India

US to Remove Syria from Terror Sponsor List, Signaling Support for New Leadership

The United States announced on Wednesday that it will remove Syria from its state sponsor of terrorism list. The designation, which had been in place for decades, had severely restricted foreign investment in the country. The move signals growing American confidence in Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa. Delisting Syria is expected to open the door to greater economic engagement with the country under its new administration.

Connor Murphy's Girlfriend Speaks Out After Influencer's Death in Thailand

Fitness influencer Connor Murphy died in Thailand under circumstances that are still being investigated by authorities. His girlfriend, a 22-year-old woman whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, had reportedly been in a relationship with him for approximately three years. Following his death, she stated that she had never witnessed him using drugs and was unable to explain the behaviour he allegedly exhibited before the incident. The case remains open as investigators continue to look into the details surrounding his death.

US Appeals Court Denies Trump Bid to Restore Name on Kennedy Center

A US appeals court has rejected a request by the Trump administration to reinstate Donald Trump's name at the Kennedy Center. The administration, along with the Kennedy Center board, had filed an appeal with the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The appeal sought a stay of an earlier ruling by Judge Cooper, which had blocked the name restoration. The court's decision means Judge Cooper's original ruling remains in effect for now.

Man kills wife on busy Sodepur road, stabs himself in suicide attempt

A man allegedly slit his wife's throat on a public road in Sodepur, West Bengal, killing her. The accused then turned the weapon on himself in a suicide attempt and is currently in critical condition. The couple had reportedly been facing prolonged marital problems prior to the incident. The victim, Geeta, had recently moved out of their shared home and returned to Sodepur before the attack. Police have launched an investigation and are examining CCTV footage from the area.

13 Dead as Surat Floods Submerge Roads, Homes and Markets

Heavy rainfall left large parts of Surat waterlogged on Wednesday, with floodwaters reaching waist-deep levels in several neighbourhoods. Overflowing creeks spilled into residential and commercial areas, causing widespread disruption to daily life. Roads remained blocked and vehicles were stranded, severely impacting the city's transport network. Rescue operations were underway as authorities kept schools and industrial units closed amid the ongoing crisis. The flooding has claimed 13 lives so far, underscoring the severity of this year's monsoon impact on the city.

Trump Says Iran Conflict Will End Quickly After US Strikes

US President Donald Trump has assured that the flare-up with Iran will be over very quickly following recent US strikes. Trump stated that the United States is not seeking a prolonged or long-term war with Iran. The remarks came in the aftermath of American military action against Iranian targets. Trump's comments appear aimed at reassuring the public that the situation will be short-lived.

Sharad Pawar's Meeting with Eknath Shinde Sparks Alliance Speculation in Maharashtra

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar recently met Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, triggering speculation about a possible political realignment. Congress leader Arif Naseem Khan also held a private meeting with Pawar, reportedly to assess his political intentions. Rumors have emerged within Congress circles that Pawar's party may be considering joining the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Congress has begun strategizing to recover political ground in the event of such a shift. However, the party officially maintains that NCP (SP) continues to be a member of the opposition INDIA alliance.

Security Forces Kill LeT Terrorist Zakir Ganie in Shopian, J&K Encounter

Security forces shot and killed Lashkar-e-Taiba operative Zakir Ganie in the Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. The joint operation was initiated on Saturday evening following specific intelligence inputs about his presence in the area. This was the first such encounter in the region in nearly ten months. Arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of the operation. Separately, three overground workers linked to militants were arrested in Anantnag with the help of advanced surveillance technology.

Denmark Reaffirms NATO Commitment After Trump Renews Greenland Ambitions

Denmark has declared its readiness to defend every inch of NATO territory following renewed remarks by US President Donald Trump about acquiring Greenland. Trump has repeatedly asserted that the United States must gain control or ownership of Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory under Danish sovereignty. These statements have significantly strained diplomatic relations between Washington and Copenhagen over time. Denmark's response signals firm resistance to any potential US move to assert control over the strategically located Arctic territory.

Manipur Civil Groups Urge Centre to Conduct NRC Before Census

Civil society groups from Manipur have travelled to Delhi to press the central government on a key demand: completing a National Register of Citizens exercise before the upcoming national census. The delegation argues that proceeding with a standard census in the current conditions risks capturing inaccurate demographic data. They cite widespread displacement and a breakdown of state institutions as factors that would distort census findings. According to the groups, conducting the census without first identifying illegal immigrants could permanently embed demographic discrepancies into official records.

Omar Abdullah backs India's Indus Waters Treaty suspension, cites J&K power crisis

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed support for India's decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan. Abdullah stated that the treaty was never beneficial to the region and that he had opposed it since its inception. He also attributed Jammu and Kashmir's ongoing power crisis in part to the constraints imposed by the agreement. India had suspended the decades-old water-sharing pact following a major terror attack last year. Abdullah added that the central government would appropriately respond to any war-mongering from Pakistan.

US Launches Major H-1B Fraud Probe, Cognizant Named Amid Subpoenas

The US Labour Department's Inspector General Anthony D'Esposito has announced a large-scale investigation into suspected labour trafficking and abuse of foreign worker programmes, including the H-1B visa scheme. Officials have already issued multiple subpoenas as part of the probe. IT services firm Cognizant was mentioned by a Trump administration official in connection with the investigation. The inquiry focuses on potential exploitation of foreign workers brought into the United States under these programmes.

PM Modi Receives Warm Welcome from Indian Diaspora in Melbourne

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Melbourne, Australia, where he was enthusiastically received by members of the local Indian community. Supporters greeted him with chants of 'Modi-Modi' and 'Vande Mataram' as he reached his hotel. The outpouring of support highlighted the strong connection between the Indian diaspora and the visiting Prime Minister. Modi's Australia visit has drawn significant attention from Indians living in the country.

Shubhangi Atre urges celebrities to respect law after Shilpa Shinde retracts harassment claim

Actress Shubhangi Atre publicly commented on Shilpa Shinde's earlier sexual harassment allegations, stressing that celebrities must be accountable and mindful of their influence on audiences. Atre emphasized that public figures are bound by the same legal standards as everyone else. Shinde had previously accused producer Sanjay Kohli of sexual harassment, but later admitted on a podcast that the claims were false. She clarified that the dispute was settled amicably and that she had received her pending dues from Kohli.

India Climbs to 11th in Global FDI Rankings After 44% Rise in Inflows

India has moved up two places in the global foreign direct investment rankings, rising from 13th in 2024 to 11th in 2025. This improvement was driven by a significant 44% increase in foreign investment inflows into the country. The jump places India among the world's largest recipients of FDI. The rise reflects growing investor confidence in India as a major destination for international capital.

Snake Enters Hostel Room, Bites 4 Sleeping Girls; One Dies

A snake entered a hostel room and bit four girls while they were asleep, causing widespread panic among residents. One of the four victims died following the attack. The incident occurred at a hostel, though the exact location and timing have not been fully detailed. The remaining three girls were presumably taken for medical treatment after the bites were discovered. The sudden nature of the attack, occurring while the students slept, heightened the alarm among hostel staff and fellow residents.

Mumbai's K Rustom Ice Cream Loses Food Licence Over Rats, Flies and Expired Stock

Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration has suspended the food licence of iconic Mumbai ice cream parlour K Rustom & Co following serious hygiene violations. Inspectors discovered rats, flies, and expired products on the premises during their visit. The action is part of a broader statewide food safety crackdown targeting restaurants and eateries across Maharashtra. Several other food establishments also had their licences suspended or received improvement notices for similar violations. Authorities additionally seized banned food products and other items worth lakhs of rupees during the raids.

Kumaraswamy Accuses Karnataka Congress of Voter Roll Irregularities

JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy has alleged that the Congress-led Karnataka government is committing irregularities in the state's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Speaking to NDTV, he claimed the government has been misusing its powers since day one of the process. Kumaraswamy alleged that directions were issued to Block-level officers and District Magistrates to enroll voters who do not actually exist. The accusation raises concerns about potential manipulation of voter registration ahead of future elections in the state.

Sikorsky to Fund $5-6M White House Helipad After Lawn Damage Concerns

A new granite helipad is set to be built at the White House after the new Marine One helicopters caused significant damage to the South Lawn grass. Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, will cover the construction costs, estimated between five and six million dollars. The helipad will feature a carved official seal of the White House. The announcement came during a White House event where tech billionaire Michael Dell made a lighthearted joke referencing his own helicopter, nicknamed the 'Dellicopter'.

US launches major probe into H-1B visa 'fraud'; Cognizant under scanner