India

Pakistan Extends Media Curbs to Local Staff of Foreign Outlets Amid PoK Unrest

Pakistan has expanded its restrictions on foreign media organizations operating within the country. For the first time, the government is seeking to routinely monitor and control the movement of Pakistani nationals employed by these outlets. The move marks a significant escalation in press freedom concerns, going beyond previous measures that targeted foreign correspondents. The crackdown comes amid ongoing unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Critics have described the step as alarming, raising fears of tighter state control over independent journalism.

India's Gaganyaan Mission Clears Key Human-Rating Tests, First Flight Due 2026

India's Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme has achieved major milestones in developing and qualifying critical human-rating systems. The propulsion stages and structural components of the launch vehicle have been fully developed and tested. Crew safety systems, including the crew escape mechanism, have been successfully qualified. The first uncrewed test flight is scheduled for late 2026, after which two additional uncrewed missions will follow. Only then will India proceed with its first crewed orbital spaceflight.

Israel Blocks Lebanon Withdrawal Until Army Controls Pilot Zones

Israel declined to pull back from additional areas of southern Lebanon during talks held on Thursday in Rome. The refusal was conditional on the Lebanese army establishing full control over two initial designated 'pilot zones' first. The information was disclosed by a Lebanese presidential source speaking to AFP. The standoff highlights ongoing tensions over the terms and pace of any Israeli military withdrawal from the region.

Sqn Ldr Bhawana Kanth becomes India's first woman Fighter Combat Leader

Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth has made history by becoming the first Indian woman to complete the prestigious Fighter Combat Leader course, often likened to the 'Top Gun' programme. Kanth previously qualified for daytime combat missions on a MiG-21 Bison before transitioning to the advanced Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jet. In a separate milestone, Captain Shivani Sehrawat has been appointed as the first woman officer to serve as Aide-de-Camp to the Chief of the Indian Army. Together, these achievements mark a significant step forward in gender inclusion across India's armed forces.

Hawaii congressional candidate Kirill Basin held on $1M bail after Maui beach incident

Democratic congressional candidate Kirill Basin was arrested following an altercation at Keawakapu Beach in Maui, Hawaii. He allegedly threatened individuals with both a knife and a gun during the confrontation. A bystander with martial arts training intervened and knocked Basin unconscious. Basin has since been charged with terroristic threatening and is being held on one million dollars in bail. The case is further complicated by his prior arrest record involving assault and property damage.

France submits Rs 3.25 lakh crore proposal to supply 114 Rafale jets to India

France has formally submitted a detailed proposal to supply 114 Rafale fighter jets to India, valuing the deal at approximately Rs 3.25 lakh crore. Of the total jets, 94 are proposed to be manufactured domestically under India's Make-in-India initiative. The Indian government is currently reviewing the proposal to assess its compatibility with indigenous missile systems. Authorities are hopeful that the agreement will be finalized before the end of this year.

Bengaluru startup Aule Space develops jetpack satellites to extend spacecraft life

Bengaluru-based startup Aule Space is developing jetpack-style satellites capable of docking with aging spacecraft and taking over their propulsion functions. The company has successfully validated its core technology at an ISRO facility, marking a significant milestone in its development. Aule Space plans to conduct a private satellite docking demonstration next year. The innovation aims to extend the operational life of satellites already in orbit, potentially saving the space industry billions of dollars.

UK records nearly 200 deaths linked to Ozempic, Mounjaro and other weight-loss drugs

UK health authorities have documented close to 200 fatalities associated with popular anti-obesity medications. Tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro, accounts for the highest toll with 120 deaths and over 106,000 adverse reactions reported. Semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy, has been linked to 59 deaths, while liraglutide, known as Saxenda, is tied to 37 fatalities. Collectively, these drugs have been associated with more than 150,000 adverse effects across the UK.

Betty Bromage, 97, breaks her own record as oldest female wing walker

Betty Bromage, a 97-year-old resident of Cheltenham, UK, has broken her own Guinness World Record for the oldest female wing walker. She performed the daring aerial stunt to raise funds for the stroke unit at Cheltenham General Hospital. The charity effort held personal significance, as Bromage herself had been treated at that same unit following a stroke in 2025. Her achievement highlights remarkable resilience and determination well into her late nineties.

Nagpur Rape Accused Shifted to ICU While Survivor Recovers in Same Hospital

A 19-year-old from Thane, accused of holding a teenage girl captive and sexually torturing her, was moved to the ICU after reporting health complaints. The survivor, housed in the general ward of the same hospital, underwent plastic surgery to treat deep wounds caused by a surgical blade. The accused has reportedly demanded VIP treatment and is refusing to cooperate with investigators. Police have seized the accused's mobile phones and are working with cyber experts to extract potential evidence. The case has drawn significant attention due to the severity of the alleged assault and the accused's conduct in custody.

Bomb on Minibus Kills 2, Wounds 13 in Syrian Town Near Damascus

A bomb planted on a minibus exploded on Thursday in Jaramana, a town located near the Syrian capital Damascus. The blast resulted in at least two fatalities and left 13 others injured. The incident was reported by Syrian state media, which cited the country's health ministry as its source. Jaramana is a suburban area in close proximity to Damascus, making the attack notable for its location near the capital.

Newly Elected PoK Legislator on UK Police Bail Over Child Sex Offence Allegations

A former Pakistan-occupied Kashmir minister, recently elected as a legislator, is currently on police bail in the United Kingdom over child sex offence allegations dating back to the 1990s. The accused, identified as Ahmed, was arrested in the UK but was permitted by a British judge to travel to Pakistan despite his bail conditions. He allegedly skipped a scheduled court appearance in the UK, choosing instead to campaign in Mirpur ahead of the elections. His election victory has drawn attention to the unresolved legal proceedings against him. Greater Manchester Police have indicated they may pursue extradition if he fails to return and appear before the court.

FIR Filed Against Iltija Mufti for Allegedly Assaulting Officer During Protest

J&K Police have registered an FIR against PDP leader Iltija Mufti, accusing her of assaulting a police officer during a protest. She faces charges of assaulting a public servant and rioting. Her mother and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has also been named in the case for allegedly violating protest regulations. The PDP has denied the allegations, claiming that Iltija was instead manhandled by police, resulting in injuries to her. The party has also criticised authorities for questioning her while she was receiving medical treatment.

Two Army bomb disposal personnel injured defusing landmine in Poonch

Two Army Bomb Disposal Squad personnel were injured while attempting to defuse a landmine in the Mendhar sector of Poonch. The landmine was first discovered by an Army patrol, which alerted the bomb disposal unit. A separate team operating in the nearby Mankote sector successfully located and destroyed a cache of rusty mortar shells. The controlled destruction of the old munitions was carried out safely without any reported casualties.

Ladakh to Launch India's First High-Altitude Wildlife Safari for Eco-Tourism

The Ladakh administration has approved India's first high-altitude wildlife safari, aimed at curbing illegal off-roading in the region. The initiative will introduce guided jeep safaris along popular tourist routes across the Union Territory. A key focus of the program is protecting snow leopards and preserving bird-watching trails. Local youth will be trained as wildlife and bird-spotting guides to support the effort. The program is designed to promote community-led conservation alongside responsible eco-tourism.

Bombay HC sentences Tarun Tejpal to 10 years in jail, overturns acquittal

The Bombay High Court has reversed the trial court's acquittal of former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal and sentenced him to 10 years in prison. The high court found significant flaws in the lower court's judgment, which had cleared Tejpal of all charges. Tejpal had been accused of sexually assaulting a junior colleague inside a hotel elevator in Goa in 2013. The trial court had acquitted him in 2021, a verdict that was subsequently challenged in the higher court. The Bombay High Court's ruling marks a significant reversal in a case that drew widespread public and media attention in India.

Wangchuk's Leh Apex Body gives Centre 1-month ultimatum over protest crackdown

The Leh Apex Body has issued a one-month ultimatum to the Union government demanding withdrawal of cases filed against protesters. The demand also includes compensation for families of four people who died during last year's demonstrations in Leh. Families of the deceased have insisted on receiving justice and are unwilling to accept any outcome short of accountability. The group has warned of fresh protests if the Centre fails to act on their demands. The ultimatum highlights ongoing tensions over Ladakh's unresolved grievances with the central government.

Delhi Police nabs 1998 murder accused after 28 years on the run with fake identity

Delhi Police have arrested Rajinder Bairagi, a fugitive wanted in connection with a 1998 murder case. For nearly three decades, he evaded capture by assuming a false identity and living in Madhya Pradesh. Authorities tracked him down through extensive surveillance operations that eventually dismantled his cover. His arrest also helped police crack two previously unsolved attempted murder cases dating back to 1997.

J&K CM Omar Abdullah Reviews Flood Relief in Rajouri, Orders Faster Restoration

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the flood-hit Rajouri district to assess the damage and review ongoing relief operations. He instructed authorities to speed up restoration work and strengthen rehabilitation efforts for affected residents. The government announced plans to increase relief assistance and provide support to families who have suffered losses. Families that have lost their homes or land will be allotted five marlas of land for rehabilitation purposes. The administration also decided to ban construction along vulnerable riverbanks to prevent future flood-related damage.

BJP distances itself from ‘anti-women’ slogans raised at 370 event in Srinagar