India

Meghalaya Seeks Eased Foreign Funding Rules for Charitable Institutions

A delegation from Meghalaya, led by the Chief Minister, has requested relaxations in foreign funding regulations. The appeal focuses on charitable institutions such as schools and hospitals that depend on overseas contributions to sustain their operations. The state government highlighted that many of these organizations would struggle to function without access to foreign funds. The request reflects broader concerns about how existing foreign contribution rules affect service delivery in the northeastern state.

PM Modi begins six-day tour of Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set off on a six-day diplomatic visit covering Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand. The tour is aimed at strengthening India's Act East Policy and its broader Indo-Pacific strategic vision. Key agenda items include discussions on defense cooperation, critical minerals, and digital payments infrastructure. Modi is also expected to engage with Indian diaspora communities and highlight cultural connections across the three nations.

Harry Kane loses voice celebrating England's 3-2 World Cup win over Mexico

England captain Harry Kane went viral after appearing nearly voiceless during a post-match BBC interview following England's 3-2 World Cup 2026 Round of 16 victory over Mexico. The win, described as chaotic and emotional, secured England's place in the quarter-finals. Kane had strained his voice celebrating with teammates and fans at the Estadio Azteca. The celebrations included group singing of Oasis' Wonderwall and the football anthem Three Lions.

Experts Call for Tree Census and Health Audits to Prevent Delhi Tree Falls

Experts have raised concerns about the recurring incidents of trees falling in Delhi, citing the absence of a proper tree census as a key contributing factor. The lack of regular health audits means diseased or structurally weak trees often go undetected until they collapse. Specialists are urging authorities to conduct systematic tree censuses to identify and treat at-risk trees at an early stage. Poor maintenance practices have also been flagged as a significant reason behind the frequency of such incidents in the capital.

Roof Collapses at Ratnagiri Railway Station in Maharashtra During Heavy Rain

A portion of the roof at Ratnagiri Railway Station in Maharashtra collapsed amid heavy rainfall. Visuals from the site showed a roughly 50-foot section of the roof lying on the outer area of the station floor. The incident highlights the structural vulnerability of railway infrastructure during extreme weather conditions. No immediate details regarding casualties or service disruptions were reported in the initial coverage.

BJP’s Rajya Sabha tally likely to go up by 3 with a no-challenge election

116-Year-Old Woman Climbs 3,550 Steps to Tirumala, Gets VIP Darshan

A 116-year-old devotee received VIP darshan at the Tirumala temple in Andhra Pradesh after a video of her walking went viral. Despite her extraordinary age, she climbed the Alipiri footpath, a 9-kilometre trail through the Seshachalam hills involving nearly 3,550 steps. She undertook the arduous trek to offer prayers to Lord Venkateswara at the hilltop shrine. Temple authorities arranged special VIP access for her, recognising her remarkable feat and devotion.

Iran Thanks India for Support During Supreme Leader Khamenei's Funeral

The Iranian Embassy posted a lengthy message on X expressing gratitude to the Indian community for their participation in events surrounding Ayatollah Khamenei's funeral. The embassy described India as a 'friendly' nation and praised the show of solidarity from the Indian side. Iranian officials stated that the Islamic Republic would not forget what they called a gesture of friendship, compassion, and heartfelt respect. The message underscores the warm diplomatic ties between Iran and India during a significant moment of national mourning for Tehran.

‘Request everyone to respect my privacy’: Bhubaneswar DCP resigns for ‘personal reasons’

Gold prices face limited upside amid high US inflation, analysts say

Gold prices are expected to see only modest gains in the near term, according to market analysts. Manav Modi, Senior Analyst at Motilal Oswal Financial Services, attributes the limited upside to persistently high inflation in the United States. Elevated inflation typically influences Federal Reserve policy decisions, which in turn affect gold's appeal as an asset. Traders and investors have been advised to monitor key price levels closely this week.

Aakash Chopra says Rajat Patidar faces tough road back into India T20I squad

Former India batter Aakash Chopra has expressed doubt about Rajat Patidar's chances of breaking back into the Indian T20I setup. Chopra acknowledged Patidar's strong domestic T20 record but argued that the current batting lineup leaves little space for him. He pointed to India's left-handed top order and settled middle-order options as key obstacles to Patidar's inclusion. According to Chopra, Patidar's best chance would come only if the team management decides to alter its existing combination.

Himachal Pradesh Apple Output May Fall 40% Amid Climate Disruptions

Himachal Pradesh's apple industry, valued at approximately Rs 5,000 crore, is facing a severe climate-driven crisis in 2024. Production is projected to decline by nearly 40% this year due to unseasonal rains, hailstorms, and erratic weather patterns. Around 2.5 lakh farming families dependent on apple cultivation are bearing the brunt of the disruption. Growers are struggling with mounting input costs while urgently calling for better irrigation infrastructure and stronger crop insurance coverage.

Sukhbir Badal Slams Removal of Punjabi Film 'Satluj' from ZEE5 as Censorship

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal has strongly condemned the removal of the Punjabi film 'Satluj' from the streaming platform ZEE5. Badal described the move as an act of censorship, expressing shock and sadness over the decision. The film was pulled from the platform, though the specific reasons behind its removal were not clearly stated. Badal's remarks signal political pushback against what he views as an unwarranted restriction on creative content. The incident has sparked a broader conversation around freedom of expression and content regulation on digital platforms.

FIFA Lifts Balogun Red Card Ban Before US-Belgium Match, Sparking Integrity Row

FIFA reversed Folarin Balogun's red card suspension, allowing the US striker to feature in their match against Belgium. The decision, described as citing a probationary period, was widely seen as unprecedented in tournament disciplinary proceedings. US President Donald Trump publicly praised the reversal, calling it the correction of a 'great injustice.' Belgium and several other nations have strongly criticized the move, raising concerns about the integrity and fairness of the tournament. The episode has prompted broader questions about the independence of FIFA's disciplinary process and how future sanctions may be handled.

Leaked Emails Show Anthropic-Pentagon Split Over AI Weapons and Surveillance Limits

Court documents unsealed recently have revealed a heated email exchange between Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and Pentagon undersecretary Emil Michael that led to the collapse of their partnership. Amodei refused to remove his firm's restrictions on autonomous weapons development and domestic surveillance applications. This stance conflicted with the Pentagon's demand that Anthropic support all lawful uses of its AI technology. Following the breakdown, the Defense Department labelled Anthropic a 'supply-chain risk,' a designation the company is currently contesting in court.

How India's States Are Navigating Rules for Redeveloping Old Residential Buildings

Redeveloping aging residential buildings in India has become increasingly necessary due to safety concerns, structural deterioration, and outdated regulatory compliance. While no single national law governs the process, individual states have stepped in with their own frameworks to manage redevelopment. Maharashtra has focused on simplifying consent procedures and ensuring greater transparency for residents and developers. Delhi, on the other hand, relies on its Master Plan to guide organized redevelopment across designated areas. The varied state-level approaches highlight the complexity of balancing resident rights, safety needs, and urban planning goals.

Film on Human Rights Activist Jaswant Singh Khalra Pulled from Indian Screens

Jaswant Singh Khalra was a human rights activist who documented the deaths of victims to restore their dignity. A film based on his life was recently released in India but was quickly withdrawn from screens. The disappearance of the film draws a parallel to the subject matter Khalra himself investigated — enforced disappearances. The incident has reignited debate around freedom of expression and the screening of sensitive historical narratives in India.

Bikers Blocking Ambulance While Stunting on Bengaluru Road Caught on Video

A group of five to six bikers was caught on camera performing dangerous stunts on a road in Bengaluru. The riders allegedly occupied the road and refused to clear the way for a passing ambulance. The ambulance, which was carrying a patient, was forced to wait as the bikers continued their reckless maneuvers. The incident was captured on video and has since drawn widespread public outrage. Authorities are yet to confirm whether any arrests have been made in connection with the incident.

Mumbai, Pune, Raigad districts and ghat areas on ‘red’ alert today

Sonam Wangchuk's 'still alive' post draws attention as hunger strike enters Day 9