A viral video claiming that a bedsheet labeled “Made in Pakistan” was being sold at a religious fair in Pune has prompted local authorities to launch an investigation into the matter. The controversy surfaced after a woman from Pimpri-Chinchwad alleged that she found the label on a bedsheet she had purchased from a stall during the Sankashti Chaturthi fair near the historic Moraya Gosavi temple. According to her, the label was noticed only after the item was washed at home.
The woman recorded a video showing the tag stitched onto the bedsheet and shared it on social media. The clip quickly went viral, drawing sharp reactions online and raising questions about the sale of imported goods at religious events. Following the circulation of the video, police and local officials reportedly began examining the issue. Authorities are expected to verify the authenticity of the label and identify the vendors involved in the sale of the product.
Officials are also likely to investigate the supply chain to determine how the bedsheet reached the fair and whether any rules related to trade or product sourcing were violated. The incident has triggered a broader debate on social media, with several users demanding stricter checks on products sold at temporary fairs and public gatherings. Others, however, urged caution and said conclusions should not be drawn until the investigation is complete.
Textile industry observers note that products sold in local wholesale markets often pass through multiple distributors before reaching retail stalls, making it difficult in some cases to immediately trace their origin. No official confirmation has yet been issued regarding whether the bedsheet was directly imported from Pakistan or whether the label may be linked to old stock or third-party distribution channels. Authorities are expected to release further details once the preliminary inquiry is completed.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.
Vladimir Putin stated that any effort to pressure India through sanctions would backfire quickly under the leadership of Narendra Modi. Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin emphasised that India operates as a sovereign nation and makes decisions based solely on its national interests.
Recalling his long-standing relationship with Modi, Putin referred to the period when the Indian leader was barred from entering the United States, saying Modi would not forget that experience. He noted that relations between India and the US have since improved significantly. Responding to questions about possible US sanctions if India purchases Russian defence equipment such as the Sukhoi Su-57 or the S-500, Putin said India has every right to choose military systems that best meet its needs in terms of technology and cost. He stressed that India consistently acts according to its own strategic priorities.
Putin further said Russia’s partnership with India is built on mutual trust and is not influenced by political circumstances. He highlighted the two countries’ cooperation in defence research and development, particularly the joint work on the BrahMos missile programme. Discussing the Su-57 fighter jet, Putin revealed that Russia had earlier proposed a joint development project with India, but eventually continued the programme independently when the collaboration did not materialise. Calling the aircraft one of the most advanced fighters in the world, he said Russia remains ready to supply it to India.
Russia has historically been India’s largest defence supplier, although delays and supply disruptions linked to the Ukraine conflict have encouraged New Delhi to diversify its defence purchases. At the same time, India is pushing ahead with its indigenous Advanced Multirole Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, which is expected to enter service after 2035. Until then, India is reportedly considering acquiring around 36 Su-57 fighter jets, subject to meeting operational requirements.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
The Centre on Friday issued the Income-tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, granting Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) exemption from tax on interest income and capital gains earned through investments in government securities. The move is aimed at attracting stable long-term foreign capital and strengthening India’s bond market.
Since Parliament is currently not in session, the Ordinance was promulgated to amend Schedule IV of the Income-tax Act, 2025, with retrospective effect from April 1, 2026. As per the Gazette notification, the amendment introduces a new provision under the tax-exempt income category, stating that any interest earned on government securities, along with capital gains arising from their sale, transfer, or exchange by FIIs, will be exempt from tax, provided the required disclosures are submitted. The same benefit has also been extended to the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).
The measure is expected to encourage greater foreign participation in India’s sovereign debt market, particularly in long-term government bonds. Stable overseas investments in government securities can support public expenditure and investments across sectors such as infrastructure, urban development, climate transition, manufacturing, and social welfare.
Increased foreign investment is also likely to enhance liquidity and improve price discovery in the government securities market, helping make borrowing costs more efficient across the financial system. Since government bond yields act as benchmark rates for corporate borrowing, bank loans, and infrastructure financing, a stronger sovereign debt market is considered vital for overall financial-sector efficiency.
The government believes the exemption will diversify the investor base for sovereign debt, boost competition in primary auctions and secondary markets, and gradually lower borrowing costs by compressing term premia. The decision further strengthens the appeal of Indian government securities among global investors as India deepens its integration with international capital markets. It follows earlier reforms such as the Fully Accessible Route (FAR), which enabled the inclusion of Indian government bonds in major global bond indices and helped attract long-term passive foreign investments. The definition of Foreign Institutional Investor will follow the provisions of the Income-tax Act, while “government security” will carry the meaning assigned under the Government Securities Act, 2006. The exemption will apply subject to prescribed disclosure and reporting requirements.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
IIT Roorkee on Friday dismissed reports claiming that a major data breach had compromised the personal information of lakhs of JEE (Advanced) aspirants, describing the allegations as “misleading” and “factually inaccurate.” In a statement shared on X, the institute clarified that the information being circulated online does not present the complete picture and accused some sections of spreading misinformation regarding the incident.
According to IIT Roorkee, technical measures were introduced on June 2 to help candidates who were facing difficulties while accessing their admit cards and to ensure the registration system functioned smoothly. During this process, a temporary and minor misconfiguration occurred in one of the cloud storage systems. The institute said the issue was identified by ethical hacker Rylen Anil, who informed authorities that the database could be accessed. IIT Roorkee stated that the problem was fixed immediately and access permissions were restricted without delay.
The institution further explained that the affected storage system had “read-only” access, meaning no data could be altered or deleted. After reviewing cloud access logs, officials confirmed that there was no bulk download or mass extraction of candidate information. IIT Roorkee added that the exposure was limited to less than 0.05% of the data and that no sensitive details were compromised.
The institute also emphasized that the incident had no effect on examination-related outcomes, including candidates’ marks, rankings, or category details. Reaffirming its commitment to secure admissions and examination processes, IIT Roorkee said it remains dedicated to maintaining the integrity, transparency, and security of both JEE (Advanced) and JoSAA counselling procedures.
The statement also expressed concern over what it described as attempts to misrepresent the technical issue and weaken public confidence in the examination system. “The JEE (Advanced) team remains committed to supporting every aspirant through a smooth and secure admission process into IITs and IISc,” the institute added.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept but a practical reality that is reshaping governance, commerce, warfare, and judicial systems. Speaking at Birkbeck College, University of London, he described AI as one of the biggest challenges facing international law and said the choices made today will shape the future of technology, freedom, justice, and power. He stressed that technology itself is neither good nor bad, and its impact depends on the legal and ethical frameworks guiding its use. Justice Kant noted that governments and courts are increasingly using AI for welfare distribution, policing, legal research, case management, and decision-making. While AI can improve efficiency and access to justice, he warned that it also raises serious concerns about accountability, sovereignty, and human rights in a world where algorithmic systems operate across borders. The CJI said the international community must ensure that technological advancement remains accountable to democratic values and human dignity, adding that humanity must retain control over the principles by which society is governed.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.
On Made in SG, Melanie Oliveiro chats with Singaporean singer-songwriter Frances Tan, who recently competed in the Commonwealth Song Contest — an international music competition featuring participants from all 56 Commonwealth countries. Tan shares her experience of being chosen as a Grand Finalist, representing Singapore alongside six other finalist nations. She also discusses her original track, Just Me, which she submitted as her contest entry.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
A second batch of more than 1,000 pages of documents concerning Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador has been made public. The files were expected to shed light on what ministers knew about Mandelson’s connections to Epstein and the vetting process behind his approval. Instead, they exposed internal government tensions and early concerns over Keir Starmer’s leadership. Lucy Hough talks with the Guardian’s head of national news, Archie Bland.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
On Saturday, Donald Trump stated that negotiations with Tehran were progressing positively and that a deal to end the conflict was largely in place. Just a day later, the United States carried out strikes in southern Iran. By Thursday, Trump had shared a draft peace proposal for the Iran conflict with allied nations. As the future of a US-Iran agreement remains uncertain, Jonathan Freedland speaks with Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group to explore why Trump has repeatedly shifted his approach to ending the war.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) has kept its GDP growth forecast at 2–4%, supported by stronger-than-anticipated economic performance in the first quarter. At the same time, core inflation eased more than expected in April. Economists caution that geopolitical uncertainties and weaker external demand continue to pose risks. Susan Ng and Hairianto Diman discuss the strength of Singapore’s economy and its outlook for the coming months with Jeff Ng from Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
