Times of India

Thousands of primary teachers marched to Shimla after a 15-day foot journey. They launched an indefinite relay hunger strike against the new School Complex System. Federation leaders claimed the policy weakened primary education and affected teacher deployment. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu assured that most demands were accepted. Teachers will continue their agitation until changes are formally notified.

China has successfully achieved the recovery of an orbital-class rocket booster, similar to the reusable models pioneered by SpaceX. Recently, they conducted a test on electromagnetic launch systems, focusing on the initial lift-off phase. This innovative technology aims to lessen the dependency on chemical propellants, potentially making space launches more affordable and enhancing payload capabilities. Such advancements highlight China's escalating aspirations within the global space sector.

Justice Ujjal Bhuyan expressed concern over shrinking public space for dissent in India. He noted that courts often grant relief belatedly and impose restrictive bail conditions. These conditions can discourage citizens from exercising their fundamental right to express views. Justice Bhuyan cited cases where individuals faced prolonged jail time for minor offenses. He stressed the need for critical examination of judicial decisions to improve the system.

The Ministry of External Affairs clarified a misleading social media post regarding protest funding. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated he had no information on foreign funding claims. This clarification followed viral posts attributing false statements to the spokesperson. The CJP-led protests concluded after the government accepted all their demands. Union minister Pralhad Joshi received additional charge of the education ministry.

Pralhad Joshi has taken charge as the Union Education Minister. He is reviewing the ministry's functioning and familiarizing himself with its operations. Joshi expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this new responsibility. This change follows Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation from the Union Council of Ministers. The ministry change occurs amid student protests over examination irregularities.

Stephen Curry's journey to NBA greatness began long before his iconic 54-point game at Madison Square Garden in 2013. From the frustration of being overlooked by major college programs to finding his path at Davidson, Curry's biggest setback became the foundation of his remarkable career. As the first active NBA player to receive a dedicated exhibit at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, his story is a reminder that patience, self-belief and perseverance can transform rejection into lasting success, inspiring generations of basketball fans around the world.

The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, introduced in the Lok Sabha in March, proposes a new framework for managing foreign contributions and assets when an organisation’s registration is cancelled, surrendered or ceases. The government says the changes are intended to address administrative and legal gaps, while critics question the breadth of the proposed powers.

In an exciting turn of events, Chris Evans will reprise his beloved role as Captain America in the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday. After careful consideration and rejecting countless offers for eight years, Evans chose to come back, motivated in part by Robert Downey Jr.'s role as Doctor Doom. He aims to make Steve Rogers’ story impactful as the film introduces returning X-Men stars, scheduled for release on December 18.

Hanle village in Ladakh attracts global tourists for its exceptionally dark night skies. This remote location offers pristine views of the Milky Way, drawing stargazers worldwide. It became India's first International Dark Sky Reserve in December 2022. Local communities actively preserve these skies, integrating astronomy with cultural traditions. Astrotourism here focuses on community involvement and preservation rather than extraction.

Scientists have identified eight common sound patterns that form the basis of birdsong after analysing more than 116,000 recordings from 3,160 songbird species worldwide. The study found that birds living in different habitats sing differently because forests, open landscapes and the way sound travels influence which songs work best, alongside evolution.

India sealed their first series victory in three attempts with a dominant 90-run win in the second T20I in Harare on Saturday, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The final match will be played on Sunday. Before arriving in Zimbabwe, India suffered a 0-2 defeat against Ireland in a two-match T20I series and then endured a humiliating 0-4 loss to England in a five-match series.

New York City's mayor is implementing a new tax on expensive second homes. This tax aims to fund essential public services across the city. The city is currently experiencing an outflow of high-income residents to other states. Meanwhile, major companies like Airbnb are expanding their presence in New York City. These developments highlight ongoing economic shifts within the metropolitan area.

Uttar Pradesh registered 143 new residential projects in early 2026. These developments propose over 46,000 housing units and significant investment. Gautam Buddh Nagar attracted the largest investment for its new projects. The regulator also facilitated recovery of over Rs 2,100 crore for homebuyers. Dispute resolution mechanisms resolved property disputes worth more than Rs 6,000 crore.