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Japan defence chief visits Philippines to deepen security ties, witness combat exercise

Foreign investors are exiting Indian stocks, with outflows reaching Rs 60,847 crore in April, following a massive Rs 1,17,775 crore sell-off in March. This trend signals sustained weakness in overseas investor sentiment, as global capital shifts towards Asian economies benefiting from the AI investment boom, particularly South Korea and Taiwan.

India concluded their Thomas Cup Finals group stage with a narrow 2-3 defeat against China, despite already securing a quarterfinal spot. Lakshya Sen and the top doubles pair lost their matches, putting India down 0-2. However, Ayush Shetty and H.S. Prannoy secured wins in their respective matches, showcasing the team's fighting spirit ahead of the knockout stages.

India secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Chinese Taipei to storm into the Thomas Cup semifinals, guaranteeing at least a bronze medal. Lakshya Sen ignited the charge with a comeback win, followed by a dominant doubles performance from Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty. Ayush Shetty sealed the tie with a composed straight-game victory.

A powerful earthquake hit Japan, triggering a tsunami alert with warnings of large waves. India and South Korea strengthened ties, signing MoUs to boost trade and cooperation. A tragic bus accident in Udhampur claimed 21 lives, with PM Modi announcing compensation. In the US, President Trump reacted strongly after a jet was shot down over Iran.

Japan, shifting from its pacifist constitution, is now poised to export lethal weapons. This significant policy change, driven by regional security concerns, allows Tokyo to leverage its advanced defense technology. The move opens new avenues for its burgeoning defense industry, potentially transforming Japan into a major global arms supplier.

Nausheen Naz, a 15-year-old hockey prodigy, trains for the Under-18 Asia Cup. Hailing from Seoni, she overcame poverty and used a broken stick to hone her skills. The MP Hockey Academy provided her with training and equipment. Naz is now India's exciting women's hockey forward prospect. Her journey highlights talent emerging from humble beginnings.

India's Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi is in the US, continuing a series of high-level defence exchanges. This follows visits by the Navy and Air Chiefs and a recent 10-year defence framework agreement. These engagements underscore deepening strategic ties and a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, especially amidst regional assertiveness.

Technology stocks bore the brunt of the selling. Shares of Infosys, HCLTech, Tech Mahindra and Tata Consultancy Services fell between 2 per cent and 4 per cent after Infosys’ fourth-quarter results failed to meet market expectations.

Iran’s USD1 war toll on each barrel of oil passing through the Strait of Hormuz could add nearly INR10,000 crore to India’s annual import bill. While the toll is a direct breach of ‘transit passage’ rights, India can use four key diplomatic and legal levers to secure its interests.

Fortnite servers are currently offline for a major v40.20 update, impacting players globally on April 16, 2026. This planned maintenance, which began at 4 AM ET, is expected to conclude by 6 AM ET, bringing new content like the Laufey collaboration and WWE crossovers. Players can track updates via @FortniteStatus.

Parliament considers crucial delimitation bills, raising concerns for democratic legitimacy and India's federal balance. These proposals could alter political power distribution significantly. The article argues for careful deliberation and public consultation before any constitutional changes are enacted. Statesmanship demands scrutiny, not speed, to ensure fairness and preserve the Union's integrity.

Fortnite fans, brace yourselves! Epic Games has teased an 'OG Mini Event' set for April 11, 2026, at 3 PM ET. Prominent data miners confirm the exciting news, hinting at a potential cinematic or interactive experience tied to the current storyline. Don't miss this unmissable live event, as replays won't be available.

Japan's LOTUS Programme is now accepting applications for Indian Master's, PhD students, and postdoctoral researchers. Nearly 1,000 individuals can participate in funded research stays in Japan. The initiative aims to boost scientific collaboration between India and Japan. Applications are open until June 9, 2026, with research stays beginning in October 2026.

The Middle East's conflicts are analyzed through the lens of 'proxies and levers,' where state actors use non-state groups to project power and achieve strategic goals. This approach, while avoiding direct military costs, often results in prolonged violence, instability, and humanitarian crises, complicating peace efforts in the region.

Prior to the conflict, analysts had projected global LNG supply to increase by up to 10% this year, reaching between 460 million and 484 million metric tonnes, supported by new capacity additions.

Part culinary adventure, part nature immersion, part cultural education, foraging travel asks visitors not just to see a destination, but to taste and understand it — leaf by leaf, root by root.

Generations of Indian workers and businesses have turned the Arab side of the Gulf into a vital appendage of their own country.

The Strait of Hormuz crisis highlights global maritime vulnerabilities. For China, the Strait of Malacca presents a similar, long-term strategic risk. India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands offer proximity and surveillance capabilities, providing significant leverage. This geographical advantage allows India to create uncertainty and pressure, impacting China's vital trade and energy lifelines.

Make more, store more, or buy more? About 65% of our LPG and 45% of our LNG is imported, and the way out of that import dependence is slow and messy

Once a year, at a single precise instant, our tilted, spinning planet reaches a state of geometric equilibrium, and the whole living world responds.