Russia-Azerbaijan tensions soar: What’s behind the rift and how could this reshape regional balance?
Once seen as steady partners in the post-Soviet space, Russia and Azerbaijan are now caught in a spiralling diplomatic row. A series of events over the past six months, from the crash of an Azerbaijani passenger jet that Baku blames on Moscow to the recent deaths of ethnic Azerbaijanis in Russian police raids, have sharply tested the limits of this relationship. Add to that Azerbaijan’s growing tilt toward Turkey and Ukraine, and the result is a confrontation that threatens to reshape power dynamics in the South Caucasus. The fallout is no longer limited to words.
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Delhi govt seeks pause on fuel ban for older vehicles, Sirsa writes to air quality panel
The Delhi government on Thursday wrote to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), saying the fuel ban on overage vehicles is not feasible due to technological challenges and complex systems.
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Bengaluru stampede: Karnataka govt moves HC against CAT’s order revoking Vikas Kumar’s suspension
The Karnataka government on Wednesday moved high court, challenging the Central Administrative Tribunal’s decision to revoke the suspension of senior IPS officer Vikas Kumar in connection with the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede case.
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Bengaluru: Infosys employee arrested for secretly filming woman in office washroom
An Infosys employee, Swapnil Nagesh Mali, working as a Senior Associate Consultant in the Helix department, has been arrested for allegedly filming a female colleague inside the women’s washroom at the company’s campus.
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Maharashtra’s elderly couple plough field themselves with no money for cattle, video sparks outrage
A heart-rending story from Maharashtra’s Latur district has left the people emotional. A viral video from Ahmadpur taluka shows an elderly farmer couple working their field under extreme poverty, so much so that the husband ties himself to the plough like an ox, while his aged wife walks behind, guiding the plough through the parched land. This distressing scene reflects the harsh reality of rural poverty, where elderly citizens, instead of resting in their twilight years, are forced to labour in scorching fields due to the lack of basic farming resources.
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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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