Jacob Coxon, an AI researcher formerly with OpenAI and Anthropic, has resigned, accusing leading tech firms of an irresponsible and unchecked race towards developing superintelligence. He warns that this competitive rush, lacking adequate safeguards, poses an existential threat, potentially leading to catastrophic harm and "gambling with our lives."
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has issued a stern warning that the Makkah Defence Alliance, a newly formed pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye, stands ready to activate its collective defence provisions in response to escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Govinda has strongly reacted to his wife Sunita Ahuja's recent comments regarding his public appearances with Roopa co-star Komal Rani Swarnkar, accusing her of attempting to damage his reputation and sabotage his film comeback.
The OCA has asked India and other national Olympic bodies not to seek late additions to their Asian Games contingents as Japan struggles to accommodate more than 15,000 participants.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force claimed to have fired several ballistic missiles at a US aircraft carrier and a destroyer, alleging the warships were harassing Iranian ships and participating in a naval blockade.
Prince William and Kate have launched a sports-led suicide prevention initiative, urging organisations across Britain to foster open conversations, recognise warning signs and make support accessible.
FATF Vice-President Vivek Aggarwal has urged the fintech industry to increase investments to combat emerging threats from AI, scam compounds, virtual digital assets, and quantum computing. He warned that these technological challenges pose a significant risk to India's rapid growth in the fintech sector, highlighting a current lack of adequate investment and risk realisation within the industry.
India's chief badminton coach Pullela Gopichand believes the sport's upcoming shift to a 15x3 scoring system will lead to some players being 'wiped off' due to the increased premium on speed, power, and mental strength.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claims to have captured a US unmanned submersible near the Strait of Hormuz and launched ballistic missile strikes against a US airbase in Jordan and two US Navy destroyers. These actions are stated as retaliation for recent US attacks on Iranian oil tankers. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) had previously reported destroying Iranian crude oil carriers after IRGC missile attacks on US warships. The escalating tensions have led to regional air defence activations and warnings to tanker crews.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has warned it will resume its agitation if the government fails to provide a written agreement by Tuesday on the withdrawal of criminal cases against its protesters and organisers. The party claims this agreement was reached during talks that led to the calling off of their 36-day protest at Jantar Mantar.
Survivors of the recent devastating floods in Nepal share their harrowing experiences of escaping the raging waters, losing loved ones, and witnessing widespread destruction, as thousands remain missing and families struggle to rebuild their lives.
OpenAI's chief scientist, Jakub Pachocki, has issued a stark warning about the accelerating pace of artificial intelligence, stating that "no one is prepared" for its rapid rise and potential consequences. He highlights concerns over autonomous AI agents taking unintended actions and calls for international coordination, voluntary slowdowns, and robust safety measures to ensure human control and alignment with human values as machine intelligence surpasses human capabilities.
Heavy police and drone teams have been deployed in Haldwani's Banbhoolpura area ahead of an anticipated Supreme Court verdict concerning alleged encroachment on 29 hectares of Railway land. The deployment is a precautionary measure given past unrest during demolition drives, with authorities appealing for peace and warning against rumour-mongering.
A devastating flood in Baireni, Nepal, transformed a school playground into a sea of sand and buried classrooms under sludge. Timely warnings from teachers, prompted by an upstream guardian, allowed 400 students to evacuate safely just before the flood hit. The school remains closed, covered in debris, while UNICEF estimates 17,000 children need humanitarian aid following the floods that killed over 900 people.
An Indian Parliamentary standing committee has demanded an apology from Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg within three days for the temporary removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's video from Facebook, threatening to withdraw immunity under the IT Act if he fails to comply. The committee also pushed for government action against Google India regarding financial fraud.
Competition Commission of India (CCI) chairperson Ravneet Kaur has warned that the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) could intensify anti-competitive practices in digital markets, including self-preferencing, discriminatory pricing, and market manipulation. She highlighted the CCI's ongoing study into AI's impact on competition and stressed the regulator's role in fostering growth while preventing abuse of dominance.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has criticised the government for allegedly troubling protesting students, asserting they are the nation's future and not terrorists. He warned that if the government fails to address their concerns, the youth are prepared to bring about political change, referencing the recent resignation of Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak issue.
A new barrier lake has formed near the source of Nepal's Bhote Koshi River, with Chinese authorities warning of a potential breach. This poses a fresh flood risk to downstream areas in Nepal, prompting warnings for residents and calls for diplomatic consultations to manage cross-border glacier risks.
The Supreme Court has rejected a High-Powered Committee's request for a six-month extension to submit its report on the definition and protection of the Aravalli Hills, directing the panel to submit it by November 30. The court warned of reconstituting the committee if it fails to meet the deadline and emphasised the need for issue-specific interim reports. This decision follows a previous controversy over the Aravalli definition and mining regulations.
The Haldwani forest division has launched India's first AI-based forest acoustic surveillance system. This innovative technology uses AI, acoustic sensors, and long-range wireless communication to detect illegal logging, poaching, and other suspicious activities in real-time, even in remote areas. Powered by solar energy, the system provides continuous monitoring, significantly enhancing forest protection, wildlife conservation, and biodiversity monitoring efforts.
Former India hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has advised the current national team to manage World Cup pressure by trusting their preparation and enjoying the occasion. He expressed optimism about India's chances, aiming for a top-four finish in the upcoming FIH World Cup.
Ahead of Ganeshotsav, which commences on September 14, Rediff's Divya Nair visits a workshop in Mumbai where young girls, most of them first-timers, are using their brushes to bring Lord Ganesha to life.
Axis Bank MD & CEO Amitabh Chaudhry has cautioned that the surge in FCNR(B) deposits could lead to 'abnormal lending' as banks seek to deploy excess liquidity, while also hinting at a potential interest rate hike in the near future.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Tuesday accused the Centre of resisting the Supreme Court's bid to facilitate quashing of FIRs against students and protesters and demanded that the outfit's members be included in the high-powered committee announced by the court to examine allegations of police excesses and violence against cops.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced the suspension of Shiv Sena Palghar city president Rahul Gharat following an alleged assault on hospital staff, including a doctor, by party functionaries. The incident occurred at Relief Hospital in Palghar over a dispute concerning medical bills for Dahi Handi participants. Shinde condemned the violence, stating that such behaviour would not be tolerated and that grievances should be addressed through legal channels.
Following Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation amidst widespread student protests over the NEET paper leak, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi congratulated the youth, calling it a crucial step for education reform, and urged broader public action to hold the government accountable, demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to strengthen regular monitoring and safety measures for 13 identified 'sensitive' glacial lakes in the state, citing potential risks in hilly regions.
'The valley is around 16 km from the Nepal border, and it took just 8-10 minutes for the ice and rocks to reach the Nepal border. You can imagine how fast it must have travelled!'
The water levels in the Bhotekoshi River rose again on Sunday, days after a devastating flash flood struck Nepal, authorities warned, urging residents and rescue personnel in flood-hit districts to remain alert.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty experienced significant declines in early trade, driven by soaring crude oil prices amidst escalating tensions in West Asia, coupled with weak global market trends and foreign fund outflows.
The death toll from devastating flash floods in central Nepal has tragically risen to 675, with over 2,400 people still unaccounted for as extensive search and rescue operations continue across eight affected districts.
The United States launched military action against two Iranian launch systems on Larak Island, prompting Iran to claim retaliation with ballistic missile launches targeting two US air bases in Jordan.
A cyberattack on an automaker can spread through its wider supply chain and create significant financial losses.
A devastating fire on a foreign-flagged cargo ship undergoing repairs at the Qingdao Beihai shipyard in eastern China has resulted in 20 fatalities. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang have issued directives for intensified search and rescue operations, thorough investigations into the cause, and enhanced safety measures across all sectors to prevent future accidents.
Families of students killed or injured in a paying guest accommodation collapse in Delhi's Satya Niketan are returning home shattered, questioning the city's safety and warning others against sending their children to the national capital for education.
The Meghalaya high court has strongly criticised authorities for the continued imprisonment of a Bangladeshi national for nearly a year after he completed his six-month sentence, warning that such detention could be deemed illegal confinement and lead to compensation.
The Bombay High Court severely criticised the Maharashtra FDA for its "undue haste" and "high-handed" actions, forcing the regulator to withdraw orders against Cipla Pharma and five restaurants at the Mumbai Cricket Association premises. The court admonished the FDA for violating principles of natural justice and taking a "pedantic instead of pragmatic view," even threatening contempt action against officials.
Following devastating flash floods in Nepal, experts are calling for systematic scientific assessments of glaciers to understand and mitigate hazards, alongside the development of a robust land use policy for the Himalayan region. The floods, which killed over 460 people and left thousands missing, are believed to be linked to climate change impacts on glaciers and permafrost.
Indian stock markets, including the Sensex and Nifty, experienced a significant tumble in early trade, driven by escalating tensions in West Asia that pushed crude oil prices close to the USD 100-per-barrel mark, alongside selling in IT stocks and fresh foreign fund outflows.
Tiger Woods agreed to a five-year driving licence suspension in an impaired-driving plea deal, with the judge warning that any violation could result in immediate imprisonment.
