India

US Used Iraqi Kurdish Leader as Secret Back Channel to Iran's Revolutionary Guards

The Trump administration reached out to Kurdish leader Barzani in May to establish a discreet communication link with Iran's Revolutionary Guards. The move highlights the difficulties Washington faces in engaging Tehran, particularly due to uncertainty over who holds real decision-making authority in Iran. Barzani's role as an intermediary reflects the complex diplomatic landscape in the Middle East. The back-channel approach suggests the US is seeking indirect ways to manage tensions with Iran outside formal diplomatic frameworks.

Gujarat BJP Worker Nabbed After 5 Years as Fugitive in Illegal Liquor Case

Gujarat police have arrested Mukesh, also known as Tina Pargi, a BJP worker who had been evading law enforcement for five years. The arrest was made in connection with an illegal liquor case. Pargi had managed to remain a fugitive for half a decade before authorities finally tracked him down. The case highlights ongoing efforts by Gujarat police to pursue long-pending criminal matters in the state, which enforces prohibition laws.

California teen raises $90,000 via pickleball fundraising platform Netting Miracles

California student Olivia Shekou has raised over $90,000 through her sports-based philanthropy platform called Netting Miracles. The initiative enables students to organize and lead their own fundraising events. Shekou is now preparing a new fundraiser focused on supporting women and children in Uganda, set to be held at Flyte Racquet Club in San Rafael. Since its launch, the platform has expanded its reach to 17 states, supporting a range of charitable causes.

Indians Top ICE Arrest Charts Among Asian-Pacific Groups in Trump-Era Crackdown

Indians have emerged as the most targeted group among Asian and Pacific Islanders under intensified US immigration enforcement. According to advocacy group Stop AAPI Hate, Indians account for the highest number of ICE arrests, detentions, and deportations within this demographic. The data reflects a broader crackdown under the Trump administration, which has seen thousands of Indian nationals removed from the United States. The figures highlight a sharp escalation in immigration enforcement actions disproportionately affecting the Indian community in America.

JD(S) leader arrested for assaulting Bengaluru traffic constable on duty

JD(S) leader Manjunath has been arrested in Bengaluru after allegedly assaulting a traffic constable who was performing his official duties. The confrontation began when the constable stopped Manjunath's vehicle as part of routine traffic regulation. The situation escalated into a physical altercation, during which Manjunath reportedly grabbed the constable by his collar. A video that circulated online showed Manjunath interacting with a senior officer and attempting to kick the constable. Police registered a case against him on charges of obstructing a public servant and subsequently took him into custody.

US EB-1A Green Card Approvals Fall Sharply, Indian Tech Workers Hit Hard

Approval rates for the EB-1A green card category, reserved for individuals with extraordinary ability, have dropped significantly in fiscal year 2026. Indian applicants are reported to be among the most affected by this decline. Immigration experts attribute the trend to stricter scrutiny under the Trump administration's tightened immigration policies. The EB-1A visa is a critical pathway for many Indian technology professionals seeking permanent residency in the United States.

JetZero's Blended-Wing 'Manta Ray' Jet Targets 50% Fuel Cut by 2030s

California-based startup JetZero is developing a blended-wing 'manta ray' aircraft designed to transform commercial aviation. The aircraft promises approximately 50% lower fuel consumption and significantly reduced emissions compared to conventional jets. JetZero has secured a partnership with Japan Airlines, which will contribute operational expertise to the project. A full-scale prototype is slated to fly by 2027, with commercial operations expected to begin in the early 2030s. The venture is valued at around $3 billion, reflecting strong investor confidence in next-generation aviation technology.

NZ Teacher Leads 29-Year Student Drive to Restore Native Coastal Habitat

Retired New Zealand teacher Janet Pottinger dedicated 29 years to an environmental restoration project along the country's West Coast. Beginning in 1997, she guided Buller High School students in planting native vegetation at Tauranga Bay and Cape Foulwind. Over the course of 108 trips, approximately 2,800 students collectively planted 12,425 native plants in the area. The initiative successfully transformed what was once open grassland into a thriving coastal habitat. The restored land now supports a range of native wildlife, including birds, seals, and lizards.

Tamil Nadu CM Vijay announces full waiver on farm loans of Rs 75,000

Assam Disburses Rs 15,000 Each to Nearly 97,000 Flood-Affected Families

The Assam government has provided financial relief of Rs 15,000 each to nearly 97,000 families affected by floods in the state. The disbursement is part of an ongoing relief effort targeting households impacted by the flooding. The Chief Minister announced that the list of eligible beneficiaries is still being compiled. An additional 3,000 families are expected to receive assistance in the next phase of the relief program.

AI Godfather Geoffrey Hinton Warns of Mass Unemployment Due to Automation

Geoffrey Hinton, Nobel laureate and pioneer widely known as the 'Godfather of AI', has agreed with Elon Musk's prediction that artificial intelligence will eliminate the majority of jobs. Speaking alongside Senator Bernie Sanders at Georgetown University, Hinton argued that Big Tech's massive investment in data centres is driven by the goal of replacing human workers at lower cost. Sanders estimates that close to 100 million jobs in the United States are at risk of being automated. The warning highlights growing concern among prominent figures across technology and politics about AI's disruptive impact on the global workforce.

'I’m an actor, I earn from it': Ajay on elaichi row, SRK on controversial ads

Two Air India Pilots Grounded After Failing Preliminary Dope Tests

Two Air India pilots have been grounded after returning non-negative results in a preliminary drug screening. Their samples have been sent for confirmatory testing before any final action is taken. The incident has prompted India's aviation ministry to direct the DGCA to overhaul its existing dope testing protocols. The proposed reforms aim to introduce stricter penalties for pilots found using illegal substances. The new policy is also expected to differentiate between unintentional medication use and deliberate substance abuse.

Revanth Reddy accuses rivals of occult practices; Harish Rao hits back

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy made allegations of occult practices against political opponents during a public meeting in Mulugu district. He claimed those involved wanted people to die, escalating political tensions in the state. Former minister T Harish Rao swiftly responded, calling the accusations baseless and without merit. Rao further alleged that the Chief Minister was using such charges to divert public attention from other issues.

600 Maharashtra Hostel Students Leave After Mass Hysteria Episode, Officials Cite Stress

Around 600 students vacated a Maharashtra hostel after rumors spread that the building was haunted. Authorities investigated the incident and found no supernatural cause, attributing the episode to mass hysteria driven by stress. Six female students displayed notable symptoms including persistent crying, fear, sadness, memory loss, and physical pain. Officials believe psychological stress among the students triggered the collective reaction that led to the mass exodus.

Assam village grows food for wild elephants to end years of crop raids

Residents of Hatikhuli-Ronghang village in Assam have developed an unusual but effective way to coexist with wild elephants. The community established dedicated feeding zones stocked with grass and fruits along traditional elephant migration routes. This approach has significantly reduced crop damage that had long troubled local farmers. With elephant raids diminishing, villagers have been able to resume paddy cultivation. The effort, known as the Hati Bondhu initiative, is now being highlighted as a model for human-wildlife coexistence.

Rahul Gandhi Urges Hemant Soren to Address Jharkhand Exam Irregularity Protests

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has written a letter to Jharkhand Chief Minister and ally Hemant Soren urging him to meet students protesting in the state. The students have been demonstrating over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand's recruitment examinations. Gandhi's letter signals concern within the INDIA alliance over the handling of the protests. The move puts pressure on the Soren-led government to directly engage with the agitating students and address their grievances.

Disproportionate assets case: SC asks Allahabad HC not to proceed against Rahul

Assam Sub-Inspector Killed on Duty in Hit-and-Run, Drug Link Probed

Assam Sub-Inspector Nabajit Das died after being struck by a car while on duty. The incident is under investigation by the Assam Police. Authorities are exploring a possible connection between the fatal hit-and-run and drug movement in the area. The probe is ongoing as police work to establish the circumstances surrounding his death.

CEA Backs E10 Fuel for Older Vehicles to Ease Public Concerns on Ethanol Blends

Chief Economic Adviser V Nageswaran has advocated for E10 fuel as a suitable option for older vehicles in India. He noted that the country has approximately 75 to 80 million two-wheelers that are compatible with E10, a blend containing 10% ethanol. Many of these vehicles were not engineered to handle higher ethanol concentrations. Offering E10 as an option could help address public apprehension around the transition to higher ethanol-blended fuels.