India

‘Conspiracy to oust me from Cabinet’: Union minister accuses BJP colleagues of smear campaign

Raksha Bandhan Celebrations Cause Heavy Traffic and Metro Rush in Delhi

Delhi experienced significant traffic congestion and crowded metro services during the Raksha Bandhan festival. Large numbers of residents took to the roads and public transport to visit family and celebrate the occasion. The long weekend contributed to the surge in movement across the city. Both road networks and Delhi Metro stations saw notably higher footfall than usual as people marked the festival.

Meta settles with 52 AGs for $18B, adds 11 teen protections on Instagram and Facebook

Meta has reached an $18 billion settlement with 52 state attorneys general over concerns about teen safety on its platforms. As part of the agreement, the company will roll out at least 11 new protective measures for users under 18. These include automatic screen-time limits, night mode activation, and alerts for excessive usage. Additional safeguards such as hidden like counts, stronger age verification, and content guardrails will also be introduced. The changes aim to create a safer digital environment for minors across Instagram and Facebook.

BSP to Contest Punjab 2027 Elections Solo, Banking on Fragmented Dalit Vote

Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party has announced it will go it alone in Punjab's 2027 assembly elections. The decision underscores the challenge of consolidating Dalit voters into a unified political force. Punjab holds the highest proportion of Scheduled Caste population in India, yet this community remains deeply divided along sub-caste lines. Rival parties such as AAP and Congress have successfully built cross-caste support bases in the state. BSP's solo strategy will be a key test of whether it can mobilise this fragmented electorate in its favour.

India and China eye Northern Sea Route for faster Asia-Europe trade links

India is showing growing interest in the Northern Sea Route (NSR), driven by its commercial potential and the need to diversify trade connectivity. The NSR offers a significant geographical advantage on select Asia-Europe shipping lanes. China is also eyeing the route as part of its broader trade ambitions. Together, the interest from both Asian giants signals a shift in how major economies are rethinking global maritime trade corridors.

Nursing Student Found Dead in UP Hostel Room, Post-Mortem Ordered

A nursing student was found hanging from a ceiling fan in her hostel room in Uttar Pradesh. Local police, including Munshiganj Station House Officer Brijesh Singh, responded to the incident. The student's family was notified of her death by authorities. The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.

New glacial lake near Nepal-China border raises flood risk amid ongoing rescue ops

Rescue operations continue in flood-hit Nepal as thick mud and debris make conditions increasingly difficult. A glacial detachment near the Nepal-China border has created a natural dam, forming a new lake that scientists warn could overflow. Experts are concerned about accelerating glacial melt and debris blocking river channels, which may worsen flooding. India has stepped up its response by sending emergency aid to support relief efforts in the affected region.

Anaya Bangar cleared by Cricket Australia to compete in women's cricket

Anaya Bangar, a transgender cricketer, has received approval from Cricket Australia to participate in women's cricket. The clearance follows her gender-affirming surgery earlier this year, marking a significant milestone in her athletic journey. Bangar has openly described her transition as a lonely and emotionally challenging experience. The approval now gives her the opportunity to return to competitive cricket and demonstrate her abilities on the field.

Colorado County Protects 530-Acre Historic Ranch in $34M Conservation Deal

A historic ranch in Colorado has been officially designated as protected wilderness, marking a significant conservation milestone for the region. Local officials secured the 530-acre property through a record-breaking $34 million purchase made approximately two years ago. The land had remained in private hands for over a century before this acquisition. The deal guarantees long-term protection of vital wildlife habitats while opening the area to public access.

Karnataka Minister Nagendra Resigns Amid CBI Prosecution Move, Alleges Caste Targeting

Karnataka minister B Nagendra announced his resignation on Friday following the CBI's request for sanction to prosecute him in a scam case. Nagendra claimed he was targeted because of his tribal identity, framing his exit as a politically motivated attack. He defiantly challenged the BJP to defeat him at the ballot box in his Ballari constituency. The opposition had been mounting pressure and protests demanding his removal from the cabinet prior to the announcement.

Karnataka Minister B Nagendra Resigns Again Over Rs 89 Crore Tribal Fund Scam

Karnataka minister B Nagendra has resigned from the state cabinet for the second time in connection with the same corruption scandal. The controversy centres on alleged financial irregularities worth Rs 89 crore in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation. The main opposition BJP had been pressing the issue, keeping pressure on the ruling government. Nagendra was visibly emotional at the time of his resignation. This marks a recurring political crisis for the Karnataka government over the same tribal welfare fund scandal.

Karnataka Minister B Nagendra resigns amid CBI corruption probe

Karnataka Minister B Nagendra Resigns Amid Rs 89.63 Crore Fund Diversion Allegations

Karnataka minister B Nagendra submitted his resignation on Friday following allegations of financial misconduct linked to the Valmiki Corporation scam. The controversy centers on the alleged diversion of Rs 89.63 crore in corporation funds. Nagendra, who had only recently been re-inducted into the state cabinet earlier this month, claimed the charges against him were part of a conspiracy targeting him due to his tribal background. Opposition parties had been mounting pressure on him to step down over the issue.

Dramatic rescue in Nepal as survivors crawl through mud from flood-hit tunnel - video

India's Chungreng Koren exits Road to UFC after semifinal loss to Ryo Tajima

Indian fighter Chungreng Koren was eliminated from the Road to UFC tournament after losing a unanimous decision to Japan's Ryo Tajima in the bantamweight semifinal held in Shanghai. Despite dominating possession and logging over eight minutes of control time, Koren was unable to secure the win. Tajima's consistent output of short punches and knees proved more convincing to the judges. The loss ended Koren's bid for a UFC contract, which is awarded to the tournament's winner.

India's AMCA Fighter Programme Faces Further Delay as ADA Extends Bid Deadline

India's Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has granted industry bidders two additional months to submit proposals for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. The initiative aims to develop an indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter jet for the Indian Air Force. Whichever partner is selected will be required to achieve a prototype flight within 30 months of signing the contract. The Indian Air Force intends to induct the advanced aircraft into service by the mid-2030s. The deadline extension marks another setback for the already delayed homegrown defence programme.

‘Just finished the trek’: Woman’s message to family before she went missing in Nepal floods

Google Data Center Push Forces Texas Farmer Off 600 Acres in 60 Days

A Texas farmer has been given just 60 days to vacate 600 acres of rented farmland after a deal was struck to repurpose the land for a Google data center. The case highlights a broader trend of agricultural land in rural Texas being converted for use by major technology companies. This shift is intensifying competition over critical resources, particularly water, which is essential for both farming and data center operations. State officials have voiced concerns about the permanent loss of fertile agricultural land to technology infrastructure. The development signals a significant transformation in the region's rural economy and land-use priorities.

Jammu Girls Tie Rakhis to Paramilitary Jawans on Raksha Bandhan

On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, young girls from Jammu tied rakhis to paramilitary jawans as a gesture of solidarity and gratitude. The symbolic act was meant to honor the soldiers who guard the country's borders. Student Ritika expressed that the gesture conveyed sisterly support for the jawans in their duty. The girls stated they feel safe because of the sacrifices made by these personnel.

India Preparing Additional Aid for Nepal After Formal Request from Kathmandu

India's Ministry of External Affairs announced on Friday that it is preparing additional humanitarian assistance for Nepal following a formal request from Kathmandu. The aid package is set to include medical support, engineering teams, and equipment aimed at restoring damaged infrastructure. The announcement comes amid reports that Nepal had publicly indicated it did not require foreign assistance. India's MEA specifically emphasized that the assistance is being mobilized at Nepal's own request. The development highlights the bilateral coordination between the two neighboring countries in responding to the disaster.