China-Linked Loan App Scams Estimated to Cause Over $3 Billion in Global Losses

A 16-year-old student from Bardhaman, West Bengal, has been recognized as the top scorer in her school for the Class 10 state board examinations, despite passing away just days before the results were announced. Thoibi Mukherjee battled severe jaundice during her exams, which went undiagnosed at the time. Her headmistress, Papari Mukherjee, expressed deep sorrow, stating that Thoibi struggled through the tests, often resting her head on her arms due to illness. Though she scored an impressive 674 marks, her family and teachers lamented her absence. Her grandmother, Sabita Mukherjee, noted that Thoibi would have joyfully celebrated her achievement had she been alive, while her grandfather reflected on the pressure she faced. Thoibi contracted the illness after the exams and was taken to Hyderabad for treatment, but her condition worsened, leading to her death on April 16. The results were released a few days later, highlighting the tragic circumstances surrounding her accomplishment.

An Air India flight traveling from New Delhi to Tel Aviv was diverted to Abu Dhabi on May 4, 2025, following a missile attack near the Israeli airport. According to sources, the missile, reportedly launched from Yemen, landed close to Tel Aviv's airport, prompting safety concerns and a temporary suspension of air traffic in the area. The Air India flight AI139, operated by a Boeing 787, was in Jordanian airspace when the decision was made to reroute to Abu Dhabi. The diversion occurred less than an hour before its scheduled landing in Tel Aviv. As a result of the incident, the return flight from Tel Aviv to Delhi has been canceled for the day. Authorities are still awaiting an official statement from Air India regarding the incident. This missile attack highlights ongoing tensions in the region, particularly concerning threats aimed at Israel from Yemen.

An intelligence report reveals that China is leveraging its alliance with Pakistan to destabilize India, thereby avoiding direct military confrontation. According to CNN-News18, the analysis indicates that Beijing supports Islamabad both militarily and diplomatically, intending to engage India in regional conflicts. This partnership is viewed as a strategic maneuver during potential clashes between India and Pakistan, allowing China to trial its military technology while influencing global defense strategies. China's support for Pakistan is crucial to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a $62 billion infrastructure initiative that provides China with strategic access to the Indian Ocean. Intelligence sources suggest that China will likely focus on asymmetric warfare tactics, including cyberwarfare and intelligence-sharing, to limit India's influence in the region. The report highlights that China shields militant groups operating against India and may enhance arms supplies to Pakistan, including drones and missiles. Such developments could significantly reshape the geopolitical landscape of South Asia as India aligns more closely with Western allies such as the US, Japan, and Australia amid escalating tensions.