India

Raj Thackeray Alleges Donation Theft at Mumbai's Siddhivinayak Temple

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray has alleged that donations are being stolen at Mumbai's famous Siddhivinayak Temple. The temple, one of the wealthiest religious institutions in India, reportedly recorded a revenue of Rs 182 crore in the 2025-26 financial year. Thackeray's claims have drawn a response from the Siddhivinayak Temple Trust, which manages the shrine. The temple attracts a large and growing number of devotees annually, making the integrity of its donation management a matter of significant public interest.

UK man fined £200 despite paying airport drop-off fees, fights back

Kevin Smith paid £10 in fees for two airport drop-offs, only to receive two £100 parking fines shortly after. The fines were issued because he completed the payment transaction while still within the drop-off zone. Smith appealed the penalties, and parking operator APCOA agreed to cancel one of the two fines. However, the second fine remains in dispute, and Smith says he is prepared to escalate the matter if necessary.

Karnataka's Six-Term MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao Expresses Disappointment Over Cabinet Exclusion

Senior Congress leader and six-time MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao has publicly expressed disappointment after being left out of the Karnataka cabinet expansion. Rao acknowledged the repeated trust placed in him by voters across six election victories as a source of personal strength. His remarks came following a cabinet reshuffle in Karnataka that did not include him despite his long legislative tenure. The veteran legislator stopped short of directing criticism at the party leadership while making his feelings known. His exclusion has drawn attention given his experience and standing within the Karnataka Congress.

TVK Condemns Udhayanidhi Stalin Over Remark Referencing Actor Trisha

Tamil actor-turned-politician Vijay's party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has strongly condemned DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin over a remark referencing actress Trisha. The party called the comment 'disgusting' and demanded accountability from the DMK leader. Tamil Nadu BJP chief spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy went further, calling for Udhayanidhi Stalin's imprisonment over the remark. The incident has sparked a political controversy in Tamil Nadu, drawing sharp reactions from multiple parties.

'Will arrest us at hospitals': PoK protesters risk death over electricity, flour

The Daily Catch-Up: Courts, bypolls and recruitment scams

India Raises Windfall Tax on Petrol and Diesel Exports Amid Iran Conflict

The Indian government has increased the windfall gains tax on the export of petrol and diesel. The export duty on petrol has been revised upward to Rs 3.5 per litre, compared to the earlier rate of Rs 2.5 per litre. The hike comes amid escalating tensions involving Iran, which has unsettled global energy markets. Such windfall taxes are typically imposed to limit excess profits made by energy companies during periods of volatile crude oil prices.

Prashant Kishor Ends BJP's 30-Year Hold on Bankipur in Bihar Bypoll

Political strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor won the Bankipur assembly bypoll in Bihar, ending the BJP's dominance over the seat that had lasted nearly three decades. The victory marks a significant comeback for Kishor and his Jan Suuraj Party after a poor electoral showing in the state earlier. Kishor used the win to publicly criticise Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and highlight the state's development deficit. The result is seen as an embarrassment for both the BJP and the ruling establishment in Bihar. Analysts view the outcome as an early warning signal for both the BJP and the RJD ahead of future elections.

DK Shivakumar Urges Disgruntled Karnataka MLAs to Stay Patient Over Cabinet Berths

Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar has appealed for calm among party legislators unhappy with the recent cabinet expansion. He acknowledged that several senior and deserving MLAs were unable to be included in the ministry. Shivakumar urged those left out not to lose hope, signaling that their concerns have been heard. His remarks came in response to growing dissent within the party ranks following the cabinet reshuffle.

From 2025 washout to historic win: How Prashant put Jan Suraaj on Bihar's electoral map

Gene-Editing Technology Could Help India Boost Pulse and Oilseed Production

A new gene-editing tool is being explored as a potential solution to India's pulse and oilseed shortages. Unlike genetic modification, gene-editing works at the molecular level without introducing foreign genes, making it an advanced form of classical breeding. This distinction makes the technology more publicly acceptable compared to traditional GMO approaches. Scientists believe the tool could be applied to improve crop yields and address supply deficits in key agricultural sectors.

US and Iran to Hold Talks Monday Amid Strait of Hormuz Shipping Disruptions

US President Donald Trump announced that direct talks with Iran are scheduled to begin on Monday. The negotiations aim to end the ongoing conflict between the two nations. Trump made the announcement after reportedly pausing plans for large-scale military strikes against Iran. The talks also seek to restore cargo shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that previously handled roughly one-fifth of globally traded oil and natural gas.

How Michael Phelps Built a $100M Fortune Through Endorsements and Investments

Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps has transformed his athletic success into a substantial financial empire estimated at $100 million. Following his retirement from competitive swimming, Phelps secured lucrative endorsement deals with several major brands. He has also directed resources toward meaningful causes, including a foundation focused on youth swimming education and promoting healthy lifestyles. Additionally, Phelps invested in a mental health platform, reflecting his personal commitment to emotional wellness advocacy.

Israel Raises Concerns With US Over Trump-Backed Gaza Plan

Israel has privately conveyed reservations to the United States regarding a Gaza proposal that was publicly praised by President Donald Trump. The development highlights a growing disconnect between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu, who faces a reelection contest in October, has consistently promoted his close relationship with the US president as a political asset. The two leaders met again last week, making the reported behind-the-scenes disagreement more notable.

AI Talent War: Silicon Valley Engineers Prioritize Status and Values Over Pay

Silicon Valley is experiencing a fierce competition for top AI engineering talent, with major tech labs struggling to retain elite researchers. Despite multi-million dollar compensation packages, money alone is no longer sufficient to keep top engineers from switching employers. Factors such as personal status, ideological alignment, and creative freedom are playing a significant role in career decisions. Access to computing resources is also emerging as a key consideration for researchers choosing where to work. The frequent movement of top talent between rival companies has created a closely interconnected ecosystem across the AI industry.

Lashkar-e-Taiba Terrorist Claims Over 30 Members Killed by Unknown Gunmen in Pakistan

A video featuring Rizwan Hanif, a militant linked to the banned Pakistani terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, has emerged on social media. In the footage, Hanif claims that more than 30 members of the group have been killed by unidentified gunmen inside Pakistan. The development is notable given that Pakistan has long maintained Lashkar-e-Taiba was outlawed and effectively disbanded. The video raises fresh questions about the organisation's continued existence and the internal threats it may be facing on Pakistani soil.

Factional Posters Target Congress Leaders Ahead of Punjab Party Meeting

Internal tensions resurfaced in Punjab Congress as posters against party leaders appeared in Sri Muktsar Sahib. The incident coincided with a Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee meeting scheduled for 3 pm in the city. Sri Muktsar Sahib is notably the hometown of Congress leader Raja Warring. The posters signal ongoing factional discord within the state unit of the party.

Parliament Panel Chief Demands Zuckerberg Apology Over PM Modi Video Row

The chief of India's parliamentary panel has stated that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg must apologize over a controversy involving a video related to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) had summoned Meta's global team last week to address concerns over algorithmic bias on its platforms. The summons focused on Meta's algorithmic processes and their potential role in influencing public order. The development signals growing regulatory pressure on Meta from Indian authorities over content moderation and platform accountability.

DeepSeek Rejects 996 Culture as Silicon Valley Pushes Longer Work Hours

DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng has distanced his company from China's notorious 996 work culture, which demands employees work from 9am to 9pm, six days a week. He argues that meaningful research thrives in a relaxed setting rather than under rigid performance pressure. DeepSeek employees are not given key performance indicators and are allowed unstructured time to think and explore. This philosophy stands in contrast to several Silicon Valley executives who have recently called for longer workweeks and higher output demands. Despite its unconventional approach, DeepSeek continues to grow its presence in the artificial intelligence industry.

Prashant Kishor Wins Bankipur Seat, But Political Scrutiny Intensifies

Poll strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor won the Bankipur assembly constituency, marking a significant personal electoral milestone. The victory is being viewed as a strong comeback for Kishor, who had faced questions about his political viability. However, analysts note that winning a seat also removes the buffer that allowed him to avoid direct accountability for his political positions. Kishor's well-documented ideological flexibility, which served him well as a behind-the-scenes strategist, is now seen as a potential liability as a public representative. His win thus opens a new and more scrutinized chapter in his transition from election manager to elected politician.