India
One Dead, Several Injured in Crowd Surge at Puri Rath Yatra
A crowd surge at the annual Rath Yatra festival in Puri, Odisha, turned tragic on Thursday. One person lost their life while several others sustained injuries during the incident. The event, one of India's most iconic religious gatherings, drew massive crowds to the coastal city. Authorities responded by rushing the injured to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.

OnePlus Denies Reports of Exiting India, Says Operations Running Normally
OnePlus has dismissed reports suggesting it plans to quit the Indian market. The company communicated to NDTV Profit on Thursday that its India operations remain fully functional. OnePlus stated that business is continuing as usual, contradicting the claims made in the earlier report. No further details were provided regarding the origin or specifics of the exit rumours.

MIT and EPFL build 300g bird-like robot that flies, dives, and resurfaces
Engineers at MIT and EPFL have developed a 300-gram robot called the Flapping-wing Aerial-aquatic Vehicle (FAAV), inspired by diving seabirds like the Atlantic puffin. The robot is designed to seamlessly transition between flying, diving underwater, and relaunching into the air. Unlike previous designs, the FAAV accomplishes all three phases using only its wings, without relying on separate propellers or legs. It is the first machine to complete this full aerial-aquatic cycle in a single integrated system.
Mumbai's Taj Hotel Faces Rs 22 Crore Notice Over Post-26/11 Security Structures
Mumbai's civic body has issued a Rs 22 crore notice to the iconic Taj Hotel over security infrastructure installed around its premises. The notice targets barricades, bollards, and planters that were erected along the hotel's perimeter in June 2009. These structures were put in place as a protective measure following the devastating 26/11 terror attacks that struck Mumbai. The civic action raises questions about the long-standing security arrangements at one of the city's most high-profile landmarks.

Karnataka Cabinet Reshuffle Stalls as Congress Leaders Hold Delhi Talks
The much-anticipated Karnataka cabinet reshuffle has been delayed, with no immediate timeline announced. Senior Congress leaders from Karnataka traveled to New Delhi on Thursday for a series of high-level meetings. The discussions involved the party's central leadership, commonly referred to as the high command. The back-to-back meetings suggest ongoing deliberations over cabinet composition and portfolio allocation. No official statement has been issued regarding when the reshuffle will take place.

Two Brothers Arrested for Beheading Man in Thane, Murder Filmed on Phone
Two brothers have been arrested in connection with the beheading of a man in the Thane district of Maharashtra. The accused allegedly filmed the murder on a mobile phone. A case was registered at Mumbra police station following the incident. Charges were filed under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including murder and destruction of evidence. Authorities have launched a full investigation into the case.

Siya Goyal's father urges end to 'baseless stories' after FDA seals spice shop
Praveen Goyal, father of Siya Goyal, has spoken out against what he calls unnecessary harassment of his family following the FDA's suspension of their spice shop. The FDA took action after inspectors found food safety violations and suspected adulteration at the premises. Goyal stated he is fully cooperating with the murder investigation into the death of Ketan Agarwal. He added that if his daughter is proven guilty, she should face the strictest punishment available under law. As part of the ongoing probe, a police team also traveled to Rajasthan to gather further evidence.
Delhi Govt Plans to Lease Sheesh Mahal to Luxury Hotel While Retaining Official Use
The Delhi government is considering leasing the Sheesh Mahal residence to a luxury hotel as part of a revenue-generating plan. The property would remain available for official state conferences, functions, and meetings when required. During periods when it is not needed for government use, it could be rented out for private events. This arrangement is intended to help the government earn income while cutting down on maintenance costs.

Son of Ex-Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Arrested for Impersonating IPS Officer, RAW Agent
Yashvardhan, son of former Uttarakhand Chief Secretary S Ramaswami, was arrested on Thursday on Mussoorie Road. He was apprehended during a routine check by authorities in the area. Yashvardhan allegedly posed under multiple false identities, including an IPS officer, a RAW agent, and an army personnel. The arrest was made after his deceptive claims came to light during the check.

Zuckerberg and Chan Back Swedish AI Health Startup Neko's US Expansion
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan have invested in a funding round for Neko Health, a Swedish AI-driven preventive healthcare company. The startup specializes in comprehensive 60-minute full-body scans designed to assess overall health. Neko Health is preparing to enter the US market, with plans to launch its first clinics in New York in 2026. The fresh investment is expected to support the company's growth strategy and upcoming clinic openings.
Man Shoots Woman Dead Before Dying by Suicide in Delhi Apartment
A man shot a woman dead and subsequently died by suicide inside a flat in Delhi. Police received a PCR call reporting two people found dead at the location and rushed to the scene. Authorities have launched a formal investigation into the incident. The identities and relationship of the two individuals have not yet been officially disclosed.

Russian 'Doomsday' Command Plane Spotted in Tehran Amid US-Israeli Strikes
A Russian Tu-214PU airborne command aircraft flew from Moscow to Tehran, landing at approximately 10:10 am on July 13. The deployment came as the United States and Israel were conducting intensifying airstrikes against Iranian military infrastructure. The Tu-214PU is a specialized communications and command aircraft designed to maintain leadership connectivity during extreme conflict scenarios. The timing of the visit has raised questions about the nature and purpose of Russia's high-level engagement with Iran during the ongoing military pressure campaign.

Karnataka Cabinet Expansion Imminent After Senior Congress Leaders Meet in Delhi
Karnataka is set for a cabinet expansion very soon, according to senior Congress leaders following key consultations in Delhi. The meeting focused on filling around 20 vacant ministerial posts along with the Speaker's position, which have remained unfilled for some time. Party leaders are working to ensure regional and caste representation is balanced in the final selection of candidates. The expansion is expected to be completed before the Karnataka assembly session commences in August.
Militaries Shift Toward Low-Cost Precision Weapons for Sustained Warfare
Modern conflicts have exposed the limitations of expensive high-end precision munitions in prolonged engagements. The high cost of such weapons makes them difficult to sustain over extended combat operations. In response, nations are actively developing cheaper alternatives to maintain battlefield effectiveness. The US Air Force is among those planning to field thousands of affordable cruise missiles for future conflicts. This strategic shift reflects a broader military priority toward cost-efficiency and rapid large-scale production.
Bezos and Sánchez pledge $34M for sustainable textile and biodegradable fiber research
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez have announced a $34 million donation directed at advancing sustainable textile research. The funding is intended to support the development of biodegradable fibers and plastic-free synthetic silk alternatives. The initiative holds personal significance for Sánchez, who experienced financial hardship during her youth. The couple marked the pledge around the time of their first wedding anniversary, celebrated aboard their superyacht. Both have framed the contribution as part of a broader commitment to environmental conservation.
