Asian stock markets traded mixed on Tuesday as investors assessed the latest escalation in US economic pressure on Iran, while oil prices remained relatively stable after a sharp decline in the previous session. Market participants were also looking ahead to several potentially significant economic and corporate developments in the United States later this week. The...
A fresh political confrontation over government education has emerged between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal challenging the BJP to conduct a direct comparison of government schools in Gujarat and Punjab. Kejriwal has proposed that 1,000 government schools from each state be selected and...
The Donald Trump administration has proposed a dramatic increase in the cost of hiring highly skilled foreign workers through the H-1B visa programme, with a new fee of $103,265 for covered H-1B petitions. The proposed charge could significantly change the cost-benefit calculation for American companies that depend on international professionals to fill specialised positions. It...
The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal to surrender within two weeks after rejecting his request for exemption from surrendering in connection with the 2013 sexual assault case. The court said his appeal against the conviction and 10-year prison sentence would be listed for hearing on September 22 if he submits...
Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to travel to India next month to attend the 2026 BRICS Summit in New Delhi, a visit that could become a significant moment in the gradual efforts by New Delhi and Beijing to stabilise relations after years of heightened tensions. If confirmed, Xi’s visit would be his first trip...
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved a major technology-transfer initiative under which Indian defence companies will be permitted to manufacture conventional missile systems developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The decision is aimed at expanding domestic production capacity, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and giving Indian industry a larger role in the...
The trailer of Haiwaan has unveiled a tense and disturbing world in which a ruthless killer and a visually impaired man become locked in a dangerous battle of survival. Directed by Priyadarshan, the upcoming action thriller brings Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan together in dramatically different roles, with Kumar portraying a menacing antagonist and...
A bizarre social media stunt in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, has turned an unusual expression of affection into an unexpected traffic-police action. A car belonging to local resident Aditya Sikarwar was covered with around 3,400 lipstick kiss marks after his girlfriend decorated the vehicle as part of a social media trend. The stunt attracted widespread attention...
The Indian government is considering a significant tightening of drug-testing requirements for commercial pilots, with a proposal that could require every pilot to undergo at least one random test each year. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said on Tuesday that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is consulting stakeholders on possible changes to...
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, raising serious concerns over the proposed method of collecting caste-related information in the upcoming Census. The two senior opposition leaders have objected to the use of open-ended questions for recording caste identities, arguing that the approach could result in fragmented and...