India

Allahabad HC frees UP woman from father's custody, upholds her right to live with husband

The Allahabad High Court has ordered the release of 26-year-old Sonika Chauhan from her father's custody in Uttar Pradesh. Chauhan had alleged that her father confined her at home due to his objection to her marriage with Akbar Khan, a Muslim man. The court ruled that it cannot dictate the personal choices of an adult woman, affirming her right to live with her husband. The judgment reinforces the legal principle that major adults are free to choose their partners and place of residence regardless of family disapproval.

New Zealand spent 14 years restoring Abel Tasman and its native wildlife

'Differing views normal part of deliberation': EC responds after report flags rift over SIR

‘All decisions are unanimous… made by full Commission in the past year’: Election Commission response after Express Investigation

Delhi LG Orders Safety Audit of All Parks After Kalkaji Gangrape

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu has ordered a comprehensive safety audit of all parks across the city. The directive follows the gangrape of a 17-year-old girl at Aastha Kunj Park near Kalkaji Mandir. Authorities have been instructed to improve lighting, security infrastructure, and regular patrolling in these public spaces. Pink Police personnel will be deployed at vulnerable locations during high-risk hours to strengthen safety measures.

Washington bridge carrying 90,000 vehicles a day gets $114m overhaul

Artificial oyster reefs off Prince Edward Island boost marine biomass 45-fold in 2 years

Researchers have deployed concrete artificial oyster reefs off the coast of Prince Edward Island to restore marine biodiversity and coastal habitats. Within just two years, the structures attracted 45 different species and dramatically increased local biomass. The reefs also provided critical surfaces to support oyster growth and improved surrounding environmental conditions. The project was carried out in partnership with the Lennox Island First Nation, reflecting both ecological and cultural priorities tied to oyster population recovery. The initiative is being highlighted as a promising model for revitalizing degraded coastal ecosystems.

Deep depression likely to hit Andhra-Odisha coast today, red alert in multiple districts

A kidney wait since 2024 ends with an Army airlift and a rare double transplant

Nithari Serial Killer Surendra Koli Died of Asphyxia, Autopsy Confirms

Surendra Koli, convicted in the Nithari serial killings case, was found hanging at his tea stall in Haridwar last week. He had been widely known as the 'Butcher of Nithari' due to his role in the gruesome crimes. An autopsy conducted following his death has confirmed that the cause of death was asphyxia, according to reports. Police have disclosed the findings as part of the ongoing inquiry into the circumstances of his death.

Kashmiri Woman Condemns Pakistan's Crackdown on PoK Protests at UN

A Kashmiri woman named Akhtar raised her voice at the United Nations against Pakistan's handling of protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). She stated that PoK had recently seen sustained peaceful demonstrations driven by grievances over governance and economic conditions. According to Akhtar, Pakistani authorities responded to these protests with a brutal crackdown. She used the UN platform to draw international attention to the situation in the region.

Delhi LG Orders Week-Long Safety Audit of All Parks After Teen Gangrape

Delhi Lieutenant Governor has ordered a comprehensive safety audit of all parks across the capital following the gangrape of a teenager. The audit is to be completed within one week. Key areas of focus include adequate lighting, security arrangements, regular patrolling, and cleanliness. The directive comes as authorities face pressure to improve public safety in the city's green spaces.

Trump Aid Cuts Gut Climate Disaster Preparedness Programs Worldwide

The Trump administration implemented sweeping cuts to US foreign aid in 2025, eliminating or significantly reducing numerous assistance programs. These reductions affected millions of people across the globe who relied on such support. Among the hardest hit were programs designed to help communities prepare for and respond to climate-related disasters. The cuts have had severe consequences for vulnerable populations at a time when climate disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity.

Rajasthan HC orders widow on compassionate appointment to give 25% pay to mother-in-law

The Rajasthan High Court has ruled that a widow who secured a job through compassionate appointment must allocate 25% of her salary to her deceased husband's mother. The woman had originally committed to supporting her family when she applied for the position following her husband's death. However, she stopped providing financial assistance after she remarried. The court took note of the elderly mother-in-law's dependence and enforced the deduction to ensure her continued support.

Congress Attacks Election Commission Over Alleged Dissent Report on Voting

The Congress party has launched a sharp attack on India's Election Commission following the emergence of a reported internal dissent note. Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the poll body of enabling electoral fraud, calling it a crime against the Indian people and the Constitution. Gandhi used the phrase 'vote chori' to describe what he alleged was systematic manipulation of the voting process. The opposition party claimed an 'invisible hand' was influencing the Election Commission's functioning. The controversy has intensified political tensions ahead of upcoming electoral processes in the country.

Google Brain Founder Andrew Ng Dismisses AI Existential Threat as PR Hype

Andrew Ng, co-founder of Google Brain, has publicly pushed back against widespread fears that artificial intelligence poses an existential threat to humanity. He argued that such concerns stem from misleading public relations narratives rather than any real technical basis. Ng emphasized that AI should not be viewed as an autonomous danger, calling on developers and creators to take greater responsibility for how the technology is presented and used. Rather than slowing down AI development, he advocates for proactive engineering solutions to address safety challenges. Ng maintains that the actual capabilities of current AI systems do not justify the level of alarm being expressed publicly.

Mirabai Chanu wins Asian Games weightlifting silver, ends India's 28-year medal drought

Mirabai Chanu claimed a silver medal in the women's 49kg weightlifting event at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The Tokyo Olympic silver medallist lifted a total of 198kg to secure her podium finish. Her achievement marks India's first Asian Games weightlifting medal in 28 years. The previous medal had been won by Karnam Malleswari at the 1998 Bangkok Games.

Meg Ryan Calls for Small Acts of Kindness to Support Mothers and Children

Actress Meg Ryan has highlighted the importance of small acts of kindness in improving the lives of mothers and children around the world. During a visit to New Light, an organisation based in Kolkata, India, she gained firsthand insight into the challenges faced by vulnerable communities. Ryan encouraged people to get involved in whatever capacity they can, noting that meaningful support goes beyond financial contributions. She stressed that even modest efforts to provide access to healthcare and education can have a profound impact on lives. Her message was a call to action for individuals to find ways to contribute to the well-being of those in need.

Rahul Gandhi accuses Election Commission of treason over electoral roll process

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has levelled serious accusations against the Election Commission, calling its conduct during the electoral roll revision process an act of treason. His remarks followed a media report suggesting internal dissent among Election Commissioners. Senior Congress leaders backed Gandhi's stance and called for a parliamentary review of the matter. The Election Commission, however, firmly denied any internal rift, stating that all decisions were taken collectively and in full compliance with legal norms and Supreme Court directives.

Banks Open Sunday as 3-Day Nationwide Strike Looms From Sept 28

Indian banks will remain open on Sunday, September 27, to ensure uninterrupted access to essential services ahead of a planned strike. The United Forum of Bank Unions has called for a nationwide strike from September 28 to 30, citing unmet demands. Combined with the weekend holiday, customers may face up to five consecutive days of disrupted banking services. The union's key demands include a shift to five-day banking weeks and improved pension benefits for bank employees.