India

Magnitude 5 Earthquake Strikes Tibet, No Casualties Reported

A magnitude 5 earthquake struck Tibet at a depth of 10 kilometres, according to the regional research centre. The tremor occurred just seven days after a devastating event in the Himalayan region that caused significant casualties. Authorities found no immediate reports of deaths or injuries following this latest quake. The back-to-back seismic events have drawn attention to the region's ongoing geological vulnerability.

Delhi AIIMS Handles 50 Lakh Outpatients in 2024-25, Capacity Under Pressure

Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has released its annual report for 2024-25, revealing the scale of patient load at the premier public hospital. The institution attended to approximately 50 lakh outpatients over the course of the year, averaging around 15,000 patients per day. Additionally, AIIMS treated 3.5 lakh inpatients and carried out over 3 lakh surgical procedures during the same period. The figures highlight the enormous demand placed on the hospital's infrastructure and medical staff. The data has raised concerns about the institution's capacity to sustain such high patient volumes without compromising care quality.

'When there is business, there is CEO': Raut flags corporatisation of Ram Mandir

India orders 59 Zorawar light tanks featuring Belgian-designed turret for high-altitude ops

India and Belgium have strengthened their defense ties by finalizing terms for enhanced military exchanges and training cooperation. A key highlight of this partnership is the Zorawar light tank, an indigenously produced platform built for high-altitude warfare. The tank features a turret developed by Belgian defense firm John Cockerill and is manufactured in India through a joint venture. India has already placed an order for 59 Zorawar tanks to meet regional security demands.

Kerala HC Confirms 10-Year Sentence for Man Convicted of Minor's Assault

The Kerala High Court has upheld a 10-year prison sentence for a man named Reji, convicted in a case involving the assault of a minor. Justice A Badharudeen presided over the case and dismissed the appeal filed by the accused. The court confirmed the original verdict delivered by the trial court. Additionally, the judge ordered the cancellation of Reji's bail bond following the ruling.

Delhi Court Grants Bail to Ex-Minister Satyendar Jain in Corruption Case

A Delhi court granted bail to former minister Satyendar Jain, who was facing charges in a corruption case. The case centres on a tender allegedly awarded to Euroteck Environmental Private Limited, with the Anti-Corruption Bureau claiming the tender conditions were manipulated. Following the bail order, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of using arrests as a political tool. Party colleague Gopal Rai Bharadwaj also condemned Jain's arrest, describing it as unnecessary harassment. The development marks a significant moment for the Aam Aadmi Party, which has consistently maintained that the case was politically motivated.

Toronto Home Sales Drop for First Time in Six Months Amid Trade Concerns

Greater Toronto Area home sales declined in August, marking the first monthly drop in six months. Worries over trade tensions and the prospect of rising borrowing costs kept many potential buyers on the sidelines. Both sales volumes and property prices fell compared to the same period last year. New listings also saw a notable decrease during August. Analysts view the slowdown as a reflection of wider economic uncertainties affecting buyer confidence.

China’s grey-zone game: Why India must prepare for ‘armed coexistence’

Paswan-Manjhi Clash Over SC Sub-Quotas Puts NDA in a Tight Spot

Two prominent Dalit leaders from Bihar, Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi, have publicly diverged over the issue of sub-quotas within existing Scheduled Caste reservations. The dispute centers on the Supreme Court's recent ruling allowing states to create sub-classifications within SC reservations, including the exclusion of a 'creamy layer'. The disagreement has exposed internal tensions within the NDA alliance, as key coalition partners hold conflicting views on reservation policy. The BJP now faces the delicate challenge of balancing the demands of anti-reservation voices against those of allies pushing for policy changes. How the ruling party manages this divide could have significant implications for its electoral coalition ahead of future elections.

Rusty & faded: USS Lincoln with 5,000 war-weary sailors docks in Thailand

India Signals Limits of Patience as Pakistan Resists Indus Waters Treaty Revision

The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) has historically survived tensions between India and Pakistan largely due to India's high tolerance for disagreement. Pakistan has sought to keep the treaty unchanged, resisting any renegotiation or modernisation of its terms. However, analysts argue that treaties cannot remain frozen in time and must evolve to reflect new realities. India has signalled that it will no longer be pressured into compliance through international lobbying by Pakistan. The situation underscores growing friction over water-sharing arrangements that have stood since the treaty was signed in 1960.

VVS Laxman to coach India at 2026 Asian Games as Gambhir stays with senior side

VVS Laxman has been appointed to coach the Indian men's cricket team at the 2026 Asian Games. Gautam Gambhir will not be available for the tournament as he is set to remain with the senior national side for the West Indies ODI series. The men's team, led by Shreyas Iyer, will look to defend their T20 title at the Games. On the women's side, Harmanpreet Kaur will captain the defending champion Indian team. Both the men's and women's squads are expected to compete in the multi-sport event.

Bill Gates warns AI leaders hide risks to protect investments, urges global rules

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has accused AI industry leaders of deliberately downplaying the risks of artificial intelligence due to the enormous financial stakes involved. In a recent interview and a lengthy essay, Gates warned that AI could trigger mass job losses across sectors including law, medicine, software development, and customer service. He proposed a token tax on AI usage as a policy measure to address economic disruption caused by the technology. Gates also called for international regulations targeting AI-related bioterrorism risks and argued that caregiving roles should be kept exclusively for humans.

Sacked Telangana Minister Konda Surekha Questions Cabinet Removal, Denies Wrongdoing

Former Telangana minister Konda Surekha has spoken out against her removal from the state cabinet, asserting that she committed no acts of corruption during her tenure. She said she had duly responded to show-cause notices served to her and questioned why she was not consulted before the decision was made. Surekha also defended her daughter, challenging the basis for holding her accountable for her daughter's remarks. She drew attention to the treatment of other Congress leaders, raising concerns about the fairness of the action taken against her. The former minister has not yet announced what course of action she intends to take regarding her political future.

Sugar retail prices drop 3.85% to Rs 62.57/kg after government intervention

Sugar retail prices in India have fallen by 3.85% to Rs 62.57 per kilogram over the past week following government action. The decline comes after authorities introduced measures including import allowances and restrictions on stock holdings to stabilize the market. Despite the weekly dip, consumers are still paying more compared to prices from a month ago due to existing inventory in the supply chain. Traders holding older, higher-priced stock are slowing the transmission of lower wholesale rates to retail consumers. The government's steps are gradually taking effect, though full price relief at the consumer level may take more time.

Olympic Champion Tara Davis-Woodhall Survives Head-On Car Crash, Future Uncertain

Olympic long jump champion Tara Davis-Woodhall narrowly survived a serious head-on car collision last week. The crash, which occurred while she was travelling to a training session at around 20 mph, left both vehicles badly damaged. Davis-Woodhall suffered a severe concussion as a result of the impact. She is currently focused on her recovery and evaluating whether she will be fit enough to return to competition. Her participation in the upcoming World Athletics Ultimate Championship is now in doubt.

India Launches 10-Year RAKSHA Defence Diplomacy Roadmap to Boost Global Ties

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has unveiled a ten-year strategic framework called RAKSHA, aimed at expanding India's defence and security partnerships worldwide. The document focuses on building strategic alliances, enhancing capacity-building initiatives, and strengthening maritime security cooperation. A key priority of the roadmap is promoting domestically produced defence exports to global markets. The framework seeks to align India's national security objectives with a more proactive international engagement strategy. Through this initiative, India aims to establish itself as a major defence manufacturing hub and a pillar of regional stability.

BSF Arrests Pakistani National Near Jammu International Border

The Border Security Force (BSF) has arrested a Pakistani national named Nazir near the international border in Jammu. The intruder was apprehended while attempting to cross into Indian territory. BSF personnel are currently interrogating Nazir to determine the motive behind the border crossing. Authorities are investigating whether the intrusion was accidental or a deliberate act to test the alertness of Indian border troops. Officials have not ruled out the possibility that the crossing may have been a reconnaissance effort ahead of a potential terrorist infiltration attempt.

Indian teen Keyaa Banerji wins World silver with 140kg deadlift, triple her bodyweight

Keyaa Kunal Banerji earned a silver medal at the World Powerlifting Championships by lifting 140kg in the deadlift, a weight more than three times her own bodyweight. The achievement went viral on social media, drawing widespread attention to the young Indian athlete. Fellow Indian competitor Madhura Kar had an outstanding tournament, claiming four gold medals across her events. Asma Taherali Zabuawala also represented India creditably, finishing sixth in her respective weight category. The performances collectively highlight India's growing strength and presence in international powerlifting.

Bangladesh PM Likens Sheikh Hasina to Mythological Villain Kansa at Janmashtami Event

Bangladesh's Prime Minister drew a comparison between former PM Sheikh Hasina and Kansa, the villainous figure from Hindu mythology, at a Janmashtami event. The programme was jointly organised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust. The remarks were made in the context of the religious celebration marking the birth of Lord Krishna. Kansa is traditionally depicted as a tyrannical ruler in Hindu scripture, making the comparison a pointed political statement. The event highlights the new government's engagement with Bangladesh's Hindu community.