India

France's June Heatwave Linked to Nearly 5,800 Excess Deaths, Worst Since 2003

France experienced its deadliest heatwave since 2003, resulting in close to 5,800 excess deaths during a recent June heat event. The elderly were disproportionately affected, making up approximately two-thirds of all fatalities recorded. Healthcare facilities came under severe strain as heat-related medical cases surged across the country. Authorities have flagged the event as a major public health crisis driven by extreme temperatures. Climate scientists attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of such heatwaves to human-caused climate change.

Indian Railways train punctuality hits 76.32% in last three months

Judoka Arun Kumar dropped from CWG 2026 squad after failing NADA dope test

Indian judoka Arun Kumar has been withdrawn from the 2026 Commonwealth Games following an adverse finding in an out-of-competition doping test conducted by NADA. The 73kg category athlete had been poised to make his Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow. Kumar had previously earned a gold medal at the 2025 Taipei Asian Open, marking him as one of India's promising judo prospects. His disqualification reduces India's Glasgow 2026 contingent by one, bringing the total to 124 athletes.

Utah drops fish from planes into remote mountain lakes with 95% survival rate

Utah's Division of Wildlife Resources uses aerial drops to stock fish in mountain lakes too remote to reach by land. Small trout and other species are released mid-air, with survival rates surpassing 95%. Biologists deliberately select which species are introduced, frequently opting for sterile fish to prevent overpopulation and safeguard native ecosystems. The method ensures that anglers continue to have access to healthy fish populations in otherwise inaccessible waters. The practice reflects an effort to balance recreational fishing with responsible wildlife conservation in rugged terrain.

Record Monsoon Rains Expose Pune's Urban Infrastructure and Planning Failures

Pune received record monsoon rainfall this season, overwhelming the city's infrastructure and emergency preparedness systems. Heavy rains triggered widespread waterlogging and significant disruptions to transportation across the city. Newly constructed infrastructure came under scrutiny after struggling to withstand its first major monsoon test. A collapse of a garbage mound resulted in fatalities, pointing to serious failures in civic planning. The series of events has laid bare deep systemic gaps in Pune's urban planning and disaster management frameworks.

'Sent 4 formal proposals': MoS Jitendra Singh invites protesters for talks at JP Nadda's place

Dhamaal 4 Crosses Rs 135 Crore Net in India, Eyes Rs 185 Crore Global Total

Dhamaal 4, directed by Indra Kumar and featuring Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Riteish Deshmukh, and Jaaved Jaaferi, has surpassed Rs 135 crore net at the India box office by its 14th day. The film is now midway through its second week of theatrical release, with daily collections having slowed down significantly from its peak early run. The movie had recorded its best single-day collection on day three, which stood as the franchise's highest for that slot. Competition for screens from Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has added pressure on the film's performance. The production is now targeting a worldwide finish of around Rs 185 crore ahead of its crucial third weekend.

Rain Lowers Delhi-NCR Temperature to 33.6°C Amid Yellow Weather Alert

Delhi and the National Capital Region received rainfall that brought temperatures down to 33.6 degrees Celsius. Authorities issued a yellow weather alert for the region in response to the conditions. The rain provided relief from prevailing heat across the area. The development is part of ongoing monsoon activity affecting the region.

Uber cuts 10% of support staff, cites AI as reason for first time

Uber has laid off 10% of its customer support workforce and required remote employees in the affected team to relocate to hub offices. This marks the company's second round of layoffs in just eight weeks, following a 23% reduction in its people division in June. Notably, Uber has for the first time explicitly cited artificial intelligence as a contributing factor behind the job cuts. The company reportedly exhausted its entire 2026 budget for Claude Code, an AI coding tool, within just four months.

Balen Shah Breaks His Self Imposed Diplomatic Rule For India, China: Sources

While the exact dates have yet to be announced, a senior government source in Nepal also told NDTV that this was likely to be confirmed soon.

Delhi Inspector Injured During CJP Student Protest, Alleges Assault by Crowd

A Delhi Police inspector named Nand Kishore has reported being injured during a protest organized by the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) student group. He alleged that he was kicked, punched, and hit with stones by the demonstrating students. The inspector also claimed that protesters were raising slogans against the government and police during the demonstration. The incident has drawn attention to tensions between law enforcement and student activists in the capital. Authorities are expected to look into the matter following the inspector's formal complaint.

Priyanka Gandhi Slams Modi Over Student Protests and Alleged Police Brutality

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra publicly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the government's response to student protests, questioning its handling of demonstrations and alleging police use of excessive force against students. The remarks came amid ongoing protests inside Parliament, where opposition MPs demanded the resignation of the Education Minister over paper leak controversies. In response, PM Modi announced the establishment of fast-track courts to handle paper leak cases. BJP leaders countered by calling for a structured parliamentary debate on the issue. Tensions further spilled outside Parliament, where members from rival parties briefly clashed.

Chadwick Boseman on adversity, artistic integrity, and a life of resilience

Actor Chadwick Boseman reflected on the transformative value of facing adversity throughout his career. He recalled being dismissed early on for pushing for authentic portrayals in his acting work, an experience that shaped both his inner resolve and artistic outlook. A native of South Carolina and a graduate of Howard University, Boseman built a celebrated career in film and television. He continued working while privately battling cancer before his untimely death.

India's Urban Expansion Is Suffocating Its Rivers, Experts Warn

India's rapidly growing cities are encroaching on rivers, narrowing their channels and reducing natural water flow. Many of these waterways now carry more sewage than freshwater, posing serious threats to local ecosystems and communities that depend on them. Major rivers like the Ganga and Brahmaputra face distinct pressures, including industrial and ritual waste discharge and severe bank erosion. Efforts to restore and clean these rivers continue to be hampered by persistent pollution and unchecked urban development. Experts stress that protecting river floodplains and improving sewage management are essential steps toward preserving these vital water systems.

Idle Ships Near Strait of Hormuz May Spread Invasive Marine Species Globally

Vessels anchored for extended periods in the Persian Gulf risk becoming vectors for the spread of harmful invasive marine species around the world. Prolonged stationary periods allow marine organisms to accumulate and grow on ship hulls, a process known as biofouling. These organisms can then be transported to distant coastal regions, posing serious ecological and economic threats. Experts warn that the problem could significantly disrupt global maritime trade and coastal ecosystems. International cooperation has been urged to tackle biofouling and prevent future biological invasions.

Bangladesh President Shahabuddin Expected to Resign Amid Government Pressure

Bangladesh President Mohammad Shahabuddin is likely to resign soon, according to political sources familiar with the matter. The government has reportedly grown uncomfortable with his continuation in office, citing alleged attempts by Shahabuddin to contact ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hasina, who has been sentenced to death in absentia, is said to be planning a return to Bangladesh in December. Should Shahabuddin step down, Parliamentary Speaker Hafizuddin Ahmed is set to serve as interim president.

Telangana High Court Slams HYDRAA Over Forcible Land Demolition by Officials

The Telangana High Court issued a rare order in a land dispute case involving HYDRAA officials. Farmers alleged that HYDRAA personnel arrived with bulldozers, demolished gates, and fenced their property without due process. The action was taken despite the farmers holding registered sale deeds and an ongoing ownership dispute. The court expressed a loss of faith in the government over the handling of the matter.

NEET Paper Leak Drives Surge in Google Searches for Protests and Key Figures

Google Trends data reveals a significant shift in Indian search behaviour following the NEET paper leak controversy. Jantar Mantar emerged as the most searched protest-related keyword during the period, reflecting widespread public demonstrations over the exam scandal. Activist and politician names also trended, with CJP, Sonam Wangchuk, and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan among the top searched figures. The data highlights how the controversy moved beyond protest sites and into the digital public sphere. The surge in searches underscores the scale of national attention the paper leak issue attracted across India.

‘Targeted shadow fleet for first time’: EU unveils fresh sanctions package against Russia

Skyroot's Vikram-1 Rocket Succeeds, but Payloads Deliver Mixed Results

Indian private space startup Skyroot Aerospace conducted a launch of its Vikram-1 rocket, which performed successfully as a launch vehicle. However, the mission returned mixed outcomes on the payload side, with some onboard payloads fully achieving their intended objectives while others only partially met their goals. The divergence in payload performance highlights the complex challenges of early-stage commercial spaceflight missions. No further details were provided regarding the specific payloads affected or the extent of the partial failures.