India

'Moved to hear experience first hand': EAM receives 21 TN pilgrims rescued from Nepal

India Hockey Coach Marijne Defends Pre-World Cup Leave, Cites Untold Story

India men's hockey coach Sjoerd Marijne has defended his decision to take leave ahead of the FIH World Cup, insisting his commitment to the team never wavered. He maintained that the squad remained well-prepared throughout his absence and that his involvement in the team's progress was consistent. India finished in fifth place at the FIH World Cup, a result Marijne considers a strong achievement. The coach credited the team's performance to their sustained motivation and high standards. He also expressed hope that the squad's accomplishments would inspire more young girls to pursue hockey.

Crude Oil Heads for Weekly Loss Amid Stalled US-Iran Talks, Hormuz Disruptions

Oil prices held largely steady on Friday but were on track for significant weekly declines across global benchmarks. Disrupted crude flows through the Strait of Hormuz and stalled diplomatic negotiations between the US and Iran weighed on market sentiment. Both Brent and WTI contracts faced notable weekly losses as traders reacted to the uncertain geopolitical landscape. India's MCX crude futures also edged lower on Friday, reflecting the broader global trend. A shift in focus from military pressure to economic sanctions further influenced trader outlook during the week.

India's Census 2027 to Include Caste Question With Open-Ended Format

India's upcoming Census 2027 will feature 40 questions, including a notable question on caste identity. Unlike Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, all other communities will face an open-ended, fill-in-the-blank format for the caste question. Experts argue that a dropdown menu with predefined options would be more accurate and easier to process. However, implementing such a structured format would require considerable preparatory work and consensus-building. The debate highlights the administrative and social complexities of capturing caste data at a national scale.

Relocating Sea Turtle Nests Can Skew Sex Ratios and Produce Smaller Hatchlings

A new finding highlights unintended drawbacks of relocating sea turtle nests, a common conservation practice. When nests are moved to warmer sites, the resulting hatchlings are overwhelmingly female, disrupting natural sex ratios. Even nests repositioned in shaded areas tend to produce smaller hatchlings with diminished physical abilities. These outcomes suggest that temperature alone is insufficient as a guiding factor in nest relocation decisions. Conservationists are being urged to account for a broader range of environmental variables to support healthy turtle population recovery.

German man returns skull stolen from Vienna cathedral catacombs 60 years ago

A human skull stolen from the catacombs of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna has been returned after six decades. An elderly German man confessed to having taken the skull as a young tourist, motivated by a desire for closure over his past actions. The cathedral authorities have since restored the skull to its original resting place. The identity of the person to whom the skull belonged remains unknown. The incident reflects a case of youthful misconduct followed by decades of regret.

Gambhir Stresses Character in Test Cricket After India's 1-0 Series Win Over Sri Lanka

India secured a narrow 1-0 Test series victory over Sri Lanka in a closely contested finale played in Colombo. The team, led by Shubman Gill, demonstrated strong mental resilience throughout the series. Sri Lanka's Sonal Dinusha posed a significant challenge, scoring two centuries and keeping pressure on the Indian bowling attack. Head coach Gautam Gambhir used the hard-fought result to emphasize that Test cricket demands character and mental toughness from players.

Over 1,400 Missing in Flood-Hit Nepal; 178 Indians Among Identified

More than 1,400 people are still unaccounted for following devastating floods in Nepal, according to AFP citing local authorities. Of those missing, 644 individuals have so far been identified. The identified group includes 178 Indian nationals. The floods have affected both local residents and foreign tourists in the region.

Key mistakes to avoid when selecting the right housing scheme

Selecting an appropriate housing scheme requires careful evaluation of one's financial standing and the property's location. A household's annual income is a major factor in determining eligibility for government housing programs. Applicants must also consider land ownership status and property type before seeking assistance. Women applicants are often given special consideration and may qualify for additional benefits under certain schemes. Overlooking these factors can lead to choosing an unsuitable or ineligible housing program.

India and Nepal Army Search for Tourists Missing After Floods

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava confirmed that rescue operations are underway for missing tourists following floods in Nepal. Indian and Nepali army personnel are jointly conducting the search effort. Srivastava also announced that 63 Indian nationals employed at the Trishuli 1 hydropower project were successfully rescued on Thursday. The flooding has prompted coordinated cross-border emergency response between the two nations.

Nepal Floods Kill 547; Thousands Rescued as Hundreds Still Missing

Devastating floods in Nepal have claimed at least 547 lives, with hundreds of people still reported missing. Indian nationals were among those affected, with 85 Indians successfully rescued from the disaster zones. Nepal has deployed over 14,000 security personnel to carry out search and rescue operations across affected areas. So far, approximately 3,742 people have been rescued as emergency response efforts continue at scale.

Rs 18 Crore PMGSY Road Develops Massive Crater Just 3 Months After Construction

A road constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana at a cost of Rs 18 crore has caved in, forming a large crater only three months after being built. The structural failure has raised serious concerns about the quality of construction work carried out on the project. A truck reportedly got stuck in the collapsed section of the road, highlighting the severity of the damage. The incident has drawn scrutiny over whether proper construction standards were followed during the project's execution.

Indian Survivors Recount Escape from Nepal Flash Floods That Swept Away Vehicles

Indian nationals stranded in Nepal following devastating flash floods shared harrowing accounts of their ordeal at Kathmandu airport. Survivors described how they were forced to jump from their bus and scramble up a hillside to escape the rapidly rising floodwaters. They watched in horror as approximately 50 vehicles behind them were swallowed by the raging torrent. The survivors spoke exclusively to NDTV after making it to safety in Kathmandu.

Pat Cummins joins ex-captains urging humane treatment for jailed Imran Khan

Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has voiced support for a campaign demanding better medical care for former Pakistan PM Imran Khan. Khan has been imprisoned since 2023, with concerns over his health conditions growing in recent months. Several former international cricket captains have united to call for humane treatment and judicial oversight of Khan's detention. Cummins specifically advocated for Khan to receive independent medical assessments and maintain contact with his family.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Defends AI Investment Amid Bubble Concerns

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has pushed back against critics who question the sustainability of current AI investment levels. Huang argues that modern frontier AI labs require far greater capital than earlier tech startups, making large-scale funding essential rather than excessive. Nvidia's financial backing spans a broad network of AI developers and cloud service providers, a practice some critics have labeled as circular financing. Huang maintains that those raising bubble concerns are fundamentally misunderstanding the scale and nature of today's AI development needs.

India raises Rs 62,000 crore, hits 78% of FY27 disinvestment target in 5 months

The Indian government has mobilised over Rs 62,000 crore through disinvestment and asset monetisation in the first five months of FY27. This amount accounts for 78% of the total target set for the financial year in the Union Budget. A stake sale in Life Insurance Corporation was a major contributor to the funds raised. Several other public sector enterprises also saw partial government stake dilutions during this period. Authorities are additionally pursuing the strategic divestment of IDBI Bank as part of the broader programme.

Assam Man Missing After Nepal Flash Floods Kill 547

An Assam man has gone missing following devastating flash floods in Nepal, with the death toll now reaching 547. The individual had finished a night shift and returned to his lodging, where he was asleep when the floods hit. Officials confirmed his whereabouts remain unknown following the disaster. The flash floods have caused widespread destruction across Nepal, claiming hundreds of lives.

Tagore's thread of unity to booming trade - how Rakhi became Rs 25k cr business

India's Bureaucrats Choose Inaction Over Risk of Being Penalised for Decisions

A growing trend of deliberate inaction has taken hold within India's bureaucratic system. Officials have learned that making decisions — even well-intentioned ones — can expose them to scrutiny, penalties, or legal consequences. In contrast, choosing not to act rarely invites accountability, making inaction a calculated self-preservation strategy. This culture of paralysis raises concerns about governance efficiency and the delivery of public services. Experts warn that without systemic reforms protecting honest decision-making, the incentive to do nothing will continue to outweigh the motivation to act.

'Regulations should be tightened': Annamalai slams Yash's film 'Toxic'