In a major breakthrough, geologists have confirmed significant gold deposits beneath Mahangwa Kewalri in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, covering 100 hectares. The discovery, validated through chemical analysis, also includes copper and other valuable metals. Officials from the Department of Geology hailed it as one of Central India’s biggest mineral finds in recent years. With existing mining infrastructure in place, the region could soon see industrial investment and economic uplift. This development strengthens earlier signs from neighbouring Katni and could boost employment, state revenue, and India’s mineral reserves, marking a new chapter in India’s resource-rich heartland. (PC: News18)

U.S. President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, raising total duties to 50%, and warned of possible “secondary sanctions” due to India’s continued oil trade with Russia. “You’re going to see so many secondary sanctions,” Trump said, hinting China may be next. India condemned the move as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” asserting its right to maintain energy ties with Russia for national interest and energy security. The Ministry of External Affairs stressed that the decision violates the spirit of strategic partnership. Trump linked the tariffs to pressuring Russia amid the Ukraine conflict. (PC: India Today)

During a Durand Cup match, East Bengal fans staged a poignant protest against the branding of Bengali as a “Bangladeshi language.” A poster reading, “Yesterday, we were hanged fighting for India’s freedom. Today, for speaking our mother’s tongue, we become Bangladeshi?” drew widespread attention. The protest follows West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s sharp criticism of Delhi Police, who, in an official letter, referred to Bengali as the “Bangladeshi national language” in a Foreigners Act case. Banerjee called the statement “anti-national and unconstitutional.” The incident has reignited cultural and linguistic tensions, with fans demanding respect for Bengali identity and heritage. (PC: X)

Responding to Donald Trump’s fresh 25% tariff hike on Indian exports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared, “India is ready for it,” affirming that the country would never compromise on farmers’ interests. Speaking at the MS Swaminathan Centenary International Conference in Delhi, Modi said, “For us, the interest of our farmers is our top priority.” The U.S. now imposes a total 50% tariff on Indian goods, citing national security and India’s Russian oil imports. Trump’s administration had demanded more access to India’s agricultural markets, including dairy and grains, but India continues to resist due to concerns over domestic livelihoods. (PC: HT)

ISRO aims to commission its Third Launch Pad (TLP) at Sriharikota by March 2029 to support next-generation rockets, including LVM3 and semi-cryogenic vehicles. Financially sanctioned in March 2025, the project marks a major boost for India’s space ambitions, enabling payloads up to 30,000 tonnes into low Earth orbit. Milestones include civil works by May 2028 and facility installation by September 2028. Emphasizing private sector collaboration, including MSMEs, the initiative reinforces Make-in-India goals. Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted its strategic role in future human spaceflight, the planned Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035, and India’s first crewed lunar landing by 2040. (PC: India Today)  

“India’s sovereignty is non-negotiable,” a Chinese embassy spokesperson declared while endorsing a Hindu editorial that slammed U.S. pressure on India to cut Russian oil imports. The rare backing comes as President Donald Trump warned of “substantial” tariff hikes within 24 hours, accusing India of being an unfair trading partner. India pushed back, calling U.S. and EU actions “unjustified and unreasonable,” citing their continued trade with Russia. The diplomatic moment signals shifting alignments ahead of PM Modi’s expected visit to China for the SCO Summit—his first since the Galwan clash—indicating India may be asserting multipolar options amid rising U.S. hostility. (PC: Business Today)

A military Z‑9 helicopter crashed in Ghana’s Ashanti region, killing all eight people aboard—including Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Vice-Chair of the ruling party Samuel Sarpong, and Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed, along with four crew members . The aircraft, en route from Accra to Obuasi to address illegal mining, went off radar before the crash . The government declared the incident a national tragedy, with national mourning and officials expressing deep condolences. (PC: AP)

India lost 1,032.89 sq km of forest while gaining just 56.3 sq km between 2015 and 2019, according to a study by IIT Bombay and SASTRA University. Tamil Nadu and West Bengal together accounted for nearly 50% of the forest loss. Researchers warned that most new forests were fragmented islets, lacking "structural connectivity" crucial for biodiversity. Species like tigers suffer in such isolated patches, increasing human-wildlife conflict. The findings challenge the Forest Survey of India’s reports and align with India’s poor ranking—176th out of 180—in the 2024 Nature Conservation Index, highlighting severe ecological degradation and insufficient conservation governance. (PC: The telegraph)

U.S. President Donald Trump has doubled tariffs on Indian imports—raising duties to 50%—in response to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. The move has triggered the worst diplomatic rift between the two nations in recent years. India condemned the tariffs as “unfair and unreasonable,” warning of severe economic fallout. Analysts predict heavy losses in key sectors like seafood exports, which may face a ₹24,000 crore blow. Al Jazeera reported the decision marks a historic low in U.S.–India ties, straining a relationship once defined by strategic partnership under both Trump and Modi’s earlier leadership. (PC: AP)

In Indonesia, the rising popularity of One Piece has transformed the Jolly Roger pirate flag into a symbol of political resistance. Dominique Nicky Fahrizal, a researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted that the anime’s influence has helped Indonesians express political concerns “in a different and unique way.” The government’s mixed reaction, including treating the cartoon flag as a potential national security threat, has drawn sharp criticism. Writer Farhan Rizqullah argued that this response inadvertently proves the power of Luffy’s dream—freedom—as something the authorities deeply fear. The protest has since gained nationwide attention. (PC: BBC)