Nagaland Fossils Reveal Ancient Link Between Antarctica and Indian Monsoons
A new study of 34-million-year-old fossilized leaves from Nagaland has established a surprising link between the formation of Antarctica's ice sheets and the evolution of the Indian monsoon. Scientists from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences and the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology found that Antarctic glaciation shifted a major global rain belt northward toward the tropics. This change resulted in exceptionally high rainfall and warmer temperatures in the Indian subcontinent, effectively shaping the monsoon system that is vital to the region today.
MPs Vote to Elect India's Next Vice President
Members of Parliament are voting to elect India's 15th Vice President in a contest between the ruling NDA's nominee, Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan, and the opposition INDIA bloc's candidate, former Supreme Court judge B. Sudershan Reddy. The election was necessitated by the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar. The NDA is seen to have a numerical advantage in the electoral college, which comprises 781 MPs from both houses. Several parties, including the BJD, BRS, and SAD, have decided to abstain from voting.
Centre Announces Over ₹3,000 Crore in Aid for Flood-Hit Himachal and Punjab
The central government has announced financial assistance of ₹1,500 crore for Himachal Pradesh and ₹1,600 crore for Punjab to aid relief and rehabilitation efforts following devastating floods and landslides. The announcement came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted an aerial survey of the affected regions. The funds include advance releases from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and will support rebuilding homes, restoring infrastructure, and providing assistance to farmers in the two states, which have suffered extensive damage.
NDA Candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan Elected as India's 15th Vice President
National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan has been elected as India's next Vice President. The former Governor of Maharashtra defeated the joint opposition candidate, retired Supreme Court judge B. Sudershan Reddy, by securing 452 votes to Reddy's 300. Radhakrishnan, a veteran BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, will also serve as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The election was necessitated by the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar in July due to health reasons.
Rajasthan Assembly Passes Anti-Conversion Bill with Strict Penalties
The Rajasthan Assembly has passed the Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2025, which introduces stringent measures against religious conversions through force, fraud, or allurement. The new law makes such offences non-bailable and includes penalties up to life imprisonment and fines as high as ₹1 crore. Marriages conducted solely for the purpose of conversion will be declared void. The bill exempts individuals who are reconverting to their "ancestral religion" from its provisions, a move criticized by the opposition.
Himachal Pradesh Becomes India's Fourth Fully Literate State
Himachal Pradesh has been declared India's fourth fully literate state, achieving a literacy rate of 99.3%, which surpasses the national benchmark of 95%. The announcement was made under the ULLAS (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society) programme. Himachal Pradesh now joins Mizoram, Tripura, and Goa in achieving this distinction. The state's literacy rate has seen a dramatic rise from just 7% at the time of India's independence, marking a significant developmental milestone for the region.
Google Rolls Out Generative AI Search Capabilities in Hindi Globally
Google has launched the AI-powered mode in its Search feature in Hindi for users across the globe. Powered by a custom version of its Gemini 2.5 model, the update allows users to ask longer, more complex, or nuanced questions in Hindi and receive more helpful, personalized answers. The feature is designed to be multimodal, enabling queries via text, voice, or images. This global rollout significantly enhances information access for hundreds of millions of Hindi speakers, making advanced AI search tools more widely available.
Nepal Reverses Social Media Ban After Violent Protests Kill 19
The Nepalese government has lifted its ban on 26 social media platforms following violent protests that resulted in at least 19 deaths and hundreds of injuries. The "Gen Z Movement," largely comprising young people, erupted after the government blocked major platforms like Facebook and YouTube. The situation escalated when demonstrators tried to storm parliament, leading to a deadly police crackdown and the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak. In response, India has tightened security along the Indo-Nepal border.
US Signals Further Sanctions on Russia, Potentially Targeting India's Oil Imports
US President Donald Trump has indicated readiness to escalate sanctions against Russia, a move that could affect nations purchasing Russian oil. While specifics are undisclosed, the measures could include secondary tariffs, posing significant economic and diplomatic challenges for India, a major buyer of Russian crude. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly supported the idea of imposing such tariffs on countries dealing with Russia, describing it as the "right idea," further intensifying the geopolitical pressure on New Delhi.
India and Israel Sign Bilateral Investment Agreement to Boost Economic Ties
India and Israel have signed a new Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) in New Delhi to promote and protect reciprocal investments. The pact, signed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her Israeli counterpart Bezalel Smotrich, replaces an earlier 1996 agreement. It aims to provide greater certainty for investors and expand trade, which is currently valued at $800 million. The agreement ensures fair treatment, safeguards against expropriation, and provides a mechanism for dispute resolution, strengthening economic cooperation between the two nations.
India Provides Belgium with Sovereign Assurance on Detention Conditions for Mehul Choksi
In a significant move to secure the extradition of fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, India has given a formal assurance to Belgian authorities regarding his future detention conditions. The Ministry of Home Affairs detailed that if extradited for his role in the PNB fraud case, Choksi would be held in Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail with specific guarantees of personal space, medical care, legal access, and security. This sovereign commitment aims to address human rights concerns and advance the long-pending extradition proceedings.
Palestinian Gunmen Kill Six in Attack at Jerusalem Bus Stop
Two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a busy bus stop in Jerusalem during morning rush hour, killing six people and wounding twelve others. The attackers were shot and killed at the scene by an Israeli soldier and armed civilians. The attack is the deadliest in Israel since October 2024 and comes amid heightened tensions related to the ongoing war in Gaza. The Palestinian militant group Hamas praised the attack but did not claim responsibility. Israeli leadership has warned of wider military raids in response.
Jammu and Kashmir's Lone AAP MLA Detained Under Public Safety Act
Mehraj Din Malik, the Aam Aadmi Party's only MLA in Jammu and Kashmir, has been detained under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA), which allows for detention without trial for up to two years. He is the first sitting legislator in the Union Territory to be held under the controversial law. Officials cited 18 FIRs and activities "prejudicial to the maintenance of public order" as reasons for the detention. The move has sparked widespread outrage from opposition parties, who condemned it as an abuse of power.
NIA Conducts Widespread Raids in Terror Conspiracy Case
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) launched a major counter-terrorism operation, conducting searches at 22 locations across five states and Jammu and Kashmir. The raids are part of an ongoing investigation into a significant terror conspiracy case. In Jammu and Kashmir, the searches were concentrated in the districts of Baramulla, Kulgam, Anantnag, and Pulwama. The multi-state operation indicates a widespread network under investigation by the central agency, though further details about the specific conspiracy or groups involved have not yet been released.
Supreme Court Takes Over All High Court Challenges to New Online Gaming Law
The Supreme Court has transferred all petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, from various high courts to itself. The move, sought by the central government, aims for an expeditious and unified adjudication on the matter. The new law, which imposes a nationwide ban on real-money online gaming, has been challenged in several states for allegedly prohibiting games of skill in violation of the fundamental right to practice a profession, trade, or business.