India

Oregon to levy new undersea cable fees on tech firms to boost school funding

Oregon is introducing updated fees for undersea cable installations along its coastline. The revenue generated from these charges will be directed toward funding the state's public K-12 schools. The existing fee structure dates back roughly 25 years and is considered significantly outdated. The revised rates are designed to balance attracting technology investment while ensuring the state receives fair compensation. The move follows an incident in 2020 linked to an undersea cable construction project near Oregon's coast.

US Universities Urge International Students to Return Before Sept 15, 2026

American universities have issued urgent advisories to international students ahead of a significant US Department of Homeland Security immigration policy change. The new rule will replace the longstanding 'duration of status' system with a fixed admission period for student visa holders. Under the revised policy, students will be required to actively track their authorised stay dates to remain compliant. Universities are urging students to return to the US before September 15, 2026, to avoid disruptions to their education caused by the transition.

Cabinet approves stricter bill with 10-year jail, Rs 10 crore fine for paper leaks

The Union Cabinet has cleared a tougher anti-paper leak bill aimed at curbing examination fraud in India. The proposed legislation seeks to significantly increase penalties for those found guilty of leaking question papers. Under the new bill, the maximum jail term could reach up to 10 years, along with a fine of up to Rs 10 crore. The minimum prison sentence is also set to be raised from the current 3 years to 5 years, effectively doubling the punishment. The move signals the government's intent to take a harder stance against examination malpractice.

Indian-origin professional says he would not move to US on H-1B visa today

Mohamed Zeeshan, an Indian-origin entrepreneur who once relocated to the United States drawn by its values, says he would not make the same move today on an H-1B visa. Zeeshan, who now runs his own consulting firm, cited growing difficulties in securing jobs and visas in the US after graduation. He noted a rising trend among his relatives and friends who are now exploring alternative destinations such as Germany and Australia. His remarks reflect broader concerns about the challenges facing skilled immigrants navigating the US visa system.

Houthis Renew Threat to Pakistan After 11 Years, Raising Security Concerns

Pakistan is once again facing a threat from the Houthi movement, echoing a confrontation that occurred eleven years ago. The Houthis are said to be returning with unresolved grievances against Islamabad that were never fully addressed in the previous encounter. Analysts suggest Pakistan narrowly avoided serious consequences the last time this tension escalated. The renewed threat has raised fresh concerns about Pakistan's security calculus in the broader Middle Eastern conflict landscape.

Cabinet approves two new railway lines connecting Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh

Jantar Mantar clash: SC to hear pleas on alleged police excesses on July 27

How Nokia Went from Selling 40% of World's Phones to Losing It All

Nokia once dominated the global mobile phone market, holding nearly two in five phone sales worldwide through strong logistics and distribution networks. However, internal communication breakdowns and a culture of fear led to critical strategic missteps. The launch of Apple's iPhone and the rise of Android shifted the industry's focus toward software ecosystems, an area where Nokia struggled to compete. Unable to adapt to the rapidly changing landscape, Nokia's mobile division was eventually acquired by Microsoft. The acquisition marked the end of Nokia's reign as a mobile industry powerhouse.

Twice-rejected shelter dog Duke finds permanent home after video goes viral

Duke, a shelter dog, suffered a series of setbacks including losing his home, his bonded sister, and two failed adoptions in a single day. A shelter volunteer decided to share Duke's story on social media in hopes of finding him a suitable family. The post reached a woman living nine hours away, who immediately made up her mind to adopt him. She travelled the distance to bring Duke home, giving him the stable family he had been waiting for. Duke is now reported to be living happily with his new family.

Delhi High Court Rules AI Training on Copyrighted Data Qualifies as Fair Use

The Delhi High Court has ruled in favour of OpenAI in a copyright dispute filed by Indian news agency ANI. Justice Amit Bansal rejected ANI's plea for an interim injunction against OpenAI. The court held that using copyrighted material to train large language models falls under the 'fair dealing' exemption for research as defined in India's Copyright Act. The ruling is considered a significant legal victory for OpenAI and could have broader implications for how AI companies use third-party content in model training.

Kerala HC Permits Centre to Drop Auto Landing Page Views From TV Ratings

The Kerala High Court has allowed the Central government to implement a new policy changing how official TV ratings are calculated. Under this updated framework, automatic views generated when a channel's landing page loads will no longer be counted in TRP measurements. The Centre argued that only content actively and intentionally chosen by viewers should contribute to Television Rating Points. The decision marks a significant shift in how audience viewership data is assessed for Indian television channels.

India Orders GitHub to Remove Bitchat App Over Terrorism Misuse Concerns

India's cybercrime center has issued a takedown notice to GitHub for the Bitchat app, a Bluetooth-based messaging tool that enables anonymous, offline communication. Authorities fear the app could be exploited by terrorists and criminal organizations to coordinate activities beyond law enforcement reach. The notice references potential violations of India's Information Technology Act. The move follows concerns raised after similar offline messaging apps were reportedly used during recent protests in Delhi.

Court Dismisses Petition Seeking NIA Probe Into July 20 Parliament March

A court has rejected a plea that sought a National Investigation Agency investigation into the July 20 march to Parliament. The bench ruled that referring cases to the NIA is solely within the powers of the central government, not the judiciary. The court clarified that it does not have the authority to direct the NIA to take up any particular case. The petition was dismissed on these jurisdictional grounds.

Briine Pacific Tide sparkling water recalled in Alberta over bulging cans

The Government of Canada has issued a recall for Briine Pacific Tide Sparkling Spring Water in Alberta after certain 355 ml cans were found to be bulging. The issue has been attributed to non-harmful microbial contamination linked to quality or spoilage concerns. Two specific best-before codes are affected: 01AL2028 and 02AL2028. Consumers, retailers, and food service operators have been advised to refrain from using, selling, serving, or distributing the implicated product.

Govt ready on 2 demands, CJP adamant on Pradhan's resignation: What happened in round 2 of talks

Dhamaal 4 Eyes Rs 140 Crore India Net Mark as It Enters Day 15

Ajay Devgn's comedy Dhamaal 4 has maintained strong box office momentum through its second week of theatrical release. The film had accumulated Rs 136.65 crore in India net collections by the end of Day 14. As it enters Day 15, the production is targeting the Rs 140 crore domestic milestone. However, the film faces growing competition from Christopher Nolan's upcoming release The Odyssey, which could impact its earnings going forward.

Noida Twin Towers: Why They Were Demolished and What Buyers Face Now

Noida's Supertech Twin Towers were demolished after the Supreme Court upheld a High Court ruling declaring the buildings illegal. The towers were found to have violated building regulations, making demolition the mandated course of action. Apartment buyers who had invested in the project are now engaged in ongoing legal disputes seeking refunds for their payments. The situation is further complicated by Supertech's insolvency proceedings, which have delayed reimbursements for affected claimants. The Supreme Court continues to examine possible alternatives to ensure buyers are adequately compensated.

'Eye damaged': Rahul presents alleged pellet gun victim, calls Pradhan 'criminal'

Two Doctors Drown in Jharkhand Reservoir in Bid to Recover Fallen Phone

Two doctors lost their lives after drowning in a reservoir in Jharkhand while attempting to retrieve a phone that had fallen into the water. One of the doctors waded into the reservoir to recover the device but got into difficulty after moving into deeper water. The incident was confirmed by Dr Balram Jha, Superintendent of MGM Hospital. The situation turned fatal when the second doctor apparently also entered the water, likely in an attempt to help the first.

Instagram to Remove Harassing POV Videos Filmed Using Meta Smart Glasses

Instagram has announced it will take down point-of-view videos recorded using Meta smart glasses that harass or exploit individuals. The policy was confirmed by Instagram's head, signaling a firm stance against invasive content captured through wearable technology. The move comes as Meta's smart glasses have raised growing concerns about privacy and covert filming in public spaces. This represents one of the platform's most assertive steps yet in addressing POV-style content that violates personal boundaries.