Robbers In Bengaluru Pose As Tax Officers, Loot Crores From Cash Van

In a major daylight robbery in Bengaluru, a group of armed men posing as RBI officers intercepted an ATM cash-loading vehicle near the Ashoka Pillar and looted more than Rs 7 crores.

The CMS cash van was transporting money from the JP Nagar branch of HDFC Bank when a Toyota Innova suddenly blocked its way. The occupants of Innova approached the CMS staff and claimed they were from the RBI and said that they needed to verify documents.

Before the cash van staff could react, the suspects forcibly shifted them along with the cash into their Innova car. The gang then drove towards Dairy Circle, where they abandoned the CMS staff and fled with the money. Police said the van had Rs 7.11 crores.

South Division Police have formed special teams and launched an intensive search to identify and arrest the culprits. Preliminary investigations indicate the involvement of a well-organised gang.

The CMS cash van staff who were inside the Innova had delayed in informing the police about the incident. Four of them have been taken to the police station and are being questioned.

"We have information that about Rs 7 crores have been robbed. Checkpoints have been put up across the city, and multiple teams have been formed, who are working on and off the ground," said Bengaluru police commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh.

"Three DCPs and one joint commissioner is handling the case, I can share exact details later, but we know that cash was shifted from this CMS vehicle to another, we are awaiting clear cut details, we are trying to ascertain why the security didn't use their weapons and also why they delayed in informing the police, we are looking into all these angles," he added.

 

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iPhone Air Designer Abidur Chowdhury Leaves Apple For AI Startup: Report

Abidur Chowdhury, a key industrial designer behind the ultra-thin iPhone Air, has departed Apple to join an undisclosed artificial intelligence (AI) startup, Los Angeles Times reported. His departure adds to a series of high-profile exits from Apple's design division, which is currently undergoing a significant reorganisation.

Chowdhury, who had been with Apple for over six years, gained prominence after being selected to present the iPhone Air's design in a video during the company's September launch event. Such a public-facing role is typically reserved for rising talents and key figures within the company's closely guarded design studio, and his exit has reportedly "made waves" internally.

His exit is reportedly unrelated to the iPhone Air's sales performance, which has been below initial expectations. The specific AI startup Chowdhury has joined has not been publicly disclosed, and his LinkedIn profile still lists Apple as his employer.

The iPhone Air has earned the title of the slimmest iPhone ever released. Designed with a focus on minimalism and cutting-edge engineering, the device boasts a sleek, ultra-thin profile. Despite its incredibly slim body, Apple has managed to pack in powerful features, including a high-performance chip, enhanced battery life, and an advanced camera system.

Who Is Abidur Chowdhury?

Abidur Chowdhury was born and raised in London, England, and is currently based in San Francisco, working as a designer. Chowdhury holds a Bachelor's degree in Product Design and Technology from Loughborough University, where he was recognised with several prestigious awards. These include the 3D Hubs Student Grant, the James Dyson Foundation Bursary, the New Designers Kenwood Appliances Award, and first place in the Seymour Powell Design Week competition. In 2016, he was also awarded the Red Dot Design Award for his "Plug and Play" concept.

He gained early industry experience through internships at Cambridge Consultants and Curventa in the UK before joining Layer design in London as an Industrial Designer. Between 2018 and 2019, he operated his own consultancy, collaborating with design agencies, start-ups, and companies to create products, experiences, and strategies.

In January 2019, Chowdhury joined Apple in Cupertino as an Industrial Designer. Since then, he has contributed to the development of some of Apple's most innovative products, including the recently launched iPhone Air.

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Deepika Padukone Reveals Why Rs 500 Crore Films No Longer Excite Her

After years of delivering blockbusters and headlining big-ticket productions, Deepika Padukone says she has consciously stepped away from roles and projects that no longer align with her personal or artistic values. In a candid conversation with Harper's Bazaar, she revealed that the markers that once defined success no longer appeal to her.

Shifting Priorities Beyond Fame And Box Office Numbers

Deepika, who has increasingly used her platform to advocate for fair working hours and equal pay in the industry, shared that her motivations have significantly evolved. 

"At this stage, it's not about that anymore. It's not about the Rs 100-crore films, or even the Rs 500-Rs 600 crore ones," she said.

In recent months, the actress reportedly stepped away from two major projects opposite Prabhas's Spirit and Kalki 2898 AD. Her decision, according to reports, stemmed from her insistence on fair compensation and an eight-hour working shift.

Expanding on her outlook, she added, "Anything that doesn't feel true to me doesn't cut it. Sometimes people offer a lot of money and think that's enough, but it isn't. And the reverse is also true-some things may not be commercially big, but I believe in the people or the message, and I'll stand by it."

Redefining Creative Purpose

Beyond her own acting career, Deepika is increasingly channelling her energy into uplifting newer creative voices. Having produced films like Chhapaak under KA Productions, she now feels more drawn to backing stories rather than merely leading them.

"What excites me is empowering other talent. My team and I are now focused on that-enabling storytelling and supporting other creative minds, writers, directors, and even new producers. That's what feels meaningful to me now," she shared.

Her stance accompanies a broader reflection on industry work culture, particularly the glorification of exhaustion. "We have normalised overworking. We mistake burnout for commitment. Eight hours of work a day is enough for the human body and mind. Only when you're healthy can you give your best. Bringing a burnt-out person back into the system helps no one," she told Harper's Bazaar.

As one of India's highest-paid actresses, Deepika's shift away from monetary temptation signals a bold redefinition of success-from box-office figures to emotional honesty and long-term sustainability. 

ALSO READ: Deepika Padukone Reacts To Her 8-Hour Work Debate: "I Feel Strongly About How New Mothers Need To Be Supported"

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Pipeline Damage Cripples Mumbai's CNG Supply, Restoration Expected Tomorrow

CNG pumps in Mumbai witnessed long queues for refuelling on Monday after a major gas pipeline was damaged, disrupting supply and affecting thousands of autorickshaws, taxis and other CNG-run vehicles.

Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) said compressed natural gas supply to pumps in the financial capital will be restored by Tuesday noon. It also said nearly 60 per cent, or 225 of the 389 CNG pumps supplying gas to the megapolis, are operational.

"Due to the stoppage of gas supply in CGS Wadala, and thereby the MGL pipeline network, a few CNG stations in Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai are not operational," MGL said in a statement, which came after reports of widespread inconvenience to people in the city.

"The rectification work is in progress and the restoration of gas supply is expected by tomorrow, i.e. by 18th November 2025, noon," it added.

The utility reiterated that the piped natural gas supply to homes has been on.

Several CNG pumps in the city have remained shut since morning due to low gas pressure, a representative of a local petrol dealers' body, however, said.

A large number of autorickshaws and taxis, including those operated by aggregators like Ola and Uber, and some buses run by public transport undertakings in the city, rely on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) supplied by MGL.

In a statement issued on Sunday night, MGL said the disruption occurred due to third-party damage to GAIL's main gas supply pipeline inside the Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers (RCF) compound, affecting flow to its City Gate Station (CGS) at Wadala, a key entry point for gas supply to Mumbai.

Mumbai has 130 to 140 CNG pumps, including MGL's own facilities. Many CNG pumps in the city have been non-functional since morning due to low gas supply pressure, Petrol Dealers Association (Mumbai) president Chetan Modi told PTI.

"I have kept my own pump shut since morning as there is no (gas supply) pressure," Modi said.

Anil Garg, leader of a school bus operator's body, also said their operations were hit due to the CNG shortage.

"Many school buses in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region are facing problems in getting CNG," Garg said, adding that they have been forced to combine the school bus routes.

He claimed that around 2000 school buses have halted due to CNG unavailability, causing losses to operators as they are forced to use luxury buses from private contractors paying Rs 12000 for two trips of 10 kilometres.

The MGL said it has prioritised supply to residential consumers to ensure uninterrupted Piped Natural Gas (PNG) availability to households.

It advised industrial and commercial consumers in affected areas to switch to alternate fuel until restoration.

"Gas supplies across MGL's network will normalise once the damage is rectified and supply is restored to CGS Wadala," MGL said, while regretting the inconvenience caused.

Leaders of unions representing black-and-yellow taxis and autorickshaws claimed drivers spent a longer time in the CNG pump queues due to the outage.

Mumbai Taximen's Association leader DA Salian said, "Today some taxis were on the road as they had refilled CNG yesterday, but as they have exhausted it, the majority of taxis may remain off the roads on Tuesday." He said only a few pumps were operational in the city, but they were lacking the required pressure. Hence, drivers spent three times more time than normal in queues, he added.

Shashank Rao, leader of Mumbai Autorickshaw-Taximens Association, wrote to Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik and demanded that he direct MGL to pay compensation for drivers losing two days' income.

A petrol pump dealer said several cabs, especially those with Ola and Uber, were operated on petrol due to a shortage of CNG.

"However, most black-and-yellow cabs have had the petrol option removed to avoid extra maintenance costs. As a result, they were unable to bring their cabs on the roads in the absence of CNG," the dealer said.

Mumbai has around 398 CNG pumps spread in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Of these, 152 pumps are within the jurisdiction of Mumbai city.

Sucheta Utale, public relations officer of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking, which has around 1,250 CNG buses in its 2,700-strong fleet, said operations were unaffected due to the CNG supply.

"There has been no impact of CNG on BEST bus operations," Utale replied in a text message on Monday evening, but did not give details.

Sources, however, said many BEST buses could not turn out of the depot on time and were also forced to cut short routes due to the affected CNG supply at some of the undertaking's depots.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Amit Shah Replies To Kerala MP In Malayalam Amid 'Hindi Imposition' Debate

For a party often accused in the south of pushing Hindi at the cost of regional languages, the Union Home Ministry's latest communication stood out. Amit Shah has replied to CPI(M) MP John Brittas in Malayalam, marking what is seen as the first instance of a Union Home Minister issuing an official response in the language.

The gesture comes as Kerala moves into election mode and at a time when the BJP is working to expand its footprint in the state after winning its first ever Lok Sabha seat there in the 2024 general election.

The choice of Malayalam also carries added weight because Brittas himself has been a persistent advocate for linguistic parity in parliament. He has earlier demanded translation devices for MPs who struggle with lengthy Hindi speeches during debates, arguing that true legislative participation requires equal linguistic access.

Shah's reply dated November 14 formally acknowledged Brittas' detailed representation of October 22 on the notification that makes chargesheeting grounds for cancelling Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) registration. In his letter, Brittas said the measure violates due process, erodes natural justice and exposes OCI cardholders to arbitrary action in the absence of a judicial finding.

He said the OCI scheme has long served as a bridge between India and its diaspora, symbolising openness, continuity and emotional connection.

Even though the Home Minister's letter was procedural, the inclusion of a full Malayalam version alongside Hindi was striking. It signalled a political recognition of the language in which the concerns were raised and came at a moment when debates on linguistic federalism are intensifying.

Brittas has maintained that the core constitutional objections remain unresolved and that the August 12 notification exceeds the scope of the Citizenship Act, 1955. But even as the legal questions persist, the language of the response has added a fresh layer to the political conversation in a region where identity and language remain central to political assertion.

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Gambhir's Blunt Verdict On Batters After Disappointing Loss To SA: "Not Fair"

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir on Sunday backed Eden Gardens' under-fire curator while lamenting his batters' inability to "absorb pressure" and find a way to score runs on the challenging surface in the opening Test against South Africa. Proteas successfully defended 124 to humble India by 30 runs, having bowled the home team out for 93 in their second innings to wrap up the match under three days. The result continued the worrying trend of home reversals that has seen them lose four of their last six home Tests and nine of the 18 matches under Gambhir.

"It was not an unplayable wicket, there were no demons," Gambhir said at the post-match media interaction.

"If you are willing to put your head down and if you have a solid defense, if you have a temperament, you can definitely score runs," he said.

The match saw 38 wickets (as Shubman Gill was retired hurt) fall in just eight sessions and out of them the pacers had a share of 16, while spinners accounted for 22.

"We keep talking about turning track, but if you look at the 40 wickets, majority of the wickets went to seamers," Gambhir said in his assessment.

"So, if you are out on the turning track or seamers. I don't think it was a tough wicket. It was a wicket where your technique can be judged, your mental toughness can be challenged, and more important than that is your temperament.

"Because if you are looking to grind, if you are looking to bat long, then you can make runs. But if you are in an attacking mindset, or if you try to play attacking cricket, then it is difficult.

"All the people who have played good defence, whether it is KL Rahul, Temba or Washington, all of them have made runs." The focus before the match was on curator Sujan Mukherjee as the pitch was not watered for more than a week and kept under covers in the evening.

Sujan supportive

Gambhir said these are exactly the conditions they wanted and said Mukherjee was "very supportive".

"This is exactly the pitch we were looking for. The curator was very, very helpful and supportive. This is exactly what we wanted and this is exactly what we got. When you don't play well, this is what happens.

"Yes, it might not be a wicket which is going to be very flamboyant where you can play those big shots. But if you are willing to put your head down, definitely it is a wicket where you can score." Trailing 0-1, there will be no margin for error for Gambhir's men as they look to win in Guwahati and level the two-Test series, while reigning World Test Champions South Africa will be eyeing to bag their second Test series win in India, and first after 2000.

Asked whether the pitch narrative would be similar in Guwahati, Gambhir said: "We've always said that the turning wicket should be where there's very little turn on day one so that the toss doesn't become an important factor.

"We've never said that we want to play on a bad wicket or we want to play on rank-turners. Ultimately, if we had won this test match, you wouldn't even be talking about this pitch.

"So, my point is, we need to improve mentally and skill-wise rather than discussing the wicket. Because wickets are the same for both teams.

"So, whatever we get in Guwahati, we've got the guys to deliver in any condition and on any surface as well."

Gambhir refused to question their technique or temperament, though he hinted repeatedly at a lack of match awareness within the young group.

"Obviously, it was tough because we always knew that we were one down. Obviously, Shubham wasn't there and then losing two before lunch. Obviously, literally, we were three down.

"But we always felt that if we can get those partnerships, if we can have a 50 runs partnership or two 40 runs partnership, we will be in the game.

"And we were at one stage having that kind of a partnership as well when Dhruv and Washi were batting and then when Washi and Jaddu were batting."

"You win as a team, you lose as a team. It's not right on my part to give ratings on my part. It's not fair to blame the batters they tried everything possible.

"They gave everything they had. But yes, we still need to keep getting better if we want to play on these harder wickets," he added.

One of the biggest talking points was Rishabh Pant's decision on the third morning to not start Jasprit Bumrah from the more threatening Club House End as he began much later from the High Court end.

"There is no hindsight in Test cricket," he said, adding that India's tactical calls were "spot on", irrespective of the final result.

Of the team's seven Test wins under Gambhir, four have come against lowly Bangladesh and West Inidies at home.

"We should not compare different eras. There was no DRS. There are a lot of youngsters in this dressing room. Thers is not much experience in batting from top to bottom, I think more than the skill, in Test match cricket not only skill is required, but mental toughness is also required, he said.

"Because in Test cricket, if you are not able to absorb pressure, because no matter how much turning the wicket is, the first 10-15 minutes are tough.

"Once you see off that, you get used to the pace of the wicket and things start getting easier. So, I think more than the skill, I think it's the ability to absorb pressure." He also gave an update on the status of Gill's availability for the second Test.

"He's still being assessed. The physio will take a call today." PTI TAP TAP AH AH

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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US Patient Sick With Bird Flu Virus That Has "Pandemic Potential": Report

A resident of Washington state has been admitted to the hospital with an H5N5 bird flu infection, according to state health authorities. The strain detected in this patient has not previously been identified in humans, making the case noteworthy even though federal officials still consider the overall public threat to be low, according to a report by CNN.

This is the first reported human infection with avian influenza in the United States in nine months, yet the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains that the current risk to the broader population remains limited.

Health officials describe the patient as an older adult from Grays Harbor County who already faced underlying medical issues. The individual has been hospitalised since early this month. 

Investigators have not pinpointed how the virus was contracted, though early indications suggest that backyard poultry could be the source, and both health and agricultural agencies are continuing to probe the circumstances.

Avian influenza can be transmitted through an infected animal's saliva, mucus, faeces, and, in dairy cattle, milk. The likelihood of transmission typically increases during late fall and winter when migrating birds encounter domestic flocks.

Although avian influenza has long circulated among wild birds across the globe, the current US outbreak, which began in January 2022, has involved more infections in mammals than previous episodes. 

There has been no evidence of human-to-human spread in the United States, but Washington state officials are monitoring people who may have had close contact with the patient to check for symptoms and offer testing or preventive treatment. 

Despite the low overall risk, influenza researchers warn that the virus still poses concerns. Dr Richard Webby underscored the uncertainty around its evolution, saying the virus has "pandemic potential". 

He added, "I think it's clear it's not an easy leap for this virus to make, to switch from being a duck virus to being a human virus. I think that's pretty clear, but I certainly wouldn't put money on the fact that it can't make that leap. It's going to take a little bit of the biologic stars aligning for that to happen. We could argue exactly how likely that is, but no one actually knows. Only time will tell us, unfortunately."

According to the CDC, 70 human cases have been identified in the US during the current outbreak. One elderly patient with existing medical conditions died in January. 

Most cases have been mild, with symptoms such as red eyes or fever, although a few individuals have experienced more severe illness. The majority of those infected have direct and frequent exposure to animals. 41 cases have occurred among cattle workers and 24 among poultry workers, while two cases involved other forms of animal contact and three had no clear source.

The CDC urges people who regularly handle animals to wear appropriate protective gear and to exercise caution around animal waste. 

Washington's Department of Health advises residents cleaning bird feeders or other areas contaminated by bird droppings to wear gloves and to disinfect surfaces with either a commercial product like Lysol or a bleach solution made by mixing one part bleach with ten parts water. 

People are also encouraged to avoid approaching sick or dead wildlife and to use gloves, a well-fitting mask, and an inverted plastic bag when disposing of a dead bird. Double-bagging the carcass and placing it in a sealed trash bin prevents scavengers from accessing it, and thorough handwashing afterward is essential. 

Officials additionally caution against consuming undercooked or unpasteurised dairy or meat products, including raw milk and raw cheese.

Public health leaders also recommend receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine. Although the standard flu shot does not protect against bird flu, it helps reduce the already low chance that a person could be simultaneously infected with both viruses, a situation that could potentially allow the avian influenza virus to mutate into a form capable of spreading more easily among people.
 

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