Rat-hole mining, a manual technique involving narrow tunnels dug just wide enough for one person, is being used to rescue workers trapped inside Nepal's Chilime hydropower tunnel after a collapse. Conventional heavy machinery couldn't navigate the confined, unstable terrain, making this method essential. Originating in India's Meghalaya coal mines, rat-hole mining was banned there in 2014 due to safety concerns but remains effective in emergencies. Skilled miners crawl into tight passages to clear debris and create access routes. The technique gained global attention during India's Uttarkashi tunnel rescue in 2023. In Nepal, rescuers are racing against time to reach trapped workers, carefully digging to avoid further collapses while ensuring ventilation and stability inside the narrow shaft.

मद्रास हाईकोर्ट ने एक अहम फैसले में कहा कि यदि कोई महिला किसी पुरुष की पहली शादी से अनजान होकर उससे विवाह करती है, तो उसे द्विविवाह (bigamy) के आरोप में आरोपी नहीं माना जा सकता। हालांकि, कोर्ट ने यह भी स्पष्ट किया कि ऐसी दूसरी पत्नी को कानूनी रूप से पति की रिश्तेदार नहीं माना जाएगा क्योंकि दूसरी शादी कानूनन अमान्य है। इस फैसले से दूसरी पत्नी को घरेलू हिंसा कानून या अन्य पारिवारिक कानूनों के तहत मिलने वाले अधिकार प्रभावित हो सकते हैं। कोर्ट ने कहा कि धोखा देने वाला पति ही दोषी है।

During the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, PM Modi held a landmark bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping — their first formal talks in five years. Modi emphasized that "three mutuals" — mutual respect, mutual sensitivity, and mutual interest — should guide India-China relations. The meeting followed a recent agreement on military disengagement along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh, easing the prolonged border standoff since 2020. Both leaders agreed to restore normalcy, enhance communication, and rebuild trust for stable bilateral ties.

**CJI ने राजपाल यादव पर की टिप्पणी**

चेक बाउंस मामले में सुनवाई के दौरान चीफ जस्टिस ऑफ इंडिया (CJI) ने बॉलीवुड अभिनेता राजपाल यादव पर टिप्पणी करते हुए कहा कि वे एक्टिंग करने में माहिर हैं और उन पर भरोसा करना मुश्किल है। यह मामला राजपाल यादव के खिलाफ चेक बाउंस से जुड़ा है। सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने उन्हें दो हफ्ते के भीतर ₹2 करोड़ जमा करने का आदेश दिया है। CJI की यह टिप्पणी कोर्ट में राजपाल यादव की दलीलों और व्यवहार को देखते हुए की गई, जिससे अदालत को लगा कि वे अपनी एक्टिंग स्किल्स का इस्तेमाल कर रहे हैं।

Meta has agreed to directly report child sexual abuse material (CSAM) cases to India's National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), enhancing child safety efforts. This move follows government pressure on tech giants to combat online child exploitation. Previously, such reports were routed through the US-based National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), causing delays. Now, Meta platforms—Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp—will flag cases directly to Indian authorities, enabling faster action and investigation. This collaboration strengthens India's legal framework under the POCSO Act and IT Act, ensuring swifter removal of harmful content and prosecution of offenders, marking a significant step in protecting minors online.

India's stock market witnessed a massive selloff, wiping out ₹9 lakh crore in investor wealth in a single session. The BSE Sensex and Nifty 50 plunged sharply amid global cues, rising US bond yields, foreign investor outflows, and geopolitical tensions. Over 200 stocks hit their 52-week lows, spanning banking, IT, and realty sectors. FIIs continued heavy selling, weakening market sentiment. Midcap and smallcap indices were hit hardest. Analysts advise caution, citing volatility ahead due to earnings concerns and global uncertainty.

Dutch national railway operator NS experienced widespread disruptions in early 2025 after suspected sabotage targeted critical infrastructure, including cable cuts near key rail junctions. Train services across the Netherlands were severely delayed or canceled, stranding thousands of commuters. NS and infrastructure manager ProRail reported deliberate damage to signaling and communication cables. Authorities launched investigations, though no group claimed responsibility. The incident raised concerns about the vulnerability of public transport systems to targeted attacks across Europe.

The study on the MV X-Press Pearl shipwreck off Sri Lanka's coast (2021) revealed persistent nurdle (plastic pellet) pollution affecting Kerala's coastline. Billions of nurdles continue washing ashore, contaminating marine ecosystems. Research shows these pellets absorb toxic chemicals, harming marine life through ingestion and habitat disruption. The ecological impacts are evolving, with microplastic contamination entering food chains, affecting fisheries, and altering coastal biodiversity, raising long-term environmental and livelihood concerns for coastal communities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue targeting Hezbollah positions in Lebanon following a significant Israeli military strike. The operation aimed at dismantling Hezbollah's military infrastructure, including weapons depots and command centers. Netanyahu stated Israel would act decisively to protect its citizens from threats along its northern border. The strikes came amid escalating cross-border tensions, with Hezbollah launching rockets into Israeli territory. International leaders urged restraint, fearing a broader regional conflict involving Iran-backed groups.

Former BharatPe co-founder Ashneer Grover warned that India could revert to a cash-dependent economy if the government imposes charges on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000. The NPCI is reportedly considering a nominal interchange fee on high-value UPI payments. Grover argued that UPI's success lies in its zero-cost model, and any charges would discourage digital payments, pushing users back to cash. He emphasized that UPI revolutionized India's payment ecosystem by being free.

**Tata Sons Listing Impact on Tata Power**

Axis Capital has highlighted that if Tata Sons gets listed on stock exchanges, it could significantly impact Tata Group companies, including Tata Power. As per RBI regulations, Tata Sons, classified as an upper-layer NBFC, must list by September 2025. Listing would unlock value and increase transparency. Tata Power, being a key Tata Sons holding, may see heightened investor interest and revaluation. Analysts suggest the listing could trigger a re-rating of Tata Group stocks as market discovers the conglomerate's true holding value, benefiting shareholders across group companies.

Indian fencer Bhavani Devi, the first Indian fencer to compete at the Olympics (Tokyo 2021), is eyeing the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, as a fresh opportunity to make her mark. After facing early exits in recent major tournaments, she aims to reinvent her approach in sabre fencing. The Asian Games offer a crucial platform to earn ranking points and potentially qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Bhavani remains determined to bring India a medal in fencing on the continental stage.

A National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) team visited Sagar district in Madhya Pradesh to meet families of hooch tragedy victims. Several people died and many fell ill after consuming spurious liquor in the region. The NHRC team investigated the circumstances, recorded statements of affected families, and assessed the government's response. The team examined lapses in law enforcement and illegal liquor trade. Authorities had earlier arrested suspects involved in manufacturing and selling the illicit alcohol. The NHRC probe aims to ensure accountability and adequate compensation for victims' families.

The Punjab & Haryana High Court ruled that under Muslim Personal Law, a boy or girl who has attained puberty is free to marry without requiring parental or guardian consent. The court made this observation while hearing a protection petition filed by a young Muslim couple facing threats from their families. The bench noted that Islamic law recognizes the right of individuals to choose their spouse upon reaching puberty, distinguishing it from other personal laws that set specific age requirements. This ruling reaffirms the applicability of Muslim Personal Law in India regarding marriage rights, though it sparked debate about potential conflict with statutory laws like the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, which sets the legal marriage age at 18 for girls and 21 for boys.

**UPI पर चार्ज विवाद: अश्नीर ग्रोवर का बयान**

BharatPe के पूर्व CEO अश्नीर ग्रोवर ने UPI पर चार्ज लगाने की चर्चा के बीच बड़ा बयान दिया। उन्होंने कहा कि UPI सिस्टम को चलाने पर सरकार सालाना ₹30,500 करोड़ खर्च करती है, जो सब्सिडी के रूप में दिया जाता है। ग्रोवर ने सुझाव दिया कि अगर चार्ज लगाना है तो बड़े ट्रांजैक्शन पर लगाएं, छोटे यूजर्स को मुफ्त रखें। उन्होंने कहा कि UPI भारत की डिजिटल क्रांति है, इसे बंद नहीं बल्कि टिकाऊ बनाना जरूरी है। NPCI और RBI इस मुद्दे पर विचार कर रहे हैं।