India

Defence body clears proposals to acquire ‘Akash Tarang’, MRSAM, VSHORADS, jet-based Kamikaze drones for Armed Forces

India Summons Meta Officials Over Child Abuse Ads Appearing on Instagram

The Indian government has summoned officials from Meta to seek an explanation over advertisements related to child abuse appearing on Instagram. The ministry is expected to question the company about how such content was allowed to run on the platform. Meta owns several major social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. The development signals growing regulatory scrutiny of social media companies over harmful content in India.

MP CM Mohan Yadav's Departments Among Worst for Pending Assembly Matters

A total of 1,336 Vidhan Sabha-related matters remain unresolved across 54 departments in Madhya Pradesh. Two of the five worst-performing departments fall directly under Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's purview, making it a significant embarrassment for his administration. The backlog has come to light ahead of an upcoming Assembly session. The pending matters are spread across a wide range of government departments, highlighting a systemic issue with legislative compliance.

Red Wings, Hurricanes emerge as potential destinations for Jets goalie Hellebuyck

Winnipeg Jets star goalie Connor Hellebuyck is at the center of trade speculation ahead of the upcoming NHL season. The rumors gained traction after the Jets signed Stuart Skinner, raising questions about Hellebuyck's future with the team. Both the Detroit Red Wings and the Carolina Hurricanes have reportedly emerged as potential suitors for the goaltender. Hellebuyck, valued at $59 million, could be on the move if the Jets decide to proceed with a trade.

Punjab Congress Split Widens as Channi Camp Pushes to Replace State Chief Warring

A visible internal rift has emerged within the Punjab Congress party, pitting the camp of former Chief Minister Charanjit Channi against current state president Raja Warring. The Channi faction has openly pushed for a change in the party's state leadership, signaling growing dissatisfaction within the ranks. The development marks one of the clearest public displays of intra-party conflict in the state unit. The power struggle is unfolding ahead of the next Punjab Assembly elections, raising concerns about the party's unity and electoral prospects.

How Indra Nooyi Rose from Chennai to PepsiCo CEO, Breaking Barriers Along the Way

Indra Nooyi, a 70-year-old Indian-origin business leader and IIM Calcutta alumna, became the first woman of color to head a Fortune 500 company when she led PepsiCo. She credits America's merit-based system for enabling her rise despite cultural and financial challenges she faced after immigrating from Chennai. During her tenure, Nooyi transformed PepsiCo through a strategic vision she called 'Performance with a Purpose,' balancing profitability with social responsibility. Her journey from modest beginnings in India to the top of a global corporation continues to serve as an inspiration for women aspiring to leadership roles worldwide.

Indian man in North Carolina charged with attempted murder of 2-year-old child

Kiran Netha Pasunuri, an Indian national residing in North Carolina, has been charged with attempted murder of his two-year-old child. The toddler was found with critical skull injuries and severe physical trauma. Authorities allege that medical attention for the child was deliberately delayed. Pasunuri now faces multiple charges, including several counts of child abuse alongside the attempted murder charge.

Kapil Dev praises Sooryavanshi but urges caution over India debut hype

Cricket legend Kapil Dev has compared 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's talent to that of Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. The young batsman impressed in the IPL but is yet to make his international debut for India. Kapil Dev cautioned against excessive hype, stressing that Sooryavanshi must first prove himself in longer formats of the game. Speculation around his potential debut against England has grown as India looks to turn around their T20 series fortunes.

Beed Youth Detained for Allegedly Knowing About Lohagad Fort Murder Plot

Police have detained a youth from Beed in connection with the Ketan Agarwal murder case. Investigators believe the detainee, a friend of accused Chetan Chaudhary, was aware of the alleged murder plan beforehand. Both Chaudhary and co-accused Siya Goyal are said to have confided their intentions to him prior to the act. The youth reportedly discouraged them from going ahead with the plan but was contacted by both accused after the incident. Agarwal died following a fall from Lohagad Fort on June 18.

BJP Youth Wing Leader Booked for Molesting, Threatening Doctor in MP

Anil Srivastava, a member of the BJP State Yuva Morcha executive committee, has been booked by Sagar police in Madhya Pradesh for allegedly molesting a doctor and threatening to shoot her. Srivastava and an associate face charges under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The case was registered following a complaint by the victim against the accused. Police have initiated legal proceedings against both individuals in connection with the incident.

India keeps Indus Waters Treaty suspended, cites Pakistan's support for terrorism

India has maintained its suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, holding the agreement 'in abeyance' due to what it describes as Pakistan's ongoing support for cross-border terrorism. The Ministry of External Affairs reiterated its position, stating that Pakistan must halt its sponsorship of terror before the treaty can be revisited. New Delhi has made clear that normalisation of the water-sharing arrangement is contingent on a change in Pakistan's behaviour. Separately, India has conveyed its position on the proposed Teesta River project to Bangladesh, pledging cooperation grounded in mutual understanding and consultations between the two sides.

Michigan brothers' lemonade stand fight leads to state bill easing permit fees for minors

Three brothers in Michigan were confronted with a permit fee of nearly $400 to legally operate their small lemonade stand charging just 50 cents per cup. With support from their mother and a state legislator, the boys chose to challenge the regulation rather than shut down. Their advocacy resulted in a bipartisan bill that would exempt minors earning under $5,000 annually from requiring such permits. The bill has since passed the Michigan state house and is aimed at protecting a long-standing childhood entrepreneurial tradition.

Hong Kong man cleared of murder after claiming he beat girlfriend to help her lose weight

Defence Ministry approves Rs 52,000 crore equipment deal for armed forces

India's Defence Ministry has approved military acquisitions worth over Rs 52,000 crore to strengthen national security. The approvals cover advanced anti-drone systems and indigenous anti-tank missiles for the Army, along with enhanced air defence capabilities. The Navy and Air Force will also benefit from new mine systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, and high-altitude surveillance platforms. These procurements are aimed at modernising the armed forces and improving readiness against emerging security threats.

Newsom and Musk trade jabs over proposed nationwide billionaire tax

California Governor Gavin Newsom has called for a federal billionaire tax, arguing that a national policy is needed to stop the ultra-wealthy from moving to low-tax states. The proposal sparked a public spat with tech billionaires Elon Musk and David Sacks on social media. Musk responded to Newsom with a mocking meme, prompting the governor to fire back with a comment about taxing trillionaires. Venture capitalist David Sacks criticized Newsom for failing to veto a state-level Billionaire Tax Act, and suggested the governor consider relocating to Texas. The exchange highlights growing tensions between Democratic policymakers and Silicon Valley figures over wealth taxation in the United States.

ISRO Bomb Threat Email Traced to Ghaziabad; Sender Identified as Mentally Ill

Bengaluru Police have resolved a hoax bomb threat case targeting ISRO's headquarters in Bengaluru. Investigators traced the threatening email to a sender based in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. The individual responsible was identified and found to be mentally challenged. The case has been closed following the discovery that the threat was not credible.

India summons Meta over Instagram ads showing child sexual abuse material

Indian IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has directed officials to summon Meta after reports emerged of Instagram advertisements featuring child sexual abuse material. The move signals escalating government concern over the presence of harmful and illegal content on major social media platforms. Authorities are demanding that Meta explain how such material bypassed the platform's content moderation systems. The ministry is seeking accountability from the tech giant over its failure to prevent the circulation of such serious content on Instagram.

Red Alert Issued for Mumbai and Thane Ahead of Heavy Weekend Rainfall

Mumbai and Thane have been placed under a red alert in anticipation of heavy rainfall expected over the weekend. The Mumbai region has experienced persistent and intense rain throughout the week, disrupting daily life across the city. The monsoon arrived later than usual this season before quickly intensifying over the area. Authorities have issued the red alert as a precautionary measure to warn residents of potentially dangerous weather conditions.

Fossil of 45-ft Titanoboa snake points to a much warmer ancient Earth

Scientists have reconstructed Titanoboa, a prehistoric giant snake discovered in Colombia that stretched up to 45 feet and weighed over a ton. The massive reptile, which lived in the Amazon region, preyed on crocodiles and large fish. Its existence provides evidence that equatorial temperatures on ancient Earth reached approximately 91°F, far warmer than today. Researchers say the find underscores the remarkable diversity of life that existed on our planet millions of years ago.

Falling Global Crude Prices Offer Economic Relief to India, Boost Growth Outlook

Global crude oil prices have declined recently, providing broad economic benefits to India. While retail consumers may not immediately see lower fuel prices due to existing inventory costs, the country stands to gain from a reduced import bill. The easing of oil prices is also expected to help lower inflation and strengthen government finances. Sectors such as aviation are already experiencing positive effects from cheaper fuel costs. As a result, analysts are upgrading India's economic growth forecasts, pointing to an improved near-term outlook.