President Droupadi Murmu is likely to visit Rourkela, Odisha, on April 21, 2026, for a series of programmes in the steel city, according to Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram. Oram, who is also the Lok Sabha MP for Sundergarh (which includes Rourkela), confirmed the visit after meeting with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar. Although the final schedule has not yet been confirmed, the visit is expected to focus on key issues in the region.

A section of the ceiling collapsed at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, Indonesia, at approximately 1:40 PM local time (WIB) on Monday, April 6, 2026, sending debris and a surge of water into a crowded departure lounge at Terminal 3. The incident occurred near Gate 7 during a busy boarding period, when multiple flights were preparing for departure. Passengers in the area reported that water initially began leaking from above before rapidly intensifying, eventually cau

A federal judge has ordered the California cities of Mountain View and Sunnyvale to pay nearly $1.2 million each in civil penalties after finding long-standing violations of federal water pollution laws. The ruling, issued on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, determined that both cities allowed untreated sewage to enter local waterways through their stormwater systems, posing potential risks to public health. U.S. District Judge Edward Davila concluded that the cities failed to meet permit req

Iowa State women’s basketball standout Audi Crooks has announced she will enter the transfer portal, marking one of the most significant moves of the college basketball offseason. The decision was shared on Thursday, April 3, 2026, as Crooks confirmed she will explore new opportunities for her final year of eligibility. Crooks, a 6-foot-3 junior from Algona, Iowa, emerged this season as one of the nation’s most dominant players. She finished second nationally in scoring, averagi

Oracle India has confirmed that it will cut approximately 12,000 jobs as part of a major restructuring plan aimed at streamlining operations. This massive reduction in its workforce comes amidst growing challenges in the tech sector, including cost-cutting measures, automation, and shifts in business strategy. Oracle’s move is expected to send shockwaves throughout the Indian job market, which has been dealing with an increasing number of job losses in the technology sector. The l

Reports circulating across online platforms indicate that Oracle Corporation may have initiated a fresh round of layoffs affecting employees in multiple regions, including India and Mexico, though the company has not issued an official confirmation regarding the scale or timing of these actions. Employees posting on professional forums such as Blind and Reddit described receiving early morning emails informing them that their positions had been eliminated with immediate effect. Several individuals reported that these notifications arrived as early as 5:00 AM or 6:00 AM local time, though the exact date of these communications has not been independently verified. Many said the messages were sent directly from company leadership without prior notice, formal HR discussions, or communication from direct managers. Accounts shared online suggest that access to internal systems was revoked shortly after the emails were delivered, leaving affected employees without a transition period. Some posts indicate that roles within cloud computing and engineering teams may have been impacted, although the full scope of departments involved remains unclear. Unverified claims circulating on social media suggest that between 20,000 and 30,000 employees could be affected, representing a significant portion of Oracle’s global workforce of approximately 162,000. However, these figures remain speculative and have not been confirmed by the company. The reported layoffs come at a time when Oracle continues to expand its investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure and data centers. Industry observers note that many technology companies are restructuring operations to prioritize AI-driven initiatives and cloud services, which may involve reallocating resources and reducing roles in other areas. Similar workforce reductions have been observed across the broader tech industry in recent months, as companies reassess hiring strategies following periods of rapid expansion. While some analysts link these layoffs to increased spending on AI, others suggest they reflect efforts to correct overhiring during earlier growth cycles. In the absence of an official statement, the full extent and impact of the reported layoffs at Oracle remain uncertain, with affected employees continuing to share their experiences across online platforms.

An aircraft bound for India was reportedly damaged in a strike at Mashhad International Airport in Iran on Monday, March 30, 2026, disrupting a planned humanitarian aid mission and drawing sharp condemnation from Iranian authorities. Iranian officials described the incident as a “war crime” and a violation of international law as regional tensions continue to escalate. The civilian aircraft was stationed on the ground at Mashhad International Airport when it was struck during a re

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to resign from the state Legislative Council, marking a major turning point in Bihar’s political landscape. The move comes just weeks after his election to the Rajya Sabha and is expected to pave the way for his exit from the Chief Minister’s post. Sources within the party indicate that despite resistance from sections of the

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reaffirmed that his country will not abandon its nuclear weapons programme, declaring its status as a nuclear-armed state “irreversible” in a strongly worded address delivered to the nation’s legislature. The remarks came shortly after his reappointment as chairman of the State Affairs Commission, consolidating his leadership over the country’s highest decision-making body. According to official reports released on March 24, Kim outlined an intensified strategy to expand North Korea’s nuclear arsenal, framing the move as essential for national security and constitutional responsibility. He stated that Pyongyang would continue to strengthen its nuclear deterrent and advance its capabilities in response to what he described as ongoing threats from hostile forces. The leader emphasized that maintaining and enhancing nuclear readiness was a key priority, ensuring that the country remains prepared to counter strategic challenges. Kim portrayed the development of nuclear weapons as a justified and defensive measure, asserting that the programme aligns with the country’s long-term security goals. He indicated that North Korea would pursue both quantitative and qualitative improvements in its nuclear forces, underscoring a commitment to sustained military advancement amid rising geopolitical tensions in the region. The speech also included sharp criticism of South Korea, which Kim labelled as the “most hostile state.” He warned that any perceived provocation or infringement on North Korea’s sovereignty would be met with a decisive and uncompromising response. The language used signalled a continuation of strained inter-Korean relations, with little indication of near-term diplomatic engagement. Kim’s address covered broader policy areas, including defence, economic priorities, and relations with the United States, though nuclear policy remained the central focus. His remarks highlight an ongoing shift toward a more assertive security posture, raising concerns among regional and global observers about the future trajectory of East Asia’s security environment.

A drone-related incident triggered a fire near Dubai International Airport on Monday, prompting authorities to temporarily suspend flight operations as a precautionary safety measure. Officials confirmed that the incident occurred in the vicinity of the airport and affected one of the fuel storage tanks, leading to an emergency response by Dubai Civil Defence teams. Authorities said firefighters were quickly deployed to the scene to contain the blaze and prevent further damage. According to

The relationship between Iran and India has long been defined by strategic patience, as Tehran maintains a nuanced and pragmatic approach to its ties with New Delhi. Despite India’s deepening defense relations with Israel and its comprehensive partnership with the United States, Iran has chosen to sustain its close relationship with India, recognizing the strategic value of energy ties and regional geopolitical balance. In a recent phone conversation between External Affairs Minis

In a recent ruling, the Delhi High Court has temporarily stayed the adverse remarks made by the Rouse Avenue Court against the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which had earlier cleared Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia of all charges in the controversial liquor policy case. The local court had harshly criticized the CBI, describing its investigation as “demonstrably erroneous, economically illiterate, and legally unsustainable,” claiming that the prosecution failed to provide suff

Travelers flying through Texas airports have recently experienced significant security delays, with airport wait times exceeding one hour amid a partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security. At some major airports in Texas, security lines stretched over three hours, prompting officials to recommend that passengers arrive up to five hours before their scheduled flights to avoid missing departures. The length of the shutdown remains uncertain as congressional negotiati

Residents across Dubai experienced widespread panic after receiving emergency alerts on their mobile phones warning of a possible missile threat on Friday. The alerts were issued amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, where Iran has launched missile and drone attacks targeting United States military installations across several Gulf countries during the past week. According to the notification sent to residents, people were advised to remain cautious, avoid unnecessary outdoor movement

Nitish Kumar, the supremo of Janata Dal (United), is set to file his nomination for the Rajya Sabha today, sparking intense political activity in Bihar's capital, Patna. This move has led to growing speculation about his future as Bihar's Chief Minister and who might succeed him in the top post. Nitish Kumar, who was sworn in for a record 10th term as Chief Minister just a few months ago, is expected to submit his papers alongside other NDA candidates at around 11:30 am today. Union Home Mini

Air travel operations in parts of the Middle East showed early signs of recovery after several airlines announced limited service resumption following widespread disruptions caused by recent regional strikes. Dubai-based Emirates confirmed it received approval from local authorities to restart a limited number of flights, with operations expected to begin Monday evening. The decision comes after thousands of flights were canceled over the weekend due to airspace closures across multiple countries in the region. Authorities in Dubai stated that only a small number of flights would be allowed to operate from Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport as a precautionary measure while the situation stabilizes. Travelers have been advised to check with their airlines before heading to the airport, as schedules may change at short notice depending on safety assessments and airspace availability. Emirates said priority would be given to passengers who already held confirmed bookings before the disruption. The airline also urged customers not to travel to the airport unless they had received direct confirmation that their flight would operate. According to the airline, most services remain suspended until further notice as authorities continue to monitor regional developments. The disruption followed military strikes involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which led to the temporary closure of large sections of Middle East airspace. The shutdown affected not only flights to the region but also international routes that normally pass through the area, leaving hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded worldwide. Dubai, one of the busiest global aviation hubs, experienced significant delays as airlines were forced to reroute or cancel long-haul flights. Israeli carrier El Al announced that it is exploring alternative options to bring stranded citizens home, including the possible use of chartered aircraft from European locations to nearby destinations such as Taba in Egypt or Aqaba in Jordan. The airline said the plan would require approval from government authorities before it could proceed. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways also confirmed temporary suspension of commercial services, stating that flights to and from the city would remain halted until midweek. The airline noted that certain cargo and repatriation flights may continue under strict safety protocols as authorities gradually reopen regional airspace. Airlines across the region are continuing to assess conditions before fully restoring normal schedules, with officials emphasizing that passenger safety remains the primary concern while tensions in the region persist.

Bolivian authorities are working urgently to recover and destroy millions of banknotes that were scattered across the city of El Alto after a deadly cargo plane crash near El Alto International Airport on Friday afternoon. The accident killed at least 22 people and left around 37 others injured, with many victims struck as the aircraft went down in a densely populated area close to the airport. The military cargo plane was transporting newly printed currency intended for the country’s cent

Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu is among several international travellers stranded in the Middle East after escalating military tensions between Iran, Israel and the United States led to widespread disruption of air travel across the Gulf region. The conflict intensified after combined strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets began on Saturday, triggering retaliatory attacks from Iran across multiple locations in the region. Following the exchange of strikes, se

Iran launched a large-scale counter-attack targeting United States military bases across the Middle East, with several strikes also reported in the United Arab Emirates, triggering panic in major cities including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Explosions were heard in multiple locations on Saturday, prompting emergency responses and heightened security across the Gulf region. Authorities confirmed that precautionary evacuations were carried out in several high-profile locations, including the Burj Khalifa

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has concluded a rare party congress with a pointed message to the United States, stating that Pyongyang could improve relations with Washington if it is recognised as a nuclear power. At the same time, he hardened his stance toward South Korea, describing it as the country’s “most hostile” enemy and ruling out further engagement. According to state media reports released on February 26, Kim said there was “no reason” North Korea and the Unit