India

Ex-CJI DY Chandrachud appointed Russia's arbitrator in Ukraine Oschadbank dispute

Former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud has been appointed as Russia's arbitrator in an international dispute involving Ukrainian state bank Oschadbank. The case centres on Oschadbank's claims over assets lost in four regions following Russian military actions. This arbitration is connected to a broader series of investment treaty disputes, including an earlier case linked to Crimea. Chandrachud had previously turned down similar appointment requests from Russia before accepting this role. The matter will be heard by a three-member arbitral tribunal.

Telangana Man Dies in Malta Road Crash, Family Awaits Body Repatriation

Mohammed Abdul Jawad, a 27-year-old resident of Islampura in Jagtial district, Telangana, died in a road accident in Malta on Tuesday. He was driving a Toyota Toyace small truck when it collided with a trailer in the town of Qormi at around 11:45 am. The fatal crash has left his family in grief as they await the repatriation of his body back to India. Authorities and the family are currently working through the process of bringing his remains home.

Praggnanandhaa shares Sinquefield Cup lead after beating Sindarov

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa has moved to the top of the standings at the Sinquefield Cup following a key victory over Javokhir Sindarov. The win places him among the joint leaders in the prestigious tournament. This result builds on his recent momentum after winning the Grand Chess Tour St Louis Rapid and Blitz title. On the women's side, Indian players Vaishali, Deshmukh, and Humpy faced a difficult second round at the concurrent Cairns Cup. All three struggled to secure positive results in their respective matches.

Gold Rate Today, August 12: Check 18, 22 and 24 carat gold prices in Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and other cities

False Social Media Posts Sparked Deadly Migrant Rush to Spain's Ceuta

Misleading posts circulating on social media falsely claimed that Spain had relaxed its immigration rules for the enclave of Ceuta. The rumours suggested that migrants who reached Ceuta by sea would be permitted to remain in the country. This misinformation triggered a surge of migrants attempting the dangerous sea crossing to the Spanish territory. The resulting crisis proved deadly, highlighting the real-world consequences of unchecked social media misinformation.

ICE Plans to Equip Officers with Electric Shock Gloves for Compliance

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is reportedly planning to purchase thousands of electric shock gloves for use by its officers. The gloves are intended to help agents gain compliance from individuals during enforcement operations. The move has raised serious concerns among civil rights advocates, who fear the devices could be misused or cause harm. Critics worry the technology could be deployed in ways that violate the rights of migrants and detainees. The reported procurement has intensified ongoing scrutiny of ICE's use of force practices.

China Foreign Tourist Arrivals Surpass Pre-Pandemic Levels in 2025

China has seen a strong rebound in international tourism in 2025, with foreign visitor numbers exceeding pre-pandemic figures. The recovery has been driven by a combination of expanded visa-free entry policies, aggressive state-backed tourism promotion, and viral social media content. Short-form video reels showcasing Chinese destinations have played a significant role in attracting curious travelers from abroad. The government's strategic push to ease travel restrictions and boost its global image has clearly resonated with international audiences.

‘Shortcuts will cut you short’: PM Modi’s message for youngsters at Kovind’s book launch

NYC Mayor Mamdani Backs Bill to Directly Employ Delivery Drivers, Angering Amazon

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is supporting legislation that would require delivery companies to hire drivers as direct employees rather than contractors. The bill has drawn strong opposition from firms like Amazon, which warns the mandate could lead to significant job losses. Critics also contend the measure would hurt small businesses and drive up prices for consumers, with estimates suggesting an added annual cost of around $664. In a separate action, Mamdani sent notices to retailers selling illegal e-bikes, citing public safety concerns. Both moves reflect the mayor's broader push to regulate the delivery and micromobility sectors in New York City.

Sergey Brin pledges $100mn to fight California billionaire wealth tax

Google co-founder Sergey Brin has committed over $100 million to oppose a proposed billionaire wealth tax in California. The tax measure is set to go before voters in November. Opponents of the legislation are significantly better funded than those advocating for it. Several other prominent tech industry leaders have also backed the campaign against the tax. The coordinated effort highlights a united front among wealthy tech figures opposing the proposed legislation.

OpenAI COO Brad Lightcap Steps Down Amid Company's IPO Preparations

Brad Lightcap, a close aide to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has announced his departure from the artificial intelligence company. Lightcap stated he plans to continue contributing to the broader AI mission from a different position. His exit comes at a notable time as OpenAI is reported to be exploring an initial public offering. The departure marks another high-profile exit from the prominent AI firm.

SIA Raids Kashmir Sites 36 Years On to Nab Accused in 1990 Double-Murder Case

The State Investigation Agency (SIA) conducted raids across Kashmir in connection with a double-murder case dating back to 1990. The operation targets accused individuals who have evaded justice for over three decades. The case was originally registered at Police Station Dooru in the Anantnag district of Kashmir. The SIA has formally taken over the First Information Report as part of its expanding investigation into the decades-old crime.

Reporters Furious After Being Used as Decoys on Decoy Flight from Turkey

Around a dozen journalists were unknowingly placed on a decoy flight out of Turkey while covering President Trump. The reporters were not informed they were being used as decoys, effectively misleading them about the president's actual departure. One journalist expressed frustration to the Washington Post, stating that acting as a decoy is not part of their role as a presidential correspondent. The incident has sparked anger among the press corps over transparency and the treatment of journalists covering the White House.

Shoaib Akhtar warns Pakistan will struggle in England Test series

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has raised concerns about Pakistan's upcoming Test series against England. He predicts that England will prepare seam-friendly pitches specifically designed to trouble Pakistan's batters. Pakistan has historically struggled to adapt to overseas conditions, which could further hamper their performance. Babar Azam will captain the side during what is expected to be a challenging tour. Poor results could also damage Pakistan's World Test Championship prospects.

How Bill Clinton Used a Decoy Aircraft for His 2000 Pakistan Visit

During his visit to South Asia in 2000, former US President Bill Clinton employed an unusual security measure for his stop in Pakistan. A decoy plane was used as part of the travel arrangement, with the real aircraft carrying Clinton kept secret until landing. The ruse was revealed only when Clinton stepped off the second plane upon arrival in Islamabad. The visit to Pakistan lasted just six hours and was conducted under extremely tight security protocols.

Delimitation row: CM Vijay moves resolution to freeze Lok Sabha Seats at 543

Astronomers catch massive star exploding and track supernova for 3 months

TSMC and NYCU develop 0.42nm interface to boost MoS2 transistor performance

Researchers from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and TSMC have jointly developed a new interface design for next-generation atomically thin transistors. The team engineered a 0.42-nanometre aluminium oxide layer positioned between a monolayer of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and a hafnium oxide dielectric material. This ultra-thin insulating layer serves as a critical interface in the transistor architecture. The design successfully preserves strong electrical control and efficient carrier transport despite the extremely thin dimensions involved.

US flags lack of oversight over Pakistan's surging $3 trillion defence budget

The US State Department has raised concerns about insufficient oversight of Pakistan's military and intelligence expenditure. The report also highlighted issues around government debt disclosure and delays in publishing budget proposals. Pakistan's defence allocation has seen a significant rise for the upcoming financial year. Washington is urging Islamabad to adopt greater transparency in its military and intelligence budgets. The assessment underscores persistent fiscal transparency challenges facing Pakistan.

India face No. 6 selection dilemma between Sarfaraz and Jurel for Sri Lanka Test

India are set to face Sri Lanka in an upcoming Test match with key selection decisions yet to be finalised. The primary debate centres on who will bat at number six, with Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel both vying for the spot. The team's bowling combination is also under consideration, with a likely mix of three pacers and two spinners. Getting the balance right is seen as critical, given India's ongoing World Test Championship campaign.