At the 2026 World AI Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, China showcased accessible and affordable AI ecosystems tailored for Global South economies. Key highlights included the debut of Moonshot AI's Kimi K3 model and the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO). Additionally, China handed over the MAZU Djibouti 2.0 weather early-warning system to Djibouti.

Cambridge-based startup CuspAI raised $450 million in a funding round co-led by Kleiner Perkins, with participation from Jeff Bezos and UK government's sovereign AI fund. Valued at $2.6 billion, the firm uses agentic AI platform 'MIRA' to discover rare materials for chipmaking and clean energy. CuspAI is also partnering with giants like NVIDIA, Meta and Hyundai to tackle supply chains.

Google DeepMind's executive Manish Gupta said India needs more AI startups like Sarvam and Emergent, urging them to raise their ambitions to build the world's best AI models. Stressing higher R&D spending, he added, "The Indian industry spends close to 0.35%...If you look at China and the US the numbers are 3%." Sarvam AI is an Indian sovereign AI startup.

An X user, Prem Soni, shared a video purportedly showing a Gabru Di Chaap outlet empty during peak dining hours on Sunday. Soni criticised the startup, which was valued at ₹23.33 crore on Shark Tank India in 2025, saying that there was just one employee and that no one even offered water. "Never knew funding was this easy," Soni added.

Nearly ₹91,000 crore was wiped off HDFC Bank, Axis Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank's market values as their shares plunged about 5.6% on Monday, ET reported. Axis Bank shares fell 5.6%, wiping out around ₹23,000 crore in market value, while HDFC Bank declined 4.56%, erasing roughly ₹57,500 crore. Kotak Mahindra Bank slipped 3%, losing nearly ₹10,300 crore in market capitalisation.

India's largest state-owned crude oil explorer ONGC donated over ₹688 crore to 20 organisations with RSS links over 10 years, beginning from 2013, The News Minute reported. The donations were made via its Corporate Social Responsibility funds. Assam's Swargadew Siu-Ka-Pha Hospital is the top beneficiary at ₹434 crore, followed by a Nagpur-based trust Dr Aabaji Thatte Seva Aur Anusandhan Sanstha.

Funding into Indian solar startups has crossed $1 billion so far this year, reflecting rising investor interest, according to Tracxn. The total includes several late-stage funding rounds, including Solar Square's $53 million raise led by B Capital last month. Venture capitalists are increasingly backing residential rooftop solar, financing, energy management and manufacturing startups.

Chennai-based electric aircraft startup ePlane has unveiled its first full-scale electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the e200X, with certified flight tests targeted for mid-2027 ahead of planned commercial operations in 2028. It will now undergo ground testing as part of the DGCA's type certification process. ePlane said it has secured commitments for over 800 aircraft.

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has initiated suo motu action against 41 eateries for allegedly violating consumer rights by levying a service charge by default. The regulatory body also imposed a fine of ₹50,000 on Chaayos. Final orders were also passed against Barbeque Nation, China Gate Restaurant, L'Opera French Bakery and Zorro - The Luxury Night Club, among others.

The government is working on a policy framework to promote ethanol as an alternative cooking fuel to LPG, the Economic Times reported. This comes amid the ongoing debate over E20 (20% ethanol, 80% petrol) for cars. The policy, which may be ready by September, will address issues like subsidy mechanisms, supply chains and infrastructure for the distribution of the fuel.