India

Yash Thakur dedicates maiden India call-up to late father, reflects on IPL journey

Punjab Kings pacer Yash Thakur has received his first call-up to the Indian cricket team, a milestone he emotionally dedicated to his late father. In an exclusive interview with Times of India, the fast bowler opened up about the journey that led to this career-defining moment. Thakur credited Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer's trust in his bowlers as a key factor in his development. He also highlighted the influence of head coach Ricky Ponting in building a winning mindset within the team, and expressed how high-pressure situations tend to bring out his best performances. The pacer additionally looked forward to reuniting with bowling coach Morne Morkel at the international level.

Supreme Court restores widow's inheritance rights, flags scrutiny needed for suspicious wills

The Supreme Court has ruled in favour of a widow whose inheritance rights were denied based on a contested will made by her late husband, an illiterate farmer. A bench of Justices Manoj Misra and K.V. Viswanathan allowed the appeal in the case of Sardari Lal v. Bishan Dass & Ors. The court restored the concurrent findings of both the Trial Court and the First Appellate Court, which had earlier rejected the disputed will. The will in question had sought to transfer the farmer's estate to distant relatives while completely excluding his widow. The Supreme Court emphasised that registered wills appearing suspicious in nature must be subjected to careful judicial scrutiny before being accepted as valid.

France arms Rafale jets with laser-guided rockets to counter drone threats

France has successfully integrated 68mm laser-guided rockets onto its Rafale fighter jets as part of the Ladac program. The upgrade is designed to provide a cost-effective solution against the growing threat posed by Shahed-style drones. The French Air Force's move reflects strategic lessons learned from recent conflicts involving widespread drone warfare. Other nations, including the United States and the United Kingdom, are also developing and adopting similar counter-drone systems for their air forces.

Unmanned systems reshape modern warfare as US, Ukraine deploy autonomous weapons

Autonomous and unmanned systems are playing an increasingly significant role in modern military conflicts. Iran has been deploying drones against neighbouring countries, effectively circumventing costly air defence infrastructure. The United States deployed Corsair Unmanned Surface Vessels in an offensive capacity against Iranian targets. Ukraine has also made extensive use of unmanned systems in naval operations across the Black Sea. Military analysts say these developments signal a fundamental shift in the nature of contemporary warfare.

India Real Estate Institutional Investments Hit Record $4.1 Billion in H1 2026

India's real estate sector attracted a record $4.1 billion in institutional investments during the first half of 2026, marking a 58% year-on-year jump. The surge was fueled by increased participation from both domestic investors and foreign capital flowing into the market. Commercial real estate emerged as the dominant segment, largely driven by the growing presence of Global Capability Centres across the country. Analysts expect the strong investment momentum to persist as broader market uncertainties continue to ease.

American Man Detained Near Nepal Border for Lacking Travel Documents

Uttar Pradesh police have registered a case against American national Jordan Brown after he was caught attempting to enter Nepal without proper authorization. Brown reportedly told authorities that he lost his passport while in Thailand and subsequently traveled to India by sea. Prior to his detention, he had been living in Goa and Bengaluru. Officials are currently investigating his claims and his lack of valid travel documentation.

OpenAI Demands $1M in Fees After Musk's xAI Trade Secret Case Dismissed

OpenAI has filed a request seeking $1 million from Elon Musk's xAI following the dismissal of a trade secret lawsuit. The filing was made on Monday, just hours after xAI announced its intention to appeal the court's decision. xAI had originally claimed that OpenAI poached its employees and misappropriated confidential information. OpenAI's fee request appears to be a response to what it may consider a meritless legal challenge brought by its rival.

Goa, Bengaluru, UP: Ex-US Navy Man Spent Months In India Without Passport

Brown's arrest has triggered fresh security concerns over the growing number of foreign nationals allegedly moving across India under suspicious circumstances.

China charges US seismologist who studied North Korea's nuclear tests with espionage

Web special: Cyber fraud complaints cross 12.7 lakh in 6 months; UP leads, Maharashtra loses most

Assam Pushes Back Over 1,600 Illegal Immigrants to Bangladesh in Two Years

Assam has repatriated more than 1,600 illegal immigrants to Bangladesh over the past two years. Among those expelled, 193 were formally pushed back under the 1950 Expulsion of Pakistan Nationals Act. The state government has been actively enforcing immigration laws to identify and remove undocumented foreign nationals. These measures reflect Assam's continued focus on addressing illegal immigration, a long-standing issue in the northeastern state.

NIA Court Issues Non-Bailable Warrant Against LeT Chief Hafiz Saeed Over Pahalgam Attack

A special NIA court has issued a non-bailable warrant against Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed in connection with the Pahalgam terror attack. The warrant was issued as part of the NIA's ongoing investigation into the attack, in which Saeed is accused of playing a key role. The Pakistan-based militant leader is also a wanted accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Authorities say the warrant is necessary to ensure a thorough and fair investigation into the case.

Jaishankar Meets UN Chief Guterres, India Launches UNSC 2028-29 Membership Bid

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held talks with UN Secretary-General António Guterres in New York. The meeting coincided with India formally launching its campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2028-29 term. The two leaders discussed ongoing global crises, including the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. The meeting underscores India's active diplomatic engagement at the United Nations as it seeks greater influence in multilateral forums.

CBSE tells Supreme Court 47% of schools already comply with three-language policy

CBSE has defended its three-language policy before the Supreme Court, which is currently hearing legal challenges against it. The board stated that 47.3% of its affiliated schools already offer two or more Indian languages at the Class 9 level. CBSE also noted that 99.19% of affiliated schools have at least one Indian-language teacher in place. Both CBSE and NCERT told the court that necessary textbooks, implementation measures, and transition support have already been prepared.

200+ Economists and Tech Leaders Warn of Serious AI Disruption Risks

More than 200 economists and technology leaders have issued a stark warning about the risks posed by artificial intelligence. The group includes 16 Nobel Laureates, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, Anthropic co-founder, and LinkedIn co-founder. They cautioned that AI could cause serious disruptions if left unaddressed. The signatories stressed the urgency of taking action now to mitigate potential harms from the rapidly advancing technology.

HCLTech Targets Elite Engineers with Higher Pay for AI-Focused Roles

HCLTech has announced a new hiring strategy aimed at recruiting top-tier engineering talent for artificial intelligence-focused positions. The IT firm plans to offer higher compensation packages to attract what it describes as elite engineers. This hiring push comes alongside HCLTech reporting a consolidated net profit of Rs 4,624 crore for the quarter ending June. The move signals the company's strategic shift toward building a workforce capable of meeting growing demand for AI-driven technology services.

Dutch referee Rob Dieperink, 38, dies weeks after FIFA World Cup removal

Dutch football referee Rob Dieperink has passed away at the age of 38. His death comes shortly after he was removed from the list of officials for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Dieperink had previously been arrested in Britain, though the investigation against him was subsequently closed. Both the Royal Dutch Football Association and FIFA have publicly expressed their condolences. He leaves behind a notable international refereeing career spanning numerous professional matches.

Goldman Sachs bans staff from betting on elections, markets, and companies

Goldman Sachs has updated its personal trading policy to prohibit employees from placing bets on prediction platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket. The ban covers event contracts linked to elections, financial markets, Bitcoin prices, and individual companies, though sports and entertainment wagers remain permitted. Employees who repeatedly break the rule risk termination, and any profits exceeding $200 may be clawed back by the firm. The move reflects a broader industry shift, with JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, and Bank of America also introducing their own restrictions on prediction market activity.

Gujarat Locality Split Over Name: Jhapatpara vs Islampura

Residents of a Gujarat locality have found themselves in confusion after discovering their area's name appears to have been changed. The change came to light only recently when government officials visited the area for a routine survey. Locals are divided over whether the locality should be called Jhapatpara or Islampura. The unexpected renaming has sparked debate among residents who were unaware of any official decision to alter the name.

US Man Arrested Near Nepal Border Without Passport, Claims Former Navy Service

A US national identified as Brown was apprehended near the Nepal border while travelling without a valid passport. During police interrogation, Brown claimed to be a former US Navy officer. He told authorities he had originally travelled to Thailand on a tourist visa, where he reportedly lost his passport. Police are continuing their investigation into his presence near the border without travel documents.