Bharti Airtel is strategically shifting its focus towards data centres, cloud services, and financial services as key drivers for its next phase of growth, leveraging significant past investments in digital infrastructure, as outlined by Chairman Sunil Mittal in the company's Annual Report for 2025-26.
Iran's state broadcaster IRIB reported that the Qatari oil tanker "Al-Raqayat" was targeted in the Strait of Hormuz after allegedly ignoring Iranian warnings and attempting to transit with US Navy support. This incident follows the expiry of a US-Iran agreement to halt strikes and comes amidst escalating tit-for-tat attacks in the vital waterway, raising concerns about maritime security.
A Congress spokesperson, quoted in media reports, summed up the party's thinking by saying, 'Whenever BJP is in trouble on the ground, a new 'apolitical' or 'alternative' party appears with the same ideology and the same backers.'
'I don't see fear becoming a dominant factor for retail investors.'
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has mandated that banks must dispose of immovable assets acquired against bad loans within seven years through public auction, effective October 1, 2026, and has also barred their sale back to the original borrower or related parties.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged theft and embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has found repeated instances of employees concealing cash during counting and flagged serious security and supervision lapses. The preliminary report, shared with the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, indicates systematic irregularities and financial discrepancies among employees, leading to arrests and resignations within the trust.
Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) has declared the Strait of Hormuz closed due to 'recent illegal movements' by the US military, demanding transit permits, while the US Central Command (CENTCOM) insists the strait is 'open to all vessels' and vows to ensure 'freedom of navigation'.
New allegations have surfaced in the shocking Jaipur murder case, where a daughter is accused of orchestrating her mother's killing for property and a government job.
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The Maharashtra government has confirmed that Mumbai's first desalination project is moving forward, with a work order issued and key clearances secured. This 200 MLD project, undertaken by the BMC, aims to address the city's growing water demand and will result in a minor tariff hike of 15-17 paise per litre.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust held a crucial meeting in Ayodhya to deliberate on the resignations of general secretary Champat Rai and member Anil Mishra, following allegations of embezzlement of donations. The meeting also reviewed the ongoing SIT probe into the alleged theft.
The murder of a commuter on a Mumbai suburban train has sparked a debate in the Maharashtra assembly, with the Opposition demanding answers on passenger safety. Speaker Rahul Narwekar has directed the government to provide a statement on the incident, investigation progress, and safety measures by June 29. The incident involved the fatal stabbing of a 22-year-old during an argument over train doors, with the accused already arrested.
The United States on Friday issued a 'security alert' for its citizens in Bangladesh, asking them to remain vigilant and avoid crowds as political violence or extremist attacks may occur, potentially targeting rallies, polling stations, and religious sites during the election period.
Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh has petitioned the Punjab and Haryana High Court, seeking the restoration of his security cover after it was withdrawn following his defection from AAP to BJP. Singh cites a mob attack on his residence and potential threats as reasons for the plea.
The second edition of the Kerala Cricket League (KCL) will hold its player auction on Saturday in Thiruvananthapuram. Six franchises will bid for 156 players from a shortlisted pool of 173, with veteran auctioneer Charu Sharma conducting the event. Teams have a budget of Rs 50 lakh and players are categorised by experience, with varying base prices.
Lawyers of the Faizabad Bar Association on Thursday took out a protest march here and submitted a police complaint seeking an FIR against Ram Mandir Trust general secretary Champat Rai, trust member Anil Mishra and temple official Gopal Rao over alleged embezzlement of donation funds.
The second edition of the Kerala Cricket League (KCL) will hold its player auction on Saturday in Thiruvananthapuram. Six franchises will bid for 156 players from a shortlisted pool of 173, with veteran auctioneer Charu Sharma conducting the event. Teams have a budget of Rs 50 lakh and players are categorised by experience, with varying base prices.
Former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi has begun vacating her official bungalow at 10 Circular Road in Patna, with the deadline expiring on Monday. Her belongings are being shifted to a private residence, and the bungalow has been allotted to Minister Nand Kishor Ram.
Donald Trump says several issues were settled during the final day of talks with Xi Jinping covering trade, tariffs, and diplomacy.
Notwithstanding the economic complementarities and the host of agreements for deepening economic relation on a host of areas, both sides share common viewpoints on the foreign policy domain and seek common grounds to serve as a counterweight to China, notes Dr Rajaram Panda.
Former India women's hockey captain Asunta Lakra has written to the Sports Ministry, SAI, and IOA, alleging institutional protection of sexual harassment and intimidation of women athletes within the sport. She claims she faced threats and a smear campaign after raising concerns about an individual, Sudhir Gola, and has accused Hockey India Secretary General Bholanath Singh of threatening her. Singh denies the allegations, linking them to upcoming elections, while Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey has acknowledged Lakra's concerns and promised an amicable resolution.
India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has sought an explanation from WhatsApp regarding its username feature, citing concerns over potential cybercrime facilitation. Concurrently, the ministry is investigating reported data leak allegations involving Tata Electronics, a key supplier for Apple's iPhone components in India. MeitY is also exploring techno-legal solutions for VPNs to address challenges posed by unregistered providers operating from outside India.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced plans to enact a stringent law against religious conversion and implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state. He linked these measures to strengthening national security and preserving Bengal's cultural identity, citing concerns over infiltration and demographic changes. Adhikari also highlighted efforts in border security, distinguished between illegal immigrants and CAA refugees, and paid tribute to Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a 'red' alert for Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad districts, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong winds. Residents are advised to avoid unnecessary travel, and warnings include potential flash floods, structural damage, and disruptions to essential services. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has also urged caution and deployed officials to monitor the situation.
The BJP has made significant gains in the Kerala Assembly elections, securing three seats and marking a potential breakthrough in a state where it has traditionally struggled.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed several measures to develop a more conducive framework for the long-term growth of Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs), including enhanced transaction security and clearer rules on refunds and grievance redressal.
Intelligence agencies have issued a security alert for Delhi and Uttarakhand due to a possible terror threat, prompted by an email warning of attacks. Key religious sites, government establishments, and police installations are under heightened surveillance. The alert follows incidents involving Nihang Sikhs in Uttarakhand, though the email's authenticity is under investigation.
The Punjab government has withdrawn Z-plus security cover for MP Raghav Chadha following a public disagreement with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). This decision has sparked criticism from opposition parties and raised questions about political motivations.
US President Donald Trump has claimed that Washington has the capability to liquidate the surviving Iranian leadership with "one shot" if it desired, pointing to the congregation of top Iranian officials attending the week-long state funeral for the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who lost his life in joint US-Israeli air strikes on February 28.
The Indian corporate bond market witnessed a significant surge, with companies raising nearly Rs 16,000 crore in a single day, primarily led by state-owned financial institutions and NBFCs. This strong momentum, driven by improved borrowing conditions and investor confidence, is expected to persist.
The Indian government has approved two major manufacturing initiatives worth nearly Rs 1.9 lakh crore (USD 22 billion) to expand the country's semiconductor ecosystem and scale up mobile phone production, aiming to strengthen its position as a global electronics manufacturing hub.
'Start with forgiveness,' counsels rediffGURU Archana Deshpande, an image consultant and founder of TransformMe Life Skills Coaching.
Kuwait's air defence systems engaged 'hostile aerial targets', Jordan intercepted four missiles, and Bahrain sounded warning sirens after Iran launched retaliatory strikes targeting US military installations in the region.
Donald Trump has issued a severe warning to Iran, threatening 'decimation' with '1,000 missiles' if the nation pursues alleged assassination plots against him, while Iranian officials accuse the US of violating a MoU amidst ongoing diplomatic talks.
The US and India are collaborating to de-risk global supply chains for artificial intelligence technologies, particularly in semiconductor manufacturing and critical minerals processing. This partnership is facilitated through the US-led Pax Silica initiative, which aims to address over-concentration issues and single points of failure in supply chains, fostering a resilient global economy.
'If there are different laws governing the same subject, it can increase the compliance burden on platforms. The process would be easier and more transparent if there were a singular national-level law.'
Patna High Court Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo emphasised the importance of mock drills to instill a sense of safety and security among citizens during an Anti-Terrorist Squad demonstration at the court premises.
Opposition parties have criticised the AAP government in Punjab following twin blasts in Jalandhar and Amritsar, citing a breakdown in law and order and intelligence systems. The blasts have sparked a political blame game, with accusations flying between the AAP and BJP.
'The government has to act as one unit since the threat from these newer models will soon scale up.'
Artificial intelligence major Anthropic has reinstated access to its Fable 5 and Mythos 5 AI models after the US government lifted export controls imposed due to national security concerns over a "jailbreak" vulnerability. The company has implemented new safeguards and is collaborating with major tech firms to develop a framework for addressing AI model vulnerabilities. India, a significant market for Anthropic, will see Fable 5 available globally, while Mythos 5 access expands under Project Glasswing.
