BJP Fields Abhishek Kumar for Bankipur Bypoll in Bihar

PM Modi’s 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' moment in Indonesia & 'bahut kuch' msg for future ties

Marine Le Pen sentenced to house arrest, 2027 presidential run in doubt

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has been sentenced to house arrest and barred from holding public office following a court ruling. The verdict puts her planned bid for the French presidency in 2027 in serious jeopardy. The case centres on allegations that Le Pen and her National Rally party misused European Parliament funds to pay for fictitious jobs between 2004 and 2016. Le Pen has denied the charges, maintaining that her party acted in good faith throughout the period in question.

Hardeep Puri Dismisses E20 Fuel Concerns, Cites Misreporting by Media

Union Minister Hardeep Puri has pushed back against controversy surrounding India's E20 ethanol-blended fuel policy, attributing concerns to misreporting. He stated that car manufacturers are comfortable with the E20 standard, suggesting the backlash is not grounded in industry reality. The government has been actively promoting ethanol blending as a key strategy to cut down on crude oil imports and reduce carbon emissions. The policy also aims to support India's domestic agricultural economy by creating demand for ethanol derived from crops.

Three Tankers Attacked in Strait of Hormuz Within 24 Hours

Three oil tankers were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz within a 24-hour period amid ongoing US-Iran ceasefire talks. One of the vessels caught fire after being struck while sailing off the coast of Oman. Iranian state television reported that a liquefied natural gas tanker was targeted after allegedly ignoring warnings, though Iran stopped short of claiming direct responsibility. The incidents have raised fresh concerns about maritime security in one of the world's most critical shipping lanes.