India

After 45 years, India once again sends peacocks to UN in Geneva

‘Free movement for all’: Manipur government reopens national highways after 3 years

Iran-Oman Hormuz Deal Near but Iran Demands US Compensation Before Opening Strait

Iran and Oman are close to finalizing a shipping route agreement concerning the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. However, Iran has stated the deal alone is insufficient to reopen the waterway, insisting on US compensation and a cessation of hostilities as additional conditions. The UAE reported a fresh attack on a vessel in the strait, underscoring the continued instability in the region. Normal oil trade through the strait cannot resume until these broader geopolitical issues are addressed.

Jana Nayagan crosses Rs 312 cr globally, sees sharp single-day jump on Day 17

Thalapathy Vijay's Jana Nayagan collected Rs 2.35 crore in India on its 17th day at the box office. This represented a 135% increase compared to the previous day's earnings. The Tamil-language version has been the primary driver of the film's domestic performance. Cumulatively, the movie has now surpassed Rs 312 crore in worldwide gross, reflecting its broad audience reach.

Dharmendra Pradhan Calls Gen Z a Vital Force for India's National Progress

Former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has highlighted the significant potential of Generation Z in shaping India's future. He emphasized that understanding the aspirations of young people is critical to the country's overall development. Pradhan noted that the enthusiasm of youth goes beyond any governmental responsibility, a sentiment he conveyed directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Following this, PM Modi reportedly made efforts to engage and connect with young Indians. Pradhan reaffirmed that placing the nation's interests at the forefront remains the highest priority.

Trump administration freezes assets to push US oil tycoon out of Venezuela

The Trump administration is intensifying pressure on American oil businessman Harry Sargeant III to exit Venezuela. The US Treasury Department has frozen the assets of his offshore company tied to Venezuelan oil operations. The asset freeze is intended to facilitate Sargeant's divestment from the Venezuelan entity. Sargeant had previously served as a key intermediary between Washington and Caracas. The move is part of broader US efforts to enforce compliance with its foreign policy toward Venezuela.

Bangladesh Home Minister Accuses India of Using Hasina as Political Leverage

Bangladesh's Home Minister has publicly accused India of exploiting former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as a political tool, straining bilateral relations. The minister stressed that mutual respect and national sovereignty must form the basis of ties between the two neighboring countries. Dhaka has expressed concern that Hasina may be collaborating with external actors against Bangladesh's current government. India's repeated gestures of support toward Hasina have been viewed unfavorably by Bangladeshi authorities. The accusations complicate India's broader goal of maintaining friendly and cooperative relations with Bangladesh.

US Rejects China's New Restrictions on Filipino Fishermen at Scarborough Reef

The United States has formally opposed China's latest moves at Scarborough Reef in the South China Sea. Washington stated that Beijing's environmental justifications are being used to block Filipino fishermen from accessing waters they have traditionally fished. The US reaffirmed its alliance with the Philippines, condemning China's use of legal claims to assert maritime dominance. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions over contested waters in the Indo-Pacific region.

Jadeja mimics Kuldeep in nets, Padikkal's 142 steals show at Colombo warm-up

India held a warm-up match in Colombo ahead of their upcoming Test series, providing players a chance to fine-tune their form. Off the field, Ravindra Jadeja entertained his teammates by imitating Kuldeep Yadav's bowling action, drawing laughter from head coach Gautam Gambhir. On the field, Devdutt Padikkal stood out with an unbeaten 142, strengthening his case for a spot in the opening Test lineup. Jadeja contributed a solid 63 while Manav Suthar chipped in with 41, helping India post 357/6. However, Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel had forgettable outings, scoring just two and one run respectively.

Stalled government jobs, cases stuck in court, exam delays: What’s behind the Ranchi fast, protest

India Tests Agni-4 Ballistic Missile, Boosting Strategic Deterrence Capability

India conducted a successful test of its Agni-4 medium-range ballistic missile last Thursday. The missile has a range of 4,000 km and is capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional warheads. It is equipped with an advanced heat shield and a high-precision guidance system. The test is seen as addressing a significant gap in India's strategic deterrence arsenal. Officials say the launch underscores India's continued focus on developing indigenous defense technologies.

EPFO's new IT system rollout triggers claim backlog, officials under pressure

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has been facing a growing backlog of unresolved claims following the rollout of its new IT system. Field officials are struggling with a rising number of pending auto claims, many of which have remained unprocessed for more than 20 days. The delays are causing considerable inconvenience to EPFO members awaiting their settlements. EPFO has acknowledged the surge in pending claims but attributed it to a temporary transitional phase during the system upgrade. The organisation maintains that the switchover was carried out with minimal disruption to overall services.

Indian Navy Foils Pirate Attack on India-Bound Ship in Gulf of Aden

The Indian Navy successfully repelled a pirate attack on a vessel named Golden Arsenal in the Gulf of Aden. The ship's captain moved the crew into a secure citadel onboard, which the attackers were unable to breach. The intervention prevented the pirates from seizing control of the India-bound ship. As of now, four vessels in the region remain under Somali pirate control, with Indian nationals aboard three of them.

Vance calls Modi after US Senate passes 100% tariff bill on Russian oil buyers

US Vice President JD Vance spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, reaffirming both countries' commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. The two leaders discussed cooperation across key areas including trade, defense, and emerging technologies. They also exchanged views on international issues of mutual concern. The call came shortly after the US Senate passed a bill targeting buyers of Russian oil with 100% tariffs.

Centre appoints 30 judges across Calcutta, MP, Karnataka and Madras high courts

The Union Law Ministry on Saturday notified the appointment of 30 new judges across four high courts in India. Madras High Court received the highest share with 15 appointments, followed by Calcutta with 8 and Karnataka with 6. The appointees include both judicial officers and advocates, with the majority elevated as additional judges. The move comes amid a mounting backlog of over 60 lakh cases pending across India's 25 high courts. The law minister has previously attributed the high number of judicial vacancies to delays in the collegium recommendation process.

Air India Phuket-Delhi pilot may have failed dope test after turbulence incident

The captain of an Air India flight travelling from Phuket to Delhi reportedly tested positive for psychoactive substances following a turbulence episode onboard. The incident caused considerable distress, leading to the hospitalization of thirteen passengers and four crew members. India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, has launched a detailed investigation into the matter. In line with standard protocol, the flight crew involved has been suspended from flying duties pending the probe.

Stephen and Ayesha Curry's Foundation Reaches $100 Million Investment Milestone

NBA star Stephen Curry and his wife Ayesha Curry have reached a significant financial milestone with their joint philanthropic foundation, Eat. Learn. Play. The foundation has now surpassed $100 million in total investment. Over nearly a decade of operation, the organization has worked to positively impact the lives of children and families. The milestone marks a notable achievement in the couple's long-term charitable efforts.

Government promises minimal MDR on select UPI merchant transactions

The Indian government has announced that a merchant discount rate (MDR) will soon be introduced for UPI transactions, but assures it will remain nominal. The fee will apply only to specific merchants and transactions exceeding a certain threshold. Person-to-person UPI payments will continue to be free for all users. The move aims to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of India's digital payments infrastructure. It is also intended to support the expansion of digital payment services into rural and semi-urban areas.

India Education Spending Meets GDP Benchmark but Misses Public Outlay Target

India's education funding meets international GDP-based benchmarks but falls below UNESCO's recommended threshold for public spending. Secondary school completion rates remain below both national targets and UNESCO guidelines. The shortfall comes at a time when many countries are reconsidering education financing priorities. Despite large-scale government education programs reaching millions of students, structural challenges in the sector persist. Increased program deployment has not fully resolved gaps in outcomes or funding adequacy.

Rijiju urges Rahul to support women's quota bill; Gandhi demands swift implementation

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju called on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to support the women's reservation bill during a recent exchange. Gandhi countered by pointing out that the bill had already been passed unanimously in 2023. He raised concerns about the delay in implementing the legislation, linking the holdup to the delimitation process. Gandhi pressed for immediate enforcement of the 2023 law, highlighting the ongoing political tension around the issue of women's empowerment.