India

Prashant Kishor's Bankipur Bypoll Win Raises Questions About RJD's Vote Bank

Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor has won the Bankipur bypoll, sparking discussion among political analysts. His victory has prompted speculation about whether his new party could eat into the Rashtriya Janata Dal's traditional support base. The RJD, led by Tejashwi Yadav, has long relied on a loyal voter bloc in Bihar. Kishor's win is being seen as an early test of his political outfit's ability to challenge established parties in the state.

Govt Tests 2,000+ Fuel Samples, Finds Only 2 Adulteration Cases Nationwide

The Ministry of Petroleum has introduced strengthened fuel quality measures, including multiple daily water ingress tests at petrol stations across the country. Over 2,000 fuel samples were examined for contaminants as part of a large-scale quality assessment. The findings revealed only two confirmed cases of adulteration, with fuel sales immediately suspended at the affected outlets. The Ministry has dismissed broader adulteration allegations, citing the low rate of violations as evidence of overall compliance. Authorities have also warned that strict penalties will be imposed on any future cases of fuel adulteration.

Gavaskar Says Rahane Never Got Due Credit, Likens Him to Dravid

Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has praised Ajinkya Rahane for his outstanding leadership during India's memorable Test series victory in Australia. Gavaskar noted that Rahane steered the team through a string of injuries and setbacks to clinch a remarkable win. He drew comparisons between Rahane and Rahul Dravid, suggesting both were underappreciated despite their significant contributions. Gavaskar specifically highlighted Rahane's match-turning century following a heavy defeat as a defining moment of his captaincy. As Rahane steps away from cricket, Gavaskar emphasised that he leaves behind a legacy of deep respect across the sport.

Jharkhand CM says decision on protesting job aspirants’ demands at ‘appropriate time’

Crackdown on digital fraud: SC orders action, gives strict directions to RBI

Hyderabad Raids Seize 25,000 kg of Chemical-Laced Adulterated Spices

Authorities in Hyderabad seized over 25,000 kg of spices adulterated with hazardous chemicals during a series of enforcement raids. Inspections revealed that business owners were mixing cloth dyes, synthetic chemicals, and talcum-like shining powder into spices, posing serious health risks to consumers. Three individuals were arrested following the discovery of widespread non-compliance with food safety regulations. Legal proceedings have been initiated against the violators under the Food Safety Act. Officials stated that enforcement drives will continue to ensure that only safe, unadulterated food products reach the market.

India Slams Pakistan Over PoK Elections, Demands Action on Cross-Border Terrorism

India's Ministry of External Affairs issued a strong statement condemning elections held in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir as illegitimate. The MEA accused Pakistani forces of suppressing civilians in the region, calling the polls a farce. India also demanded international action against cross-border terrorism, specifically calling out groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba. The statement came amid claims of Indian agencies neutralizing commanders of such militant outfits. New Delhi further urged the global community to hold Pakistan accountable for its actions.

India vows to protect national interests as Pakistan deploys 250 Chinese howitzers

India has declared it will take all necessary steps to safeguard its national interests following Pakistan's deployment of approximately 250 Chinese-made SH-15 howitzer artillery systems. The development marks a significant addition to Pakistan's firepower along the contested border region. India also condemned recently held elections in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, calling them illegitimate. Indian officials highlighted civilian casualties resulting from a security crackdown in the region. Both countries continue to expand and modernize their artillery capabilities amid ongoing tensions.

Vedika Pinto credits Anurag Kashyap for nudging her toward Netflix's Musafir Cafe

Actress Vedika Pinto has opened up about how filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, her director on Nishaanchi, encouraged her to take on the Netflix series Musafir Cafe. Pinto credits Kashyap's advice as a key reason she pursued the role in the show. She noted that Musafir Cafe offered her something her previous project Nishaanchi could not. The actress also shared her experience working alongside National Award-winning actor Vikrant Massey on the series.

Musk revisits 2014 AI danger forecast, stands by warning on existential threat

Elon Musk has reshared a decade-old prediction he made in 2014 warning about the dangers of artificial intelligence. He maintains that rapidly advancing machine intelligence poses an existential threat to humanity, comparing it to being more dangerous than nuclear weapons. Musk has long called for public oversight and regulatory frameworks governing AI development. His renewed warning comes despite pushback from other technology figures and academics who have previously challenged his alarmist stance on AI.

PM Modi to Visit Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to Strengthen Central Asia Ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit two Central Asian nations, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, as India seeks a greater strategic presence in the region. Modi will first attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Kyrgyzstan before proceeding to Uzbekistan. The SCO Summit brings together major powers including India, China, and Russia, along with Central Asian republics. Key agenda items at the summit include regional security, connectivity, and economic cooperation. The visits signal India's intent to deepen diplomatic and economic engagement with Central Asia.

Cabinet Reshuffle Exposes Deep Rift Within Karnataka Congress

A cabinet expansion in Karnataka has triggered significant internal tensions within the ruling Congress party. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reportedly chose to boycott a swearing-in ceremony, citing what he perceived as a personal slight. The episode has brought underlying power struggles within the state unit into public view. The friction is seen as reflecting broader tensions between key factions in the Karnataka Congress leadership.

Champion boxer arrested in Athens over charity worker found dead in suitcase

Greek police have arrested 26-year-old champion boxer Sharif Ahmadzai in connection with the death of Scottish charity worker Elisabeth-Jane Ross. Ross's body was discovered inside a suitcase in Athens, prompting a homicide investigation. Investigators linked Ahmadzai to the case through CCTV footage, ATM withdrawals made using Ross's bank cards, and witness testimony. Authorities are still conducting forensic tests to establish the exact cause of her death.

"Arrogance Leads To Destruction": MK Stalin Slams Vijay Over Udhayanidhi's Arrest

DMK chief and Udhayanidhi's father MK Stalin said, "Arrogance leads to destruction; persistent arrogance only accelerates it".

One crab can swallow over 1,000 seeds in a night, study finds

Priscilla Chan's Free School to Shut After $125M Spend and Below-Average Results

The Primary School, a tuition-free institution co-founded by Priscilla Chan in 2016, will permanently close its doors in June 2025 after nearly a decade of operation. The school served low-income children by offering education, healthcare, and family support services under one roof. Despite receiving substantial funding from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the school's academic outcomes consistently fell below California state averages. The board cited these underwhelming results as the key reason behind the decision to discontinue funding beyond the current academic year. The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative has committed $50 million to support a smooth transition for the students and families affected by the closure.

DHS proposes higher H-1B and L-1 visa fees for large US employers

The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed expanding an existing visa surcharge to cover extension requests for H-1B and L-1 visas. Currently, the fee applies only to certain large employers filing new petitions. Under the proposed rule, companies with more than 50 employees where the majority hold H-1B or L-1 status would be affected. The additional revenue is intended to fund upgrades to the biometric entry-exit system and other federal programs.

Watch: NCP workers barge into Maha Cong office over 'gungi gudiya' jab at dy CM

Watch: Guatemala on high alert as Fuego volcano erupts near capital

Centre Summons Meta's Public Policy Head Again Over PM Video Controversy

The Indian government has summoned Meta's Public Policy Head for a second time in connection with a controversy surrounding a video related to the Prime Minister. According to sources, the Centre is expected to demand an apology from the Meta official during the meeting. The summons comes amid an ongoing dispute between the government and the social media giant over the handling of the video. The development signals escalating tensions between Indian authorities and Meta over content moderation decisions.