India

Tamil Nadu mulls adding chicken biryani to school noon-meal programme

Tamil Nadu is considering including chicken biryani in its school noon-meal programme as part of efforts to improve student welfare. The proposal reflects a broader evolution in the state's approach to midday meal policies. Teachers have also raised concerns over unresolved issues related to employment conditions and salaries. Additionally, the government plans to introduce a digital system for tracking petitions to enhance accountability. The developments highlight the growing role of school meal programmes in shaping education policy across the state.

Bhojshala complex row: SC asks govt to provide nearby site for Friday namaz

Africa's $50bn Transaqua Project Eyes Congo River Water to Rescue Lake Chad

Lake Chad, a critical freshwater source in Central Africa, has shrunk dramatically over recent decades, severely affecting millions of people in the surrounding region. To address this crisis, African governments are backing large-scale initiatives to restore the lake's ecosystem. The centerpiece of these efforts is the Transaqua project, an ambitious $50 billion plan to divert water from the Congo River basin into Lake Chad. Beyond replenishing the lake's water levels, the project is also intended to stimulate economic development across the affected regions. The initiative represents one of the largest proposed water-diversion schemes on the African continent.

Teen's Jute Sponge Filters 80% of Tire Pollutants, Wins $75,000 Science Prize

An 18-year-old student has invented a biodegradable sponge made from jute waste that removes up to 80% of tire-related pollutants from water. The device targets 6PPD-quinone, a toxic chemical compound found in tire runoff that is known to be harmful to salmon and other aquatic life. The sponge presents a low-cost, sustainable alternative to conventional water filtration methods. The project earned the young innovator a $75,000 prize at a major science competition, recognizing its potential environmental impact.

Farmer Shot Dead by Security Guard's Accidental Firing at Delhi Bank

A farmer visiting a bank in Delhi was killed after a security guard accidentally discharged his firearm on the premises. The incident occurred when the farmer had come to the bank to update his Aadhaar details. The accidental shot struck and fatally wounded the victim. Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances that led to the unintentional firing.

'Join BJP to avoid trouble for family': CJP's Dipke alleges Centre supports rapists

Delivery rider turned audio-fiction writer earns Rs 1 crore after road accident

Ajit Kumar was forced to abandon his medical studies due to financial difficulties and took up food delivery, cycling up to 100 kilometres a day to support his family. A serious road accident ended his delivery work and prompted him to explore a new path in creative writing. He discovered the audio content platform Pocket FM, where he became the lead writer of the popular audio-fiction series Brahmyodha: The Destroyer. Kumar has since authored over 1,000 episodes of the series and has reportedly earned more than Rs 1 crore through digital storytelling.

AI Set to Automate Routine Jobs While Reshaping Skilled Professions

Artificial intelligence is expected to automate a wide range of routine tasks across multiple industries, putting certain jobs at significant risk. Sectors like financial services and retail trade face the highest exposure, particularly for basic operational roles such as cashiers and data entry workers. In contrast, professions in healthcare and education are likely to see AI act as a support tool, enhancing rather than replacing human roles. Generative AI is anticipated to assist with complex tasks that still require human judgment and expertise. Overall, the workplace is set for a broad transformation as AI increasingly complements human capabilities across industries.

Ajinkya Rahane retires from international cricket after 85 Tests for India

Veteran Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane has announced his retirement from international cricket, drawing an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow players. The Mumbai right-hander represented India across all three formats, appearing in 85 Tests, 90 ODIs, and 20 T20Is. In his Test career, Rahane accumulated 5,077 runs at an average of 38.46, registering 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries. He also contributed 2,962 runs in ODIs at an average of 35.26, along with 375 runs in T20 internationals. Rahane's departure marks the end of a long and significant chapter in Indian cricket.

Railways to launch online booking for excess luggage tomorrow

Big Four firms including PwC and EY retract flawed AI-generated research reports

Several of Europe's Big Four consulting firms, including PwC, EY, and KPMG, have come under scrutiny after AI-generated errors were found in their published research. PwC's Middle East reports were found to contain hallucinated content and fabricated footnotes, with broken web links flagged by researchers. EY and KPMG similarly retracted research papers that had been produced using generative AI tools. The incidents expose a growing tension between firms marketing AI services and their own unreliable use of the same technology. The affected firms are now conducting reviews of their published research to check for inaccuracies.

Deadly Crackdown on Protesters in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir Raises Hard Questions

Violent scenes have emerged from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), where security forces confronted civilian protesters in Rawalakot, leaving people dead and injured. Images from the area show bloodied streets, motionless demonstrators, and armed personnel deployed against civilians. The crackdown has drawn attention to the Pakistani government's handling of unrest in the region it calls 'Azad Kashmir.' The violence has prompted grief among local families and renewed scrutiny of Pakistan's narrative around the territory's so-called free status. Analysts say the bloodshed exposes a deep tension between Islamabad's official position on PoK and the ground realities faced by its residents.

Tamil Nadu Signs 4 Investment Pacts Targeting 2,900 New Jobs

Tamil Nadu has signed four agreements aimed at generating approximately 2,900 employment opportunities across key industrial sectors. The deals were formalized as part of the state government's ongoing efforts to attract investment and boost economic growth. Chief Minister pledged complete state support to ensure all four projects are implemented on schedule. The agreements span multiple sectors, reflecting Tamil Nadu's strategy to diversify its industrial base and create large-scale employment.

Railways fined Rs 25,000 for giving one blanket to two passengers sharing berth

A consumer commission has ordered Northern Railway to pay Rs 25,000 in compensation to a passenger who was forced to share a single blanket and pillow with a stranger on a train. The railway had provided only one bedroll set for a shared berth, violating its own internal circular on bedroll provisions. The commission ruled that this constituted a clear deficiency in service on the part of the railway. The awarded compensation is meant to account for the inconvenience caused to the affected passenger.

Rajya Sabha continues despite Opposition protests over police crackdown in Delhi

Pakistani Forces Kill 37 in PoK Crackdown as Protests Intensify

Pakistani security forces carried out a severe crackdown on protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) over a three-day period. The violent response to demonstrations has reportedly resulted in the deaths of more than 37 civilians. Over 200 people have been injured in the clashes between protesters and security personnel. The unrest has drawn significant attention, with patriotic Urdu verses attributed to revolutionary poet Ram Prasad Bismil reportedly being recited amid the protests.

‘No such letter issued’: PIB debunks social media reports claiming PM Modi’s resignation

Can Housing Societies Bar Small Flat Owners From Common Amenities? Law Explained

A key legal question has emerged around whether housing societies can restrict residents of smaller flats from accessing shared amenities such as pools and gyms. Under property law, common facilities including lifts, open spaces, and clubhouses are collectively owned by all flat owners through their undivided share in the property. This means every flat owner, regardless of unit size, holds a legal stake in these shared spaces. Denying access based on flat size could therefore conflict with ownership rights recognized under applicable housing and property regulations.

Maharashtra Government Acquires Air India's Nariman Point Tower for Rs 1,601 Crore

The Maharashtra government has acquired the iconic 23-storey Air India building located at Nariman Point in Mumbai. The sea-facing skyscraper was purchased for Rs 1,601 crore. The building is set to serve as the new official office of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Nariman Point, one of Mumbai's most prominent business districts, is home to several landmark structures.

Uddhav Thackeray Defends Gen Z Protesters, Invokes Shivaji's Youth Legacy

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray spoke out in defence of Gen Z student protesters who he said were being called 'cockroaches'. He drew a historical parallel by recalling that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj captured Torna Fort at the age of 17, effectively in his own Gen Z years. Thackeray also noted that the Mughals had disparagingly referred to Shivaji as a 'rat', likening that historical disdain to the current criticism of young protesters. His remarks were aimed at countering narratives that belittle youth-led activism.