India

Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin Steps Down Over Health Concerns

Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin, 76, has resigned from his largely ceremonial role, citing health issues as the reason for his departure. He had held the presidential post since April 2023. Shahabuddin was previously known as a political ally of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted from power. His resignation marks a significant shift in Bangladesh's political landscape following the earlier removal of Hasina.

Congress MP accuses Wangchuk of deal with govt after hunger strike ends; BJP hits back

Congress MP Imran Masood has accused climate activist Sonam Wangchuk of striking a deal with the government, drawing comparisons to Anna Hazare and implying Wangchuk may go silent going forward. The BJP swiftly condemned the remarks, accusing Congress of insulting the activist. Wangchuk had ended his 26-day hunger strike following negotiations with Union ministers. Separately, protests continue on other fronts, with demonstrators demanding the resignation of a minister.

Indian Railways uses nearly 3 billion units of electricity every month for smooth train operations

Delhi HC questions Election Commission's legal basis for deploying teachers on poll duty

The Delhi High Court has challenged the Election Commission of India over its practice of deploying teachers for Special Intensive Revision (SIR) election duties. The court sought clarification on the legal authority under which teachers can be compelled to perform such assignments. In response, the Election Commission cited Article 324 of the Constitution and provisions of the Representation of the People Act as its legal basis. The court also raised concerns about whether these duties, reportedly assigned during holidays and non-teaching hours, are truly mandatory. The matter highlights ongoing tensions between election obligations and the professional responsibilities of teaching staff.

Andrej Karpathy advises rambling to AI chatbots for better, more accurate results

AI researcher Andrej Karpathy, who coined the term 'Vibe Coding', has shared advice on how to get better responses from AI chatbots. He recommends that users speak or type freely without worrying about precise phrasing, as this gives the AI more data to work with. The approach lets people quickly convey all their thoughts and subtle nuances in one go. The AI then processes this unstructured input and organizes it into clear, coherent outputs. According to Karpathy, this method improves the AI's comprehension and minimizes the need for follow-up corrections.

Dharmendra Pradhan Will Not Resign Over NEET Paper Leak, Say Sources

Student protesters, led by the Congress Janata Party, have been demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak controversy. Sources close to the minister have indicated that his resignation is not being considered. Officials described stepping down as the 'easiest decision to make,' suggesting the minister intends to stay and address the issue. The 57-year-old minister has faced mounting pressure amid widespread outrage over the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.

1,800-Year-Old Roman Military Camp Linked to Marcus Aurelius Unearthed in Slovakia

Archaeologists have uncovered an ancient Roman military camp in southwestern Slovakia, estimated to be around 1,800 years old. The site is believed to have been used by Emperor Marcus Aurelius' forces during the Marcomannic Wars. Excavations revealed skeletal remains thought to belong to Roman soldiers, found in shallow graves, ditches, and wells. Weapons, armour, coins, and military sandals were also recovered from the site. Researchers say the rare find could shed new light on Roman military campaigns, though extensive scientific analysis is still required.

Landslide Buries Cab in Himachal's Lahaul-Spiti, Killing 13 People

A deadly landslide struck the Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, killing 13 people. A Tata Sumo cab was completely buried after rocks fell on it during the incident. The vehicle was travelling on the Kullu to Pangi route when the landslide occurred. Lahaul-Spiti is a remote, mountainous region prone to such natural disasters, particularly during seasonal weather changes.

Joe Root Set to Reclaim England Test Captaincy Through Ashes Series

Joe Root is reportedly set to return as England's Test cricket captain following Ben Stokes' retirement from international cricket. Stokes' departure created a leadership vacancy that England's selectors needed to fill urgently. Root, who previously captained England before Stokes took over, is the frontrunner to resume the role. He is expected to lead the side through the upcoming Ashes series against Australia.

Trump Administration Cuts India Tariff Rate from 12.5% to 10%

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced revised tariff rates on 60 economies on Thursday. The announcement came one day before the expiry of temporary additional 10% duties that had been imposed on imports from all countries. India's tariff rate was reduced from 12.5% to 10% under the revised structure. The move signals a shift in the Trump administration's trade posture toward several major trading partners.

India Approves New Rail Lines on Karnataka-Andhra Pradesh Corridor

The Indian government has approved the addition of third and fourth rail lines on a key route connecting Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The multitracking project will expand the Indian Railways network by approximately 46 kilometres. The project spans three districts across the two states. It is expected to be completed by the financial year 2028-29.

ED searches 9 locations in Punjab, J-K in narco-terror funding probe

13 Feared Dead as Boulders Crush Taxi in Himachal Pradesh

At least 13 people are feared dead after a taxi was crushed by boulders in Himachal Pradesh, India. The incident appears to involve a landslide or rockfall striking the vehicle. Himachal Pradesh is a hilly northern state prone to such geological hazards, particularly during monsoon season. Rescue and relief operations are likely underway, though further details remain unavailable at this time.

Tulika Maan withdrawn from CWG over whereabouts failures, JFI chief confirms

Indian judoka Tulika Maan has been withdrawn from the Glasgow Commonwealth Games after failing to comply with mandatory whereabouts disclosure rules required for random anti-doping tests. Judo Federation of India chief confirmed she did not report her location as required by anti-doping authorities. The development follows judoka Arun Kumar's recent disqualification from the Games after a failed dope test. Athletes such as Hima Das and Parveen Hooda have previously faced similar whereabouts violations. The back-to-back incidents have dealt a significant blow to India's judo contingent ahead of the Games.

How to clean your washing machine's water inlet filter for better washing performance

Wildfires Force 50,000 to Evacuate Across France and Spain

Massive wildfires have swept through parts of France and Spain, forcing approximately 50,000 people to flee their homes. The Spanish government declared a state of emergency in the Madrid region as the fires intensified. More than 10,000 residents were evacuated from the Madrid area alone over recent days. The blazes have caused widespread disruption across both countries as authorities work to contain the situation.

India imports 32 lakh tonnes of fertiliser in Q1, diversifies supply sources

India imported over 32 lakh tonnes of key fertilisers during the first quarter, complementing domestic production of 115.72 lakh tonnes in the same period. The government is actively diversifying its import sources to reduce dependence on any single supplier and mitigate supply chain risks. Long-term agreements are being finalised with overseas suppliers to ensure sustained fertiliser availability. India is also procuring water-soluble fertilisers from multiple countries to address domestic shortfalls. These measures reflect a broader strategy to strengthen agricultural input security across the country.

B'desh crisis: President resigns ahead of Hasina's return; reports of rift with govt

Delhi Court Denies Bail to Doctor Accused in NEET Paper Leak Case

A Delhi court has rejected the bail application of a paediatrician implicated in the NEET paper leak scandal. The doctor is alleged to have accepted Rs 5 lakh from a candidate's family in exchange for access to leaked chemistry paper. He is also accused of linking two other doctors to the suspected mastermind behind the leak. The court has extended judicial custody for all 13 accused in the case. Investigators are currently focusing on key digital evidence as the probe continues.

'My partner is half-Indian': Elon Musk rejects racism allegations