The Pawar family occupies a unique and dominant position in Maharashtra’s political history. For over five decades, the family has shaped regional politics through electoral victories, control over cooperative institutions, and sustained influence in policy-making. Ajit Pawar, a senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party and a multiple-term Deputy Chief Minister, was a central pillar of this legacy. His untimely death in a tragic plane crash on January 28, 2026, has brought renewed pub

The Union Government on the occasion of Republic Day announced the Padma Awards 2026, approving a total of 131 civilian honours across the three prestigious categories – Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. These awards, among India’s highest civilian recognitions, honour individuals for exceptional service and contributions across diverse fields such as arts, cinema, literature, sports, medicine, science and engineering, social work, civil service, public affairs, and trade and

Apple has emerged as the world’s leading smartphone manufacturer in 2025, overtaking long-time rival Samsung in global shipments, according to the latest industry analysis. The milestone marks a significant shift in the global smartphone market, ending a 14-year period during which Samsung consistently held the top position in worldwide shipments. Industry data shows that Apple recorded the highest year-on-year growth among the top five smartphone brands, capturing a 20 percent sh

Chicago’s newly approved budget is now in effect, introducing a series of tax changes that will be rolled out in stages throughout the year. While some measures began immediately on Jan. 1, others are scheduled to take effect in the coming weeks and months, gradually reshaping costs for consumers and businesses across the city. Among the changes that began with the start of the new year is an increase in the checkout bag tax. Shoppers now pay 15 cents per grocery bag, up from the

Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has strongly defended the Taliban government's right to maintain political and economic relations with India, pushing back against Pakistan’s criticism over Kabul-Delhi engagement. Speaking at a conference in Kabul, Muttaqi dismissed Islamabad's accusations that India supports anti-Pakistan groups, calling them inconsistent and politically motivated. He reminded that Pakistan itself maintains diplomatic presence in New Delhi with act

The WPL 2026 mega auction in New Delhi has emerged as one of the most intense and closely followed events in women’s cricket, with all five franchises rebuilding their squads from scratch. With a massive lineup of 277 players up for bidding and only 73 slots available, including 23 coveted overseas positions, the tension inside the auction hall was palpable. The event draws even more attention as many members of India’s 2025 World Cup–winning team, such as Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh Th

In the run-up to the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the Congress has begun seeking a greater share of seats from its ally, the DMK, while simultaneously warming up to actor Vijay’s Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK). According to sources, senior Congress leaders in Tamil Nadu have been trying to convince the party high command in Delhi to explore an understanding with Vijay, leveraging his growing popularity not only in Tamil Nadu but also in Kerala and Puducherry. The DMK, which

In yet another provocative statement, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that his country is fully prepared for a two-front war against India on the eastern border and the Taliban on the western front. Speaking at a public event, Asif said, “We are ready for war on two fronts. Allah helped us in round one and He will help us in round two.” His remarks came just a day after a deadly suicide bombing in Islamabad that killed 12 people and injured 36 others. The Pakis

Elon Musk has once again redefined corporate ambition. At Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting in Austin, the company’s investors voted to approve an unprecedented $1 trillion compensation plan for its CEO. The package, designed to stretch over a decade, is tied to a series of extraordinary performance goals that could transform Tesla into one of the most valuable and diversified technology companies in the world. Unlike conventional executive pay structures, Musk’s plan contain

The streets of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) are once again engulfed in protests, this time led by Gen Z students angered by rising tuition fees and a controversial digital evaluation system. What began as a small student-led protest over unfair exam results has evolved into a large-scale anti-government movement targeting the Shehbaz Sharif administration. Demonstrations first erupted in Muzaffarabad, where students voiced outrage over the newly introduced e-marking system. The i

After nearly five decades of perseverance and progress, Indian cricket reached a historic milestone as the national women’s team lifted their first-ever ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup trophy in 2025. The electrifying victory unfolded at Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium, where Harmanpreet Kaur’s team delivered a performance that will be remembered for generations. The triumph not only marked a sporting achievement but also became a moment of national pride, uniting millions of Indians across c

At least seven people have been confirmed dead and more than 150 injured after a powerful earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale struck northern Afghanistan on Monday. The tremor, which originated near Mazar-e-Sharif, caused significant structural damage and panic among residents, highlighting once again the country's extreme vulnerability to seismic disasters. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred at a depth of 28 kilometers beneath

In a landmark moment for Indian cricket, Harmanpreet Kaur’s fearless Indian women’s team lifted their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup trophy, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in front of a packed Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The victory ended India’s decades-long wait for an ICC title, igniting celebrations across the nation. For years, India’s women’s cricket team had come agonizingly close — from the heartbreak in 2005 against Australia to the narrow loss in 2017

In a major embarrassment for the Maryam Nawaz-led Punjab government, Imperial College London has publicly denied claims that it plans to open a campus in Lahore, Pakistan. The announcement of the alleged collaboration had been made just days earlier by the provincial administration, stating that a campus and a 300-bed hospital would be established at the Nawaz Sharif IT City, with a foundation stone-laying ceremony planned for November. The claim was amplified by Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz, Minis

New Albany officials are weighing new regulations that could significantly change how residents and visitors use electric bikes and scooters within city limits. During recent meetings, members of the New Albany City Council discussed proposed legislation that would redefine how these increasingly popular modes of transportation are classified and where they can operate. Under the proposed ordinance, electric bikes and scooters would be formally categorized as vehicles under city law

At least 20 people lost their lives and several others were injured after a private bus travelling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur caught fire on Tuesday afternoon in Rajasthan. The tragic incident occurred on the Jaisalmer–Jodhpur highway when the vehicle, carrying 57 passengers, was engulfed in flames shortly after smoke was seen emerging from its rear section. According to local authorities, the bus had departed Jaisalmer around 3 p.m. and was en route to Jodhpur when the driver noti

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma drew widespread attention when he arrived at an award function in Mumbai driving his brand-new Tesla Model Y, sparking a wave of excitement among fans and car enthusiasts across social media. The stylish entrance not only turned heads but also underscored Rohit’s growing affinity for cutting-edge electric vehicles, aligning perfectly with his polished and modern public image. Shortly after his arrival, a video clip of Rohit behind the wheel of t

The United States has approved the supply of AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) to Pakistan, marking a new phase in defence cooperation between the two countries. The US Department of War announced the inclusion of Pakistan as one of several international buyers under a recently modified arms contract with Raytheon, the American defence manufacturer responsible for producing the missile systems. According to the department’s notification, Raytheon received

Navaratri 2025 will be celebrated from September 22 to October 1, with Vijayadashami on October 2. Dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine divine forms, Navaratri is one of the most auspicious festivals in India. Every day of Navaratri is marked by a specific goddess, symbolic color, unique alankaram, meaningful pooja, and prasadam offered to devotees. The prasadam, considered as the blessings of the goddess, plays a vital role in connecting faith with food. Be

Saudi Arabia’s decision to sign a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement with Pakistan has stirred debates across South Asia and the Middle East. The pact, which promises that an attack on one country will be treated as an attack on both, resembles a NATO-style commitment. For Pakistan, struggling with economic and diplomatic challenges, this deal is seen as a significant political win and a potential deterrence against India. Yet, beneath the surface, exper