India

Brazilian duo builds 7-bedroom home using 8,000 recycled glass bottles

A mother and daughter in Brazil have constructed a seven-bedroom house using over 8,000 recycled glass bottles. The home, called the Salt House, also incorporates reclaimed wood and repurposed toothpaste tubes among its building materials. The project was designed to tackle two pressing local issues: beach pollution and housing shortages. Beyond serving as a residence, the Salt House functions as an educational space where the community can learn about environmental responsibility and creative recycling.

NEET protests: SC sets up 5-member panel to probe excessive use of force by cops

How an 18-year-old turned $10 abandoned storage units into a $135,000 business

Secret Hormuz corridor: How US kept ships, oil moving despite Iran threat

Jeff Dean backs Gemini AI, launches Google-backed startup after high-profile exit

Jeff Dean, a longtime Google veteran, recently departed from the tech giant, triggering a reported $200 billion drop in Alphabet's market capitalization in a single day. Despite his exit, Dean has publicly expressed confidence in Google's Gemini AI models. He has also shared his belief that small, focused teams are more effective at driving AI innovation. Dean has since founded Discovery Loop, a new AI startup that has received backing from Google.

Press Club of India distances itself from unauthorised Modi Chalisa event

A video of an aarti performed before a statue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Press Club of India went viral, sparking controversy. The Press Club clarified that the event was not organised or approved by them. The venue had been rented to an external organisation for a press conference, but the group violated the terms of the rental agreement. Club officials intervened to halt the event as soon as it came to their notice. A formal clarification was subsequently issued by the Press Club through its social media channels.

Jharkhand High Court Stays State Government's Order Cancelling 22 JPSC, JSSC Exams

The Jharkhand High Court has stayed the state government's order to cancel 22 recruitment examinations conducted by JPSC and JSSC. The government had decided to scrap these exams following findings from CID and SIT investigations into alleged irregularities. The probes had uncovered suspected misconduct in several competitive examinations held in the state. The high court's intervention has temporarily halted the cancellation, keeping the fate of the affected exams in legal limbo.

YouTube Pays Top Creators Millions for Exclusivity, Barring Simultaneous Netflix Deals

YouTube is reportedly offering select top creators multi-million dollar payments to keep their content exclusive to the platform for a defined period. Creators who simultaneously publish on Netflix risk losing brand campaign revenue and promotional support from YouTube. The move comes in direct response to Netflix's aggressive recruitment of prominent YouTube personalities, including Alan Chikin Chow and Nick DiGiovanni. The exclusivity push highlights the growing competition between the two platforms for creator talent and audience attention. Advertisers play a central role in YouTube's strategy, as brand deal revenue remains a key lever the platform can use to retain its top content producers.

19-Year-Old NEET Aspirant Dies by Suicide at Maharashtra Home

A 19-year-old student aspiring to become a doctor died by suicide at his residence in Khandala village, Vaijapur taluka, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, Maharashtra. The young NEET aspirant reportedly left behind a note expressing a wish to become a doctor in his next life. The incident highlights the growing mental health pressures faced by students preparing for competitive medical entrance examinations in India. Authorities have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.

What RWAs can and cannot legally ban in residential societies

Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) hold limited authority governed by law and their own governing documents. They are permitted to manage common areas and enforce bye-laws aimed at community well-being. However, RWAs cannot override the legal or proprietary rights of individual residents. Any rules enforced must have a proper legal basis and be applied uniformly across all members. Disputes frequently stem from poorly defined rules and a lack of transparency in how associations operate.

NSE explores trading its own shares via permitted-to-trade route without fresh Sebi nod

The National Stock Exchange is exploring a plan to list its own shares for trading on its platform. The exchange may use the existing 'permitted-to-trade' mechanism, which allows shares listed on other recognized exchanges to be traded on NSE. This route could potentially allow NSE to bypass the need for separate regulatory approval from Sebi. Under the plan, NSE shares would first be listed on another exchange before being made available for trading on NSE's own platform.

Jammu-Srinagar to get third Vande Bharat train via Udhampur: Union Minister

India and Japan Sign Maritime Security Pact, Eye Joint Shipbuilding Plans

India and Japan's defence ministers met to strengthen their bilateral strategic partnership. The two nations signed a maritime security agreement aimed at boosting naval cooperation between their respective forces. The pact covers information sharing and coordinated disaster relief operations. Both countries are also exploring joint shipbuilding initiatives and reciprocal ship repair arrangements. Looking ahead, the two sides plan to conduct joint military exercises and establish a dedicated defence industry forum.

ICC withdraws demerit point against Gaddafi Stadium pitch after PCB appeal

The International Cricket Council has reversed its decision to penalise the Gaddafi Stadium pitch in Lahore, withdrawing a demerit point previously awarded. The PCB had filed an appeal against the ruling, prompting an ICC Appeals Panel to conduct a thorough review. The panel examined match footage, referee reports, and comments from both team captains before concluding the pitch was satisfactory. It determined that the surface had not displayed excessive unevenness, seam movement, or spin. The matches in question were part of an ODI series that Pakistan won 2-1.

Delhi Police Arrests 17 in Rs 9-Crore Fake and Diverted Cancer Drug Racket

Delhi Police has dismantled a major drug racket estimated to be worth Rs 9 crore, arresting 17 individuals in the process. The network is suspected of trafficking counterfeit anti-cancer medicines as well as genuine drugs allegedly siphoned off from hospitals and government institutions. Authorities believe the diverted drugs were sourced from public healthcare facilities before being illegally resold. The bust highlights growing concerns over the integrity of medicine supply chains, particularly for life-saving oncology treatments.

Jharkhand High Court stays Soren government’s JSSC-CGL exam cancellation

Setback for Jharkhand students: HC stays Soren govt's order to cancel JPSC exams

SBI Employee Kills Wife, Another Man, Then Dies by Suicide in UP

A State Bank of India employee named Manas Vajpayee allegedly killed his wife and another man before taking his own life in Uttar Pradesh. Vajpayee posted a WhatsApp status confessing to killing his wife, citing infidelity as his motive. The incident came to light when family or acquaintances noticed the disturbing social media message. Authorities launched an investigation after the bodies were discovered. The case has raised serious concerns about domestic violence and the misuse of suspicion to justify fatal acts.

Assam flood survivors struggle to rebuild as waters recede, damage runs deep

As floodwaters withdraw from Assam, affected families are confronting the enormous task of rebuilding their lives from the ground up. Homes have been destroyed and essential supplies wiped out, marking the start of a new and difficult phase for survivors. State authorities are currently assessing the extent of the damage and disbursing initial financial aid to impacted households. Restoring livelihoods and repairing damaged infrastructure remain major challenges for many residents. Assam continues to grapple with long-term recovery while also addressing persistent issues of flooding and erosion across the region.

Naturalist's 50-year bird journals on Block Island leave lasting legacy for science

Elizabeth Dickens dedicated over five decades to meticulously documenting bird sightings on Block Island, creating an exceptionally rare long-term wildlife record. Her detailed journals provided valuable data on local bird populations and their migratory patterns. Beyond her fieldwork, Dickens also played an active role in educating students about bird life and nature. Her sustained commitment has made a significant contribution to the field of ornithology. Experts regard her work as a powerful example of how consistent, careful observation can deepen our understanding of the natural world.