National News

Baghdad's high-security Green Zone saw a significant crackdown as Iraqi forces arrested politicians and officials in a sweeping anti-corruption drive. Judicial orders led to pre-dawn raids, targeting individuals implicated in financial corruption and potentially linked to smuggling and funding armed factions. This operation precedes Prime Minister Zaidi's US visit, signaling his commitment to reforms amidst ongoing investigations.

AERA has cleared a ₹835 domestic and ₹1,255 international departure fee at Bhogapuram, with charges even on arriving passengers, drawing calls for a rollback

Investors are bracing for a week dominated by Middle East geopolitical tensions, with crude oil prices and domestic economic data taking center stage. Key indicators like Industrial Production, PMI readings, and foreign exchange reserves will offer insights into India's economic health. Auto sales figures and monsoon progress also remain crucial. Any escalation in US-Iran relations could impact global growth and energy markets, while diplomatic progress might boost investor confidence.

A cadet pilot from Delhi sustained a lower back injury after being hit by a propeller while disembarking a training aircraft in Kanpur. The incident occurred when the 22-year-old reportedly exited the Tecnam P2006T before both engines were fully shut down. The DGCA has launched an inquiry, the instructor has been grounded, and the aircraft is out of service pending investigation.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has sharply criticized Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav over alleged donation embezzlement in Ayodhya, urging him to visit the Ram Temple. Adityanath accused the previous SP government of firing on Ram devotees and diverting funds to graveyards instead of temples. Meanwhile, Yadav questioned Adityanath's frequent visits, suggesting they were to oversee alleged thefts and criticized Ayodhya's development quality.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan lauded 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for revolutionizing T20 batting, pushing par scores to 230. However, Vaughan highlighted fielding endurance as Sooryavanshi's key challenge at the international level, suggesting England exploit this by having India field first. Despite this, Sooryavanshi's impressive U19 World Cup and IPL performances showcase his potential.

Once a cherished secret, India's offbeat travel destinations are rapidly becoming mainstream. What began as a quiet escape for a few now faces overcrowding, mirroring global trends. As infrastructure improves and social media fuels aspiration, the very charm of these places is threatened. Travelers grapple with the desire for authentic experiences versus their role in accelerating discovery and its consequences.

George Russell seized pole position for the Austrian Grand Prix after Max Verstappen crashed out in qualifying. Russell's Mercedes outpaced Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, who will start second and third respectively. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli qualified fourth, while Verstappen will start fifth. The race promises a thrilling Mercedes-Ferrari showdown with Verstappen aiming to climb the field.

Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has voiced strong criticism regarding Bengaluru's urban development, lamenting the loss of its 'garden city' identity. She shared a stark visual comparison of current concrete-heavy infrastructure against a greener, more pedestrian-friendly alternative. Social media users echoed her concerns, attributing the city's decline to poor planning, corruption, and a lack of accountability from administrators and politicians.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has commenced an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, joining the Cockroach Janata Party's protest demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. The demonstration, supported by students and farmer leaders, highlights alleged examination irregularities and calls for greater transparency and accountability in the education system. Concerns have been raised about potential house arrests of farmer leaders attempting to join the protest.

England captain Ben Stokes was seen rallying Jofra Archer to join team celebrations during the third Test against New Zealand. After spinner Shoaib Bashir took a wicket, Archer initially stayed apart, seemingly frustrated by a dropped catch earlier. Stokes' decisive gesture emphasized team unity, drawing Archer back into the fold, a moment that resonated with fans praising his leadership.

The Homi Adajania directorial 'Cocktail 2' is heading into its tenth day of release. The Shahid Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna and Kriti Sanon starrer faces a direct box office battle with the newly released multi-starrer 'Welcome to the Jungle.' While Akshay Kumar's adventure-comedy captured a vast majority of single-screen layouts and prime-time multiplex slots over the weekend, 'Cocktail 2' leveraged glowing word-of-mouth to post a strong 6.3% second Saturday trajectory. Backed by solid international collection and steady urban multi-plex footfalls, the film is steadily veering towards the coveted Rs. 100 crore domestic club.

Isro has successfully tested a new semi-cryogenic engine, achieving 175 tonnes of thrust. This crucial step towards a more powerful LVM-3 rocket is expected to significantly boost payload capacity for future launches. The engine's advanced turbopumps also performed exceptionally. This development is vital for India's growing ambitions in space exploration and commercial launches.

The BJP has strongly criticized the opposition for allegedly spreading "hostile propaganda" regarding India's counter-terror Operation Sindoor. Party leader Amit Malviya accused opposition leaders of misrepresenting defence minister Rajnath Singh's statement and demanded an apology for undermining the sacrifices of Indian soldiers. The BJP asserted Operation Sindoor was a major success, neutralizing over 100 terrorists and damaging Pakistani military infrastructure, while emphasizing the government's consistent honor for fallen heroes.