India has strongly raised concerns over the safety of its merchant seafarers after four Indian crew members were killed in a Russian missile strike on a cargo vessel in the Black Sea. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar discussed the issue with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila. The discussion highlighted India's demand for better protection of civilian merchant mar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed India-US trade, tariff concerns, defence ties, energy cooperation, critical minerals and artificial intelligence during talks in Manila. Their meeting reflected continued diplomatic engagement as both countries work through commercial differences while expanding their strategic partnership. India-US Trade and Tariff Talks

The government says the Income Tax e-filing portal can manage the July 31 rush after infrastructure upgrades, although occasional delays may occur during peak traffic. ITR Filing Rush Intensifies Before July 31 The Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal is seeing rapidly rising traffic as the July 31, 2026 deadline approaches for many salaried employees, pensioners and individuals filing ITR-1 or ITR-2 for Assessment Year 2026-27. The g

Offline UPI payments using NFC could soon allow users to tap and pay without mobile data, Wi-Fi or a telecom network at compatible terminals. Offline UPI Payments Could Work Without Internet A new Unified Payments Interface feature reportedly under development could allow users to complete payments without internet access or even an active mobile network. The proposed system would use near-field communication, commonly known as NFC, to tra

Trump's generic drug tariff plan introduces a phased import duty that could reach 200% within three years, encouraging pharmaceutical companies to manufacture in the United States. The proposal could significantly affect India's pharmaceutical industry, which supplies nearly 40% of generic medicines used in the US. Trump Generic Drug Tariffs Target India Pharma Export

  Canada’s C$47 million Pakistan aid package combines security funding with support for education, climate resilience and reproductive health. Foreign Minister Anita Anand’s Islamabad visit also advanced talks on trade, investment, renewable energy and agricultural cooperation. Canada Details C$47 Million Pakistan Aid Package Canada announced more than C$47.2 million in

The Trump student visa rule would replace duration of status with fixed admission periods of up to four years. F-1 and J-1 students may face new USCIS extension filings, shorter departure periods, travel effects and tighter limits on school or program changes. WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security published a final rule on Friday, July 17, 2026, replacing the “duration of status” system for F-1 students, J

Government sources criticised the Congress march towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence, calling it a security concern, as opposition leaders protested over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and police action against students.  

Modi government under pressure as a youth-led movement over exam leaks continues at Jantar Mantar while farmers mobilise against the proposed India-US trade deal. The parallel protests test the Centre’s response on education, policing, trade safeguards and rural livelihoods. Youth and Farmers Put Modi Government Under Pressure Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is facing two politically sensitive protest movements at the same ti

Rahul Gandhi’s response to the youth-led CJP protest has drawn political scrutiny. Although critics questioned his absence from Jantar Mantar, he later joined Priyanka Gandhi and Congress MPs in a protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence in Delhi. Rahul Gandhi Faces Questions Over Youth Protest Strategy India’s youth-led Cockroach Janta Party movement has become a political flashpoint as

Indian-origin Labour politician Kanishka Narayan has been appointed the United Kingdom’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence in Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s new government. The promotion expands Narayan’s UK AI role and places him at the centre of Britain’s plans for artificial intelligence, online safety, technology investment and economic growth. Kanishka Narayan UK AI role

The reported US strike on a surveillance tower at Iran’s Chabahar port complex has renewed questions about India’s long-term strategy in the region. However, the incident must be described accurately. US Central Command said its forces destroyed a surveillance tower at Shahid Kalantari Port that it linked to an Iranian maritime monitoring network. Iranian port authorities disputed that characterisation, describing the installation as a civilian maritime traffic and r

YouTube’s AI monetization policy does not ban creators from using artificial intelligence. Instead, it targets repetitive, mass-produced and low-value videos that offer little original contribution. Creators can still use AI voices, scripts, editing tools and visuals when the finished video provides genuine value. YouTube Inauthentic Content Policy YouTube clarified its Channel Monetization P

France is preparing to introduce a social media age ban for children under 15, aiming to improve teen safety and reduce cyberbullying. While the proposal has gained political backing, officials still face major challenges in implementing secure, privacy-friendly age verification systems. France Social Media Age Ban Nears Approval but Age Verification Remains

Jana Sena has used a Trivikram dialogue to criticise YS Jagan over his remarks on the fatal Palasa road accident involving former minister Seediri Appalaraju’s son. The case has also raised questions about police conduct and support for the victim’s family. Janasena Video Turns Film Dialogue Into Political Attack The Jana Sena Party has stepped up its criticism of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Mini

India approves QDENGA for dengue prevention in people aged 4–60, making it the country’s first authorised dengue vaccine. The two-dose shot targets all four serotypes and is given three months apart, while rollout, pricing and access details are still awaited. QDENGA Approval Marks a First for India India’s drug regulator has approved Takeda’s QDENGA for preventing dengue in people aged four to 60 years, making it the first dengue

The Baramulla Saudi jail release has brought relief to Amjad Ali Bhat’s family after the 29-year-old nurse returned from Saudi Arabia. His detention in Dammam, questions about a Facebook post and his family’s appeals for information had caused months of anxiety. Amjad Amjad Ali Bhat, a resident of Gund Ibrahim in Baramulla district’s

The Dandeli zipline accident left a Karnataka man injured after he reportedly fell nearly 40 feet at Sterling River Resort. His family alleges a zipline safety-lock failure and resort negligence, while the management disputes the allegations.​   Dandeli Zipline Accident: Karnataka Man Falls Nearly 40 Feet A 24-year-old man from Karnataka suffered serious injuries after falling nearly 30 to 40 feet during a zipline ride at a private re

The Indian Embassy in Tehran has advised citizens to postpone travel to Iran and urged those already in the country to consider leaving temporarily as the regional security situation deteriorates. The updated advisory follows renewed military escalation and asks Indians to remain vigilant, register with the embassy and avoid high-risk areas. Indian Embassy Ir

US Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance have welcomed their fourth child, a baby boy named Alec Neel Vance. The announcement, shared by Vance on X, marks a historic milestone as he becomes the first sitting US vice president in more than 150 years to welcome a child while in office. JD Vance fourth child announced on X US Vic