India

Indian Navy Plans Three New Warship Projects Valued at Rs 1 Lakh Crore

The Indian Navy is advancing plans for three major warship construction projects collectively worth Rs 1 lakh crore, according to sources who spoke to NDTV. The projects are currently undergoing multiple rounds of internal consultations and planning within the defence establishment. Once internal deliberations are complete, the proposals will move forward into the formal defence acquisition process. The development signals a significant expansion of the Navy's domestic shipbuilding ambitions.

Jordan Cox condemns secret photos taken of Virat Kohli during private London meeting

England batter Jordan Cox has spoken out about a privacy breach involving Virat Kohli after secret photographs of the former India captain were taken and shared online during a private meeting in London. Cox revealed that hundreds of people walked past the two without any disturbance, making the covert photography all the more disappointing. He expressed sympathy for Kohli, noting that the cricket star is unable to enjoy a normal private life away from the sport. Cox also took the opportunity to praise Kohli's selfless character and the mentorship he provided during their time together at IPL.

Father of murdered man Ketan appeals to President Murmu for fast-track trial

Vishal Agarwal has written to President Droupadi Murmu urging a swift investigation into the murder of his son Ketan. He is requesting that the case be heard by a fast-track court to ensure timely justice. The family has endured compounded grief, having lost both Ketan and his grandfather in recent times. Ketan was allegedly killed by his fiancée and her associate. Authorities are currently conducting an ongoing investigation into the incident.

'I order you to order ...' : High drama in SC as petitioner uses cuss words for CJI

30 years after Srinagar violence, Shabir Shah among 6 Hurriyat leaders chargesheeted by NIA

Larry Ellison Bought $490M Superyacht With Just Two Emails Over Coffee

Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison reportedly acquired a $490 million megayacht through a remarkably casual process involving little more than a brief email exchange. The purchase reflects the billionaire's well-documented taste for extravagant spending. However, Ellison later shifted toward a more minimalist lifestyle following a significant decline in his personal wealth tied to stock market fluctuations. The contrast between his lavish acquisitions and subsequent financial setbacks has drawn attention to his spending habits. Oracle's fiscal health is now under increased scrutiny as observers watch the company's future trajectory.

Rising AI Costs Push Companies Toward Open-Source Models, Says Amazon CTO

Amazon CTO Werner Vogels has highlighted that escalating AI expenses are causing companies to reassess how they use artificial intelligence. Many businesses are pivoting to more affordable open-source AI models as premium offerings from major providers grow costlier. Organizations are also placing greater emphasis on transparency and trust in AI systems, particularly in critical sectors. In addition, Amazon has launched a new open-source tool designed to improve searches across scientific data.

Madras HC bars ECI from notifying bypolls for five Assembly seats until July 31

The Madras High Court has restrained the Election Commission of India from issuing bypoll notifications for five Assembly seats. The court's order places a temporary hold on the election process until July 31. The restraint was issued in response to a legal challenge brought before the court. The specific seats affected and the grounds for the petition were not detailed in the available information.

Musk reverses stance on Anthropic, now calls it AI leader after SpaceX deal

Elon Musk has publicly walked back his earlier criticism of AI startup Anthropic, now praising it as the current leader in artificial intelligence. The reversal comes after Anthropic entered a significant compute partnership with Musk's SpaceXAI. Under the agreement, Anthropic received substantial computing capacity from a SpaceXAI data center. Musk, who had previously labeled Anthropic's Claude as 'woke' and 'hypocritical,' acknowledged he had been wrong about the company. He also stated he had no intention of undermining a competitor despite both operating in the same industry.

NDA Strengthens Hold in Parliament as Opposition Fractures Before Monsoon Session

India's opposition bloc is facing significant internal divisions that have weakened its numerical strength in Parliament. Recent political realignments have consolidated the ruling NDA coalition's position ahead of the upcoming Monsoon session. A Constitution Amendment Bill may be reintroduced during the session, with the NDA better placed to push it through. Splits within several regional parties are further limiting the opposition's ability to effectively block key legislation. The role of DMK and other regional players could prove critical in determining the balance of power during the session.

India’s first bullet train project: NHSRCL completes launch of 13 heavy portal beams in Ahmedabad

Maharashtra Hikes Farm Loan Waiver Cap Fourfold to Rs 2 Lakh

The Maharashtra government has raised the farm loan waiver limit from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh, significantly expanding relief for farmers in the state. The decision was announced by the chief minister as part of the state's agricultural support measures. However, the chief minister also acknowledged a potential downside to recurring waivers, noting they may discourage timely loan repayments among borrowers. Such a pattern, he warned, could gradually erode the financial stability of cooperative banks. The move reflects a balancing act between immediate farmer relief and long-term credit ecosystem health.

Rajasthan Police to Replace 'Dalit' With 'Scheduled Caste' in Official Use

Rajasthan Police has decided to stop using the term 'Dalit' in its official communications, replacing it with the constitutionally recognised term 'Scheduled Caste'. The move aligns with a broader push by authorities to standardise terminology used in official contexts. This follows an earlier advisory issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, which had urged media organisations to avoid using the word 'Dalit' in official broadcasts. The ministry's directive had emphasised the use of constitutionally sanctioned language in public discourse. Rajasthan Police's decision reflects a formal adoption of that guidance within law enforcement communications.

India integrates loitering munitions to sharpen battlefield strike capabilities

India is significantly bolstering its military capabilities by incorporating loitering munitions into its armed forces. These drone systems merge surveillance and strike functions into a single platform, drastically cutting the time needed to engage targets. The Indian Army is deploying them alongside existing artillery and missile systems to enhance overall firepower. Dedicated drone warfare units are being established, signaling growing institutional confidence in the technology. A combination of indigenous production and foreign procurement is positioning India to gain a strategic edge on future battlefields.

Supreme Court: Failing to Report Child Sex Abuse Is a Criminal Offence

The Supreme Court of India has ruled that failing to report child sexual abuse constitutes a criminal offence. The ruling came in a case involving a headmistress who allegedly did not report a complaint made by an eight-year-old student. Both the trial court and the Gauhati High Court had previously discharged the headmistress from prosecution. The Supreme Court set aside those orders, directing that she must face trial for her alleged failure to report the abuse.

AI Uncovers Silent Fault Movements Under California's San Andreas Fault

Scientists have used artificial intelligence to detect previously hidden slow-slip events occurring beneath California's San Andreas Fault. Unlike regular earthquakes, these silent movements release stress gradually over hours or days, making them difficult to identify through conventional monitoring methods. Researchers found that low-frequency earthquake activity notably increased following these slow-slip events. The findings suggest that such silent fault movements may play a significant role in influencing future seismic activity in the region.

NDTV Probe Finds No Single Cause Behind Bikaner's Rising Maternal Deaths

NDTV has published the third part of its ongoing investigation into maternal deaths and serious post-delivery complications at Bikaner's PBM Hospital in Rajasthan. The probe reveals that no single cause or common pattern can be identified to explain the series of concerning incidents. Investigators found varying circumstances across the cases, making it difficult to attribute the crisis to one systemic failure. The investigation continues to examine the conditions and care provided at the hospital to understand the broader maternal health emergency.

Japanese boy finds butterflies retain memories across metamorphosis, pass them to offspring

Ten-year-old Jo Nagai from Japan hand-raised swallowtail butterflies and made a remarkable scientific discovery. He found that the insects were able to remember him even after undergoing complete metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly. His experiments demonstrated that sensory memories survived the radical physical transformation the creatures go through. Strikingly, the learned behaviors Nagai trained into the butterflies were also passed down to their offspring and grandchildren. The findings were presented at an international scientific congress, drawing significant surprise from the research community.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds skipped Swift-Kelce wedding to avoid spotlight

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds were invited to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding but chose not to attend, according to a NewsNation report. A source indicated the couple deliberately stayed away to avoid diverting attention from the newlyweds amid ongoing controversy surrounding Lively. Instead, they spent the day supporting their daughter Betty at a horse show. Despite the absence, Swift and Lively are said to have rekindled their friendship and are reportedly back on speaking terms.

Trump Ends Iran Ceasefire, Orders Fresh Strikes as Hormuz Tensions Escalate

President Trump declared the June 17 ceasefire with Iran over and ordered renewed US military strikes against the country. Iran retaliated by targeting tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route. The pace of the conflict is increasingly shaped by Iran's capacity to disrupt oil shipments through the strait. Neither side currently holds a decisive advantage to bring the conflict to a close. Analysts suggest the most likely near-term outcome is a cycle of managed instability, combining periodic attacks with intermittent diplomatic engagement.