India

Class 5 boy allegedly mixed urine in classmates' water bottles at Guna school

A Class 5 boy at a school in Guna, Madhya Pradesh, allegedly contaminated the water bottles of two female classmates with urine. When the girls reported the incident to the school principal, the principal reportedly responded by offering them chocolate rather than taking formal action. Authorities have since launched an investigation into the matter and issued a notice to the principal, who has been asked to submit a report. Families of the affected girls and local villagers staged a protest demanding strict action against those responsible.

Assam Proposes 1 km Eco-Sensitive Zone Around Kaziranga to Balance Development

The Assam government has put forward a proposal to limit the Eco-Sensitive Zone around Kaziranga National Park to just 1 kilometre. The plan adopts a site-specific approach, meaning the boundary may vary based on local geographical and ecological conditions. Villagers living near the park have voiced support for the proposal, citing concerns over their livelihoods being affected by wider conservation restrictions. The move aims to strike a balance between protecting the UNESCO World Heritage Site and allowing sustainable development in surrounding communities.

Trump Pauses 50% Tariffs on Canada After Last-Minute Trade Talks

The United States and Canada have reached a temporary agreement to delay major tariffs on Canadian imports. President Donald Trump announced the pause via social media following eleventh-hour negotiations between the two nations. The suspended levies would have affected around five percent of Canadian exports to the US. Both countries will use this window to work toward a broader trade deal. The development comes at a time when US-Canada relations were already under considerable strain.

Anand Rathi Analyst Picks Bata India, IFCI, KFin Technologies for Aug 19

Market analyst Mehul Kothari, DVP of Technical Research at Anand Rathi Shares, has recommended three stocks for trading on August 19, 2026. The picks include Bata India, IFCI, and KFin Technologies. These recommendations are based on technical research analysis conducted by Kothari. Investors tracking short-term opportunities may consider these selections as part of their daily trading strategy.

Nine killed in Kolkata hotel fire; seven more dead in separate Birbhum blaze

A devastating fire at a hotel in Kolkata claimed nine lives in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Six others were injured in the incident and were promptly taken for medical treatment. In a separate tragedy, seven people died in a fire at a private hotel in Tarapith, located in Birbhum district, on Tuesday. Authorities have launched investigations into the causes of both fires.

RBI's 2027 Rules Set to Reshape How Home and Personal Loan EMIs Work

The Reserve Bank of India has introduced new rules that will change how loan EMIs are structured, set to take effect in 2027. The changes will impact both home and personal loan borrowers across the country. Currently, home loan interest rates begin at approximately 7.1–7.25% for the most creditworthy borrowers. Salaried borrowers generally face rates in the 7.5–8.5% range under the existing framework. The new regulations are expected to alter how these rates and repayment schedules are applied going forward.

Maharashtra FDA Chief Defends Rs 5 Lakh Fine on Pune Sweet Shop After Court Order

Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Tukaram Munde has defended the agency's decision to impose a Rs 5 lakh fine on a Pune sweet shop. The action came under scrutiny after the Bombay High Court ordered compensation to be paid to the affected shop. Munde maintained that the FDA's enforcement was justified and conducted in accordance with food safety regulations. The case highlights ongoing tensions between regulatory authorities and businesses over food safety compliance in Maharashtra.

Bhopal Police Search Lakes for Evidence in Teen Murder by Organ Trafficking Gang

Bhopal police divers are searching local lakes for body parts removed from a 16-year-old boy who was murdered by a small trafficking gang. The group was allegedly led by a 20-year-old student who was misled by a social media hoax claiming human organs could be sold for profit. The gang killed the teenager with the intent to sell his organs but failed to find a buyer. They subsequently disposed of the removed body parts, believed to have been thrown into one of the city's lakes. Investigators are now focused on recovering the evidence from the water to support their case.

Missiles target UAE, trade ties snap: How Abu Dhabi responded to Iran's latest escalation

MP Students Forced to Drink Urine by Classmate, Principal's Response Draws Outrage

A disturbing incident was reported at a school in Madhya Pradesh where a student allegedly mixed urine into a water bottle, causing classmates to unknowingly consume it. The matter came to light and triggered serious concern among parents and the public. The school principal's response to the affected students was to offer them chocolate to feel better, which drew widespread criticism. The incident has raised questions about student safety and administrative accountability within the school. Authorities have yet to announce any formal action or investigation into the matter.

Tamil Nadu Extends Maternity Leave to 365 Days for Third Child

The Tamil Nadu government has announced an extension of maternity leave to 365 days for female state government employees who give birth to a third child. This policy update expands existing maternity benefits to cover a third pregnancy, offering a full year of leave. The move is aimed at supporting women employees in balancing work and family responsibilities. The decision applies specifically to employees of the Tamil Nadu state government.

Bengaluru woman, boyfriend arrested for killing husband and 4-year-old son

Bengaluru police have arrested a woman named Harini and her alleged boyfriend Vinay Kumar in connection with the murders of her husband and their young son. Investigators believe the two had planned to kill the husband, reportedly driven by financial and personal motives. The four-year-old child was allegedly killed after he witnessed the attack on his father. Authorities suspect the accused wanted to eliminate witnesses and start a new life together.

NASA Images Reveal 60-Foot Crater Left by SpaceX Rocket Moon Crash

NASA has released images showing a crater on the Moon's surface created by a crashed SpaceX rocket. Scientists analyzed the crater using shadow length measurements to determine its dimensions. The impact site measures approximately 60 feet (18 meters) wide and less than 10 feet deep. The US space agency's findings provide a clearer picture of the physical impact left by the rocket's uncontrolled lunar collision.

Eric Schmidt Lists Superyacht Whisper for Sale at €149 Million

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has put his superyacht, Whisper, on the market for €149 million. The vessel was built by renowned German shipyard Lurssen and underwent a luxury interior remodel completed in 2025. Whisper is equipped with high-end amenities including a 12-meter mosaic pool, private cinema, nightclub, and a basketball court. Prospective buyers can view the yacht in the South of France on September 1 and 2.

Trump Praises Indian Elections Amid Push for Stricter US Voting Laws

US President Donald Trump has praised India's electoral credibility while simultaneously championing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act at home. The SAVE Act aims to introduce stricter citizenship verification requirements for voting in US elections. India's central government responded positively to Trump's remarks, asserting that the country's electoral credibility is well-established. Trump's comments come as he continues to advocate for tighter voter eligibility standards in the United States.

India Backs Two-State Solution, Urges Unhindered Aid Access for Gaza

India has reaffirmed its support for Palestine and endorsed a negotiated two-state solution to resolve the long-standing conflict. An Indian official named Ranganathan conveyed the country's position, underscoring its consistent stance on Palestinian statehood. India expressed serious concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling the situation grave. New Delhi stressed the urgent need for safe, sustained, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to civilians in the region.

Earl Spencer to Release Book on Princess Diana in September

Princess Diana's brother, Earl Spencer, is set to publish a new book about his late sister. Titled 'Swan Song: Diana, My Sister,' the book promises to reveal what Spencer describes as the truth about Diana. The book is scheduled for release on September 22 in Britain and several other countries. It will also be translated into 12 languages, indicating a wide international release.

Jurel Catch Controversy Clouds India's Push for Victory in Galle Test

On the final day of the Galle Test, India moved closer to victory while Sri Lanka needed 288 runs to win. A catch taken by Dhruv Jurel sparked controversy, leaving the Sri Lankan team uncertain about its legitimacy. Former cricketers weighed in, with at least one suggesting the ball may have touched the ground before being caught. Rishabh Pant stood out with a knock of 66 runs, also reaching the milestone of 100 sixes in Test cricket. The match's outcome remains uncertain as rain threatens to interrupt play.

UP Woman Arrested for Killing Truck Driver, Burning Vehicle Over Blackmail

A woman in Uttar Pradesh has been arrested in connection with the murder of truck driver Balwinder Singh. His body was discovered in a severely burnt state inside his torched truck on July 10. The incident took place in the Puranpur Kotwali area of the state. Authorities determined that blackmail was the motive behind the killing and the subsequent burning of the vehicle.

Meet testing firm under fire: Locked Lucknow office, ‘nepotism’ in Uttar Pradesh