The UK High Court has dismissed fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi's lawsuit over his alleged 2021 kidnapping. The court struck out the case after Choksi failed to pay £677,000 as security for the defendants' legal costs. He must also pay the legal expenses of the four defendants, subject to court assessment. Choksi had claimed he was kidnapped from Antigua and taken to Dominica as part of a conspiracy planned in England. However, the court found no direct evidence linking the defendants to the alleged incident. Choksi continues to fight extradition in Belgium in connection with the Punjab National Bank fraud case.

Ukrainian drones struck warehouses of Russia's largest online retailer, Wildberries, for the second time in four days. The overnight attack killed one person and injured 14 others, according to Russian officials. Employees were evacuated from logistics centres in the Krasnodar and Stavropol regions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the warehouses were "involved in providing the Russian army with drone components, navigation equipment and other gear." Wildberries said the attacks targeted its workers and operations. The strikes also affected many small businesses that rely on the retailer, with several sellers reporting heavy financial losses after their goods were destroyed.

US President Donald Trump warned Iran that every attack on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz would trigger US strikes on an Iranian bridge or power plant, including infrastructure near Tehran. Posting on Truth Social, Trump declared that any Iranian missile, rocket, drone or other attack on commercial shipping would be met with immediate retaliation. His warning came as the United States carried out its 11th consecutive night of strikes targeting Iranian military assets, while diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remained stalled. The escalating rhetoric underscores growing tensions over maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route, amid the continuing US-Iran military confrontation and regional instability. (PC: NY Times)  

The United States and Saudi Arabia are expected to announce a deal allowing the kingdom to develop a civilian nuclear programme, according to US media reports. The agreement could let Saudi Arabia enrich uranium for fuel at a US-built facility after a joint study. The deal is expected to last 30 years and could be worth billions of dollars to US companies. Some experts and Israeli officials have raised concerns that the programme could one day help Saudi Arabia develop nuclear weapons. Reports also said the deal does not require Saudi Arabia to recognise Israel. The proposal will now go to the US Congress. (PC: Getty Images)

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)