India

The Defence Ministry has signed contracts with ACE Limited and JCB India Limited for the procurement of 1,868 Rough Terrain Fork Lift Trucks (RTFLT) for the Indian armed forces, costing Rs 697.35 crore in total. This critical equipment will enhance operational effectiveness by assisting in combat and logistics tasks, while also promoting employment generation in the MSME sector through component manufacturing. The procurement signifies a significant step towards modernizing India's defence infrastructure and supporting indigenous industries as part of the 'Aatmnirbhar Bharat' initiative. Full Article

Rohit Sharma denied Axar Patel a hat-trick opportunity during India's ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 game against Bangladesh in Dubai. Axar took two wickets in two balls but a dropped catch by Rohit on the hat-trick ball prevented the rare feat. Despite the missed chance, Axar finished the over with figures of 2/1, leaving Bangladesh struggling at 36/5 after nine overs. Full Article

Hamas released the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including Shiri Bibas and her two children, Ariel and Kfir, along with Oded Lifshitz, who were feared dead after the October 7, 2023, attack. The militants displayed the coffins on a stage in Gaza before handing them over to Red Cross vehicles for identification in Israel. The grim handover, marked by masked fighters and a somber atmosphere, served as a reminder of the lives lost during the 15-month war and ongoing ceasefire negotiations. Full Article

The Supreme Court denied bail to gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli, serving life imprisonment for the 2007 murder of Mumbai Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandekar. Despite claiming compliance with the 2006 remission policy, his plea was rejected by the Bombay High Court, which was upheld by the Supreme Court. Arun Gawli, founder of the Akhil Bharatiya Sena and former MLA, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2012 for the murder case. Full Article

The Australian and New Zealand militaries are closely monitoring three Chinese warships moving south along Australia's east coast on a mysterious mission, with Defense Minister Richard Marles confirming the ships' presence off the Australian coast. The naval frigate Hengyang, cruiser Zunyi, and replenishment vessel Weishanhu, from China's People's Liberation Army, are reportedly 150 nautical miles east of Sydney, prompting heightened surveillance by Australian navy ships and air force planes. This unusual event has raised concerns and is being closely monitored by defense officials in the region. Full Article

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the military services to identify $50 billion in programs to cut next year to fund President Donald Trump's priorities, such as building the Iron Dome for America and securing borders. Robert Salesses, performing the duties of deputy secretary of defense, emphasized redirecting Pentagon spending to support warfighters and targeting excessive bureaucracy, climate change programs, and diversity initiatives deemed wasteful. The $50 billion in savings would represent approximately 8% of the military's budget, with specific details on which programs would be cut still unclear. Full Article

US President Donald Trump's plan to impose a 25% tariff on imports of automobiles, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals could negatively impact India, with the pharma sector being hit the hardest due to heavy reliance on the US market. While the semiconductor industry is not expected to be significantly affected, higher levies on auto parts could hurt the auto components segment, which saw a 7% growth to $11.1 billion in the first half of FY25, with North America accounting for 31% of exports. Pharma exports to the US reached $8.73 billion in FY24, making up 31% of the industry's total exports, raising...

Four women Maoists were killed in an encounter with Madhya Pradesh Police in Balaghat district, as part of intensified anti-Maoist operations led by director general of Police Kailash Makwana. The operation involved the state's Hawk Force and local police teams near the Chhattisgarh border, resulting in the neutralization of four hardcore Maoists and the recovery of weapons. Police teams are continuing combing operations in the area to maintain security. Full Article

The government is organizing a new defence industry showcase to highlight indigenous technologies and boost exports through business partnerships. The event will consolidate previous separate shows, such as AeroIndia, to focus on land, air, and naval systems, addressing challenges like limited space and traffic flow. This move aims to streamline the exhibition process and facilitate greater participation from stakeholders in promoting India's defence industry. Full Article

Akshay Kumar warned Saif Ali Khan about Kareena Kapoor when they were connecting on the sets of 'Tashan' in 2008; however, Saif and Kareena eventually got married in 2012 after developing a karmic connection while working together. Kareena recalled Akshay cautioning Saif to tread carefully with her, but Saif was confident in his understanding of her, and they bonded during a low point in Kareena's career while filming the movie. Full Article