India

India Rejects China's Renaming of Arunachal Pradesh Locations, Reaffirms Sovereignty

India's Ministry of External Affairs has firmly reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of the country and that nothing can change this status. The statement came in direct response to China's ongoing attempts to assign Chinese names to various locations within the northeastern state. A total of 27 historically and strategically significant sites have been formally marked on the Survey of India map. New Delhi has categorically dismissed China's renaming efforts as having no legal or diplomatic validity.

US and China Race to Moon's South Pole Amid Water Ice Discovery Stakes

The United States and China are engaged in a competitive space race to land on the Moon's south pole, a region believed to contain significant deposits of water ice. NASA has set a target of reaching the lunar south pole by 2028, while China aims to achieve its crewed Moon landing by 2030. Experts suggest that China's 2030 timeline may actually be more realistic and achievable than NASA's more ambitious 2028 goal. The water ice deposits are considered strategically valuable, as they could be used to support long-term lunar habitation and fuel future deep-space missions. Both nations are investing heavily in their respective lunar programs as the geopolitical stakes of space exploration continue to rise.

2 Pakistanis, 1 Indonesian killed in Houthi attack on cargo ship in Bab el-Mandeb

Amit Shah and Rahul Gandhi Attend Revati Sule's Wedding Reception in Delhi

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi were seen together at a wedding reception held at 6 Janpath in New Delhi. The event celebrated the marriage of Revati Sule, daughter of NCP leader Supriya Sule, to Nagpur-based industrialist Sarang Lakhani. The gathering brought together prominent political figures from across party lines, making it a notable social occasion. The presence of both leaders in the same frame was considered a rare sight given the current political climate in India.

Shaheen Afridi confirms he remains Pakistan ODI captain amid Babar speculation

Shaheen Shah Afridi has publicly confirmed that he continues to serve as Pakistan's ODI captain, dismissing swirling reports about a leadership change. He stated his current focus is on the National Champions Cup, which he views as an opportunity to strengthen team depth. The tournament is also expected to help selectors identify players who could feature in World Cup squads. Speculation has persisted that Babar Azam may be reinstated as captain across all formats. The Pakistan Cricket Board has yet to make any official announcement regarding changes to the team's leadership structure.

Indian Navy escorts cargo ships through Bab el-Mandeb amid rising Gulf tensions

Indian naval vessels INS Trishul and INS Aditya are actively escorting cargo ships through the Bab el-Mandeb strait as tensions escalate in the region. The escort operations are aimed at ensuring the safe passage of energy cargo and safeguarding India's maritime interests. India has maintained a continuous anti-piracy naval presence in the Gulf of Aden since 2008. Operation Sankalp, which was launched in 2019, has grown into a key pillar of India's broader maritime security strategy in the area.

Centre Issues New Safety Regulations for Retirement Homes Across India

The Indian central government has introduced new safety regulations specifically targeting retirement homes and senior living facilities. The guidelines will be adopted across all states and Union Territories, bringing retirement housing under a stronger regulatory framework. A key requirement includes mandatory RERA registration for such properties, ensuring greater accountability from developers. Developers will also be obligated to build senior-friendly infrastructure as part of compliance with the updated rules. The move aims to better protect senior citizens and homebuyers investing in this growing segment of the housing market.

'Har Ghar Tiranga': PM Modi urges citizens to hoist Tricolour; pledge for Viksit Bharat

Bengaluru father kills two daughters in hotel amid custody dispute, attempts suicide

A man in Bengaluru allegedly strangled his two minor daughters to death at a five-star hotel on Monday. The incident stemmed from an ongoing dispute over child custody following marital discord. After killing the girls, the father attempted to take his own life. Police discovered a note in the hotel room that shed light on the troubled marital situation. The man was subsequently arrested and confessed to the killings.

Indian Army pursues 6G, quantum computing and 300 capability projects in modernisation push

The Indian Army is undertaking a major technological overhaul aimed at strengthening its capabilities for future warfare. Key initiatives include the integration of 6G connectivity and quantum computing into military operations. The Army is also developing indigenous drone systems to support autonomous weapons capabilities. A strong emphasis is being placed on domestic procurement, with a growing preference for Indian defence vendors. Collectively, these 300-plus projects seek to upgrade digital infrastructure and advanced weapon systems across the force.

Bengal Teen Lives in Ponds, Claims Unbearable Burning Sensation on Dry Land

A teenager named Iqbal from West Bengal spends most of his day and night submerged in ponds, citing an intense burning sensation whenever he is out of water. The overweight teen can be seen floating in local water bodies from morning until late at night. When one pond becomes uncomfortable, he moves to another nearby water body to continue his unusual routine. The exact medical cause behind his condition has not yet been officially diagnosed or explained. His case has drawn attention due to its rare and distressing nature.

RBI to trial polymer Rs 10 and Rs 20 notes alongside existing paper currency

India is set to introduce polymer banknotes in an initial field trial overseen by the Reserve Bank of India. The RBI plans to issue one billion pieces each of the Rs 10 and Rs 20 denominations in the new format. The polymer notes will circulate alongside existing paper currency rather than replacing it outright. The primary aim of the initiative is to extend the lifespan of lower-denomination notes, which tend to wear out quickly. Parliament has also seen related discussions covering broader economic topics such as inflation and taxation.

Google DeepMind Safety Team Opts for Human Review Over AI in Hiring

Google DeepMind's AI safety team has introduced a dedicated application form to ensure that job candidates receive human review rather than automated screening. The team acknowledges that AI tools risk incorrectly filtering out qualified applicants during the hiring process. Reviewers also find reading AI-generated responses tedious, prompting the team to encourage authentic, human-written submissions. The move reflects the team's commitment to recruiting the best talent for its advanced AI research. The decision comes as many other companies are increasingly integrating AI into their own recruitment workflows.

Nasa invites Isro to join Moon base programme

India's Russian Oil Imports Hit Record Amid Fresh US Tariff Threats

India has reached record levels of Russian crude oil imports, even as Western nations maintain sanctions against Moscow. A US sanctions waiver on Russian crude has now expired, raising the stakes for major importers like India. The Trump administration is pushing for a Russia sanctions bill that would grant the president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying the most Russian oil. This development puts India in a difficult position, as refined fuel processed from Russian crude is reportedly flowing to nations that are themselves sanctioning Russia.

'Insulting Lord Ram, Sita': Google tells HC why Dhruve Rathee's video was witheld

Kerala Govt Seeks 45-Day Window to Address Teachers' Demands on Pupil-Teacher Ratio

The Kerala government has requested 45 days to respond to demands raised by teachers. The primary demand from teachers concerns a 1:25 pupil-to-teacher ratio. No further details about the parties involved, the venue of discussions, or the broader context are available from the provided text. Additional facts cannot be confirmed without the full article.

CJP to Launch Nationwide Drive to Improve Facilities in Rural Government Schools

The Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) is set to launch a nationwide campaign aimed at improving conditions in rural government schools across India. CJP's Abhijeet Dipke highlighted that children in villages often have to travel long distances just to reach their schools. He also pointed out that even upon arrival, students frequently lack access to basic amenities such as drinking water and functional toilets. The campaign seeks to address these longstanding infrastructure gaps that continue to affect the quality of education for rural children.

Kangana backs Piyush Mishra, attacks Naseeruddin Shah amid Bollywood spat

A public dispute has broken out between actors Naseeruddin Shah and Piyush Mishra, with Kangana Ranaut stepping in to support Mishra. The row began after Shah criticised Bollywood for staying silent on student protests. Mishra hit back by questioning Shah's own track record on speaking up about such issues. Ranaut then launched a sharp attack on Shah, accusing him of siding with India's neighbours rather than the country itself. The exchange has reignited debates about celebrity activism and national loyalty within the film industry.

KTR Accuses Telangana Govt of Irregularities in Land Deal with Defence Startup

BRS leader K T Rama Rao has alleged irregularities in the Telangana government's allocation of land to defence startup Tesseract. KTR claimed the deal involved procedural violations and raised questions about the terms of the land grant. The defence firm, however, denied the allegations, asserting that the land allocation followed due process. The dispute has sparked a political controversy in Telangana, with the opposition targeting the ruling government over the matter.