Reddit Sues AI Firm Perplexity for Unlawful Data Scraping
Social media platform Reddit has filed a lawsuit in New York against AI startup Perplexity, accusing it of unlawfully scraping vast amounts of user-generated content to train its AI-based search engine. Reddit alleges that Perplexity worked with data-scraping companies to circumvent its protective measures. The lawsuit is one of several recent cases where content owners are taking legal action against AI firms for using their material without permission or licensing, highlighting the growing legal battle over data rights in the AI era.
Navy Receives First Indigenous Anti-Submarine Warship, INS Mahe
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has delivered INS Mahe, the first of eight indigenously designed and built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), to the Indian Navy. The 78-metre-long warship is equipped for underwater surveillance, mine-laying, and low-intensity maritime operations. The delivery marks a significant step in India's 'Aatma Nirbhar Bharat' initiative, enhancing the country's defence manufacturing capabilities and boosting the Navy's coastal anti-submarine warfare strength with a vessel containing over 90% indigenous content.
Former Administrative Officer Arrested in Sabarimala Gold Theft Case
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the disappearance of gold from the Sabarimala temple has arrested former administrative officer B Murari Babu. He is accused of being a key conspirator in the theft of gold-plated panels from the temple's sanctum sanctorum between 2019 and 2024. The arrest follows a preliminary inquiry that pointed to serious lapses by Babu and other officials. This is a major development in the high-profile case being monitored by the Kerala High Court.
Maruti Suzuki Jimny 5-Door Exports From India Cross 100,000 Mark
Maruti Suzuki announced that its Jimny 5-door SUV, manufactured exclusively in India, has surpassed 100,000 units in cumulative exports. The model is now shipped to over 100 countries, including quality-conscious markets like Japan and Australia. The milestone highlights India's growing role as a global manufacturing and export hub for the automotive industry. The Jimny 5-door is the second most exported model from Maruti Suzuki, showcasing the international appeal of vehicles designed and built in India.
US President Claims India Pledged to Reduce Russian Oil Imports
US President Donald Trump stated that he spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and received assurances that India is significantly cutting back on oil purchases from Russia. The conversation reportedly occurred during a phone call for Diwali greetings. This claim, repeated multiple times by Trump, suggests a potential shift in India's energy policy amid US pressure on Moscow over the Ukraine war. The development has stirred political debate in India, with the opposition questioning the government's transparency on foreign policy matters.
Belgian Court Paves Way for Mehul Choksi's Extradition to India
A Belgian court has rejected fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi’s arguments against his extradition to India in the ₹13,000-crore Punjab National Bank fraud case. The Antwerp Court of Appeals dismissed his claims of potential unfair treatment or torture as unsubstantiated, finding the offences extraditable under both Indian and Belgian law. The ruling marks a major breakthrough for Indian investigative agencies, clearing a significant legal hurdle in the effort to bring the high-profile accused back to face trial.
Supreme Court Seeks Centre's View on PIL for Nationwide Online Gambling Ban
The Supreme Court has asked the central government for assistance regarding a public interest litigation (PIL) that seeks a nationwide ban on online gambling and betting platforms. The plea argues that many such platforms operate under the guise of e-sports, causing significant social and economic harm. The petition calls for prohibiting monetary transactions to unregistered gaming apps and launching investigations into offshore companies for alleged tax evasion, a move that could reshape the country's multi-crore online gaming industry.
Assam Government to Introduce Bills on 'Love Jihad' and Polygamy
The Assam state government plans to introduce bills targeting 'love jihad' and polygamy in the upcoming Assembly session. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the legislative proposals, which are currently being drafted, will be presented once approved by the state cabinet. The move signals a significant policy push aligned with the government's socially conservative agenda, potentially leading to new laws that would have major social and legal ramifications within the state and fuel national debate on these contentious issues.
Delhi's Air Quality Remains in 'Very Poor' Category Amid Unfavourable Weather
Air quality in Delhi-NCR continues to be in the 'very poor' category, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 362 on Thursday morning. Some areas, like Anand Vihar, even slipped into the 'severe' category with an AQI of 428. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) II remains in effect. Meteorological officials have warned that low wind speeds and calm nighttime conditions are preventing the dispersion of pollutants, suggesting that the city's air quality is unlikely to improve in the coming days.
Telangana Abolishes All Transport Department Check Posts
The Telangana government has officially abolished all transport department check posts across the state in a significant administrative reform aimed at enhancing efficiency and curbing corruption. The move follows anti-corruption stings that revealed instances of bribery at several posts. The department will now pivot to technology, using AI and integrated digital platforms like Vahan and Sarathi to monitor vehicular movement and office activities, aiming for a more transparent and citizen-friendly system without physical barriers for commercial vehicles.
Bill Gates to Make Special Appearance on Indian TV Soap Opera
Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates is set to feature in a special three-episode arc of the popular Indian daily soap "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2." Gates will appear virtually in a video call with actor-turned-politician Smriti Irani, who has reprised her iconic role. The storyline aims to raise awareness about maternal and newborn health, a key focus of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, marking a unique crossover between global philanthropy and Indian mass entertainment.
India Climbs to 9th in Global Forest Area Rankings, Reports UN Body
India has risen to the ninth position globally for total forest area, as per the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025 released by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The country now accounts for 2% of the world's total forest cover. The report also highlights that India maintained its third-place ranking worldwide for annual net forest area gain between 2015 and 2025, underscoring the nation's significant progress in expanding its green cover through sustained conservation and afforestation efforts.
Sanae Takaichi Elected as Japan's First Female Prime Minister
Japan's parliament elected ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi as the nation's first female prime minister. A protégé of the late Shinzo Abe, Takaichi secured the position after her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) formed a new coalition with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party. Her premiership ends a three-month political vacuum. Takaichi is expected to pursue a hawkish agenda, including a stronger military and constitutional revision, but faces challenges with a fragile coalition and pressing economic issues like rising prices.
India Upgrades Diplomatic Mission in Kabul to Full Embassy
India has upgraded its 'Technical Mission' in Kabul to a full-fledged embassy, signaling a significant step in deepening engagement with Afghanistan's Taliban administration. The Ministry of External Affairs announced the move would take effect immediately, following a recent visit by the Taliban's acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi. The decision aims to augment India's contribution to Afghanistan's development and humanitarian aid. This move positions India among a handful of countries with a robust diplomatic presence in post-takeover Afghanistan.
OpenAI Launches 'Atlas' Web Browser to Challenge Google Chrome
OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has launched its own web browser named 'Atlas', entering into direct competition with Google's dominant Chrome. The new browser, initially available for Apple laptops, aims to integrate advanced AI capabilities directly into the web-browsing experience. A key feature is an 'agent mode' that can perform tasks online on the user's behalf. This move could significantly disrupt the browser market and represents a major step in OpenAI's strategy to expand its ecosystem beyond chatbots.