India

MK Stalin moves HC against TVK MLA VS Babu's Kolathur win, seeks recount

Heavy Rain Triggers Waterlogging, Traffic Snarls and Flight Diversions in Delhi-NCR

Delhi-NCR was hit by heavy rainfall on Monday, leading to widespread waterlogging across multiple areas. Commuters experienced severe traffic disruptions on major roads and highways, with some localities reporting knee-to-waist-deep flooding. Air travel was also affected, as 15 Delhi-bound flights had to be diverted to alternate airports. The India Meteorological Department had pre-emptively issued red and orange alerts ahead of the extreme weather event.

Aunt of cliff tragedy victim pleads for end to false social media claims

The aunt of a teenager who died in a cliff tragedy in Maharashtra has released an emotional video urging the public to stop spreading unverified claims about the incident. She specifically rejected circulating narratives, including an alleged iPhone-related claim, calling them false and harmful. The family is already dealing with profound grief following the recent deaths. She appealed directly to social media users to exercise sensitivity and consider the impact their posts have on the bereaved family.

World's Smallest Snake Rediscovered in Barbados After 20-Year Absence

Scientists conducting an ecological survey in Barbados have rediscovered the Barbados threadsnake, the world's smallest known snake species. The tiny reptile, measuring just 3 to 4 inches in length, was found beneath a rock during the survey. The species had not been documented for approximately two decades prior to this find. Researchers believe the rediscovery will aid in better understanding the snake's shrinking forest habitat. Conservationists are hopeful the find will strengthen efforts to protect what remains of Barbados's native forests.

Michael Burry Exits Alibaba, Shifts to Chinese Rival Amid AI Valuation Concerns

Prominent investor Michael Burry has divested his stake in Alibaba and redirected capital into a competing Chinese firm. His decision was driven by concerns over Alibaba's stock issuance practices and its financial liabilities. Burry has also taken short positions against US tech companies Oracle and Micron Technology. He argues that both firms may be excessively exposed to the artificial intelligence boom, leaving their valuations disconnected from underlying business fundamentals.

Ajit Doval in Beijing as India-China border tensions rise; what's on agenda?

Mumbai Auto Drivers Protest Against Mandatory Marathi Language Requirement

Auto-rickshaw drivers in Mumbai have taken to the streets in protest against a Maharashtra Transport Department rule. The regulation requires auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers to demonstrate a functional knowledge of Marathi, the state's primary language. Drivers opposing the mandate have called the policy unjust, prompting organized demonstrations in the city. The protest highlights ongoing tensions between the state government's language enforcement efforts and the concerns of drivers who may not be fluent in Marathi.

Scottish judo bronze medallist returns to McDonald's job to fund sporting career

Scottish judoka Summer Shaw won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games but returned to her part-time job at McDonald's shortly after to support herself financially. Shaw shared her situation in a TikTok video that quickly gained widespread attention online. The video highlighted the financial struggles faced by amateur athletes who lack sufficient funding to train full-time. Shaw has expressed a desire to secure sponsorship that would allow her to dedicate herself entirely to her judo career.

Indian-Origin Teen Killed After Car Falls Off Cliff Into Ocean in US

An Indian-origin teenager has died in the United States after a car plunged off a cliff into the ocean. The fatal incident has drawn renewed attention to safety risks along the coastal road where the accident occurred. Authorities are concerned about the shrinking gap between the road and the cliff's edge, which has been gradually eroding over time. The tragedy has prompted calls for urgent measures to address the deteriorating road conditions at the site.

Addressing paper leak: Bihar to set up expert committee under judge for exam reforms

Govinda and Sunita Ahuja unfollow each other on Instagram amid marital rift

Veteran Bollywood actor Govinda and his wife Sunita Ahuja are reportedly facing serious marital troubles. The couple has unfollowed each other on Instagram, signalling a visible strain in their relationship. Sunita had filed for divorce in December 2024, citing adultery and cruelty, though she later withdrew the petition. She allegedly told media personality Rakhi Sawant that Govinda intended to remarry. Sunita also publicly expressed displeasure over Govinda's outing with his co-star Komal Rani Swarnkar.

Five Indian Tennis Players Axed from Asian Games Squad Over Ministry Ranking Rule

Five Indian tennis players have been left out of the Asian Games squad due to a sports ministry guideline requiring players to be ranked within the top eight in Asia. The affected players are Manas Dhamne, Vaishnavi Adkar, Sahaja Yamalapalli, Vaidehee Chaudhari, and Prarthana Thombare. Veteran tennis star Rohan Bopanna has publicly criticized the ministry's selection criteria as unfair. The rule has drawn attention to the tension between administrative policy and athlete opportunity in Indian tennis.

In scrapping Parandur airport, Vijay keeps promise that defined his first political protest

UAE teen, 13, builds award-winning AI education platform ScoolBot

Adam Ahmed, a 13-year-old student in the UAE, developed ScoolBot, an AI-powered and gamified education platform aligned with UAE Ministry of Education standards. The platform finished fourth in a DDS AI challenge before going on to win Gold at both the International AI Awards 2026 and the TeenTech Awards 2026. Alongside ScoolBot, Adam also built Bothread, a free open-source tool designed to help AI coding agents coordinate tasks and prevent conflicts. His first project had previously reached the Top 20 in a DDS AI challenge, setting the stage for his subsequent achievements.

Maine's Sand Beach: From JP Morgan's Private Estate to Acadia National Park

A scenic stretch of Maine coastline, once part of a 117-acre private summer estate, is now accessible to the public as part of Acadia National Park. The land originally belonged to the wealthy Morgan family, reportedly given as a wedding gift. In 1947, a devastating fire severely damaged the family property. Eleanor Morgan Satterlee subsequently donated the land in 1949, dedicating the gift to the memory of her mother, Louisa.

2005 ISS experiment found cricket larvae hatched faster in microgravity than on Earth

In 2005, scientists conducted a reproductive biology experiment aboard the International Space Station, fertilising cricket eggs under microgravity conditions. The study found that cricket larvae hatched earlier in space compared to their Earth-based counterparts. Despite the accelerated development, key neural structures in the larvae remained intact, suggesting microgravity alters developmental speed without major structural disruption. The findings offer valuable insights into how living organisms adapt to low-gravity environments. This research contributes to the broader scientific understanding of biological development beyond Earth.

Frozen optical fibre boosts light-sound interaction 1,000x, enabling new computing uses

Scientists have achieved a major breakthrough by freezing the liquid inside a special optical fibre to -196°C. At this extreme temperature, the fibre was found to amplify interactions between light and hypersonic sound waves by more than 1,000 times compared to standard fibres. Crucially, the frozen fibre retained its ability to guide both light and sound. The experiment also enabled researchers to demonstrate optoacoustic memory, a key capability for advanced technologies. The discovery opens potential pathways for low-energy photonic computing, quantum information processing, and high-precision sensing applications.

Accused in Rs 13,000-Crore Drug Case Seeks Return to India After Father Deported

A man implicated in a massive Rs 13,000-crore drug case has expressed his desire to return to India. His request comes after his father was deported back to the country. A court has granted limited relief solely to facilitate his travel back to India. The court explicitly clarified that this relief does not interfere with the ongoing investigation or any legal proceedings against him.

Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Scraps Parandur Airport Plan to Protect Farmland

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay announced on Monday in the state Assembly that the proposed Parandur airport project will be abandoned. The decision was made to safeguard agricultural land and the livelihoods of farmers in the region. Opposition leader MK Stalin criticised the move, calling it an 'irreversible setback' for the state. The Parandur airport had been planned as a major infrastructure project to ease pressure on Chennai's existing airport.

Iran Conflict and Hormuz Fears Drive India's LNG Spot Prices Higher

Escalating tensions around Iran and the threat of a Hormuz Strait closure are pushing up liquefied natural gas prices for India. State-backed Indian energy companies have been turning to the spot LNG market to secure supplies, intensifying competition and driving costs upward. The government is prioritizing support for domestic fertilizer producers, which rely heavily on natural gas as a key input. This urgency to maintain fertilizer output has compelled state firms to bid aggressively on the spot market regardless of elevated prices. The situation is resulting in some of the highest LNG procurement costs India has faced in recent times.