A 24-year-old Indian-origin man was sentenced to life imprisonment after an investigation into an attempted rape and rape of a minor in London. Scotland Yard described the probe as “significant” following which Navroop Singh was jailed with a minimum term of 14 years behind bars by Isleworth Crown Court on Friday (Jul 4). He has been charged with five counts, including rape, the Metropolitan Police said.&nbsp;Singh earlier pleaded guilty to three offences including possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence, rape of a girl under 13 and assault of a girl under 13 by penetration. In addition, he was convicted of attempted rape of a woman in West London in October 2024.&nbsp;“I would like to commend the strength of the victim-survivors and their families and thank them for their unwavering bravery in reporting these awful incidents to us,” said acting Chief Superintendent Sean Lynch of the Metropolitan Police. “Today’s conviction is a testament to the officers’ thorough investigation, which has identified a violent sexual offender and undoubtedly prevented further harm.”&nbsp;Singh was tracked down using forensics, CCTV, and witness accounts to build a file of evidence against him. Lynch added, “We are continuing to prioritise tackling violence against women and girls with our increased specialist teams. I hope that the community will find reassurance in our action to put this predator behind bars.”&nbsp;Last year in October, an investigation was launched after reports of an attempted rape of a woman in her 20s, who alerted the police. Singh, who had been waiting for a potential victim at a park, threatened the victim using an imitation firearm, the police said.&nbsp;Following the complaint, officers went through hours of CCTV footage to identify the offender. During the investigation, a child was raped at a different part which led to the police to have “immediately made a link between the offences”.&nbsp;“Using the increased resources which were made available, officers secured additional forensic evidence. Officers were able to trace the offender to within a few doors of his home address where they delivered leaflets to appeal for witnesses and carried out increased patrols of the area,” the police said.&nbsp;Singh was arrested on October 27, 2024. All victims were supported by specialist officers throughout the investigation and court process.

Singh earlier pleaded guilty to three offences including possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence, rape of a girl under 13 and assault of a girl under 13 by penetration.

A 24-year-old Indian-origin man was sentenced to life imprisonment after an investigation into an attempted rape and rape of a minor in London. Scotland Yard described the probe as “significant” following which Navroop Singh was jailed with a minimum term of 14 years behind bars by Isleworth Crown Court on Friday (Jul 4). He has been charged with five counts, including rape, the Metropolitan Police said. Singh earlier pleaded guilty to three offences including possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence, rape of a girl under 13 and assault of a girl under 13 by penetration. In addition, he was convicted of attempted rape of a woman in West London in October 2024. “I would like to commend the strength of the victim-survivors and their families and thank them for their unwavering bravery in reporting these awful incidents to us,” said acting Chief Superintendent Sean Lynch of the Metropolitan Police. “Today’s conviction is a testament to the officers’ thorough investigation, which has identified a violent sexual offender and undoubtedly prevented further harm.” Singh was tracked down using forensics, CCTV, and witness accounts to build a file of evidence against him. Lynch added, “We are continuing to prioritise tackling violence against women and girls with our increased specialist teams. I hope that the community will find reassurance in our action to put this predator behind bars.” Last year in October, an investigation was launched after reports of an attempted rape of a woman in her 20s, who alerted the police. Singh, who had been waiting for a potential victim at a park, threatened the victim using an imitation firearm, the police said. Following the complaint, officers went through hours of CCTV footage to identify the offender. During the investigation, a child was raped at a different part which led to the police to have “immediately made a link between the offences”. “Using the increased resources which were made available, officers secured additional forensic evidence. Officers were able to trace the offender to within a few doors of his home address where they delivered leaflets to appeal for witnesses and carried out increased patrols of the area,” the police said. Singh was arrested on October 27, 2024. All victims were supported by specialist officers throughout the investigation and court process.

Singh earlier pleaded guilty to three offences including possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence, rape of a girl under 13 and assault of a girl under 13 by penetration.

Indian-origin man sentenced to life imprisonment in UK for child rape

Nehal Modi, the younger brother of fugitive Nirav Modi, has been arrested in the United States following an extradition request made by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), officials told news agency PTI on Saturday (Jul 5). Nehal Modi, who is also implicated in the PNB scam case, was taken into custody on Friday (Jul 4), according to the US Department of Justice.&nbsp;As per the complaint filed by the US prosecution, Nehal Modi’s extradition proceedings, which were jointly submitted by the CBI and ED, are being pursued on money laundering under Section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002 and criminal conspiracy under Sections 120-B and 201 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).&nbsp;Nehal Modi is wanted in India in connection with the multi-billion-dollar Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, one of the largest banking scams in India. The investigation by the central agencies revealed that he played a key role in laundering schemes on behalf of his brother, Nirav Modi. Reportedly, the fraud was orchestrated by the two brothers and their uncle, Mehul Choksi.&nbsp;The officials have alleged that Nehal helped in counselling and transferring a large amount of illegal funds through a network of shell companies and overseas transactions, violating Indian laws. According to the charge sheet filed by the ED, he was charged with destruction of evidence and “knowingly and intentionally” assisting Nirav Modi in his alleged illegal acts.&nbsp;Born and brought up in Belgium, Nehal Modi’s next date for the hearing in the matter is July 17, when he is expected to seek bail. However, US prosecutors are expected to oppose the bail, PTI reported, citing officials. Meanwhile, Nirav Modi has been lodged in a London prison and is facing extradition proceedings after being arrested in the UK at India’s request.

Nehal Modi is wanted in India in connection with the multi-billion-dollar Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, one of the largest banking scams in India.

Nehal Modi, the younger brother of fugitive Nirav Modi, has been arrested in the United States following an extradition request made by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), officials told news agency PTI on Saturday (Jul 5). Nehal Modi, who is also implicated in the PNB scam case, was taken into custody on Friday (Jul 4), according to the US Department of Justice. As per the complaint filed by the US prosecution, Nehal Modi’s extradition proceedings, which were jointly submitted by the CBI and ED, are being pursued on money laundering under Section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002 and criminal conspiracy under Sections 120-B and 201 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Nehal Modi is wanted in India in connection with the multi-billion-dollar Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, one of the largest banking scams in India. The investigation by the central agencies revealed that he played a key role in laundering schemes on behalf of his brother, Nirav Modi. Reportedly, the fraud was orchestrated by the two brothers and their uncle, Mehul Choksi. The officials have alleged that Nehal helped in counselling and transferring a large amount of illegal funds through a network of shell companies and overseas transactions, violating Indian laws. According to the charge sheet filed by the ED, he was charged with destruction of evidence and “knowingly and intentionally” assisting Nirav Modi in his alleged illegal acts. Born and brought up in Belgium, Nehal Modi’s next date for the hearing in the matter is July 17, when he is expected to seek bail. However, US prosecutors are expected to oppose the bail, PTI reported, citing officials. Meanwhile, Nirav Modi has been lodged in a London prison and is facing extradition proceedings after being arrested in the UK at India’s request.

Nehal Modi is wanted in India in connection with the multi-billion-dollar Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, one of the largest banking scams in India.

Nehal Modi, brother of fugitive Nirav Modi, arrested in US on India’s extradition request

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is likely to visit India later this month for the &nbsp;India-China Special Representatives (SR) level talks. This will be the 24th round of the SR talks, and comes after the 23rd round of SR talks that took place in Beijing last year. The mechanism was initiated following a proposal by then-Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during his 2003 visit to China, and aims to explore a political framework for resolving the boundary issue.This will be the second visit of the Chinese foreign minister to India since the 2020 Galwan clashes, the last being in March 2022. The upcoming visit of the Chinese FM, which is underway, comes even as both India and China aim to normalise ties after the Kazan meeting between PM Modi, and Chinese President Xi Jinping. As part of the normalisation of ties, focus is on the resumption of the people-to-people ties including the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Both sides are also looking at cooperation on the sharing of river water data, resumption of direct air services, and exchanges between media and think-tanks.Ties between the 2 Asian neighbours were on a free fall since the Galwan clashes of 2020. India's increased worry has been China's support to Pakistan, a country that has been supporting cross-border terrorism against India and is seen as a destabilizing factor in the region as well. Pakistan has one of the largest numbers of its nationals listed as terrorists on the UN's international terror list.Last month the Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had visited China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO meetings. China is the host of the grouping for this year and will be hosting the summit at the end of August. In mid-July, it hosts the SCO Foreign Ministers meeting, for which India's external affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar is expected to travel to China. EAM is likely to hold a meeting with the host Chinese foreign minister, the Russian and Central Asian counterparts.This will be the first time Indian, Pakistani foreign ministers will be under the same roof since the Pahalgam terror attack by Pakistan-trained terrorists and the May conflict. No meeting is scheduled to take place between the 2 foreign ministers given Rawalpindi's support to cross-border terrorism. &nbsp;

The upcoming visit of the Chinese FM, which is underway, comes even as both India and China aim to normalise ties after the Kazan meeting between PM Modi, and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is likely to visit India later this month for the India-China Special Representatives (SR) level talks. This will be the 24th round of the SR talks, and comes after the 23rd round of SR talks that took place in Beijing last year. The mechanism was initiated following a proposal by then-Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during his 2003 visit to China, and aims to explore a political framework for resolving the boundary issue. This will be the second visit of the Chinese foreign minister to India since the 2020 Galwan clashes, the last being in March 2022. The upcoming visit of the Chinese FM, which is underway, comes even as both India and China aim to normalise ties after the Kazan meeting between PM Modi, and Chinese President Xi Jinping. As part of the normalisation of ties, focus is on the resumption of the people-to-people ties including the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Both sides are also looking at cooperation on the sharing of river water data, resumption of direct air services, and exchanges between media and think-tanks. Ties between the 2 Asian neighbours were on a free fall since the Galwan clashes of 2020. India's increased worry has been China's support to Pakistan, a country that has been supporting cross-border terrorism against India and is seen as a destabilizing factor in the region as well. Pakistan has one of the largest numbers of its nationals listed as terrorists on the UN's international terror list. Last month the Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had visited China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO meetings. China is the host of the grouping for this year and will be hosting the summit at the end of August. In mid-July, it hosts the SCO Foreign Ministers meeting, for which India's external affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar is expected to travel to China. EAM is likely to hold a meeting with the host Chinese foreign minister, the Russian and Central Asian counterparts. This will be the first time Indian, Pakistani foreign ministers will be under the same roof since the Pahalgam terror attack by Pakistan-trained terrorists and the May conflict. No meeting is scheduled to take place between the 2 foreign ministers given Rawalpindi's support to cross-border terrorism.

The upcoming visit of the Chinese FM, which is underway, comes even as both India and China aim to normalise ties after the Kazan meeting between PM Modi, and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

China's Wang Yi likely to visit India this month

The Indian Air Force is exploring the acquisition of a powerful new weapon system that could significantly enhance its long-range strike capabilities. The Air Lora air-launched ballistic missile, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), represents a major advancement in modern aerial warfare technology.<h2>What is the Air Lora Missile?</h2> The Air Lora is essentially a missile that fighter jets can carry and launch from the air to hit targets on the ground. Think of it as a highly sophisticated rocket that can be fired from an aircraft instead of from the ground. This air-launched version is based on the proven ground-launched LORA (Long Range Artillery) missile system that has been in service since 2007. The missile belongs to a category called Air-Launched Ballistic Missiles (ALBMs), which follow a high, arcing flight path similar to traditional ballistic missiles but with the advantage of being launched from aircraft that can position themselves strategically before firing.<h2> Technical specifications</h2><h3> Physical Dimensions:</h3> - Length: Approximately 17 feet (5.2 meters) - roughly the length of a large car - Diameter: 2 feet (0.625 meters) - about the width of a standard door - Launch Weight: 3,500 pounds (1,600 kilograms) - equivalent to a small car<h3>Warhead options:</h3> - Blast-fragmentation warhead: 1,300 pounds (570-600 kg) - designed to destroy soft targets and personnel - Deep-penetration warhead: 800-880 pounds (400 kg) - built to punch through reinforced concrete bunkers and hardened facilities - High-explosive warhead: Various weight options available<h3>Performance capabilities:</h3> - Range: Over 250 miles (400+ kilometers) when air-launched - potentially much further than ground-launched versions due to the aircraft's speed and altitude - Speed: Supersonic - travels faster than the speed of sound - Accuracy: Less than 33 feet (10 meters) circular error probability - meaning it can hit within a small circle around its target - Flight Time: Can reach targets within minutes of launch<h3>How is it launched?</h3> The Air Lora missile is designed to be mounted under the wings or fuselage of various aircraft types. It has been successfully tested on several platforms:<h3>Compatible aircraft:</h3> - F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters (completed trials) - F-15 Eagle fighters - Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft - Su-30 MKI (potential integration for Indian Air Force)<h3>Launch process:</h3> 1. The missile is mounted on external pylons (attachment points) under the aircraft 2. Target coordinates can be programmed while the missile is still attached to the aircraft 3. The aircraft flies to a safe distance from enemy defenses 4. The pilot launches the missile using aircraft controls 5. Once released, the missile follows a ballistic trajectory to its target 6. The aircraft can immediately turn away and return to base<h2>Key advantages</h2> Stand-off capability: The missile allows aircraft to attack targets from far beyond the range of enemy air defenses. This means pilots can stay safe while still hitting their targets accurately. Fire-and-forget technology: Once launched, the missile doesn't need any further guidance from the launching aircraft. It uses its own navigation systems to find and hit the target. All-weather operation: The missile can operate effectively day or night and in various weather conditions, including storms and heavy cloud cover. Versatile integration: The system is designed to work with different types of aircraft without requiring major modifications to the plane's existing systems. High survivability: The missile's supersonic speed and ability to maneuver during flight make it very difficult for enemy defenses to intercept.<h2>Advanced technology features</h2><h3>Navigation systems:</h3> - Inertial Navigation System (INS): Uses internal sensors to track its position - Global Positioning System (GPS): Receives satellite signals for precise location data - Terminal TV guidance: Can use visual recognition for final target approach - Anti-jamming capabilities: Resistant to enemy attempts to disrupt its guidance systems Smart targeting: The missile can receive updated target coordinates even while attached to the aircraft, allowing it to hit "pop-up" targets that appear suddenly during a mission.<h2>India's strategic interest</h2> India's interest in the Air Lora builds on an existing partnership between IAI and India's state-run Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). In 2023, these companies signed a cooperation agreement that ensures technology transfer as part of any deal. This means India wouldn't just be buying the missiles - it would also gain the knowledge to potentially manufacture them domestically.<h3>Strategic benefits for India:</h3> - Enhanced long-range strike capability against high-value targets - Reduced risk to pilots and aircraft during missions - Ability to strike targets deep in enemy territory from safe distances - Complement to existing missile systems in the Indian arsenal<h3> Comparison with current systems</h3> The Air Lora would significantly enhance India's existing capabilities. While the Indian Air Force currently uses the Rampage air-launched cruise missile with a 250-kilometer range, the Air Lora's 400+ kilometer range would allow strikes on targets much deeper in enemy territory. For example, aircraft operating from Indian airspace could potentially reach targets as far as major cities in neighboring countries without crossing into hostile airspace.<h3>Combat proven heritage</h3> The ground-launched version of the LORA missile has already seen combat use. Azerbaijan successfully employed LORA missiles during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, demonstrating the system's real-world effectiveness. The missile has also been tested extensively in various conditions, including maritime launches from ships.<h2>Global context</h2> The Air Lora represents part of a growing trend toward air-launched ballistic missiles among modern air forces. As ground-based air defense systems become more sophisticated and dangerous, air forces worldwide are seeking weapons that allow them to strike from greater distances while keeping their aircraft and crews safe. The missile fills a crucial gap in modern warfare, providing a solution for attacking heavily defended targets that would be too dangerous to approach with conventional aircraft-delivered weapons. Its combination of long range, high accuracy, and resistance to interception makes it an attractive option for air forces facing increasingly sophisticated threats.<h2>Conclusion</h2> The Air Lora missile represents a significant advancement in air-launched weaponry, offering the Indian Air Force a powerful new tool for long-range precision strikes. Its combination of advanced technology, proven heritage, and strategic capabilities could provide India with enhanced defensive and deterrent capabilities in an increasingly complex regional security environment. If acquired, the Air Lora would mark another step in India's ongoing modernization of its military capabilities, providing its air force with the ability to strike high-value targets while minimizing risk to personnel and equipment. The potential for technology transfer also aligns with India's broader goals of developing indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities.

The Air Lora air-launched ballistic missile, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), represents a major advancement in modern aerial warfare technology.

The Indian Air Force is exploring the acquisition of a powerful new weapon system that could significantly enhance its long-range strike capabilities. The Air Lora air-launched ballistic missile, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), represents a major advancement in modern aerial warfare technology. What is the Air Lora Missile? The Air Lora is essentially a missile that fighter jets can carry and launch from the air to hit targets on the ground. Think of it as a highly sophisticated rocket that can be fired from an aircraft instead of from the ground. This air-launched version is based on the proven ground-launched LORA (Long Range Artillery) missile system that has been in service since 2007. The missile belongs to a category called Air-Launched Ballistic Missiles (ALBMs), which follow a high, arcing flight path similar to traditional ballistic missiles but with the advantage of being launched from aircraft that can position themselves strategically before firing. Technical specifications Physical Dimensions: - Length: Approximately 17 feet (5.2 meters) - roughly the length of a large car - Diameter: 2 feet (0.625 meters) - about the width of a standard door - Launch Weight: 3,500 pounds (1,600 kilograms) - equivalent to a small car Warhead options: - Blast-fragmentation warhead: 1,300 pounds (570-600 kg) - designed to destroy soft targets and personnel - Deep-penetration warhead: 800-880 pounds (400 kg) - built to punch through reinforced concrete bunkers and hardened facilities - High-explosive warhead: Various weight options available Performance capabilities: - Range: Over 250 miles (400+ kilometers) when air-launched - potentially much further than ground-launched versions due to the aircraft's speed and altitude - Speed: Supersonic - travels faster than the speed of sound - Accuracy: Less than 33 feet (10 meters) circular error probability - meaning it can hit within a small circle around its target - Flight Time: Can reach targets within minutes of launch How is it launched? The Air Lora missile is designed to be mounted under the wings or fuselage of various aircraft types. It has been successfully tested on several platforms: Compatible aircraft: - F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters (completed trials) - F-15 Eagle fighters - Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft - Su-30 MKI (potential integration for Indian Air Force) Launch process: 1. The missile is mounted on external pylons (attachment points) under the aircraft 2. Target coordinates can be programmed while the missile is still attached to the aircraft 3. The aircraft flies to a safe distance from enemy defenses 4. The pilot launches the missile using aircraft controls 5. Once released, the missile follows a ballistic trajectory to its target 6. The aircraft can immediately turn away and return to base Key advantages Stand-off capability: The missile allows aircraft to attack targets from far beyond the range of enemy air defenses. This means pilots can stay safe while still hitting their targets accurately. Fire-and-forget technology: Once launched, the missile doesn't need any further guidance from the launching aircraft. It uses its own navigation systems to find and hit the target. All-weather operation: The missile can operate effectively day or night and in various weather conditions, including storms and heavy cloud cover. Versatile integration: The system is designed to work with different types of aircraft without requiring major modifications to the plane's existing systems. High survivability: The missile's supersonic speed and ability to maneuver during flight make it very difficult for enemy defenses to intercept. Advanced technology features Navigation systems: - Inertial Navigation System (INS): Uses internal sensors to track its position - Global Positioning System (GPS): Receives satellite signals for precise location data - Terminal TV guidance: Can use visual recognition for final target approach - Anti-jamming capabilities: Resistant to enemy attempts to disrupt its guidance systems Smart targeting: The missile can receive updated target coordinates even while attached to the aircraft, allowing it to hit "pop-up" targets that appear suddenly during a mission. India's strategic interest India's interest in the Air Lora builds on an existing partnership between IAI and India's state-run Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). In 2023, these companies signed a cooperation agreement that ensures technology transfer as part of any deal. This means India wouldn't just be buying the missiles - it would also gain the knowledge to potentially manufacture them domestically. Strategic benefits for India: - Enhanced long-range strike capability against high-value targets - Reduced risk to pilots and aircraft during missions - Ability to strike targets deep in enemy territory from safe distances - Complement to existing missile systems in the Indian arsenal Comparison with current systems The Air Lora would significantly enhance India's existing capabilities. While the Indian Air Force currently uses the Rampage air-launched cruise missile with a 250-kilometer range, the Air Lora's 400+ kilometer range would allow strikes on targets much deeper in enemy territory. For example, aircraft operating from Indian airspace could potentially reach targets as far as major cities in neighboring countries without crossing into hostile airspace. Combat proven heritage The ground-launched version of the LORA missile has already seen combat use. Azerbaijan successfully employed LORA missiles during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, demonstrating the system's real-world effectiveness. The missile has also been tested extensively in various conditions, including maritime launches from ships. Global context The Air Lora represents part of a growing trend toward air-launched ballistic missiles among modern air forces. As ground-based air defense systems become more sophisticated and dangerous, air forces worldwide are seeking weapons that allow them to strike from greater distances while keeping their aircraft and crews safe. The missile fills a crucial gap in modern warfare, providing a solution for attacking heavily defended targets that would be too dangerous to approach with conventional aircraft-delivered weapons. Its combination of long range, high accuracy, and resistance to interception makes it an attractive option for air forces facing increasingly sophisticated threats. Conclusion The Air Lora missile represents a significant advancement in air-launched weaponry, offering the Indian Air Force a powerful new tool for long-range precision strikes. Its combination of advanced technology, proven heritage, and strategic capabilities could provide India with enhanced defensive and deterrent capabilities in an increasingly complex regional security environment. If acquired, the Air Lora would mark another step in India's ongoing modernization of its military capabilities, providing its air force with the ability to strike high-value targets while minimizing risk to personnel and equipment. The potential for technology transfer also aligns with India's broader goals of developing indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities.

The Air Lora air-launched ballistic missile, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), represents a major advancement in modern aerial warfare technology.

The silent hammer: Air Lora poised to redefine IAF's deep strike capability

There are around 12,952 satellites currently orbiting Earth, according to the reports. These satellites are placed in different types of orbits such as Low Earth Orbit, Medium Earth Orbit and Geostationary Orbit. Here's a look at top ten countries with highest number of satellites in space.

There are around 12,952 satellites currently orbiting Earth, according to the reports. These satellites are placed in different types of orbits such as Low Earth Orbit, Medium Earth Orbit and Geostationary Orbit. Here's a look at top ten countries with highest number of satellites in space.

Top 10 countries with highest number of satellites in space (2025)

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has included Cindy Rodriguez Singh in its Ten Most Wanted Fugitive list. The 40-year-old has ties to India and Mexico and is accused of killing her six-year-old son, Noel Rodriguez Alvarez. It is believed that Singh fled the US in March 2023 with her husband, Arshdeep Singh, along with their six other children and is suspected to be hiding in India. On Tuesday (Jul 1), the FBI announced a $250,000 reward for information that would lead to her arrest and conviction.&nbsp;Previously, the agency was offering a reward of $25,000 for any information on her. The Bureau has confirmed that it is one of the highest rewards currently being offered for a fugitive, who was last seen headed on a flight bound for India.&nbsp;“On March 22, 2023, Rodriguez Singh, her husband, and 6 other juvenile children, boarded an international flight to India. Investigators confirmed that the missing child was not present and never boarded that flight. It is believed that Rodriguez Singh has not returned to the United States since boarding that flight,” the FBI stated.&nbsp;<h2>Who is Cindy Rodriguez Singh?</h2>&nbsp;Born in 1985, Cindy Rodriguez Singh hails from Dallas, Texas. In March 2023, Singh was accused of killing her six-year-old son. According to reports, her son, Noel Alvarez, was last seen in October 2022. However, the family did not file a missing person report until March 2023. Following the boy’s disappearance, an Amber Alert was triggered in Texas.&nbsp;According to the FBI, the Everman Police Department was asked by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to conduct a welfare check on the six-year-old son of Cindy Rodriguez Singh, after the child had not been seen since October 2022.&nbsp;“During the welfare check. Rodriguez Singh lied to investigators and indicated that the child was in Mexico with his biological father and had been there since November 2022,” The FBI said.&nbsp;Two days following the welfare check, Singh was seen boarding an international flight bound for India with her husband and six children. The six-year-old boy whom she allegedly killed was not seen with the family.&nbsp;On October 31, 2023. Cindy Rodriguez Singh was charged with Capital Murder in the District Court of Tarrant County, Fort Worth, Texas. In November, a federal arrest warrant was issued for the woman after she was charged with Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution.

Previously, the agency was offering a reward of $25,000 for any information on her. The Bureau has confirmed that it is one of the highest rewards currently being offered for a fugitive, who was last seen headed on a flight bound for India.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has included Cindy Rodriguez Singh in its Ten Most Wanted Fugitive list. The 40-year-old has ties to India and Mexico and is accused of killing her six-year-old son, Noel Rodriguez Alvarez. It is believed that Singh fled the US in March 2023 with her husband, Arshdeep Singh, along with their six other children and is suspected to be hiding in India. On Tuesday (Jul 1), the FBI announced a $250,000 reward for information that would lead to her arrest and conviction. Previously, the agency was offering a reward of $25,000 for any information on her. The Bureau has confirmed that it is one of the highest rewards currently being offered for a fugitive, who was last seen headed on a flight bound for India. “On March 22, 2023, Rodriguez Singh, her husband, and 6 other juvenile children, boarded an international flight to India. Investigators confirmed that the missing child was not present and never boarded that flight. It is believed that Rodriguez Singh has not returned to the United States since boarding that flight,” the FBI stated. Who is Cindy Rodriguez Singh? Born in 1985, Cindy Rodriguez Singh hails from Dallas, Texas. In March 2023, Singh was accused of killing her six-year-old son. According to reports, her son, Noel Alvarez, was last seen in October 2022. However, the family did not file a missing person report until March 2023. Following the boy’s disappearance, an Amber Alert was triggered in Texas. According to the FBI, the Everman Police Department was asked by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to conduct a welfare check on the six-year-old son of Cindy Rodriguez Singh, after the child had not been seen since October 2022. “During the welfare check. Rodriguez Singh lied to investigators and indicated that the child was in Mexico with his biological father and had been there since November 2022,” The FBI said. Two days following the welfare check, Singh was seen boarding an international flight bound for India with her husband and six children. The six-year-old boy whom she allegedly killed was not seen with the family. On October 31, 2023. Cindy Rodriguez Singh was charged with Capital Murder in the District Court of Tarrant County, Fort Worth, Texas. In November, a federal arrest warrant was issued for the woman after she was charged with Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution.

Previously, the agency was offering a reward of $25,000 for any information on her. The Bureau has confirmed that it is one of the highest rewards currently being offered for a fugitive, who was last seen headed on a flight bound for India.

Who is Cindy Rodriguez Singh? Texas woman with Indian ties in FBI’s top 10 most wanted list for killing son

India’s Embassy in Jakarta has dismissed reports claiming that the Indian Air Force lost jets to Pakistan during recent cross-border operations. The embassy stated that the remarks made by its defence attaché at a seminar were taken out of context and misrepresented in the media.“We have seen media reports regarding a presentation made by the Defence Attaché at a seminar. His remarks have been quoted out of context and the media reports are a misrepresentation of the intention and thrust of the presentation made by the speaker,” the embassy posted on X.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/f-16-operation-sindoor-pakistan-profit-us-brief-history-of-us-pakistan-f-16-deals-9065466">F-16 in fine print: How much Pakistan paid and how much profit US made? | A brief history of US-Pakistan F-16 deals</a><h2>Comments were about civilian control and non-escalation</h2>According to the embassy, Captain (Indian Navy) Shiv Kumar’s comments were meant to underline the Indian Armed Forces’ accountability to civilian leadership. “The presentation conveyed that the Indian Armed Forces serve under civilian political leadership unlike some other countries in our neighbourhood,” the embassy added.“It was also explained that the objective of Operation Sindoor was to target terrorist infrastructure and the Indian response was non-escalatory,” it said.<h2>What did Captain Shiv Kumar actually say?</h2>Captain Shiv Kumar, the defence attaché in Jakarta, made the remarks during a presentation at a seminar on 10 June at Universitas Dirgantara Marsekal Suryadarma. The seminar focused on analysing the India–Pakistan air conflict and Indonesia’s defence strategies.During the 35-minute talk, Kumar reportedly acknowledged that India did lose some aircraft, something Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan had previously hinted at. “I may not agree that we lost so many aircraft, but I do agree we did lose some aircraft,” Kumar stated. General Chauhan, had dismissed as “absolutely incorrect” Pakistan’s claim that it shot down six Indian jets.<h2>‘It’s not how many jets, but why they were lost’</h2>General Chauhan had previously told Bloomberg that the focus shouldn’t be on the number of jets lost, but rather on why they were downed. He said that after the initial losses, India altered its tactics.“After the loss, we changed our tactics and we went for the military installations. So we first achieved suppression of enemy air defences, and then that’s why all our attacks could easily go through using BrahMos missiles,” Kumar added, referring to the Indian strike on Pakistani air bases on 10 May.<h2>Congress accuses government of misleading the nation</h2>The Congress party seized on these comments to attack the government, accusing it of withholding the truth about India’s losses in Operation Sindoor. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote on X, “First the Chief of Defence Staff makes important revelations in Singapore. Then a senior defence official follows up from Indonesia. But why is the PM refusing to preside over an all-party meeting?”Pawan Khera, another senior Congress leader, alleged the government “misled the nation from the start.” He added that previous references to losses were vague and only acknowledged indirectly by IAF officials.Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also criticised the government after General Chauhan’s comments, demanding a special session of Parliament to discuss the matter.

According to the embassy, Captain (Indian Navy) Shiv Kumar’s comments were meant to underline the Indian Armed Forces’ accountability to civilian leadership. 

India’s Embassy in Jakarta has dismissed reports claiming that the Indian Air Force lost jets to Pakistan during recent cross-border operations. The embassy stated that the remarks made by its defence attaché at a seminar were taken out of context and misrepresented in the media. “We have seen media reports regarding a presentation made by the Defence Attaché at a seminar. His remarks have been quoted out of context and the media reports are a misrepresentation of the intention and thrust of the presentation made by the speaker,” the embassy posted on X. Also read: F-16 in fine print: How much Pakistan paid and how much profit US made? | A brief history of US-Pakistan F-16 deals Comments were about civilian control and non-escalation According to the embassy, Captain (Indian Navy) Shiv Kumar’s comments were meant to underline the Indian Armed Forces’ accountability to civilian leadership. “The presentation conveyed that the Indian Armed Forces serve under civilian political leadership unlike some other countries in our neighbourhood,” the embassy added. “It was also explained that the objective of Operation Sindoor was to target terrorist infrastructure and the Indian response was non-escalatory,” it said. What did Captain Shiv Kumar actually say? Captain Shiv Kumar, the defence attaché in Jakarta, made the remarks during a presentation at a seminar on 10 June at Universitas Dirgantara Marsekal Suryadarma. The seminar focused on analysing the India–Pakistan air conflict and Indonesia’s defence strategies. During the 35-minute talk, Kumar reportedly acknowledged that India did lose some aircraft, something Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan had previously hinted at. “I may not agree that we lost so many aircraft, but I do agree we did lose some aircraft,” Kumar stated. General Chauhan, had dismissed as “absolutely incorrect” Pakistan’s claim that it shot down six Indian jets. ‘It’s not how many jets, but why they were lost’ General Chauhan had previously told Bloomberg that the focus shouldn’t be on the number of jets lost, but rather on why they were downed. He said that after the initial losses, India altered its tactics. “After the loss, we changed our tactics and we went for the military installations. So we first achieved suppression of enemy air defences, and then that’s why all our attacks could easily go through using BrahMos missiles,” Kumar added, referring to the Indian strike on Pakistani air bases on 10 May. Congress accuses government of misleading the nation The Congress party seized on these comments to attack the government, accusing it of withholding the truth about India’s losses in Operation Sindoor. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote on X, “First the Chief of Defence Staff makes important revelations in Singapore. Then a senior defence official follows up from Indonesia. But why is the PM refusing to preside over an all-party meeting?” Pawan Khera, another senior Congress leader, alleged the government “misled the nation from the start.” He added that previous references to losses were vague and only acknowledged indirectly by IAF officials. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also criticised the government after General Chauhan’s comments, demanding a special session of Parliament to discuss the matter.

According to the embassy, Captain (Indian Navy) Shiv Kumar’s comments were meant to underline the Indian Armed Forces’ accountability to civilian leadership.&nbsp;

'Out of context, misrepresented': Did India lose jets to Pakistan? India reacts to remarks by defence attaché in Indonesia

India has entered the top 100 in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) index for 2025, a historic milestone, according to the latest SDG Report published by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and reported by PTI. India now ranks 99th out of 193 countries with an overall score of 67.0. This places it marginally behind its neighbour Nepal (85th, 68.6) and Bhutan (74th, 70.5), yet above Bangladesh (114th, 63.9) and Pakistan (140th, 57.0), as quoted by PTI.Regional maritime countries also performed well, with Maldives (53rd) and Sri Lanka (93rd) both securing higher positions than India, according to the UN SDSN report.&nbsp;SDG leaders and regional trends<ul><li>China leads among major economies in Asia, ranking 49th with a score of 74.4, while the US is 44th with 75.2, as reported by PTI.</li><li>Leading the global table are Finland, Sweden and Denmark, continuing the European dominance with 19 out of the top 20 SDG countries located in Europe, as per SDSN findings.</li></ul><h2>Global progress and setbacks</h2>The report’s authors, led by economist Jeffrey Sachs, warn that global progress has slowed, only 17% of the SDG targets are on track to be achieved by 2030. Major challenges include armed conflict, socioeconomic vulnerabilities, and countries’ limited fiscal manoeuvring, according to the SDSN report.&nbsp;Despite this, several SDG indicators are showing robust gains worldwide, including electrification (Goal 7), under-five and neonatal mortality reductions (Goal 3), and broadband access (Goal 9).&nbsp;Five pressing issues that have worsened since 2015 include: obesity (SDG 2), press freedom (SDG 16), nitrogen pollution (SDG 2), biodiversity decline (SDG 15) and increased public sector corruption (SDG 16).<h2>Asia and beyond: who’s advancing fastest?</h2>South and East Asia continue to lead regional SDG improvements since 2015. Nepal (+11.1 points), Cambodia (+10), the Philippines (+8.6), Bangladesh (+8.3) and Mongolia (+7.7) registered the highest gains in SDG scores, according to SDSN data.&nbsp;Among other notable progressmakers are Benin (+14.5), Uzbekistan (+12.1), UAE (+9.9), Peru (+8.7), Saudi Arabia (+8.1) and Costa Rica (+7.0), as stated in the report.<h2>Top SDG committers, G20 &amp; OECD insights</h2>In global multilateral performance, Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad &amp; Tobago topped the ranking as per SDSN. Among G20 nations, Brazil leads at 25th, while Chile tops among OECD members at 7th.&nbsp;The United States fell to 193rd place, dead last, for the second consecutive year, amid its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the WHO, and its announced opposition to the UN’s 2030 Agenda, as pointed out by PTI.<h2>Financing and climate warnings</h2>As world leaders prepare for the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (Seville, June 30–July 3), the report underscores that the current global financial system is skewed. It warns that capital flows disproportionately to developed economies, sidelining emerging and developing ones despite their higher growth potential, a reform point raised by the SDSN.&nbsp;(With inputs from the agencies) &nbsp;

It trails behind Nepal and Bhutan while surpassing Bangladesh and Pakistan. Regional nations like Maldives and Sri Lanka outperform India. 

India has entered the top 100 in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) index for 2025, a historic milestone, according to the latest SDG Report published by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and reported by PTI. India now ranks 99th out of 193 countries with an overall score of 67.0. This places it marginally behind its neighbour Nepal (85th, 68.6) and Bhutan (74th, 70.5), yet above Bangladesh (114th, 63.9) and Pakistan (140th, 57.0), as quoted by PTI. Regional maritime countries also performed well, with Maldives (53rd) and Sri Lanka (93rd) both securing higher positions than India, according to the UN SDSN report. SDG leaders and regional trends China leads among major economies in Asia, ranking 49th with a score of 74.4, while the US is 44th with 75.2, as reported by PTI. Leading the global table are Finland, Sweden and Denmark, continuing the European dominance with 19 out of the top 20 SDG countries located in Europe, as per SDSN findings. Global progress and setbacks The report’s authors, led by economist Jeffrey Sachs, warn that global progress has slowed, only 17% of the SDG targets are on track to be achieved by 2030. Major challenges include armed conflict, socioeconomic vulnerabilities, and countries’ limited fiscal manoeuvring, according to the SDSN report. Despite this, several SDG indicators are showing robust gains worldwide, including electrification (Goal 7), under-five and neonatal mortality reductions (Goal 3), and broadband access (Goal 9). Five pressing issues that have worsened since 2015 include: obesity (SDG 2), press freedom (SDG 16), nitrogen pollution (SDG 2), biodiversity decline (SDG 15) and increased public sector corruption (SDG 16). Asia and beyond: who’s advancing fastest? South and East Asia continue to lead regional SDG improvements since 2015. Nepal (+11.1 points), Cambodia (+10), the Philippines (+8.6), Bangladesh (+8.3) and Mongolia (+7.7) registered the highest gains in SDG scores, according to SDSN data. Among other notable progressmakers are Benin (+14.5), Uzbekistan (+12.1), UAE (+9.9), Peru (+8.7), Saudi Arabia (+8.1) and Costa Rica (+7.0), as stated in the report. Top SDG committers, G20 & OECD insights In global multilateral performance, Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago topped the ranking as per SDSN. Among G20 nations, Brazil leads at 25th, while Chile tops among OECD members at 7th. The United States fell to 193rd place, dead last, for the second consecutive year, amid its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the WHO, and its announced opposition to the UN’s 2030 Agenda, as pointed out by PTI. Financing and climate warnings As world leaders prepare for the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (Seville, June 30–July 3), the report underscores that the current global financial system is skewed. It warns that capital flows disproportionately to developed economies, sidelining emerging and developing ones despite their higher growth potential, a reform point raised by the SDSN. (With inputs from the agencies)

India has achieved a historic milestone by entering the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) index, now ranking 99th out of 193 countries with a score of 67.0.

India breaks into top 100 of global SDG index for the first time

Former foreign minister and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said on Monday that India should abide by the Indus Waters Treaty and share water fairly, or else Pakistan will wage a war and ensure that our people get water from all six rivers”. Delhi unilaterally suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which governs the usage of the Indus river system, on April 23 after 26 innocent civilians were killed by Pakistan-based terrorists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. After launching Operation Sindoor, India had agreed to a ceasefire when the Pakistani DGMO called and requested cessation of military action after Indian forces struck several air bases in Pakistan and rendered some of them useless.&nbsp;&nbsp;Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) on Saturday criticised Indian Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement that New Delhi would never restore the IWT with Pakistan. &nbsp;Speaking in the National Assembly during a session on the federal budget, Bilawal said, “India has two options: share water fairly, or we will deliver water to us from all six rivers.” “The attack on Sindhu [Indus River] and India’s claim that the IWT has ended and it’s in abeyance, firstly, this is illegal, as the IWT is not in abeyance, it is binding on Pakistan and India, but the threat itself of stopping water is illegal according to the UN charter,” Bilawal said.&nbsp;He continued, “If India decides to follow through on the threat, we will have to wage war again.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former foreign minister and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday warned that India must either ensure equitable water sharing or Pakistan will take steps to secure water from all six rivers of the Indus river system. . .<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brandsynario?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Brandsynario</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BilawalBhutto?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BilawalBhutto</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PakIndiaConflict?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PakIndiaConflict</a> <a href="https://t.co/RELATq6C5u">pic.twitter.com/RELATq6C5u</a>&mdash; Brandsynario (@brandsynario) <a href="https://twitter.com/brandsynario/status/1937107442778997007?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Bilawal Bhutto is severely mocked in India over his statements as well as his style.&nbsp;He also said India was weaponising terrorism for political purposes. “India seeks to exploit terrorism as a political tool to harm Pakistan’s international standing,” he said, adding that during his diplomatic visits to the United Kingdom and European Union, it became evident that India had lobbied hard to reverse Pakistan’s progress on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) front.&nbsp;“At a time when Pakistan had successfully moved from the FATF grey list to the white list, India made every effort to drag us back to the grey list using false narratives and diplomatic pressure,” he said.&nbsp;Bilawal also urged renewed dialogue between Pakistan and India to curb regional instability.&nbsp;&nbsp;Earlier, riled by the impending water crisis, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifhad condemned India’s unilateral suspension of the IWT, describing it as a “blatant violation and act of water aggression”.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Speaking in the National Assembly, Bilawal said, “India has two options: share water fairly, or we will deliver water to us from all six rivers.” Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Saturday criticised Indian Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement that New Delhi would never restore the IWT. 

Former foreign minister and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said on Monday that India should abide by the Indus Waters Treaty and share water fairly, or else Pakistan will wage a war and ensure that our people get water from all six rivers”. Delhi unilaterally suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which governs the usage of the Indus river system, on April 23 after 26 innocent civilians were killed by Pakistan-based terrorists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. After launching Operation Sindoor, India had agreed to a ceasefire when the Pakistani DGMO called and requested cessation of military action after Indian forces struck several air bases in Pakistan and rendered some of them useless. Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) on Saturday criticised Indian Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement that New Delhi would never restore the IWT with Pakistan. Speaking in the National Assembly during a session on the federal budget, Bilawal said, “India has two options: share water fairly, or we will deliver water to us from all six rivers.” “The attack on Sindhu [Indus River] and India’s claim that the IWT has ended and it’s in abeyance, firstly, this is illegal, as the IWT is not in abeyance, it is binding on Pakistan and India, but the threat itself of stopping water is illegal according to the UN charter,” Bilawal said. He continued, “If India decides to follow through on the threat, we will have to wage war again.”

Speaking in the National Assembly, Bilawal said, “India has two options: share water fairly, or we will deliver water to us from all six rivers.” Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Saturday criticised Indian Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement that New Delhi would never restore the IWT.&nbsp;

‘India must share water or we will wage war and get it from all 6 rivers’: Bilawal

The coastline of India has increased by 3,582 km, or nearly 48 per cent after accurate measurements without any acquisition of territory. In addition, the country's islands have also increased slightly following the reassessment without changing the ground situation.In the 1970s, the length of the coastline was measured at 7,516 km. But, following the assessment, it is now measured to be 11,098 km. The previous measurement was based on data that were of the scale of 1:4,500,000 or smaller. Later, with the passage of time, enhanced and accurate resolution data became available, calculating the length of the coastline using data that had a scale of 1:250,000, as per the Indian Express report.Coastlines are naturally uneven and complex, but when data resolution improves, it’s like switching from a larger measuring stick to a smaller one. For instance, a one-kilometer ruler would overlook minor variations in the land’s shape that a one-meter ruler would easily detect.With higher resolution, we can map the coastline’s curves and indentations in much finer detail. Lower-resolution data tends to smooth out these features, making jagged coastlines appear more linear, which results in a shorter total length.<h3>Can coastline be measured precisely?</h3>Previously, coastline measurements were done using traditional, manual techniques. Now, advanced GIS software allows for much more precise mapping of terrain irregularities. Another factor behind the increased length is the inclusion of coastal stretches of offshore islands that earlier calculations missed. These islands were often too small to show up in low-resolution maps or were excluded due to the limitations of manual measurement processes.Although the newly revised measurement of India’s coastline is more accurate than before, it still doesn’t reflect the coastline’s true length. In reality, the exact length of India’s, or any, coastline cannot be precisely measured. This is due to what’s known as the coastline paradox.Natural formations like coastlines are extremely irregular and don’t have a fixed length. The measured length depends entirely on the resolution used. The finer the measurement scale, the more details are captured, and the longer the coastline appears.This paradox also applies to other natural features like mountain chains and river systems. Rivers, for instance, flow in winding, unpredictable paths, and their banks are rarely straight.Trying to measure the length of a river by tracing its banks runs into the same issue as measuring a coastline. However, river lengths are typically measured along the main course rather than the edges, which avoids this complication. &nbsp;

With higher resolution, the coastline’s curves and indentations can be measured in much finer detail. Lower-resolution data tends to smooth out these features, making jagged coastlines appear more linear, which results in a shorter total length.


The coastline of India has increased by 3,582 km, or nearly 48 per cent after accurate measurements without any acquisition of territory. In addition, the country's islands have also increased slightly following the reassessment without changing the ground situation. In the 1970s, the length of the coastline was measured at 7,516 km. But, following the assessment, it is now measured to be 11,098 km. The previous measurement was based on data that were of the scale of 1:4,500,000 or smaller. Later, with the passage of time, enhanced and accurate resolution data became available, calculating the length of the coastline using data that had a scale of 1:250,000, as per the Indian Express report. Coastlines are naturally uneven and complex, but when data resolution improves, it’s like switching from a larger measuring stick to a smaller one. For instance, a one-kilometer ruler would overlook minor variations in the land’s shape that a one-meter ruler would easily detect. With higher resolution, we can map the coastline’s curves and indentations in much finer detail. Lower-resolution data tends to smooth out these features, making jagged coastlines appear more linear, which results in a shorter total length. Can coastline be measured precisely? Previously, coastline measurements were done using traditional, manual techniques. Now, advanced GIS software allows for much more precise mapping of terrain irregularities. Another factor behind the increased length is the inclusion of coastal stretches of offshore islands that earlier calculations missed. These islands were often too small to show up in low-resolution maps or were excluded due to the limitations of manual measurement processes. Although the newly revised measurement of India’s coastline is more accurate than before, it still doesn’t reflect the coastline’s true length. In reality, the exact length of India’s, or any, coastline cannot be precisely measured. This is due to what’s known as the coastline paradox. Natural formations like coastlines are extremely irregular and don’t have a fixed length. The measured length depends entirely on the resolution used. The finer the measurement scale, the more details are captured, and the longer the coastline appears. This paradox also applies to other natural features like mountain chains and river systems. Rivers, for instance, flow in winding, unpredictable paths, and their banks are rarely straight. Trying to measure the length of a river by tracing its banks runs into the same issue as measuring a coastline. However, river lengths are typically measured along the main course rather than the edges, which avoids this complication.

With higher resolution, the coastline’s curves and indentations can be measured in much finer detail. Lower-resolution data tends to smooth out these features, making jagged coastlines appear more linear, which results in a shorter total length. &nbsp;

India’s coastline just got longer, ‘added’ more than 3,500 km —Know how it acquired

One of the world's most expensive and advanced combat aircraft, the British Royal Navy F-35B fighter jet has been stranded in India's Kerala Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for four days after making an emergency landing.According to reports, the jet suffered a "technical snag", due to which it was grounded. The jet, which is believed to have taken off from an aircraft carrier, landed safely at around 9.30 pm. Airport authorities declared an emergency to ensure a smooth and safe landing, said a source.The fighter jet is worth over $100 million and was part of the UK's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group.The short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) jet is currently operating in the Indo-Pacific following a series of joint exercises with the Indian Navy.<h2>Jet grounded at Kerala Airport</h2>The jet took from the HMS Prince of Wales which is the UK's flagship aircraft carrier and is currently grounded approximately 100 nautical miles off the Kerala coast.The technicians were airlifted by a Royal Navy helicopter to begin repairs the same night, but according to sources, the aircraft remains grounded due to technical issues.The Indian Air Force (IAF) is handling the issue, however an official update on the F35 jet is still awaited, as per the Indian Defence PRO and Thiruvananthapuram airport officials.“The IAF is fully aware and facilitated the aircraft for flight safety reasons. All assistance is being given, and the IAF is in coordination with all agencies,” said an IAF spokesperson.Earlier, the F-35 was expected to depart by Tuesday morning, however, it got delayed again.The Royal Navy personnel, including the pilot and two technicians, are still in Kerala to finish the repair. Meanwhile, six other technicians returned to HMS Prince of Wales by helicopter on Tuesday afternoon.For safety, an armed detachment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is guarding the jet, which is parked in Bay 4 of the airport.

The short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) jet is currently operating in the Indo-Pacific following a series of joint exercises with the Indian Navy.

One of the world's most expensive and advanced combat aircraft, the British Royal Navy F-35B fighter jet has been stranded in India's Kerala Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for four days after making an emergency landing. According to reports, the jet suffered a "technical snag", due to which it was grounded. The jet, which is believed to have taken off from an aircraft carrier, landed safely at around 9.30 pm. Airport authorities declared an emergency to ensure a smooth and safe landing, said a source. The fighter jet is worth over $100 million and was part of the UK's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group. The short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) jet is currently operating in the Indo-Pacific following a series of joint exercises with the Indian Navy. Jet grounded at Kerala Airport The jet took from the HMS Prince of Wales which is the UK's flagship aircraft carrier and is currently grounded approximately 100 nautical miles off the Kerala coast. The technicians were airlifted by a Royal Navy helicopter to begin repairs the same night, but according to sources, the aircraft remains grounded due to technical issues. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is handling the issue, however an official update on the F35 jet is still awaited, as per the Indian Defence PRO and Thiruvananthapuram airport officials. “The IAF is fully aware and facilitated the aircraft for flight safety reasons. All assistance is being given, and the IAF is in coordination with all agencies,” said an IAF spokesperson. Earlier, the F-35 was expected to depart by Tuesday morning, however, it got delayed again. The Royal Navy personnel, including the pilot and two technicians, are still in Kerala to finish the repair. Meanwhile, six other technicians returned to HMS Prince of Wales by helicopter on Tuesday afternoon. For safety, an armed detachment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is guarding the jet, which is parked in Bay 4 of the airport.

The short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) jet is currently operating in the Indo-Pacific following a series of joint exercises with the Indian Navy.

Why world's most expensive fighter jet F-35B is GROUNDED in India? Know its price

As war between Israel and Iran intensifies, India on Wednesday (June 18) launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran to ensure their safety amid continuous attacks.The Indian government has been taking various steps over the last several days for the safety and security of Indian nationals.Israel has launched a ‘preemptive strike’ on Iran, striking nuclear facilities on Friday, following which Iran also retaliated.<h2>110 Indians evacuated</h2>As a first step, the Indian Embassy has evacuated 110 Indian students from northern Iran, assisting them in safely crossing over into Armenia on June 17, 2025.The students travelled by road to the Armenian capital, Yerevan, under the supervision of Indian Missions in Iran and Armenia, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated."These students departed Yerevan on a special flight at 1455 hrs on 18th June 2025," the ministry added.They will arrive in New Delhi in the early hours of June 19, 2025, as part of the initial stages of Operation Sindhu."The Government of India is grateful to the Governments of Iran and Armenia for the smooth facilitation of the evacuation process," the ministry wrote.As part of the ongoing operation, the Indian Embassy in Iran has been assisting large numbers of Indian nationals in moving from areas seeing increased hostilities to relatively safer areas within the country.In a press statement, the ministry also mentioned the emergency helpline numbers of the Indian Embassy in Tehran.<ul><li>For call only : +98 9128109115, +98 9128109109</li><li>For WhatsApp: +98 901044557, +98 9015993320, +91 8086871709</li></ul>Helpline numbers of 24 X 7 Control Room set up by Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi&nbsp;<ul><li>800118797 (Toll free) , +91-11-23012113 , +91-11-23014104, +91-11-23017905</li><li>WhatsApp: +91-9968291988 ; Email- situationroom@mea.gov.in</li></ul>Indian nationals in Iran are advised to stay in touch with the Indian Embassy in Tehran through its emergency helpline and with the 24x7 Control Room established by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi.&nbsp;

The Indian government has been taking various steps over the last several days for the safety and security of Indian nationals.

As war between Israel and Iran intensifies, India on Wednesday (June 18) launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran to ensure their safety amid continuous attacks. The Indian government has been taking various steps over the last several days for the safety and security of Indian nationals. Israel has launched a ‘preemptive strike’ on Iran, striking nuclear facilities on Friday, following which Iran also retaliated. 110 Indians evacuated As a first step, the Indian Embassy has evacuated 110 Indian students from northern Iran, assisting them in safely crossing over into Armenia on June 17, 2025. The students travelled by road to the Armenian capital, Yerevan, under the supervision of Indian Missions in Iran and Armenia, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated. "These students departed Yerevan on a special flight at 1455 hrs on 18th June 2025," the ministry added. They will arrive in New Delhi in the early hours of June 19, 2025, as part of the initial stages of Operation Sindhu. "The Government of India is grateful to the Governments of Iran and Armenia for the smooth facilitation of the evacuation process," the ministry wrote. As part of the ongoing operation, the Indian Embassy in Iran has been assisting large numbers of Indian nationals in moving from areas seeing increased hostilities to relatively safer areas within the country. In a press statement, the ministry also mentioned the emergency helpline numbers of the Indian Embassy in Tehran. For call only : +98 9128109115, +98 9128109109 For WhatsApp: +98 901044557, +98 9015993320, +91 8086871709 Helpline numbers of 24 X 7 Control Room set up by Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi 800118797 (Toll free) , +91-11-23012113 , +91-11-23014104, +91-11-23017905 WhatsApp: +91-9968291988 ; Email- situationroom@mea.gov.in Indian nationals in Iran are advised to stay in touch with the Indian Embassy in Tehran through its emergency helpline and with the 24x7 Control Room established by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi.

The Indian government has been taking various steps over the last several days for the safety and security of Indian nationals.

Israel-Iran war: What is Operation Sindhu? India launches op to evacuate citizens from Iran - Here's all you need to know

The doomsday fish has already been seen four times this year. First in India towards the end of May, then in Australia, and twice in New Zealand. What led these rare creatures to come up from the ocean? These are the recent sightings of the “ominous” fish. 

The doomsday fish has already been seen four times this year. First in India towards the end of May, then in Australia, and twice in New Zealand. What led these rare creatures to come up from the ocean? These are the recent sightings of the “ominous” fish.&nbsp;

Doomsday fish seen four times in last 20 days, including in India. Here are all the recent sightings

Negotiators from India and the United States have concluded a high-stakes round of talks in New Delhi, aiming to seal an interim trade pact before Washington’s tariff suspension expires next month.&nbsp;&nbsp;With pressure mounting, both sides say they’ve made headway, but the clock is ticking.<h2>India and US intensify push for trade pact ahead of tariff deadline</h2>After a week of intense closed-door discussions in the Indian capital, New Delhi and Washington appear to be inching towards a breakthrough on a long-awaited bilateral trade agreement. A senior Indian official, quoted by PTI, confirmed that the two teams engaged in detailed negotiations across a range of sectors, including digital trade, customs facilitation, market access, and sanitary and technical barriers.&nbsp;The talks were held between 4 and 10 June, led by Additional US Trade Representative officials on the American side and senior officials from India’s commerce ministry.&nbsp;&nbsp;According to Reuters, the discussions were described as “productive,” with both parties agreeing to work towards a “balanced and mutually beneficial agreement,” including short-term wins as part of an interim package.<h2>Interim deal may precede larger agreement</h2>According to reports, the primary focus of the latest round was easing market access for both industrial and agricultural goods, along with efforts to reduce tariffs and tackle non-tariff barriers.&nbsp;&nbsp;Negotiators are aiming for a phased agreement with a limited deal likely before the G7 Summit later this month, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump are expected to meet.&nbsp;As per PTI, the goal is to finalise the first tranche of the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by fall 2025, while an interim deal could be sealed as early as late June.&nbsp;&nbsp;This would be critical, as the US has currently paused the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on Indian exports, including a 26 per cent duty that could hit sectors like textiles, footwear, rice, and shrimp until July 9.<h2>Tariffs, digital trade and agriculture in focus</h2>The Indian side is reportedly pushing for full exemption from the 10 per cent baseline tariff the US imposed under national security grounds during Trump’s earlier term.&nbsp;&nbsp;While Washington has so far resisted that demand, India has offered tariff concessions on high-value US exports such as almonds, pistachios and walnuts, according to Bloomberg.&nbsp;India has also declined to open its market to US imports of dairy, wheat and corn, which remain politically sensitive sectors. Meanwhile, both countries are exploring new ground in digital trade, customs efficiency, and legal harmonisation to facilitate smoother bilateral commerce.<h2>Deal likely ahead of Trump-Modi meet</h2>With President Trump keen to score a trade win before the 90-day tariff suspension ends, both sides are under pressure to announce a preliminary agreement by late June.&nbsp;&nbsp;External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar confirmed in an interview with French daily Le Figaro that India remains “hopeful” of striking a deal before July 9.&nbsp;Negotiations are likely to continue through June, possibly culminating in a signing on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada.&nbsp;As the US remains India’s largest trading partner for the fourth consecutive year, with trade totalling $131.84 billion in 2024–25, as per official data, the stakes for a stable trade framework have never been higher.<h2>New Delhi negotiates on multiple fronts</h2>Even as trade talks with Washington intensify, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal was in Switzerland last week to finalise the India-EFTA trade deal, aimed at strengthening ties with Europe, India’s second-largest trading partner.&nbsp;This multi-track approach signals New Delhi’s efforts to diversify its trade portfolio while securing favourable terms with key partners.&nbsp;&nbsp;But with the US being a strategic and economic heavyweight, the outcome of the current round of negotiations could set the tone for India’s broader trade policy in the years ahead. &nbsp;(With inputs from the agencies)

With US tariffs on Indian exports set to resume next month, both countries accelerate efforts to finalise a limited trade pact by late June.

Negotiators from India and the United States have concluded a high-stakes round of talks in New Delhi, aiming to seal an interim trade pact before Washington’s tariff suspension expires next month. With pressure mounting, both sides say they’ve made headway, but the clock is ticking. India and US intensify push for trade pact ahead of tariff deadline After a week of intense closed-door discussions in the Indian capital, New Delhi and Washington appear to be inching towards a breakthrough on a long-awaited bilateral trade agreement. A senior Indian official, quoted by PTI, confirmed that the two teams engaged in detailed negotiations across a range of sectors, including digital trade, customs facilitation, market access, and sanitary and technical barriers. The talks were held between 4 and 10 June, led by Additional US Trade Representative officials on the American side and senior officials from India’s commerce ministry. According to Reuters, the discussions were described as “productive,” with both parties agreeing to work towards a “balanced and mutually beneficial agreement,” including short-term wins as part of an interim package. Interim deal may precede larger agreement According to reports, the primary focus of the latest round was easing market access for both industrial and agricultural goods, along with efforts to reduce tariffs and tackle non-tariff barriers. Negotiators are aiming for a phased agreement with a limited deal likely before the G7 Summit later this month, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump are expected to meet. As per PTI, the goal is to finalise the first tranche of the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by fall 2025, while an interim deal could be sealed as early as late June. This would be critical, as the US has currently paused the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on Indian exports, including a 26 per cent duty that could hit sectors like textiles, footwear, rice, and shrimp until July 9. Tariffs, digital trade and agriculture in focus The Indian side is reportedly pushing for full exemption from the 10 per cent baseline tariff the US imposed under national security grounds during Trump’s earlier term. While Washington has so far resisted that demand, India has offered tariff concessions on high-value US exports such as almonds, pistachios and walnuts, according to Bloomberg. India has also declined to open its market to US imports of dairy, wheat and corn, which remain politically sensitive sectors. Meanwhile, both countries are exploring new ground in digital trade, customs efficiency, and legal harmonisation to facilitate smoother bilateral commerce. Deal likely ahead of Trump-Modi meet With President Trump keen to score a trade win before the 90-day tariff suspension ends, both sides are under pressure to announce a preliminary agreement by late June. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar confirmed in an interview with French daily Le Figaro that India remains “hopeful” of striking a deal before July 9. Negotiations are likely to continue through June, possibly culminating in a signing on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada. As the US remains India’s largest trading partner for the fourth consecutive year, with trade totalling $131.84 billion in 2024–25, as per official data, the stakes for a stable trade framework have never been higher. New Delhi negotiates on multiple fronts Even as trade talks with Washington intensify, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal was in Switzerland last week to finalise the India-EFTA trade deal, aimed at strengthening ties with Europe, India’s second-largest trading partner. This multi-track approach signals New Delhi’s efforts to diversify its trade portfolio while securing favourable terms with key partners. But with the US being a strategic and economic heavyweight, the outcome of the current round of negotiations could set the tone for India’s broader trade policy in the years ahead. (With inputs from the agencies)

India and the US are close to clinching an interim trade deal ahead of a looming tariff deadline, after a week of intensive negotiations in New Delhi.

India and US edge closer to trade deal as deadline for tariff pause nears

In a bold move, Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney defends inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 summit, saying that India, the fifth-largest economy in the world, “should be” at the G7 table. The 51st G7 summit will be held from June 15 &nbsp;to June 17 in Alberta, Canada.In a press briefing, PM Carney was asked about his choice to invite India despite the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reporting that the Modi Government was orchestrating a campaign of violence and intimidation in Canada, including murder. In his response, Carney said, “India is the fifth largest economy in the world, effectively the most populous in the world, central to a number of supply chains, so it makes sense. And in addition, bilaterally, we have now agreed importantly to continued law enforcement dialogue, so there's been some progress… I extended the invitation to Prime Minister Modi in that context, and he has accepted".Notably, the diplomatic relationship between India and Canada deteriorated following the alleged assassination of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver by India. Hardeep was branded as a terrorist in India.&nbsp;However, India denied all such allegations. Tension further escalated when both nations expelled diplomats from each other in October 2024.There had been a sustained effort between the two nations to mend the diplomatic relations, especially following the resignation of Justin Trudeau in March. PM Carney and his Liberal Party were voted into power as they won narrowly in the election on May 23, 2025. On May 26, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar congratulated the Foreign Minister of Canada, Anita Anand, congratulated him and discussed the ‘prospects of India-Canada ties’.Prime Minister Modi on Friday announced that he received an invitation to attend the G7 summit in Canada. “Glad to receive a call from Prime Minister Mark J Carney of Canada. Congratulated him on his recent election victory and thanked him for the invitation to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis later this month. As vibrant democracies bound by deep people-to-people ties, India and Canada will work together with renewed vigour, guided by mutual respect and shared interests. Look forward to our meeting at the Summit,” read a post from Prime Minister Modi.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Canadian PM Mark Carney defends inviting India's Narendra Modi to the G7 Summit despite RCMP accusations of violence and murder. Here's why he says India "should be" at the table.

In a bold move, Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney defends inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 summit, saying that India, the fifth-largest economy in the world, “should be” at the G7 table. The 51st G7 summit will be held from June 15 to June 17 in Alberta, Canada. In a press briefing, PM Carney was asked about his choice to invite India despite the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reporting that the Modi Government was orchestrating a campaign of violence and intimidation in Canada, including murder. In his response, Carney said, “India is the fifth largest economy in the world, effectively the most populous in the world, central to a number of supply chains, so it makes sense. And in addition, bilaterally, we have now agreed importantly to continued law enforcement dialogue, so there's been some progress… I extended the invitation to Prime Minister Modi in that context, and he has accepted". Notably, the diplomatic relationship between India and Canada deteriorated following the alleged assassination of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver by India. Hardeep was branded as a terrorist in India. However, India denied all such allegations. Tension further escalated when both nations expelled diplomats from each other in October 2024. There had been a sustained effort between the two nations to mend the diplomatic relations, especially following the resignation of Justin Trudeau in March. PM Carney and his Liberal Party were voted into power as they won narrowly in the election on May 23, 2025. On May 26, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar congratulated the Foreign Minister of Canada, Anita Anand, congratulated him and discussed the ‘prospects of India-Canada ties’. Prime Minister Modi on Friday announced that he received an invitation to attend the G7 summit in Canada. “Glad to receive a call from Prime Minister Mark J Carney of Canada. Congratulated him on his recent election victory and thanked him for the invitation to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis later this month. As vibrant democracies bound by deep people-to-people ties, India and Canada will work together with renewed vigour, guided by mutual respect and shared interests. Look forward to our meeting at the Summit,” read a post from Prime Minister Modi.

Canadian PM Mark Carney defends inviting India's Narendra Modi to the G7 Summit despite RCMP accusations of violence and murder. Here's why he says India "should be" at the table.

'5th largest economy, most populous in world': Canadian PM defends G7 invite to India - Here's what he said

Vijay Mallya, fugitive and the former Kingfisher Airlines chief, recently made an effort to straighten up his record on an Indian podcaster's show, as he opened up about the exact amount of debt under his name.Mallya, who is accused in a massive fraud and money laundering case, made a rare appearance in a podcast with YouTuber Raj Shamani.He answered many questions about the loan default case and revealed the massive debt he's got under his name.Mallya challenged the Rs 9,000 crore loan amount claims, saying that the debt recovery tribunal's certificate showed a loan amount of nearly Rs 6,203 crore, 35 lakhs, including an interest of 11.5 per cent.The total debt was against four entities, including Kingfisher Airlines, United Breweries, Vijay Mallya and Kingfisher Finvest, Mallya said during the podcast.“I am the one under attack,” Mallya said. While clarifying about the widely reported debt amount of ₹9,000 crore, Mallya said, “I am as perplexed as you are because the banks have never submitted a statement to me, which in itself is very strange."He further claimed that the banks have already recovered Rs 14,000 crore, however, Mallya requested that they provide a statement mentioning the total recovered amount.Mallya denied allegations of theft, saying that he would only come back if assured of a fair trial and a "dignified existence".“I apologise to everyone for the failure of Kingfisher Airlines,” Mallya said. When asked if his legal troubles worsened because he chose not to return to India, he said, “If I have assurance of a fair trial and a dignified existence in India, you may be right, but I don’t.”“Call me a fugitive for not going to India post-March 2016. I didn’t run away, I flew out of India on a prescheduled visit. Fair enough, I did not return for reasons that I consider are valid, so if you want to call me a fugitive, go ahead, but where is the "thief" coming from? Where is the ‘theft’?” he questioned.&nbsp;

Mallya, who is accused in a massive fraud and money laundering case, made a rare appearance in a podcast with YouTuber Raj Shamani.

Vijay Mallya, fugitive and the former Kingfisher Airlines chief, recently made an effort to straighten up his record on an Indian podcaster's show, as he opened up about the exact amount of debt under his name. Mallya, who is accused in a massive fraud and money laundering case, made a rare appearance in a podcast with YouTuber Raj Shamani. He answered many questions about the loan default case and revealed the massive debt he's got under his name. Mallya challenged the Rs 9,000 crore loan amount claims, saying that the debt recovery tribunal's certificate showed a loan amount of nearly Rs 6,203 crore, 35 lakhs, including an interest of 11.5 per cent. The total debt was against four entities, including Kingfisher Airlines, United Breweries, Vijay Mallya and Kingfisher Finvest, Mallya said during the podcast. “I am the one under attack,” Mallya said. While clarifying about the widely reported debt amount of ₹9,000 crore, Mallya said, “I am as perplexed as you are because the banks have never submitted a statement to me, which in itself is very strange." He further claimed that the banks have already recovered Rs 14,000 crore, however, Mallya requested that they provide a statement mentioning the total recovered amount. Mallya denied allegations of theft, saying that he would only come back if assured of a fair trial and a "dignified existence". “I apologise to everyone for the failure of Kingfisher Airlines,” Mallya said. When asked if his legal troubles worsened because he chose not to return to India, he said, “If I have assurance of a fair trial and a dignified existence in India, you may be right, but I don’t.” “Call me a fugitive for not going to India post-March 2016. I didn’t run away, I flew out of India on a prescheduled visit. Fair enough, I did not return for reasons that I consider are valid, so if you want to call me a fugitive, go ahead, but where is the "thief" coming from? Where is the ‘theft’?” he questioned.

Mallya, who is accused in a massive fraud and money laundering case, made a rare appearance in a podcast with YouTuber Raj Shamani.

'Fugitive, not a thief': What's the actual loan Vijay Mallya took? Here's what the businessman revealed

Eid al-Adha, also called Bakrid, is a very crucial festival for Muslims all over the globe. It is also known as the “Festival of Sacrifice.” This day honours the story of Prophet Ibrahim, who was asked by God to sacrifice his son.&nbsp;Ibrahim agreed to follow God’s command, but before he could do it, God sent a sheep to be sacrificed instead. This shows the importance of faith, obedience, and trust in God.&nbsp;Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha by starting the day with a special prayer at mosques or open grounds. After the prayer, those who can afford it sacrifice an animal such as a goat or, sheep. Many Muslims also donate, do charity.&nbsp;Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/eid-al-adha-2025-moon-sighting-timings-in-india-uk-us-and-uae-all-you-need-to-know-1749209497523">Eid al-Adha 2025 | Moon sighting timings in India, UK, US, and UAE. All you need to know</a>&nbsp;On this day, families come together to enjoy meals, wear new clothes, and visit friends and neighbours. It is also a time to give charity and help others in need.&nbsp;In India, Eid al-Adha will be celebrated on Saturday, June 7, 2025, because the moon is expected to be sighted a day later than in Saudi Arabia. The festival date may vary slightly depending on local moon sightings,&nbsp;Let's have a look at the moon sighting timings in India&nbsp;June 6: Moonrise at 2:09 PM IST, Moonset at 1:59 AM (June 7)June 7: Moonrise at 5:24 PM IST, Moonset at 3:00 AM (June 8) When is it celebrated? &nbsp;The festival is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It coincides with the culmination of the sacred pilgrimage Hajj. It is one of the five pillars of Islam.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In India, Eid al-Adha will be celebrated on Saturday, June 7, 2025, because the moon is expected to be sighted a day later than in Saudi

Arabia.

Eid al-Adha, also called Bakrid, is a very crucial festival for Muslims all over the globe. It is also known as the “Festival of Sacrifice.” This day honours the story of Prophet Ibrahim, who was asked by God to sacrifice his son. Ibrahim agreed to follow God’s command, but before he could do it, God sent a sheep to be sacrificed instead. This shows the importance of faith, obedience, and trust in God. Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha by starting the day with a special prayer at mosques or open grounds. After the prayer, those who can afford it sacrifice an animal such as a goat or, sheep. Many Muslims also donate, do charity. Also Read | Eid al-Adha 2025 | Moon sighting timings in India, UK, US, and UAE. All you need to know On this day, families come together to enjoy meals, wear new clothes, and visit friends and neighbours. It is also a time to give charity and help others in need. In India, Eid al-Adha will be celebrated on Saturday, June 7, 2025, because the moon is expected to be sighted a day later than in Saudi Arabia. The festival date may vary slightly depending on local moon sightings, Let's have a look at the moon sighting timings in India June 6: Moonrise at 2:09 PM IST, Moonset at 1:59 AM (June 7) June 7: Moonrise at 5:24 PM IST, Moonset at 3:00 AM (June 8) When is it celebrated? The festival is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It coincides with the culmination of the sacred pilgrimage Hajj. It is one of the five pillars of Islam.

In India, Eid al-Adha will be celebrated on Saturday, June 7, 2025, because the moon is expected to be sighted a day later than in SaudiArabia.

Eid al-Adha 2025: Know the significance and date in India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, scheduled for later this month. He thanked Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for the invitation.The Canadian prime minister called PM Modi on Friday (June 6), to extend an invitation to the Indian prime minister."Glad to receive a call from Prime Minister&nbsp; @MarkJCarney of Canada. Congratulated him on his recent election victory and thanked him for the invitation to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis later this month," PM Modi said in a post on X.PM Modi further said that India and Canada will work together with renewed vigour."As vibrant democracies bound by deep people-to-people ties, India and Canada will work together with renewed vigour, guided by mutual respect and shared interests. Look forward to our meeting at the Summit," he added.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Glad to receive a call from Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkJCarney?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MarkJCarney</a> of Canada. Congratulated him on his recent election victory and thanked him for the invitation to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis later this month. As vibrant democracies bound by deep people-to-people ties, India and Canada…&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1930972984782844146?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Ties between India and Canada deteriorated during former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s time in office over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.Recently, India’s foreign minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, spoke to his Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand, taking the first step to mend the strained bilateral relations between the two countries.Jaishankar said he “discussed the prospects of India-Canada ties” with Canada’s newly appointed Foreign Minister Anita Anand and “wished her a very successful tenure”.G7 SummitCanadian Prime Minister is set to host this year's G7 Summit in the resort of Kananaskis in Alberta on June 15-17.It will mark the second time, the town will host a global gathering, as first happened in 2002.However, this summit is significant as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the G7.G7 is a group comprising the world's most advanced economies, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US. The European Union also participates in the discussions and meetings.

The Canadian prime minister called PM Modi on Friday (June 6), to extend an invitation to the Indian prime minister.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, scheduled for later this month. He thanked Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for the invitation. The Canadian prime minister called PM Modi on Friday (June 6), to extend an invitation to the Indian prime minister. "Glad to receive a call from Prime Minister @MarkJCarney of Canada. Congratulated him on his recent election victory and thanked him for the invitation to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis later this month," PM Modi said in a post on X. PM Modi further said that India and Canada will work together with renewed vigour. "As vibrant democracies bound by deep people-to-people ties, India and Canada will work together with renewed vigour, guided by mutual respect and shared interests. Look forward to our meeting at the Summit," he added.

The Canadian prime minister called PM Modi on Friday (June 6), to extend an invitation to the Indian prime minister.

PM Modi gets G7 invite as Canadian PM Mark Carney dials him - Will it help reset India-Canada ties?

The world's highest railway bridge, Chenab Bridge, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (June 6) in Jammu and Kashmir.The bridge was built at a cost of around Rs 1,400 crore and is the highest rail and arch bridge in the world with a dock height of 359 metres from the river bed.Notably, it is 35 metres taller than the iconic Paris Eiffel Tower.PM Modi celebrated the hoisting of the tricolour on the iconic Chenab Rail Bridge describing it as a moment of immense national pride and a testament to India’s growing capability to build futuristic infrastructure in the most challenging terrains.<h2>A key milestone for Indian engineering - Here's why</h2>It all goes back to 2003 when the bridge project was approved. The bridge is 1.31 km long and its construction took two decades to complete.Undoubtedly, the Indian government called it the "biggest civil-engineering challenge faced by any railway project in India in recent history".The bridge is made with 28,660 mega tonnes of steel that can withstand sub-zero temperatures as well as up to 40 degrees.Surprisingly, the bridge is taller than the popular attraction Eiffel Tower in Paris by 35 times, and is at least five times the height of Qutub Minar.Notably, the Chenab bridge is designed in a way that also allows trains to pass through at a low speed even if a pier supporting the structure gets damaged.It was challenging for the engineers to construct it as construction is a tall task in the Himalayan region, as there is a need for transporting huge machinery and other resources.Moreover, the biggest obstacle in the construction was the area's challenging topography and its remote location.The bridge is built in a way, that it can withstand wind speeds up to 266 km/hr and strong earthquakes. It took years and years of research and consultation to ensure that it was made strong enough to train movement and withstand bad weather conditions.&nbsp;

The bridge was built at a cost of around Rs 1,400 crore and is the highest rail and arch bridge in the world with a dock height of 359 metres from the river bed.

The world's highest railway bridge, Chenab Bridge, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (June 6) in Jammu and Kashmir. The bridge was built at a cost of around Rs 1,400 crore and is the highest rail and arch bridge in the world with a dock height of 359 metres from the river bed. Notably, it is 35 metres taller than the iconic Paris Eiffel Tower. PM Modi celebrated the hoisting of the tricolour on the iconic Chenab Rail Bridge describing it as a moment of immense national pride and a testament to India’s growing capability to build futuristic infrastructure in the most challenging terrains. A key milestone for Indian engineering - Here's why It all goes back to 2003 when the bridge project was approved. The bridge is 1.31 km long and its construction took two decades to complete. Undoubtedly, the Indian government called it the "biggest civil-engineering challenge faced by any railway project in India in recent history". The bridge is made with 28,660 mega tonnes of steel that can withstand sub-zero temperatures as well as up to 40 degrees. Surprisingly, the bridge is taller than the popular attraction Eiffel Tower in Paris by 35 times, and is at least five times the height of Qutub Minar. Notably, the Chenab bridge is designed in a way that also allows trains to pass through at a low speed even if a pier supporting the structure gets damaged. It was challenging for the engineers to construct it as construction is a tall task in the Himalayan region, as there is a need for transporting huge machinery and other resources. Moreover, the biggest obstacle in the construction was the area's challenging topography and its remote location. The bridge is built in a way, that it can withstand wind speeds up to 266 km/hr and strong earthquakes. It took years and years of research and consultation to ensure that it was made strong enough to train movement and withstand bad weather conditions.

The bridge was built at a cost of around Rs 1,400 crore and is the highest rail and arch bridge in the world with a dock height of 359 metres from the river bed.

Taller than Eiffel Tower, Qutub Minar: Chenab Bridge was India's BIGGEST engineering challenge - Here's why

With an aim of tech boost, OpenAI has collaborated with the IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Information Technology and launched "OpenAI Academy", marking its first international expansion of educational platforms.The partnership between OpenAI and IndiaAI Mission will help in building nationwide AI capabilities across sectors, offering targeted training to students, developers, educators, civil servants and entrepreneurs.Both parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to make the partnership formal.OpenAI's Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon is currently in Delhi, and has been touring across Asia Pacific, covering countries including Japan, South Korea, Australia, India and Singapore.He has been meeting the leaders of these countries as well as the governments and potential private sector partners to discuss opportunities.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-outpacing-the-world-openai-ceo-sam-altman-lauds-ai-adoption-wave-in-india-8918916">Also read: 'India outpacing the world': OpenAI CEO Sam Altman lauds AI adoption wave in India</a>&nbsp;As part of the program, OpenAI will host webinars and hands on workshops across six Indian cities. The academy will support the "FutureSkills" pillar of the IndiaAI Mission by widening access to AI skills training for a large audience.According to the rollout, the program will offer a mix of digital and in-person learning, designed specifically to meet the needs of Indian population. The content will be available in both Hindi and English, as well as other additional regional languages in future, to cater wider audience.Moreover, the OpenAI content will be available on the iGOT Karmayogi platform to assist in building the capacity of government officials.Notably, the organisation has also planned to give up to $100,000 in API credits to 50 fellows or startups approved by the IndiaAI Mission.It will also train one million teachers for the use of Generative AI technology and will hold hackathons across seven states, targeting approximately 25,000 students.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/openai-makes-codex-free-for-all-chatgpt-users-here-s-what-it-means-1749059913587">Also read: OpenAI makes codex free for all ChatGPT users: Here’s what it means</a>

The academy will support the FutureSkills pillar of the IndiaAI Mission by widening access to AI skills training for a large audience.

With an aim of tech boost, OpenAI has collaborated with the IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Information Technology and launched "OpenAI Academy", marking its first international expansion of educational platforms. The partnership between OpenAI and IndiaAI Mission will help in building nationwide AI capabilities across sectors, offering targeted training to students, developers, educators, civil servants and entrepreneurs. Both parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to make the partnership formal. OpenAI's Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon is currently in Delhi, and has been touring across Asia Pacific, covering countries including Japan, South Korea, Australia, India and Singapore. He has been meeting the leaders of these countries as well as the governments and potential private sector partners to discuss opportunities. Also read: 'India outpacing the world': OpenAI CEO Sam Altman lauds AI adoption wave in India As part of the program, OpenAI will host webinars and hands on workshops across six Indian cities. The academy will support the "FutureSkills" pillar of the IndiaAI Mission by widening access to AI skills training for a large audience. According to the rollout, the program will offer a mix of digital and in-person learning, designed specifically to meet the needs of Indian population. The content will be available in both Hindi and English, as well as other additional regional languages in future, to cater wider audience. Moreover, the OpenAI content will be available on the iGOT Karmayogi platform to assist in building the capacity of government officials. Notably, the organisation has also planned to give up to $100,000 in API credits to 50 fellows or startups approved by the IndiaAI Mission. It will also train one million teachers for the use of Generative AI technology and will hold hackathons across seven states, targeting approximately 25,000 students. Also read: OpenAI makes codex free for all ChatGPT users: Here’s what it means

The academy will support the "FutureSkills" pillar of the IndiaAI Mission by widening access to AI skills training for a large audience.

OpenAI x IndiaAI Mission: OpenAI launches first academy in India - Here's all you need to know

After a four-year delay, the national census, along with the caste enumeration exercise is likely to begin on March 1, 2027, according to government sources.Reportedly, the preparations for the large-scale national census have been scheduled.According to the sources, the Union government has set a tentative schedule for both population and caste census. The exercise is expected to begin across the country from March 1, 2027.Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Uttarakhand, the process is likely to begin from October 2026.In April, the Union government announced that caste-based enumeration will be part of the next Census. The decision came following a cabinet committee on political affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi."The Modi government, committed to social justice, has taken a historic decision today," Home Minister Amit Shah said in an X post in Hindi.He added that the decision will empower all economically and socially backward classes, promote inclusion and pave new paths for the progress of the deprived.The country's population count has been conducted every 10 years since 1951, but the census work in 2021 could not be carried out due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner had prepared 31 questions to be asked to the citizens during the census exercise.The census of India is recorded every decade, with the first one being held in 1872. The first census post-Independence was recorded in 1951 and the last one in 2011.According to the 2011 data, India's total population was 121 crore, the sex ratio was 940 females per 1,000 males, the literacy rate was 74.04 per cent and the population growth was 17.64 per cent from 2001 to 2011.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/committed-to-the-values-centre-announces-caste-enumeration-to-be-part-of-next-census-9019009">Also read: ‘Committed to the values’: Centre announces caste enumeration to be part of next Census</a>

According to the sources, the Union government has set a tentative schedule for both population and caste census.

After a four-year delay, the national census, along with the caste enumeration exercise is likely to begin on March 1, 2027, according to government sources. Reportedly, the preparations for the large-scale national census have been scheduled. According to the sources, the Union government has set a tentative schedule for both population and caste census. The exercise is expected to begin across the country from March 1, 2027. Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Uttarakhand, the process is likely to begin from October 2026. In April, the Union government announced that caste-based enumeration will be part of the next Census. The decision came following a cabinet committee on political affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The Modi government, committed to social justice, has taken a historic decision today," Home Minister Amit Shah said in an X post in Hindi. He added that the decision will empower all economically and socially backward classes, promote inclusion and pave new paths for the progress of the deprived. The country's population count has been conducted every 10 years since 1951, but the census work in 2021 could not be carried out due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner had prepared 31 questions to be asked to the citizens during the census exercise. The census of India is recorded every decade, with the first one being held in 1872. The first census post-Independence was recorded in 1951 and the last one in 2011. According to the 2011 data, India's total population was 121 crore, the sex ratio was 940 females per 1,000 males, the literacy rate was 74.04 per cent and the population growth was 17.64 per cent from 2001 to 2011. Also read: ‘Committed to the values’: Centre announces caste enumeration to be part of next Census

According to the sources, the Union government has set a tentative schedule for both population and caste census.

After 17 years, national census in India to begin in March 2027 | All you need to know

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles is in India today as part of his four-nation trip to South and Southeast Asia. He will be in India till June 5. The trip coincides with the fifth anniversary of India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, a part of the bilateral relationship between the two nations with a shared agenda of security, and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.Marles retained his office following the Australian Labour Party's recent victory in the 2025 parliamentary election. This is the first visit by a senior Australian minister since then. He met in New Delhi with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the strategic partnership between India and Australia.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">First port of call in India is a run and a chai from the local market! <a href="https://twitter.com/HCICanberra?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HCICanberra</a> <a href="https://t.co/0QAJL2oqCg">pic.twitter.com/0QAJL2oqCg</a>&mdash; Richard Marles (@RichardMarlesMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/RichardMarlesMP/status/1930163968976531463?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Rajanth Singh thanked Marles for the continued support of Australia even during the turbulent period of the India-Pakistan conflict that followed after Pahalgham attack. He reiterated both nations' commitment to enhance collaboration in defence technology, joint exercises, joint research and development, maritime security and surveillance.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Reviewed the full range of the India- Australia defence partnership during the extremely fruitful meeting with Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/RichardMarlesMP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RichardMarlesMP</a> in New Delhi. His personal commitment and leadership in strengthening bilateral defence… <a href="https://t.co/VSGAEyBOQN">pic.twitter.com/VSGAEyBOQN</a>&mdash; Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/1930179647506923532?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"It was heartening to note the significant milestones achieved in our bilateral defence relations since our last meeting. I hoped that in the coming years we would work with renewed momentum, effectively contributing to the growth of bilateral defence relations... Largely due to your commitment and leadership in strengthening India-Australia defence and security cooperation, in the past three years, bilateral defence cooperation has emerged as an important pillar of our comprehensive strategic partnership. I looked forward to a productive discussion today and hoped it would lay a firm ground for further cementing the India and Australia defence ties. This meeting was happening at a time when India was facing extreme challenges at our western border. We had taken steps in response to the barbaric incident in Kashmir. We thanked Australia for its support on this issue. We would be talking more about this later in the meeting," said Rajnath Singh.Marles, in response, expressed solidarity and showed Australia's commitment to working closely with India in fighting terrorism.&nbsp;"The opportunity to work closely with you again over the next three years was really exciting. I had deeply appreciated our relationship over the last three years and the progress that we had made. I wanted to pass on our Prime Minister's condolences to India for all the lives lost in the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Our thoughts and our prayers were with the families of those who were killed in the appalling terrorist attack. We wanted to make clear that Australia stood with India and all countries in combating terrorism. We acknowledged and welcomed the stoppage in military activity. We saw this as an act of Indian leadership. But we would continue to work with India as we combat terrorism in all its forms," said Marles.Notably, Richard Marles' visit builds upon previous agreements, such as the 2022 Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), with ongoing negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).Richard Marles is on a four-nation trip to Maldives, Sri Lanka, India and Indonesia, reflecting Australia's commitment to building stronger regional partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles is currently on a key diplomatic tour, marking a significant moment in the growing partnership between Canberra and New Delhi.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles is in India today as part of his four-nation trip to South and Southeast Asia. He will be in India till June 5. The trip coincides with the fifth anniversary of India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, a part of the bilateral relationship between the two nations with a shared agenda of security, and stability in the Indian Ocean Region. Marles retained his office following the Australian Labour Party's recent victory in the 2025 parliamentary election. This is the first visit by a senior Australian minister since then. He met in New Delhi with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the strategic partnership between India and Australia.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles is currently on a key diplomatic tour, marking a significant moment in the growing partnership between Canberra and New Delhi.

India, Australia deepen defence ties amid Indo-Pacific focus during Richard Marles’ visit

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma on Monday debunked Pakistan's threat of a hypothetical scenario, “What if China stops the water of Brahmaputra”, calling it another baseless "scare tactic". He said that Pakistan is "spinning another manufactured threat.This supposed theory was circulating on social media following India's suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960. Notably, a senior aide to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rana Ihsaan Afzal, resonated with such claims by saying that China can also take action with the Brahmaputra. &nbsp;Himanta Biswa Sharma refuted all such claims. He said that the Brahmaputra is a river that grows when it flows through India, owing to Indian geography and topology. China contributes only 30-35 per cent of the water in the Brahmaputra. The rest of it is generated in India from rain and tributaries like Subansiri, Lohit, Kameng, Manas, Dhansiri, Jia-Bharali, Kopili and other rivers like Krishnai, Digaru, and Kulsi, which flow from Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia Hills. "The Brahmaputra is not a river India depends on upstream — it is a rain-fed Indian river system, strengthened after entering Indian territory," he said.He said that Pakistan should know this, that “even if China were to reduce water flow (unlikely as China has never threatened or indicated in any official forum), it may actually help India mitigate the annual floods in Assam, which displace lakhs and destroy livelihoods every year.”&nbsp;He further said Pakistan have exploited India for 74 years under the Indus water treaty, it now panics as India is exercising its sovereign rights.China has already constructed multiple dams in its 50 per cent catchment, eg on Yarlung Sangpo in Tibet, the Zangmu Dam and plans for a massive super dam near Arunachal Pradesh. However, they do not store or divert water.&nbsp; Moreover, India and China do not have a water sharing agreement; it has a hydrological data (water level, rainfall) sharing agreement, which China have previously suspended. The Memorandum of Understanding has expired in June 2023, since it is not a treaty, so it is non-binding; hence no such compulsion between the two nations. In an RTI enquiry Ministry of Jal Shakiti said China has not shared hydrological data on hydro structure since 2022.

Himanta Biswa Sharma debunked Pakistan's threat of China stopping the water of the Brahmaputra, calling it a manufactured threat.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma on Monday debunked Pakistan's threat of a hypothetical scenario, “What if China stops the water of Brahmaputra”, calling it another baseless "scare tactic". He said that Pakistan is "spinning another manufactured threat. This supposed theory was circulating on social media following India's suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960. Notably, a senior aide to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rana Ihsaan Afzal, resonated with such claims by saying that China can also take action with the Brahmaputra. Himanta Biswa Sharma refuted all such claims. He said that the Brahmaputra is a river that grows when it flows through India, owing to Indian geography and topology. China contributes only 30-35 per cent of the water in the Brahmaputra. The rest of it is generated in India from rain and tributaries like Subansiri, Lohit, Kameng, Manas, Dhansiri, Jia-Bharali, Kopili and other rivers like Krishnai, Digaru, and Kulsi, which flow from Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia Hills. "The Brahmaputra is not a river India depends on upstream — it is a rain-fed Indian river system, strengthened after entering Indian territory," he said. He said that Pakistan should know this, that “even if China were to reduce water flow (unlikely as China has never threatened or indicated in any official forum), it may actually help India mitigate the annual floods in Assam, which displace lakhs and destroy livelihoods every year.” He further said Pakistan have exploited India for 74 years under the Indus water treaty, it now panics as India is exercising its sovereign rights. China has already constructed multiple dams in its 50 per cent catchment, eg on Yarlung Sangpo in Tibet, the Zangmu Dam and plans for a massive super dam near Arunachal Pradesh. However, they do not store or divert water. Moreover, India and China do not have a water sharing agreement; it has a hydrological data (water level, rainfall) sharing agreement, which China have previously suspended. The Memorandum of Understanding has expired in June 2023, since it is not a treaty, so it is non-binding; hence no such compulsion between the two nations. In an RTI enquiry Ministry of Jal Shakiti said China has not shared hydrological data on hydro structure since 2022.

Himanta Biswa Sharma debunked Pakistan's threat of China stopping the water of the Brahmaputra, calling it a manufactured threat.

Himanta Biswa Sharma debunks Pakistan's manufactured threat of “What if China stops the water of Brahmaputra”

In Sikkim, around 1,500 tourists were stranded on Saturday (May 31) as landslides triggered by continuous heavy rainfall blocked key roads.<h2>Teesta River water levels rise to dangerous levels</h2>The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued a red alert as heavy rains raised the water level in the Teesta River to potentially dangerous levels.Speaking to ANI, Superintendent of Police (SP), Mangan district, Sonam Detchu Bhutia said that due to a cloudburst, water levels have increased by four metres.“There was heavy rain last night; there was also a cloudburst in the upper areas. The water level of the Teesta River has increased by 4 metres… The roads are broken at multiple places.”On Sunday (June 1) the Indian weather agency issued an orange alert for Sikkim's Gyalshing, Namchi, Soreng, Gangtok and Pakyong districts for the next 24 hours.As per reports, authorities are closely monitoring water levels in low-lying and landslide-prone areas, and emergency services have been activated. In anticipation of unforeseen emergencies, disaster response teams have also been put on standby in all affected districts.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Mangan, Sikkim: Water level of the Teesta river increases following heavy rainfall in the region. (Source: IPR, Mangan) <a href="https://t.co/ahXPLSXkjJ">pic.twitter.com/ahXPLSXkjJ</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1929020153812885983?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Car plunges into Teesta River</h2>As per the SP Sonam Detchu Bhutia, rescue operations to search for nine missing people were underway on Saturday. On May 29, a tourist vehicle carrying 11 people plunged into the Teesta River near Chubombu, Mangan district. Two people were rescued soon after.In conversation with ANI, the SP said that "The tourists went missing after the incident in which their vehicle fell into the river. Two of them were rescued safely on the night of May 29.""ITBP, SDRF, and NDRF conducted a rescue operation yesterday. But the car that had fallen into the river could not be pulled out as it was stuck in debris. We did not find any bodies near it," he revealed."The Deputy Commissioner is at the spot... The SDM and SDPO are directed to carry out the search operations non-stop... There are six tourists from Odisha, two from Tripura and two from UP... There were 11 people, including a driver from Sikkim," he added.As per reports, a portion of the under-construction Sankalang Bridge in North Sikkim has been washed away as the Teesta River water swells to hazardous levels. Watch it here:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">VIDEO | A portion of the under-construction Sankalang Bridge in North Sikkim is washed away by the Teesta River following heavy rainfall. The bridge is crucial for North Sikkim, as it is the only connection linking Dzongu, Chungthang, Lachung, and Lachen to the rest of the… <a href="https://t.co/1Wa4Pcy5nu">pic.twitter.com/1Wa4Pcy5nu</a>&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1929030182540878300?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert as heavy rains raised the water level in the Teesta River to potentially dangerous levels.

In Sikkim, around 1,500 tourists were stranded on Saturday (May 31) as landslides triggered by continuous heavy rainfall blocked key roads. Teesta River water levels rise to dangerous levels The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued a red alert as heavy rains raised the water level in the Teesta River to potentially dangerous levels. Speaking to ANI, Superintendent of Police (SP), Mangan district, Sonam Detchu Bhutia said that due to a cloudburst, water levels have increased by four metres. “There was heavy rain last night; there was also a cloudburst in the upper areas. The water level of the Teesta River has increased by 4 metres… The roads are broken at multiple places.” On Sunday (June 1) the Indian weather agency issued an orange alert for Sikkim's Gyalshing, Namchi, Soreng, Gangtok and Pakyong districts for the next 24 hours. As per reports, authorities are closely monitoring water levels in low-lying and landslide-prone areas, and emergency services have been activated. In anticipation of unforeseen emergencies, disaster response teams have also been put on standby in all affected districts.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert as heavy rains have raised the water level in the Teesta River to potentially dangerous levels.

Sikkim rains: 1,500 tourists stranded as heavy rains trigger landslides; Red alert issued as Teesta swells to dangerous levels

In a move aimed at curbing rising kitchen expenses and stabilising the edible oil market, the Indian government has halved the basic import duty on key crude edible oils.&nbsp;As reported by Reuters, the decision, announced on May 30, is expected to bring some relief to households battling food inflation while also giving a much-needed boost to India’s vegetable oil refining sector.&nbsp;Here’s a detailed look at why the move was made, what’s fuelling the price spike globally, and how this may impact your monthly grocery budget.<h2>Why did the government cut the duty?</h2>The Centre has reduced the basic customs duty on crude palm oil, crude soyoil, and crude sunflower oil from 20 per cent to 10 per cent, according to a government notification cited by Reuters.&nbsp;&nbsp;Once you factor in the Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess and the Social Welfare Surcharge, the effective import duty now stands at 16.5 per cent, down from 27.5 per cent, as per PTI, quoting Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra.&nbsp;This move serves a dual purpose: to soften retail edible oil prices for inflation-hit consumers and to encourage the import of crude oils over refined ones, hereby strengthening domestic refining operations by giving them a cost advantage.<h2>Edible oil inflation is real</h2>The timing of the duty cut is directly linked to rising edible oil prices. According to April 2025 data from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, edible oil inflation rose by 17.4 per cent year-on-year, despite a healthy domestic mustard harvest.&nbsp;Mustard oil prices have climbed by 25 per cent, averaging over ₹170 per litre. Palm oil, widely used in Indian households and the food industry, has surged by 34 per cent to ₹134 per litre. Sunflower oil prices are up 30 per cent, while soyoil which is usually more stable has still seen an 18 per cent increase, now retailing at around ₹147 per litre.&nbsp;These sharp hikes have made cooking oils a significant burden on household budgets, and the problem isn’t just homegrown.<h2>What’s driving the global price surge?</h2>A combination of international supply shocks and geopolitical disruptions has pushed edible oil prices higher worldwide.&nbsp;Crop damage in Latin America, particularly in Brazil and Argentina has hit soyabean and sunflower output, as reported by Bloomberg. At the same time, export restrictions from Indonesia and Malaysia, the world’s top palm oil producers, have tightened global availability.&nbsp;Geopolitical conflicts are also adding pressure. The ongoing war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia, both major exporters of sunflower oil, have disrupted trade routes and caused uncertainty in global supply chains, according to Reuters.&nbsp;Given that India reportedly imports more than 70 per cent of its edible oil requirements, these global disruptions quickly translate into higher domestic prices. India’s primary suppliers include Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand for palm oil, and Argentina, Brazil, Russia, and Ukraine for sunflower and soyoil.<h2>A boost for domestic refiners</h2>The duty cut has been welcomed by India’s edible oil industry, particularly by refiners who process imported crude oil.&nbsp;“This is a win-win situation for vegetable oil refiners and consumers,” said B.V. Mehta, Executive Director of the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA), speaking to PTI.&nbsp;With the duty gap between crude and refined oil widening to 19.25 per cent, it is now more cost-effective to import crude oils and refine them locally. Industry experts believe this will improve capacity utilisation at domestic units and eventually help bring down retail prices.&nbsp;The Indian Vegetable Oil Producers’ Association (IVPA) also expressed support. Its president, Sudhakar Desai, told PTI, “We thank the government for accepting our recommendation to increase the duty differential. It will help revive the refining sector.”<h2>The policy see-saw</h2>This cut reverses an earlier policy shift made in September 2024, when the government increased the basic customs duty on crude edible oils from zero to 20 per cent, raising the total effective duty to 27.5 per cent. The aim then was to protect Indian oilseed farmers and control the influx of cheaper imported oils.&nbsp;But with food inflation mounting and global edible oil prices rising sharply, the government has recalibrated its approach which is likely with an eye on both consumer sentiment and upcoming elections. For many Indian households, cooking oil is a non-negotiable staple, and unchecked prices risk becoming a political liability.<h2>What happens next?</h2>The reduction in import duty is expected to ease edible oil prices in the short term, especially for palm, soy, and sunflower oils. It could also increase demand in the retail market and give a cost advantage to domestic refiners over fully processed imports.&nbsp;However, the long-term impact will depend heavily on global dynamics. If supply disruptions persist due to geopolitical unrest or climate-related crop failures and the prices may remain volatile despite the duty cut.&nbsp;For now, the Centre has sent a clear message: it is willing to intervene when international headwinds threaten domestic stability. Whether this move will bring sustained relief remains to be seen, but it could offer some cushion to consumers, and a lifeline to India’s refining industry.

Business & Economy: This move aims to soften retail edible oil prices for inflation-hit consumers and encourage crude oil imports over refined ones, strengthening domestic refining operations.

In a move aimed at curbing rising kitchen expenses and stabilising the edible oil market, the Indian government has halved the basic import duty on key crude edible oils. As reported by Reuters, the decision, announced on May 30, is expected to bring some relief to households battling food inflation while also giving a much-needed boost to India’s vegetable oil refining sector. Here’s a detailed look at why the move was made, what’s fuelling the price spike globally, and how this may impact your monthly grocery budget. Why did the government cut the duty? The Centre has reduced the basic customs duty on crude palm oil, crude soyoil, and crude sunflower oil from 20 per cent to 10 per cent, according to a government notification cited by Reuters. Once you factor in the Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess and the Social Welfare Surcharge, the effective import duty now stands at 16.5 per cent, down from 27.5 per cent, as per PTI, quoting Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra. This move serves a dual purpose: to soften retail edible oil prices for inflation-hit consumers and to encourage the import of crude oils over refined ones, hereby strengthening domestic refining operations by giving them a cost advantage. Edible oil inflation is real The timing of the duty cut is directly linked to rising edible oil prices. According to April 2025 data from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, edible oil inflation rose by 17.4 per cent year-on-year, despite a healthy domestic mustard harvest. Mustard oil prices have climbed by 25 per cent, averaging over ₹170 per litre. Palm oil, widely used in Indian households and the food industry, has surged by 34 per cent to ₹134 per litre. Sunflower oil prices are up 30 per cent, while soyoil which is usually more stable has still seen an 18 per cent increase, now retailing at around ₹147 per litre. These sharp hikes have made cooking oils a significant burden on household budgets, and the problem isn’t just homegrown. What’s driving the global price surge? A combination of international supply shocks and geopolitical disruptions has pushed edible oil prices higher worldwide. Crop damage in Latin America, particularly in Brazil and Argentina has hit soyabean and sunflower output, as reported by Bloomberg. At the same time, export restrictions from Indonesia and Malaysia, the world’s top palm oil producers, have tightened global availability. Geopolitical conflicts are also adding pressure. The ongoing war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia, both major exporters of sunflower oil, have disrupted trade routes and caused uncertainty in global supply chains, according to Reuters. Given that India reportedly imports more than 70 per cent of its edible oil requirements, these global disruptions quickly translate into higher domestic prices. India’s primary suppliers include Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand for palm oil, and Argentina, Brazil, Russia, and Ukraine for sunflower and soyoil. A boost for domestic refiners The duty cut has been welcomed by India’s edible oil industry, particularly by refiners who process imported crude oil. “This is a win-win situation for vegetable oil refiners and consumers,” said B.V. Mehta, Executive Director of the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA), speaking to PTI. With the duty gap between crude and refined oil widening to 19.25 per cent, it is now more cost-effective to import crude oils and refine them locally. Industry experts believe this will improve capacity utilisation at domestic units and eventually help bring down retail prices. The Indian Vegetable Oil Producers’ Association (IVPA) also expressed support. Its president, Sudhakar Desai, told PTI, “We thank the government for accepting our recommendation to increase the duty differential. It will help revive the refining sector.” The policy see-saw This cut reverses an earlier policy shift made in September 2024, when the government increased the basic customs duty on crude edible oils from zero to 20 per cent, raising the total effective duty to 27.5 per cent. The aim then was to protect Indian oilseed farmers and control the influx of cheaper imported oils. But with food inflation mounting and global edible oil prices rising sharply, the government has recalibrated its approach which is likely with an eye on both consumer sentiment and upcoming elections. For many Indian households, cooking oil is a non-negotiable staple, and unchecked prices risk becoming a political liability. What happens next? The reduction in import duty is expected to ease edible oil prices in the short term, especially for palm, soy, and sunflower oils. It could also increase demand in the retail market and give a cost advantage to domestic refiners over fully processed imports. However, the long-term impact will depend heavily on global dynamics. If supply disruptions persist due to geopolitical unrest or climate-related crop failures and the prices may remain volatile despite the duty cut. For now, the Centre has sent a clear message: it is willing to intervene when international headwinds threaten domestic stability. Whether this move will bring sustained relief remains to be seen, but it could offer some cushion to consumers, and a lifeline to India’s refining industry.

India reduced customs duty on edible crude palm oil, soyoil, and sunflower oil from 20% to 10%.&nbsp;

India cuts crude edible oil import duty: What it means for consumers and the industry?

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday said that India is being forced by the US and QUAD into military operations, even though it was formed for trade purposes. QUAD alliance, which consists of the United States, Japan and Australia, are organising naval and military exercises."We spoke to our Indian friends back then and they told us that their interest in joining the Quad is exclusively of a trade of economic nature and cooperation in other peaceful areas," said Lavrov on Friday. He said that India must have realised the militarisation agenda of the trade alliance.Lavarov is optimistic about reviving the trilateral forum between Russia-India-China (RIC Troika), "Now that, as I understand, an understanding has been reached between India and China on how to calm the situation on the border, it seems to me that the time has come to revive this RIC troika."Lavrov said that the format was established by the Former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov as a valuable forum for trade and economic cooperation. It has already conducted 20 ministerial meetings at the level of heads of the foreign ministries, trade and financial organisations.&nbsp;Lavrov is reported to travel to India in June. He argued earlier that the West, especially the US, intends to create antagonism between India and China. The renaming of Asia-Pacific as Indo-Pacific was a strategic move to isolate China in the region.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov QUAD alliance, consisting of the United States, Japan and Australia, and formed with trade interests to are organising naval and military exercises, and India must understand the agenda 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday said that India is being forced by the US and QUAD into military operations, even though it was formed for trade purposes. QUAD alliance, which consists of the United States, Japan and Australia, are organising naval and military exercises. "We spoke to our Indian friends back then and they told us that their interest in joining the Quad is exclusively of a trade of economic nature and cooperation in other peaceful areas," said Lavrov on Friday. He said that India must have realised the militarisation agenda of the trade alliance. Lavarov is optimistic about reviving the trilateral forum between Russia-India-China (RIC Troika), "Now that, as I understand, an understanding has been reached between India and China on how to calm the situation on the border, it seems to me that the time has come to revive this RIC troika." Lavrov said that the format was established by the Former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov as a valuable forum for trade and economic cooperation. It has already conducted 20 ministerial meetings at the level of heads of the foreign ministries, trade and financial organisations. Lavrov is reported to travel to India in June. He argued earlier that the West, especially the US, intends to create antagonism between India and China. The renaming of Asia-Pacific as Indo-Pacific was a strategic move to isolate China in the region.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov QUAD alliance, consisting of the United States, Japan and Australia, and formed with trade interests to are organising naval and military exercises, and India must understand the agenda&nbsp;

Lavrov says India is being forced by the QUAD and the US into military operations

Iran's Ambassador to India, Dr Iraj Elahi, dubbed India a 'close friend' of his country and said that he welcomed the recent announcement of a ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal about the Pahalgam terror attack, Ambassador Elahi said, ''India as a rising power needs stability and peace...happy that tensions have reduced'.The ambassador spoke on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony of the renovated Iranology hall of the Department of Persian, Jamia Millia Islamia. The renovation has been supported by Iran Culture House and the Iran Embassy.The ambassador pointed to a 'deep, cultural, civilisational connection' between the two countries. He also spoke about the three missing Indians and said the Iranian Foreign Ministry and Indian Embassy in Iran were in touch and the focus will be to 'send them back' soon.Read the full interview here:WION: How do you see India-Iran ties? Dr Iraj Elahi: Iran and India have deep, ancient cultural and civilisational connections. But it is not enough. We need to study this and promote this connection and improve the educational and training facility regarding Iranology. In this regard, with the partnership and cooperation of the Vice Chancellor Jamia Millia Islamia, opened a hall by the name of Iranology hall, which is supposed to be in service of all Indian students and Indian professors, those who are keen to study and do research about Iran.WION: We have seen reports of three Indian nationals missing in Iran. Any update? Dr Iraj Elahi: You know, in fact, we, as Iranians, were not aware of this incident, unfortunately. According to the reports which were released in the Indian media, three Indians have travelled to Iran at the encouragement of an agent. We are not aware of what really happened to them, but we, as Iranian authorities, are trying to follow up on the issue. The Iranian foreign ministry is in close contact with the embassy of India in Tehran. We follow to reach the conclusion and send these three Indian nationals safely to India. We try to find and solve the issue and send them back. Law enforcement of Iran is following the issue, it is under investigation.WION: We saw a deadly terror attack in India in Pahalgam. We saw the Iranian support as well. What do you have to say about the support, which was extended by Iran, to India? Dr Iraj Elahi: India is a close friend and neighbour to Iran. Of course, Pakistan is also a neighbour. You know, we believe that India is a rising power and needs stability and peace. So the whole region needs peace for the prosperity of its people. It doesn't make any difference if they are Iranian, Pakistani, Afghan, or Indian. We express our concern, and we express our readiness to the Indian government that we are ready to do whatever they need. India is wise, and they have done what is necessary to ceasefire and Alhamdulillah, we are happy that the tension has decreased between India and Pakistan.WION: What is the status of the Chabahar port? Dr Iraj Elahi: India and Iran are implementing their commitment according to the main agreement which was signed last year. India is investing there, and Iran is completing the project of a railway which connects Chabahar to Zahedan, to the Iranian national railway network.&nbsp;

The ambassador pointed to a 'deep, cultural, civilisational connection' between the two countries. He also spoke about the three missing Indians and said the Iranian Foreign Ministry and Indian Embassy in Iran were in touch and the focus will be to 'send them back' soon.

Iran's Ambassador to India, Dr Iraj Elahi, dubbed India a 'close friend' of his country and said that he welcomed the recent announcement of a ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal about the Pahalgam terror attack, Ambassador Elahi said, ''India as a rising power needs stability and peace...happy that tensions have reduced'. The ambassador spoke on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony of the renovated Iranology hall of the Department of Persian, Jamia Millia Islamia. The renovation has been supported by Iran Culture House and the Iran Embassy. The ambassador pointed to a 'deep, cultural, civilisational connection' between the two countries. He also spoke about the three missing Indians and said the Iranian Foreign Ministry and Indian Embassy in Iran were in touch and the focus will be to 'send them back' soon. Read the full interview here: WION: How do you see India-Iran ties? Dr Iraj Elahi: Iran and India have deep, ancient cultural and civilisational connections. But it is not enough. We need to study this and promote this connection and improve the educational and training facility regarding Iranology. In this regard, with the partnership and cooperation of the Vice Chancellor Jamia Millia Islamia, opened a hall by the name of Iranology hall, which is supposed to be in service of all Indian students and Indian professors, those who are keen to study and do research about Iran. WION: We have seen reports of three Indian nationals missing in Iran. Any update? Dr Iraj Elahi: You know, in fact, we, as Iranians, were not aware of this incident, unfortunately. According to the reports which were released in the Indian media, three Indians have travelled to Iran at the encouragement of an agent. We are not aware of what really happened to them, but we, as Iranian authorities, are trying to follow up on the issue. The Iranian foreign ministry is in close contact with the embassy of India in Tehran. We follow to reach the conclusion and send these three Indian nationals safely to India. We try to find and solve the issue and send them back. Law enforcement of Iran is following the issue, it is under investigation. WION: We saw a deadly terror attack in India in Pahalgam. We saw the Iranian support as well. What do you have to say about the support, which was extended by Iran, to India? Dr Iraj Elahi: India is a close friend and neighbour to Iran. Of course, Pakistan is also a neighbour. You know, we believe that India is a rising power and needs stability and peace. So the whole region needs peace for the prosperity of its people. It doesn't make any difference if they are Iranian, Pakistani, Afghan, or Indian. We express our concern, and we express our readiness to the Indian government that we are ready to do whatever they need. India is wise, and they have done what is necessary to ceasefire and Alhamdulillah, we are happy that the tension has decreased between India and Pakistan. WION: What is the status of the Chabahar port? Dr Iraj Elahi: India and Iran are implementing their commitment according to the main agreement which was signed last year. India is investing there, and Iran is completing the project of a railway which connects Chabahar to Zahedan, to the Iranian national railway network.

The ambassador pointed to a 'deep, cultural, civilisational connection' between the two countries. He also spoke about the three missing Indians and said the Iranian Foreign Ministry and Indian Embassy in Iran were in touch, and the focus will be to 'send them back' soon.

Iran Envoy Dr Iraj Elahi calls India a close friend; welcomes ceasefire with Pakistan

In an unusual sight, a video posted on Instagram by a DJ, DJ AJ (@djajmumbai), has taken the internet by storm. The viral clip shows a 400-person Indian wedding procession taking over New York’s Wall Street.&nbsp;The footage captures people dancing in vibrant traditional attire, including lehengas, sarees, sherwanis, and kurta pajamas, creating a lively atmosphere in the iconic financial street of the world as the New York skyline is seen in the backdrop.&nbsp;Sharing the post, DJ AJ wrote, “We shut down Wall Street for a 400-person baraat—who would’ve ever thought?!”&nbsp;“Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime kind of magic,” he added.&nbsp;The clip features a remix version of the popular song ‘Empire State Of Mind’ by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys with a twist of Punjabi beats. In another clip, the massive crowd can be seen dancing to scores of Bollywood numbers.&nbsp;

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font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKMu-RTzdTY/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by DJ AJ (@djajmumbai)</a></div></blockquote>
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&nbsp;<h2>Social media reacts</h2>&nbsp;The video has been circulated widely on social media, as people pour in amused reactions and praising the Indian culture and weddings.&nbsp;Several social media users commented, “Amazing”, “superb”, and “crazy”.&nbsp;Talking about Indian weddings, a user said, “Indian marriages are beautiful and fun with full of music and emotions.”&nbsp;“Vibrant Indian culture. People all over the world want to see our Indian weddings. Enjoy guys, this is our beautiful India,” said another.&nbsp;“How much did it cost,” wondered one user.&nbsp;“Now Trump will apply baarat tax on Indians,” a user joked, referring to the recent tariff moves by US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;While a few users also criticised for blocking the road and playing loud music, some countered by saying they had taken permission for the massive wedding procession.

The footage captures people dancing in vibrant traditional attire, creating a lively atmosphere in the iconic financial street of the world as the New York skyline is seen in the backdrop.

In an unusual sight, a video posted on Instagram by a DJ, DJ AJ (@djajmumbai), has taken the internet by storm. The viral clip shows a 400-person Indian wedding procession taking over New York’s Wall Street. The footage captures people dancing in vibrant traditional attire, including lehengas, sarees, sherwanis, and kurta pajamas, creating a lively atmosphere in the iconic financial street of the world as the New York skyline is seen in the backdrop. Sharing the post, DJ AJ wrote, “We shut down Wall Street for a 400-person baraat—who would’ve ever thought?!” “Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime kind of magic,” he added. The clip features a remix version of the popular song ‘Empire State Of Mind’ by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys with a twist of Punjabi beats. In another clip, the massive crowd can be seen dancing to scores of Bollywood numbers.

The footage captures people dancing in vibrant traditional attire, creating a lively atmosphere in the iconic financial street of the world as the New York skyline is seen in the backdrop.

WATCH | Indian wedding procession of 400 people takes over Wall Street in US, video goes viral

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday (May 29) said that 1,080 Indians have been deported from the United States since President Donald Trump came into power in January 2025. It added that India has close cooperation with the US on migration issues, especially the deportation of illegal Indian nationals.&nbsp;“We have close cooperation between India and the United States on migration issues, on deportation of Indian nationals who are either in illegal status there or who travel illegally; we take them back once we receive details about them,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during the weekly briefing.&nbsp;He added, “The update on the numbers is that since January of 2025, we have some 1080 Indians who have come back or who have been deported from the United States. Of these, around 62 per cent have come on commercial flights.”&nbsp;Jaiswal also highlighted that India is aware of reports suggesting updated guidelines issued by the US government regarding Student and Exchange Visitor visa applicants.&nbsp;The MEA spokesperson stated that the welfare of Indian students abroad remains of “utmost priority” to the government and India will continue to follow further developments in the matter.&nbsp;“While we note that issuance of a visa is a sovereign function, we hope that the application of Indian students will be considered a merit, and they will be able to join their academic programs on time,” Jaiswal said.&nbsp;Trump administration pauses student visa appointments&nbsp;On Wednesday (May 28), US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a memo ordering US embassies and consular offices to stop scheduling new appointments for student visas “until further guidance is issued”, as it gears up to expand social media screenings for applicants, reported Politico.&nbsp;“Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor … visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued [separate telegram], which we anticipate in the coming days,” read the cable.

Jaiswal also highlighted that India is aware of reports suggesting updated guidelines issued by the US government regarding Student and Exchange Visitor visa applicants.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday (May 29) said that 1,080 Indians have been deported from the United States since President Donald Trump came into power in January 2025. It added that India has close cooperation with the US on migration issues, especially the deportation of illegal Indian nationals. “We have close cooperation between India and the United States on migration issues, on deportation of Indian nationals who are either in illegal status there or who travel illegally; we take them back once we receive details about them,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during the weekly briefing. He added, “The update on the numbers is that since January of 2025, we have some 1080 Indians who have come back or who have been deported from the United States. Of these, around 62 per cent have come on commercial flights.” Jaiswal also highlighted that India is aware of reports suggesting updated guidelines issued by the US government regarding Student and Exchange Visitor visa applicants. The MEA spokesperson stated that the welfare of Indian students abroad remains of “utmost priority” to the government and India will continue to follow further developments in the matter. “While we note that issuance of a visa is a sovereign function, we hope that the application of Indian students will be considered a merit, and they will be able to join their academic programs on time,” Jaiswal said. Trump administration pauses student visa appointments On Wednesday (May 28), US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a memo ordering US embassies and consular offices to stop scheduling new appointments for student visas “until further guidance is issued”, as it gears up to expand social media screenings for applicants, reported Politico. “Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor … visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued [separate telegram], which we anticipate in the coming days,” read the cable.

Jaiswal also highlighted that India is aware of reports suggesting updated guidelines issued by the US government regarding Student and Exchange Visitor visa applicants.

MEA reveals 1,080 Indians deported from US since Trump's takeover in January 2025

Thirteen people were left stranded in no man's land in the India-Bangladesh border, including a woman and a newborn. The Indian Border Security Force on Wednesday attempted to deport 67 individuals through the Koch Bihar border in West Bengal. Bangladesh took back 54 of them but refused to take back the remaining 13, questioning their citizenship.They were left stranded on the zero line. Bangladeshi leaders accused India of ‘pushing in’ undocumented citizens. It stressed that these actions are challenging the sovereignty of Bangladesh. It insists that if there are any illegal immigrants in India, then they should be sent back through a diplomatic channel; this sort of action is dehumanising at the very least. India claims that the number of such immigrants is huge, making the process a burden for the administration.&nbsp;India and Bangladesh are separated by a 4,096.7-km-long border, and these skirmishes along the border show the growing hostility between the two nations. The long stretch of the border is not properly fenced. India has recently started work on fencing the border, which was blocked by the Bangladesh Border Security Force in January, causing a controversy.&nbsp;Ties between India and Bangladesh have been souring over the years, these can be attributed to the political developments in both nations. Since 2014, there has been a growing anti-immigrant rhetoric in New Delhi, citing security risks. On the other hand, since the ousting of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ties with the Chief Advisor of the interim government, Muhammad Yunus, have not been positive for New Delhi.&nbsp;Yunus famously said in a meeting with Chinese diplomats, “We are the guardians of the sea, the seven northeastern states of India are landlocked, connected to India via a strategic chicken neck.”Even though the meeting was about inviting economic investments from China, the mention of the strategic chicken neck must have sounded alarm bells in New Delhi.&nbsp;

Thirteen people, including a woman and a newborn, were left stranded in a no-man's land between India and Bangladesh.

Thirteen people were left stranded in no man's land in the India-Bangladesh border, including a woman and a newborn. The Indian Border Security Force on Wednesday attempted to deport 67 individuals through the Koch Bihar border in West Bengal. Bangladesh took back 54 of them but refused to take back the remaining 13, questioning their citizenship. They were left stranded on the zero line. Bangladeshi leaders accused India of ‘pushing in’ undocumented citizens. It stressed that these actions are challenging the sovereignty of Bangladesh. It insists that if there are any illegal immigrants in India, then they should be sent back through a diplomatic channel; this sort of action is dehumanising at the very least. India claims that the number of such immigrants is huge, making the process a burden for the administration. India and Bangladesh are separated by a 4,096.7-km-long border, and these skirmishes along the border show the growing hostility between the two nations. The long stretch of the border is not properly fenced. India has recently started work on fencing the border, which was blocked by the Bangladesh Border Security Force in January, causing a controversy. Ties between India and Bangladesh have been souring over the years, these can be attributed to the political developments in both nations. Since 2014, there has been a growing anti-immigrant rhetoric in New Delhi, citing security risks. On the other hand, since the ousting of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ties with the Chief Advisor of the interim government, Muhammad Yunus, have not been positive for New Delhi. Yunus famously said in a meeting with Chinese diplomats, “We are the guardians of the sea, the seven northeastern states of India are landlocked, connected to India via a strategic chicken neck.” Even though the meeting was about inviting economic investments from China, the mention of the strategic chicken neck must have sounded alarm bells in New Delhi.

Thirteen people, including a woman and a newborn, were left stranded in a no-man's land between India and Bangladesh.

13 stranded in no man's land as India, Bangladesh deny to recognise their citizenship

In a financial year marked by volatile global headwinds, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) delivered a record ₹2.69 lakh crore ($32.28 billion) surplus to the government, by 27.3 per cent from the previous year’s ₹2.11 lakh crore ($25.32 billion).&nbsp;According to the RBI Annual Report for FY2024–25, this sharp jump in net income was driven by higher foreign exchange transaction gains, interest from foreign securities, and a cautious hike in its contingency risk buffer.&nbsp;While this windfall gives the Centre significant fiscal breathing space for its capital spending and welfare programs, the report also outlines a bold technology-forward vision for FY26 anchored around digital currency pilots, AI deployment, and cross-border innovation.<h2>Stronger balance sheet, bigger dividend</h2>As per the annual report, the central bank’s net income surged 27.3 per cent year-on-year to ₹2.69 lakh crore ($32.28 billion) in FY25, up from ₹2.11 lakh crore ($25.32 billion) the previous year. This includes gains of ₹11.1 lakh crore ($133.2 billion) from foreign exchange transactions, and ₹9.7 lakh crore ($116.4 billion) in interest income from foreign securities.&nbsp;The RBI’s balance sheet expanded 8.2 per cent to ₹76.25 lakh crore ($915 billion), with foreign assets accounting for over 74 per cent of the total. Notably, the central bank’s gold holdings rose by 57.5 metric tonnes to 879.6 metric tonnes as of March 2025.&nbsp;A significant portion of the income of ₹2.68 lakh crore ($32.16 billion) has already been transferred to the central government as surplus, a move expected to ease fiscal pressures, support capital spending, and inject liquidity into the banking system by early July, according to economists cited in the report.&nbsp;The report also highlights that the Contingency Risk Buffer (CRB), which helps cushion against economic shocks was maintained at 6.5 per cent, the same level as FY24.&nbsp;Inflation, growth, and monetary policy: RBI’s balancing actThe RBI’s latest report offers a cautiously optimistic view of the Indian economy. According to the central bank, headline inflation is likely to converge to the 4 per cent target over the next 12 months, thanks to a favourable mix of macroeconomic conditions.&nbsp;These include easing global supply chain pressures, softening of international commodity prices, and above-normal rainfall boosting agricultural output.&nbsp;At the same time, GDP growth for FY26 is projected at 6.5 per cent, with the momentum driven by private consumption, healthy corporate and banking balance sheets, and the government’s continued focus on capital expenditure.&nbsp;In response to moderating inflation and subdued economic momentum, the RBI has already cut the policy repo rate by 50 basis points since February, and adopted a ‘growth-supportive’ accommodative stance in April.&nbsp;However, the path forward is not without risks. The RBI flagged a range of external headwinds, rising protectionism, geopolitical conflicts, and volatile financial markets that could threaten both inflation and growth targets. Of particular concern is the return of US tariffs under President Donald Trump, which have added uncertainty to global trade flows and emerging market stability.&nbsp;According to the report, “While the outlook remains promising, downside risks to growth and upside risks to inflation persist due to evolving global dynamics.”<h2>Digital rupee, FX platform, and CBDC pilots: What’s next for RBI?</h2>The RBI is making it clear that India’s digital financial future is no longer experimental, it’s strategic.&nbsp;According to the report, the RBI will expand the pilots for central bank digital currency (CBDC) in both retail (e₹-Retail) and wholesale (e₹-Wholesale) segments. Building on groundwork laid over the past two years, the central bank now plans to test cross-border CBDC transactions, both bilateral and multilateral to make global payments faster, more transparent, and more secure.&nbsp;In addition, the RBI will link its FX-Retail platform with Bharat Connect, a move aimed at democratising access to forex markets for small businesses and individual users. This is particularly significant as India’s foreign exchange reserves peaked at $704 billion in September 2024, and the RBI was the top net seller of forex among Asian central banks in January 2025, according to estimates from Nomura and DBS Bank.&nbsp;The digital push doesn’t end there. The RBI will also roll out new CBDC use cases, such as B2B payments under the Unified Ledger Interface (ULI), and scale up Milehunter.ai™, its AI-driven analytics platform. To accompany this digital acceleration, the central bank will also develop a framework for the responsible and ethical use of AI in the financial sector.&nbsp;These pilots and platforms, the report notes, are designed to overcome persistent inefficiencies in the current system, especially those related to turnaround time, traceability, and cross-border transaction costs.<h2>Bank fraud amount triples despite drop in cases</h2>One of the more concerning takeaways from the report is the sharp rise in the value of bank frauds.&nbsp;While the total number of fraud cases declined by 34 per cent to 23,953 in FY25, the value of frauds tripled to ₹36,014 crore ($432.17 million), up from roughly ₹12,000 crore ($144 million) in FY24.&nbsp;According to the RBI annual report, this spike was largely due to the reclassification of 122 legacy fraud cases worth ₹18,674 crore ($224.08 million), after a March 2023 Supreme Court ruling mandated re-examination.&nbsp;Private sector banks reported the highest number of fraud incidents at 14,233 cases, accounting for 59.4 per cent of total frauds. But in terms of value, state-owned banks bore the brunt, accounting for ₹25,667 crore ($307.99 million) (71.3 per cent of total fraud value) compared to ₹10,088 crore ($121.05 million) by private lenders.&nbsp;Most of these frauds occurred in two areas:• Digital payments (cards/internet): 13,516 cases, ₹520 crore ($6.24 million)• Loan/advances segment: 7,950 cases, ₹33,148 crore ($398 million)&nbsp;The RBI noted that while digital frauds dominate in private banks, loan-related frauds remain concentrated in public sector banks, raising concerns about credit risk monitoring and recovery.&nbsp;

Business & Economy: One of the more concerning takeaways from the RBI report is the sharp rise in the value of bank frauds.

In a financial year marked by volatile global headwinds, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) delivered a record ₹2.69 lakh crore ($32.28 billion) surplus to the government, by 27.3 per cent from the previous year’s ₹2.11 lakh crore ($25.32 billion). According to the RBI Annual Report for FY2024–25, this sharp jump in net income was driven by higher foreign exchange transaction gains, interest from foreign securities, and a cautious hike in its contingency risk buffer. While this windfall gives the Centre significant fiscal breathing space for its capital spending and welfare programs, the report also outlines a bold technology-forward vision for FY26 anchored around digital currency pilots, AI deployment, and cross-border innovation. Stronger balance sheet, bigger dividend As per the annual report, the central bank’s net income surged 27.3 per cent year-on-year to ₹2.69 lakh crore ($32.28 billion) in FY25, up from ₹2.11 lakh crore ($25.32 billion) the previous year. This includes gains of ₹11.1 lakh crore ($133.2 billion) from foreign exchange transactions, and ₹9.7 lakh crore ($116.4 billion) in interest income from foreign securities. The RBI’s balance sheet expanded 8.2 per cent to ₹76.25 lakh crore ($915 billion), with foreign assets accounting for over 74 per cent of the total. Notably, the central bank’s gold holdings rose by 57.5 metric tonnes to 879.6 metric tonnes as of March 2025. A significant portion of the income of ₹2.68 lakh crore ($32.16 billion) has already been transferred to the central government as surplus, a move expected to ease fiscal pressures, support capital spending, and inject liquidity into the banking system by early July, according to economists cited in the report. The report also highlights that the Contingency Risk Buffer (CRB), which helps cushion against economic shocks was maintained at 6.5 per cent, the same level as FY24. Inflation, growth, and monetary policy: RBI’s balancing act The RBI’s latest report offers a cautiously optimistic view of the Indian economy. According to the central bank, headline inflation is likely to converge to the 4 per cent target over the next 12 months, thanks to a favourable mix of macroeconomic conditions. These include easing global supply chain pressures, softening of international commodity prices, and above-normal rainfall boosting agricultural output. At the same time, GDP growth for FY26 is projected at 6.5 per cent, with the momentum driven by private consumption, healthy corporate and banking balance sheets, and the government’s continued focus on capital expenditure. In response to moderating inflation and subdued economic momentum, the RBI has already cut the policy repo rate by 50 basis points since February, and adopted a ‘growth-supportive’ accommodative stance in April. However, the path forward is not without risks. The RBI flagged a range of external headwinds, rising protectionism, geopolitical conflicts, and volatile financial markets that could threaten both inflation and growth targets. Of particular concern is the return of US tariffs under President Donald Trump, which have added uncertainty to global trade flows and emerging market stability. According to the report, “While the outlook remains promising, downside risks to growth and upside risks to inflation persist due to evolving global dynamics.” Digital rupee, FX platform, and CBDC pilots: What’s next for RBI? The RBI is making it clear that India’s digital financial future is no longer experimental, it’s strategic. According to the report, the RBI will expand the pilots for central bank digital currency (CBDC) in both retail (e₹-Retail) and wholesale (e₹-Wholesale) segments. Building on groundwork laid over the past two years, the central bank now plans to test cross-border CBDC transactions, both bilateral and multilateral to make global payments faster, more transparent, and more secure. In addition, the RBI will link its FX-Retail platform with Bharat Connect, a move aimed at democratising access to forex markets for small businesses and individual users. This is particularly significant as India’s foreign exchange reserves peaked at $704 billion in September 2024, and the RBI was the top net seller of forex among Asian central banks in January 2025, according to estimates from Nomura and DBS Bank. The digital push doesn’t end there. The RBI will also roll out new CBDC use cases, such as B2B payments under the Unified Ledger Interface (ULI), and scale up Milehunter.ai™, its AI-driven analytics platform. To accompany this digital acceleration, the central bank will also develop a framework for the responsible and ethical use of AI in the financial sector. These pilots and platforms, the report notes, are designed to overcome persistent inefficiencies in the current system, especially those related to turnaround time, traceability, and cross-border transaction costs. Bank fraud amount triples despite drop in cases One of the more concerning takeaways from the report is the sharp rise in the value of bank frauds. While the total number of fraud cases declined by 34 per cent to 23,953 in FY25, the value of frauds tripled to ₹36,014 crore ($432.17 million), up from roughly ₹12,000 crore ($144 million) in FY24. According to the RBI annual report, this spike was largely due to the reclassification of 122 legacy fraud cases worth ₹18,674 crore ($224.08 million), after a March 2023 Supreme Court ruling mandated re-examination. Private sector banks reported the highest number of fraud incidents at 14,233 cases, accounting for 59.4 per cent of total frauds. But in terms of value, state-owned banks bore the brunt, accounting for ₹25,667 crore ($307.99 million) (71.3 per cent of total fraud value) compared to ₹10,088 crore ($121.05 million) by private lenders. Most of these frauds occurred in two areas: • Digital payments (cards/internet): 13,516 cases, ₹520 crore ($6.24 million) • Loan/advances segment: 7,950 cases, ₹33,148 crore ($398 million) The RBI noted that while digital frauds dominate in private banks, loan-related frauds remain concentrated in public sector banks, raising concerns about credit risk monitoring and recovery.

Amid global tension, the central bank of India's annual report for FY24- 25 delivered a record ₹2.69 lakh crore surplus to the government, by 27.3 per cent from the previous year’s ₹2.11 lakh crore.&nbsp;

From ₹2.69 lakh cr surplus to digital rupee pilots: Here's what RBI’s FY25 annual report outlines

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