India

Six-decade study shows abandoned UK barley field naturally regrew into woodland

A long-term study spanning 60 years has found that a British barley field left untouched since 1961 successfully transformed into a native woodland through passive rewilding. Young trees were naturally protected from herbivores by thorny scrub growth, allowing them to establish and flourish over time. Seeds were dispersed across the area by wind and jays, shaping the distinctive patterns of the emerging woodland. By the 50-year mark, the site had begun to display characteristics typical of ancient woodlands. The findings highlight passive rewilding as a cost-effective and environmentally sound method for achieving woodland restoration goals.

PM's Gen Z, Gen Alpha outreach: Ministers told to visit universities, govt schools

Nine killed in Kolkata lodge fire, five victims identified as Bangladeshi nationals

A fire broke out at a building housing multiple guest houses and offices in Kolkata, resulting in nine people suffocating to death in their sleep. Five of the deceased have been identified as Bangladeshi nationals. A total of 80 people were rescued from the building during the emergency response. The incident highlights serious fire safety concerns at lodges and multi-use commercial buildings in the city.

Seven Killed Including Five Americans in Helicopter Crash in Northern Kenya

A helicopter crashed in Samburu County, northern Kenya, killing all seven people on board, including five American nationals. The aircraft went down at 9:13 a.m. while en route from Loisaba Conservancy to the Ewaso Nyiro area. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the details of the crash. Authorities have not yet disclosed the cause of the accident or the identities of the victims.

1968 Montana Shrimp Introduction Caused Salmon Collapse and Ecosystem Disruption

In 1968, opossum shrimp were introduced into Montana's lakes, setting off a chain of unintended ecological consequences. The shrimp competed aggressively with juvenile kokanee salmon for zooplankton, drastically reducing the salmon population. With salmon numbers falling, lake trout adapted by preying on the remaining fish, allowing their population to grow. This shift fundamentally altered the food web at Flathead Lake, affecting wildlife such as eagles and bears that depended on salmon. The episode stands as a cautionary example of how non-native species introductions can irreversibly reshape local ecosystems.

Russia and Ukraine Swap 103 Prisoners of War Each in Latest Exchange

Russia and Ukraine have exchanged 103 captured soldiers each in a bilateral prisoner swap. The exchange marks one of the few instances of direct cooperation between the two nations since the conflict began. Russia launched its military offensive against Ukraine in February 2022. Prisoner exchanges and the repatriation of soldiers' remains have been rare but recurring areas of engagement between the two sides throughout the war.

Congress Retains 2-Stanza Vande Mataram Rule; BJP Draws Muslim League Parallel

The Congress Working Committee reaffirmed its decades-old stance on Vande Mataram, deciding that only the first two stanzas of the national song will be sung at party functions. This position traces back to a resolution passed by the party in 1937. The BJP responded sharply to the decision, drawing a controversial comparison between Congress and the Muslim League. The move has reignited a longstanding political debate between the two parties over patriotism and national symbols.

California's 1963 Rotating House Listed for Sale at $3.3 Million for First Time

A unique rotating house built in 1963 by California architect Sam Harkleroad has been put on the market for the first time. The property, situated along Highway 101, is part of a seven-home complex, all of which are currently leased. It carries an asking price of $3.3 million. Harkleroad's architectural work is well represented across Marin County, but his grandson has decided to sell the asset due to the difficulties involved in maintaining it.

IndiGo Website Outage Disrupts Flight Bookings for Passengers

IndiGo's website experienced a technical snag that prevented users from booking flight tickets. Affected passengers took to social media to report the issue. The website displayed a 'no data available' message when users attempted to search for flights. The disruption impacted bookings for an unspecified period of time.

How Pakistan-Backed Operative Shahzad Bhatti Built a Cross-Border Terror Network Online

NDTV Datafy has conducted an analysis of the online ecosystem linked to Pakistan-backed handler Shahzad Bhatti, referred to as the 'Bhatti-verse.' The investigation examines how Bhatti systematically built a wide-reaching network across social media platforms. A key focus of the report is how Bhatti allegedly uses these digital channels to recruit and radicalize young Indians into terrorist activities. The analysis sheds light on the tactics and tools used to expand his influence and operational reach online.

Netanyahu Says Israel Warned Turkey Against Military Presence Near Aleppo

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel sent Turkey a clear message regarding its military presence in Syria. The warning specifically targeted a Turkish military foothold at an airfield situated near Aleppo, close to the Turkish border. Netanyahu revealed that the message was initially communicated in broad, general terms. The statement comes in the context of Israel's recent military activity in Syria, signaling Tel Aviv's intent to limit foreign military influence in the region.

Tamil Nadu Extends Maternity Leave Amid South India's Declining Fertility Concerns

Tamil Nadu's recent move to extend maternity leave has drawn attention to a broader demographic challenge facing southern India. Fertility rates in the southern states are among the lowest in the country, raising concerns about long-term population sustainability. Population growth in the region is slowing while the proportion of elderly citizens continues to rise. These demographic shifts are also fueling anxieties over future political representation for southern states at the national level.

Manipur CM Supports NRC, Calls on Artists to Help Restore Peace

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has voiced his support for implementing the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state. He urged artists and cultural figures to play an active role in promoting peace amid the ongoing ethnic crisis. Singh called on the Meitei community to adopt a leadership role in bridging divides and driving reconciliation efforts. He emphasized that the community should take initiative as a 'big brother and big sister' to help bring the conflict to an end.

Zelensky Dismisses Deputy Presidential Office Chief Amid Corruption Probe

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has removed the deputy head of his presidential office following corruption allegations. The dismissal marks a significant shake-up within Ukraine's top executive administration. The move came just one day after the recently ousted defense minister publicly called for national elections to be held. This demand for elections is notable given that Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has been ongoing for over four years.

OpenAI Expands ChatGPT Advertising to 31 European Countries

OpenAI announced late Tuesday that it will open ChatGPT's advertising platform to 31 European countries starting Monday. The expansion follows the initial rollout of ads in the United States in February 2025. Advertisers will now gain access to a significantly broader user base across Europe. The move marks a major step in OpenAI's efforts to monetize its widely used AI chatbot beyond the American market.

US and Canada Signal Imminent Trade Deal Amid Tariff Threat

The United States and Canada have indicated that a final trade agreement could be reached soon, though specific details have yet to be disclosed. The announcement comes as President Trump had threatened to impose steep 50 percent tariffs on a broad range of Canadian goods starting Wednesday. Both sides appear to be under pressure to resolve the dispute before the new levies take effect. The lack of concrete details has left markets and observers uncertain about the scope and terms of any potential deal.

Spurious liquor kills 6, hospitalises 25 in dry state Gujarat's Bhavnagar

Six people died and 25 were hospitalised in Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, after consuming methanol-laced liquor served at a party hosted by a police officer. The adulterated alcohol was found in bottles labelled as Royal Stag whisky, manufactured and sold locally within Bhavnagar. Victims experienced severe symptoms including breathlessness and vision loss, with doctors warning of potential kidney complications. Authorities have detained several suspects in connection with the illicit liquor supply. The State Monitoring Cell has launched an investigation, including into allegations that police delayed reporting the incident.

Trump's National Guard Deployment in Washington Shows Little Impact on Crime

President Donald Trump deployed thousands of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., as part of a major initiative to combat crime. The deployment was framed as an aggressive crackdown, particularly targeting cities under Democratic leadership. Despite the large military presence on the city's streets, the troops have rarely intervened in criminal activity. The initiative has raised questions about the effectiveness of using military personnel as a crime-fighting tool in urban areas.

Bengaluru Property Owner Fined Rs 1 Lakh for Illegal Construction Waste Dumping

A property owner in Bengaluru has been fined Rs 1 lakh for illegally disposing of construction waste in a public area. The violation was discovered during a morning inspection on 6th Main Road in the BTM Layout division. A civic marshal on patrol spotted construction debris dumped on the footpath and inside a nearby drain. The penalty was imposed as part of efforts to enforce waste disposal regulations and maintain public infrastructure in the city.

Bengaluru Man Kills Stepfather Who Repeatedly Assaulted His Mother

A man in Bengaluru killed his stepfather, identified as Sridhar, using a shock absorber rod. Sridhar, who worked as a journalist, was known to have a drinking problem that frequently led to disturbances at home. He had a history of assaulting his wife during alcohol-fueled altercations. The fatal incident reportedly occurred after another such episode of domestic violence against the accused's mother. Police are investigating the case.