The Lok Sabha rejected the Opposition’s no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla through a voice vote, yesterday. With this the two-day heated debate that highlighted growing tensions between the ruling coalition and Opposition parties, came to an end. The motion, tabled by Congress and its allies, alleged that Speaker Birla had acted in a partisan manner, undermining the impartiality expected of the chair. Despite repeated protests and sloganeering by Opposition MPs, the motion failed due to the ruling National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) numerical majority.

Opposition leaders accused Birla of favoring the government during crucial House proceedings, including restrictions on who could speak and delays in granting time for debates. They specifically highlighted instances where the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, was allegedly denied adequate opportunity to raise issues. Congress and allied parties argued that such conduct compromised parliamentary decorum and eroded trust in the Speaker’s office, prompting their bid to remove him under constitutional provisions.

The proceedings were marked by repeated disruptions. MPs from the Opposition chanted slogans, demanding an apology from Union Home Minister Amit Shah for remarks he had made in the House, and raised voices during the motion’s discussion. Presiding officers repeatedly called for order, but the session continued amid loud protests before the voice vote was conducted.

During the debate, Amit Shah defended Speaker Birla, describing the no-confidence motion as unprecedented and damaging to the institution of the House. He asserted that the Speaker had adhered to parliamentary rules and accused the Opposition of politicizing the proceedings. Shah also criticized Rahul Gandhi and other leaders for what he called attempts to undermine democratic norms.

The motion’s failure was widely expected due to the NDA’s majority in the 543-member Lok Sabha. Following the voice vote, Birla returned to the Chair and emphasized that “no one is above the rules of the House,” highlighting his commitment to impartiality and parliamentary decorum.

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Perplexity has unveiled Personal Computer, an AI system designed to run nonstop on a Mac mini and serve as a personal assistant that never stops working. Unlike normal AI assistants, which wait for commands, this AI is always active and can manage tasks, open apps, and access files automatically.

The software works by connecting your Mac to Perplexity’s cloud AI. This allows it to read documents, send emails, research information, and organize tasks without constant supervision. It can even break large projects into smaller steps and complete them autonomously, making it a practical tool for boosting productivity.

The system includes safety features like activity logs, approval checks, and a kill switch to prevent unintended actions, giving users control over the AI’s operations.

Currently, Personal Computer is available via a waitlist and is initially limited to Mac mini devices. Users on higher-tier subscription plans are expected to get access first.

By letting a computer work continuously in the background, Perplexity is moving toward AI that doesn’t just respond, but actively helps showing a future where your personal computer can act as a digital coworker, ready to work around the clock.

Also Read: Firefly Aerospace bounces back with Alpha Flight 7

Firefly Aerospace successfully launched its Alpha rocket on Flight 7 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on March 11. The rocket reached orbit, carried a test payload for Lockheed Martin, and tried out new upgrades for the next version of the rocket.

The launch happened at 5:50 p.m. Pacific Time. The two-stage rocket completed all its goals, including a second-stage engine restart, which is important for moving satellites into precise orbits. New improvements tested included better electronics made by Firefly and stronger heat protection for the rocket.

Firefly said the launch went “perfectly” and all mission objectives were met. The company is now preparing Flight 8, which will include more upgrades like a longer rocket body and stronger structures to make launches more reliable.

This launch comes after a tough year. In September 2025, a rocket exploded during pre-launch testing in Briggs, Texas, delaying the program. Earlier in April 2025, another Alpha rocket failed to reach orbit because of a problem during stage separation, and the payload was lost.

Flight 7’s success also lifted investor confidence, with Firefly’s stock rising after the news. The company, based in Texas and publicly traded as FLY, aims to compete in the small satellite and national security launch markets. The Alpha rocket can carry about one metric ton to low Earth orbit and is central to Firefly’s plans for future missions, including lunar launches.

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Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned it will prevent any oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz if linked to the U.S., Israel, or their allies. Officials say this could push crude prices toward $200 per barrel, as the waterway handles roughly one‑fifth of the world’s oil.

The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested an Indian Navy sailor on charges of allegedly spying for Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

The accused has been identified as Adarsh Kumar, also known as Lucky, who is originally from Agra in Uttar Pradesh. Officials said he was serving as a lance naik in the Indian Navy and was posted at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi, Kerala.

According to investigators, Kumar is suspected of sharing sensitive information related to naval operations and installations with contacts linked to the ISI. Authorities say he allegedly sent photographs and details about naval assets, including warships and key defence facilities.

The arrest followed intelligence inputs received by the ATS about possible espionage activities involving the sailor. After monitoring his activities for some time, the agency detained him when he returned to Agra.

Preliminary investigations suggest that Kumar may have been in contact with the suspected handler through social media. Officials believe he may have been targeted through a “honey trap”, where someone posing as a woman online befriended him and later persuaded him to share confidential information.

Investigators are also examining possible financial transactions between Kumar and the alleged handler. Authorities suspect that he may have received money in exchange for the information he shared.

Following his arrest, Kumar was taken to Lucknow, where he is being questioned by the ATS. A court later sent him to judicial custody while the investigation continues.

Security agencies are now analysing his mobile phones, electronic devices and communication records to find out how long the alleged espionage activity had been going on.

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A suspected drone strike triggered a fire at oil storage tanks in Port of Salalah. Firefighters are working to control the blaze, officials said, while no injuries have been reported so far.

A drone struck a luxury residential tower in Dubai Creek Harbour, causing a fire and forcing residents to evacuate the building. Emergency services responded quickly and managed to bring the situation under control.

Officials said the drone hit part of the high-rise building in the waterfront neighbourhood, triggering a blaze. Firefighters from Dubai Civil Defence rushed to the scene and worked to contain the fire while authorities evacuated residents as a safety measure.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident. After the fire was put out, safety teams carried out inspections in the building before allowing residents to return to their homes.

The strike is believed to be linked to rising tensions in the Middle East involving Iran. Reports suggest the drone may have been launched as part of a wider wave of attacks in the Gulf region amid the ongoing conflict.

The United Arab Emirates has been on high alert as regional tensions increase. Security agencies and air defence systems have been closely monitoring possible threats to protect key cities and infrastructure.

Dubai Creek Harbour is one of the city’s modern residential and commercial districts, known for its luxury apartment towers and waterfront views. The incident caused concern among residents, as the area is considered one of Dubai’s prominent urban developments.

Authorities said emergency teams acted quickly to prevent the fire from spreading to other parts of the building. Officials also reassured the public that security and safety measures remain strong across the city.

Investigators are now examining the drone and the damage caused to determine the exact circumstances of the attack. Officials have not yet released further details about the source of the drone.

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Iran has escalated its stance in the ongoing Middle East conflict by declaring that economic and banking interests linked to the United States and Israel in the region are now legitimate targets. The announcement comes after recent attacks on Iranian facilities, which Tehran describes as part of an effort to undermine its sovereignty and regional influence.

The Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters, the central command of Iran’s armed forces, stated that banks and financial institutions tied to US and Israeli interests could be at risk if hostilities continue. Iranian media has warned civilians to avoid such facilities to prevent potential harm. The move represents a broadening of Iran’s operational focus, expanding the conflict beyond traditional military engagements.

In addition to banking targets, Iranian state-linked outlets and the Revolutionary Guard have published lists of major US technology companies whose infrastructure could also face action. Notable companies cited include Google, Microsoft, Palantir Technologies, IBM, Nvidia, Oracle, and Amazon Web Services. Tehran claims that these companies’ technologies and services support Israeli military operations, making their regional offices and data centers potential targets in retaliation.

Officials described the new posture as part of an “infrastructure war”, signaling that Iran is prepared to target both economic and digital assets. This expansion of threats has raised concerns over the safety of financial hubs and technology networks in Gulf cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain, which host numerous Western-linked operations.

The escalation could have broader repercussions, affecting regional stability and global markets, especially in sectors linked to finance, energy, and technology. International firms have not publicly responded to the threat, but the warnings underscore the risks to both civilian infrastructure and multinational companies operating in the Middle East.

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