India

Sweden opposition holds one-seat advantage over ruling bloc, projection shows

Kremlin says PM Modi and Xi offered Putin help to settle Ukraine war

Xi Proposes 5-Point BRICS Plan; India Likely to Raise Concerns

Chinese President Xi Jinping has put forward a five-point action plan within the BRICS framework, potentially drawing pushback from India. The proposal is seen as a move that could allow China to dominate shared markets among member nations. Indian officials are expected to raise red flags over the plan's economic implications, particularly the risk of Chinese goods undercutting other BRICS economies. The plan also reportedly raises artificial intelligence security concerns, adding a technology dimension to India's reservations. India's response will be closely watched given the ongoing strategic and economic tensions between the two countries.

‘Some regional countries requested’: Iran after meeting with Gulf states in Oman postponed

India supplies 70% of Russia's record oil product imports in August

Russia reached a record high in oil product imports during August, with India supplying nearly 70% of those shipments. The gasoline exported by India was refined from Russian crude oil at a jointly operated refinery. This surge comes amid ongoing damage to Russian fuel infrastructure caused by the Ukraine conflict. India remains the second-largest buyer of Russian crude oil overall, though its total imports have dipped in recent months. China continues to hold the top position as Russia's largest crude oil importer.

189 years after import, possums damage half of trees in rare New Zealand forest

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff donates 440 Hawaii acres for affordable housing project

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and his wife Lynne have donated 440 acres of land in Hawaii to support affordable housing on the Big Island. The couple had acquired over 600 acres in Hawaii since 2000, with the holdings valued at nearly $100 million. The donated land will be used for the Ouli Project, a community development initiative aimed at low- to moderate-income residents. The project will initially deliver 43 self-help homes alongside parks and communal spaces.

India women skip Asia Cup trophy collection from PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi

India's women's cricket team won their record eighth Women's Asia Cup title under captain Harmanpreet Kaur. During the post-match presentation ceremony, the Indian players chose not to collect the trophy from PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. The team was seen celebrating their victory separately after the match. The ceremony concluded with runners-up Sri Lanka receiving their cheque, medals, and mementoes from the officials present.

Brics 2026: Xi listening, PM Modi warns against weaponisation of minerals, tech

Turkey Raids LGBTQ+ Groups in Five Cities Ahead of Elections

Turkish police conducted simultaneous raids on LGBTQ+ groups starting at 1 am across five major cities, including Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Aydin, and Mersin. The crackdown marks an escalation of the country's decade-long hostile stance toward LGBTQ+ communities. The timing of the raids coincides with an approaching election period. This pattern of targeting LGBTQ+ groups before elections has been a recurring trend in Turkey.

Mayawati makes public appearance to deny illness rumours, attacks Akash Anand

BSP chief Mayawati appeared before the media to counter speculation about her health, firmly denying claims that she was unwell. She used the public appearance to dispel doubts that had been circulating about her physical condition. Mayawati also took the opportunity to hit out at Akash Anand, a key figure within the party. She alleged that Anand was acting under the influence and advice of his father-in-law rather than independently.

Mumbai Police Refuse Manoj Jarange Permission for Hunger Strike Protest

Activist Manoj Jarange has been denied permission by Mumbai Police to hold a hunger strike in the city. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Jarange, who publicly condemned the move. He accused the Maharashtra government of attempting to suppress his ongoing agitation. Jarange's protest is linked to his campaign for reservations for the Maratha community.

Russian Strike Hits Ukrainian Station Shortly After Western Officials' Train Departed

A Russian strike targeted a locomotive near the Ukrainian-Polish border at Yagodyn station. Ukraine's national rail operator Ukrzaliznytsia confirmed that a diplomatic train carrying senior Western officials had been present at the station shortly before the attack. The timing raised concerns about a possible deliberate targeting of the location. Ukrzaliznytsia disclosed the information in an official statement. No further details about the identities of the officials or casualties were immediately provided.

Bangladesh Calls for Reset in Relations with India

Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir has called for moving toward a new relationship with India. The statement signals Dhaka's desire to reframe bilateral ties between the two neighbouring countries. The remarks came two days after Bangladesh announced that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would not attend the BRICS Summit. The timing of the statement suggests a diplomatic repositioning by the Bangladesh government on multiple international fronts.

Ex-CIA Official Accused of Stealing Gold Bars Reaches Federal Plea Deal

Federal prosecutors have agreed to a plea deal with the legal team of David Rush, a former CIA-affiliated official. The agreement has halted grand jury proceedings connected to the case involving allegedly stolen gold bars. Investigators discovered gold bars and luxury watches at Rush's Virginia home during the probe. Rush faces charges tied to a fabricated classified government program. The deal is seen as a way to resolve the case while avoiding a lengthy legal battle over sensitive classified information.

Ladakh LG announces Rs 15 lakh compensation for 4 killed in 2023 Leh protests

Ladakh's Lieutenant Governor has announced Rs 15 lakh compensation for the families of four protesters who were killed during demonstrations in Leh last September. Additional ex gratia payments of Rs 3 lakh and Rs 1 lakh were approved for those who sustained major and minor injuries respectively. The protests had erupted over demands for statehood and constitutional protections under the Sixth Schedule. Authorities had responded by imposing restrictions and arresting more than 80 individuals following the unrest. The administration also announced that cases against those arrested will be dropped alongside the disbursement of victim compensation.

Ladakh Administration Taps Glacier Stream to Revive Lake That Shrank 70% in a Decade

A lake in Ladakh has lost approximately 70% of its size over the past decade, prompting local authorities to intervene. The administration has identified a previously untapped water source to address the crisis. Officials plan to channel water from the Rupsho Kharnak glacier stream, situated at an altitude of around 18,045 feet. The initiative aims to restore the shrinking water body by diverting glacial meltwater into it.

Kargil War Veteran Assaulted by Parking Attendant at Gurugram Restaurant

A veteran of Operation Safed Sagar, the air campaign during the 1999 Kargil War, was allegedly attacked by a parking attendant at a restaurant in Gurugram last week. The incident occurred when the veteran, identified as Gupta, visited the establishment for a family dinner. According to Gupta, a parking staff member struck him with an iron rod during an altercation near the parking area. The assault has drawn widespread condemnation given the victim's background as a decorated war veteran. Authorities are reported to be looking into the matter following the complaint.

Portland teen develops training method to boost empathy in small AI models

A 17-year-old student from Portland has developed a novel training technique that significantly improves the empathetic communication abilities of smaller artificial intelligence models. The method achieved high empathy ratings across multiple tests, demonstrating its effectiveness in making AI interactions feel more human-like. Unlike large AI systems, smaller models typically run on personal devices and have historically struggled with nuanced conversational skills. The student's research suggests a practical path toward deploying more emotionally intelligent AI on everyday consumer devices.

India Prioritizes People-to-People Ties Amid Bangladesh Diplomatic Tensions

India has signaled its willingness to normalize relations with Bangladesh despite ongoing friction over former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The Bangladesh government has insisted that the matter of Hasina, who fled to India following her ouster, remains central to the bilateral relationship. New Delhi, however, appears to be keeping focus on broader people-to-people connections rather than allowing the Hasina issue to dominate the agenda. India's approach suggests it is seeking to preserve long-term ties with Dhaka while navigating the politically sensitive dispute.