India slipped to 25th in the 2026 Gender Equality in Chess Index (GECI), highlighting gender imbalance in the sport. Despite strong performances by elite women players, female participation in youth championships remains low, and many girls drop out early. Experts say social pressures, financial hurdles and lack of structured support limit opportunities, stressing the need for better grassroots development and long-term systems to promote women’s chess.
The mother of an accused in the Uttam Nagar murder case has approached the Delhi High Court, fearing her house might be demolished like that of a co-accused. This action follows a demolition drive by civic authorities in connection with a Holi clash that resulted in a death.
The Strait of Hormuz closure is forcing Gulf nations to slash oil production as storage tanks fill. Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, and Iraq have significantly reduced output, with Iraq facing an imminent shutdown. Alternative routes are insufficient, raising fears of a total production halt and impacting global oil prices.
The Supreme Court granted bail to the father of the minor accused in the 2024 Pune Porsche crash, who allegedly manipulated blood samples. He had been in custody for 22 months. The accident, which killed two software engineers, occurred when the inebriated juvenile allegedly crashed into their motorcycle.
Asian airlines are hiking fares and planning for potential flight groundings as the Middle East conflict fuels a major oil shock. Indian carriers have already raised long-haul ticket prices by 15%, with Vietnam warning of up to 70% increases. Many Asian airlines, lacking robust fuel hedging, face significant vulnerability as jet fuel prices double, threatening operations and travel demand.
India began supplying 5,000 tons of diesel to Bangladesh via pipeline on Tuesday, part of an annual agreement for 180,000 tons. This delivery aims to alleviate fuel shortages and combat illegal hoarding, as the Bangladesh government intensifies efforts to monitor stock levels and enforce supply limits.
Amidst surging oil prices and upcoming mid-term elections, President Trump has reportedly been advised to seek an exit plan from the Middle East. Advisors are urging him to articulate that military objectives have largely been achieved, as polls indicate public opposition to the ongoing conflict.
West Asia tensions are disrupting commercial LPG supplies to eateries in Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Chennai. Authorities are prioritizing domestic use, impacting businesses. The government is ramping up LPG production, extending refill cycles, and forming a committee to address commercial supply requests amid import concerns.
Anthropic CEO apologized for a memo after talks with the Pentagon broke down, only to file a lawsuit against the Trump administration days later. The company seeks to overturn a national security threat designation, claiming it jeopardizes billions in revenue and irreparably harms its business and investor confidence.
Actress Lavanya Tripathi has lodged a complaint with Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police following alleged social media harassment. A specific social handle reportedly posted defamatory content and false allegations against her and her family, causing personal distress and reputational damage. Authorities have registered a case and are investigating to identify the perpetrator.
President Putin warned that the US-Israeli war on Iran has triggered a global energy crisis, potentially halting oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz. He stated Russia is open to restoring energy cooperation with Europe if they signal interest in rebuilding ties.
