India

Beyond the 70% headline: H-1B workers becoming more educated, better paid

Consumer Commission Orders RedBus to Pay Rs 10,000 for Last-Minute Ticket Cancellation

A consumer commission has held RedBus and Bharmani Travels jointly liable for cancelling a passenger's confirmed bus ticket just 17 minutes before departure. The abrupt cancellation left the traveller stranded late at night with no alternative arrangement. RedBus contended it acted only as an intermediary platform and bore no direct responsibility, but the commission rejected this argument. Both parties were directed to pay compensation to the passenger for harassment and financial loss. The ruling reinforces that online ticketing platforms cannot escape accountability once they have accepted payment and confirmed a booking.

Supreme Court Orders Centre to Submit Airfare Regulation Rules Within 2 Weeks

The Supreme Court has asked the central government to submit its airfare regulation rules in a sealed cover within two weeks. The Centre informed the court that rules governing airfare pricing have already been drafted. The government stated that these rules are expected to be tabled before Parliament within 30 days. The development comes amid ongoing judicial scrutiny of airline ticket pricing practices in India.

India beat England by 270 runs in historic first women's Test at Lord's

India claimed a landmark 270-run victory over England in the first women's Test ever played at Lord's. Yastika Bhatia anchored the innings with a century of 113, while Smriti Mandhana contributed 70 and Richa Ghosh added an unbeaten fifty to set England a steep 457-run target. With the bat setting the tone, India's bowlers then dismantled the hosts, led by Kranti Gaud's impressive seven-wicket haul across the match. Sneh Rana and Sayali Satghare provided strong bowling support to complete a commanding all-round team performance.

Iowa Mom's Driveway Water Art with Sons Racks Up 28 Million Views

An Iowa mother named Megan has gone viral online for creating water art designs on her driveway using a garden hose and everyday garage items. She works alongside her two sons, Carter and Parker, to produce intricate patterns that include sports logos. The family's creative summer activity has accumulated millions of views across the internet. Megan says her goal is to inspire other families to bond over simple, low-cost crafts at home.

Narottam Mishra campaigns for Datia candidate after being denied BJP ticket

Senior BJP leader Narottam Mishra, who was passed over for the Datia constituency ticket, appeared visibly emotional while campaigning for party nominee Ashutosh Tiwari at a recent rally. Mishra pledged to canvass support across every village in the constituency ahead of the upcoming by-election. He defended the BJP government's track record on development and launched criticism at the Congress party. Mishra also dismissed reports of any internal rift within the BJP over the candidate selection. Tiwari, the chosen nominee, expressed gratitude to the party leadership and voiced confidence in fulfilling their expectations.

Telangana man accused of stalking, killing minor found dead

4 IT Professionals Killed as Car Hits Truck on Jim Corbett Road Trip

A group of twelve colleagues from Delhi had embarked on a company holiday trip to Jim Corbett National Park in Ramnagar, Uttarakhand. They were travelling in two separate vehicles when tragedy struck. A car in the convoy collided with a truck, resulting in the deaths of four IT professionals. The remaining members of the group survived the accident. The incident highlights the risks of long road journeys undertaken for leisure travel.

India's Rainwater Harvesting: Progress, Gaps and the Road Ahead

India faces a significant water stress challenge, holding only 4 percent of the world's freshwater resources while supporting 18 percent of the global population. Rainwater harvesting has long been practiced across the country as a key strategy to address this imbalance. Government initiatives such as the Jal Shakti Abhiyan have been launched to scale up water conservation efforts nationwide. Despite these steps, experts suggest that considerable improvements are still needed to meet India's growing water demands.

Anupam Kher and Naseeruddin Shah's old feud resurfaces after temple theft remarks

A 2020 interview in which Naseeruddin Shah called Anupam Kher a 'clown' has resurfaced on social media. The clip gained renewed attention after Kher publicly downplayed reports of donation theft at the Ayodhya Ram Temple, calling it minor compared to historical temple destructions. Shah's earlier interview had criticised Kher's political stance and public conduct. Kher had responded at the time by accusing Shah of frustration and substance abuse. The exchange between the two veteran actors has once again sparked debate online.

India's retail inflation rises to 4.38% in June, crossing RBI's 4% threshold

India's retail inflation climbed to 4.38% in June 2025, up from 3.93% in May, breaching the Reserve Bank of India's 4% target. The rise was largely driven by higher food prices, which pushed the Consumer Price Index upward. Vegetables such as ginger and tomatoes recorded sharp year-on-year price increases, fuelling the uptick. However, not all food items turned costlier — potatoes and peas saw prices fall compared to the same period last year. Rural regions reported steeper inflation than urban areas during the month.

Mamata urges EC to stop extending deadline for rival TMC faction

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has called on the Election Commission to cease granting additional time to the rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee. The rival group has claimed to represent the 'real' Trinamool Congress party, triggering a dispute over the party's legitimate identity. Mamata accused the EC of effectively favouring the breakaway camp through its continued silence on the matter. Her faction contended that its organisational committees hold validity until 2027, strengthening its claim to the party's recognition. The Election Commission had previously issued deadlines to both sides in the ongoing dispute.

IndiGo Aircraft Engineer Held With Heroin at Leh Airport

An aircraft engineer employed with IndiGo airlines was arrested at Leh Airport after being found in possession of heroin. The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) apprehended the accused during routine patrolling in the city. Officers intercepted a vehicle and recovered 2.27 grams of heroin from the suspect. The arrest was made as part of ongoing anti-narcotics operations in the region.

Ocean warming has been shrinking marine animals for 450 million years, massive study reveals

India's spin bowling depth under scrutiny after string of T20I struggles

India's spin attack, long considered a core strength, has been showing a worrying decline in recent T20I cricket. Spinners have repeatedly failed to take wickets in the middle overs in series against Ireland and England. The thinning talent pipeline has added to concerns about the long-term health of India's spin department. Team management has responded by leaning more heavily on pace bowlers to compensate for the spin unit's underperformance.

Sharad Pawar Plays Both Sides in Maharashtra Political Realignment

Veteran NCP leader Sharad Pawar is reportedly pursuing a dual-track political strategy, keeping options open with both the opposition and the NDA alliance. This balancing act involves what observers describe as a 'two plus two' bargaining approach in Delhi. The move carries significant political risk for both camps, as neither side can count on Pawar's firm commitment. Analysts suggest the strategy reflects Pawar's longstanding reputation for calculated political maneuvering.

Newly-wed Bengaluru woman dies after allegedly ingesting poison over husband's delay

A young woman near Bengaluru died after consuming poison, in what authorities suspect was a suicide. She had recently eloped with her husband, Ravindra, following a brief romance. Police believe her death may have been triggered by emotional distress after her husband was unable to visit her promptly. Investigators are currently working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

10 Income Tax Penalties Every Taxpayer Must Know Before Filing ITR

The Indian Income Tax Act prescribes penalties under various sections for taxpayers who fail to meet their compliance obligations. Defaults can occur in multiple situations, including late filing, concealment of income, and failure to maintain proper records. Each type of violation attracts a specific penalty amount as defined under the respective provisions of the Act. Taxpayers are advised to familiarise themselves with these penalties to avoid unnecessary financial liabilities during or after the ITR filing process.

Supreme Court Questions Feasibility of Preventing Adolescent Elopements in POCSO Cases

The Supreme Court of India raised pointed questions about whether authorities can realistically prevent teenage boys and girls from eloping. The bench was hearing a suo motu case focused on the right to privacy of adolescents. The court's remarks came in the context of growing concerns over the misuse of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. In several instances, the law has been invoked by families against consensual relationships involving adolescents. The court's intervention signals a broader judicial examination of how POCSO is being applied in such cases.

India's Trade Deficit Widens to $30.4 Billion in June on Import Surge

India's merchandise imports jumped 31% year-on-year in June, significantly outpacing export growth of 15.5% during the same month. The resulting trade deficit for June stood at $30.43 billion. Exports showed steady momentum in the April-June quarter, rising nearly 15.92% compared to the previous year. However, imports during the same quarter grew faster at 19.89%, further widening the trade gap. The divergence between import and export growth rates has put pressure on India's overall trade balance.