World

Indian Umrah pilgrims often lack awareness about claiming accidental death insurance due to gaps among Indian tour operators. The mandatory Umrah insurance covers medical emergencies, accidental death, and repatriation, but families sometimes struggle to access benefits after tragic incidents abroad

US envoy Steve Witkoff met Vladimir Putin in Moscow to advance Washington’s early-stage Ukraine peace plan, as Volodymyr Zelenskyy sought European support in Ireland and Paris. Major gaps remain over territory and security guarantees, while both sides face mounting military and political pressure

Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of Bangladesh’s BNP, plans to return from London as his mother, former PM Khaleda Zia, remains critically ill on ventilation. Security around her Dhaka hospital has been tightened amid heightened political and electoral developments

Militants ambushed the vehicle of North Waziristan Assistant Commissioner Shah Waliullah in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district, killing him, two policemen and a local. The chief minister condemned the attack amid rising TTP-linked terrorist incidents targeting security forces in the region

A Russian tanker carrying sunflower oil to Georgia was attacked in the Black Sea near Turkey, days after Ukrainian drone strikes on two Russian “shadow fleet” vessels. Turkey condemned the escalating attacks, warning they endanger navigation and occur within its exclusive economic zone

A female BLA suicide bomber attacked an FC headquarters in Balochistan, triggering a gunfight in which six militants were killed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a presidential pardon to halt his years-long corruption trial, citing national security demands. Critics warn the move threatens judicial independence and reflects his efforts to secure political survival ahead of elections expected next year

Apple has appointed AI researcher Amar Subramanya as vice president of AI, reporting to Craig Federighi. John Giannandrea will step down and retire in 2026. Subramanya, formerly at Microsoft and Google, will lead Apple’s Foundation Models, ML research, and AI safety efforts.

Starbucks will pay USD 35 million to over 15,000 New York City workers for violating scheduling laws, as political leaders Zohran Mamdani and Bernie Sanders joined striking baristas. The settlement mandates compliance with Fair Workweek rules and offers reinstatement for laid-off staff.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot dropped Mohamed Salah in the 2-0 win over West Ham, sparking debate about his future. Slot said Salah remains vital for the club and is expected to return against Sunderland in Wednesday’s midweek Premier League clash

Shubman Gill will undergo a fitness test at Bengaluru’s Centre of Excellence to decide his availability for the South Africa T20Is. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya has been cleared to return and will play Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches for Baroda

Kuldeep Yadav hailed Virat Kohli’s 135-run knock against South Africa in Ranchi, saying it reminded him of Kohli’s peak years between 2016 and 2019. Kohli’s innings powered India to a 17-run win in the series opener

India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak dismissed speculation over Virat Kohli’s ODI future, saying his fitness, form and impact make him indispensable. Kohli’s century powered India to a 17-run win over South Africa in the Ranchi ODI

Olympian Sift Kaur Samra expressed confidence that shooting will be included when India hosts the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Fresh from medals at KIUG and Asian Championships, she said the event will inspire youth and boost sports culture in the country

Oxford University Press has named “rage bait” as its Word of the Year 2025. The term describes online content deliberately designed to provoke anger and engagement, reflecting the growing awareness of digital manipulation and polarisation in modern internet culture

Hong Kong authorities confirmed the death toll from the apartment complex fire has climbed to 151 after additional bodies were recovered. Search teams continue operations, with 104 people still missing after the massive blaze that burned from Wednesday until Friday morning

As Princess Aiko turns 24, her rising popularity intensifies calls to end Japan’s male-only imperial succession. Supporters fear the monarchy’s extinction as only one young male heir remains, while conservatives resist reforms despite public admiration for Aiko’s growing role and service

A long-hidden Rubens Crucifixion painting, mis-attributed for centuries and valued at only US$10,000, was authenticated by experts and sold in Versailles for US$2.3 million after scientific analysis confirmed pigments and provenance tracing back to William Bouguereau’s collection

President Donald Trump said he has invited the families of Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, who was fatally shot in Washington, DC, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, who remains critical. Vigils were held in West Virginia as authorities pursue charges against a 29-year-old Afghan national.

At least 334 people have died and 370 remain missing as Cyclone Ditwah wreaks havoc across Sri Lanka. Rescue efforts are hampered by communication breakdowns, while President Dissanayake calls it the country’s worst disaster and pledges full state support for recovery.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has strongly defended the H-1B visa programme, highlighting how the US economy benefits from Indian immigrants and stressing the need for high-skill talent. Speaking on Nikhil Kamath’s podcast, Musk acknowledged misuse of the system by outsourcing firms but urged reforms instead of shutting it down.

Rohit Sharma broke Shahid Afridi’s record to become the batter with most sixes in ODI history. He smashed his 352nd six during the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi, achieving the feat in his 270th innings

Belgium defeated India 1-0 in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final in Malaysia. Thibeau Stockbroekx scored the decisive goal in the 34th minute as India failed to convert penalty corners and settled for silver in the prestigious hockey tournament

India defeated South Africa by 17 runs in the first ODI at Ranchi. Virat Kohli’s century, Rohit Sharma’s record-breaking knock, and Kuldeep Yadav’s four wickets powered India to a 1-0 lead in the three-match series