China has added 20 Japanese defence-linked and technology entities to its export control blacklist, marking a fresh escalation in the already tense relationship between Beijing and Tokyo. The decision blocks the listed organisations from receiving Chinese dual-use goods, materials and technologies without official approval. Beijing said the move was linked to national security, non-proliferation commitments and concerns over supplies that

The death of a 17-year-old Thai girl in Pattaya has led to the arrest of an Australian man after police said her body was found inside a suitcase. The case has drawn attention in Thailand because of the CCTV trail, the suspect’s alleged attempt to leave the country, and the serious charges now filed against him. Police identified the teenager as Tunchanok Donhomla. She was reportedly last seen entering a condominium in Bang Lamung distri

Standoff ends after mediation A three-day standoff involving a group of Nihang Sikhs at a gurdwara in Nagrasu, Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, ended peacefully after talks involving officials and delegations from Punjab and Paonta Sahib. The resolution brought relief to the area after days of tension around the religious premises, where authorities had maintained a close watch to prevent the situation from escalating.

Uyghur groups step up global advocacy The World Uyghur Congress has highlighted a series of international advocacy efforts in Japan and Europe, saying its representatives are working to draw wider attention to alleged human rights violations affecting Uyghurs from East Turkistan. The group has raised concerns over alleged genocide, forced labour, enforced disappearances and transnational repression, while urging governments and international institutions to streng

Senior BRS leader T. Harish Rao has launched a sharp political attack on Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, questioning his claim of a “historic agreement” on Tungabhadra river water sharing with Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. He alleged that Telangana’s irrigation interests were being compromised and demanded clarity on the outcomes of recent high-level meetings involving the two neighbouring states and the Union water resources mi

Arvind Kejriwal has announced a major religious push in Punjab, including a grand Mata Sita‑Luv Kush temple in Amritsar, expansion of pilgrimage schemes, and statewide devotional programmes. Major Religious and Cultural Push in Punjab AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal unveiled a series of religious and cultural initiatives aimed at strengthening s

LEAKEY, Texas — Missing giraffe Gracie was found safe and apparently healthy on Friday, June 26, 2026, nearly two weeks after disappearing from a private ranch in the Texas Hill Country. She had not yet been captured or returned to the property. Gracie was spotted shortly before 7 a.m. CDT on private ranchland about 4 miles from Cedar Hollow Ranch, near Leakey, approximately 100 miles west of San Antonio. Owner Vic

Cape Verde’s World Cup run reached the knockout stage after the tournament debutant secured a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia. The Blue Sharks finished the group stage unbeaten with three points from three draws and advanced to the round of 32. Cape Verde World Cup run secured by Vozinha Goalkeeper Vozinha, 40, made several decisive saves as Saudi Arabia pushed for the victory it needed. He stopped Mohamed Kanno’s header in first-half stoppage t

Indian residents filed 1,153,748 Schengen short-stay visa applications in 2025, and 181,111 did not result in a uniform visa, according to European Commission data published on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Under the Commission’s methodology, India’s non-issuance rate was 15.8%, compared with a global refusal rate of 14.6%. India was the world’s third-largest source of Schengen visa applications, behind China and Türkiye. A total of 966,529 uniform visas were issued to applicants f

Four July 1, 2026 travel rule changes will affect tourists, business visitors, transit passengers and employer-sponsored workers in the United States, Japan, Vietnam and Australia. The measures include an optional expedited U.S. visa interview fee, higher Japanese visa charges, a Vietnamese health declaration and increased Australian sponsored-work salary thresholds. The rules take effect on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, but eligibility differs by country. What the Jul

The South Indian film industry is in mourning following the reported passing of veteran actor and director K. Bhagyaraj, who died at the age of 73 after suffering a cardiac arrest in Chennai. According to reports, he was admitted to a hospital in the city, where he breathed his last early this morning. The news comes shortly after the industry also grieved the loss of legendary filmmaker Bharathiraja, making it a deeply emotional period for Kollywood. Bhagyaraj was also closely asso

The Tamil Nadu government has appointed K Venkata Narayana as its Special Representative in New Delhi for a period of one year. According to an official government order issued on Friday, the appointment is temporary and will be effective from the date he assumes office. The state government stated that the detailed terms and conditions of his role will be issued separately. The appointment has attracted political attention and criticism due to Narayana’s professional association

Spain’s remarkable unbeaten run has now stretched to 33 matches, underlining their consistency and dominance across different international challenges. The team has continued to deliver strong performances against a wide range of opponents, maintaining momentum as they progress through the World Cup group stage. Defender Aymeric Laporte has downplayed external concerns regarding Uruguay, stressing that Spain’s priority is to remain focused on their own tactical approach, execution, and ov

BEIJING — A small aircraft reportedly crashed into CITIC Tower in Beijing’s central business district at about 6:00 p.m. China Standard Time on Friday, June 26, 2026. The Beijing plane crash damaged part of the tower’s glass facade and sent debris toward streets below. The 108-story building, widely known as China Zun, stands 528 meters, or 1,732 feet, tall and is Beijing’s tallest skyscraper. Beijing Plane Crash Prompts Evacuation A fi

The RBI introduced the US dollar-rupee swap facility on Monday, June 8, 2026. It applies to eligible fresh FCNR(B) deposits, including deposits renewed at maturity, with an original tenure of at least three years and no more than five years. Deposits must be mobilized between Monday, June 8, 2026, and Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Banks may use the RBI swap window through Friday, October 16, 2026. The swap

Veteran actors Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, Venkatesh and several leading stars from the South Indian film industry attended the wedding of Avantika Sundar, daughter of actor-politician Khushbu Sundar and filmmaker Sundar C, at a luxury resort in Goa. The wedding celebrations of Avantika Sundar, the elder daughter of actor-politician Khushbu Sundar and filmmaker Sundar C, turned into a star-studded affair as several leading per

The Indian government has taken another major step to improve medicine safety by making QR codes mandatory on several categories of critical drugs, including vaccines, anti-cancer medicines, antimicrobials, and narcotic medications. The move is aimed at helping consumers and healthcare providers easily verify the authenticity of medicines and reducing the spread of counterfeit and substandard drugs in the country. The Union Health Ministry

Kapu Vote Strategy and the Core Assumption Problem The current political discussion in Andhra Pradesh is increasingly centered around how parties are attempting to realign caste-based voter blocs ahead of the 2029 elections. One of the most debated narratives is whether the YSRCP can rebuild influence among Kapu voters after the shifts seen in recent elections. The as

A recent Gallup survey points to a noticeable shift in how Americans view the country’s long-term direction. A large majority of respondents believe the original founders of the United States would not be satisfied with how the nation has developed as it moves closer to 250 years of independence. The findings highlight a broader sense of uncertainty around civic direction and institutional confidence. Strong majority signals dissatisfaction According to the survey results, roughly 77% of adults feel that the nation has drifted away from the principles associated with its founding era. Only a small portion believe the founders would view the country positively today. The imbalance in responses reflects a clear dominance of dissatisfaction rather than divided optimism. Political identity shapes perception The responses vary significantly depending on political affiliation. People aligned with Republican views show relatively higher optimism compared to others, while Democrats are more likely to express disappointment in current national conditions. Independent respondents fall between the two groups, but overall sentiment across all categories leans toward concern rather than approval. This suggests that dissatisfaction is not confined to a single ideological group but is spread across the spectrum. Younger adults show sharper criticism Age plays an equally important role in shaping opinions. Younger adults are more likely to question whether the country has fulfilled its founding ideals, while older groups tend to express slightly more confidence in national progress over time. This generational gap highlights a difference in expectations, with younger respondents showing lower trust in institutional outcomes. Mixed perception of national progress Despite the dominant view of disappointment, a portion of respondents still acknowledge measurable progress over time. Some believe the country has achieved at least a fair level of alignment with its founding principles, even if perfection remains out of reach. However, this recognition does not outweigh the broader concern reflected in the overall numbers. Broader implications of the findings The results point toward a country navigating contrasting perceptions of identity and progress. While historical pride remains present, it is increasingly accompanied by questions about direction, governance, and shared national values. The survey reflects not just political opinion, but a wider conversation about trust, expectations, and the future trajectory of American civic life.

The Saudi Arabia Telugu Association has called for stronger Telugu NRI voter registration support in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, including online verification services and outreach in the Telugu language. The Hyderabad-based association, known as SATA, said Telugu citizens living overseas may be unsure whether they need to register, update their information or respond to requests connected to electoral-roll revisions. The association’s statement listed