India

Rate cuts lift home buying sentiment, but Mumbai and NCR remain unaffordable

Reduced home loan interest rates are improving buyer confidence across India, according to a recent report. However, affordability remains a significant hurdle in key markets like Mumbai and the National Capital Region. Delhi-NCR has seen a rise in new housing supply, driven largely by ongoing infrastructure development in the region. Bengaluru is experiencing a surge in property launches, keeping pace with growing demand in the city. Analysts note that local market conditions are increasingly influencing the broader trajectory of India's real estate sector.

Jaismine Lamboria wins Women's 57kg Boxing Gold at Commonwealth Games 2026

Indian boxer Jaismine Lamboria claimed the gold medal in the women's 57kg category at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. She defeated Ireland's Michaela Walsh with a dominant unanimous 5-0 decision in the final. The victory contributed India's seventh gold medal at the ongoing Games. Lamboria's win came shortly after fellow Indian boxer Preeti Pawar had also secured a gold medal in boxing. Both athletes acknowledged each other respectfully at the conclusion of the bout.

Seers file police complaints against Rahul, Akhilesh over Ram Temple protest skit

Religious seers and lawyers filed police complaints in Varanasi against opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and Pappu Yadav. The complainants alleged that their religious sentiments were hurt by a symbolic protest staged inside Parliament. The opposition leaders had enacted the demonstration to highlight alleged financial irregularities in Ram Temple donation collections. The protests followed accusations of embezzlement related to funds donated for the Ayodhya temple. The complainants have sought legal action against all opposition figures involved in the demonstration.

Seers file police complaints against Rahul, Akhilesh over Ram Temple protest skit

Religious seers and lawyers filed police complaints in Varanasi against opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and Pappu Yadav. The complainants alleged that their religious sentiments were hurt by a symbolic protest staged by opposition members inside Parliament. The protest was held in response to allegations of financial irregularities involving donations collected for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Opposition leaders enacted a skit to highlight the alleged embezzlement of temple funds. The complainants have sought legal action against all opposition figures involved in the demonstration.

UP man murders wife's lover, buries body under home floor; stench alerts villagers

A man in Uttar Pradesh allegedly killed his wife's lover and concealed the body by burying it beneath the floor of their house. Residents grew suspicious after a foul odour began emanating from the property, prompting them to alert authorities. Police arrived and excavated the room, recovering a decomposed body from under the floor. The wife has been taken into custody as investigators work to locate her absconding husband. A formal investigation is underway to apprehend the prime accused in the case.

Kale island vanished under rising seas; sculpture marks the site

Chandigarh Lawyer Arrested for Shooting Woman in Face During Eviction Drive

A lawyer in Chandigarh has been arrested after allegedly shooting a woman in the face during an eviction drive. The accused used a double-barrelled shotgun in the attack. The incident took place in the course of what was described as an eviction operation. Authorities moved swiftly to apprehend the lawyer following the shooting. The case has drawn significant attention given the accused's legal background.

Ceuta Border Crisis: 67 Dead as Thousands Cross from Morocco into Spanish Enclave

Thousands of Moroccan migrants crossed into Spain's Ceuta enclave in an unprecedented border crossing event, with reports that Moroccan authorities directed them toward the territory. At least 67 people died during the crossings, while many others returned after facing harsh conditions. Spain has since moved to reinforce its border around the North African enclave in response to the mass influx. The crisis has fuelled political tensions between Spain and Morocco, reigniting debates over migration policy in the region.

Raj Thackeray urges Modi to rein in BJP trolls after PM forgives abusive students

Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly stated he has forgiven students who directed abusive language at him and his mother. MNS chief Raj Thackeray responded by urging Modi to equally address the abusive conduct of BJP-affiliated trolls online. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray called on Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to apologise for violence against student protesters. Uddhav emphasised that the students' core demand was simply an improvement to the education system. Modi had framed his message as an opportunity for the students to reflect and change course.

Ghana startup converts plastic waste into affordable road paving blocks

Ghana is addressing its plastic pollution problem by transforming waste materials into durable paving blocks for roads and highways. The initiative is led by entrepreneur Nelson Boateng through his company Nelplast, based in the country's capital. Plastic collectors are compensated for the waste they bring in, creating an additional income stream for local community members. The resulting paving blocks are competitively priced compared to conventional concrete alternatives, making them an economically viable option. The project simultaneously tackles environmental degradation and generates financial opportunities for participants.

China runs joint air-naval drills near Scarborough Shoal amid South China Sea tensions

China's military carried out joint air and naval exercises in the vicinity of Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. The drills were intended to assess combat readiness and assert what China describes as its territorial sovereignty over the area. Separately, Beijing unveiled new administrative regulations for the Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve, which covers the same contested zone. The China Coast Guard has also been directed to step up patrols and enforcement operations in the region. These moves come against the backdrop of longstanding and unresolved territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Man restores grandfather's 1953 tractor after buying it back 62 years later

Kevin Klahn has successfully restored a 1953 Allis-Chalmers WD tractor that originally belonged to his grandfather. He tracked down and repurchased the vintage machine 62 years after it had left the family. The restoration process was painstaking, requiring many hours of dedicated work to bring the tractor back to its original condition. Klahn was careful to preserve the machine's historical character throughout the project. The tractor's return home has come to symbolize the family's enduring bonds and commitment to honoring their heritage.

Preeti Pawar wins Women's 54kg Boxing Gold at CWG 2026 with unanimous decision

Indian boxer Preeti Pawar claimed the women's 54kg gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. She defeated Canada's Scarlett Delgado via unanimous decision in the final. Pawar dominated the entire bout with precise striking and strong ring craft, winning all rounds. The victory gave India its first boxing gold medal of the day at the Games.

Indian Oil raises spot crude buys to 84% amid Middle East supply disruptions

Indian Oil Corporation has sharply increased its spot crude oil purchases to nearly 84% following disruptions to Middle East supply routes. To reduce dependence on affected sources, the company diversified its imports by sourcing crude from West Africa and Latin America. Despite facing elevated crude costs due to the supply challenges, Indian Oil recorded its highest-ever first-quarter crude throughput. The state-owned refiner also reported notable growth in fuel sales and expanded its market share during the period.

India's Free Speech Debate: Why Some Online Posts Lead to Jail, Others to Apology

Two Indian women, Sharmistha Panoli and Ruchika Singh, faced separate legal actions over their online posts, sparking debate about the boundaries of free speech. Panoli was jailed for her remarks, while Singh faces a zero FIR for alleged online abuse. Indian law draws a distinction between speech that is merely offensive and speech that constitutes incitement, though courts continue to struggle with applying this line consistently. Harsh political commentary does not automatically qualify as criminal unless it satisfies specific legal criteria. The cases highlight the broader, unresolved challenge of defining what constitutes punishable speech in India.

Chandigarh woman shot in forehead by advocate during court-ordered eviction

A 57-year-old woman was shot in the forehead during an eviction proceeding in Chandigarh. She had arrived at the property with court authorization and police escort to vacate the premises. An altercation broke out with a high court advocate present at the scene, who allegedly fired the shot. The woman was immediately taken to a hospital, where she remains in critical condition. Police and forensic teams have launched an investigation into the incident.

US makes $20,000 visa bond programme permanent; India not on 50-country list

Shot at point blank range, 2 migrants had moved to Kashmir hoping to earn a little extra

Tehseen Poonawalla claims Delhi Police put him under ‘house arrest’ before E20 protest

E20 Petrol Found to Degrade Key Parts in Older Vehicles, Study Warns

A new study has found that exposure to E20 petrol — a fuel blend containing 20% ethanol — can cause significant damage to components in older vehicles. The research found that certain parts experienced increased hardening, reduced strength, loss of flexibility, and swelling when exposed to the higher-ethanol fuel. Vehicles meeting BS-III emission standards were among those identified as particularly vulnerable to these effects. The findings suggest that owners of older vehicles may need to inspect and potentially replace affected components if they switch to E20 fuel.