India

Will India send Sheikh Hasina back? MEA responds to Bangladesh return reports

Smriti Mandhana says she is ready to take on India captaincy role

Star Indian batter Smriti Mandhana has declared herself ready to lead the national women's cricket team should the captaincy opportunity come her way. She reflected on India's historic Test win at Lord's, acknowledging her own significant contributions to the victory. Mandhana also spoke about lessons drawn from previous T20 World Cup setbacks and the growing influence of the Women's Premier League in developing Indian talent. She emphasized that fostering a positive team culture would be central to her leadership approach.

Congress invites Mamata to Martyrs' Day event, asks her to admit quitting party was a mistake

The Congress party has extended an invitation to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to attend its Martyrs' Day event in Kolkata. However, the invite comes with a condition requiring Mamata to publicly acknowledge that her decision to leave the Congress was a mistake. West Bengal Congress president stressed that Mamata should not distort the historical significance of the 1993 movement. He said such an admission would be a meaningful gesture of goodwill. The Congress has indicated its stage remains open for her to pay tribute to the martyrs if she meets the condition.

IBM Shares See Steepest Drop in 58 Years After CEO Admits AI Missteps

IBM reported quarterly revenue of $17.2 billion for the three months ending June, reflecting a modest one percent increase. The sluggish growth disappointed investors and triggered a sharp sell-off in the company's stock. CEO Arvind Krishna acknowledged that the tech giant had faltered in its artificial intelligence efforts, adding to market concerns. The admission contributed to IBM's steepest single-day stock decline in nearly six decades.

Nvidia cuts off Asian clients, tightens checks to curb AI chip smuggling

Nvidia is terminating relationships with more than half of its Asian customers as part of a crackdown on illegal AI chip smuggling. The company has introduced on-site data center inspections and direct end-user interviews to verify compliance. The move comes under US government pressure and follows a high-profile smuggling case involving server maker Supermicro. China is experiencing a significant shortage of AI computing power as a result of ongoing US export restrictions on advanced chips. To offset this, Beijing is pushing domestic manufacturers to triple their chip production capacity before the end of the year.

US Softens Threatened 500% Tariff on Nations Buying Russian Oil and Gas

The United States has eased its threatened 500% tariff on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas, offering relief to major importers including India and China. The revised policy includes an exemption for nations that import less than 15% of Russia's total natural gas exports. Countries must also demonstrate they are actively taking steps to reduce their dependence on Russian energy to qualify for the exception. This updated framework could potentially exempt Japan, France, Hungary, and Belgium from the punitive tariffs. The move signals a more flexible US approach to enforcing energy-related economic pressure on Russia.

IBM shares plunge 25% in worst single-day fall since 1987, erasing $69bn in value

IBM's stock tumbled 25% on Tuesday, marking the company's steepest single-day decline since the 1987 Black Monday market crash. The dramatic sell-off wiped out approximately $69 billion in market value in a single trading session. The sharp drop in IBM shares also triggered weakness across other software stocks. The scale of the decline has drawn widespread attention, surpassing losses IBM suffered even during one of history's most notorious market crashes.

Trump Eyes Destruction of Iran's Fortified Pickaxe Mountain Nuclear Site

Pickaxe Mountain is a heavily fortified site located near Iran's Natanz uranium enrichment facility, one of the country's most significant nuclear-related locations. The site has drawn attention from US President Donald Trump, who has expressed intent to 'take it out.' Natanz itself has already sustained considerable damage, making the surrounding area a focal point of nuclear security concerns. The mountain's strategic importance lies in its proximity to and association with Iran's nuclear infrastructure.

Kerala DHSE Plus One Class 11 Results 2026 to Be Declared on July 15

The Directorate of Higher Secondary Education (DHSE) Kerala is set to announce the Class 11 (Plus One) results for 2026 on July 15. Students will be able to check their scorecards online by entering their registration number and date of birth. A minimum of 35 percent marks is required for a student to be promoted to the next class. Those who fail to meet the qualifying threshold will have the option to appear for SAY or Improvement examinations at a later date.

FBI adds Indian-origin Nitish Kaushal to most wanted list for organised crime links

The FBI has placed Indian-origin man Nitish Kaushal on its most wanted list due to his alleged involvement in organised crime. Kaushal is believed to be connected to the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang, which is implicated in multiple illegal activities. The move comes in the wake of federal charges filed against Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar in connection with a assassination carried out in Canada. US federal agents have recently conducted large-scale raids targeting the broader Lawrence Bishnoi criminal network operating within the United States. The actions reflect growing US law enforcement focus on transnational organised crime with ties to India and Canada.

Spain's penalty against France in World Cup semi-final ruled correct despite handball claims

Spain defeated France 2-0 in a World Cup semi-final, with the match's pivotal moment being a controversial penalty awarded after Lucas Digne fouled Lamine Yamal. The build-up to the incident sparked widespread debate over a possible handball, prompting scrutiny of the referee's decision. However, rules experts clarified that the contact in question did not constitute a punishable handball under IFAB regulations. French manager Didier Deschamps publicly questioned the officiating, but the penalty was ultimately upheld as the correct call.

Riot Claims Circulate Online After France's 2-0 World Cup Semifinal Loss to Spain

France was eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing 2-0 to Spain in the semifinal. Following the defeat, social media was flooded with unverified claims of riots breaking out across the country. Thousands of disappointed French fans had gathered in public squares and fan zones to watch the match. The loss ended France's bid for a third World Cup title, with Kylian Mbappé's performance and the team's attacking play drawing significant scrutiny.

Nehra tells debutant Ashok Sharma to target 100 Tests, not settle for India A

Pacer Ashok Sharma has earned his India call-up after a long and demanding journey, backed significantly by his elder brother who gave up his own cricketing aspirations to support him. Gujarat Titans coach Ashish Nehra has advised the youngster to set his sights on playing 100 Test matches rather than being content with lesser milestones. Sharma has credited his IPL experiences as a key influence on his bowling development. To mark his international debut, the pacer plans to purchase a gold chain as a personal celebration.

'Will exercise full sovereignty over Hormuz': Iran defiant as US continues strikes

Crude Oil Crosses $85 a Barrel Amid US-Iran Tensions and Strait of Hormuz Blockade

Oil prices climbed above $85 per barrel on Wednesday as the United States reinstated a naval blockade on Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. The move came amid escalating hostilities between Washington and Tehran, fuelling concerns over global crude supply disruptions. The United Arab Emirates reported that Iranian cruise missiles had struck oil tankers in the region. US forces also carried out continued strikes against Iranian military targets. The combination of supply fears and active conflict drove the sharp rise in crude prices.

Cuss remarks against CJI: Two law students arrested over courtroom disruption

Trump Urges Netanyahu to Withdraw Israeli Forces from Syria and Lebanon

US President Donald Trump has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pull back Israeli military forces from Syria and Lebanon. Netanyahu has resisted the pressure, maintaining that a continued military presence is essential for Israel's border security against external threats. The United States is simultaneously pushing for a mutual security arrangement between Israel and Syria. Tensions in the region have been further heightened by escalating incidents in southern Syria and Lebanon. Mediator-led negotiations are currently underway in Rome to address the ongoing situation.

India Expands PM Internship Scheme to Place 1 Crore Youth in Top Firms

The Indian government has expanded the Prime Minister Internship Scheme to create internship opportunities for young people across the country. The programme targets placing one crore youth in India's leading companies over a five-year period. The initiative is designed to bridge the gap between young job seekers and established businesses. Both aspiring candidates and participating companies are expected to benefit from the structured internship framework.

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon rules out political career, eyes teaching or writing

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has firmly dismissed speculation about taking on a White House role, citing his age and health as reasons to stay out of politics. After stepping down from his current position, he said he plans to write books or pursue teaching instead. Dimon also addressed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, offering a candid assessment of the limitations of global economic coalitions. He pointed to Europe's ongoing economic difficulties as evidence that such alliances have clear boundaries. Dimon emphasized that sustainable growth requires governments to create business-friendly environments that attract investment.

Axar, Washington steer India to six-wicket ODI win over England at Edgbaston

India defeated England by six wickets in the first ODI at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Axar Patel and Washington Sundar rescued the innings with an unbeaten 102-run partnership after India were placed at 160/4. The all-round contributions from both players proved decisive in securing the victory. The win ended India's winless streak in England in ODI cricket. The result also offered encouraging signs for head coach Gautam Gambhir as India build their squad ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.