US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in India on Saturday for his first official visit and is expected to hold key talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi later in the day. The meeting will focus on trade, defence cooperation, technology, energy and the QUAD partnership involving India, the US, Japan and Australia. Rubio first landed in Kolkata before travelling to Delhi. He is also scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday. US Ambassador Sergio Gor described the visit as “historic” and said it would help strengthen ties between the two countries.

India’s state-run film institutes, the Film and Television Institute of India and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, have emerged among the most successful film schools at the Cannes Film Festival in recent years. FTII student Mehar Malhotra’s Punjabi-language diploma film Parchave Masseah Rataan De (Shadows of the Moonless Nights) was selected in the La Cinef competition this year from 2,750 global entries. FTII previously won top La Cinef prizes in 2020 and 2024 through student filmmakers Ashmita Guha Neogi and Chidananda S Naik. Alumni including filmmaker Payal Kapadia have also gone on to achieve major international recognition, highlighting the growing global influence of Indian film schools. (PC: First Post)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in India on Saturday for a four-day visit focused on strengthening India-US strategic ties. Rubio landed in Kolkata and visited the Missionaries of Charity headquarters before heading to New Delhi. He is scheduled to hold talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi later today. Discussions are expected to cover the Quad partnership, trade, defence cooperation, energy security and critical technologies. The visit also comes as both countries work to address trade tensions linked to US tariff measures on Indian exports. (PC: HT)

India appears to be increasing crude oil imports from Venezuela while gradually diversifying away from Russian supplies amid mounting pressure from the United States and global sanctions dynamics. Reports indicate Indian refiners are exploring cheaper Venezuelan heavy crude as geopolitical tensions, sanctions uncertainty, and disruptions in West Asian supply routes reshape energy trade patterns. Venezuela recently emerged as one of India’s top crude suppliers, driven by demand from major refiners seeking stable and cost-effective alternatives. However, Indian officials maintain that energy purchases remain guided by commercial interests and national energy security rather than external political pressure. (PC: PTI)

The viral rise of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has triggered fresh political controversy after several BJP leaders alleged that a large portion of the collective’s followers were based in Pakistan and that founder Abhijeet Dipke was linked to Pakistan’s ISI. The allegations gained traction online after being amplified by BJP Yuva Morcha general secretary Tajinder Bagga and other party spokespersons. CJP, launched barely a week ago, rapidly crossed 20 million Instagram followers, overtaking the BJP’s following on the platform and emerging as a major Gen-Z digital protest movement. Founder Abhijeet Dipke has spent recent days responding to accusations and clarifying claims circulating across social media platforms. (PC: India Today)

The Union government informed the Supreme Court of India that 217 Indian nationals had joined the Russian Armed Forces during the Ukraine conflict, with 139 now released from their contractual service agreements. Appearing before a Bench led by Surya Kant, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati stated that 49 Indians had died in the conflict while six remain missing. The disclosure came during proceedings related to Indian citizens recruited into the Russian military amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The Centre’s submission highlights the scale of Indian involvement in the conflict and continuing concerns over recruitment, repatriation and the status of those still unaccounted for. (PC: X)

Punjab Police have arrested Pathankot resident Baljit Singh in an alleged espionage case involving an internet-based CCTV camera installed near NH-44 to monitor Indian Army and paramilitary movement towards Jammu and Kashmir. Investigators suspect the live feed was shared with Pakistan-linked handlers through overseas contacts operating from Dubai. Police said the camera was strategically positioned near a key military transit corridor and functioned as a low-cost surveillance tool using commercially available internet-enabled technology. Officials alleged Singh received around Rs 40,000 for the operation and confessed during questioning. Authorities are now examining his communication records, financial links and possible connections to a wider espionage network targeting sensitive defence movement corridors across northern border states in India.

India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) will become operational in Cyprus from next year, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed during Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides’ India visit. MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George said the rollout follows an MoU between NPCI International Payments Limited and Eurobank Cyprus to facilitate cross-border payments using India’s real-time digital payment system. The agreement was finalised during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s June 2025 visit to Cyprus, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over two decades. Modi and Christodoulides also discussed expanding cooperation in trade, investment, defence, maritime security, financial connectivity, technology, mobility, education and India-European Union engagement, reaffirming the strategic partnership between both countries for future collaboration. (PC: ANI)

A viral social media trend called the “Cockroach Janata Party” has spread from India to Pakistan, triggering memes, satire, and political commentary online. The movement began as a humorous internet joke mocking political chaos and public frustration, but quickly gained traction across platforms like X and Instagram. Pakistani users adapted the trend to criticize local governance and economic conditions, leading to cross-border exchanges filled with satire and sarcasm. While largely humorous, the trend reflects growing youth-driven digital activism and dissatisfaction expressed through memes and viral content. The phrase has now become a symbol of online political mockery in South Asia.

Thailand has ended its 60-day visa-free entry scheme for Indian travellers. Under the new rules, Indians can now visit the country through a Visa on Arrival system. The visa will allow a stay of up to 15 days. Thailand said the changes were made due to concerns over security, illegal work and transnational crime. The new policy will come into effect 15 days after official publication in the Royal Gazette. Thailand had introduced the 60-day visa-free scheme for Indians in 2024 to boost tourism. Officials now say the country wants to focus more on attracting “quality tourists.” (PC: Unsplash)