A huge surge of devotees gathered at the Singhadwara, the main entrance of the Jagannath Temple in Puri, during the ongoing Rath Yatra celebrations, leading authorities to strengthen crowd-control arrangements. Police and temple officials regulated entry, deployed additional security personnel, and managed queues to ensure the safe movement of pilgrims. Thousands of worshippers waited for hours to offer prayers and witness the deities during the festival. Officials continuously monitored the situation, urging devotees to follow safety guidelines and cooperate with security measures. The large turnout highlighted the immense religious significance of the annual Rath Yatra festival in Odisha. (PC: X)

The Central Government has introduced stricter resignation and voluntary retirement rules for scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after more than 100 personnel left the agency in recent years. Under the revised policy, scientists seeking voluntary retirement or resignation must obtain approval from the competent authority and serve a mandatory notice period, with requests subject to operational requirements. The move aims to retain experienced talent, protect critical national space programmes, and address concerns over the loss of skilled professionals to private companies and other organisations amid India's rapidly expanding space sector. (PC: X)

A stampede-like situation during the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, on Thursday left 2 devotees dead and nearly 100 others hospitalised after a massive crowd gathered for the annual festival. Officials said the rush occurred during the chariot procession, with many people collapsing due to overcrowding and suffocation. Emergency teams rushed the injured to nearby hospitals, while authorities launched rescue operations to clear the area. The Odisha government is monitoring the situation and is expected to review crowd management measures. Lakhs of devotees had gathered in Puri for one of India's largest religious festivals.  

India is grappling with an ethanol surplus after rapidly expanding production capacity to support its fuel blending programme. With ethanol demand falling short of installed capacity, the government and industry are exploring export opportunities to prevent idle distilleries and financial losses. The surplus comes as the nationwide rollout of E20 petrol faces consumer concerns over vehicle compatibility and mileage, slowing domestic demand growth. While officials maintain that ethanol blending remains important for reducing crude oil imports and boosting energy security, the immediate challenge is managing excess supply and keeping the country's ethanol industry financially viable. (PC: Economic Times)

India has directed shipowners, ship managers and recruitment agencies not to deploy Indian seafarers on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz until further notice, citing growing security risks linked to renewed US-Iran tensions. The advisory follows the deaths of 2 Indian sailors in separate attacks on commercial ships in the region. The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) said recent attacks have significantly increased the danger to seafarers and asked vessel operators to closely monitor security updates. India has also lodged a strong protest with Iran over the incidents. (PC: X)

Hundreds of residents, students and environmental activists in Uttarakhand have launched protests against the proposed felling of nearly 3,000 trees for a road-widening project on the Bhaniyawala–Rishikesh stretch. Protesters hugged trees and raised slogans, drawing comparisons with the historic Chipko Movement. The forest area is part of an important elephant corridor, with activists warning that tree cutting could harm wildlife and the fragile ecosystem. Authorities said the project is being carried out with expert-recommended mitigation measures, while protesters continue demanding sustainable alternatives to protect the region's forests.  

The Centre on Thursday informed the Delhi High Court that it would provide any necessary medical intervention to activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on the 19th day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, based on the advice of doctors monitoring his condition. The submission was made during the hearing of a petition seeking urgent medical care for Wangchuk amid growing concerns over his deteriorating health. The government assured the court that medical intervention would be carried out whenever required and in accordance with the recommendations of the attending doctors. Wangchuk has been fasting indefinitely, and his health has become a matter of judicial scrutiny as concerns over his condition continue. (PC: X)

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, said his decision to join the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) protest was an “organic” one, dismissing suggestions of political orchestration. Speaking to The Hindu, she said Wangchuk joined because the youth-led movement aligned with his concerns and he wanted to ensure its cause was not sabotaged by “nefarious” elements or diverted from its original objectives. According to Angmo, Wangchuk’s presence was aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the protest rather than influencing its direction. Her remarks come as Wangchuk continues his indefinite hunger strike, with his participation drawing national attention amid growing concerns over his health and the movement’s future. (PC: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap)

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk entered the 19th day of his indefinite hunger strike, saying, “I’m not in good shape but not so bad either,” while continuing his protest demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over alleged NEET irregularities. According to the latest medical bulletin issued by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the 59-year-old remains “very weak” and under round-the-clock medical supervision. His weight has fallen to 57.15 kg, dropping 400 grams in the last 24 hours and nearly 8.9 kg since the fast began. Doctors said Wangchuk remains conscious and mentally alert but requires continuous monitoring as concerns over his deteriorating health continue. (PC: X/@CJP)

A ransomware group called World Leaks has published nearly 19,000 files allegedly linked to India’s largest nuclear power plant, Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, on the dark web. The leaked data reportedly includes engineering drawings, supplier details, inspection records and project documents related to Units 3 and 4, which are being built by Reliance Infrastructure. Reliance Group confirmed a partial data breach involving a server hosted by data centre provider Yotta and said the incident has been reported to the government. Authorities are investigating the breach, while cybersecurity experts have raised concerns over the exposure of sensitive infrastructure-related information.