India
Prashant Kishor Sworn In as MLA After Winning Bihar Assembly Seat
Political strategist Prashant Kishor has been sworn in as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in Bihar. He secured a decisive victory, polling 64,151 votes in his constituency. Kishor defeated BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar by a margin of 19,324 votes. The win marks a significant milestone in his transition from political consultant to elected representative.

Ramayana costume designers explain choices for Sita and Kaikeyi amid online criticism
The costume designers of the upcoming film Ramayana have publicly responded to backlash over outfits worn by Lara Dutta and Sai Pallavi in their respective roles. The team stated they worked closely with the director to shape a distinct visual identity for Sita's character. Kaikeyi's costume was intentionally designed to symbolize Mother Earth and her emotional turmoil at a key narrative moment. Designers noted that their approach prioritized spiritual intent over strict historical accuracy. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release during Diwali 2026.
BJP Reshuffles National Leadership Team With New Office-Bearers
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Bharatiya Janata Party's newly appointed national office-bearers, praising the team's mix of experience and energy. Nitin Nabin heads the revamped leadership structure, which includes thirteen vice presidents and a newly appointed treasurer. Established figures such as Piyush Goyal and B L Santosh retain key positions within the organisation. The reshuffle also introduces new national secretaries aimed at strengthening the party's overall framework.
CEA Nageswaran Calls for Reintroducing Lower Ethanol Blends at Fuel Pumps
Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran has called for bringing back lower ethanol-blended petrol at retail pumps amid concerns over E20 fuel. While existing evidence does not conclusively show that E20 damages engines, the CEA acknowledged that older vehicles remain a significant concern. India has an estimated 75 to 80 million older two-wheelers equipped with rubber seals not rated for ethanol use. Retrofitting these seals across such a large vehicle base is expected to take several years, making an immediate full transition to E20 potentially problematic.
MTG Claims Trump Officials Discussed Nuclear Option Against Iran in Strategy Talks
Former US congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has alleged that Trump administration officials raised the possibility of using nuclear weapons against Iran during internal strategy meetings. Greene also claimed that US intelligence does not currently have evidence showing Iran is actively developing nuclear weapons. The statements come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, with the Trump administration pressing Iran for significant concessions. A key point of contention is Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global waterway that remains central to the standoff between the two nations.
BJP Restructures Leadership: Ram Madhav Gets VP Role, Smriti Irani Returns as General Secretary
The Bharatiya Janata Party has unveiled a new organisational structure under what is being referred to as BJP 3.0. Ram Madhav has been appointed as a national vice president in this reshuffle. Former Union minister Smriti Irani, who lost her Amethi seat in the 2024 general elections, has made a political comeback through this reorganisation. She has been named among eight national general secretaries in the newly announced list. The reshuffle signals the party's intent to reposition key leaders within its central organisational framework.

Arizona man, 88, and dog rescued after SOS text pinpoints mud-stuck vehicle
An 88-year-old man and his dog were stranded in Yavapai County, Arizona, after their vehicle got stuck in deep mud caused by recent monsoon storms. Facing a difficult night in dangerous conditions, the man sent an emergency SOS text to alert authorities to his situation. Rescue teams used the distress signal to locate the pair and reached them safely early Friday. The incident highlights the life-saving potential of emergency communication features in critical situations.
Smriti Irani Returns to BJP Core as National General Secretary
Former Union minister Smriti Irani has been appointed as one of the BJP's national general secretaries, marking her return to a key organisational role within the party. The appointment comes as part of a broader restructuring of the BJP's national organisation, referred to internally as BJP 3.0. The reshuffle has notably featured significant representation of women in prominent party positions. Irani, who previously held several cabinet portfolios, steps back into the party's central leadership structure with this new role.

UP ATS arrests Bihar man suspected of funnelling funds to Pakistan for JeM
The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad has arrested a Bihar resident on suspicion of having links with the banned militant outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed. The accused allegedly collected donations under the guise of madrasa funding while attempting to transfer money to Pakistan. Intelligence agencies identified his alleged connections to JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar, supported by phone records and social media interactions with Pakistani jihadist networks. Investigators recovered incriminating materials and obtained statements that corroborate the charges against him.
AAP Health Card Video Sparks Row Over Knee Replacement Claims
A promotional video released by the Aam Aadmi Party featuring elderly people dancing has triggered a political controversy in India. The video was intended to highlight the party's health card scheme, which purportedly covers knee replacement surgeries. Opposition leaders have questioned the authenticity of the claims, asking whether the individuals shown dancing had genuinely undergone knee replacement procedures. The video quickly became a flashpoint, with critics accusing AAP of exaggerating or misrepresenting the benefits of its healthcare program. The dispute has reignited debate over the credibility of government health scheme promotions.

Investor Ross Gerber advises buying iPhone 17 ahead of expected iPhone 18 price hike
Tesla investor Ross Gerber has recommended that consumers purchase an iPhone 17 before Apple's next generation of devices launches. He highlighted that iPhone 17 prices are currently stable, a situation that may shift come September. Analysts anticipate the upcoming iPhone 18 will carry higher price tags, largely driven by rising memory costs. Despite increasing hardware prices across its product lineup, Apple has continued to see strong iPhone sales. The company also reported a notable rise in iPhone revenue during its most recent fiscal quarter.
Fire Breaks Out in Basement of Mumbai's Income Tax Office Building
A fire broke out at Aayakar Bhavan, an Income Tax department office building located in Mumbai's Churchgate area. The Mumbai Fire Brigade received an emergency call at 2:01 PM reporting the incident. The fire was reported to have originated in the basement of the building. Authorities were alerted and emergency response teams were dispatched to the site.

Michigan kids' lemonade stand raises $1,000 for teen cheerleader's grieving family
Children in Lambertville, Michigan, set up a lemonade stand to honor Lainey Scroggs, a teen cheerleader who passed away. The initiative raised over one thousand dollars for the Scroggs family during their time of grief. Separately, an online fundraiser has gathered close to seventy-four thousand dollars for the family. Together, these efforts reflect strong community solidarity and support for the bereaved relatives.



