India

Flash Floods in J&K's Doda Cut Off Villages; Kishtwar Pilgrimages Suspended

Heavy rainfall triggered flash floods in the Bhalessa area of Doda district in Jammu & Kashmir, severing road links to multiple villages. Restoration work is currently in progress to re-establish connectivity to the affected areas. In the neighbouring Kishtwar district, authorities suspended the annual pilgrimages to the Machhail Mata and Mindhal Mata shrines due to safety concerns for pilgrims. Officials have advised residents to stay away from flood-prone and vulnerable zones. Authorities have also called on media outlets to verify information before publishing, in order to prevent unnecessary public panic.

Ayodhya Police Probe Bribery Racket for Ram Temple Jobs, Trust Member Implicated

Ayodhya police are investigating an alleged bribery scheme involving appointments at the Ram temple. Statements from an arrested suspect have pointed to a Trust member's possible role in a recruitment racket. Around 125 employees are suspected of having paid bribes to secure their positions at the temple. Investigators are reviewing financial records and properties tied to the Trust member. Two other arrested individuals, reportedly relatives of the Trust member, are also under scrutiny.

UIDAI Warned BSNL of Cloned Aadhaar Machines Linked to Terrorists in MP

Internal BSNL documents have revealed that UIDAI issued warnings about Aadhaar cards allegedly being generated through cloned BSNL Aadhaar enrollment machines in Madhya Pradesh. The fraudulent machines were reportedly linked to individuals flagged as terrorists. Despite receiving the alert, BSNL is accused of failing to escalate the matter through appropriate channels. The incident raises serious concerns about the security and integrity of India's biometric identification infrastructure.

US-Iran ceasefire tailored for US mid-terms, not lasting peace: Report

One dead, three hurt as vehicle plunges onto bridge near Atal Tunnel

A fatal road accident occurred late Monday night near the Atal Tunnel when a vehicle lost control and fell onto an under-construction cement structure. Kailash Kumar, a resident of Rajasthan, died in the incident. Three other occupants, hailing from Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment. The accident underscores the hazards associated with travelling in the mountainous region around the tunnel.

Gujarat Demolition Drive Racks Up Rs 27 Lakh Snack Bill, Including 21,310 Teas

A demolition drive carried out by a civic body in Gujarat generated a controversial refreshment bill amounting to Rs 27 lakh. The expenses covered snacks and sweets such as kaju katli and jalebi, along with over 21,310 cups of tea. Officials stated that the refreshments were served to personnel deployed during the operation. Around 190 media personnel attending press briefings at the site were also included in the catering. The bill has drawn public attention due to the scale of spending on food during an official civic exercise.

Kerala Man Steals Second-Hand Bike During Test Ride, Caught on Camera

A man in Kerala stole a pre-owned motorcycle after being allowed to take it for a test ride. Instead of staying within the parking area as permitted, he sped off and did not return. The entire incident was recorded on camera, capturing the moment he rode away. The seller had trusted the prospective buyer with the bike for a short trial run before the theft occurred.

Houses Burned in Manipur Border Villages Amid Kuki-Naga Blame Exchange

Houses were set on fire in border villages in Manipur, escalating tensions in the conflict-prone northeastern state. The arson incidents prompted a fresh round of accusations between Kuki and Naga tribal organisations. Each side blamed the other for carrying out what they described as coordinated attacks. The incidents have deepened mistrust between the two communities in the region.

Abhishek Sharma becomes fastest Indian to 100 T20I sixes in first England T20I

Abhishek Sharma set a new record during the first T20 International against England, becoming the fastest Indian batter to score 100 sixes in T20I cricket. He reached the milestone in just 785 deliveries, bettering the previous mark held by West Indies batter Evin Lewis. The achievement came during a high-pressure innings that further cemented Sharma's reputation as one of India's most destructive hitters. With this feat, he joins an elite group of Indian cricketers known for their six-hitting ability in the shortest format of the game.

TMC MPs Mahua Moitra, Dola Sen Face Protests and Intimidation in West Bengal

TMC MP Mahua Moitra was pelted with eggs and allegedly held for around four hours by suspected BJP supporters in Nadia district, West Bengal. The adequacy of police response during the incident has come under scrutiny. Separately, Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen encountered black-flag protests while visiting Durgapur. Both incidents have drawn strong condemnation from TMC leaders, who have raised concerns about political intimidation targeting their party members. The back-to-back episodes have intensified tensions between the TMC and BJP in the state.

Delhi Auto Drivers Urge Infrastructure-First Approach Ahead of EV Transition

Delhi is preparing for a major shift toward electric mobility, its most significant transport overhaul since the CNG revolution 25 years ago. Auto drivers who experienced the CNG transition firsthand recall severe hardships, including long queues and fuel shortages during that period. These veterans warn that the city risks repeating the same mistakes if charging infrastructure is not built before the electric push accelerates. They are calling on authorities to prioritize ground-level infrastructure development ahead of any large-scale policy rollout.

Scientists engineer SpudCell, a synthetic system that mimics core life functions

Researchers have created a lab-made chemical system called SpudCell that replicates fundamental life processes such as growth and cell division. The system is not considered fully alive, as it still depends on external components to function. Despite this limitation, SpudCell provides scientists with a simplified model to study and better understand the basic mechanisms of life. The team plans to improve its self-sufficiency over time, with the long-term goal of developing custom biological machines and advancing foundational biology research.

AI Identified as Leading Cyber Threat Over Next Year, Firms Caught Off Guard

Artificial intelligence has emerged as the foremost cybersecurity threat expected over the next 12 months, according to a recent report. The Reserve Bank of India highlighted this concern in its latest Financial Stability Report. The RBI warned that rapid advancements in AI could significantly enhance the sophistication, speed, and scale of cyberattacks. Despite the growing threat, many companies remain inadequately prepared to counter AI-driven cyber incidents.

UGC-NET Sociology Paper Marred by Typos, Wrong Names, Faulty Hindi Translations

Candidates who appeared for the UGC-NET Sociology exam have raised serious concerns about the quality of the question paper. The paper reportedly contained spelling errors, incorrect names of well-known theorists, and poor Hindi translations, such as 'Ritzer' being printed as 'Putzer' and 'social' translated as 'oval'. Many test-takers also suspect that some questions were AI-generated, as they appeared to deviate from the prescribed syllabus. These issues reportedly confused candidates during the exam and undermined their ability to answer questions accurately.

Germany Charges Ukrainian Suspect Over Nord Stream Pipeline Explosions

German federal prosecutors have filed charges against a suspect in connection with the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines. The accused is reported to be a Ukrainian national, according to German media outlets. He is alleged to have led the team responsible for carrying out the underwater explosions. The Nord Stream pipelines, which carried natural gas from Russia to Europe, were severely damaged in the blasts. The case marks a significant development in one of the most high-profile infrastructure attacks in recent European history.

WhatsApp Withholds High-Profile Names to Prevent Impersonation

WhatsApp has confirmed that certain high-profile usernames are being withheld from general availability on its platform. A company spokesperson stated that names associated with public figures, government entities, and celebrities have been reserved. This measure is intended to allow legitimate owners to claim their respective identities. The move aims to curb impersonation concerns as WhatsApp expands its username feature.

Inside Qatar's $400M Jet Gift to Trump Used as Temporary Air Force One

The Trump administration has accepted a $400 million luxury jet gifted by Qatar, which is being used as a temporary Air Force One. Staffers from the Trump administration shared images of the plane's interior on social media on Wednesday. The photos offered a rare glimpse inside the aircraft, as reporters are typically not allowed to photograph the plane unless President Trump is present. The jet made its debut trip as the presidential aircraft, drawing significant public attention. The acceptance of the high-value gift from a foreign government has sparked ongoing debate about diplomatic and ethical implications.

Defence Acquisition Council to Clear Proposals Worth Over Rs 1 Lakh Crore

India's Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, is set to meet on Friday to review major military procurement proposals. The council is expected to grant Acceptance of Necessity to several high-value acquisition projects. These proposals collectively exceed Rs 1 lakh crore in value. The approvals are aimed at enhancing the operational capabilities of the Indian armed forces.

Karnataka Teen Dies After Head Struck While Leaning Out of Moving Bus

A teenager named Pakkaresh was fatally injured while travelling on a bus from Hubballi to Lakshmeshwar in Karnataka. He was seated near the rear of the vehicle when the incident occurred. Police confirmed that Pakkaresh had leaned out of the bus window while it was in motion. The act proved fatal, resulting in his death due to a severe head injury. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragic accident.

Trump Defends Crypto Earnings Exceeding $1 Billion, Cites Blind Trust Arrangement

President Donald Trump has publicly defended his cryptocurrency-related earnings, which reportedly surpass $1 billion. Responding to critics who accused him of leveraging his presidential position for personal financial gain, Trump argued that such profit-making was broadly shared. He stated that his earnings are held in blind trusts, a structure designed to prevent him from directly controlling or benefiting from those assets while in office. The arrangement is intended to address conflicts of interest concerns raised by ethics watchdogs and political opponents.