India

Indian-Americans Favor Democrats Over Republicans Ahead of US Midterms: Survey

A new survey has found that 66% of Indian-Americans prefer the Democratic Party over Donald Trump and Republicans ahead of the upcoming US midterm elections. The poll reveals a strong Democratic lean among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) voters across both major congressional races. In Senate contests, 60% of AAPI respondents said they would back Democratic candidates, compared to just 24% who favored Republicans. The data highlights a significant partisan gap within this voter demographic as midterm campaigning intensifies.

How India Achieved 7.8% Growth Despite Soaring Oil Prices and Rupee Pressure

India's economy expanded at 7.8% even as global oil markets faced severe stress, with Brent crude surging to $120 per barrel. The rupee came under significant pressure during this period, adding to the strain on import costs. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies, also faced disruption, compounding energy market volatility. Despite being heavily reliant on imported oil, India managed to sustain strong economic growth through this turbulent period. Analysts have examined the policy measures and structural factors that allowed the country to weather these compounding external shocks.

Ex-J&K Finance Minister Flags Concerns Over J&K Bank's Recruitment and Lending Policies

Altaf Bukhari, former Jammu and Kashmir finance minister and Apni Party president, has raised concerns about the Jammu and Kashmir Bank's recruitment and lending practices. He questioned whether the bank's hiring process fairly represents the people of the region. Bukhari also alleged that Kashmir has negligible representation on the bank's board of directors. He called attention to what he described as imbalances in the bank's governance and operational policies.

Pentagon Recruits Retired Military Influencers for Civilian Positions

The Pentagon, under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, is reportedly hiring retired military personnel who have built social media followings for civilian roles. The move is part of a broader effort by Hegseth's team to reshape the military's internal culture. Officials have framed the initiative as a push to counter what they describe as ideological or 'woke' thinking within the armed forces. The appointments signal a deliberate strategy to bring in voices aligned with the current leadership's priorities.

YouTuber finds long-lost sister after 4 years of reuniting families

Indian-origin teen Aditi Paudel named Japan's first literacy ambassador at 17

Aditi Paudel, a 17-year-old high school student, has been appointed as Japan's first literacy ambassador by the World Literacy Foundation. She is the first person in Japan to hold this role, marking a significant milestone for the organization's presence in the country. Paudel believes literacy is a critical tool for empowering young people and opening doors to opportunity around the world. As part of her vision, she plans to donate books to Asian countries that struggle with low literacy rates. Her efforts are aimed at expanding the foundation's global outreach and impact.

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy Mocks KCR's Political Absence, BRS Hits Back

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy made a provocative animal-based comparison targeting former CM K. Chandrashekar Rao during a public event in Hyderabad. The remarks were directed at KCR's reduced presence in active politics and his absence from the Telangana Assembly. The BRS party responded sharply, criticizing Revanth Reddy's comments as inappropriate and unbecoming of a Chief Minister. The exchange reflects the ongoing political rivalry between the ruling Congress and the opposition BRS in Telangana.

Melinda Gates' father worked for NASA; women engineers there inspired her work

Indian among 12 killed after Russia launches massive strike on Ukraine

Indian among 12 killed after Russia launches massive strike on Ukraine

PM Modi at SCO urges end to terror ecosystem, warns against using it as state tool

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, calling for the complete dismantling of terrorism's ecosystem. He firmly stated that no nation should treat terrorism as a strategic asset, in a message widely seen as directed at Pakistan, whose Prime Minister was also present. Modi flagged ongoing conflicts in West Asia as a threat to global energy security and trade routes. He reaffirmed India's commitment to resolving international disputes through dialogue and diplomacy. The Prime Minister also raised concern over drug trafficking as a growing regional security challenge.

Higher Bengaluru Salaries May Not Translate to Greater Savings, Analysis Shows

A cost-of-living comparison has highlighted that professionals earning significantly more in Bengaluru may not necessarily save more than their counterparts in Delhi, Noida, or Gurugram. A tech professional's analysis breaks down key expenses including rent, food, daily commuting, and travel costs back home. The findings suggest that Bengaluru's rising living costs can substantially erode the apparent salary advantage. Professionals considering relocation to the city are being advised to carefully evaluate their net financial gains rather than focusing solely on higher pay packages.

China Launches Year-Long Safety Campaign Amid Fast-Paced Car Development

Chinese automotive regulators have initiated a year-long safety campaign targeting the country's rapidly growing car industry. The drive stems from concerns that manufacturers may be compromising vehicle quality in their rush to develop and release new models quickly. As part of the campaign, authorities will conduct unannounced inspections at carmakers across the country. Officials aim to ensure that the pace of innovation does not come at the expense of consumer safety standards.

Mickey Arthur slams PCB for hasty decisions after Test defeats

Former Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur has criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board for making rushed decisions following a string of Test match losses. The PCB dismissed seven players and overhauled its coaching setup in response to the poor results. Arthur argues that such frequent and abrupt changes prevent the team from stabilising and maintaining consistent performance. Pakistan has also turned to uncapped players as replacements, further complicating their squad balance. These disruptions have left Pakistan in a difficult position in the ongoing World Test Championship standings.

Russia Pitches S-500 Missiles and Su-57 Jets to India in Defence Talks

Russia has made a significant defence proposal to India, with the S-500 air defence system and Su-57 stealth fighter jet at the centre of the offer. The pitch comes as India actively seeks to bolster its air defence capabilities and expand its combat aircraft fleet. The proposal reflects Moscow's effort to maintain and deepen its long-standing defence partnership with New Delhi. India's urgency in upgrading its military assets has made it receptive to exploring advanced weapons platforms from multiple suppliers. The Russian offer is seen as a strategic move to retain India as a key defence partner amid growing global competition for arms deals.

Tech investor Gavin Baker walks back criticism of data centres, cites economic benefits

Tech investor Gavin Baker has reversed his earlier stance on data centres, acknowledging that concerns raised about 18 months ago were valid at the time. He now recognises that well-structured data centre projects have addressed many of those issues. Baker highlighted that these facilities are generating positive economic impact, particularly for blue-collar workers in smaller towns. He suggested that ongoing criticism of data centres may be outdated given the progress made in the sector.

Kia Sorento, BMW 7 Series Among Key Car Launches Expected in September 2026

Several notable vehicles, including the Kia Sorento and BMW 7 Series, are slated for launch in September 2026. The BMW 7 Series receives updated exterior styling featuring split LED headlights and slimmer kidney grilles with illuminated surrounds. Larger bumper air intakes and redesigned side skirts are also part of the refresh, along with new alloy wheels. At the rear, the model gets wraparound LED tail-lights, a revised tailgate, and an updated bumper design.

IndiGo Goa-Delhi Flight Returns After Engine Issue Detected Post-Takeoff

An IndiGo flight operating on the Goa-Delhi route was forced to turn back after a technical problem was identified shortly after becoming airborne. The airline confirmed the incident in an official statement, citing a mid-air engine snag as the reason for the diversion. The aircraft returned to its origin airport as a precautionary measure following standard aviation safety protocols. IndiGo has acknowledged the disruption but has not yet disclosed further technical details about the nature of the fault.

Sea Otters Revive BC Kelp Forests but Threaten Endangered Abalone

Sea otters, once pushed to near-extinction by overhunting, have made a strong comeback in British Columbia. Their return has benefited kelp forests by keeping sea urchin populations in check. However, the growing otter population now poses a threat to northern abalone, a species already under pressure and considered a culturally significant food source. Conservationists are now grappling with how to balance the needs of both species. Finding an effective strategy is seen as critical to ensuring the long-term survival of both otters and abalone.

Sun Pharma Among 9 Drugmakers to Sign Pricing Deals With Trump Administration

India's Sun Pharma and eight other pharmaceutical companies have signed pricing agreements with the Trump administration. The deals are part of the administration's expanding Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) pricing initiative. The move comes as the Trump team pressures mid-sized drugmakers to align with its preferred pricing framework. The MFN policy aims to ensure the US pays no more for drugs than other countries do.