State Bank of India (SBI) is set to revise its cash withdrawal charges for account holders. Customers will continue to receive four free cash withdrawals per month before fees apply. This change primarily affects those who exceed the monthly free transaction limit. Basic Savings Bank Deposit (BSBD) account holders retain their four free monthly withdrawals without any change to existing terms.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with his Japanese counterpart, Defence Minister Koizumi, in India. Singh welcomed Koizumi and his delegation as part of ongoing bilateral defence engagement between the two nations. During the talks, Singh referenced India's 'Mahasagar Vision', signalling its importance in shaping regional maritime cooperation. The meeting reflects the growing strategic partnership between India and Japan in the defence domain.
A US bankruptcy court has delayed Google's planned purchase of Spirit Airlines' digital archives pending further review. Former flight attendants' union raised objections, arguing the deal fails to adequately protect employee records from being used in AI training. Google responded by stating that any shared data would be anonymized before reaching third parties. The court has decided to scrutinize the union's claims before delivering a final verdict on the acquisition.
BWF Secretary General Thomas Lund has defended the decision to hold the India Open in Delhi in February, despite ongoing concerns about the city's air pollution levels. Lund urged players to back the tournament calendar and show their support for the event. The BWF chief also outlined several future plans for the sport, including the possible introduction of a 15-point scoring system. Additional proposals include greater use of technology in officiating and a shift toward synthetic shuttlecocks in competitive play.
Actor Govinda found an unexpected supporter in Poonam Pandey, who publicly defended him against affair allegations made by his wife Sunita Ahuja. Pandey rejected claims that Govinda was involved with another woman. Divorce speculation intensified after Sunita was seen at a family court alongside the couple's son Yashvardhan. However, Govinda's manager later clarified that Sunita has chosen to withdraw her earlier divorce petition.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the RSS at a programme titled 'Hara Bhara Swaraj: A Tribute to Rajiv Gandhi's Vision'. He described India's ideological divide as a fundamental struggle over how citizens understand freedom, identity, and their role in society. Rahul drew a sharp contrast between the RSS's worldview and Mahatma Gandhi's concept of 'Swaraj'. He argued that no organisation or individual has the right to determine what is true for others.
England pacers Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue each claimed five-wicket hauls in the first Test against Pakistan, bowling the visitors out for just 171 on day one. Robinson finished with figures of 5 for 51, while Tongue took 5 for 46 in a dominant display of pace bowling. The match marks the first Test under Joe Root's second stint as England's full-time captain. Root has returned to lead the side following Ben Stokes' retirement from international cricket.
NASA astronaut Donald Pettit has shared photographs of the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela taken from the International Space Station. The images capture the massive Hindu pilgrimage event as seen from orbit against the backdrop of space. The Maha Kumbh Mela was held in Prayagraj, drawing tens of millions of devotees for ritual bathing in sacred waters. The gathering is considered one of the largest human assemblies ever recorded. Pettit's mission aboard the ISS also continues to support ongoing scientific research.
Unseeded Indian badminton pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand have advanced to the quarterfinals of the BWF World Championships. The duo defeated Japan's seventh-seeded pair in straight games to secure their spot. Treesa's aggressive style combined with Gayatri's structured play were key factors in the win. The result is especially notable as it marks a strong comeback for the pair following Treesa's injury layoff. With a quarterfinal berth confirmed, the Indian pair are now just one win away from clinching a guaranteed medal.
An employee of the State Bank of India allegedly shot his estranged wife outside her workplace before returning home and fatally shooting his younger sister. The man then turned the gun on himself in what police are treating as a connected sequence of events. Investigators found a WhatsApp status posted by the accused, in which he accused his wife of infidelity. Authorities are probing the marital dispute as the likely motive behind the killings. The case is currently under investigation by local police.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai celebrated World Photography Day by sharing a set of images captured using the new Pixel 11 smartphone. The photos were intended to highlight the advanced camera capabilities and software features built into the device. The Pixel 11 series is powered by Gemini Intelligence and comes equipped with a 48MP main camera alongside an ultrawide lens. It also includes tools such as Instant Night Sight, which enhance performance in low-light conditions.
Senior US diplomat Sergio Gor has arrived in Ladakh, marking the first high-level American visit to the region since the Galwan Valley clashes of June 2020. The visit is drawing significant attention given the United States' strong public support for India following those clashes. The 2020 Galwan confrontation between Indian and Chinese troops resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian Army soldiers. The diplomatic visit is seen as a signal of continued US-India solidarity over the sensitive border region.
India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) revolutionized digital transactions by offering completely free payments, enabling mass adoption across the country. The platform's success has been built on its zero-charge model, particularly for small-value transactions. However, the infrastructure supporting billions of UPI transactions comes at a significant financial cost, estimated in the tens of thousands of crores of rupees. This raises a pressing question about how long the free UPI model can remain financially viable for banks and payment service providers. Stakeholders are now debating whether a fee structure may eventually need to be introduced to sustain the system.
King Island farmer Fred Perry began transforming his land management practices around three decades ago, motivated by his children's calls to protect the environment. Perry and his wife Shona reversed their previous approach of clearing native vegetation, instead fencing off areas and replanting them. The sustained restoration effort has successfully rebuilt natural habitat across their farm. As a result, 24 bird species now reside on the property throughout the year.
Etched, a chip startup co-founded by three entrepreneurs at age 24, is now recruiting top engineering talent from Nvidia. The company has begun shipping its AI chips and has already secured notable customer orders. Investment firm Jane Street has become Etched's first major customer, marking a significant commercial milestone. The startup's valuation has surged to $21 billion following substantial funding, cementing its position in the competitive AI hardware market.
