A 24-year-old American, Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, was arrested for illegally entering India's North Sentinel Island, home to the isolated Sentinelese tribe. He approached the island with a coconut and a can of Diet Coke as offerings, attempting to make contact. Despite laws prohibiting travel within 5 km of the island to protect its inhabitants from external diseases, Polyakov landed briefly, left the items, collected sand samples, and recorded a video before returning. He is currently in police custody for further interrogation. This incident echoes the 2018 death of American missionary John Allen Chau, who was killed by the Sentinelese after illegally venturing onto the island. (PC: Chiang Rai Times)

Georgia Southern University has named Avinandan Mukherjee as its next provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. Mukherjee, a tenured marketing professor, has over 16 years of institutional leadership experience, most recently serving as provost at Marshall University. He previously held deanships at Marshall’s Lewis College of Business and Clayton State University’s College of Business.   University President Kyle Marrero praised Mukherjee’s leadership, global perspective, and commitment to academic excellence. Mukherjee expressed excitement for the role, emphasizing innovation and adaptability in higher education. He holds a doctorate from IIM Ahmedabad and an engineering degree from Jadavpur University. (PC: New India Abroad)

A Virgin Atlantic flight from London to Mumbai was diverted to Turkey's Diyarbakir Airport due to a passenger's medical emergency. Subsequently, the aircraft encountered technical issues, leaving over 250 passengers stranded for more than 39 hours. Many passengers, including vulnerable individuals, reported inadequate food and facilities. Due to visa restrictions, they were initially confined to the airport. Virgin Atlantic apologized, stating that passengers have been provided hotel accommodations and refreshments while awaiting aircraft inspections. The airline is exploring options to continue the journey, either by obtaining necessary approvals for the current aircraft or arranging alternative transportation. (PC: Business Today & Virgin)

President Donald Trump's recent imposition of a 10% baseline tariff on all imports, with higher rates for key partners—34% for China and 20% for the European Union—has sparked global condemnation and fears of an escalating trade war. Financial markets reacted sharply, with U.S. stock indices experiencing their worst one-day losses since 2020. Economists warn that these tariffs could lead to increased consumer prices, with projections suggesting a high-end iPhone could cost nearly $2,300 if costs are passed on. Countries like China, the EU, and Canada have announced retaliatory measures, raising concerns about potential inflation, recession risks, and long-term damage to global trade cooperation. (PC: The New York Times)

The Rajya Sabha has passed the Waqf Amendment Bill, following its earlier approval in the Lok Sabha. The bill received 128 votes in favor and 95 against in the Upper House. BJP Minister J.P. Nadda emphasized the government's commitment to genuine service, stating, "We believe in real service, not lip service." Opposition parties, including Congress, have criticized the bill as unconstitutional and discriminatory towards Muslims. The legislation aims to amend the management of Waqf properties, introducing non-Muslims into Waqf boards and increasing governmental oversight. Supporters argue it will enhance transparency and reduce corruption, while critics fear it may infringe upon the rights of the Muslim community. (PC: The Economic Times)

A massive storm system, dubbed the “Generation Storm,” has caused widespread devastation across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and other states, bringing deadly tornadoes, catastrophic flooding, and hurricane-force winds. At least several fatalities have been reported, with entire neighborhoods flattened and thousands left without power. The National Weather Service has issued urgent warnings as the storm continues to move east, threatening more destruction. Emergency crews are conducting rescues amid rising floodwaters, while officials urge residents to take shelter. Meteorologists warn that the worst may not be over, with additional severe weather expected in the coming days. (PC: ABC News)    

  In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court sharply criticized the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) for orchestrating a widespread recruitment scam involving over 25,000 illegal appointments between 2016 and 2021. The court highlighted a “staggering scale of manipulation” and systematic cover-up at every stage—ranging from tampered documents to politically influenced selections. Declaring the appointments illegal, the court ordered their immediate cancellation and directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the entire recruitment process. The verdict intensifies pressure on the Mamata Banerjee government and underscores deep-rooted corruption in West Bengal’s education recruitment system. (PC: Millennium Post)

Global stock markets tumbled after U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs, triggering fears of a global trade war. The S&P 500 fell 4.8%, its worst day since the 2020 COVID crash, erasing $2 trillion in value. Major firms like Apple, Nike, and Target saw shares drop over 9%. Trump’s plan includes a minimum 10% tariff on all imports and sharply higher duties on goods from China (54%) and the EU (20%). China, the EU, and Canada have vowed retaliation. Analysts warn the tariffs may fuel inflation, stall growth, and risk pushing the U.S. into recession. (PC: Reuters)

Kolkata Knight Riders’ all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer delivered a powerful response to critics questioning his hefty IPL 2025 price tag with a standout performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Iyer played a crucial role in KKR’s victory, showcasing his batting prowess under pressure. In post-match comments, he acknowledged the scrutiny but emphasized focusing on team success over personal opinions. The performance not only boosted KKR’s campaign but also reaffirmed Iyer’s value in the squad. His composed innings silenced detractors and marked a strong comeback statement, reminding fans and analysts why KKR invested heavily in him during the IPL auction. (PC: PTI)

South Korea’s Constitutional Court has officially rejected the National Assembly’s impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol, which accused him of abusing his power and unlawfully interfering in prosecutorial investigations. The court unanimously ruled that the charges did not meet the threshold for removal from office, citing a lack of concrete constitutional or legal violations. The impeachment motion, led by opposition lawmakers, had plunged the country into political uncertainty. With the verdict, Yoon remains in power, but the controversy has deepened political divisions, sparking protests and renewed debate over executive accountability in South Korea’s democratic system. (PC: The Guardian)