India

Neymar Retires as Brazil's All-Time Top Scorer, Leaving a Divisive Legacy

Neymar has brought his international career to a close as Brazil's highest-ever goalscorer, cementing his place among the country's greatest footballers. His playing style was distinctive for blending flair and joy with effectiveness, a combination increasingly rare in modern football. Despite his individual brilliance, Neymar never captured a FIFA World Cup, the trophy widely considered the ultimate measure of footballing greatness. Nevertheless, his contributions to Brazilian football produced memorable moments that fans are expected to cherish for years to come. He is widely regarded as the last of a generation of Brazilian superstars defined as much by artistry as by results.

EU Court Upholds Apple's Gatekeeper Status Under Digital Markets Act

The European Union's General Court has rejected Apple's legal challenge against its designation as a 'gatekeeper' under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The ruling confirms that Apple's App Store and iOS operating system fall under the DMA's strict regulatory framework. The DMA targets large tech platforms that act as gatekeepers to digital markets, imposing obligations to ensure fair competition. Apple had contested the designation, but the court dismissed the challenge, leaving the classification intact. The decision reinforces the EU's authority to regulate major tech companies under its landmark digital competition law.

PM Modi Departs for Australia After Signing 14 Pacts with Indonesia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for Australia after completing his official visit to Indonesia. During the visit, Modi held bilateral talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. The two nations formalized their engagement by signing 14 agreements across various areas of cooperation. In a notable gesture of warmth, President Subianto personally accompanied Modi to the airport to see him off.

US to allow passport photo submission via phone or laptop camera

The US State Department is developing a system that will let Americans submit passport photos taken directly on their smartphones or laptops. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the initiative, which uses facial recognition technology to verify images captured on personal devices. The move is aimed at enabling nearly complete passport applications to be submitted online, removing the need to visit photo centers. Future US passports are also expected to feature presentation boxes and QR codes linking to historical information. The overall goal is to make the passport application process faster and more convenient for citizens.

Cambridge scientists create a living algae bio-battery that generates electricity around the clock

MP B.Ed Colleges Found Lacking Physical Campuses in State Inspection

An inspection conducted in Madhya Pradesh has uncovered serious irregularities in teacher-training colleges offering B.Ed programs. Several institutions were found to lack proper physical campuses, raising concerns about their legitimacy. The findings suggest a pattern of fraudulent or non-compliant operations within the state's teacher education sector. Authorities are now scrutinizing these colleges as the irregularities point to a broader systemic issue in how such institutions are registered and monitored.

FBI names Punjab cop in $400,000 gang-linked extortion case

Manipur Highway Crumbles in Monsoon Despite Rs 1,300-Crore Upgrade Project

A key highway in Manipur is struggling to withstand monsoon conditions despite a major government investment aimed at improving it. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways sanctioned a Rs 1,300-crore project in 2022 to upgrade and widen 203 km of the route. The initiative was intended to transform the highway into a reliable all-weather corridor, reflecting its recognised strategic importance to the region. However, ground reports indicate that the highway continues to face significant challenges during the monsoon season, raising questions about the project's progress and effectiveness.

American woman rows solo across Pacific in record 43 days, reaches Hawaii

Kelsey Pfendler has become the first American woman to complete a solo rowing journey across the mid-Pacific Ocean. She rowed from California to Hawaii in just over 43 days, setting a new speed record for the crossing. Pfendler faced significant challenges during the voyage, including prolonged isolation and the sheer scale of the open ocean. She arrived at Honolulu Harbor to a large crowd of supporters celebrating her historic achievement.

10 years since Burhan Wani’s death, how Kashmir’s insurgency has changed

'Not a minor mistake': Kejriwal writes to 29 automakers over E20 fuel, flags 'contradictory' claims

Egypt uncovers 1,600-year-old Byzantine city in western desert

Egyptian authorities have announced the discovery of a well-preserved Byzantine-era city in the Dakhla Oasis, dating back approximately 1,600 years. The site, located in Egypt's western desert, offers significant insights into urban planning and daily life during the Byzantine period. Separately, eighteen ancient tombs were also unearthed near Alexandria, adding further depth to the country's archaeological record. Both discoveries are part of broader excavation efforts across Egypt. Officials hope these findings will help boost the country's vital tourism sector.

Argentina stun Egypt with two-goal comeback in final 13 minutes to reach WC quarters

Argentina pulled off a dramatic World Cup comeback, overturning a two-goal deficit against Egypt in the final 13 minutes of the match. The stunning turnaround sparked jubilant celebrations in the locker room and across Buenos Aires. Lionel Messi was at the center of the emotional victory, which keeps Argentina's World Cup campaign alive. The result sends Argentina through to the quarter-finals, where they will face Switzerland.

Pakistan Seeks UK Deportations: Child Rapist and Critics of Army Chief on Same List

Pakistan has formally requested the extradition of a convicted child rapist known as 'Daddy' from the United Kingdom. Simultaneously, Islamabad has also sought the deportation of individuals critical of army chief General Asim Munir. Among those targeted are a former member of Imran Khan's cabinet and a Pakistani journalist and ex-military officer. Both the journalist and the cabinet member were flagged by Pakistani authorities in December over allegations of spreading fake news and anti-state propaganda. The dual extradition push has drawn attention for grouping a serious criminal case alongside what critics view as politically motivated requests.

Congress Confirms Raja Warring to Stay as Punjab Chief Ahead of Polls

Senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel has confirmed that the party's high command has decided to retain Raja Warring as the president of its Punjab unit. The announcement comes ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in the state. Baghel made clear that no leadership change is being considered for the Punjab Congress. The party appears focused on maintaining stability in its state organization as election season approaches.

Utah's Provo Canyon School shut down after safety violations; Paris Hilton welcomes closure

Provo Canyon School in Utah has had its operating license revoked by authorities due to health and safety violations, effectively shutting down the decades-old institution. Celebrity Paris Hilton, who has publicly spoken about alleged abuse she suffered at the school during her teenage years, welcomed the closure. The school's owners are reportedly exploring legal options in response to the license revocation, while officials oversee the transition of current students. The shutdown follows years of campaigning by Hilton and other advocates against abusive practices in so-called troubled-teen facilities. The closure reflects growing regulatory scrutiny of the broader troubled-teen industry across the United States.

Bengal Rape-Murder Accused Killed in Encounter; Mother Accepts Son's Fate

The mother of a rape-murder accused in West Bengal has responded to her son's death in a police encounter. Sandhya Mondal acknowledged that her son had committed a wrong act and deserved to be punished. She stated that she would not bring his body back to their home, given the nature of his alleged crime. Her remarks came after her son was killed by police in an encounter linked to the rape-murder case.

Bombay High Court upholds adult woman's right to choose marriage and residence

The Bombay High Court has reaffirmed that an adult woman has the fundamental right to make her own decisions regarding marriage and where she lives. The ruling came in a case involving a woman who was fleeing a forced marriage. The court made clear that personal autonomy in matters of matrimony is protected under law. The judgment reinforces constitutional protections available to adult individuals against coercion in personal life choices.

Russia Adapts Tactics to Counter Ukraine's Starlink and Drone Warfare

Ukrainian drone commanders and pilots have told Reuters that mid-strike drones are reshaping the battlefield by accurately hitting military targets dozens of kilometres behind front lines at low cost. Russia is responding by disguising military supplies inside civilian vehicles to evade detection. Moscow is also altering its logistics routes to reduce the impact of Ukraine's expanding drone campaign. These adaptations reflect a broader Russian effort to neutralise Ukraine's growing technological and battlefield advantages.

El Niño Linked to Extreme Rainfall Patterns Over Mumbai Despite Dry Reputation

El Niño is a naturally occurring climate phenomenon characterized by unusually warm Pacific Ocean surface temperatures. It has traditionally been associated with weaker monsoons and below-normal rainfall across India. However, recent weather patterns suggest the phenomenon may be contributing to irregular and intense precipitation events in cities like Mumbai. Scientists are re-examining the relationship between El Niño and regional rainfall distribution in India. The development highlights growing complexity in predicting monsoon behavior under shifting climate conditions.