India

Padma Shri Awardee Harekala Hajabba Receives Tax Notice Over Name Mismatch

Padma Shri recipient Harekala Hajabba, the renowned fruit seller from Karnataka known for building a school, has received a notice from the Serious Irregularities Report (SIR) authorities over a name discrepancy in official records. His name appears as simply 'Hajabba' in an old 2002 voter list, while subsequent official documents record his full name as 'Harekala Hajabba'. The mismatch between these two versions of his name across different government records triggered the notice. Such discrepancies in voter and identity documents are a common administrative issue that can create legal and bureaucratic complications for individuals.

Vijay Attacks DMK's Three Generations Over Corruption Allegations

Tamil Nadu actor-politician Vijay launched a sharp attack on the DMK party, targeting three generations of its leadership. He cited the 1976 Sarkaria Commission report to back his allegations, noting that an entire chapter was dedicated to the Veeranam pipeline scam. The report allegedly referenced corruption involving DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi and Maran. Vijay used these historical references to question the integrity of the DMK political dynasty.

Delhi Students Risk Lives in Unsafe, Overcrowded Rented Rooms Near Colleges

Students living near Delhi's major educational hubs face serious safety hazards in cramped, overpriced rental accommodations. Areas like Laxmi Nagar and Mukherjee Nagar are particularly affected, with widespread issues including poor ventilation and exposed electrical wiring. Despite paying high rents, students have little choice but to occupy these dangerous spaces to stay close to colleges and coaching centres. Narrow lanes and inadequate safety infrastructure further compound the risks in these densely populated neighbourhoods. Recent incidents have brought renewed attention to the perilous conditions endured by thousands of students pursuing their education in the capital.

Amit Shah Awards President's Colour to Goa Police for Distinguished Service

Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the President's Colour to the Goa Police, one of the highest honours bestowed upon a police force. The award recognises the force's outstanding contributions to law enforcement and public safety over the years. Shah highlighted the unique challenges faced by Goa Police, including securing a long and vulnerable coastline. The force is also responsible for ensuring the safety of millions of tourists who visit the state annually. The President's Colour is a rare distinction that acknowledges exceptional service and discipline within a police organisation.

Australian baby born at 21 weeks becomes country's most premature survivor

An Australian woman discovered she was pregnant just days before unexpectedly going into labor. Her daughter, Makerita Tanuvasa, was born at only 21 weeks and three days gestation, weighing a mere 351 grams. The newborn has since been recognized as Australia's most premature infant to survive. Makerita spent over four months in intensive care receiving specialized medical treatment before being discharged. Her survival has been described as a remarkable medical achievement.

Maharashtra Tigress That Killed 4 People Dies After Tranquilisation

A tigress responsible for killing four people in Maharashtra has died while being transported to a rescue centre. The animal had been tranquilised by wildlife authorities following a prolonged effort to capture it. The tigress had been causing fear across parts of Amravati and Wardha districts since mid-last month. Officials had been tracking and attempting to neutralise the threat posed by the big cat for several weeks. The tigress died en route to the rescue facility after being sedated.

GTA 6 PC Release May Come Earlier Than Expected, Industry Sources Suggest

Grand Theft Auto VI is officially scheduled for a console release in November 2026, but details about a PC version remain unconfirmed by Rockstar Games. Recent industry discussions have fueled speculation that the PC port could arrive sooner than anticipated. The growing commercial importance of the PC gaming market is cited as a key factor behind this shift in expectations. Historically, Rockstar has delayed PC versions of its titles well after console launches, but analysts suggest this pattern may change with GTA VI.

Allahabad HC quashes NSA detention of DU student, orders Rs 5 lakh compensation

The Allahabad High Court has quashed the National Security Act detention of Delhi University student activist Akriti Chaudhary, who was held during a workers' protest in Noida. The court directed Gautam Buddha Nagar district officials to pay Rs 5 lakh as compensation to the student. The bench strongly criticized the arbitrary use of the stringent preventive detention law by authorities. The court also ordered that the officials' conduct be recorded in their service files as a mark of accountability.

Allahabad HC quashes NSA detention of activist Akriti Chaudhary, awards compensation

The Allahabad High Court has overturned the National Security Act detention of activist Akriti Chaudhary and ordered compensation in her favour. The court criticised the Gautam Budh Nagar administration for failing to produce adequate evidence to justify the detention. Judges stressed that government officials must uphold constitutional duties rather than act on political considerations. The ruling noted no evidence existed showing Chaudhary had incited violence, making the preventive detention unjustified. The verdict serves as a strong warning against misuse of preventive detention laws to target activists.

Swiss Researchers Test Sheep's Wool Blankets to Slow Glacier Melting

Swiss scientists are experimenting with natural wool blankets as a way to reduce ice melt on glaciers. The blankets are made from discarded sheep's wool, repurposing an agricultural byproduct that would otherwise go to waste. Trial results suggest the eco-friendly coverings perform comparably to synthetic alternatives. However, researchers caution that the method only addresses melting in localized areas and cannot reverse the broader effects of climate change. Long-term glacier preservation, they stress, ultimately depends on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Manipur Singer Killed in Delhi After Objecting to Men Drinking Outside Home

Vikram Singh, a singer from Manipur's Meitei community, was beaten to death near his residence in Delhi. The incident occurred after Singh objected to a group of men creating a nuisance outside his home. The confrontation turned fatal when the men allegedly attacked him in response to his complaint. The case highlights concerns over public safety and violence against residents who speak up against anti-social behavior.

FBI Failed to Chase Evidence Linking 9/11 Suspect to Al-Qaida, Saudi Arabia

Newly released footage shows Omar al-Bayoumi playing paintball with al-Qaida cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, directly contradicting Bayoumi's earlier testimony that the two never met. The videos emerged as part of evidence compiled in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. Investigators also uncovered a diagram indicating that Bayoumi may have had prior knowledge of the 9/11 plot. Both Bayoumi and the Saudi government have denied any involvement in or awareness of the attacks. A new report alleges that the FBI failed to adequately pursue this evidence linking the suspect to al-Qaida and Saudi connections.

Three Dead, Three Critical in Head-On Motorcycle Crash on Tripura Highway

A deadly head-on collision between two motorcycles claimed three lives in Tripura's Sabroom area. Three other individuals sustained critical injuries in the crash. The accident took place on the Sabroom-Agartala National Highway near Dasharath Deb Memorial School in the Satchand area. Authorities are investigating the circumstances that led to the fatal collision.

Woman arrested in Bihar train with 75 litres of liquor hidden in AC coach

A young woman was caught travelling ticketless in a locked first AC coach of a train in Bihar, found in possession of approximately 75 litres of foreign liquor. Railway officials discovered the consignment and arrested both the woman and a relative travelling with her. The two were subsequently remanded to judicial custody following their arrest. Authorities are investigating whether the woman's family has prior involvement in liquor smuggling activities. Her mobile phone contacts are also being scrutinised for possible connections to a wider liquor distribution network.

Sanjay Dutt's Marathi Joke Prompts Former Prisons Chief to Recall Actor's Jail Stint

Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt recently quipped that he failed to learn Marathi despite spending six years incarcerated at Pune's Yerwada Jail. His lighthearted remark drew attention from the former chief of Maharashtra's prison department, who shared recollections of Dutt's time behind bars. Dutt had served his sentence at Yerwada, one of Maharashtra's most prominent correctional facilities. The comment sparked a brief public exchange touching on the actor's well-documented legal history in the state.

Students Recount Trauma of Digging Out Friends After Delhi Building Collapse

A building collapse in Delhi left students in shock as they were forced to pull out the bodies of their friends from the debris. Survivors have shared harrowing accounts of the rescue efforts they undertook before emergency services arrived. The incident has sparked outrage among the student community over safety conditions at the site. Students have also alleged that the tragedy is being politically exploited by student leaders ahead of upcoming Delhi University Students' Union elections.

China Develops Humanoid Robots for Future Military Combat Roles

China's military is actively pursuing the development and integration of humanoid robots into future combat operations. Multiple research institutions are conducting rigorous testing to ensure these robots meet specific battlefield requirements. The development effort is focused on enhancing key capabilities including perception, physical manipulation, and operational training methods. This push reflects China's broader strategy to modernize its armed forces through advanced robotics technology.

Telangana Assembly Speaker breaks down in tears after alleged verbal abuse

HC Awards Rs 10 Lakh to Woman Whose Role Was Downgraded After Maternity Leave

A High Court has ruled in favor of a woman employee whose job responsibilities were significantly reduced after she returned from maternity leave, despite her salary remaining unchanged at Rs 2.6 lakh. The court awarded her Rs 10 lakh in compensation, sending a strong message about workplace rights. The judgment clarified that maternity protection laws do not merely cover pay, but also extend to an employee's duties, rank, supervisory authority, and career advancement opportunities. The ruling reinforces that demoting a woman's role or responsibilities after maternity leave constitutes a violation of statutory protections, even if her salary is maintained.

Delhi Building That Collapsed Was Not Flagged in MCD's 27 Dangerous Structures List

A building that recently collapsed in Delhi had not been included in the MCD's survey list of 27 dangerous structures. Post-collapse assessment by the MCD revealed that the building had no sanctioned construction plan on record. The basement of the property had been built without any official authorisation. Additionally, the building lacked a mandatory Fire No-Objection Certificate. The case has raised questions about the completeness and accuracy of the civic body's structural safety surveys.