India

Akhilesh Yadav Courts Brahmin Voters Ahead of 2027 UP Assembly Elections

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is actively reaching out to Brahmin voters in Uttar Pradesh as part of a broader strategy ahead of the 2027 state elections. He claims the Brahmin community has faced hardships under the current ruling dispensation. The move is aimed at expanding his PDA political coalition beyond its traditional support base. BSP leader Mayawati has dismissed the outreach as political opportunism. The Brahmin vote bloc remains a significant electoral prize, attracting attention from multiple parties across the state.

Bhutanese Traveller Praises Vande Bharat Sleeper for Comfort and Cleanliness

A Bhutanese traveller boarded the Guwahati-Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper train after a six-month break and came away highly impressed. The premium service stood out for its cleanliness, with modern cabins and well-maintained washrooms enhancing the overall experience. The traveller described the ride as remarkably comfortable throughout the journey. The Guwahati-Howrah route operates on India's first long-distance Vande Bharat Sleeper service. The train is designed to offer shorter travel times and higher passenger satisfaction compared to conventional overnight trains.

Govinda Opens Up About Chronic Tardiness and Hectic Shooting Schedules

Veteran Bollywood actor Govinda has spoken openly about his well-known reputation for arriving late on film sets. He attributed the delays to the pressure of juggling multiple demanding shooting shifts simultaneously. Despite the inconvenience, filmmakers were reportedly willing to adjust their schedules to accommodate him given his star power. Co-stars who waited on set were compensated for their time, according to Govinda. He also took the opportunity to look back warmly on his long-running on-screen partnerships with actors Kader Khan and Shakti Kapoor.

Chimaev Eyes Light Heavyweight Move After Losing UFC Middleweight Title

Khamzat Chimaev lost his UFC middleweight title to Sean Strickland at UFC 328. Following the defeat, the fighter has expressed interest in moving up to the light heavyweight division. Chimaev has personally reached out to UFC CEO Dana White seeking his next competitive opportunity. The fighter is coming off a medical suspension and is eager to return to action. His next UFC bout could take place at a higher weight class than his previous title reign.

China's Z.ai Delays GLM-5.3 AI Model Release by Two Weeks Amid Safety Concerns

Chinese AI laboratory Z.ai has announced a two-week postponement of its GLM-5.3 artificial intelligence model launch. The model has demonstrated strong capabilities in identifying and exploiting security vulnerabilities, drawing scrutiny similar to that faced by leading US AI firms. Z.ai claims GLM-5.3 outperforms several American models on key benchmarks and positions it as a tool for protecting open-source environments. Despite its potential defensive applications, the company has acknowledged ongoing concerns about managing the model's use responsibly after its eventual release.

Hidden AirTag in rare book exposes Amazon warehouse destroying books for AI training

A rare book embedded with an Apple AirTag tracking device has revealed an undisclosed Amazon operation suspected of processing books for AI training data. The tracker led investigators from California to a Las Vegas Amazon warehouse designated LAS8, where a unit called VGT3 reportedly removes book bindings, scans pages, and destroys the original copies. Workers at the facility have confirmed that scanning books is their primary task. The discovery has raised concerns among booksellers globally, who are now declining suspicious bulk purchase orders as a precaution.

Delhi Court Upholds Kidnapping Charges Against Gujarat Cops Who Used Minor as Bait

A Delhi court has dismissed a plea filed by four Gujarat Police officers accused of using a minor boy as bait to apprehend his father. The court sharply criticized the officers' conduct, comparing it to the behavior of colonial rulers. It further ruled that the officers had no legal authority to cross state boundaries with the child. As a result, the court upheld the kidnapping charges filed against the four accused officers.

UC Riverside Study Reveals How Two Ant Baits Trigger Opposite Behaviors

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, studied the behavioral effects of two common ant-bait insecticides on Argentine ants. The study found that thiamethoxam caused ants to become hyperactive and wander outside their nests, while boric acid had the opposite effect, prompting ants to stop foraging and cluster indoors. These contrasting responses occur before the ants die from the treatments. The findings are significant because unusual ant behavior following pesticide application does not indicate that the treatment has failed.

Indian-origin founder Ritu Narayan builds school bus startup Zum into $1.7B unicorn

Ritu Narayan, an Indian-origin entrepreneur, founded Zum to solve the longstanding challenges parents face with student transportation. The company uses technology to improve the school bus experience for children. Zum has crossed the one-billion-dollar valuation mark, achieving unicorn status in the process. The startup is now expanding beyond transportation by introducing electric buses, entering the energy market. Zum's tech-driven model is broadly changing how students travel to and from school.

Surat Restaurant Shut After Child Dies, Three Hospitalised in Food Poisoning Case

A restaurant in Surat, Gujarat was ordered shut after a child died and three others were hospitalised following suspected food poisoning. The affected family had consumed food purchased from the establishment on August 15. Health officials inspected the restaurant and discovered spoiled items, including chana dal, vegetables, and improperly stored paneer, which were subsequently destroyed. Authorities are pursuing further legal action against the restaurant owner under the Food Safety Act.

Delhi Police explains why cops wore civil clothes during Jantar Mantar protest

Bihar transfers 17 IPS officers amid row over AK-47 use during student protest

Iran Demands US Lift Blockade as Hormuz Navigation Talks Progress with Oman

Iran's top negotiator has called on the United States to lift its blockade as a condition for resolving the Strait of Hormuz dispute. Iran and Oman, both coastal nations bordering the strait, have been engaged in weeks of diplomatic discussions over the future of navigation through the waterway. Tehran has indicated that the geographical coordinates of a proposed navigation route have been mutually agreed upon by both countries. The talks reflect ongoing efforts to secure stable passage through one of the world's most strategically critical maritime corridors.

India Bans Import of 405 Defence Items to Boost Domestic Manufacturing

India's Defence Ministry has added 405 items to its positive indigenisation list as part of its 'Make in India' initiative. The list comprises 389 items used by defence public sector undertakings and 16 items designated for the Indian Coast Guard. These items are collectively valued at approximately Rs 3,000 crore. The move is aimed at reducing India's dependence on foreign defence imports and encouraging local production. This initiative is part of a broader government push to strengthen the domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem.

‘Show of strength’ that wasn’t: BJP protest against Omar government marred by low turnout

Sibling Pairs at BWF World Championships Share Courts, Bonds and Rivalries

The BWF World Championships in Delhi has put a spotlight on sibling partnerships competing together in badminton. Scotland's identical Grimley twins have spent roughly two decades developing a deep understanding of each other's playing style. France's Popov brothers view doubles as a relief from the individual pressures that come with singles competition. Czech siblings Ondrej and Jiri Kral navigate both the comfort and occasional tension of sharing their sport and personal lives. These partnerships highlight how family ties can shape dynamics both on and off the badminton court.

NYC's Iconic Flatiron Building Converts to Luxury Residences, Units Selling Fast

New York City's historic Flatiron Building is being transformed from an office building into upscale residential apartments. The landmark conversion project is nearing completion, with move-ins expected this autumn. Buyer demand has been strong, with most units already under contract. A single apartment recently sold for $24 million, underscoring the high-end appeal of the development. Future residents will have access to modern amenities within the century-old architectural icon.

Hand Grenade Attack Near Kabul School Leaves 50 Children Injured

A hand grenade attack near a school in Kabul, Afghanistan, resulted in approximately 50 children being wounded. The incident took place on Monday, prompting an immediate response from local authorities. Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran confirmed that a number of children had sustained injuries in the attack. Zadran announced that an investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances and those responsible for the assault.

Devendra Mahto ends hunger strike, vows second phase of Jharkhand exam protest

Activist Devendra Mahto called off his hunger strike after the Jharkhand government cancelled job examinations amid allegations of irregularities. However, Mahto declared that the protest movement is far from over, announcing a second phase of agitation. His core demands include ensuring corruption-free recruitment through JPSC and JSSC, with guarantees against future paper leaks. The movement will persist until the government provides firm assurances of a clean and transparent hiring process. In response, the state government has set up an exam reforms committee aimed at strengthening the recruitment system.

PM CARES Fund data made public; balance rises to Rs 8,452 crore