India

'Heard a whisper': Baby rescued from rubble 48 hrs after Colombia quake - video

US Sets River Restoration Record by Removing 100 Dams Across 30 States

The United States removed 100 outdated and unsafe dams across 30 states in 2025, marking a historic milestone in river restoration. The removals reconnected over 4,893 miles of upstream river channels, the most restored through dam removal in a single year. The projects aimed to revive fish habitats, improve river flow connectivity, and resolve longstanding public safety risks. Pennsylvania led all states with 14 dam removals, while Massachusetts and Vermont followed with 11 and 9 respectively.

Oracle plans fresh layoffs this month ahead of Q2 start on September 1

Oracle is preparing another significant round of job cuts this month, with some teams facing double-digit percentage reductions. Managers have already been asked to identify employees who will be affected by the cuts. The company aims to reduce its payroll before its second fiscal quarter begins on September 1. Oracle has already cut around 21,000 jobs over the past year, bringing its total workforce down to approximately 141,000 employees. The layoffs are driven by the need to fund a debt-heavy AI data centre expansion that consumed $23.7 billion in cash during the last fiscal year.

Congress Chooses Warring Over Channi as Punjab Unit Chief Amid Factional Rift

The Indian National Congress has appointed Amarinder Singh Raja Warring as the Punjab Congress chief, overlooking former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi. Punjab party affairs in-charge Bhupesh Baghel spent nine days in the state attempting to broker unity between the two rival factions. Despite his efforts, Baghel was unable to reconcile the Channi and Warring camps before a decision was made. The selection of Warring signals Congress's preferred direction for rebuilding the party's presence in Punjab after its 2022 assembly election defeat.

Phia founders allegedly knew of cookie stuffing scheme months before it was exposed

Phia, a company co-founded by Jennifer Gates, reportedly engaged in a practice called cookie stuffing, which involves claiming unauthorized sales commissions. Internal records indicate the scheme had been active since December, well before it became public knowledge. This directly contradicts the company's earlier statement attributing the issue to an unexpected software bug. The fraudulent practice is said to have accounted for a significant share of Phia's daily revenue. After the feature was disabled, the company's average daily earnings dropped considerably.

Actor Vikram's Gibbon Video Triggers Forest Dept Probe Into Exotic Animal Trade

A video posted by Tamil actor Vikram featuring an endangered lar gibbon has triggered a formal investigation by the forest department. Authorities are looking into how the animal came to be in the actor's possession and tracing its ownership chain. A third gibbon connected to the same breeder reportedly died without any official notification to wildlife authorities. The two surviving gibbons have since been sent back to Erode as the inquiry remains ongoing. The case has raised broader concerns about the illegal or unregulated movement of exotic and protected animals.

Maharashtra makes Marathi mandatory for cab and auto drivers, permit at stake

Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has announced that all commercial passenger vehicle drivers in the state must be proficient in Marathi. The new directive covers auto-rickshaw drivers, taxi operators, and app-based cab services. Drivers who fail to meet this language requirement risk having their permits suspended. The state government says the move is aimed at improving communication between drivers and passengers and enhancing overall passenger safety.

Ukraine hits Russia's Novorossiysk naval base with combined missile and drone strike

Ukraine launched a major overnight attack on Russia's Novorossiysk naval base using a combination of jet-powered drones and missiles. The strike successfully hit air defense systems and port infrastructure at the strategically important facility. Grain export operations were disrupted at two major terminals as a result of the assault. Russian authorities confirmed civilian casualties along with damage to buildings and commercial enterprises. The attack is part of an ongoing series of long-range strikes exchanged between the two nations.

Maharashtra to Cancel Licences of Auto and Taxi Drivers Who Don't Learn Marathi

Maharashtra has introduced strict new rules requiring auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers to know the Marathi language as a condition for holding a driving licence. Drivers who do not comply with the language requirement face suspension of their licences as an initial penalty. If a driver continues to fail the Marathi language requirement even after the suspension period, authorities will move to permanently cancel their driving licence. The policy appears aimed at ensuring that commercial drivers operating in Maharashtra can communicate effectively with local passengers in the regional language.

Sri Lanka name 16-man Test squad vs India; Dickwella returns, Kusal Mendis out

Sri Lanka Cricket has announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming Test series against India. Dhananjaya de Silva will captain the side, with Kamindu Mendis named as his deputy. Wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella has earned a recall to the squad after recovering from injury, while Kusal Mendis has been ruled out. The squad includes three specialist spinners supported by a strong pace attack. The series is part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle.

Centre Outlines Content Takedown Safeguards in Response to Parliament Query

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi raised a query in Parliament asking whether the government had reviewed the implementation of IT rules. He sought consolidated data on content removals, blocking orders, and account suspensions carried out over the past year. In response, the Centre detailed the safeguards currently in place governing the takedown of online content. The government's reply highlighted the procedural protections built into the IT rules framework for handling such requests.

‘Cherish being Malayali’: CPM’s John Brittas snaps after ‘lungi wala’ slur

Scientists Grow Mini Human Brain Organoids for Research and Computing

Scientists are developing miniature human brain structures in laboratories using organoids grown from skin cells. These tiny brain tissues are being explored for applications in both medical research and biological computing. Researchers are advancing organoid technology beyond its original experimental scope. A growing concern among scientists is what ethical and practical implications may arise if these structures become significantly more sophisticated over time.

9-year-old girl raped in Bhind, MP; brother assaulted while trying to help

A nine-year-old girl was allegedly raped in Madhya Pradesh's Bhind district on Tuesday afternoon. The suspect, known to the children, offered them a ride home from school before diverting to a secluded location. When the victim's eleven-year-old brother attempted to intervene, he was also physically assaulted by the accused. The suspect fled the scene after committing the crime and remains at large. Police have launched a search operation to track down and apprehend the absconding individual.

Mallika Sherawat was married at 21 to a pilot, her uncle revealed the reason for divorce

Russia imports gasoline from India for the first time amid supply shifts

Russia has begun purchasing gasoline from India for the first time, marking a notable shift in energy trade flows. The first cargo shipment arrived on August 5, according to data from commodity tracking firm Kpler. Further shipments are expected to follow the initial delivery. Nayara Energy Ltd, an Indian refinery backed by Russian oil giant Rosneft PJSC, has been identified as the key supplier in this arrangement.

12,900-Year-Old Turkish Cave Sheds Light on Ancient Hunter-Gatherer Culture

Archaeologists have uncovered a 12,900-year-old layer inside Koskarlı Cave in Türkiye, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of Epipalaeolithic hunter-gatherers. The site yielded several significant artifacts, including a hearth, stone tools, and personal ornaments. These findings suggest that the people who once inhabited the cave had cultural connections spanning Anatolia, the Caucasus, and the Levant. Researchers believe the discovery could deepen understanding of how prehistoric societies were organized and interacted across regions.

Despite NALSAR student protests, convocation invite extended to — and accepted by — CJI

India's Ethanol Supply Crosses 8 Billion Litres, Industry Now Eyes Demand Growth

India's ethanol blending program has crossed 800 crore litres in the latest supply year, marking a significant production milestone. Grain-based feedstocks have emerged as the dominant source, contributing 76% of ethanol supply as of July, driven largely by maize and surplus FCI grains. Sugarcane-based ethanol, previously a major contributor, has seen its share of the monthly supply mix decline. With production capacity now substantially expanded, the industry's focus is shifting toward stimulating sufficient demand to absorb the increased output.

Ferry Fire in Indonesia Kills 1, Rescues 172; Overcrowding Concerns Rise

A ferry caught fire in Indonesia, killing one person and prompting the rescue of 172 individuals. Authorities were able to bring the survivors to safety following the incident. The vessel's official manifest listed only 131 passengers and crew, meaning the actual number aboard far exceeded recorded capacity. This discrepancy has raised serious concerns about overcrowding on Indonesian ferries. The incident comes just a month after a similar fire, intensifying scrutiny over passenger safety standards.