India

ITR Filing Deadline Approaching: Step-by-Step Guide to File Your Return Online

The deadline to file Income Tax Returns (ITR) in India is drawing near, prompting taxpayers to complete the process promptly. The Income Tax e-filing portal has become significantly more user-friendly in recent years, streamlining the submission process. The portal now automatically pre-fills much of the required tax information for users, reducing manual effort. This data is sourced from key documents including Form 16, Form 26AS, the Annual Information Statement (AIS), and bank records. Taxpayers are advised to verify the pre-filled details carefully before final submission to ensure accuracy.

Sooryavanshi climbs 230 spots in ICC T20I rankings after standout performances

Teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has leaped 230 places in the latest ICC T20I batting rankings. Ishan Kishan retained his world number one ranking, achieving a historic rating in the process. Indian batters Tilak Varma and Shreyas Iyer also recorded gains in the updated standings. Bowler Ravi Bishnoi made notable progress in the T20I bowling rankings. Zimbabwe's Ryan Burl and Blessing Muzarabani both reached career-best positions in the latest update.

France Deploys 2,200 Firefighters to Battle Massive Wildfire During Record Heatwave

France is currently fighting a large-scale wildfire that has grown to four times the size of Paris amid a record-breaking heatwave. Over 2,200 firefighters have been deployed to combat the blaze, supported by more than 20 aircraft. Reinforcements have been drawn from various regions across France as well as from European partner nations. The scale of the mobilization reflects the severity and rapid spread of the fire under extreme heat conditions.

Maharashtra becomes India's top state GST contributor on consumption strength

Maharashtra has emerged as the leading state in tax revenue collection following the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax. The state's strong performance is driven by high domestic consumption and a large services sector. Tax collections across Maharashtra have grown significantly since GST reforms were introduced. Nationally, tax buoyancy improved substantially in 26 states after the GST rollout. Broader adoption of technology and an expanded taxpayer base have further contributed to the rise in revenue.

Sachin Tendulkar pays tribute to late coach Achrekar at Shivaji Park on Guru Purnima

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar visited the memorial of his late coach Ramakant Achrekar at Mumbai's Shivaji Park on the occasion of Guru Purnima. Tendulkar expressed deep gratitude for the guidance and life lessons Achrekar provided throughout his formative years and career. Achrekar is widely credited with shaping Tendulkar's discipline and cricketing talent from a young age. The memorial, dedicated to recognising Achrekar's contributions to cricket, was inaugurated at Shivaji Park in 2024.

Haryana Man Dies After Being Buried Alive in Public Stunt Gone Wrong

A man named Deepak died after participating in a live burial stunt staged as a public performance in Haryana. The act involved placing him inside a sack and lowering him into a specially dug pit. His body was discovered approximately 36 hours after the stunt took place. The incident occurred on the final day of the show, raising serious concerns about safety and oversight of such dangerous public performances.

How MPs 'clocked' Gen Z lingo in Parliament: 'MIA', 'kuchu puchu' and other words decoded

Russia-Bangladesh Trade Settlement in Indian Rupees Under Consideration

A proposal is currently under review to conduct bilateral trade between Russia and Bangladesh using Indian rupees. The plan also includes building a dedicated payment infrastructure to support such transactions. A key component of this arrangement would involve opening a branch of a Russian bank in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka. The move signals a broader effort to reduce reliance on traditional Western currencies in regional trade.

Over 1,000 AI workers urge US government to regulate self-improving AI systems

More than 1,000 employees from major AI companies including Google, Meta, and Anthropic have issued a warning to the US government about the risks of automated AI development. The researchers caution that artificial intelligence could soon begin improving itself at a pace beyond human control or oversight. Several companies believe they are on the verge of automating AI research entirely, which would dramatically accelerate the technology's advancement. Such rapid, unchecked progress raises serious concerns about AI systems becoming uncontrollable. The signatories are calling for international coordination and the development of tools to carefully manage and pace AI development.

RCB becomes first IPL franchise to cross $300 million in brand value

Royal Challengers Bengaluru has surpassed $300 million in brand value, making it the most valuable franchise in the Indian Premier League. A recent study attributed this milestone to the team's strong on-field performance and high fan engagement. The franchise's recent acquisition by a new consortium further underscores its growing market appeal. The IPL as a whole also reached a record overall business valuation of $20.6 billion. Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings trail RCB in the league's brand value rankings.

6-Year-Old Differently-Abled Boy Swept Away in Open Drain in Bareilly

A six-year-old differently-abled boy was swept away after accidentally falling into an open side drain in Bareilly. The drain was connected to a larger municipal drainage system, and the strong current carried the child away rapidly. Residents nearby were unable to rescue him in time. Officials confirmed the incident occurred while the boy was playing near the drain.

Vande Mataram Bill 2026 explained: What changes and what punishment it proposes

Australia Coach McDonald Hopes Ben Stokes Returns for 2027 Ashes

Australian head coach Andrew McDonald has expressed his desire to see Ben Stokes return to Test cricket for the 2027 Ashes series. McDonald believes a Stokes comeback would add a compelling storyline to the historic England-Australia rivalry. Stokes retired from Test cricket earlier this year following a home series loss for England. However, his continued participation in domestic cricket suggests he retains the fitness and ability to play at the highest level. McDonald hinted that a new England coach could potentially persuade Stokes to reverse his retirement decision.

Bihar Man in Russia Named in NEET Protest FIR He Says He Never Attended

A Bihar resident claims he was falsely named in a police FIR related to NEET paper leak protests, despite being in Russia for the past four months. He shared a video allegedly filmed in Russia to support his claim of absence during the protest. The Kishanganj Superintendent of Police responded by urging anyone with grievances to approach the police directly. In a broader development, the Bihar state government has announced plans to withdraw all cases registered in connection with the NEET paper leak protests. Arrested individuals linked to these cases are also set to be released following this decision.

Sam Altman Says People Want Human Leaders, Not AI, Running Companies

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has stated that people prefer human accountability in corporate leadership, pushing back against the idea of AI-run companies. His comments come amid reports that Meta is developing an AI version of its CEO Mark Zuckerberg to assist employees. The AI model is said to replicate Zuckerberg's mannerisms and public statements. Altman, who had previously floated the notion of AI leading organizations, now stresses the importance of human connection in leadership. He maintains that human judgment continues to play a critical role across various professional domains.

Jamie Dimon Opens Up About Citigroup Firing and 2020 Heart Emergency

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon recently reflected on two pivotal moments that shaped his life and career. In 1998, he was dismissed from Citigroup by his mentor Sandy Weill, a setback that ultimately redirected his professional journey. Following his departure, Dimon made a significant investment in Bank One, which eventually paved the way for his rise to lead JPMorgan Chase. His youngest daughter, alarmed by the job loss, reportedly worried the family would be left homeless. Dimon also recalled a life-threatening cardiac emergency in 2020, saying the experience brought him a sense of inner peace.

'No abnormality found in fuel control switch': Govt on Air India Boeing 787 crash

How new US immigration bill could ease Green Card path for Indian H-1B visa holders

Permanent Magnet Array Deflects 20% of Solar Radiation in Deep Space Shield Test

A joint Italian-German research team has successfully tested a radiation shielding system using 1,482 neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnets arranged in a compact array. The device deflected 20% of incoming solar particles without requiring cryogenic cooling or a dedicated power supply, unlike superconducting magnet alternatives. The development comes as NASA plans crewed deep space missions under its Artemis program and prepares for eventual Mars travel. Scientists noted that a powerful solar flare recorded in 1972, between the Apollo 16 and 17 missions, would have been fatal to any astronaut on the lunar surface at the time. The new shielding technology is seen as a practical step toward protecting astronauts from such life-threatening radiation events during future long-duration missions.

Indian Political Parties Struggle to Genuinely Connect with Gen Z Voters

Indian political parties are increasingly attempting to engage with Generation Z, but their efforts remain superficial and unconvincing. Gen Z uses distinct slang and communication styles, such as terms like 'Bet' and 'No cap', which parties have yet to authentically adopt or understand. Analysts suggest that merely dropping trendy buzzwords, a tactic described as 'breadcrumbing', is unlikely to win over this digitally savvy demographic. To build a real connection, parties would need to invest seriously in understanding Gen Z's values, language, and concerns. Without genuine engagement, the relationship between Indian political parties and young voters risks remaining awkward and undefined.