maternal and pediatric health services, particularly in rural areas where international agencies provide 70 percent of healthcare capacity. • The U.S. State Department condemned the move as undermining humanitarian efforts and expressed concern for vulnerable populations, with officials exploring alternative delivery mechanisms for critical medical assistance.

• Iran has announced the resumption of uranium enrichment to 80% purity at its Natanz facility, signaling a breakdown in ongoing ceasefire negotiations with the United States. • International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors confirmed the announcement on Friday; Iran's move violates terms of previous diplomatic agreements and heightens regional security concerns. • The escalation comes as negotiators report deadlocked talks over sanctions relief, with both sides blaming the other for refusing compromise on nuclear program restrictions.

• Booz Allen Hamilton invested in NODA AI's Series A, selecting it as sole orchestrator for a Department of War autonomy initiative. • The investment aligns with DoW's $55 billion funding plan for autonomous systems including orchestration tech. • NODA joins Booz Allen's $300 million portfolio of startups advancing mission-ready autonomy for defense.