Times of India

The Bombay High Court ruled that household religious symbols like crosses do not prove conversion from Hinduism to Christianity. The court set aside a committee's decision invalidating a student's Scheduled Caste claim, emphasizing that formal religious rites, not mere symbols, are required to prove conversion and abandon caste identity.

Amidst Middle East geopolitical tensions, India is bolstering energy security by exploring alternative sources, with Australia and Canada offering additional gas supplies. The nation's diversified import routes, with only 40% of crude passing through the Strait of Hormuz, ensure stable energy availability despite disruptions.

England's women cricketers have shifted their T20 World Cup prep camp to South Africa due to security concerns in Abu Dhabi. Around 30 players will compete in an intra-squad series in Pretoria, split into two teams named after former legends. This move aims to intensify competition for World Cup spots.

India faces New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final, aiming to defend their title and become three-time champions. Despite a previous loss to South Africa, India reached the final after a strong semi-final win. New Zealand, however, holds a perfect 3-0 record against India in T20 World Cups, seeking their maiden title.

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has apologized for recent strikes on neighboring nations. He stated Iran will not attack any country unless attacked first. This comes as an interim leadership council now governs the Islamic Republic. Pezeshkian also rejected calls for Iran's unconditional surrender. The foreign minister suggested the Revolutionary Guard Corps is operating independently.

The upcoming patent expiry for Ozempic in India is set to dramatically lower the cost of semaglutide, making this once-premium diabetes and weight-loss drug accessible to more patients. This shift could reshape the market, prompting earlier prescriptions and potentially altering societal views on weight management and body acceptance.

Dedicated cargo flights are delivering fresh produce to the UAE as regional aviation disruptions impact traditional supply routes. Retailers are arranging special shipments from overseas to ensure supermarket shelves remain stocked with fruits, vegetables, and other perishables, maintaining steady supplies for residents.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that India granted permission for an Iranian warship facing difficulties to dock in Kochi, guided by humanitarian principles. He noted that another Iranian vessel, IRIS Dena, was caught on the "wrong side of events" near Sri Lanka and was subsequently sunk by the US Navy.

A Russian missile strike on Kharkiv killed at least seven people, including two children, after a residential apartment block was destroyed. The attack was part of a wider wave of strikes across Ukraine, with other regions also reporting casualties and injuries. Poland scrambled military aircraft in response to the ongoing Russian assaults.

The US has greenlit an emergency $151.8 million arms sale of bomb casings to Israel amidst escalating Middle East conflict. This move, bypassing Congress, aims to bolster Israel's defense and deter regional threats. The sale includes crucial support services, with some equipment drawn from US stockpiles, as fighting intensifies between Israel and Iran.

Ravichandran Ashwin observed Varun Chakravarthy's bowling struggles, noting a dip in confidence when attacked early. Despite a wicket, Chakravarthy conceded 64 runs in the T20 World Cup semi-final, a costly spell. Ashwin advised tactical adjustments and warned against bowling round the wicket to left-handers, emphasizing the need for improved length and line variations.

A shocking incident unfolded in Bhopal Rural where a 41-year-old man allegedly raped an 8-year-old girl. The accused lured the child into his shanty, trapping her inside. Her screams alerted a neighbor, leading to her rescue by locals who apprehended and thrashed the suspect before police arrived. The accused faces charges under BNS and POCSO Act.

Global oil prices have surged dramatically this week. The ongoing conflict involving Iran has intensified, raising fears of prolonged energy supply disruptions from the Middle East. Key energy routes and facilities are disrupted. This has pushed oil and gas prices higher across global markets. Consumers and businesses are facing rising fuel costs.

Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir met Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman amidst escalating Middle East tensions following Iranian attacks. The meeting discussed halting these strikes under their Joint Strategic Defense Agreement, highlighting concerns for regional security. This follows reports of Turkey seeking a defense alliance with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, potentially forming an 'Islamic Nato'.

Google, following Microsoft and Amazon, assures users that Anthropic's AI models, including Claude, remain available for non-defense projects. This comes after the Pentagon blacklisted the startup over supply chain risks due to its refusal to grant unrestricted access for applications deemed unsafe. Despite the Pentagon's move, major cloud providers are backing Anthropic's commercial use.

Shocking discovery in Alappuzha as cleaning staff found human body parts, including a right arm and toe, beneath a train coach on Saturday. The Alappuzha–Dhanbad Express was stationed at the pit-line yard when the grim find was made. Railway police have initiated an unnatural death investigation, seeking information from other states to trace the origin of the remains.