Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will intensify military strikes against Hezbollah after the Israeli military launched fresh attacks across Lebanon, including the Bekaa Valley. The Israeli army said the strikes targeted Hezbollah positions, while the Iran-backed Lebanese armed group claimed it carried out 22 drone and rocket attacks on Israeli targets in retaliation. Hezbollah accused Israel of violating the ceasefire extended earlier this month. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun demanded a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. The renewed escalation has raised concerns over the stability of the fragile ceasefire agreement. (PC: BBC)

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) apologised after Delhi Class 12 student Vedant Shrivastava discovered that another student’s Physics answer sheet had been uploaded under his roll number during re-evaluation. Vedant Shrivastava had raised concerns on social media after receiving unexpectedly low marks in Physics. His post later went viral, with several users trolling him online and calling him “Pakistani” because his X profile location showed “South Asia”. CBSE later admitted the mismatch, emailed him the correct answer sheet and said his marks would be revised. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also criticised the online abuse. (PC: HT)

Taiwan has overtaken India to become the world’s fifth-largest stock market after a sharp rally in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world’s largest chipmaker. Bloomberg data showed Taiwan’s total market capitalisation rose to $4.95 trillion, slightly ahead of India’s $4.92 trillion. Taiwan’s gains were driven by strong global investor interest in artificial intelligence-linked technology stocks, particularly semiconductor companies. India’s markets, meanwhile, faced foreign investor outflows, rising energy prices and concerns over slowing earnings growth. Analysts said Taiwan benefited from its dominance in global chip manufacturing, while India saw weaker investor sentiment and valuation concerns. (PC: Ai generated)

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), a major film workers’ body representing technicians, crew members and other employees in the Hindi film industry, issued a non-cooperation directive against actor Ranveer Singh after a dispute linked to his exit from Don 3. FWICE President Ashoke Pandit said filmmaker Farhan Akhtar and the film’s producers complained about alleged financial losses and contractual issues caused by the actor’s withdrawal. According to FWICE, Ranveer Singh said the matter was contractual and outside the body’s jurisdiction. The actor’s spokesperson later said he respects the film fraternity and wishes the Don franchise success. (PC: NDTV)

A new immigration policy announced by the administration of United States President Donald Trump has sparked concern among Indian students and H-1B professionals over future residency prospects in America. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services said Green Cards are a discretionary benefit and many applicants may now need to return to their home countries for processing. Immigration experts warned the move could disrupt careers and families already facing long visa backlogs. Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera criticised the policy, calling it disruptive and unfair to legal immigrants. Education leaders said growing uncertainty over visas and residency may push students towards alternative study destinations. (PC: ai Generated)

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif rejected United States President Donald Trump’s reported proposal for Pakistan to join the Abraham Accords as part of efforts linked to a peace deal with Iran. Speaking to Pakistani channel Samaa TV, Asif said recognising Israel would go against Pakistan’s “fundamental ideologies”. He also questioned engagement with Israel, saying Pakistan could not trust it. Asif added that Pakistani passports do not recognise Israel. Trump had urged Pakistan and several West Asian countries to join the Abraham Accords, which seek to normalise ties with Israel. Pakistan has maintained that recognition depends on a Palestinian state solution. (PC: HT)

The United States carried out fresh strikes on Iranian missile sites and boats near Bandar Abbas in southern Iran, targeting vessels allegedly attempting to place naval mines, US Central Command said. Central Command spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins said the action was taken in “self-defence” to protect American forces during the ongoing ceasefire. Iranian officials confirmed explosions near Bandar Abbas but did not immediately respond to the strikes. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said negotiations with Iran were continuing despite tensions. Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqai said progress had been made in talks, but denied that a peace agreement was close. (PC: BBC)

Convicted Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was released from Haryana’s Sunaria jail on a 30-day parole on Tuesday, officials said. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh left the Rohtak jail under heavy police security and travelled to the Dera headquarters in Sirsa. The self-styled godman has been in jail since 2017 after being convicted in rape cases involving two women disciples and is serving a 20-year sentence. He was also sentenced to life imprisonment in the murder case of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati. This marks the 16th parole or furlough granted to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh since 2020, drawing repeated criticism from opposition parties and social groups. (PC: India Today)

A farmer from Malkangiri has successfully cultivated the rare Miyazaki Mango, a premium Japanese fruit known for fetching exceptionally high prices in international markets. According to reports, farmer Deba Padhiami received the sapling four years ago and nurtured it until it began bearing fruit. Originating from Japan’s Miyazaki Prefecture, the mango is renowned for its reddish-purple colour, sweetness and smooth texture. However, despite growing one of the world’s most expensive mango varieties, Padhiami lacks access to buyers, marketing channels and export networks. He has also begun guarding the tree at night, fearing theft as curiosity around the rare fruit grows.

A Class 12 CBSE student, Vedant Shrivastava, who went viral after claiming the Physics answer sheet uploaded under his roll number was not his, has been vindicated after CBSE provided his actual answer sheet. Vedant had highlighted major handwriting differences between the uploaded Physics paper and his other answer sheets, raising concerns about a possible answer-sheet mix-up in the board’s On-Screen Marking system. The issue sparked widespread debate, though the student also faced online abuse and accusations for questioning the process. CBSE later acknowledged the mismatch, sent the correct answer sheet, and said his marks would be revised while investigating how the error occurred. (PC: News18)