India

'Extreme brutality': Pakistan's PTI to launch nationwide protests for Imran Khan's release

Floods and Landslides Strike Five Arunachal Pradesh Districts, Causing Wide Damage

Fresh floods and landslides have hit five districts in Arunachal Pradesh, officials confirmed on Thursday. The natural disasters caused significant damage to houses, roads, and agricultural crops across the affected areas. Local authorities reported the incidents as the region continues to face the impact of severe weather conditions. Officials are assessing the full extent of the destruction caused by the twin calamities.

Kane leaves 2030 World Cup door open after England's semifinal exit

England captain Harry Kane has declined to commit to his international future beyond the current season, saying he will assess his participation year by year. Argentina defeated England 2-1 in a dramatic semifinal on Wednesday, ending the Three Lions' hopes of reaching the final. England will now compete against France in the third-place playoff match. Argentina, having staged a comeback victory, will face Spain in the tournament final.

Study: 91% of invasive plants grow more productive outside native habitats

A new scientific study has found that invasive plant species become significantly more productive when they establish themselves in non-native regions. Researchers observed this surge in growth and productivity exclusively outside the plants' original native ranges. Scientists attribute this behavioral shift to the absence of natural enemies such as herbivores and soil organisms that would otherwise keep the plants in check. The study examined five invasive plant species across Germany and the United States. Invasive species are already recognized as a leading contributor to global biodiversity loss, and these findings shed further light on why they thrive so aggressively in new environments.

Air filters can detect wildlife DNA, viruses and human traces from atmosphere

Scientists have developed a new method to extract and analyze environmental DNA from standard air filters. The technology enables detection of local wildlife and virus monitoring without requiring direct observation of organisms. Existing national air pollution monitoring stations can already be used to gather this biological data. Advanced genetic sequencing techniques allow researchers to map ecosystems and study genetic variations across species using the collected samples.

South America’s first insect-bearing amber unveils a lost 112-million-year-old forest

Indore Man Arrested for Beating 65-Year-Old Mother to Death After Argument

A man in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, allegedly beat his 65-year-old mother to death following a domestic argument on Wednesday. The fatal incident occurred at the family's home in Niranjanpur Basti, which falls under the Lasudia police station jurisdiction. Authorities were alerted to the incident and responded to the residential area. The accused was subsequently arrested by local police in connection with the killing.

Kejriwal backs Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar, demands Education Minister Pradhan's removal

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal joined climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's ongoing hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Kejriwal called for the removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, citing repeated exam paper leaks and student suicides as evidence of systemic failure. He went further by suggesting Wangchuk himself would be a suitable replacement for the ministerial role. Kejriwal urged the central government to take seriously the concerns being raised by students and young people across the country.

Five Family Members Die After Scooter Hits Parked Tractor in Chhattisgarh

A tragic road accident claimed the lives of five members of the same family in Chhattisgarh. The incident took place within the jurisdiction of Kumhari police station, located near Raipur. The family was travelling together on a single scooter when the vehicle collided with a stationary tractor. The crash resulted in the deaths of all five occupants of the scooter.

Supreme Court Backs Bhagwant Mann, Defends Political Sloganeering in Democracy

The Supreme Court of India granted relief to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in a case related to political sloganeering. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana was presiding over the matter. The court was hearing a challenge filed by the Chandigarh administration against a Punjab and Haryana High Court order. The bench remarked that raising slogans is a common and accepted practice in a democratic setup. The Supreme Court's observations effectively upheld the High Court's earlier ruling in favour of Mann.

Bear invades elderly couple's home, empties fridge in Northern Japan

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.