India

Sanctioned Ukrainian Tycoon Vadym Yermolaiev Wounded in Monaco Parcel Bomb Attack

Vadym Yermolaiev, a 58-year-old Ukrainian businessman, was wounded in a parcel bomb attack in Monaco. He is a sanctioned tycoon with alleged ties to Russian-controlled territories. Ukrainian authorities have accused him of operating an alcohol business in Russian-annexed Crimea. The allegations include continuing to pay taxes to Russia even after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The attack has drawn attention to his controversial business activities amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Vijay Hosts Alliance Leaders at Chennai Meet to Strengthen Minority Govt

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay brought together leaders and legislators from allied parties at a tea meeting held at a star hotel on the outskirts of Chennai. The gathering was organised to consolidate support for his TVK-led secular alliance, which currently runs a minority government. Allied parties expressed confidence in the coalition's stability and signalled interest in a long-term political partnership. The meeting reflects efforts by the ruling alliance to maintain unity and reinforce inter-party ties ahead of future political challenges.

TikTok Settles US Teen Addiction Lawsuit Before Trial

TikTok has reached a settlement with a US teenager in a lawsuit alleging the platform deliberately fosters addictive behavior among young users. The case centered on features such as infinite scroll, which critics argue are designed to keep children compulsively engaged. The settlement was reached ahead of what would have been a courtroom trial. This is not the first time TikTok has opted to resolve such claims out of court, having previously paid $27 million in a settlement involving school districts.

Adani Group Eyes Odisha as Key Driver of Eastern India's Economic Growth

Karan Adani addressed a gathering where he spoke about the Adani Group's vision for Odisha's economic potential. He conveyed that Group Chairman Gautam Adani views the state as more than just a resource-rich region. According to Karan Adani, Gautam Adani sees resilience as a defining quality of Odisha beyond its natural resources. The statement signals the conglomerate's continued interest in the eastern Indian state as a strategic growth hub.

Jagan Reddy Revives Andhra Capital Debate with 'Mavigan' Campaign Pitch

Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has launched a new political initiative called 'Mavigan' ahead of the next state elections. The move has reignited the long-standing debate over Andhra Pradesh's capital city. Jagan also directed sharp criticism at the current TDP-led NDA government, accusing it of using the Amaravati capital project as a cover for corruption. The capital dispute has been a contentious issue in Andhra Pradesh politics, with different parties backing different locations for the state's administrative hub.

ShareChat Plans $400 Million IPO Next Year After Cost-Cutting Turnaround

Indian social media platform ShareChat is targeting a $400 million initial public offering next year, positioning itself as a domestic rival to Meta. The planned listing represents a major turnaround for the company, which has recently returned to profitability. Over the past few years, ShareChat was forced to significantly reduce costs and lay off employees as venture capital funding declined in the post-pandemic period. The IPO signals renewed investor confidence in the platform as it seeks to capitalize on its recovery.

Mehbooba Mufti heads to Tehran for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral. Why the visit is politically significant

Delhi Police Arrests Four in Pakistan-Backed Terror Plot Targeting Capital

Delhi Police Special Cell has arrested four suspects allegedly connected to a Pakistan-backed terror network. The accused were reportedly recruited from Punjab and were receiving directions from ISI handlers based in Pakistan. The network is believed to have been planning a terror attack in Delhi. Investigators are probing the full extent of the plot and any additional links within the network.

Abhishek Sharma sets fastest T20I fifty record for India in England

India's opening T20I against England ended with no result after rain interrupted play. Abhishek Sharma scored a blistering 59 off 24 balls, claiming the record for the fastest T20I half-century by an Indian batter in England, surpassing KL Rahul's previous mark. Captain Shreyas Iyer contributed a solid 68 as India posted a competitive 189/7. Shivam Dube added an unbeaten 42 to boost the total in the final overs. Persistent rain ultimately forced the match to be abandoned without a result.

India and Japan Sign Trade MoC at 16th Annual Summit in New Delhi

India and Japan have signed a new Memorandum of Cooperation during the 16th Annual Summit held in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, emphasizing shared goals for a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. The two leaders held discussions focused on expanding Japanese investment in India, targeting growth in both capital inflows and corporate presence. The agreement reflects a deepening bilateral partnership grounded in mutual trust and shared strategic values.

INS Trikand Thwarts Piracy Attempt on Merchant Vessel in Gulf of Aden

Indian Navy warship INS Trikand successfully prevented a piracy attack on merchant vessel MV Golden Arsenal in the Gulf of Aden. The warship responded promptly to a distress call from the vessel, and the arrival of the naval ship caused the suspected pirates to abandon their attempt and flee. Indian Marine Commandos subsequently boarded and secured the merchant vessel, which was transporting critical cargo destined for India. Fortunately, none of the crew members sustained any injuries during the incident.

India, Japan sign defence pact as PM Modi holds talks with Takaichi

Piyush Goyal Says Key Elements of US-India Trade Deal Largely Finalised

Union Minister Piyush Goyal has reflected on the challenges his team encountered during trade negotiations between India and the United States. He described the process as a 'nightmare', indicating the complexity involved in reaching an agreement. Goyal confirmed that the major components of the deal, including concessions on various goods and the dismantling of non-tariff barriers, have been largely settled. The progress signals that both nations are moving closer to finalising a bilateral trade agreement.

ITR Filing Rules for Salaried Taxpayers: Who Must File and Key Exemption Limits

Filing an Income Tax Return (ITR) is a statutory obligation and serves as a critical financial record for individuals. For the financial year 2025-26, the basic exemption limit under the old tax regime is Rs 2.5 lakh for individuals below 60 years of age. Under the new tax regime, this limit is higher at Rs 4 lakh for the same age group. Salaried taxpayers need to assess which regime applies to them to determine whether filing is mandatory. Understanding these thresholds is essential for compliance with Indian income tax laws.

Child Loses Control of Stolen Pickup, Kills 8 Thai Monks in Procession

Eight Buddhist monks were killed and ten others injured in Thailand after a child drove a pickup truck into a religious procession. The boy had taken his parents' vehicle without their knowledge or permission. He lost control of the truck, causing it to crash into the group of monks. Police confirmed the incident and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Dentist Apologises for Mocking Ketan Agarwal Amid Online Backlash

Dentist Muskan Soni has issued an apology after facing widespread criticism for mocking a person named Ketan Agarwal. The incident drew significant public backlash directed at Soni following the incident. The online abuse she received was severe enough that she was compelled to set her YouTube account to private. Soni acknowledged her actions, describing herself as having a humorous personality, suggesting the mockery was not intended maliciously.

Delhi HC upholds CRPF promotion denial over tattoos on saluting arm

Two CRPF inspectors were denied promotion to the rank of Assistant Commandant because they had tattoos on their right forearms, which is considered the saluting limb. The Delhi High Court upheld the decision, clarifying that tattoos are not outright banned in the force but are subject to strict regulations regarding placement, size, and content. The court further ruled that having the tattoos removed after being declared unfit does not entitle the officers to the current vacancies. The inspectors were instead advised to reapply when future examination cycles open.

Bike Taxi Passenger Helmets Serve as Traffic Fine Shield, Not Safety Gear

Cheap, low-quality helmets provided to passengers on bike taxis are primarily meant to avoid traffic challans rather than ensure rider safety. Several bike taxi riders have openly admitted that the helmets are intended only to satisfy traffic police during checks. These helmets do not meet adequate safety standards and offer little to no real protection in the event of an accident. The practice highlights a wider concern about safety compliance being treated as a formality rather than a genuine precaution on Indian roads.

Just 0.2% of India's 87 Million MSMEs Are Exporting, Government Seeks Solutions

India has approximately 87 million micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), but only around 170,000 of them are currently engaged in exports. This stark gap highlights a significant untapped potential in the country's small business sector. The Indian government has been actively promoting export growth through policy initiatives including Make in India, Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, and an expanding network of Free Trade Agreements. Despite these efforts, the vast majority of MSMEs remain confined to domestic markets. The situation raises questions about what structural, financial, or logistical barriers continue to prevent smaller businesses from participating in global trade.

Eight monks killed in Thailand after 11-year-old loses control of pickup truck

At least eight monks were killed in northeastern Thailand after an 11-year-old boy lost control of a pickup truck and struck a group of pilgrims. Five monks died at the scene, while three others later died from their injuries at a hospital. Fourteen additional people were injured and taken to hospital following the incident. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the full circumstances behind the crash.