Times of India

An ornamental tree planted in Tahiti in 1937 now poses a serious biosecurity threat. This invasive miconia species aggressively invades forests and smothers native vegetation. A single mature tree can produce millions of seeds, rapidly spreading across landscapes. Queensland's World Heritage rainforests face irreversible ecological damage from this plant. Early detection and eradication efforts are crucial to protect these precious ecosystems.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned from his position. He submitted his resignation letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This action comes amid ongoing protests concerning the NEET paper leak. The government has taken immediate cognizance of the irregularities. Investigations were handed over to the CBI, and the exam was cancelled.

Under the proposed Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, investigations into offences under the Act will have to be completed within two months. The Bill empowers the Central Government to constitute a special fast track courts, wherever necessary, for investigation of offences under the Act. The amendment also proposes that trials in special fast track courts be conducted on a day-to-day basis and completed within three months from the date of filing of the chargesheet.

In numerous Indian cities, a staggering number of finished apartments sit empty, transforming neighborhoods into ghost towns. Poor infrastructure and speculative investments keep these units unoccupied, frustrating the millions in search of affordable housing. This dilemma extends beyond India's borders, as countries worldwide grapple with similar housing market issues. Devoted constructors and investors often neglect the need for actual living spaces in their focus on profit and development.

Google co-founder Sergey Brin regained third place on Forbes' real-time billionaires list. This shift occurred after a modest increase in his net worth on Friday. Alphabet's stock decline had briefly pushed him down to fifth place. The company's market value dropped significantly due to AI spending forecasts. This fluctuation highlights how stock movements impact billionaire rankings.

A statewide bandh occurred in Bihar over the alleged NEET paper leak. Left-wing student groups organized protests and blocked roads in several districts. Authorities increased security measures and deployed additional police personnel across the state. Protesters demanded the resignation of the Union education minister for the alleged leak. The bandh followed earlier violent clashes and stone-pelting in Patna.

Shabana Azmi has tested positive for H1N1 and swine flu, running a 102-degree fever, and will isolate for five days. Despite missing the protests, she remains in touch with on-ground updates and expressed solidarity via a post featuring her father Kaifi Azmi's poem. She was earlier an active presence at the demonstrations before falling ill.

"Students have three demands, and these are not negotiable demands... The first demand is that the Education Minister, who is corrupt, incompetent, and misaligned, has to be sacked... There's some talk going on in Modi's cabinet that the solution is to move Dharmendra Pradhan from education to some other ministry. This is not acceptable to the students of India. It is not acceptable to anybody," the Congress leader said.

India has demonstrated Bhargavastra, a new counter-swarm drone system. This vehicle-mounted system integrates advanced sensors and a dual-layered kill mechanism. It combines micro-rockets and precision-guided micro-missiles for effective drone neutralization. Bhargavastra offers a cost-effective solution against autonomous drones and coordinated swarms. The system is designed for seamless integration with existing armed forces networks.

Thalapathy Vijay's 'Jana Nayagan' continues its strong theatrical run after a record opening. The film has garnered over Rs 65 crore net in India within three days. Worldwide gross collections for the movie have surpassed Rs 112 crore after two days. Day two saw a decline in collections after its massive opening day performance. Future weekend collections will determine the film's overall box office momentum.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk released a video alleging obstruction at Safdarjung Hospital. He was transferred to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram after court intervention. Hospital authorities stated the video was recorded before receiving the court's written order. Wangchuk ended his hunger strike after receiving government assurances on his demands. His protest focused on examination reforms and protecting peaceful demonstrators.

Sonam Wangchuk, hours after he ended his 26-day hunger strike in the presence of Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, said he made the decision only after he got assurances from the govt and MPs across party lines that his demands for exam reforms and no action against peaceful protesters would be met.

The Public Accounts Committee has criticized the Defence Ministry for procurement delays. Significant gaps existed between Army needs and new artillery system inductions. The Dhanush artillery gun, an upgraded Bofors, was inducted after a twenty-year gap. Structural flaws in defence acquisition and a lack of expertise were highlighted. The committee urged reforms to ensure timely acquisition and operational readiness.

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has dismissed rumors regarding Rohit Sharma's retirement. He stated there is no question of the Indian opener retiring at this stage. Sharma himself has expressed his desire to continue playing for India. He aims to secure a place in the 2027 ODI World Cup squad. Shukla also defended the current leadership group against calls for changes.