World

Tencent has withdrawn its $1-billion financing commitment from Paramount Skydance’s $77.9-billion hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, amid concerns over CFIUS national-security review. Saudi, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar funds continue financing, giving up management rights to avoid scrutiny

Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado will not attend the Oslo ceremony; her daughter will accept the award. Machado, recognized for promoting democracy in Venezuela, has been largely absent from public life and barred from running against President Maduro

US Ambassador Tom Barrack said the Trump-Erdogan rapport is improving US-Turkiye ties, reviving discussions on Turkiye’s readmission to the F-35 programme despite its Russian S-400 system. Ankara seeks fighter jets while also developing its own KAAN jet for 2028 deployment

Archaeologists in Jerusalem uncovered the longest intact Hasmonean wall foundations, revealing possible evidence of a 2,100-year-old ceasefire with King Antiochus VII. The 50-metre wall, partially dismantled, may also have served as King Herod’s palace foundation, linking archaeology with ancient historical accounts 

US President Donald Trump has again claimed he “ended” the May conflict between India and Pakistan, repeating the assertion at a Pennsylvania rally. India has consistently rejected any suggestion of third-party intervention in resolving the four-day cross-border hostilities.

Australia’s historic ban preventing under-16s from holding accounts on major social media platforms came into force on Wednesday. While public support is high, concerns remain over its effectiveness, enforcement challenges, and potential privacy risks flagged by global platforms.

US President Donald Trump shifted focus to domestic concerns at a Pennsylvania rally, invoking affordability amid economic anxieties. While reiterating past achievements, he avoided new policy specifics, as Republican lawmakers worry high prices and slipping poll numbers could hurt them in next year’s House elections.

The main reason for cancellation or rescheduling of the H-1B appointment is attributed to the US State Department's new social media vetting policy

The IPL 2026 auction will feature 350 players, including 240 Indians, competing for 77 slots across 10 teams. Quinton de Kock is a late addition, while Steve Smith returns to the list. KKR holds the biggest purse at Rs 64.3 crore

Hardik Pandya marked his return with a blazing 59 not out and a key wicket as India defeated South Africa by 101 runs in the opening T20I at Cuttack. Jasprit Bumrah completed 100 wickets as India took a 1-0 lead

Hyderabad shooting mentor Niranjan Reddy, who trained Olympian Gagan Narang and Deaflympics star Dhanush Srikanth, has earned the prestigious ISSF License A certificate in Doha, making him one of only 10 worldwide to achieve this milestone

Telangana’s GM Prraneeth Vuppala won the Rome City Aperta International Chess Tournament, scoring eight points from nine rounds. The 17-year-old will soon compete in international tournaments across the Netherlands, Spain and other European countries, continuing his rise in world chess

Telangana’s Jameel Khan won gold in the traditional weapon category at the International Martial Arts Championship in Toronto, Canada. Competing in the senior black belt division for the 50 years and above age group, he outshone athletes from 30 countries

A Russian An-22 military transport aircraft with seven people on board crashed in the Ivanovo region during its first flight after repairs. The Defence Ministry said the aircraft went down in an unpopulated area as rescue teams rushed to the site

A deadly fire tore through a seven-story drone company office in Central Jakarta, killing at least 22 people, including a pregnant woman. Sparked by a malfunctioning battery, the blaze spread quickly, prompting dramatic rooftop rescues before firefighters contained it

Indian intelligence warns of increased terror threats from Pakistan, with Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed coordinating operations nationwide. Focus includes Jammu & Kashmir, religious sites in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, cyber attacks, and disinformation campaigns, aiming to incite communal unrest and destabilize India

Lithuania declared a national emergency after Belarus-launched balloons repeatedly violated its airspace, disrupting airports and carrying contraband. Officials cite national security risks, human safety concerns, and potential hybrid warfare amid heightened NATO vigilance over Russian-linked airspace threats

Following a National Guard shooting by an Afghan national, ICE has increased arrests of Afghan immigrants across the US, including asylum seekers and Operation Allies Welcome arrivals, causing fear among families and raising concerns over collective punishment of a vulnerable population 

Priyanka Chopra Jonas reflected on her 25-year journey from Miss World to Bollywood and Hollywood, highlighting hard work, sacrifices, and resilience. She stressed creating opportunities, learning from failures, valuing family, and advising youth to protect their mental health amid challenges 

Scientists documented 16,600 theropod dinosaur footprints in Toro Toro, Bolivia, the largest collection worldwide. Tracks reveal behavior, herd dynamics, and swimming attempts, while human activity threatens preservation. Research continues to uncover insights into dinosaurs’ lives during the late Cretaceous

The US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas nears completion of its first phase, with a complex second phase planned, involving disarmament, Gaza reconstruction, international oversight, Palestinian governance reforms, and Israeli withdrawals, amid uncertainties over Hamas compliance and regional cooperation 

The IMF approved a fresh US$ 1.2 billion disbursement to Pakistan under the Extended Fund Facility and Resilience Sustainability Facility, praising macroeconomic stability post-floods, while urging reforms in energy, public finances, and climate resilience to support sustainable growth

Cuba’s Supreme Court sentenced former economy minister Alejandro Gil to life imprisonment for espionage and an additional 20 years for corruption-related crimes. Once a key ally of President Díaz-Canel, Gil was accused of abusing power, bribery and links with foreign firms

Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina accused a small group of unelected politicians of seizing state power and using courts to eliminate her politically. In an exclusive interview, she termed the verdict against her biased, flagged foreign interference, and thanked Prime Minister Modi for support during her crisis.