India

'Why does Gyanesh Kumar have lifelong immunity?' Rahul Gandhi asks, then answers

Pentagon to Cut General and Admiral Ranks by 20%, Hegseth to Announce

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to announce a significant reduction in senior military leadership at the Pentagon. The plan involves cutting the number of generals and admirals by 20%. The announcement is expected to be made during Hegseth's State of the Force address on Wednesday. The move signals a major restructuring of the top brass within the US military.

DoorDash to Add 3,000 Jobs in Hyderabad Over Next Two Years

US-based food delivery giant DoorDash plans to create 3,000 jobs in Hyderabad within the next two years. The company is establishing an offshore centre in the city as part of its expansion strategy. Hyderabad has emerged as a preferred destination for major American corporations setting up operations in India. DoorDash joins a growing list of firms including Costco, McDonald's, Charles Schwab, Marriott, and Southwest Airlines, all of which have recently opened offshore centres in the city.

India's CAFE-III Fuel Efficiency Rules for Passenger Vehicles Kick In From 2027

India will implement new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE-III) regulations for passenger vehicles starting April 1, 2027. The rules will set progressively stricter fuel-efficiency targets that will be updated annually through 2032. The framework supports credit trading mechanisms and incentivizes cleaner technologies, including electric vehicles. Automakers will be required to submit yearly compliance data to demonstrate adherence to the new environmental standards. The regulations are designed to drive a meaningful reduction in carbon emissions from the passenger vehicle segment.

French Students Protest Over School Hours, Teacher Shortages, and Heatwave Conditions

Students in France have been staging protests outside hundreds of schools since last week. Their grievances include inconvenient timetables, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of teachers. Students have also raised concerns about dangerously hot classrooms amid ongoing heatwaves this year. The demonstrations reflect growing frustration among younger generations over deteriorating school conditions across the country.

Gary Sinise Foundation delivers 100th mortgage-free smart home to wounded veteran

The Gary Sinise Foundation has reached a milestone by completing its 100th specially adapted smart home for a wounded veteran. Army veteran Joe Bowser received the mortgage-free, mobility-friendly home located in Tennessee. Bowser, who had initially been hesitant about accepting the gift, has embraced the new space that allows his family to live together without physical barriers. The foundation's founder and actor Gary Sinise shares a close personal bond with Bowser, with both men having experienced significant personal losses. The milestone underscores the foundation's long-standing commitment to supporting the housing needs of injured military veterans.

Brian May's decade-long effort plants 101,000 trees across 157 acres in Dorset

Queen guitarist Brian May spearheaded a reforestation initiative in Dorset, England, that began with a single oak tree planted by residents of Bere Regis village in 2013. Over the following decade, more than 101,000 trees and shrubs were planted across 157 acres, dramatically transforming the local landscape. Wildflower zones were also created alongside the woodland to support biodiversity, providing habitat for birds, insects, and other wildlife. By 2023, the area had evolved into a flourishing woodland ecosystem. Photographer Linda Lamon documented the entire ten-year transformation, capturing the site's journey from bare land to thriving forest.

BofA forecasts 100 bps RBI rate hikes by mid-2027, terminal rate at 6.25%

Bank of America Securities has predicted that the Reserve Bank of India will raise interest rates by a cumulative 100 basis points by the first half of 2027. The investment bank has revised its forecast for the first hike to October, earlier than its previous estimate of December. These successive increases would bring the repo rate to a terminal level of 6.25 percent. The projection is underpinned by concerns over economic growth and inflationary pressures in India. However, BofA noted that any significant slowdown in the economy could alter the RBI's rate-hiking trajectory.

CISF Head Constable Kills 4 Colleagues in J&K After Workplace Argument

A CISF Head Constable named Avdesh Kumar Singh shot and killed four of his colleagues at a post in Jammu & Kashmir. The incident was triggered by an argument among the personnel. Singh fired 18 rounds from his service weapon during the confrontation. The victims were fellow CISF personnel stationed at the same location. Authorities are investigating the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting.

Pilot tried to crash plane, hijack code triggered: What happened on Tel Aviv flight

Cockpit Altercation Between Pilots Forces Dubai-Tel Aviv Flight to Divert

A Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight was forced to divert after an altercation broke out inside the cockpit. A regional official briefed on the matter confirmed that the incident apparently involved the pilots on board. The nature and cause of the dispute between the crew members has not been fully disclosed. Authorities are investigating the circumstances that led to the mid-flight diversion.

BJP Raises Punjab Drug Crisis as Electoral Issue Ahead of 2027 Assembly Polls

The BJP has intensified its campaign against drug abuse in Punjab, positioning it as a central issue for the upcoming 2027 state Assembly elections. Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a rally in Jalandhar, using the platform to highlight the drug menace in the state. The rally triggered a sharp political clash between the BJP and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party over the handling of Punjab's drug crisis. The AAP government, which came to power partly on promises to tackle drug abuse, found itself on the defensive following Shah's remarks. The BJP appears to be building its electoral narrative around law and order and the drug problem well in advance of the next state polls.

Psychiatric treatment done but nowhere to go for patients: Goa’s key institute has a problem

Delhi Court Denies Bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in Riots Case

A Delhi court has rejected bail pleas filed by activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, who are accused in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots case. The bench ruled that it could not modify a Supreme Court order dated January 5, which had set specific conditions for bail eligibility. Under that order, the two accused may seek bail either upon completion of the examination of protected witnesses or after one year from the passing of the order, whichever comes earlier. The court thus held that neither condition had been met to warrant granting bail at this stage.

Trump's AI Initiative Document Contains Misspelling of 'United States'

A official document linked to Donald Trump's artificial intelligence initiative contained a spelling error in the name 'United States'. The mistake surfaced in connection with Trump's so-called 'super intelligence' program. The error was notable given the formal and high-profile nature of the document. The blunder was reported by NDTV, drawing attention to the lack of proofreading on an official government record.

Patna Surgeon Has Charged Just Rs 10 Per Consultation for Decades

Dr. Ejaz Ali, a general surgeon based in Patna, has maintained a consultation fee of just Rs 10 for several decades. The doctor sees over 100 patients every day, drawing people from across Bihar to his clinic. Dr. Ali is known for factoring in patients' financial situations when making treatment decisions. His approach makes quality surgical and medical care accessible to those who might otherwise be unable to afford it.

Flint Schools Install Filters After Years of Bottled Water Reliance

Flint Community Schools has installed new water filtration systems across all its schools and administrative buildings. Students had previously depended on bottled water due to long-standing contamination concerns in the district. Testing has confirmed that the new systems successfully remove lead and harmful bacteria from the water supply. Drinking stations are now operational, giving students access to clean tap water for the first time in years. However, bottled water will continue to be made available to students throughout the current school year as an added precaution.

Explosion Sound and Dense Smoke Reported at Mangaluru Refinery

A loud explosion was reported at the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) facility on Wednesday. Dense smoke was seen rising from the site shortly after the blast sound, visible from a considerable distance. The incident triggered significant concern among residents living near the refinery. Official sources have yet to release details about the cause or extent of the incident.

Ex-UPSC aspirant Nikkitha Shanker builds $2M e-commerce firm, pivots to AI startup

Nikkitha Shanker initially spent three years preparing for India's competitive UPSC Civil Services Examination before a startup stint shifted her focus to entrepreneurship. She went on to found Shoppre, an e-commerce technology company that grew into a profitable venture generating approximately $2 million in annual revenue. Shanker eventually stepped back from Shoppre to explore artificial intelligence, dedicating nearly a year to experimentation in the space. She then co-founded SuperBryn, a voice-AI startup, alongside Dr Neethu Joy. The company has since secured $1.2 million in funding from Kalaari Capital and a group of angel investors.

2,100-Year-Old Roman Shipwreck Found Off Turkish Coast With 122 Ceramic Types

Marine archaeologists have uncovered an ancient shipwreck near Adrasan, on the southern coast of Turkey, estimated to be around 2,100 years old. The vessel was carrying thousands of ceramic tableware pieces, believed to have originated from the ancient port city of Rhosus. Researchers identified 122 distinct types of ceramics aboard, offering rare insights into ancient tableware varieties and how goods were packed for sea transport. The find sheds light on the prominent role Rhosus played in tableware manufacturing during the Late Hellenistic and Early Roman periods.