World News

From Assam’s signature tea to a Russian edition of the Bhagavad Gita, PM Modi’s gift selection showcased India’s cultural richness and enduring friendship with Russia.

US vaccine advisers say not all babies need hepatitis B shot at birth

For decades, the government has advised that all babies be vaccinated against the liver infection right after birth.

Putin hails India’s growth, sovereign policy and $100 bn trade vision at Business Forum | Top 10 quotes

At the India–Russia Business Forum in New Delhi, President Vladimir Putin praised India’s rapid growth and pledged stronger collaboration across trade, technology, and logistics connectivity.

H-1B programme has 'deviated from its intent', now filled with 'average workers': Ex-US official slams big tech over H-1B use

His remarks follow similar claims last week by former Congressman Dave Brat and former diplomat Mahvash Siddiqui, who alleged widespread fraud within the programme.

Katy Perry joins boyfriend Justin Trudeau for diplomatic lunch with ex-Japanese PM Fumio Kishida in Tokyo

Katy Perry paused her world tour to accompany boyfriend Justin Trudeau for a high-profile lunch with former Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, highlighting their growing relationship.

Chinese official media highlights Vladimir Putin calling India-China close friends of Russia

China, a close ally of Russia, is yet to officially comment on Putin's visit to India, while keeping a close watch on the outcome.

Edinburgh Airport resumes flights after major IT outage disrupts operations

Flights at Scotland’s busiest airport resumed following an IT issue that halted all operations and left thousands of passengers stranded.

Putin’s visit opens doors for Indians seeking jobs in Russia: How New Delhi is tapping Moscow’s labour shortage

The pact comes as Russia faces a major labour shortage. Birth rates are the lowest in 200 years, the population has dipped slightly, and many young men have left the country since 300,000 reservists were mobilised for the Ukraine war.

Why 'super general' Asim Munir's elevation as CDF is bad news for Imran Khan | Explained

Asim Munir’s appointment as Pakistan’s first-ever Chief of Defence Forces consolidates military power, intensifying challenges for jailed former PM Imran Khan and his party PTI.

Kudankulam Unit 3 receives fuel as Putin visits India: How this boosts New Delhi's nuclear plans

Vladimir Putin’s arrival in India happened on the same day that the Russian state-owned atomic corporation Rosatom delivered the first batch of nuclear fuel for Unit 3 of Kudankulam.

Pakistan Army calls Imran Khan ‘mentally ill’, labels his narrative a security threat

Pakistan’s military has accused former Prime Minister Imran Khan of spreading a dangerous anti-state narrative, calling him “mentally ill” and a direct threat to national security.

A laugh over oil: Putin’s light-hearted 'energy' remark draws laughter from PM Modi | WATCH

The quip came while Putin was speaking about the steady flow of Russian crude to India despite global political disruptions and sanctions pressure.

Why Russia is pushing new North–South transport corridors and what it means for India

India and Russia are accelerating the North–South transport corridor as part of their Vision 2030 plan, seeking diversified trade routes, improved logistics and deeper Eurasian connectivity despite slow project maturation.

Netflix agrees to buy Warner Bros for $72 billion

The agreement follows a weeks-long bidding war where Netflix seized the lead with a nearly $28-a-share offer that eclipsed Paramount Skydance's nearly $24 bid

How PM Modi’s Gita gift to Putin celebrates centuries-old Sanskrit ties with Russia

PM Modi presents Russian translation of the Bhagavad Gita to Putin, reflecting centuries of shared Sanskrit scholarship and cultural ties between India and Russia.

Pakistan parrots China's claim on Arunachal Pradesh again, challenges India’s sovereignty stance

The statement, attributed to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, signals yet another attempt by Pakistan to insert itself into India’s internal matters by aligning with China’s expansionist claims.

From Bihar to Moscow power circles: Who is Abhay Kumar Singh and why he wants India to acquire S-500?

After completing medical studies, Abhay Singh briefly practiced as a doctor in Patna, but soon returned to Russia where he built a pharmaceutical business and later expanded into real estate.

Shanghai, Dhaka and Karachi risk a ‘watery grave’ by 2100: How 'polder effect' threatens world’s largest coastal cities

Researchers describe this potential disaster as the “polder effect.” Unlike regular floods, where water eventually drains away, sinking delta cities behave like deep bowls.

India-Russia energy ties: Will Putin's visit signal that 'oil' is well?

As India reels under punitive US tariffs over its purchases of Russian oil, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hosting President Vladmir Putin for a two-day visit.

Israel’s new Mossad chief has no spy background: Why did Netanyahu pick Roman Gofman?

The announcement comes as Israel continues to deal with the security fallout of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and the wider conflict that followed.

Asim Munir is a radical Islamist: Fake video of Imran Khan's sister Aleema Khan claims Pak ex-PM befriended India & BJP

A deepfake video falsely showing Aleema Khan making inflammatory remarks about India and Pakistan’s army chief has gone viral, prompting Sky News to issue a clarification.

'Whether Pahalgam or Crocus City Hall': With Putin by his side, PM Modi hits out at terrorism rooted in Pakistan

PM Modi's remarks came just hours after Pakistan concentrated unprecedented military power in the hands of Asim Munir, appointing him as the country’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) alongside his existing role as Army Chief.

US expands social media checks for H-1B, H-4 and student visas: Here's how the new rules will impact Indians

The US has introduced mandatory public social media checks and tougher scrutiny of applicants linked to online content regulation, raising concerns among Indian tech professionals.

‘Super General’ Asim Munir now controls Pakistan’s nuclear trigger: What this means for India’s security?

Under Asim Munir, the very institutions meant to protect and guide the country -- civilian government, judiciary, diplomatic corps -- are being sidelined.

What the UK inquiry concluded about Putin’s role in the Novichok death

A landmark British inquiry says a discarded nerve-agent bottle that killed Dawn Sturgess traces directly back to a Kremlin-approved assassination plot, exposing the human cost of Russia’s covert operations in Europe.

How a hidden high-school football market tore one family apart

A star wide receiver’s rise through Southern California’s youth football underworld shows how the rush for Name, Image and Likeness money has turned teenage athletes into commodities and left families fractured in its wake.

How a sprawling fraud scandal thrust Minnesota’s Somali community and its governor into the national spotlight

A billion-dollar breakdown in Minnesota’s social-services system has reignited political fault lines, sparked federal investigations and fuelled polarizing claims about one of the state’s most visible immigrant communities.

Meta prepares sweeping cuts to metaverse spending as Zuckerberg pivots sharply to AI

After years of pouring billions into virtual worlds that failed to take off, Meta is preparing to shrink its metaverse ambitions and redirect investment toward AI-powered devices and “personal superintelligence.”

What the Pentagon investigation found about Pete Hegseth’s use of Signal

A Pentagon watchdog report says US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared classified strike details in a private Signal chat, breaking security rules and exposing gaps in how top officials handle sensitive information on personal devices.

Why Trump seems to favour gas-powered cars over EVs

Under Donald Trump, both in office and in his current proposals, Washington’s posture on transport has tilted back towards petrol and diesel. Instead of pushing hard for electric vehicles, he has signalled support for traditional internal-combustion engine cars. The reasons sit at the intersection of politics, economics, energy strategy and ideology.

Joe Root’s Gabba hundred saves Matthew Hayden from nude MCG bet, delights daughter Grace

Australian legend Matthew Hayden had promised to walk nude around the Melbourne Cricket Ground if Joe Root failed to score a hundred in the 2025 Ashes in Australia. Root’s maiden Test century Down Under triggered huge relief and hilarious family reactions.

Google Maps once linked racist search term to the White House during Barack Obama’s presidency

A resurfaced incident from 2015 is drawing renewed attention after users were reminded that Google Maps once directed a racist search term to the White House while Barack Obama was president, prompting a public apology and major internal fixes at Google.

The red-lipped batfish: The bizarre Galápagos creature that looks like it’s wearing lipstick

With its bright scarlet pout, clumsy “walk” along the seafloor and built-in fishing lure, the red-lipped batfish from the Galápagos has become an online sensation, showcasing how evolution can produce marine animals that seem stranger than science fiction to humans.

Putin’s presidential car can stay afloat in water and carries an advanced air-filtration system

New details emerging from Russian state media highlight the extreme defensive features of President Vladimir Putin’s official car, including the ability to stay afloat if it plunges into water and a specialised air-filtration system designed to guard against chemical or biological threats.

Warner Bros. begins exclusive deal talks with Netflix

Netflix’s interest in Warner Bros. also sent shivers through Hollywood. The company has largely refused to release films in theaters, occasionally giving its original movies limited runs in cinemas.

JD Vance warns EU over expected X penalty, criticises censorship, supports free speech

US Vice President JD Vance criticised the European Union’s expected fine on X, urging the bloc to uphold “free speech” and avoid penalising American platforms over alleged advertisement and design violations.

‘Making peace all over the world’: Trump urges end to Russia-Ukraine war

US President Donald Trump said recent talks with Vladimir Putin gave the “impression” Russia wants peace, while Putin stressed Moscow will not compromise security and criticised Zelensky’s leadership approach.

FBI director Kash Patel says suspect Brian Cole identified after reviewing 3 million lines of data

FBI Director Kash Patel says agents re-examined millions of data lines to identify Brian Cole as the January 6 pipe-bomb suspect, leading to his arrest after a renewed, Trump-era–driven review.

Bill Gates says Musk-driven US aid cuts fuel 'tragic' global surge in child mortality

Bill Gates said global child deaths will rise for the first time this century, blaming severe Western aid cuts. He criticised the US, Europe and Elon Musk’s DOGE for worsening global health outcomes.

India–Russia ties ‘highly strategic’ despite global turbulence: Chinese scholar

Chinese expert Li Haidong said India–Russia relations remain “highly strategic” and resilient amid global geopolitical turbulence, with Putin’s visit to New Delhi reaffirming the strength of bilateral cooperation across defence, trade, and technology.

US admiral denies Hegseth issued 'kill them all' order as Congress probes deadly strike

Admiral Frank Bradley told Congress that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth did not order a “kill them all” strike on a Caribbean drug boat, though video footage raises legal and ethical concerns.

US strike on Pacific drug vessel kills four as anger mounts over attacks on survivors

A new US strike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel killed four people, intensifying Washington’s backlash as lawmakers condemn footage of earlier survivors being targeted amid the Trump administration’s aggressive anti-narcotics campaign.

US travel ban set to widen to 30+ nations as Trump hardens immigration line

An expansion of the list would mark a further escalation of migration measures the administration has taken since the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., last week.

Apple taps Meta lawyer as general counsel in latest shake-up

In a separate move, governmental affairs executive Lisa Jackson will retire in late January. She has overseen environment, policy and social initiatives at the company.

From missiles to manpower: What Narendra Modi and Putin could seal at India–Russia summit

India and Russia seek to rebalance trade, deepen defence, expand labour mobility and align payments as Narendra Modi hosts Vladimir Putin amid sanctions and global realignment, reshaping energy, nuclear and financial ties.

Asian stocks snap three-day gain, Japan leads drop

MSCI Inc.’s gauge for regional shares fell as much as 0.6%, with Japanese indexes leading declines after a strong rally in the previous session.

From 5 years to 18 months: US cuts refugee, asylum work permits as Trump tightens vetting after DC shooting

The US has cut asylum and refugee work permits to 18 months and paused immigration benefits for 19 nations as USCIS increases security vetting after a DC shooting.

Man accused of planting pipe bombs before Jan 6 attack on Capitol charged with explosives offence

Seeking a breakthrough, the FBI last January publicized additional information about the investigation, including an estimate that the suspect was about 5 feet, 7 inches tall, as well as previously unreleased video of the suspect placing one of the bombs.

Global shares and dollar higher as markets eye Fed rate cuts

Data on Thursday appeared to assuage concerns of a sharp deterioration in U.S. labor market conditions. The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell to a more than three-year low of 191,000 last week.

The New York Times sues the Pentagon over Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's media rules

The Pentagon has argued that the policy imposes “common sense” rules that protect the military from release of information that could put them in danger.