India

Jammu Court Summons Officer Over Alleged Fake Silver Offerings at Vaishno Devi

A Jammu court has summoned a crime branch inquiry officer in connection with alleged misappropriation of silver offerings at the Vaishno Devi shrine. Around 20 tonnes of offerings believed to be silver were reportedly found to consist largely of inferior metals. An advocate filed a complaint requesting an FIR and a formal investigation into the matter. The court has directed the officer to appear with all relevant records on July 29, 2026.

German Man Faces 22 Rape Charges After Allegedly Targeting Women on Dating Apps

A 68-year-old German man has been charged with 22 counts of aggravated rape involving 14 women. Prosecutors allege he used dating apps to meet and target his victims. In addition to the rape charges, he also faces accusations of causing dangerous bodily harm. The case highlights growing concerns about the misuse of online dating platforms to facilitate crimes.

Supreme Court Refuses to Stay CBSE Three-Language Policy, Hearing Set for Next Week

The Supreme Court has declined to put on hold the CBSE's three-language policy scheduled for implementation in the 2026-27 academic year. The court acknowledged the value of language learning while agreeing to examine the detailed challenges to the policy in the coming week. Petitioners raised concerns about the policy's rollout and the lack of adequate resources to support it. The Union government has been asked to submit its response to the petition within ten days.

Satluj Film Stirs Political Debate Across Party Lines in Punjab

The film Satluj has sparked significant political discussion by raising unresolved questions that have persisted for over four decades. Its subject matter is contentious enough that no single political party can claim full ownership of the narrative it presents. The film has compelled major political parties to revisit sensitive issues they have long left unaddressed. In doing so, it has already achieved a notable political impact even before broader public discourse has settled. The film stands as a rare cultural work that cuts across conventional party positions and allegiances.

Man Kills Wife With Rod and Strangulation in Car in Washim, Maharashtra

A man in Washim, Maharashtra allegedly murdered his wife inside a car in a violent fit of rage. He reportedly attacked her with a rod before strangling her to death. The horrific incident took place in the presence of the couple's children. The case has been reported by local authorities and is currently under investigation.

Vishal Mega Mart fined Rs 2.8 lakh for selling expired Maggi that caused food poisoning

A consumer commission held Vishal Mega Mart accountable for selling expired Maggi noodles to a customer in March 2025. The buyer fell ill with food poisoning after consuming the product bought from the retail chain. The store did not appear before the commission to defend itself against the allegations. The commission ordered Vishal Mega Mart to pay compensation along with punitive damages to the affected consumer. Additionally, the retailer was directed to deposit a portion of the penalty into the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

Jos Buttler becomes second England player to reach 200 ODI caps

Jos Buttler earned his 200th One-Day International appearance for England during the first ODI against India at Edgbaston. The milestone makes him only the second England player to achieve this feat, after former captain Eoin Morgan, who holds the record for most ODIs played for the country. England won the toss and chose to bat first in the match. The game also marked the return of India's senior stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to the side.

'Taken court for a ride': SC raps Samay, Ranveer for non-compliance of its order

Nine Arrested After Gang Chases, Attacks Family Near Nashik's Bhavali Dam

A family outing near Bhavali Dam in Nashik turned violent when two men allegedly harassed a woman, leading her father to intervene. The confrontation escalated as a gang on motorcycles pursued and attacked the family's SUV over a 15-kilometre stretch. Allegations of molestation and physical assault were subsequently filed by the family. Police launched an investigation after the family submitted video footage of the incident. Nine individuals have been arrested in connection with the case.

Embedded T. rex tooth in fossil skull reveals 66-million-year-old predator encounter

A remarkable fossil discovery has uncovered a T. rex tooth lodged inside an Edmontosaurus skull, dating back approximately 66 million years. The embedded tooth provides direct physical evidence of an encounter between the two dinosaur species. Researchers say the find confirms T. rex involvement, though it remains unclear whether the herbivore was actively hunted or scavenged after death. The discovery is considered significant in helping scientists better understand the predatory behavior and feeding habits of Tyrannosaurus rex.

84-year-old woman has lived alone on Georgia island for 53 years protecting wildlife

Carol Ruckdeschel, 84, has resided on Cumberland Island for 53 years, dedicating her life to preserving its natural environment. She maintains detailed field journals documenting the island's plant and animal life. Her conservation efforts contributed to legislative protections for sea turtles against shrimping trawler activity. Ruckdeschel lives entirely off the land and off the grid, sustaining herself without modern utilities. She continues to actively oppose development proposals that could threaten the island's ecosystem.

AI radar system Bear-dar spots polar bear family near Canada weather station

An AI-powered radar system named Bear-dar successfully identified a polar bear mother and her cubs near a weather station in Eureka, Nunavut, Canada. The system promptly alerted station staff, enabling them to respond safely to the situation. Personnel were able to guide the bears away from the facility, and the animals returned to their sea ice habitat without harm. Bear-dar was specifically developed to detect polar bears under all environmental conditions and at any time of day. The technology is designed to minimize human-wildlife conflict and enhance safety for both people and bears.

Top computer scientist says ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini lack true understanding

Veteran computer scientist Peter J. Denning has argued in his new book that modern AI systems, including ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini, process and manipulate language without any genuine comprehension. Denning traces the root of this problem to Alan Turing's landmark 1950 paper, which he believes sent AI research in the wrong direction. He specifically challenges two core Turing assumptions: that intelligence does not require a physical body, and that mimicking human responses is sufficient proof of thought. According to Denning, these flawed premises have misguided roughly 75 years of AI development. He also raises an alarm about agentic AI systems, suggesting they could pose greater risks than even the much-discussed threat of superintelligence.

PM Modi to Inaugurate Rs 2,500-Crore Development Projects in Punjab

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to launch development projects worth Rs 2,500 crore in Punjab on Friday. The initiatives include healthcare projects valued at approximately Rs 1,200 crore. These medical infrastructure investments are aimed at advancing treatment facilities, research, and education in northern India. The projects are expected to significantly strengthen the healthcare landscape across the region.

The 'Doorway Effect': Why Your Brain Forgets Your Intent When Entering a Room

Many people experience a sudden memory lapse upon walking into a new room, a phenomenon researchers call the 'doorway effect.' This occurs because the brain organizes experiences into separate events and updates its mental model each time the environment changes. Limitations in working memory and shifts in attention further contribute to these momentary lapses. The effect is considered a normal cognitive process rather than a sign of any memory disorder. Retracing one's steps to the previous room can often help recover the forgotten thought by restoring the original context.

UK to amend immigration law to enable deportation of serious sex offenders

The UK government has announced plans to change existing immigration legislation that currently blocks the deportation of certain serious criminals. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told Parliament that the Immigration Act 1971 will be amended to close this legal loophole. The move is partly aimed at individuals such as Shabir Ahmed, a convicted grooming gang leader who was imprisoned for rape and sexual offences against young girls. The proposed amendment would strip legal protections that have so far shielded such offenders from removal. The government's goal is to ensure that foreign nationals convicted of grave offences can be deported from the United Kingdom.

NASA's New Horizons Reveals Pluto's Geology After 9-Year, 3-Billion-Mile Journey

NASA's New Horizons spacecraft completed a high-speed flyby of Pluto after traveling for nine years across roughly three billion miles. Because the encounter was so brief, the probe focused on gathering data rather than maintaining live communication with Earth. Scientists received around 50 billion bits of information over the following fifteen months as the spacecraft slowly transmitted its findings. The data unveiled Pluto as a geologically complex and surprisingly active icy world. The mission underscored the enormous patience required in deep-space exploration, where discovery often comes long after the defining moment has passed.

Where is Aung San Suu Kyi? Myanmar’s most famous prisoner not seen since 2022

Anti-SP posters spark political row in UP, police review CCTV footage

Posters targeting Samajwadi Party leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav surfaced at multiple locations across Uttar Pradesh. The SP accused the BJP of deliberately stoking communal tensions through the displays. UP minister Om Prakash Rajbhar defended the posters, calling them a fitting response. SP workers took matters into their own hands by pulling down the hoardings in several areas. Authorities have launched an investigation and are reviewing CCTV footage to trace those behind the posters.

India's Bangladesh Tour Nears Approval; Afghanistan T20Is Likely Rescheduled

India's white-ball tour of Bangladesh is moving closer to receiving official approval, with the BCCI working on a revised international calendar. The proposed six-match series would mark India's first visit to Bangladesh in four years. To fit the series into the schedule, India's planned T20I matches against Afghanistan are expected to be pushed back by several days. The Bangladesh Cricket Board remains hopeful about hosting the Indian team following the scheduling adjustments.