Tata Group Establishes ₹500 Crore Welfare Trust for Air India Crash Victims
The Tata Group has established a ₹500 crore charitable trust to support victims of the Air India flight AI-171 crash that killed 260 people in Ahmedabad last month. Tata Sons and Tata Trusts will contribute ₹250 crore each to the 'AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust'. The fund will provide immediate and long-term support to the families of the deceased, the injured, and others affected by the tragedy, including first responders and disaster relief professionals involved in the aftermath.
Perplexity AI Surpasses ChatGPT on India's Apple App Store Rankings
Aravind Srinivas-led Perplexity AI has become the top free app on the Apple App Store in India, overtaking OpenAI's ChatGPT. The surge is attributed to a strategic partnership with telecom operator Airtel, which is offering its customers a free premium subscription to Perplexity Pro. The Pro version provides access to advanced AI models like GPT-4.1 and Claude. This development highlights the intense competition in the AI market, with local partnerships significantly influencing user adoption and challenging the dominance of established global players.
Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' IMAX Tickets Sell Out a Year in Advance
Advance tickets for director Christopher Nolan's upcoming film, 'The Odyssey', have sold out for its opening weekend in several IMAX theaters, a full year before its July 2026 release. The film, a retelling of Homer's epic shot entirely with IMAX 70mm cameras, has generated unprecedented demand, with screenings at key venues in New York, Los Angeles, and Melbourne being snapped up within minutes. The early rush highlights the immense anticipation for Nolan's large-format filmmaking, turning the pre-sale into a cinematic event.
Over 60 Killed in Massive Iraq Mall Fire
A devastating fire in a newly opened mall in Kut, eastern Iraq, has killed at least 61 people, with many dying from suffocation. The blaze, which broke out late Wednesday in the five-story building, also left over 45 people injured. Officials have declared three days of mourning and filed legal cases against the building and mall owners. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about poor building standards in Iraq, which have contributed to several deadly fires in recent years.
CBI Secures Return of 134 Fugitives in 5 Years, Nearly Doubling Previous Decade's Total
India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has facilitated the return of 134 fugitives from abroad since 2020, a sharp increase from the 74 repatriated between 2010 and 2019. Officials attribute the success to enhanced diplomatic engagement, improved international coordination through Interpol, and new technology like the 'Bharatpol' digital portal, which has cut Red Notice issuance times by half. A recent success includes the arrest of Nehal Modi, brother of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, in the U.S. for extradition proceedings.
India Cautions Against 'Double Standards' Amid US Sanctions Threat Over Russian Oil
India has responded to warnings from the US and NATO about potential secondary sanctions on countries trading with Russia, cautioning against "double standards." The Ministry of External Affairs stated that securing India's energy needs is a top priority, guided by market availability and global circumstances. The statement follows threats from NATO's chief and moves by US lawmakers to impose heavy tariffs on countries, including India, that import Russian oil, complicating ongoing India-US trade negotiations and diplomatic relations.
Bihar Government Announces 125 Units of Free Electricity Ahead of Polls
In a major populist move ahead of Assembly elections, Bihar's government has announced it will provide up to 125 units of free electricity per month to all domestic consumers. The policy, set to benefit an estimated 1.67 crore households, will take effect from August 1, applying to bills from July. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also announced plans to promote solar power, aiming to produce 10,000 MW in the next three years, including installing solar panels on homes.
ED Files First Chargesheet Against Robert Vadra in Gurugram Land Case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed its first chargesheet against Robert Vadra, his firm Skylight Hospitality, and others in a money laundering case linked to a 2008 Gurugram land deal. The agency also attached 43 immovable properties worth ₹37.64 crore connected to Vadra. The case pertains to the alleged fraudulent purchase and subsequent sale of 3.5 acres of land, resulting in a large profit. Vadra has denied the allegations, calling the investigation a politically motivated "witch hunt."
South Korea's Top Court Clears Samsung Chairman in Merger Fraud Case
South Korea's Supreme Court has upheld a not-guilty verdict for Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee, ending a nearly decade-long legal battle over a controversial 2015 corporate merger. Prosecutors had alleged the $8 billion merger between two Samsung affiliates involved stock manipulation and accounting fraud to cement Lee's control over the conglomerate. The final ruling removes significant legal uncertainty for Lee and Samsung, a development business groups welcomed as a stabilizing factor for the South Korean economy.
Nationwide Protests Planned in US Against Trump's Policies
A coalition of activist groups is organizing protests at over 1,600 locations across the United States on Thursday to oppose President Donald Trump's policies on mass deportations and cuts to healthcare programs. The national day of action, themed "Good Trouble Lives On," honors the legacy of late civil rights leader John Lewis. Major demonstrations are planned in cities like Chicago, Atlanta, and Oakland, marking the latest wave of public pushback against the administration's immigration enforcement tactics and social spending cuts.
Odisha Partially Shut Down by Protest Over Student's Death
A 12-hour bandh called by the opposition Congress and other parties partially paralyzed life across Odisha on Thursday. The shutdown was a protest against the government's handling of a case involving a Balasore college student who died by self-immolation after allegedly being denied justice in a sexual harassment case. Protestors blocked roads and railways, while markets and schools remained closed. The strike aimed to highlight concerns over women's safety and demand accountability from the newly formed state government.
Bombay High Court Upholds Constitutional Validity of UAPA Anti-Terror Law
The Bombay High Court has dismissed petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the sedition law (Section 124A of IPC). A division bench held that the UAPA, a stringent anti-terror law, is constitutionally sound. The challenge was brought by a Mumbai resident who argued that the law gives the executive blanket power to designate individuals or organizations as terrorists without adequate safeguards or clear definitions, rendering it unconstitutional. The court found no merit in these arguments.
Bangladesh Halts Demolition of Satyajit Ray's Ancestral Home After Indian Plea
The government of Bangladesh has suspended the demolition of filmmaker Satyajit Ray's ancestral home in Mymensingh following interventions from India. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Indian central government had expressed deep regret over the razing of the dilapidated property, a symbol of shared Bengali cultural heritage. In response, Bangladeshi authorities have halted the work and formed a committee to explore options for reconstructing the historic house, with India offering its cooperation for the project.
Indore Named India's Cleanest City for Eighth Consecutive Year
Indore has been declared India's cleanest city for the eighth consecutive time in the central government's annual 'Swachh Survekshan' cleanliness survey. Surat and Navi Mumbai secured the second and third positions, respectively. The awards were presented by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony in New Delhi. In the category for cities with a population between 3 and 10 lakh, Noida was ranked the cleanest. Indore's consistent performance continues to set a national benchmark for urban sanitation and waste management.
State Bus Service Reaches Remote Maoist-Hit Maharashtra Village for First Time
For the first time since independence, a state-run bus service has reached Markanar, a remote village in Maharashtra's once Maoist-hit Gadchiroli district. The new service, a result of efforts by the Gadchiroli police, connects the village at the foothills of the Abujhmad forest to the town of Aheri. Local residents, including students, welcomed the inaugural bus with cheers and the national flag. The initiative marks a significant step in improving connectivity and bringing development to the region, benefiting over 1,200 people.