Morning News Wrap: OPT students in US face deportation; SpaceX’s Starship spirals in orbit, and more

OPT students in the US are facing fresh deportation fears as ICE issues warnings over missing job data. SpaceX’s Starship hit orbit but suffered a fuel leak, losing control before completing its mission. Actor Kamal Haasan’s claim that “Tamil gave birth to Kannada” has stirred political backlash in Karnataka. Donald Trump offered to include Canada in his missile defence system for free—if it becomes the 51st US state. On the sports front, RCB secured a playoff spot and will meet Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1.

OPT students in US face deportation threat over employment data lapse

International students across the US are facing another unprecedented wave of enforcement. many students who are undergoing post-graduation Optional Practical Training (OPT) are receiving letters from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) threatening termination of their SEVIS records and potential deportation. Read full story

Watch: SpaceX’s Starship spirals uncontrollably as fuel leaks in dramatic footage

After the last two test flights ended prematurely with the destruction of the aircraft, Tuesday's Starship successfully reached orbit. However, the spacecraft failed to fully open its payload bay door, blocking the planned release of simulated Starlink satellites. Around 30 minutes into the mission, SpaceX confirmed a fuel tank leak aboard the vehicle. Read full story

'Tamil gave birth to Kannada': Kamal Hassan remarks triggers massive row
Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra on Tuesday accused actor Kamal Haasan of “disrespecting” Kannada in his effort to glorify his own mother tongue. Vijayendra was responding to Kamal Haasan’s recent observation that “Tamil gave birth to Kannada,” made during the audio launch of his latest film, Thug Life, in Chennai a few days ago. Read full story


Donald Trump offers 'Golden Dome' to Canada for free, but only if it becomes 'cherished 51st US state'

US president Donald Trump said that Canada could be included in his proposed "Golden Dome" missile defence system at "zero cost" if it agrees to become the "cherished 51st state" of the United States or pay $61 billion to take part in the project. Read full story

Royal Challengers Bengaluru to face Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 after beating Lucknow Super Giants
Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced a clinical chase in their final league stage match of IPL 2025, overhauling a massive 228-run target set by Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium. The victory not only confirmed RCB’s top-two finish on the points table but also made them the first-ever team to win all their away games in a single IPL season. Read full story