New Smuggling Trick? Weed Meant For Premium Train Seized In Bengaluru, Bhopal

Drugs worth Rs 54 crore meant to be smuggled on the Rajdhani Express, one of India's most premium trains, have been seized in Bengaluru and Bhopal.

On Wednesday, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), acting under 'Operation Weed Out', intercepted bags of hydroponic weed in Bengaluru and Bhopal stations. In Bengaluru, 29.88 kg of hydroponic weed was seized, followed hours later by 24.18 kg being confiscated in Bhopal. Both consignments were meant to be taken to Delhi on the Rajdhani Express.

In a parallel raid, a man who had returned from Thailand was caught in a Bengaluru hotel with 18 kg of the same drug. The alleged mastermind was later arrested in New Delhi with Rs 1.02 crore in cash. In all, six people were taken into custody.

Hydroponic weed is cannabis cultivated not in soil but in nutrient-rich water. This method raises the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) content, making it far more intoxicating and lucrative than regular marijuana. Rolled into cigarettes or smoked in papers, it has become a prized commodity in international drug syndicates.

The bust also ties into a bigger, darker pattern. Just days earlier, on August 16, another raid in Jagdishpura, Bhopal, had revealed a secret drug lab where 61.2 kg of liquid mephedrone and over 541 kg of precursor chemicals, worth nearly Rs 92 crore, were recovered. Investigators linked the lab to Salim "Dola" Ismail, a trafficker operating from Turkey with connections to the network of Dawood Ibrahim, India's most-wanted terrorist.

Before that, in October 2024, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad and the Narcotics Control Bureau had unearthed a massive drug factory in Bhopal's Bagroda Industrial Area, seizing 907 kg of mephedrone valued at Rs 1,800 crore.

For years, Bhopal was dismissed as a transit stop in India's narcotics trade. Experts say the labs and growing seizures suggest it has evolved into a production base and a distribution hub. Its central location offers cartels easy access to the north, west, and east, and the city's relative anonymity and weaker vigilance make it an attractive nerve centre.

Hovering over all of this is the ghost of Dawood Ibrahim. Once synonymous with extortion and gang wars, his syndicate has quietly shifted to narcotics - a business with higher profits and fewer risks. Salim Dola and Umaid-ur-Rehman, backed by Dubai and Pakistan funding, are believed to be funnelling drugs into India using D-Company's old supply lines.

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Locked In School Overnight, Head Stuck In Window: Class 2 Girl's Nightmare

A nightmare unfolded for a little girl and her family in Odisha on Thursday. The class 2 girl went to her school on Thursday morning, but didn't return home after her classes got over at 4 pm.

The staff of the government school locked the classroom and left for the day, failing to notice the 8-year-old girl was still inside. Her family looked for her all night but to no avail.

In a desperate attempt to escape, the girl tried to get out of a window with iron bars attached to it.

While she managed to get her entire body out of the window, her head got stuck between the bars. The girl, identified as Jyotsna Dehuri, had to spend the night in the same uncomfortable position.

The incident took place at the Government Upper Primary School at Anjar under Banspal block in Keonjhar district.

This morning, when the school cook came and opened the locks at 9 am, she saw the girl.

Then the villagers and the family members of the girl opened the door of the classroom and bent the iron bars to rescue her.

She was then rushed to the district headquarters hospital for treatment. The School and Mass Education Department has informed that the girl is now fine.

Taking the incident seriously, the district administration has suspended headmaster (in charge) Gourahari Mahanta, reported news agency PTI.

With inputs from Dev Kumar Ghosh.

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Serena Williams Reveals She Lost 14 kg Using Weight-Loss Drug: "I Feel Good"

Serena Williams has opened up about her weight loss journey, revealing she lost 31 pounds (14 kg) with the help of a weight loss drug. The 23-time Grand Slam champion started using a GLP-1 medication after her second child, as part of a paid partnership with healthcare company Ro. Williams didn't specify which GLP-1 medication she's taking, but shared that she initially used it inconsistently before becoming fully committed to the treatment. She's been working with Ro to normalise the use of weight loss medications and break down stigmas surrounding them.

According to Williams, the medication has not only helped her lose weight but also improved her overall health, with noticeable enhancements in her blood sugar levels and reduced joint pain.

"I feel great. I feel really good and healthy. I feel light physically and light mentally," she told People.

She also shared a video on Instagram, explaining the reasons behind her decision. "Taking care of yourself isn't a weakness, it's a power. I've never been about shortcuts, not in my career, and not in my health. I'm on a GLP-1 because it was the right tool to help me feel healthy," she wrote.

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The 43-year-old tennis star attributed the start of her weight struggles to 2017, following the birth of her daughter, Alexis Olympia, which was delivered via emergency C-section. She admitted that she was struggling to lose weight post-pregnancy, despite trying various methods such as intense workouts. She had also tried various diets, including vegan and vegetarian options, and a high-protein diet, as well as exercising regularly, often reaching 20,000 steps per day.

"A misconception is that it's a shortcut. As an athlete and as someone that has done everything, I just couldn't get my weight to where I needed to be at a healthy place — and believe me, I don't take shortcuts," she told Today.

"As a woman, you go through different cycles in your life. … No matter what I did — running, walking, I would walk for hours because they say that's good, I literally was playing a professional sport — and I could never go back to where I needed to be for my health. Then, after my second kid, it just got even harder. So, then I was like, OK, I have to try something different," she added. 

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Williams reported no side effects from the weight loss medication injections. She's now considering staying on the medication long-term, feeling like her body has found balance again. 

Serena Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, Reddit's co-founder, have two daughters: 7-year-old Olympia and 2-year-old Adira. Notably, Ohanian is an investor in Ro, the healthcare company Williams partners with for her weight loss treatment.

How do GLP-1 drugs work?

GLP-1 drugs work by mimicking a natural hormone released after eating, leading to reduced appetite, feeling full faster, and slowed stomach emptying. These effects facilitate weight loss and also make the medications useful for treating diabetes by triggering insulin release.

Typically, GLP-1 medications are prescribed for obesity or diabetes, often in conjunction with recommended lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise.

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"Sitting Out Got...": Ashwin Bares It All On Retirement In Chat With Dravid

Indian cricket great Ravichandran Ashwin shocked all when he announced a sudden retirement during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in December, 2024. Following the third Test match against Australia in Brisbane, Ashwin made the announcement in the post-match press conference along with skipper Rohit Sharma after the game ended in a draw. Ashwin retired from the game as the second highest wicket-taker for India in Tests with 537 scalps in 106 games, leaving him only behind Anil Kumble (619 wickets). Ashwin continue to play domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL). 

"I think it was just the time, and where I stood in my life, right? I think I was pretty old, I must admit," said Ashwin, "But going on tours, and you know, having to just sit out a lot more, it just eventually got to me." 

Ashwin added he wanted to spend more time with family. "I mean, not in terms of not wanting to contribute to the team, but you're thinking if I would rather be at home, spending time with children. They are also growing up, and what am I actually doing?" said the off-spinner. "i just felt, ok. In my head, I always decided that I would retire at 34-35."

Ashwin spearheaded the bowling attack and was a major face behind India's rise to the top and eventual domination in Test cricket that lasted from 2014 to 2019.

When one turns to look at his dominance in the home conditions, he was a phenom. His expertise wasn't just limited to the ball but also some impactful contributions with the bat.

In the white-ball format, Ashwin made 181 appearances and snatched 228 wickets. He made 116 ODI appearances and took 156 wickets at an average of 33.20, with best figures of 4/25. He also made 707 runs at an average of 16.44, with one fifty, a knock of 65 in 63 innings. He is the 13th-highest wicket-taker in ODIs for India.

In 65 T20Is, he took 72 wickets at an average of 23.22. His best figures are 4/8. He also scored 184 runs in 19 innings at an average of 26.28, with best score of 31. He is the sixth-highest wicket-taker for India in T20Is.

With 765 scalps in 287 matches, he is India's second-highest wicket-taker across all formats, next to Kumble (953). He also won the 2011 50-Over World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy with India.

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Bigg Boss 19: Full List Of Confirmed Contestants In The Upcoming Season

Bigg Boss Season 19 is all set to premiere on August 24, 2025. The new season is expected to deliver a wild ride filled with drama, fun and non-stop entertainment. 

The intriguing twist this year is the "Gharwalon ki Sarkaar" theme, which indicates a seismic shift in power from outside to inside the house. While 15 celebrities are participating in the show this season, here are the names of the confirmed contestants, as reported by India Today.

Known for his acting stint in the popular television show Anupamaa, Gaurav Khanna is confirmed to be a part of Bigg Boss 19. The actor recently participated in the reality cooking show, Celebrity MasterChef India, and won. He is reportedly the highest-paid celebrity on Bigg Boss this season. 

Child artist turned television actress Ashnoor Kaur is also set to be a part of the reality show. She is known for her roles in Patiala Babes and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai.

Content creators Awez Darbar and Nagma Mirajkar have also been signed for the season. The real-life couple reportedly parted ways earlier this year. TV actors Baseer Ali, Abhishek Bajaj, Hunar Hale and Shafaq Naaz are also joining the show, along with Siwet Tomar and Khank Waghnani. 

Baseer has previously appeared on reality series like Roadies, Splitsvilla and Ace of Space. Siwet was also part of Roadies and Splitsvilla. The new season of Bigg Boss promises drama and surprises with its diverse cast.

Other confirmed contestants include gaming creator Payal Dhare and writer-actor Zeeshan Quadri. Fans will get to vote between YouTuber Mridul Tiwari and Shehnaaz Gill's brother, Shehbaz Badesha, to decide who will join the show. 

Other potential contestants that could be part of Bigg Boss 19 are singer Sreerama Chandra, Bigg Boss Marathi's Arbaaz Patel, Anupamaa actress Nidhi Shah, content creator Kirak Khala (Priya Reddy), rapper duo Seedhe Maut, social activist Atul Kishan, and advocate Ali Kaashif Khan Deshmukh. 

Hosted by Salman Khan, Bigg Boss 19 will stream on JioHotstar at 9 pm and air on Colors TV at 10.30 pm. 

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OpenAI CEO Sounds Alarm On China's Next-Gen AI Advances: "I Am Worried"

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has expressed concerns that the United States may be underestimating China's advancements in next-generation artificial intelligence. In a recent media briefing, he highlighted the complexity of the US-China AI race, suggesting it's not just about who's ahead but involves multiple layers like inference capacity, research, and product development. 

"I'm worried about China," he said.

"There's inference capacity, where China probably can build faster. There's research, there's product; a lot of layers to the whole thing. I don't think it'll be as simple as: Is the U.S. or China ahead?", he added as reported by CNBC. 

Mr Altman also admitted that China's progress, particularly with open-source models like DeepSeek and Kimi K2, influenced OpenAI's decision to release its open-weight models, gpt-oss-120b and gpt-oss-20b. "It was clear that if we didn't do it, the world was gonna head to be mostly built on Chinese open source models. That was a factor in our decision, for sure. Wasn't the only one, but that loomed large," the CEO revealed. 

Notably, these text-only models are designed to be lower-cost options, allowing developers, researchers, and companies to download, run locally, and customise them. The larger model, gpt-oss-120b, has 117 billion parameters and can run on a single 80GB GPU, matching or exceeding the performance of OpenAI's o4-mini model on key benchmarks. The smaller model, gpt-oss-20b, has 21 billion parameters and can operate on devices with as little as 16GB of RAM, making it accessible for developers with limited hardware resources. 

During the briefing, Mr Altman also questioned the effectiveness of US export controls on semiconductors, noting that China could find workarounds, such as building its chip fabrication facilities. 

"My instinct is that doesn't work. You can export-control one thing, but maybe not the right thing… maybe people build fabs or find other workarounds," he said. "I'd love an easy solution. But my instinct is: That's hard," he added. 

Mr Altman's comments come as the US government is fine-tuning its approach to limiting China's advancements in AI. China's tech giants are instead pivoting towards self-reliance, investing heavily in domestic semiconductor development. One notable example is Huawei's push into high-end AI chips, particularly the Ascend 910C. This chip is designed to match Nvidia's flagship H100 performance and is poised to fill the gap left by US export restrictions. 

Industry experts warn that these export controls may ultimately harm US companies more than China, driving innovation in China's semiconductor sector while limiting US firms' access to the lucrative Chinese market. 

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"Is This A Joke": 3,000 Bighas Of Land For Cement Firm Outrages High Court

A video of a court proceeding of Gauhati High Court that was live streamed, has gone viral on social media where the court is heard raising concern over the allotment of nearly 3,000 bighas of land in Assam's Dima Hasao district to a cement company for mining of limestone.

In the video, Justice Sanjay Kumar Medhi expressed astonishment at the scale of the land grant.

"3,000 bighas! The entire district? What is going on? 3,000 bighas allotted to a private company? We know how barren the land is... 3,000 bighas? What kind of decision is this? Is this some kind of joke or what? Your need is not the issue, public interest is the issue," he is heard saying.

The court's observations came in response to submissions regarding the company's operations in the hill district. 

Counsel representing the cement firm argued that the land allotted was barren and required for the functioning of the plant.

A Congress delegation, led by Assam Pradesh Congress Committee chief Bhupen Kumar Borah and Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia, meanwhile met the Governor to express the grievances of local communities from Borolokhindong, Tharvelangso, and surrounding villages regarding the proposed mining project.

According to their memorandum, the state government's decision to allocate land in Dima Hasao for mining is being done to favour a corporate entity allegedly linked to the ruling BJP, without considering the welfare and sentiments of the indigenous people.

"The Chief Minister of Assam is making moves to allocate approximately 9,000 bighas of land in the Dima Hasao district to benefit a corporate group with close ties to the BJP. The state government is disregarding the concerns and sentiments of the indigenous communities in Dima Hasao. This issue is a matter of survival and safeguarding the land and rights of the district's local people," the memorandum read.

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