Author: News Desk

New Delhi: India’s largest telecom providers, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, have signed separate agreements with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to introduce the Starlink satellite internet service to the country. The unexpected move comes amid past disputes between Musk and both telecom giants over spectrum allocation policies. The agreements, which aim to expand broadband coverage, are subject to approval from the Indian government. Starlink’s India expansion Starlink, which had 4.6 million global subscribers as of 2024, has been attempting to enter the Indian market since 2021 but faced regulatory roadblocks. The new deals would allow Jio and Airtel to integrate Starlink’s…

Bluff, New Zealand: Russ Cook, known as “Hardest Geezer,” has embarked on his latest endurance challenge—running the entire length of New Zealand. The 27-year-old from Worthing, West Sussex, gained global recognition after completing an epic 352-day run across Africa in April last year. Now, Cook is tackling the 1,864-mile (3,000km) Te Araroa Trail, which will see him complete 60 ultramarathons while navigating mountains, forests, coastlines, and cities. He began his journey at Stirling Point in Bluff, the southern tip of New Zealand’s South Island, and aims to reach Cape Rēinga in Northland in approximately 60 days. Cook expects to climb…

London, UK: NHS England is set to undergo its most significant restructuring in over a decade, with its workforce shrinking from 13,000 to around 6,500. The sweeping job cuts, far exceeding the 2,000 positions previously announced, aim to eliminate duplication with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and streamline operations. The DHSC will also downsize, albeit to a lesser extent. Outgoing NHS England Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard informed staff of the changes, which were instigated by Health Secretary Wes Streeting. The overhaul will be led by her successor, Jim Mackey, and incoming chair Dr. Penny Dash, who have…

Manila, Philippines: Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity over his deadly “war on drugs.” The 79-year-old was taken into custody upon arriving at Manila airport from Hong Kong, where he had been campaigning for the upcoming May 12 mid-term elections and planning to run for mayor of Davao. Duterte, who has never apologized for his controversial crackdown, questioned the basis of the warrant, asking, “What crime [have] I committed?” His former spokesperson, Salvador Panelo, called the arrest “unlawful,” citing the Philippines’ withdrawal from…

Washington / Warsaw: Tech billionaire Elon Musk and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have engaged in a heated exchange with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski over the role of Musk’s Starlink satellite service in Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s invasion. The dispute unfolded on X after Sikorski suggested that Poland—which helps fund Ukraine’s Starlink costs—might have to explore alternative providers if Musk’s network proves unreliable. His remarks came in response to Musk’s claim that Ukraine’s military would collapse without Starlink. “I literally challenged Putin to one-on-one physical combat over Ukraine, and my Starlink system is the backbone of the Ukrainian…

Birmingham, UK: A four-year-old whippet from Venice, Italy, has claimed the Best in Show title at Crufts 2025, surpassing more than 18,000 competitors at Birmingham’s NEC. Miuccia, owned by Enrico De Gaspari, first triumphed in the hound group before securing the prestigious top prize. Judge Patsy Hollings made the final selection, marking history as Miuccia became the first Italian dog to win since the competition’s founding in 1891. The victory also makes Miuccia only the fourth whippet to claim Best in Show since the award’s introduction in 1928. Helen Kerfoot, Crufts show manager, said it was “fantastic” to watch Miuccia…

London: King Charles will urge unity and collaboration during “these uncertain times” in his annual Commonwealth Day message, emphasizing the importance of nations coming together in a spirit of support and friendship. This year’s theme, “Together We Thrive,” honours the enduring bond of the Commonwealth family, bringing together 56 independent nations united by the shared values outlined in the Commonwealth Charter. Emphasizing the principles of family, unity, and peace, the theme underscores the significance of building strong, connected communities that uplift and empower individuals, driving meaningful progress. King’s message comes as he plays a diplomatic role in ongoing discussions involving…

New York: A state of emergency has been declared in New York as wildfires sweep across Long Island and areas near Brooklyn. Firefighters are actively battling the flames with aerial support from National Guard helicopters, Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed. The fires, fueled by high winds, have sent thick smoke billowing into the sky, leading to evacuations in Westhampton, the closure of a military base, and the shutdown of a major highway. Emergency crews are responding to multiple fire outbreaks across the Pine Barrens, a densely wooded area home to several commuter towns east of New York City. Police have closed…

Texas: A SpaceX Starship rocket exploded shortly after launching from Texas on Thursday (6th of March), causing flight disruptions and prompting warnings about falling debris across the Caribbean. The uncrewed spacecraft, the largest ever built, lost control minutes into its ascent, with fiery fragments seen raining down over island nations. This marked the eighth test flight and the second consecutive failure of the 123m (403ft) rocket. The mission aimed to complete a one-hour flight before re-entering Earth’s orbit over the Indian Ocean. While its Super Heavy booster successfully returned to the launchpad, multiple engine failures led to the catastrophic explosion.…

Gold coast, Australia: As Cyclone Alfred approaches Australia’s Gold Coast, strong winds and rising swells have prompted authorities to urge residents to stay indoors. However, dedicated surfers have been taking advantage of the conditions, braving the powerful waves. Jeff Weatherall, a surfer at Kirra Beach, said that, “This is what we look forward to, as he prepared for another day in the water. For five days straight, all I’ve done is eat, sleep, and surf.” Kirra Beach, renowned for its surf breaks, has been a hub of activity as surfers anticipate the cyclone’s arrival. Expected to make landfall as a…