Watch: US releases footage of F-15 pilot's daring rescue after Iran shoot down

The Central Consumer Protection Authority has cracked down on ride-hailing platform Rapido, imposing a fine of ten lakh rupees on its parent operator for deceptive digital practices known as dark patterns. An on-screen demonstration illustrates how the application prompts users to add extra tips ranging between ten and thirty rupees under the pretext that captains are declining standard fares. The consumer watchdog identified this mechanism as a form of confirm shaming and unfair interface manipulation designed to pressure commuters into paying extra amounts after initiating their bookings. The practice highlights how daily commuters are pushed into paying above the determined fare for essential travel. The regulatory body has sought accountability to safeguard consumer rights and curb manipulative user interface designs across transport platforms.

An AIADMK leader has targeted Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay over the proposed construction of a new secretariat in Pattinampakkam, alleging that the plan was devised after consulting an astrologer to retain the Chief Minister post. The move has triggered opposition from the local fisherman community, who claim ancestral ownership over the land parcel since prior to 1958 and demand its return. Fisherfolk argue that regular movement of the Chief Minister would raise security issues and disrupt their livelihoods, urging the state government to shift the proposed project elsewhere.

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has suspended the licence of an iconic heritage cafe in south Mumbai following inspections that uncovered significant food safety and hygiene lapses. Authorities identified deficiencies relating to improper holding temperatures for hot and cold foods, improper thawing and rapid cooling procedures, inadequate drainage systems, and poor sanitation of equipment. The regulatory action is part of an ongoing statewide enforcement crackdown targeting legacy establishments, festival sweet-makers, and pharmaceutical suppliers to enforce compliance with public health and safety standards across Maharashtra.

A political controversy has erupted in Karnataka over the singing of the national song at official events. The state government decided to mandate the singing of the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at official functions. Following planned protests by the opposition party against this decision, a state minister challenged opposition leaders to sing all six stanzas of the national song from memory without using paper or a teleprompter. The minister offered to resign if the opposition leaders managed to recite the complete song, while requesting the Assembly Speaker to allow opposition legislators to sing the national song separately in the Legislative Assembly.