India

Student protests demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the alleged NEET paper leak turned violent in Darbhanga and Begusarai. Police used lathi-charge and tear gas after protesters allegedly pelted stones and attempted to breach barricades. Several people were injured and detained.

Chinese delivery worker Wang Jibing’s Lu Xun Literary Prize win reaffirms literature’s capacity to celebrate authentic voices and imagination, regardless of where they emerge

Supporters from across India are using food delivery apps to send meals and water to protesters at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, where the 'Cockroach' movement has evolved into a wider campaign for government accountability, drawing thousands despite a recent police crackdown.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh urged the CJP to join another round of talks over the NEET issue, saying dialogue is the only path to resolution. He said the government has invited protesters four times and remains open to discussions led by J.P. Nadda

The Union Home Ministry extended the suspension of mobile internet services around Delhi's Jantar Mantar until midnight during the CJP protest over the NEET paper leak. The restrictions, imposed under the Telecommunications Act, cite public safety and emergency concerns amid continuing demonstrations

The Indian rupee fell 20 paise to settle at 96.73 against the US dollar on Thursday. Escalating West Asia tensions pushed Brent crude to $96.15 per barrel, while heavy foreign equity outflows continued to pressure the local currency

Several students participating in the Jantar Mantar protest said they concealed their travel plans from their families to join the agitation over the alleged NEET paper leak. They described the movement as a fight to protect the integrity and future of India's education system

Ashwini Vaishnaw told the Lok Sabha that train timings, platform details and coach positions are available through mobile applications, station display systems and public announcements, responding to concerns over the absence of coach display facilities at certain railway stations

Mehbooba Mufti expressed support for the CJP-led protest over alleged recruitment exam irregularities, describing it as a movement to protect the Constitution and democracy while urging the government to address students' concerns and ensure transparency

India’s 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the youngest player in men's international cricket to score a half-century. Sooryavanshi reached the milestone off 18 balls against Zimbabwe in Harare, breaking Nepal's Kushal Malla's world record

The Centre told the Rajya Sabha that high courts rarely adhere to the prescribed timeline of recommending judicial appointments six months before vacancies arise. It said filling higher judiciary vacancies is a continuous and collaborative process between the executive and judiciary

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari informed the Rajya Sabha that 10,389 km of High-Speed Corridors and Greenfield Expressways have been awarded across India, with 4,809 km completed. Rajasthan tops the state list with 1,340 km of awarded corridors

Student protests demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the NEET paper leak erupted in Patna and Katihar on Thursday. Police detained several demonstrators and used mild force to clear a sit-in outside the Katihar Collectorate complex

Kerala State Road Transport Corporation launched its women-only Pink Bus service to provide safer travel for women, especially late-night workers. The initiative will initially operate in Thiruvananthapuram before expanding to other districts based on passenger demand

A Mumbai police driver was removed from duty after a viral video showed him threatening student protesters with fabricated drug charges. The incident sparked political outrage, with Congress alleging state repression and CM Devendra Fadnavis condemning the driver's actions

Droupadi Murmu arrived in Romania on the final leg of her three-nation European tour, marking the first visit by an Indian president in over three decades. The visit focuses on strengthening cooperation in trade, tourism, technology and other strategic sectors

SMS-based scams in India jumped 146 per cent between late 2025 and early 2026, while mobile fraud sessions rose 67 per cent, according to a BioCatch report. Attackers are becoming faster and targeting higher-value transfers via mobile channels

The SIT on Thursday arrested former Travancore Devaswom Board president P.S. Prasanth and board member A. Ajikumar in the Sabarimala gold loss case. The action follows scientific findings into alleged gold theft during a 2025 electroplating exercise

The Centre informed the Rajya Sabha that over 96,000 cases are pending in the Supreme Court, including more than 10,000 pending for over 10 years. Across India's judiciary, 5.64 crore cases remain unresolved, with delays attributed to multiple procedural and systemic factors

Parliament proceedings were stalled for a fourth consecutive day on Thursday as the Opposition demanded Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the NEET paper leak. Both Houses were adjourned without transacting business amid persistent sloganeering and Treasury-Opposition deadlocks

India recorded over 5.13 lakh road accidents in 2025, claiming 1,83,382 lives at a rate of 21 deaths per hour, Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari told Lok Sabha. He also dismissed widespread engine failure concerns regarding E20 ethanol-blended fueL

Union Minister J P Nadda said the government is ready for another round of talks with the CJP over the NEET protest, offering his office or residence as the venue. The student group reiterated its preference for Jantar Mantar or a neutral location

President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Bucharest on Thursday for the final leg of her three-nation State Visit. She will hold talks with Romania's top leadership, address the India-Romania Business Forum and engage with the Indian community to deepen bilateral cooperation.

Vijay's farewell film 'Jana Nayagan' opened to grand celebrations across Tamil Nadu, with fans organizing fireworks, drone shows, temple prayers and special events. The release also saw allegations of inflated ticket prices at some theatres