India

Indian dignitaries pay tribute to late Iran supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei ahead of funeral

Tech Giants Bet $9 Billion on Embedding Engineers Inside Customer Offices

Major tech companies including Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Amazon are deploying thousands of engineers directly into customer workplaces to accelerate AI adoption. Microsoft recently launched its $2.5 billion Frontier Company, the largest such initiative to date. This follows OpenAI's $4 billion Deployment Company, Anthropic's $1.5 billion venture, and Amazon's $1 billion AWS unit dedicated to hands-on AI deployment. Collectively, these firms have committed nearly $9 billion to this embedded-engineer model. The trend signals a broader industry shift toward in-person, customized AI implementation as companies seek to demonstrate real-world business value.

Supreme Court refuses to stay bail granted to Sonam Raghuvanshi in husband murder case

Camera Trap in Sikkim Records First Confirmed Eurasian Lynx Sighting

A camera trap in Sikkim has captured the first definitive photographic evidence of a Eurasian lynx in the region. The image is significant as it suggests the species may be expanding its known geographic range. Alongside the lynx, the elusive Pallas's cat was also recorded by the camera trap. These findings highlight Sikkim's rich and relatively undocumented wildlife biodiversity. Conservationists consider such documentation crucial for understanding the distribution of rare Himalayan species.

Iran Delays Khamenei Funeral Amid Active War With US and Israel

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei's funeral was not held immediately following his death, prompting widespread speculation. Rumours circulated that his body had been temporarily buried in the interim period. Iranian officials, however, firmly denied these claims, attributing the delay to the dangerous and unpredictable conditions of the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel. Authorities maintained that the volatile wartime situation made it impossible to hold the funeral sooner.

Martinez backs VAR after Portugal edge Croatia 2-1; Dalic slams refereeing

Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 in a dramatic World Cup match, with Goncalo Ramos scoring the winner in stoppage time. Portugal coach Roberto Martinez defended the VAR decisions, stating there were no errors and expressing support for ball-tracking technology. Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic sharply criticised the officiating, calling it very poor refereeing. However, Dalic acknowledged that his team had opportunities to win the match before the late goal sealed Portugal's victory.

India pulls two apps over remote e-rickshaw shutdown security concerns

The Indian government has removed two smartphone apps, including the Chinese BAT-BMS app, from app stores after reports emerged of e-rickshaws being remotely disabled. The apps were originally designed for battery management but were allegedly misused to interfere with vehicles through unsecured Bluetooth-connected battery systems. The unauthorized shutdowns raised concerns about vulnerabilities in e-rickshaw infrastructure. Authorities have now urged app store platforms to strengthen their review processes to prevent similar harmful applications from becoming available in the future.

LPG Tanker Rams UP Toll Booth, Sparks Massive Fire; 5 Dead

An LPG tanker lost control and crashed into a toll booth in Uttar Pradesh, resulting in five fatalities. The collision triggered a massive fire that broke out at the site of the impact. The blaze was reported to be so intense that it could be seen from approximately two kilometres away. The incident was captured on camera, providing visual evidence of the crash and its immediate aftermath.

Bus Plunges Into Ditch in Balochistan, Killing at Least 40 People

A bus lost control and plunged into a ditch in Pakistan's Balochistan province, killing at least 40 people. The incident resulted in significant casualties, though further details about the exact location and cause remain limited. Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province by area, has seen several road accidents in the past due to challenging terrain and road conditions. Authorities are expected to respond to the site of the crash to manage rescue and recovery operations.

Hyderabad Woman Dies by Suicide in Hotel During Video Call With Friend

A woman identified as Renuka died by suicide at a hotel in Hyderabad's Langar Houz area on Wednesday. She had checked into the hotel with a man at approximately 3 am. The incident came to light after she was on a video call with a friend at the time of her death. Police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the case.

Supreme Court Extends Bail for Woman Held in Husband's Murder Case

Sonam Raghuvanshi, arrested in June last year in connection with the murder of her husband Raja Raghuvanshi, has been granted continued bail relief by the Supreme Court. The case saw some confusion during proceedings at the apex court before the decision was reached. Sonam had been in custody following her arrest linked to her husband's killing. The Supreme Court's order allows her to remain out on bail while the case proceeds.

Pakistan forms Army Rocket Force Command after Operation Sindoor clash with India

Pakistan has established a new Army Rocket Force Command in the wake of Operation Sindoor, seeking to strengthen its conventional strike capabilities. The move is seen as a direct response to India's ability to counter Pakistani attacks, including through the use of S-400 air defense systems. The development signals a broader shift toward non-contact warfare in the region. Both India and Pakistan are now reassessing their military strategies and defense procurement priorities following the conflict.

Supreme Court upholds bail for woman accused of honeymoon murder over police error

The Supreme Court has refused to cancel bail granted to Sonam Raghuvanshi, who is accused of murdering her husband during their honeymoon. The Meghalaya High Court had originally granted her bail after police cited a non-existent legal section in their charge sheet, a significant clerical error. This procedural lapse meant Raghuvanshi was never properly informed of the murder charge against her. The Supreme Court, while expressing reservations about the case, noted that she had already been released and had complied with her bail conditions. The court ultimately declined to revoke the bail order given these circumstances.

Centre Orders Removal Of Chinese Apps Used To Stop E-Rickshaws In Delhi

Yamal becomes youngest European to reach 10 major tournament wins at 18

Spain's 18-year-old winger Lamine Yamal broke Kylian Mbappe's record to become the youngest European player to achieve 10 major tournament victories. The milestone came during Spain's commanding 3-0 victory over Austria at the FIFA World Cup. Yamal delivered a standout performance despite carrying an injury, earning himself the Player of the Match award. Spain maintained their flawless defensive record throughout the group stage and will next face Portugal in the Round of 16.

ABD, Shastri disagree with India's cautious approach to Sooryavanshi's debut

Teenage cricket sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's delayed India debut has sparked debate among former international players. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has backed a gradual integration approach for the young talent. However, former South Africa captain AB de Villiers believes the recent Ireland series would have been an ideal opportunity for Sooryavanshi to make his international bow. Legends Ravi Shastri and Michael Vaughan echoed similar views, arguing that a less formidable opponent like Ireland would have been a suitable platform for the youngster to gain international experience.

DMK MLA Anitha Radhakrishnan Arrested After HC Rejects Bail Over Remarks on TN CM Vijay

DMK leader and former minister Anitha R. Radhakrishnan was arrested after the Madras High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea. The arrest stems from allegedly defamatory remarks he made against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and TVK president C. Joseph Vijay at a public event. Police took him into custody following the court's ruling. Investigations into the matter are currently ongoing.

Air India ordered to pay Rs 60,000 to elderly couple for wrongful seat change

Air India has been directed to pay Rs 60,000 in compensation to an elderly couple after the airline changed their pre-booked seats without justification. The husband, who had undergone hip surgery, suffered significant physical pain due to the seat change, while his wife experienced mental distress. The incident left the husband bedridden and caused the couple to miss a family function. The State Consumer Commission reviewed the case and found the initial compensation of Rs 40,000 awarded by a lower forum to be inadequate. The commission increased the payout to better reflect the couple's physical suffering, mental anguish, and litigation costs.

EPFO Caps Mandatory PF Contribution at Rs 1,800 on Rs 15,000 Wage Ceiling

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has introduced a new rule set to take effect in 2026. Under this change, mandatory provident fund contributions will be calculated only on the statutory wage ceiling of Rs 15,000 per month. This means the compulsory PF deduction will be capped at Rs 1,800 monthly, which is 12% of the Rs 15,000 ceiling. Employees earning above this threshold will not have mandatory contributions calculated on their full salary. The move is expected to directly affect the take-home pay and retirement savings structure of salaried workers across India.

Pune Toddler Drowns in Uncovered Sewage Pit While Playing Outside Home

A young toddler named Soham Lakhan Kasbe died in Pune after falling into a rainwater-filled sewage pit near his residence. The child had been playing outside his home when the accident occurred. The pit, which was left unguarded and uncovered, posed a fatal hazard to the unsuspecting child. The incident has raised serious concerns about the lack of safety measures around open pits in residential areas.