India

Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt eyes Spanish shipyard to advance ocean research

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt is planning to acquire a Spanish shipyard as part of his ocean research ambitions. The shipyard's annual revenue is reportedly lower than the operating costs of Schmidt's own superyacht. Schmidt runs a nonprofit organization that supports scientists by providing research vessels for oceanographic work. The planned acquisition is seen as a strategic move aligned with his institute's ongoing marine research activities.

Sheikh Hasina Vows to Return to Bangladesh, Fears for Her Life

Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has stated her intention to return to Bangladesh despite expressing fears that she could be killed if she does so. Hasina was ousted from power following widespread student-led protests that swept through the country. She denied allegations that she had authorized excessive force against protesters during the unrest that ultimately ended her tenure. Her comments mark one of her more direct public statements since being removed from office.

Supreme Court Accepts CBI Closure Report, Clears Manmohan Singh in Coal Block Case

The Supreme Court of India has closed the coal block allocation case against former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, presided over the matter. The court accepted a closure report submitted by the Central Bureau of Investigation, which gave a clean chit to the former prime minister. The closure brings a formal legal end to the case that had implicated Manmohan Singh in connection with coal block allocations.

Kharge and Nadda trade sharp words in Rajya Sabha over police action on students

A heated debate erupted in the Rajya Sabha between Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and BJP chief J.P. Nadda over police action against student protesters. Kharge accused the government of attacking democratic values and called for accountability over the crackdown. Nadda defended the police response, describing it as a standard law and order measure rather than political suppression. He argued that student activists must face consequences when their actions disrupt public order. The government maintained that police had acted within legal limits to stop unauthorized protest marches.

IIT-Kanpur May Offer Admission to Student Who Hacked Its Website

A student who was denied admission to IIT-Kanpur allegedly hacked the institute's official website in protest. The student left a message on the defaced site reading that all they wanted was a fair chance. The incident drew attention to the student's grievance over what they perceived as an unjust admission process. IIT-Kanpur is now reportedly considering giving the student a second opportunity for admission. The case has sparked wider discussion about admission pressures and the lengths students go to seek redress.

Indian IT Stocks Rise as TCS, Infosys, Wipro Defy Global AI Selloff

Shares of major Indian IT companies including TCS, Infosys, and Wipro recorded gains even as global artificial intelligence stocks declined. The rally came despite the sector continuing to face significant challenges on multiple fronts. Indian IT firms are grappling with weak discretionary technology spending and mounting pricing pressure from clients. Higher employee costs and uncertainty around AI's impact on traditional outsourcing revenues add further strain to the industry's outlook.

Ex-PM Manmohan Singh gets clean chit from Supreme Court in coal block allocation case

Coal block scam case in SC: Ex-PM Manmohan Singh gets clean chit 2 years after his death

2,800-Year-Old Burial Found in El Salvador Holding Sea Turtle Vessel

Archaeologists in El Salvador have unearthed a 2,800-year-old human burial that was preserved beneath a layer of volcanic ash dating to around 850–830 BC. The skeleton was found clutching a vessel shaped like a sea turtle, suggesting ritualistic significance. Researchers believe the burial may be linked to a pre-Maya Mesoamerican civilization that practiced human sacrifice. Cassava remains discovered in the burial pit are thought to carry symbolic or spiritual meaning. Scientists plan further chemical analysis to learn more about the individual's origins, lifestyle, and diet.

AI-171 Investigation Nears End, Fuel Control Switch Cleared of Defects

The Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced that the investigation into Air India Flight 171 is entering its final stage. Authorities conducted a detailed examination of the aircraft's fuel control switch, focusing on the structural integrity of its locking detents. The inspection revealed no abnormality in the switch or its components. The findings effectively rule out the fuel control switch as a contributing factor to the incident under investigation.

Pakistan Minister Equates PoK Protesters With India, Defends Deadly Crackdown

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif sparked controversy by labelling protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as enemies of the state, comparing them to India. His remarks came after a crackdown on demonstrations that intensified on Monday, resulting in the deaths of more than 30 protesters. The protests had escalated significantly before authorities moved in, drawing widespread attention to the region. Amnesty International USA condemned the Pakistani government's response, describing the crackdown as 'disturbing'. The human rights organisation also urged Islamabad to restore communications access and allow media and independent observers into the affected area.

Two ISRO Engineers' LinkedIn Message to Mukesh Bansal Led to Rocket Startup

In 2018, two young engineers from ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram sent a LinkedIn message to entrepreneur and investor Mukesh Bansal. Their proposal was straightforward yet ambitious: they wanted to establish a private rocket company in India. The outreach marked the beginning of what would eventually grow into a billion-dollar rocket startup. The story highlights how a single bold message helped set the foundation for a major player in India's emerging private space industry.

US and Saudi Arabia Strike Iran-Backed Militants in Iraq

The United States and Saudi Arabia jointly conducted military strikes against Iran-backed militant groups in Iraq. The operation was carried out in response to prior attacks on American forces and Saudi oil infrastructure. Multiple casualties, including fatalities and injuries, were reported following the strikes. The action signals a coordinated allied response to escalating threats from Iran-aligned factions in the region.

Hong Kong Independent Bookshops Shut Down Under National Security Laws

Several independent bookshops in Hong Kong are being forced to close amid a government crackdown on alleged seditious material. The closures follow enforcement of Hong Kong's own national security law, which was passed in 2024. This homegrown legislation operates alongside broader national security measures previously imposed by Beijing. Authorities have targeted bookshops believed to stock material deemed threatening to national security.

Consumer Commission Orders BSNL to Pay Rs 30,000 for Wrongful Roaming Data Charge

A consumer commission has directed BSNL to revise a customer's mobile bill after the telecom company incorrectly charged him for international roaming data usage. The disputed charges were incurred while the customer was on a flight, a fact confirmed by his flight records. Additionally, BSNL failed to adjust a security deposit as mandated by its own policy. The commission found the company guilty of a service deficiency and ordered it to pay Rs 30,000 as compensation for mental agony and litigation costs.

Russia Places Telegram Founder Pavel Durov on Wanted List on Terror Charges

Russia has added Telegram founder Pavel Durov to its official wanted list, citing terrorism-related charges against him. The move comes amid Russia's ongoing restrictions on Telegram, which remains one of the most widely used messaging platforms in the country. Durov, who founded the encrypted messaging app, has faced increasing scrutiny from Russian authorities. The charges mark a significant escalation in the Russian government's stance toward both Durov and his platform.

US-Saudi nuclear deal grants Riyadh uranium enrichment rights, sidelining Pakistan

The United States and Saudi Arabia have forged a new nuclear agreement that allows Riyadh to enrich uranium domestically under American supervision. The deal marks a significant shift in regional atomic dynamics, reducing Pakistan's long-held nuclear influence over Saudi Arabia. The pact effectively reshapes the Middle East's nuclear landscape by drawing Saudi Arabia closer to a US-supervised framework. Analysts view the emergence of a nuclear triangle involving Israel, Iran, and Saudi Arabia as a notable departure from traditional US non-proliferation policy. The agreement signals Washington's acceptance of a tiered regional nuclear order in the Middle East.

Panjab University PhD Scholar Dies After Electrocution on Campus

A 28-year-old PhD scholar named Jyoti, a resident of Haryana, died due to electrocution on the Panjab University campus. She was enrolled in the Department of Microbiology at the university. The incident took place while she was walking from her hostel to her department. The exact circumstances that led to the electrocution have not been fully detailed. Authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the tragic incident.

US and Saudi Forces Launch Retaliatory Strikes on Iran-Linked Sites in Iraq

The United States and Saudi Arabia conducted joint retaliatory airstrikes targeting locations in eastern Iraq. The strikes hit logistics and weapons facilities belonging to groups described by the US military as Iran-aligned terrorists. The operation marks a notable instance of direct Saudi military cooperation with the US in Iraq. The US military confirmed the strikes were retaliatory in nature, though it did not specify the triggering incident.

Apple Briefly Hits $5 Trillion Market Cap, Only Second Company to Do So

Apple has momentarily reached a market valuation of $5 trillion, becoming only the second company in history to achieve this milestone. The iPhone maker recently reclaimed its position as the world's most valuable company, surpassing chip giant Nvidia. Nvidia had held the top spot since June 2025 and was the first company ever to cross the $5 trillion market cap threshold. Apple's latest valuation surge marks a significant milestone in its ongoing rivalry with Nvidia for the title of the world's most valuable firm.