India

NSS Volunteer Mohd Firdoos Receives MY Bharat Award from President Murmu

Mohd Firdoos, an NSS volunteer, was honoured with the MY Bharat-NSS Award by President Droupadi Murmu in October 2025. He chose community service over pursuing a PhD, dedicating himself to grassroots development work. His efforts have spanned education, healthcare, and environmental awareness, including organising health camps and distributing stationery to rural children. His recognition highlights the meaningful impact young people can make through active civic engagement.

UPI Charges To Be 0.4% For Some Payments Above Rs 2,000. Free For Consumers

DeepSeek Engineer Reflects on Pride and Anxiety as AI Nears His Expertise

A software engineer at Chinese AI firm DeepSeek has written a personal letter sharing his emotions about working on advanced artificial intelligence. The engineer, who specializes in operator design, expressed pride in his contributions while acknowledging that AI is rapidly advancing toward surpassing his own skill set. He candidly addressed the need for professionals to adapt and potentially shift career paths as AI continues to evolve. His account offers a rare, human perspective from inside one of the most prominent players in the global AI race.

Travis Kelce Addresses Retirement Rumors Ahead of New NFL Season

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has spoken publicly to address circulating rumors about his potential retirement. The NFL star made his comments following a record-breaking performance against the Denver Broncos. Kelce used the opportunity to clear the air on speculation surrounding his future in the league. His statement comes as the Chiefs enter a new season, with fans and analysts closely watching his next moves.

Australia's Artificial Reef Project Triples Fish Species in Just Three Years

In 2013, Australian authorities deployed purpose-built concrete artificial reef structures along the coast of Western Australia. The initiative was designed to enrich the local marine ecosystem and support biodiversity. Within three years, the number of fish species recorded at the sites grew from around a dozen to over sixty. The artificial reefs also created new recreational fishing opportunities, boosting community engagement with the marine environment. The project is widely regarded as a successful model for combining ecological restoration with public benefit.

UPI Transactions Above Rs 2,000 to Attract Merchant Fees From Oct 15, 2026

Merchants in India will be required to pay a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective October 15, 2026. The new fee structure marks a significant shift for UPI, which has largely operated without merchant charges since its widespread adoption. The October 2026 deadline has been set to give key stakeholders sufficient time to prepare for the change. Acquiring banks, payment aggregators, fintech platforms, and corporate accounting systems will use this period to update their software and billing infrastructure.

'BJP, RSS trying to impose Hindu law on non-Hindus': Owaisi on Shah's UCC push

India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement to Take Effect by Late October 2026

India and New Zealand are set to implement their free trade agreement by late October 2026, according to India's Commerce Secretary. The deal will grant Indian goods duty-free access to the New Zealand market. Bilateral trade between the two nations stood at approximately NZ$3.95 billion as of December 2025. New Zealand has also committed to investing USD 20 billion in India over the next 15 years. The agreement further includes expanded visa pathways for Indian students pursuing work and education opportunities in New Zealand.

Bill Gates on AI in India: Can It Bridge the Health Inequality Gap?

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has weighed in on the role of artificial intelligence in addressing India's healthcare challenges. Gates acknowledged that health sector innovations typically take considerable time to show results. He highlighted specific health-related issues in India where AI is being explored or deployed as a potential solution. His comments come amid broader global debate over whether the AI revolution will primarily benefit wealthier populations or extend gains to developing nations.

US mortgage rates touch 7% amid Iran war, inflation; existing home sales fall 2%

AI in classrooms boosts homework scores but hurts exam performance, study finds

Generative AI is showing mixed results in educational settings, with students completing homework faster and scoring higher when using the technology. However, closed-book exam scores have declined, particularly among students who relied heavily on AI tools. Data from PISA 2025 indicates that the benefits of AI are realized only when it is used as a learning aid rather than a shortcut to complete tasks. Educators now face the challenge of redesigning assignments in ways that encourage genuine critical thinking. The findings underscore the need for clear guidelines on how AI should be integrated into student learning.

Trump Dismisses AI Safety Fears as Silicon Valley Urges Caution

A growing consensus is emerging within Silicon Valley around slowing down artificial intelligence development amid mounting safety concerns. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has publicly called for a deceleration of the AI race, reflecting broader anxiety in the tech industry. Safety researchers at major AI firms have resigned in recent months, signaling internal unease about the pace of development. However, former President Donald Trump has pushed back, dismissing AI safety fears as a hoax and advocating for accelerating AI progress. The divide highlights a deepening tension between the tech industry's cautious voices and political figures prioritizing AI dominance.

US Confirms Space-Based Weapons Deployment; China and Russia Raise Concerns

The United States has officially acknowledged for the first time that it has weapons deployed in Earth's orbit. The confirmation marks a significant escalation in the militarization of space among major global powers. China and Russia have responded with warnings, cautioning against turning outer space into a battlefield. The development reflects an accelerating race for military space capabilities driven by rapid technological progress. Experts note the absence of a comprehensive international legal framework to govern such deployments.

Noida Education Dept Denies Mass School Closure After CJP Spokesperson's Claim

The district education department of Gautam Buddh Nagar has refuted allegations that all government schools were shut down following an inspection. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das had claimed that schools faced immediate closure after the inspection visit. The District Basic Education Officer clarified that no such closure order was ever issued. All council schools in the district continue to operate on their regular schedule. The denial came shortly after the CJP launched its 'School Theek Karo' campaign in Noida.

5,800-Acre New York Development Site to Go Under Hammer After Foreclosure

A large 5,800-acre property within New York's Adirondack Park is set to go to public foreclosure auction after years of legal and financial troubles. The land was originally planned for an ambitious residential development featuring hundreds of homes and a ski resort. The project collapsed following prolonged litigation and multiple mortgage defaults, leaving ownership entangled in foreclosure proceedings. An investor is owed millions of dollars, while the county is also pursuing substantial unpaid property taxes. The auction marks the end of what was once a major development vision for the protected Adirondack region.

India Exports 500 Tonnes of Hilsa Fish to Bangladesh Amid Local Shortage

India has exported 500 tonnes of hilsa fish to Bangladesh, marking an unusual reversal in the typical trade flow between the two countries. Bangladesh, which is traditionally a major supplier of hilsa to India, is experiencing lower fish production this year. The shortfall has prompted Bangladeshi fish traders to source the popular fish from India to meet domestic demand. Hilsa holds significant cultural and culinary importance in Bangladesh, making it a critical commodity for the country.

Rajasthan polls: Curious case of candidate who got zero votes

Saudi seeks Israel’s help as Pakistan keeps troops out of Houthi conflict

2 US personnel suffer 'minor injuries' after accidental shooting in Eswatini

Over 6.25 Lakh Women Removed From Madhya Pradesh's Ladli Behna Scheme Since 2023

Government data reveals that more than 6.25 lakh women have been dropped from the beneficiary list of Madhya Pradesh's Ladli Behna scheme since its launch in 2023. The scheme, designed to provide financial assistance to women in the state, has seen a notable decline in its registered beneficiary count. The removal of such a large number of recipients raises questions about eligibility criteria and verification processes. No official explanation has been provided detailing the specific reasons behind the large-scale exclusions.