India

Poor Coordination and Equipment Gaps Hampered Venezuela Quake Response, Report Finds

A report has revealed that Venezuela's military response to a deadly earthquake that killed over 5,000 people was significantly delayed due to poor coordination and late deployment orders. Shortages of essential equipment further weakened the armed forces' ability to carry out effective rescue operations. As a result, civilians and international teams had to step in to conduct the initial rescue work. The report attributes the military's lack of operational readiness to years of economic crisis that eroded its capabilities.

Mumbai techie dies by suicide after boyfriend's marriage fixed elsewhere

A woman identified as Keerthi, a tech professional based in Mumbai, died by suicide after learning that her boyfriend's marriage had been arranged with someone else. The incident highlights the emotional distress caused by the breakdown of a long-term relationship. In a final letter to her family, Keerthi requested that her last rites be performed in her boyfriend's native village. She also asked that a thali, a traditional wedding pendant, be tied to her body before cremation. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.

Former PM Deve Gowda's Wife Chennamma Passes Away in Bengaluru

Chennamma, wife of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, has passed away in Bengaluru. She was admitted to Manipal Hospital on Old Airport Road in the city on Wednesday night. Hospital authorities confirmed her admission and subsequent death at the facility. Chennamma was the spouse of the former Indian Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) patriarch Deve Gowda.

Ex-NHL Defenseman Mike Commodore Issues Warning to Oilers Development Camp Parents

Former NHL defenseman Mike Commodore has directed a public warning toward parents of players attending the Edmonton Oilers' development camp. The warning is the latest episode in Commodore's ongoing feud with the Oilers organization, which has stretched over several years. His social media post quickly went viral within the NHL community, reigniting conversations about his troubled history with former coach Mike Babcock. The incident drew a wide range of reactions from hockey fans and analysts across the league.

India eyes digital land record integration with ULI to speed up farm loans

The Indian government is exploring linking digital land records with the Unified Lending Interface to make agricultural loans faster and easier to access. Officials have held discussions on using authenticated land records to simplify formal credit access for farmers in rural areas. The integration would enable secure, consent-based sharing of land data with lending institutions. This move aims to reduce transaction costs and accelerate loan disbursal for farmers. Broader financial inclusion is a key goal, with land records being positioned as trusted digital assets in the credit ecosystem.

UP Man Found Dead After Wife Allegedly Drugged Him and Released Snake

Atul Panwar, who co-ran Krishna Kids Play School in Hastinapur, Uttar Pradesh, was found dead in his bed. His wife Damini is accused of drugging his milk to incapacitate him before allegedly releasing a snake on him. The incident has shocked the local community in Hastinapur. Authorities are investigating the case as a premeditated murder.

ISRO Plans 7 Launches This Fiscal Year, Next Mission Due in Two Months

India's space agency ISRO has set an ambitious target of at least seven launches in the current financial year, with the next mission expected within two months. Private space firm Skyroot Aerospace achieved a major milestone as its Vikram-1 rocket successfully reached orbit. The development is being viewed as a significant step toward India's long-term 'Bharat 2047' space vision. Space sector reforms introduced in 2020 have fuelled rapid growth in the industry, with the number of space startups rising from just one to over 400.

National Film Awards 2026: Yami, Mammootty among winners; check full list here

Abhishek Banerjee dares TMC rebels to rejoin party, accuses them of BJP deal

Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee has publicly challenged former party members who defected to return to Mamata Banerjee's fold. He alleged that these rebels had struck a deal with the BJP and received protection from central investigative agencies in exchange for switching sides. Banerjee contrasted their conduct with his own, noting that he faced multiple summons from central agencies but never fled. The remarks come as the Trinamool Congress grapples with a significant internal organisational crisis.

Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project: Second TBM begins excavating India’s first undersea tunnel

FIFA World Cup 2026 Estimated to Cost US Employers $11.7 Billion in Productivity

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is estimated to have caused approximately $11.7 billion in lost productivity for the US economy. Globally, the tournament's impact on workplace output is projected to reach around $17 billion in losses. The losses are attributed to employees watching or following matches during working hours. This pattern of productivity decline is a recurring economic consequence observed during major international sporting tournaments.

Mehbooba Mufti sets conditions before joining NC's J&K statehood protest in Delhi

Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti has agreed to join the National Conference's Delhi protest for Jammu and Kashmir statehood, but only under certain conditions. She insists the protest agenda must also include the restoration of Article 370 and the release of political prisoners. Mufti cautioned that agitating solely for statehood could implicitly legitimize the 2019 revocation of J&K's special status. She called for an all-party meeting to collectively address the political disempowerment faced by the region's people. According to Mufti, restoring statehood will require sustained political engagement and coordinated efforts from all leaders.

4,000-year-old beer receipt reveals how ancient people drank

‘Stripped and beaten for 4 hours’ inside school hostel, Dalit student recalls ordeal

Yogi Adityanath slams Akhilesh Yadav over governance record during SP tenure in UP

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath publicly criticised former CM Akhilesh Yadav's time in office, alleging he remained disengaged from public affairs and lacked a clear development agenda for the state. Adityanath used the term 'babua' to mock Yadav, claiming he would wake up late and avoid administrative responsibilities. The BJP chief minister contrasted his government's welfare initiatives and infrastructure projects against what he described as the Samajwadi Party's failures. He further accused the opposition of neglecting farmers and allowing law and order to deteriorate during their rule.

Ex-ISRO Scientists Behind Skyroot Aerospace's Historic Vikram-1 Orbital Launch

Skyroot Aerospace, India's first space-tech unicorn, successfully sent its Vikram-1 rocket into orbit. The company is led by Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, both graduates of the Indian Institutes of Technology. Prior to founding Skyroot, the two co-founders worked as scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Their backgrounds at ISRO equipped them with the expertise needed to build and launch India's first privately developed orbital rocket.

Make America Manly Again (MAMA): MAGA toughies mope over declining machismo

Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain to be India's flagbearers at CWG 2026

Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu and boxer Lovlina Borgohain have been chosen as India's flag and baton bearers for the 2026 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. The Indian Olympic Association made the announcement on Saturday. The two athletes will lead a 124-member Indian contingent at the Games. Both are considered strong medal prospects for India. The opening ceremony is scheduled to take place on July 23 in Glasgow.

5 Dead, 10 Hurt in Fire at Illegal Firecracker Unit in Gujarat

A deadly fire broke out at an unauthorized firecracker manufacturing unit in Gujarat, claiming five lives and injuring ten others. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for medical care. Senior Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation officials inspected the site following the incident. Initial investigations revealed the unit had been operating without the required legal permissions. The Prime Minister announced financial compensation for the families of the deceased and those who were injured.

England vs France Third-Place Match Carries History, Golden Boot and Farewell Stakes

England and France face off in the third-place playoff at the FIFA World Cup, a match widely considered football's least coveted fixture. The game carries added significance as it marks the farewell of longtime France manager Didier Deschamps. The Golden Boot race also adds competitive weight to what might otherwise be a low-motivation contest. Beyond the football, the two nations bring nearly 900 years of historic rivalry, lending the fixture an edge rarely seen in a third-place game.