India

US Hits Canada With 50% Tariffs; Ottawa Vows Dollar-for-Dollar Retaliation

The United States imposed 50% tariffs on approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian goods on Saturday. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Ottawa would respond with equivalent retaliatory measures starting September 8. The move marks a significant escalation in trade tensions between the two neighboring countries. The tit-for-tat exchange threatens to strain one of the world's most longstanding and closely integrated bilateral trade relationships.

Reddy denied US visit, Gujarat CM cleared: Overseas Congress alleges ‘double standard’

Toddler dies after 'severe beating'; 18-year old mother, boyfriend arrested in Georgia

Rahul Gandhi Calls Out Double Standards on Women's Freedom, Slams Patriarchal System

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addressed women students, criticizing what he described as a patriarchal mindset that applies different standards to men and women. He alleged that Prime Minister Modi expresses discomfort when girls use strong language, while similar behavior by boys goes unchallenged. Gandhi referenced Manusmriti to argue that women are independent individuals who belong only to themselves. He also raised concerns about how examination paper leaks disproportionately harm women, given the added pressure of marriage timelines. Gandhi invited the students to speak openly about their experiences with harassment and barriers in education.

Magnitude 5.9 Earthquake Strikes Northeast Japan, Injuring Over 30

A 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck northeastern Japan, leaving more than 30 people injured. The quake was centered in Ibaraki prefecture, located in the southern part of the region. It originated at a depth of approximately 70 kilometres below the surface. Ibaraki is a seismically active area that experiences earthquakes on a frequent basis.

Hotel Owner Arrested After Kolkata Fire Kills 9, Mostly Bangladeshi Nationals

A fire at a hotel in Kolkata claimed nine lives, with seven of the victims identified as Bangladeshi nationals. One victim was from Jharkhand and another from Siliguri in West Bengal's Darjeeling district. Authorities arrested the hotel owner in connection with the deadly incident. The fire highlighted serious safety concerns at the establishment. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the blaze.

Shoriful Islam's 7/48 sets Bangladesh record in second Test vs Australia

Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam claimed a historic seven-wicket haul in the second Test against Australia, finishing with figures of 7/48. The performance marks the best bowling figures by a Bangladeshi bowler against Australia in Test cricket. Despite Shoriful's effort, Australia were bowled out for 210, securing a first-innings lead of 146 runs. Earlier, Mitchell Starc had taken six wickets to dismiss Bangladesh for just 64 runs in their first innings. Bangladesh now face a steep uphill battle to avoid defeat in the match.

Yash urges youth to rise above regional divides at Toxic pre-release event

Actor Yash delivered an inspiring message at the pre-release event for his upcoming film Toxic. He expressed gratitude to the Telugu audience and spoke about the growing reach of Indian cinema beyond language boundaries. Yash stressed that talent and hard work matter more than regional identity, encouraging students to embrace failure and aim high. He called on young people to move past North-South divisions within the film industry. Toxic is set to hit screens on August 26.

Gurugram startup converts salon hair waste into water-purifying drain mats

A Gurugram-based founder has developed a system that repurposes discarded human hair from salons into pollution-absorbing mats. Called the HydroHair Barrier System, these mats are placed in drains to trap contaminants before they reach larger water bodies. The innovation leverages keratin, a natural protein in hair known for its oil-absorbing properties, to filter pollutants. Pilot tests of the system have shown measurable reductions in key water pollution indicators, suggesting practical viability.

Supreme Court Judge Justice Sanjay Karol Retires After Distinguished Career

Justice Sanjay Karol has retired from the Supreme Court of India, marking the end of a notable judicial career. He was affectionately known as 'Chachaji' among colleagues and staff at the Supreme Court. Justice Karol hailed from Garli, recognised as Himachal Pradesh's first heritage village. He was widely regarded for his humble, approachable demeanour throughout his tenure on the bench.

BJP's New Team Photo With PM Modi Highlights Women and Regional Diversity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi posed for a group photograph with the BJP's newly formed team, which has been noted for its emphasis on women's representation. The lineup blends seasoned political veterans with younger leaders, signaling a generational shift within the party. The team also reflects broader regional and social diversity, suggesting an effort to widen the party's outreach. The composition is seen as a deliberate message of Nari Shakti, or women's empowerment, ahead of upcoming political challenges.

India bans combination cold medicines for children under 4 over safety risks

The Indian government has restricted fixed-dose combination cold medicines containing chlorpheniramine maleate and phenylephrine hydrochloride for young children. The ban targets children under the age of four, citing potential health risks associated with these combinations. Authorities noted that safer treatment alternatives are available for this age group. Drug manufacturers are now required to display prominent warnings on labels of all affected products. The regulatory decision follows thorough reviews and formal recommendations from expert medical committees.

India Marks 150 Years of Vande Mataram With Year-Long National Commemoration

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a year-long celebration on November 7, 2025, to mark the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. The iconic patriotic song, composed of six stanzas and lasting approximately three minutes, has been at the centre of debate for over a century. Both Houses of Parliament held special discussions on the song in December as part of the commemorative events. The sessions drew attention to the Congress party's 1937 decision regarding the song, reigniting longstanding historical and political discourse. The commemoration reflects the enduring significance of Vande Mataram in India's national identity and cultural heritage.

Sunny Deol's Batwara 1947 crosses Rs 51 crore worldwide on day nine

Batwara 1947, starring Sunny Deol and directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, has collected Rs 35.50 crore net at the domestic box office as of its ninth day in theatres. The film earned Rs 1.15 crore on day nine alone, while overseas revenues stood at Rs 9.00 crore. This brings the film's total worldwide gross to Rs 51.12 crore. Despite the milestone, the period drama has fallen short of box office expectations. The film also faced competition from the simultaneous release of Awarapan 2.

87 Million Indian Youth Neither Employed, Studying nor in Training

Over 87 million young Indians are currently outside the workforce, education system, and any formal training programs. A shortage of relevant skills is a major obstacle preventing this demographic from securing meaningful employment. Financial constraints stop many from enrolling in paid skill-development courses, while some graduates accept low-wage jobs simply to support their families. A significant mismatch exists between the qualifications of graduates and the roles available to them in the job market. Experts highlight subsidized training and earn-while-you-learn models as critical solutions to bridge this career gap.

Gujarati Store Owner Shot Dead in US Robbery, Daughter Witnesses Attack

A 56-year-old Gujarati man was fatally shot during a robbery at his liquor store in the United States. The armed suspect demanded cash before firing multiple shots inside the premises. The victim's 19-year-old daughter was present at the scene but escaped unharmed. A second employee sustained a fractured wrist after falling during the incident. Police are currently searching for the unidentified gunman and his vehicle.

Trump Claims Strait of Hormuz as US Territory Amid Iran Tensions

US President Donald Trump has shared a map depicting the Strait of Hormuz as new American territory. Iran has pushed back, asserting its own control over the strategically vital waterway. The strait is a critical global energy chokepoint, through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas exports pass. The move marks a renewed provocation as tensions between the United States and Iran remain elevated.

‘Wrong-side’ driving trend: 12 deaths in Britain, Ireland linked to social media buzz

70-Year-Old Man Arrested for Repeatedly Raping Minor Granddaughter in UP's Hathras

A 70-year-old man in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, has been arrested after his 16-year-old granddaughter accused him of sexual assault. The teenager alleged that the abuse occurred repeatedly over a period of approximately three months. The assaults resulted in the minor becoming pregnant. Police registered a case following the complaint and took the accused into custody.

Mumbai: 22-Foot Ganesh Idol Collapses, Kills 2 and Injures 5

A 22-foot Ganesh idol collapsed in Mumbai, killing two people and injuring five others. The incident occurred when the large idol fell onto a group of people nearby. Preliminary investigations suggest that loose nuts and bolts in the idol's structural frame caused it to give way. Authorities are looking into the structural failure as the primary cause of the tragic accident.