India

Noel Tata, Shapoorji discuss share swap for Tata Sons stake sale

Hezbollah Leader Rejects Lebanon-Israel Disarmament Framework Deal

Lebanon and Israel reached a framework agreement in late June outlining key security arrangements for the region. The deal requires Hezbollah to disarm and calls for a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. It also mandates the deployment of the Lebanese army to the area, beginning in designated pilot zones. However, Hezbollah's chief has publicly refused to accept the terms, characterizing compliance as surrender. The rejection raises fresh doubts about the implementation of the agreement.

Trump Claims US Secured Control Over Venezuela's 65 Billion Barrels of Oil

President Donald Trump announced what he called the 'biggest deal in history', involving US control over Venezuela's 65 billion barrels of oil reserves. The agreement was shared via a social media post and was reportedly negotiated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez. The announcement comes roughly nine months after a US military operation, ordered by Trump, resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Maduro was subsequently brought to the United States to face federal charges including narcoterrorism and drug trafficking.

Jio Platforms secures SEBI approval for Rs 37,700 crore IPO, India's largest ever

Jio Platforms has received regulatory clearance from SEBI to proceed with its initial public offering. The company plans to raise up to four billion dollars, making it the largest stock market listing in India's history. The IPO is structured as a pure primary issue, meaning all proceeds will be used to pay down existing debt rather than provide exits to existing shareholders. Reliance Industries, which holds a majority stake in Jio Platforms, stands as the parent company behind this landmark offering.

Missouri's $70K underground home from 1976 survives F4 tornado, stays hidden 50 years on

An underground home built in Springfield, Missouri, in 1976 for $70,000 was designed to blend seamlessly into a hillside. The concrete structure was engineered for both strength and energy efficiency. Nearly five decades after its construction, the residence remains largely concealed from public view. The home gained notable recognition for withstanding a devastating F4 tornado that tore through the neighbourhood in 1990.

Express in Nepal: Toll nears 600; MEA says 320 Indians, 100 of Indian origin missing

Trump to Attend 9/11 Commemoration at Pentagon Instead of New York

President Donald Trump will mark the anniversary of the September 11 attacks at the Pentagon rather than in New York City. Trump had initially planned to attend the memorial at the site of the former Twin Towers in New York. However, he changed his plans after learning that the organizers of the Ground Zero memorial do not permit speeches at the site. The New York Times first reported the change in the president's commemoration plans.

LeBron James and Savannah James hit major milestone for Akron kids

LeBron James and Savannah James have worked tirelessly for people in Akron and now, they have marked a new milestone for children.

Far-Right British Commentator Milo Yiannopoulos Detained by US Immigration Agents

British far-right provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos has been arrested by US immigration authorities. Yiannopoulos is widely known for championing conservative causes and adopting controversial public stances. He has repeatedly made provocative statements targeting feminism, Islam, and immigration. The circumstances and specific grounds for his detention have not been fully detailed in available reports.

India flags 200 high-risk Himalayan glacial lakes amid growing GLOF threat

India is home to approximately 7,500 Himalayan glacial lakes, of which around 200 are considered high-risk for glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). A recent GLOF disaster in Nepal has renewed concerns about similar threats facing India. The Sikkim GLOF incident previously caused severe destruction, underscoring the need for urgent preventive action. In response, the Indian government has launched a National GLOF Risk Mitigation Programme. The initiative focuses on risk assessments, continuous monitoring, early warning systems, and community awareness in vulnerable areas.

Government tightens norms for e-cycles, e-bikes

Bath residents demand demolition of £3M mansion over planning rule breach

A £3 million seven-bedroom mansion in Bath, England, has triggered a significant planning dispute. Over 100 local residents are calling for the property to be demolished, alleging it was built larger and taller than what Bath and North East Somerset Council had approved. The developer, however, denies any intentional violation of planning regulations. The case highlights ongoing tensions between residential development and local planning oversight in the region.

Junk foods will soon have labels warning of high salt, sugar and fat

CJI Surya Kant: Clean Energy Transition Must Not Burden Developing Nations

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant raised concerns about the unequal pressure placed on developing nations in the global clean energy transition. Speaking at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, he noted that countries still in the process of industrialising are being pushed to rapidly adopt renewable energy. He highlighted that these nations often face disproportionate criticism when they are unable to transition quickly enough. The CJI called for balancing the urgency of clean energy goals with the principles of fairness and shared responsibility among all nations.

Nilekani-Led Panel Invites Public Suggestions to Reform India's Exam System

A high-level committee headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani has called for public input to address issues in India's examination system. The panel was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month following widespread controversy over an alleged paper leak in the NEET-UG examination. Youth protests over alleged irregularities in the conduct of the test had intensified scrutiny of the country's testing framework. Beyond plugging integrity gaps, the committee will also examine ways to improve accessibility, inclusion, and student well-being within the examination process.

NTA Gets Three Senior Officers as Government Pushes Exam Body Overhaul

The National Testing Agency has received three new senior appointments as part of its ongoing overhaul. IPS officer Ravi Kumar Singh and IAS officer Prasanna Venkatesh V have been named directors at NTA. Amit Samdariya, a 2016-batch Indian Revenue Service officer, will join as joint director. The appointments were approved through separate personnel ministry orders dated August 27. All three officers have been directed to assume charge within three weeks.

Sonia Gandhi memoir controversy grows amid Congress claims of govt pressure

A dispute over Sonia Gandhi's upcoming memoir has intensified, with the Congress party alleging that the government is pressuring the publisher to interfere with the book. Publisher Penguin has responded by defending its right to fact-check the content before release. Congress views the fact-checking process as an attempt to suppress or alter the former party president's account. The row has drawn political attention, raising questions about press freedom and government influence over publishing. The memoir's release timeline remains uncertain amid the ongoing standoff.

RSS Mouthpiece 'Organiser' Expands 'Dimagi Naxal' Label to NGOs and Bureaucracy

RSS-affiliated weekly 'Organiser' has broadened its use of the term 'dimagi Naxal' in a recent editorial, applying it beyond armed rebels to include NGOs, bureaucrats, academics, media, and legal institutions. The editorial cited the National Advisory Council (NAC) as a prime example of what it described as a takeover by this ideological variant. It argued that as armed Naxal movements have largely failed, a more intellectual or institutional form of the same ideology has gained influence. According to the publication, infiltrating policy machinery, academia, and civil society forms part of what it called a 'revolutionary strategy'. The editorial reflects a widening of the ideological critique being advanced by sections of the Hindu nationalist movement against certain institutions.

Nepal Flood Videos Trigger Tour Cancellations, Travel Agents Report Rising Losses

Viral footage of flood devastation in Nepal has prompted tourists to cancel planned trips to the region, dealing a blow to tour operators. A couple from Darjeeling scrapped a 15-day Mansarovar pilgrimage via Kerung after videos showed the route being swept away by floodwaters. The cancelled package was valued at Rs 4.4 lakh and included permits for entering Tibet. Kolkata-based travel agents are reporting a surge in cancellations and fielding anxious queries about the safety of popular destinations such as Kathmandu, Pokhara, Patan, and Lumbini. The situation has left operators concerned about the broader impact on Nepal's tourism industry.

Nepal Floods Death Toll Reaches 584; Over 2,400 Missing Including 320 Indians

Devastating floods in Nepal have killed at least 584 people, with the number of missing persons climbing to 2,482. Among those unaccounted for, 320 are Indian nationals caught in the disaster. India's Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that 84 Indians have been safely returned, while around 400 others are reported safe in Tibet. The MEA is actively monitoring the situation and coordinating efforts to account for all missing Indian citizens.