An Ola cab driver named Praveen Pandey was attacked with an iron rod and dragged on a car bonnet for approximately 2 kilometres in Navi Mumbai. The violent incident occurred late Saturday night on Palm Beach Road. It reportedly stemmed from a dispute over overtaking between Pandey and an unidentified motorist. The attacker's identity has not yet been established by authorities.
The Shiromani Akali Dal plans to use the attack on party leader Sukhbir Singh Badal as a rallying point at an upcoming event in Longowal. Badal survived an assassination attempt at a gurdwara in Nanded on August 13. The party intends to draw a political parallel between Badal and Harchand Singh Longowal, the former Akali Dal president who was assassinated in 1985. Longowal was killed after signing the Rajiv-Longowal Accord, a landmark peace agreement. The move is seen as a strategic effort by the party to galvanize support around Badal's survival and the broader legacy of Akali Dal leadership.
Kanav Jain, a Scottish student of Indian origin, has been named UK Young Engineer of the Year for developing AeroAid, a low-cost autonomous drone designed to deliver medical supplies. The aircraft is a VTOL quadplane, meaning it can take off and land vertically like a helicopter while also flying efficiently like a fixed-wing plane. This hybrid design makes it particularly suited for reaching remote or underserved areas with limited infrastructure. Jain developed the project with a focus on using technology for humanitarian purposes, and he is also active in leading drone technology workshops.
A road rage incident in Nerul, Navi Mumbai, left an Ola cab driver seriously injured after he was struck on the head with a bamboo stick by another motorist. To stop the attacker from fleeing, the injured driver climbed onto the assailant's car bonnet. The accused driver sped away regardless, dragging the victim approximately two kilometres on the hood of the vehicle. The cab driver sustained severe head injuries as a result of the assault. Police have registered an FIR in the case and are currently searching for the absconding accused.
Former US President Donald Trump has asserted that the United States holds control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping chokepoint. Iran, however, maintains that the strait falls under its own jurisdiction and influence. Tehran has reportedly attacked multiple vessels that attempted to avoid Iranian-controlled waters by routing through the northern coast of Oman. The competing claims highlight escalating tensions over one of the world's most strategically vital maritime passages. Control of the strait has significant implications for global oil supply and international shipping routes.
A US couple launched a physical attack on a family aboard a cruise ship following a request to keep the noise down. The incident escalated into a confrontation that drew the attention of ship authorities and law enforcement. The local sheriff attributed the altercation directly to alcohol consumption and poor judgment on the couple's part. Officials stated it was the combination of intoxication and a lack of common sense that caused the situation to spiral out of control. The couple faces potential legal consequences following the shipboard assault.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has set aside Rs 4,000 crore for the development of a new township called Karnala-Sai-Chirner New Town. The allocation is part of MMRDA's infrastructure-focused budget for the fiscal year 2026-27. The proposed project has been informally referred to as 'Mumbai 3.0,' suggesting it could serve as a major urban expansion in the region. The initiative reflects the authority's push to develop planned urban centres to address Mumbai's growing infrastructure and housing demands.
Dr. Budhri Tati has spent over 40 years working in the remote villages of Bastar, Chhattisgarh, championing education and autonomy for tribal girls and women. She established residential hostels across 570 villages, giving girls from isolated communities access to schooling. Her work extended beyond education to encompass women's health and economic independence. In recognition of her decades-long contribution, she was conferred the Padma Shri award in 2026, widely celebrated as 'Badi Didi' by the communities she serves.
The US launched a biological control program to manage musk thistle, an invasive plant, by releasing a targeted weevil species. However, the insect spread beyond its intended target and began attacking native thistle species as well. Among those affected was an endangered variety, which suffered a notable decline in seed production. The unintended consequences highlight significant risks in biological pest control strategies. Experts say the incident underscores the need for thorough ecological assessment before introducing any biocontrol agent.
The Fujishige family owned a 58-acre farm in Anaheim, California, that sat surrounded by Disneyland and urban development for decades. Despite repeated purchase offers from Disney and other developers, including a reported $90 million bid, the family continued farming strawberries and vegetables on the land. The family resisted years of pressure and a prolonged dispute with the city before finally agreeing to sell in 1998. The sale came shortly before family patriarch Hiroshi Fujishige passed away. The land was eventually converted into the Toy Story parking lot at Disneyland.
Chinese private aerospace firm LandSpace has successfully recovered the first stage of its Zhuque-3 rocket via a vertical land landing. The achievement marks a significant advance in China's reusable rocket technology, aimed at lowering the cost of space launches. The recovery came after the company made modifications following a failure in a previous mission. The milestone strengthens China's position in the competitive global space market. It also supports the country's growing ambitions to build out its satellite internet infrastructure.
Tamil Nadu's Vijay government announced an extension of maternity leave from 12 weeks to 365 days for women giving birth to their third child, as part of a move to encourage larger families. Congress MP Karti Chidambaram has publicly opposed this policy, stating he does not believe large families should be encouraged. Chidambaram's remarks come in response to the state government's decision, signaling political disagreement over the population-related welfare measure. The policy represents a significant shift in maternity benefits for women in Tamil Nadu having a third child.
A purported internship advertisement linked to quick-commerce startup Zepto has ignited an online controversy over gender discrimination in campus hiring. The notice, which reportedly offered Rs 20,000 per month, allegedly specified male candidates only and required them to lift 20 kg and stand for 10–12 hours. The authenticity of the advertisement has not been confirmed, raising questions about whether the posting was official. The incident has reignited broader concerns about transparency and fairness in recruitment practices at Indian startups.
UFC middleweight Sean Strickland has embraced Dustin Poirier's viral airport acronym 'IGBBMN', turning it into a recurring joke within his training camp. His gym teammates began chanting the phrase together, making it an unofficial team motto. Strickland took it further by printing the phrase on merchandise and spray-painting it on his truck. Despite initially criticising Poirier's public comments about personal struggles, Strickland later softened his stance and showed sympathy toward the fighter. He also came to Poirier's defence regarding the latter's sponsorship difficulties.
A teenage girl in Kerala allegedly conspired to murder her grandfather by guiding four accomplices into his home via a video call. Her 17-year-old friend and three other teenagers gained entry through a bathroom ventilator while she watched remotely. The group proceeded to suffocate the elderly man during the incident. The accused girl reportedly monitored the entire attack in real time through the video call. Police have taken the teenagers into custody in connection with the case.
A 10-year-old Taiwanese inventor, Hsu Ting-wei, won a prestigious award at the Silicon Valley International Invention Festival for his AI-powered electronic nose. The device is designed to detect airborne chemical threats and potential health risks. Hsu's win was part of a broader strong performance by Taiwanese participants at the event. The Taiwanese delegation collectively took home 24 gold medals at the festival. The results highlight the growing role of emerging technologies in addressing real-world, everyday challenges.
India defeated Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the first Test at Galle, powered by standout individual performances. Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar claimed a ten-wicket match haul, including his second Test five-wicket innings. Suthar was particularly devastating in the second session of the final day, taking three wickets in a single over to collapse Sri Lanka's second innings. Devdutt Padikkal also played a pivotal role, scoring his maiden Test century to help India set up the commanding victory.
