Prime Minister Andy Burnham has appointed Indian-origin MP Kanishka Narayan as the UK's new AI minister. The British Indian leader was included in Burnham's first Cabinet after he took office. Narayan said artificial intelligence will shape the future and promised to work with speed and ambition. He said Britain must help shape AI instead of being shaped by it. Born in Bihar, India, Narayan moved to Wales with his family as a child. He later studied at Oxford and Stanford. His appointment highlights the UK's stronger focus on AI, technology, and digital governance under the new government.

Ukrainian drones struck two warehouses operated by Russia’s largest online retailer, Wildberries, in Krasnodar and Nevinnomyssk, injuring at least 15 people, Russian officials said. The attacks came days after earlier strikes on the company’s facilities that killed eight workers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the targeted logistics hubs were involved in supplying drone components, navigation equipment and other gear to the Russian military. Wildberries condemned the attacks, saying employees were simply doing their jobs. Russia has denied the company has military links. The strikes are part of Ukraine’s broader campaign to disrupt Russia’s wartime logistics. (PC: BBC)

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s daughter, Naimisha Pradhan, has disabled her Instagram account after facing online backlash linked to the ongoing protests over the alleged NEET paper leak. Social media users criticised her for pursuing higher education in the United States and tagged her account in posts demanding her father’s resignation. Some users, however, urged people not to target family members and said accountability should remain focused on public officials. Meanwhile, Pradhan defended the government’s stand, accusing the Congress of politicising the issue and reiterating that the Centre is ready to discuss NEET-related concerns in Parliament.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Wednesday declined an urgent hearing on a petition seeking Supreme Court intervention over alleged police action against Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters at Jantar Mantar. The plea cited videos claiming police brutality during demonstrations over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and demanded immediate judicial intervention. Refusing the request, the Chief Justice said the court had no time to watch videos and asked the lawyer not to waste the court’s time. The matter comes after the Delhi High Court also refused an urgent hearing on the issue earlier this week. (PC: India Today)

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said his administration does not have the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits the city. After reviewing available legal options, Mamdani urged the US federal government to join the International Criminal Court (ICC) and enforce its arrest warrant against Netanyahu. The ICC accuses Netanyahu of war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, allegations Israel denies. Legal experts said US cities cannot enforce ICC warrants because the United States is not a member of the court, leaving such matters to the federal government. (PC: HT)

Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi suffered a nose injury during a protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence in New Delhi on Tuesday. Gandhi, along with Priyanka Gandhi and other Congress leaders, was detained by Delhi Police while demanding answers over alleged exam paper leaks and police action against student protesters. Images of Gandhi bleeding during the protest quickly spread, drawing political attention nationwide. Congress accused the government of suppressing peaceful protests, while authorities cited security concerns for the detentions. The incident has intensified the political battle over the paper leak issue and increased pressure on the Modi government. (PC: India Today)

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has reportedly approved the continued use of British military bases by the United States for operations against Iran, following renewed US airstrikes, according to reports. The decision came after the 10th consecutive day of US military action, with US Central Command saying it targeted Iranian military command centres, missile and drone launch sites, and air defence systems. The move signals London's continued support for Washington's regional security operations under Burnham's new government, even as the conflict intensifies. The reported approval follows growing military coordination between the allies amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran. (PC: BBC)

Pakistan has reportedly sought a $10 billion US exchange stabilisation facility to strengthen its foreign exchange reserves and support the rupee, according to a Reuters report cited by Firstpost. The request comes after Islamabad's role in facilitating Iran war-related diplomacy, with officials hoping to leverage improved ties with Washington. Pakistan's Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb discussed strengthening economic cooperation with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington, although Islamabad did not officially confirm the reported funding request. If approved, the facility could reduce Pakistan's dependence on IMF financing and bolster currency stability. Pakistan remains under a $7 billion IMF programme while pursuing broader economic cooperation with the United States. (PC: Money Control)

The United States launched an 11th consecutive night of strikes on Iran, with US Central Command saying the operation targeted military capabilities used to threaten vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump warned Iran the campaign was far from over, saying the country faced significantly greater destruction if hostilities continued. Iranian state-affiliated media reported explosions in multiple regions, including Mahshahr, Tabriz, eastern Tehran and Sirik, with air defence systems activated overnight. The strikes come amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining a key flashpoint. The extent of damage and casualties was not immediately disclosed by either side. (PC: Reuters)

Iran has reportedly conveyed a confidential message from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei to Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir during high-level talks in Rawalpindi, according to Pakistani security sources cited by News18. Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni reportedly delivered the message during a 50-minute meeting focused on a new mediation framework aimed at reducing West Asia tensions. The discussions also covered regional security, border management and bilateral cooperation, with Iran reportedly praising Pakistan's diplomatic role and describing Islamabad as an "anchor for peace". Sources said Asim Munir is expected to discuss the message with the United States during upcoming diplomatic engagements while Pakistan continues positioning itself as a mediator. (PC: Reuters)