The Vande Bharat Express has successfully achieved a speed of 100 kmph over the world's highest Chenab Railway Bridge and India's first cable-stayed Anji Bridge. This significant speed enhancement on the 111-km Katra-Banihal section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link project will reduce travel time and improve rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley.
A career break does not erase the experience that came before it. But the labour market can act as though it does. The more women invest in building professional careers, the more costly an interruption can become. How, then, do we enable women to make a comeback? Whose responsibility is it? asks Radha Roy Biswas.
Bajrang Setu, India's first glass-floor cable suspension bridge, a new landmark in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. It is a modern replacement for the iconic Lakshman Jhula, which was shut down due to safety concerns.
Images emerging from Nepal show the extent of destruction caused by the massive flash flood that swept through the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river corridors, with houses, roads and bridges destroyed and large areas covered with mud, rocks and debris.
Deepadhar, featuring former Asian Games gold medallists, has taken an early lead in the fifth East Zone Bridge Championship in Kolkata, accumulating 65.22 Victory Points after four rounds. The tournament, a Bridge Federation of India Ranking Two event, involves around 300 players from 50 teams across East Zone states competing for a Rs 6 lakh prize purse, with the top 16 teams advancing to the knockout stage.
India has provided 68.5 tonnes of relief materials to flood-hit Nepal and sent technical teams, forensic experts and equipment to assist in search and rescue operations, the Indian embassy said.
Alok's IV, led by Alok Daga, secured the top position in the eight-round Swiss League of the East Zone Bridge Championships in Kolkata, advancing to the pre-quarterfinals. Several other teams also qualified, with initial pre-quarterfinal leads established by Bangur Cement, Tornatae, Conquerors, and Deepadhar, among others.
Sagnik Roy and Sayantan Kushari, fresh from their gold medal win at the World Youth Transnational Championships, will lead a strong field at the fifth East Zone Open Bridge Championship in Kolkata. The three-day event, organised by the West Bengal Bridge Association, features a Rs 6 lakh prize fund and will host top bridge players from the Eastern Zone and beyond.
Noted scientist Prof V Ramgopal Rao highlights India's significant progress in higher education and research but points out a critical gap in converting scientific discoveries into market-ready technologies. He advocates for a robust institutional framework, multidisciplinary collaboration, and stronger academia-industry ties to foster innovation and translate research into practical products.
Chelsea, under new manager Xabi Alonso, has shown renewed attacking vigour with two Premier League wins and a League Cup victory, highlighted by a 4-3 win over Brighton, but defensive vulnerabilities persist, with the team failing to keep a clean sheet in 18 league games. The arrival of World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emi Martinez is expected to bolster the backline.
Indian Chain, an unfancied team, secured a dominant victory over favourites Formidables in the team event at the fifth Balarampur Chini East Zone Bridge Championship in Kolkata, also winning a significant prize purse.
Officials clarified that only a temporary access structure for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project's Ulhas river bridge was affected by heavy rains in Thane, not the permanent bridge itself. The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) confirmed the incident did not impact the project's design, safety, or execution.
Indian educational institutions are adopting physical modifications like "anti-suicide" fans and barriers to prevent student suicides, drawing parallels with measures taken by foreign universities such as Houston, Cornell, Harvard, and NYU. While these measures are seen as "bandaid solutions" by some, experts suggest restricting access to lethal means is a valid part of a comprehensive suicide prevention strategy, alongside crucial mental health support.
The new bridge will come up alongside the existing crossings at Saraighat, where two bridges currently connect the north and south banks of the Brahmaputra -- the iconic road-cum-rail Saraighat Bridge and a separate road bridge.
Heavy rainfall, floods, landslides, and an avalanche have claimed at least 27 lives across Nepal in recent days, with four people missing and eight injured. The monsoon-induced incidents have destroyed hundreds of homes and damaged infrastructure, highlighting the country's vulnerability to such natural disasters, following last month's devastating flash floods.
A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake has struck Japan's Kumamoto region, prompting a tsunami advisory for the Ariake Sea and Yatsushiro Sea, with reports of injuries, damage, blackouts, and fire.
Nearly a month after devastating flash floods in Nepal, search operations are ongoing for approximately 6,000 people who remain unaccounted for. The floods, originating near the Nepal-Tibet border, caused widespread destruction, killing over 1,400 in Nepal and 43 in China, and damaging critical infrastructure. Identification of recovered bodies is a major challenge, often requiring DNA testing due to severe damage.
The 5th Bonus Asia Cup Bridge Championships are set to begin in Goa, featuring nearly 300 players from 16 countries. Defending champions India will compete across various categories, facing strong contenders like Hong Kong and Indonesia. The event, described as the "Asian Games of bridge," highlights India's growing role in the sport.
Hindustan Copper Limited CMD Anupam Misra spoke at the 85th CSIR Foundation Day, advocating for workplace safety, employee welfare, and scientific excellence. He stressed the importance of continuous learning, innovation, and bridging research with industrial applications to support Viksit Bharat 2047. CSIR-NML Director Dr. Sandip Ghosh Chowdhury also highlighted CSIR's legacy and its role in India's technological self-reliance.
A World Bank report, 'The Promise of Artificial Intelligence', states that AI presents a historic opportunity for low- and middle-income countries to overcome development challenges, despite many being unprepared. It advises these nations to adopt and adapt existing AI tools rather than focusing on building frontier models immediately. The report also notes a significant gap in AI adoption and job automation between high-income and developing countries.
Former England captain Gary Lineker has urged Manchester City to admit their breaches of the Premier League's financial rules and accept their punishment, suggesting he wouldn't be surprised if they were stripped of titles.
India finished fourth with 85 medals at Aichi-Nagoya, down from 106 in Hangzhou, highlighting the challenge of sustaining progress on the road to 2036.
Industry leaders at MRAM Expo 2026 highlighted that India's maintenance economy has the potential to unlock a 1 per cent GDP opportunity. This growth can be achieved by addressing productivity losses from equipment breakdowns, unplanned downtime, and inefficient assets through smarter asset management practices. The NITI Aayog also supports AI-based predictive maintenance for resilient infrastructure, while the Indian Asset Performance Management market is projected for substantial growth by 2033.
Thane police have arrested a woman who was on the run for one-and-a-half months in connection with the murder of her husband in Nagpur. The accused, Deepali Salunke, allegedly had an extramarital affair, which led to discord and ultimately the fatal attack on her husband, Gaurav Ragde. She confessed to her involvement during interrogation.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated readiness to consider a truce covering energy infrastructure and the Black Sea.
Cristiano Ronaldo abruptly left Portugal's training camp in Copenhagen, plunging his international future into doubt, shortly after coach Jorge Jesus acknowledged tensions between them. Ronaldo stated he would reveal the reasons for his departure 'in due course'.
The challenge for India lies in navigating complex landscape to its best advantage. The BRICS Summit will test its navigation skills, asserts former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.
Canadian author Anne Carson has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature for her "bold and inventive oeuvre" that blends classical tradition with contemporary forms. The Swedish Academy highlighted her distinctive work spanning poetry, translation, and literary scholarship, noting her unique approach to language and ancient texts. Carson's career is marked by her ability to create new literary forms by placing classical authors alongside modern writers and transforming mythological figures into contemporary narratives.
A lavish midnight birthday celebration on Guwahati's Kumar Bhaskar Varma Bridge led to the detention of businessman Gautam Baruah, his wife Karabi Baruah, and 12 others, with four luxury vehicles seized, after viral videos prompted a police investigation into alleged traffic and public safety violations.
Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested four individuals linked to a cross-border drug-smuggling racket, recovering over 1 kg of narcotics, a pistol, and ammunition. The arrests followed an investigation into an alleged airdrop of drugs in Arnia sector, with the accused admitting links to Pakistan-based handlers. Additionally, nine other drug peddlers were arrested in separate operations across Reasi, Poonch, and Jammu districts as part of the 'Nasha Mukt Jammu-Kashmir' campaign.
'We see a lot of cases of bank deposits getting lost, especially when people die, so this will help address that because you have one consolidated view.'
India concluded the 5th Asia Cup Bridge Championship with a total of four medals, including three silver and one bronze. While Hong Kong China, Indonesia, China, and Australia claimed gold in team categories, India secured silver in both team and pair events, showcasing a strong performance in the regional competition.
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar lauded KEONICS' initiative to provide AI-based KEO computers to rural children, marking the institution's golden jubilee. The KEO computers, developed in Karnataka, aim to bridge the digital divide. Shivakumar also highlighted government efforts to promote IT beyond Bengaluru, enhance industry-oriented skills, and digitise property records, emphasising the state's commitment to technology and skill development.
India's senior bridge teams, both A and B, have made an impressive start at the fifth Asia Cup Bridge Championship in Goa, positioning themselves among the top contenders after the opening day. While the senior teams excelled, the women's teams faced a challenging start.
Newly promoted Hull City secured a 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, extending their unbeaten start to the Premier League season to four matches, much to the delight of manager Sergej Jakirovic.
West Bengal's bypolls in Rejinagar and Nandigram were marked by significant tension, including the arrest of AJUP chief Humayun Kabir, allegations of voter intimidation, and polling irregularities. The incidents highlighted the charged political atmosphere in these key constituencies, with competing claims from various parties amidst sustained voter participation.
'Your retirement corpus isn't just a big pile of cash for 'one day' -- it is the salary you pay yourself when you no longer want to go to work.'
India is set to field its strongest-ever contingent at the Asia Cup Bridge Championships 2026 in Goa, featuring top international stars and Asian Games medallists. The tournament, organised by the Bridge Federation of India, will host 46 elite teams from Asia and Oceania, highlighting India's growing prominence in intellectual sports.
AM Green Ammonia has won the Asian lot in H2Global's auction, securing a 10-year agreement to supply renewable ammonia to Germany, valued at over 585 million euros. This deal positions India as a significant exporter of green molecules, with production slated for AM Green's Kakinada project, utilising renewable power and aiming for 2029 deliveries.
England inflicted a record T20 defeat on India, winning by 125 runs at Trent Bridge, with Josh Tongue taking 4-28 and Jofra Archer 3-29, to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
