Bilawal Bhutto takes a U-turn after failed rhetoric against India, calls for a joint fight against terrorism
In a notable shift in tone following recent tensions, former Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has called on India to join Pakistan in building a historic, phenomenal partnership to combat terrorism and foster regional peace. Speaking at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute on the topic “Pakistan Fighting War for the World against Terrorism”, Bhutto urged India to move beyond hostility and embrace collaborative engagement.
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Awadhi meets Japan: Matcha biryani and nihari are the fusion we didn’t know we needed
Matcha, a finely ground green tea powder, has transcended its traditional Japanese origins to become a global sensation. Once primarily a ceremonial drink, it’s now a ubiquitous presence, cherished for its distinctive taste and vibrant hue. Social media feeds are awash with matcha enthusiasts whisking, sipping, rating, and sharing their favourite matcha spots. However, the matcha craze has recently taken an unexpected turn, venturing beyond beverages into uncharted culinary territory—specifically, into savoury Indian dishes that no one saw coming.
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Rs 272.98 per litre: Pakistan hikes petrol, diesel prices even as crude oil edges lower
People of Pakistan are already facing a multitude of challenges, including high inflation. To make things worse, the government has announced a hike in petrol and diesel prices. In a significant blow to the common man, the country’s Finance Division has announced a fuel price hike for a fortnight. According to reports, the price of petrol in Pakistan has increased by Rs 10.39 per litre. This is the second such hike in less than a month. On June 16, 2025, petrol rose by Rs 4.80 per litre and high-speed diesel by Rs 7.95.
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Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm users: NPCI new rules for beneficiary name now live for UPI payments
The first half of 2025 has come to a close, and we’re now stepping into the second half of the year. Starting today, there are some important updates regarding UPI and credit card transactions. If you’re a UPI user, pay attention to this change: all UPI apps will now display only the ultimate beneficiary’s name on the pre-transaction page. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has issued a mandate requiring that the ultimate beneficiary of a UPI transaction be displayed prominently starting today, July 1. This information will be visible both on the payer’s app and in transaction statements or histories. For those who may not be familiar, the ‘ultimate beneficiary’ refers to the banking name retrieved from the Validate Address API. This means the beneficiary information that is now accessible to UPI users will be directly retrieved from banking data sources.
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Supreme Court implements historic SC-ST reservation policy for staff recruitment and promotions
In a landmark decision aimed at promoting social justice and inclusivity, the Supreme Court of India has officially implemented a reservation policy for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in direct recruitment and promotions for non-judicial staff positions. The move marks the first time the apex court has adopted such a policy, aligning itself with other public institutions and several High Courts.
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India, Pakistan exchange lists of prisoners and fishermen; New Delhi seeks early repatriation
India and Pakistan on Tuesday exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen held in each other’s custody, continuing a long-standing diplomatic practice. The exchange was carried out simultaneously through official diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad, in accordance with the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access signed in 2008. As per the agreement, both nations share these lists biannually on January 1 and July 1.
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New national highway to come up in Tamil Nadu soon as Union Cabinet gives nod: Check project cost
A four-lane new national highway will soon come up in Tamil Nadu. The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved the construction of the Paramakudi-Ramanathapuram Section of NH-87 in the state at a cost of Rs 1,853 crore.
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Why T Raja Singh, Hindutva’s poster boy, continues to be a headache for Telangana BJP?
Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA T Raja Singh on Monday tendered resignation from party amid a leadership tussle in the Telangana unit of the party. He announced the decision to resign from party shortly after media reports suggested that N Ramchander Rao is set to be the new president of BJP’s Telangana unit.
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Minor girl from Prayagraj lured to Kerala for forced conversion and terror recruitment: Police
A harrowing case of alleged forced religious conversion and recruitment into a terror outfit has come to light, involving a 15-year-old Dalit girl from Phoolpur, Prayagraj district. The minor was reportedly lured to Kerala and coerced into converting to Islam, with plans to involve her in extremist activities. Two suspects have been arrested so far.
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India’s upgraded Agni-5 missile to carry massive bunker-buster warhead: All you need to know
The recent involvement of the United States in high-precision aerial warfare against Iran has set new benchmarks in global military strategy. With the deployment of advanced munitions such as bunker busters and precision-guided bombs, countries worldwide are reassessing their defence capabilities. India is no exception. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is now fast-tracking its efforts to develop an enhanced variant of the Agni-5 missile system, aimed at delivering massive conventional bunker-busting warheads.
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