India
Alpha Nears Rs 90 Crore Worldwide After Strong Second Weekend
Alia Bhatt and Sharvari-starrer Alpha has accumulated close to Rs 90 crore at the global box office by its tenth day of release. The film posted solid growth during its second weekend, reinforcing its standing as a notable performer at the box office. Domestically, the film has earned a net of Rs 53.60 crore, with a gross of Rs 63.91 crore over ten days. International markets contributed an additional Rs 25.50 crore to its overall worldwide tally.
Haaland Did Not Unfollow Sorloth on Instagram, Viral Claim Is False
A claim circulating online alleged that Erling Haaland unfollowed Alexander Sorloth on Instagram following Norway's World Cup elimination. The rumour originated from a parody social media account and was not based on any verified action by Haaland. The speculation arose after Sorloth opted against passing to Haaland during a critical attacking move against England. However, Haaland continues to follow Sorloth on Instagram, and no evidence supports any rift between the two Norwegian teammates.
Supreme Court to Hear Case on Alleged Encroachment of Darbhanga's Historic Ponds
The Supreme Court has agreed to take up a case involving alleged encroachment on three historic water bodies in Darbhanga, Bihar. Petitioners claim that a government-led beautification project poses a threat to these lakes rather than preserving them. Locals contend the initiative amounts to encroachment dressed up as development. The case draws attention to a wider pattern of declining water bodies across Bihar over the years. Experts have called for stronger ecosystem protection and greater involvement of local communities in such decisions.
900-Year Misidentification Corrected: Dhar Sculpture Is Gayatri, Not Saraswati
A 12th-century sculpture housed in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, has been correctly identified as Goddess Gayatri after being misattributed as Saraswati for nearly 900 years. The correction was made possible through digital documentation and 3D mapping, which revealed iconographic details previously overlooked. A key indicator was the absence of a veena, an instrument traditionally associated with Saraswati. The sculpture is considered a rare depiction of Gayatri, a deity representing Vedic wisdom and knowledge. The finding has also become a symbol of Madhya Pradesh's ongoing digital heritage conservation mission.
Bengaluru delivery agent arrested for allegedly flashing woman in her flat
A Bengaluru-based food vlogger filed a police complaint after a delivery agent allegedly forced his way into her washroom and exposed himself. Police arrested the accused, 22-year-old Vijay Mallikarjun Kamat, in connection with the incident. Kamat denied the allegations, claiming he had only entered the washroom out of necessity. Flipkart, whose platform Kamat was associated with, confirmed that his engagement as a delivery partner had been terminated following the incident.
Three Liquor Smugglers Killed in Bihar's Samastipur in Four Days
Three alleged liquor smugglers were killed in Bihar's Samastipur district within a span of four days. Two of the victims, Prabhat Choudhary and his associate Sunny Kumar, were murdered in one incident, while a third victim, Ishant Kumar, was kidnapped and later found buried. Police believe the killings stemmed from financial disputes among individuals who had previously worked together in the smuggling trade. The violence highlights ongoing criminal rivalry within illicit liquor networks in Bihar, which has enforced a total prohibition since 2016. Authorities have responded by stepping up their crackdown on liquor smuggling operations across the region.
US Strikes Iran Again to Curb Attacks on Commercial Shipping
US forces carried out fresh strikes against Iran early Monday, targeting the country's ability to attack commercial shipping vessels. Iran reported explosions in its southern provinces and strongly condemned the American military action. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global trade route, remains at the center of the escalating conflict. Diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran have reportedly broken down in the wake of recent incidents.
IAF Ranked World's 3rd Most Powerful Air Force for Fifth Consecutive Year
The Indian Air Force has retained its position as the world's third-ranked air power for the fifth straight year, according to the WDMMA 2026 Global Rankings. Despite China fielding a numerically larger air force, the IAF surpasses it in fleet quality and overall balance. Upcoming acquisitions, including Rafale jets and domestically built Tejas aircraft, are expected to further strengthen India's combat capabilities. India is also advancing its indigenous fifth-generation fighter program, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, which is expected to add significant firepower in the future.
SIT Finds Nine Critical Lapses in Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Handling
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Ayodhya Ram temple donation controversy has identified nine major procedural failures in the fund collection process. The lapses allegedly enabled large-scale embezzlement of donated funds. Key failures included staff not being frisked, pocketless uniforms not being enforced, and cash from different donation boxes being mixed together. No denomination-wise inventory of collected cash was maintained, and biometric attendance systems were not effectively used. Together, these gaps are said to have caused a near-complete breakdown of financial accountability at the temple.
Eyewitnesses Blame Crew Negligence, Delayed Aid for Vietnam Boat Disaster
A speedboat capsized in Vietnam after rough seas and strong winds caused it to overturn within seconds. Eyewitnesses allege that crew negligence and delayed medical response contributed significantly to the tragedy. Several tourists drowned while trapped under the overturned vessel, despite being equipped with life jackets. Rescue boats reportedly took nearly three hours to reach the scene, further hampering survival chances. Vietnamese authorities have yet to formally respond to the allegations raised by survivors.
India's agri data collection plagued by delays, outdated maps and untrained staff
India's statistics ministry has flagged serious gaps in the country's agricultural data collection systems. Official crop inspections were completed on time in fewer than half of all villages, while many land maps used for tracing are more than two decades old. In several major states, crop-cutting experiments are being carried out by personnel who lack proper training. These shortcomings are undermining the accuracy of national food security interventions and advance crop estimates. Policymakers are now grappling with the challenge of making sound decisions based on unreliable agricultural statistics.



