India

Shabnam Sinha to chair Airtel Payments Bank from October 1

Shabnam Sinha has been appointed as the next chairperson of Airtel Payments Bank, effective October 1. She will succeed Sunil Bharti Mittal, whose term as non-executive chairman concludes on September 30, 2026. Sinha currently serves as an independent director on the bank's board and brings significant leadership experience to the role. She aims to build on the bank's existing growth momentum and broaden digital banking access across India. Her appointment underscores the bank's focus on continued innovation and expansion.

Navy to lease two new MQ-9B Sea Guardian unmanned aircraft with US firm

Young woman finds modern comforts after moving to remote Alaska island

A 23-year-old woman relocated to a remote Alaskan island expecting harsh isolation and limited resources. She was surprised to discover grocery stores, coffee shops, and reliable internet connectivity on the island. Amazon deliveries and regular flight connections also proved available, contrary to her expectations. Although travel requires more planning and deliveries can take several weeks, she has successfully maintained her career remotely. She has since embraced outdoor activities and made a point of supporting local businesses in her new community.

Three Kanwariyas Die After Bike-Auto Collision in Prayagraj, UP

Three Kanwariyas were killed in a road accident in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, late Sunday evening. The crash involved a motorcycle and an auto-rickshaw in the Ganga Nagar area. The incident took place under the jurisdiction of Sarai Inayat police station. DCP (Ganga Nagar) Kuldeep Gunawat confirmed the details of the accident.

Jio Revives Prime Membership with One-Year Price Lock and Rs 600 Cashback

Reliance Jio has relaunched its Prime membership program for its user base of over 500 million subscribers. The renewed plan offers a one-year price protection guarantee, ensuring recharge rates remain stable for members during that period. Subscribers can also avail cashback vouchers worth Rs 600 on select device purchases and new SIM activations. Additional benefits include priority access to new Jio devices, enhanced digital services, and dedicated customer support. The move appears aimed at rewarding loyalty and retaining its large existing customer base.

Gadkari Says He Gets Blamed on Social Media for State Road Failures

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has expressed frustration over being criticised on social media for road infrastructure failures that fall under state government jurisdiction. He pointed out that even when a state-owned road caves in, public blame is directed at him rather than the concerned state authorities. Gadkari made these remarks in the context of the 'Missing Link' project. His comments highlight the ongoing confusion among the public over which level of government is responsible for different categories of roads.

Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth Conferred Honorary Nepal Army General Rank

Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth arrived in Nepal on Sunday for a four-day official visit. The visit was made at the invitation of Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel. During the visit, General Seth was awarded the honorary rank of General in the Nepal Army. The conferral of this honorary rank is a longstanding tradition symbolising the close military ties between India and Nepal.

California donor gives $1M to 100 teachers in Ross Valley School District

A California resident donated one million dollars to the Ross Valley School District out of concern over teacher pay. The funds were distributed equally among 100 educators, with each receiving over $9,000. Teachers described the unexpected bonuses as life-changing and expressed deep gratitude toward the donor. The anonymous benefactor expressed hope that her gesture would encourage others to invest in public education.

Better.com Founder Vishal Garg Seeks CEO Reinstatement for $1 Annual Salary

Vishal Garg, founder of Better Home & Finance, has formally requested his reinstatement as CEO after being removed from the role. He has offered to work for just one dollar per year until the company returns to profitability. Garg admitted to past missteps, including the reputational fallout from his 2021 mass layoff of 900 employees via a Zoom call. He also argued that his successor, Daniel Lewis, failed to bring fresh innovation to the company. Garg, who retains a board seat and has backing from certain investors, is making his case for a return to leadership.

Nitin Nabin gets a new team: Amit Malviya out as BJP IT cell chief

Govinda performs at Pattaya club as marital tensions with wife remain public

Veteran Bollywood actor Govinda recently took the stage at a club in Pattaya, Thailand, showcasing his well-known dance moves. Videos of the performance spread rapidly across social media, drawing widespread attention. The appearance sparked mixed reactions among fans online. The event comes amid ongoing public controversy surrounding his relationship with wife Sunita Ahuja. Despite the personal turbulence, Govinda appears to be continuing his professional engagements.

BJP reappoints Smriti Irani as national general secretary ahead of UP polls

The BJP has reappointed Smriti Irani as a general secretary in its national team, signalling a strategic focus on Uttar Pradesh ahead of upcoming elections. The move comes in the wake of the party's setbacks in the recent Lok Sabha elections. Irani's past victory in Amethi has established her as a key political asset for the party. In her new role, she will be responsible for coordinating with state units and overseeing candidate selections.

USB-C vs USB4: What the connector and protocol difference means for you

USB-C and USB4 are frequently confused, but they refer to entirely different things. USB-C is a reversible physical connector standard introduced in 2014, while USB4 is a 2019 data transfer protocol that defines performance capabilities. USB4 guarantees speeds of 40Gbps, DisplayPort support, and Power Delivery, and always uses a USB-C connector. However, not all USB-C cables support USB4, making it important for consumers to check specifications before purchasing. Understanding the distinction can help avoid buying incompatible or underperforming cables.

Jadeja becomes fourth cricketer to score 4,000 runs and claim 350 Test wickets

Ravindra Jadeja has etched his name in cricket history by becoming only the fourth player to achieve the double of 4,000 Test runs and 350 wickets. He accomplished this landmark during the first Test match against Sri Lanka. Jadeja joins an elite group of all-rounders comprising Kapil Dev, Ian Botham, and Daniel Vettori. Notably, he reached this milestone in fewer than 100 Test matches, underscoring his exceptional efficiency as a cricketer.

Sebi Chief Confirms Closing Auction Session Is Here to Stay Despite Concerns

Sebi Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey has reaffirmed that the Closing Auction Session (CAS) will not be rolled back, signalling the regulator's firm commitment to the new system. He acknowledged ongoing concerns from market participants and said Sebi continues to evaluate potential improvements to the framework. Pandey noted that some challenges are likely to ease as more participants become familiar with and adopt the system. He also pointed out that dependence on older processes is preventing market players from fully leveraging the benefits of CAS. Sebi has received recognition from various quarters for introducing this significant market structure reform.

Tamil Nadu Government Marks 100 Days With Anti-Corruption Push and Welfare Schemes

The Tamil Nadu government has completed its first 100 days in office, highlighting a series of initiatives focused on governance and public welfare. A dedicated women's safety task force was among the key measures introduced during this period. The government also hosted a landmark investment conclave that attracted commitments worth Rs 1.02 lakh crore. New welfare schemes, including gold rings for newborns, were rolled out as part of its development agenda. Officials underscored accountability and anti-corruption efforts as central priorities of the administration.

BJP Gives Key Organisational Roles to Raje, Smriti Irani, Ram Madhav

The Bharatiya Janata Party has unveiled a new organisational structure assigning significant responsibilities to several senior leaders. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia and ex-Union Minister Smriti Irani are among those given important roles. RSS ideologue Ram Madhav has also been included in the restructured setup. Union Minister Piyush Goyal and party leader Baijayant Jay Panda round out the list of key figures in the new arrangement.

MIT astronomer Rohan Naidu leads discovery of possible 'black hole star' via JWST

A team of astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope has identified an unusually bright, red object from the early universe that may represent a new class of celestial body called a 'black hole star'. The research was led by Rohan Naidu, a Hyderabad-born astronomer at MIT. The study proposes that a massive black hole could be hidden within a dense cloud of hydrogen, giving rise to this rare phenomenon. This discovery may also shed light on the so-called 'little red dots', mysterious objects that JWST has been observing in the distant universe.

Two Women Killed in Elephant Attack While Farming in Jharkhand's Ramgarh

Two women lost their lives after being trampled by elephants in Jharkhand's Ramgarh district. The incident occurred at approximately 8:30 am in Barkipona village, which falls under the Rajrappa police station jurisdiction. The victims were working in a field when the elephants attacked. The incident highlights the ongoing human-wildlife conflict in the region.

President Murmu Approves Renaming of Kerala to Keralam

President Droupadi Murmu has given her approval to a bill that will officially rename the state of Kerala to Keralam. The name change reflects the Malayalam pronunciation of the state's name, aligning the official title with local linguistic usage. The move follows a resolution passed by the Kerala state assembly, which was forwarded to the central government in June 2024. The Centre subsequently processed the request before it received presidential assent.