National News

Global supply chains face unprecedented threats as maritime chokepoints become geopolitical battlegrounds. The US-Iran conflict highlighted how disruptions in vital waterways like the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb trigger widespread economic fallout, from soaring freight rates to increased inflation. Other critical routes, including the Suez, Taiwan, Malacca, and Panama Canals, are also under scrutiny, demanding a shift towards war-room level planning for future crises.

Actor R. Madhavan was left in awe by a viral video of Russian child prodigy Lyonya Shilovsky, who led a full orchestra at just three years old. The clip, showcasing the young drummer's exceptional rhythm and confidence, continues to inspire audiences worldwide. Shilovsky, who began drumming at one, became an internet sensation with his remarkable performance of "Can-Can," demonstrating a maturity rarely seen in such a young musician.

Affordable housing finance companies are poised for strong growth, with assets expected to rise 19-20% annually through FY28. This surge is fueled by demand in smaller cities, improving housing affordability, and small business financing needs. While home loans will see steady expansion, loans against property are projected for faster growth, though lenders remain cautious on smaller ticket sizes due to past stress.

A resurfaced video shows Aryan Verma, arrested for impersonating an Indian Army Brigadier, addressing UPSC aspirants with armed guards. Verma, who claimed to have switched career ambitions from medicine to UPSC after a public event, encouraged interaction with outsiders. The 21-year-old was apprehended with associates after allegedly posing as a senior officer, travelling in a military-marked SUV and possessing fake credentials.

So far, exports have remained limited, partly because domestic air-conditioner penetration in India is still only around 10-11%. Air conditioners are also the only white goods segment covered under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, prompting the government to push for higher export earnings from the industry.

A historic World Cup saw two top-10 nations, Germany and the Netherlands, crash out in the opening knockout round. Germany's campaign ended on penalties against Paraguay after a controversial disallowed goal. The Netherlands also fell to Morocco in a dramatic shootout, with Morocco's goalkeeper proving decisive. This marks a significant upset in the tournament's history.

A Rajasthan consumer commission has ruled that shopkeepers cannot arbitrarily round off bills, even for a mere 50 paise. A Jaipur shop was found liable for deficiency in service and unfair trade practices after charging a customer extra for a rajma packet. The commission upheld the ruling, reducing the compensation to Rs 10,000 for the customer, emphasizing that such unauthorized charges are unacceptable.

Ukraine has successfully targeted Russia's satellite communications center in Dubna for a second time, President Zelenskyy announced. This strike, over 500 kilometers from Ukraine's border, is part of Kyiv's strategy to cripple Russian military intelligence and coordination. Similar facilities in the Moscow and Vladimir regions have also been hit, intensifying Ukraine's long-range drone campaign against key Russian infrastructure.

India's crude oil imports are nearing pre-conflict levels, thanks to refiners diversifying away from traditional Gulf suppliers. Purchases from Russia, the US, and other regions have compensated for Middle East disruptions. Russia remains a favored source due to attractive pricing. While the Strait of Hormuz has reopened, Asian refiners are cautious about immediate increases in Gulf purchases, focusing on existing cargo coverage and maintenance schedules.

Cricketer Shashank Singh has responded to an FIR alleging assault and illegal confinement by a domestic cook. Singh claims the cook was hired under false pretenses, was taking private photos, and his mother deleted them due to privacy concerns. He denies any physical altercation or holding the cook hostage, stating they considered calling the police themselves after discovering the alleged unauthorized photography.

MDMK leader Vaiko lost his composure at a press meet when questioned about his criticism of the DMK. He alleged widespread corruption during the DMK's tenure, particularly in land registration. When pressed on why he hadn't raised these issues earlier, Vaiko cited coalition ethics. The situation escalated with his supporters attempting to confront reporters, but police intervention diffused the tension.

Actress Khushbu Sundar became emotional at her elder daughter Avantika's intimate Goa wedding to Shravan Sreenivasan. A viral video captured her tears of joy. Following the ceremony, Khushbu shared heartfelt photos and defended her decision to post about the family milestone, even as the industry mourned a loss, asserting her right to celebrate personal happiness.

A 24-year-old woman has accused a man of sexual harassment and wrongful restraint in a moving car in East Delhi's Mandawali. The accused allegedly diverted the vehicle to a secluded area after promising a food stop, made obscene remarks, and touched her inappropriately. She managed to record a video, and police have registered an FIR and apprehended the suspect.

The last time the yen traded at these levels, it was moving in the opposite direction, strengthening during a prolonged rally that followed a currency agreement brokered by the United States.

A legal battle has erupted over who represents murder accused Siya Goyal. Advocate Ashutosh Srivastava claims his appointment is valid and filed, threatening defamation suits against Siya's brother, Sahil, who denies engaging him. Another lawyer, Vipul Dushing, also claims representation. Siya and co-accused Chetan Chaudhary were remanded in police custody over the alleged murder of businessman Ketan Agarwal.

A Microsoft data center technician in Italy resigned on his final day, emailing thousands of colleagues across Europe to accuse the company of powering Israel's war in Gaza through its Azure cloud and European data centers. Published by No Azure for Apartheid, the email cites the Unit 8200 surveillance exposé and urges Microsoft workers to "reclaim our labor" and divest.

Police have alleged that Sonam conspired with hired assailants to kill her husband for financial gains

While handing over the job letters to the newly appointed teachers, Chief Minister Hemant Soren said that if teachers discharge their duties with honesty and diligence, both society and the State would benefit. He urged teachers to adopt a sensitive and skillful approach in their interactions with children