India

Bengal STF probes Jaish-linked plot to disrupt Jantar Mantar, arrests girlfriend

West Bengal Police's Special Task Force has arrested Arpita Sarkar, the girlfriend of suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed operative Hamim Mondal. Investigators are examining an alleged plan by the duo to incite disturbances at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Hamim is believed to have been operating under directions from Pakistani handlers communicated through social media platforms. Arpita is additionally suspected of participating in a honey-trap network aimed at compromising influential individuals. Authorities say the investigation remains active and further arrests are expected in the coming days.

NEET-PG aspirants to face Aadhaar, iris authentication

24,000 migrant children in US may lose legal aid after federal contract expires

Over 24,000 unaccompanied immigrant children facing deportation in the United States are at risk of losing legal representation after a key federal funding contract expired on Friday. The contract had supported nonprofit organizations that provided legal services to these minors in immigration proceedings. Without federal funding, several nonprofits say they can no longer afford to continue representing the children. Advocates warn that thousands of vulnerable minors may now be forced to navigate complex immigration court processes without any legal support.

India clinches seven gold medals in boxing, sets new Commonwealth Games record

India concluded its boxing campaign at the Commonwealth Games with a historic performance, topping the medal standings in the sport. The team secured seven gold and three silver medals in total. This tally marks India's best-ever boxing result at the Commonwealth Games. The achievement highlights a dominant run by Indian boxers throughout the tournament.

Kerala floods and landslides kill 8 as heavy rains batter multiple districts

At least eight people have died in Kerala as heavy rainfall triggered landslides and widespread flooding across several districts. Rescue teams are actively working to evacuate stranded residents, while efforts are also underway to locate missing fishermen. Authorities have set up relief camps to shelter displaced people and issued alerts warning of continued heavy rainfall. Popular tourist destinations in the state have been temporarily shut down due to the dangerous weather conditions.

Amit Shah urges youth to read Tilak's 'Gita Rahasya', learn from its teachings

Union Home Minister Amit Shah encouraged young Indians to read Bal Gangadhar Tilak's philosophical work 'Gita Rahasya', emphasizing its moral guidance. Shah urged the youth to avoid mistakes and draw life lessons from the text. The event also featured NSA Ajit Doval, who appealed to the younger generation to prioritize national interest over personal gain. Both leaders stressed the importance of patriotism and ethical conduct among India's youth.

Vera C. Rubin Observatory images over 500,000 galaxies in single deep-sky shot

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has released a sweeping image of the COSMOS field, capturing more than 500,000 galaxies and 50,000 stars in a single frame. The COSMOS field is a well-studied region of the sky that astronomers have observed for over two decades. The observatory's record-breaking digital camera offers unprecedented depth and coverage compared to previous instruments. Scientists expect future observations from the telescope to uncover even fainter galaxies and rare cosmic events.

Elite British climber Nirmal Purja dies in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir avalanche

Renowned British mountaineer and former elite military officer Nirmal Purja has died on a peak in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. He was among ten climbers killed in a deadly avalanche in the Karakoram mountain range. The victims included six Nepalese nationals and one climber each from the United States, China, Pakistan, and Oman. Purja had gained global fame for his record-breaking ascents of the world's highest mountains.

Brick kilns shut in south Kashmir after militants kill 2 migrant workers in Kulgam

Two migrant labourers were shot dead by terrorists in Kulgam, south Kashmir, on Friday evening. The attack triggered widespread fear among the migrant worker community, prompting brick kilns across the region to suspend operations. Workers remained confined indoors, expressing anxiety over both their personal safety and loss of daily income. Security forces visited the affected kiln sites and reassured labourers of their protection. Authorities have since directed officials to take necessary measures to safeguard migrant workers in the area.

Suvendu Adhikari invites Taslima Nasreen to visit 'safe West Bengal'

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has extended an open invitation to exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen to visit West Bengal. Adhikari described the state as safe, asserting that democracy and constitutional values are now secure there. He said Nasreen's willingness to come to Bengal itself reflected the restoration of freedom of speech and fundamental rights in the state. The BJP leader's remarks appear to be a veiled criticism of the previous political climate in West Bengal under the ruling Trinamool Congress.

Two French friends complete 5,000km hitchhike across Australia on a shoestring

French travellers William Pertek and Manek Miquel, both 21, have completed a 5,000-kilometre hitchhiking journey across Australia. The duo travelled from Queensland to Broome in Western Australia's far north, relying entirely on strangers for rides. They carried minimal supplies, with only a shared tent and backpacks between them. The trip was undertaken as an adventure while keeping travel expenses as low as possible. Along the way, strangers not only offered rides but also gifted the pair with equipment and gear.

Manesar-Jaipur Highway Gets Barrier-Free Toll System for Seamless Travel

India's Ministry of Road Transport and Highways announced on Saturday the launch of a barrier-free toll collection system on the Manesar-Jaipur highway stretch. The new system eliminates the need for vehicles to stop at physical toll barriers along this route. The rollout aims to ensure smoother and uninterrupted travel for commuters on this corridor. The move is part of broader government efforts to modernize toll infrastructure and reduce traffic congestion at collection points.

UP Girl's Body Exhumed 52 Days After Burial Amid Suspicious Death Probe

The body of a 16-year-old girl was exhumed 52 days after her burial in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. Suspicious circumstances surrounding her death led the district administration to order a fresh investigation. A local resident filed a complaint after reportedly hearing screams before learning of the girl's sudden death, and also claimed to have received death threats. Authorities responded by ordering the exhumation for further examination. The body has been sent for a post-mortem as police launch a detailed inquiry into the matter.

J&K Launches Major Operation After Two Migrant Workers Killed by Terrorists

Security forces in Jammu & Kashmir have launched a large-scale operation to track down terrorists responsible for killing two migrant workers, identified as Deepak and Bhupendra. The attack occurred in the region, adding to a recent string of targeted killings. Their deaths came just one week after police officer Ashique Hussain Qureshi was shot at close range in a crowded marketplace in Anantnag. The back-to-back attacks have prompted authorities to intensify counter-terrorism efforts across the area.

US Embassies Urge Citizens to Leave Middle East Amid Rising Iran Tensions

US embassies across the Middle East have issued security alerts urging American citizens to consider departing the region due to escalating tensions with Iran. The warnings cited the risk of unpredictable Iranian actions and potential attacks on US interests in the area. President Trump threatened severe military retaliation against Iran, alleging violations of an existing truce. Iran, in turn, cautioned nations backing the US that they could face consequences of the conflict. The standoff has already begun disrupting regional shipping and travel as hostilities continue to intensify.

NEET-PG 2026 Revamped: Single Shift, 180 Questions, State-Based Centres

The National Board of Examinations has announced major changes to the NEET-PG 2026 format aimed at improving candidate convenience and security. Candidates will now be able to choose three preferred states for their exam centre allocation, reducing travel burden. The total number of questions has been cut to 180 while the exam duration stays the same, allowing more time per question. Aadhaar-based registration and iris biometrics will be introduced to strengthen security during registration and on exam day. The exam will be held in a single shift across all centres to ensure a uniform and standardised assessment for all candidates.

Vijay's son Jason Sanjay on family scrutiny, directorial debut and father's advice

Jason Sanjay, son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and former actor Vijay, has spoken publicly about the pressures of growing up in a high-profile family. Jason recently made his directorial debut with the film Sigma, marking a significant step in his own career. He addressed the constant public scrutiny that comes with being associated with his father. Vijay reportedly advised his son to forge an independent identity, cautioning that people tend to make assumptions based on family connections.

RTI Activist Seeks Probe into CJP Founder's Father's Finances, Flags Rs 1 Cr Defence Fund

An RTI activist has formally requested an inquiry into the financial affairs of the father of CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke. The activist also raised concerns with authorities over a Rs 1 crore legal defence fund announced by senior lawyer Kapil Sibal for CJP. He questioned whether the unregistered CJP was functioning as a political party without proper authorisation. The Election Commission was approached to verify the organisation's registration status. Additionally, GST authorities were asked to examine potential tax implications on Sibal's pledged amount.

Arundhati Choudhary clinches India's fifth boxing gold at CWG 2026

Indian boxer Arundhati Choudhary won a gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, adding to the country's impressive haul in boxing. She defeated her opponent Reid by a unanimous 5-0 decision, leaving no doubt about the outcome. The victory marked India's fifth boxing gold medal at the ongoing competition. Arundhati's dominant performance highlighted India's strong showing in boxing at the Games.

CBI files FIR against Anil Ambani, Reliance Capital in EPFO case