India

India expands Vande Bharat fleet with sleeper trains after 2019 debut

India launched its first Vande Bharat sleeper train pair in 2026 on the Guwahati–Howrah route, seven years after the original Vande Bharat debuted in 2019. A second sleeper train pair is currently undergoing trials and is expected to enter service shortly. Reports indicate the new pair may operate between Bengaluru and Mumbai, though railways have yet to officially confirm the route. The expansion is part of a broader plan with 260 Vande Bharat trains reportedly in the pipeline.

Himachal Pradesh monsoon toll: 259 dead, 150 roads blocked, Rs 1,200 crore loss in 64 days

Continuous monsoon rains have battered Himachal Pradesh over the past 64 days, claiming 259 lives and causing economic damage exceeding Rs 1,200 crore. The disaster has left 150 roads blocked, severely disrupting connectivity across the state. Multiple districts are facing outages in power and water supply as a result of the destruction. Authorities are actively working to restore essential services and reopen key road routes to affected communities.

BCI chief tenure: SC says AG, SG 'shall be associated with every policy decision'

MP Man Rejoins CRPF After 27-Year Legal Battle Over Bicycle Incident

Girvar Singh Tomar, a native of Chhichhawali village in Madhya Pradesh, joined the CRPF in 1991 and was posted in Assam. An incident near a local market during his service there set off a chain of events that would change his life entirely. Following his dismissal, Tomar reportedly renounced worldly life and took on the identity of a baba. After a legal battle spanning 27 years, he has now been reinstated and is back in uniform as a constable.

Japanese Agency JCRA Upgrades India's Sovereign Credit Rating to 'A-'

Japanese credit rating agency JCRA has upgraded India's sovereign rating from 'BBB+' to 'A-', marking a positive shift in the country's credit standing. The announcement was made through an official statement released on Wednesday. JCRA cited India's sustained high economic growth rate of approximately 7 per cent as a key factor behind the upgrade. The agency noted that this growth has been driven by robust private consumption and strong public investment. The upgrade reflects growing international confidence in India's economic fundamentals and fiscal trajectory.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang sees AI creating jobs, not eliminating them

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has pushed back against fears that artificial intelligence will lead to widespread job losses. He argued that AI will generate numerous new employment opportunities rather than simply replacing workers. Huang pointed to the rapid growth of chip manufacturing and AI infrastructure facilities as examples of sectors that will require large workforces. He also expects traditional roles to evolve and skilled trades to experience significant growth. His optimistic outlook stands in contrast to warnings from prominent figures like Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.

Nepal Requests Climate Compensation From India, China, and US After Deadly Floods

Nepal has formally appealed to the board of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage for urgent financial assistance. The request follows a catastrophic flash flood that struck the Bhotekoshi river basin on August 26. Nepal is targeting major emitters India, China, and the United States as key contributors to the fund. The move reflects Nepal's position that wealthier, high-emission nations bear responsibility for climate-driven disasters affecting vulnerable countries.

NTA’s search for exam centres after NEET paper leak forced online switch

Austria returns Nazi-looted miniature painting to Jewish family heir after 86 years

Austria has returned a small miniature painting stolen by Nazis in 1940 from Eduard Epstein, a victim of Nazi persecution, to his heir Jackie Sondell. The artwork was confiscated from Epstein's collection during his imprisonment and had remained out of the family's hands for over eight decades. An Austrian diplomat formally handed over the painting to Sondell in a symbolic act of restitution. The Austrian government undertook efforts to trace Sondell and her brother before restoring the piece. The return represents Austria's recognition of its historical responsibilities toward victims of Nazi-era looting.

Assam Man Arrested After Killing Wife and Three Minor Children With Machete

A man in Assam was arrested after allegedly killing his wife and three minor children with a machete. The incident came to light when authorities were alerted to the crime scene. Police and forensic teams visited the location to collect evidence as part of their investigation. The motive behind the killings is yet to be officially established. The case has triggered shock in the local community and prompted a formal inquiry by law enforcement.

Indian Navy seeks homegrown SATCOM terminals to strengthen maritime warfare

The Indian Navy is looking to procure indigenously developed satellite communication terminals for deployment on its warships. The initiative is aimed at strengthening network-centric warfare capabilities in challenging maritime environments. Domestic companies will be tasked with building prototypes that meet a mandatory indigenous content requirement. These prototypes will go through rigorous testing and evaluation before any large-scale production is approved. The move aligns with India's broader push to reduce defence import dependence and boost domestic manufacturing.

Delhi SIR Draft Roll: Five Reasons Your Name May Be Missing and How to Act

Delhi's Special Summary Revision (SIR) draft electoral rolls have been published, with some voters finding their names missing. Officials have identified five reasons for exclusions: the voter being absent, having shifted residence, deceased, a duplicate entry, or falling under a general 'others' category. Affected voters are advised to take corrective steps to ensure their names are reinstated before the rolls are finalised. Residents are urged to check the draft rolls promptly and follow the prescribed process to address any discrepancies.

Kuki MLAs Attend Manipur Assembly in Person for First Time in Over Three Years

The 8th session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly opened in Imphal, marking a notable milestone in the state's political landscape. Legislators from the Kuki community attended the session in person, ending an absence that had lasted more than three years. The return of Kuki MLAs to the assembly floor comes against the backdrop of the prolonged ethnic conflict that has gripped Manipur. Their physical presence at the session is being seen as a significant development amid ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in the strife-torn state.

Tata Sons CEO Succession Search Stalled by Regulatory Probe into Ratan Tata Trust

The search for a successor to Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran has hit a significant obstacle. Sir Ratan Tata Trust, a key shareholder of Tata Sons, is currently unable to conduct its internal meetings due to an ongoing regulatory investigation. This has effectively delayed the succession planning process within the Tata Group. The regulatory probe is creating uncertainty around the timeline for identifying and appointing Chandrasekaran's replacement.

Toxic crosses Rs 315 crore worldwide in second week, targets Rs 250 crore net

Yash and Kiara Advani-starrer Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-Ups has entered its second week in cinemas with collections stabilising after a strong opening run. The film has surpassed Rs 315 crore in worldwide gross earnings so far. While the initial opening-week momentum has slowed, the gangster drama continues to post consistent daily numbers at the box office. The film is now targeting the Rs 250 crore net mark domestically and remains one of the top-performing Indian films of the year.

Rising SIP Investments Deliver Little Return for Indian Retail Investors

Indian retail investors are increasingly finding that their Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) are growing in value on paper but delivering disappointing real returns. Despite consistently contributing to SIPs and following disciplined investment habits, many investors are not seeing meaningful gains from their equity holdings. The disconnect lies in the divergence between rising investment amounts and stagnant or underwhelming stock performance. This emerging trend is raising concerns about whether the popular SIP route is currently an effective wealth-creation tool for ordinary investors.

Kanpur residents rename pothole-ridden street 'Yamraj ka Dwar' in protest

Frustrated Kanpur residents staged a symbolic protest by renaming a damaged local street 'Yamraj ka Dwar', meaning Gate of the God of Death. The demonstration was triggered by severe waterlogging and numerous potholes caused by rain damage across the city. Residents and traders blamed the Nagar Nigam for neglecting road repairs, with businesses reporting losses due to the deteriorating infrastructure. On Sariya VIP Road, a particularly deep pothole prompted a local legislator to physically enter it and remain there until officials arrived to inspect the damage.

Delhi HC awards Rs 10 lakh to CA demoted after maternity leave

The Delhi High Court has ruled that women returning from maternity leave are entitled to be reinstated in their original positions. The court ordered Rs 10 lakh in compensation to a chartered accountant who was demoted upon returning from maternity leave. The judgment clarified that maternity protections extend beyond the leave period itself. The court stressed that pregnancy and motherhood must not result in any professional setback for women. Employers have been directed to ensure genuine workplace reintegration for employees returning after maternity leave.

New Apple CEO John Ternus Hints at iPhone 18 in First Employee Memo

John Ternus has officially taken over as Apple's Chief Executive Officer, marking a major leadership transition at the tech giant. Longtime CEO Tim Cook moves into the role of Executive Chairman following the end of his tenure leading the company. In his first internal memo to employees, Ternus praised Cook's visionary leadership and the impact he had during his time at the helm. The new CEO also expressed excitement about upcoming product innovations, with references pointing to the anticipated iPhone 18 series launch event. Ternus also acknowledged the dedication of Apple's workforce as he begins his leadership of the company.

Chintan Research Foundation Releases Book on Climate Crisis from Global South

The Chintan Research Foundation has launched a new book titled 'Navigating the Climate Crisis: Perspectives and Actions from the Global South for Adaptation and Mitigation.' The publication focuses on climate challenges and responses as viewed from Global South nations. It covers both adaptation and mitigation strategies in the context of the deepening climate crisis. The book aims to bring forward perspectives that are often underrepresented in mainstream climate discourse.