Delhi Student Sends Hoax Bomb Threat to School to Postpone Exam
A student at Vishal Bharati School in West Delhi was apprehended for sending a hoax bomb threat via email to his own school. The threat, which prompted a full evacuation and search by bomb disposal squads, was found to be a ploy by the student to avoid taking an exam he was unprepared for. After tracing the email, police questioned the student, who confessed to sending the message in the hope that the school would declare a holiday.
Trump Claims India Pledged to Halt Russian Oil Imports
US President Donald Trump has claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him that India will stop purchasing oil from Russia. The alleged pledge comes amid US pressure, including tariffs, to isolate Moscow over the Ukraine war. India, currently Russia's second-largest oil buyer, has not officially confirmed the claim. If true, this would mark a major pivot in India's foreign policy and energy strategy, with significant implications for its relationships with both Washington and Moscow.
Home Minister Proposes Special Jails for Fugitives to Meet International Standards
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has urged all states to create special prisons for fugitives that comply with international human rights standards. The proposal aims to counter arguments made by fugitives like Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi in foreign courts that poor prison conditions in India would violate their rights, thereby stalling extradition. Shah also suggested automatically cancelling the passports of individuals against whom an Interpol red notice is issued to restrict their international travel and expedite their return to face justice.
Punjab Police DIG Arrested by CBI in Corruption Case; Rs 5 Crore Cash Seized
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Punjab Police Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Harcharan Singh Bhullar in an alleged corruption case. The arrest followed a complaint from a scrap dealer who claimed Bhullar demanded bribes to settle an FIR. During searches at the DIG's residence, the CBI recovered approximately ₹5 crore in cash, 1.5 kg of gold, luxury watches, and property documents. Bhullar, a 2009-batch IPS officer, was serving as the DIG of the Ropar Range.
Karnataka to Regulate RSS Activities in Public Spaces and Government Institutions
The Karnataka Cabinet has decided to issue an order regulating the activities of private organisations, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), on public properties. The move will restrict events and marches in government-run schools, colleges, parks, and other public venues without explicit permission. The decision follows a request from IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge to ban RSS activities on government premises to prevent ideological influence. The government stated the new rules aim for proper management of public properties and will be framed within constitutional bounds.
Air India Crash Probe Challenged as Pilot's Father Petitions Supreme Court
The father of the deceased pilot-in-command of the Air India flight that crashed in Ahmedabad in June has petitioned the Supreme Court, seeking a court-monitored judicial inquiry. The plea, also supported by the Federation of Indian Pilots, alleges the official probe by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is biased and technically unsound. It claims the preliminary report unfairly blamed the pilots while overlooking potential technical, software, or design failures in the Boeing aircraft, and calls for an independent committee to ensure a fair investigation.
Entire Gujarat Cabinet Resigns Ahead of Major Government Reshuffle
In a significant political development, all 16 ministers in Gujarat's Bhupendra Patel-led government submitted their resignations on Thursday, paving the way for a major cabinet expansion. The move clears the slate for Chief Minister Patel to form a new council of ministers, with a swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Friday. Sources suggest the cabinet could be expanded to include several new faces, with nearly half of the current ministers potentially being replaced, signaling a strategic overhaul of the state's leadership by the BJP.
Execution of Indian Nurse Nimisha Priya Stayed in Yemen
The Supreme Court was informed that the execution of Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse on death row in Yemen for the 2017 murder of a Yemeni national, has been stayed. Attorney General R Venkataramani told the court that a new mediator has entered negotiations and that "nothing adverse is happening" currently. Priya, from Kerala, was convicted of killing Talal Abdo Mahdi. The 'Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council' had petitioned the court seeking the Indian government's diplomatic intervention to save her.
Centre Launches Development Projects Worth Over ₹13,000 Crore in Andhra Pradesh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects in Andhra Pradesh worth ₹13,430 crore. The initiatives span multiple sectors including industry, power, transport, and defence. Key projects include strengthening the power transmission system at Kurnool, establishing new industrial hubs in Orvakal and Kopparthy expected to create one lakh jobs, and launching new road and railway lines to improve connectivity. A new Bharat Electronics Ltd. factory for advanced night vision products was also inaugurated, boosting domestic defence manufacturing.
140 Maoists Including Senior Leaders to Surrender in Chhattisgarh
In a major blow to the Naxal insurgency, 140 Maoists are set to surrender before Chhattisgarh authorities on Friday. The group includes high-ranking figures such as central committee member Rupesh and division secretary Ranitha. The cadres are reportedly bringing over 70 weapons to lay down in Jagdalpur. Rupesh's surrender is considered particularly significant as he was a key coordinator between the central committee and local divisions in the Bastar region, dealing a substantial blow to the outfit's operational strength.
Last Surviving Member of First Mount Everest Expedition Dies at 92
Kanchha Sherpa, the last surviving member of the historic 1953 expedition that first conquered Mount Everest, has died at the age of 92. He was part of the 35-member team that enabled New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay to reach the summit. Born in Namche Bazar, he began his mountaineering career at 19. In recent years, Kanchha Sherpa had expressed concern over overcrowding on the peak, urging climbers to respect the mountain, which is revered as a goddess by the Sherpa community.
China Files WTO Complaint Against India's Electric Vehicle Subsidies
China has initiated a formal dispute at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against India's subsidies for electric vehicles (EVs) and batteries. Beijing alleges that India's policies, including the production-linked incentive scheme, violate WTO rules by unfairly favouring domestic manufacturers and constituting prohibited import substitution subsidies. The complaint escalates trade tensions between the two economic powers and challenges a cornerstone of India's strategy to boost domestic manufacturing and promote green energy.
Prominent Indian-American Strategist Ashley Tellis Arrested in US for Retaining Secret Documents
Ashley Tellis, a renowned Indian-American strategic affairs expert and a key architect of the India-US civil nuclear deal, has been arrested in Virginia, USA. The 64-year-old is charged with unlawfully retaining national defence information. An FBI search of the Carnegie Endowment senior fellow's home allegedly uncovered over a thousand pages of classified documents. Tellis, who previously advised the US National Security Council and State Department, faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of the charges.
Pakistani and Afghan Forces Clash Again at Border Amid Escalating Tensions
Fresh clashes erupted between Pakistani and Afghan forces along their northwestern border for the second time this week, escalating regional tensions. Pakistani state media accused Afghan troops of initiating "unprovoked fire" in the Kurram district, prompting a strong response that reportedly damaged Afghan military posts. The conflict follows deadly exchanges over the weekend and has led to the closure of all border crossings, disrupting trade and travel. Pakistan continues to accuse Kabul of harbouring TTP militants, a charge Afghanistan denies.
Centre to Introduce New Drug Law Following Cough Syrup Tragedies
In response to recent child deaths linked to contaminated cough syrups, the Union Government is set to introduce a new law to overhaul drug regulation. The proposed "Drugs, Medical Devices, and Cosmetics Act 2025" will grant statutory powers to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) for stricter control over drug manufacturing, sales, and distribution. The bill aims to replace the colonial-era 1940 Act, digitize licensing, and improve coordination to ensure greater accountability and public safety.