BHOPAL: A tiger carcass was found Saturday during a survey in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh reserve, taking the casualty count to six in a week and 54 so far this year in the state with India’s largest number of big cats. This is Madhya Pradesh’s highest annual toll since Project Tiger was launched in 1973. The state had reported 46 deaths in 2024, 45 in 2023, 43 in 2022 and 34 in 2021.Officials said the carcass was found Saturday under suspicious circumstances by foresters involved in a field exercise for All India Tiger Estimation close to a power line in Chandia forest range of Umaria district under Bandhavgarh reserve.Electrocution is not ruled out. The power infrastructure is being inspected to determine whether exposed or illegal wiring had led to the tiger’s death. In recent years, electrocution has emerged as one of the recurring causes of tiger deaths in the state. The carcass is being sent for post-mortem, the officials said, adding samples will be sent for forensic analysis if foul play is suspected.Forest officials clarified, however, that most deaths this year had resulted from natural causes and reflected a growing tiger population. “More the numbers, more the deaths. It’s very natural,” said an officer, requesting anonymity.Forest department sources pointed out that higher numbers inevitably led to higher mortality figures, particularly in landscapes with dense big cat populations. They said the majority of the deaths this year were suspected to have resulted from violent fights over territorial supremacy, especially among adult males and dispersing sub-adults.Conservationists, however, said repeated deaths — even if natural — underlined the need for better habitat management and mitigation of avoidable threats. “I don’t know why forest department officers are at ease over these deaths. If tigers are getting killed by electrocution inside core areas of tiger reserves, it can’t be natural. There are poachers targeting herbivore wildlife using power lines and officers must check the lines and previous recommendations” said Ajay Dubey, a wildlife activist.

BENGALURU: She clutched her hand, almost literally clinging on to dear life. “Please don’t go anywhere,” was all she managed to say, but those few words were enough to convey her ordeal midair on a Goa-New Delhi flight Saturday afternoon. Thereon, Dr Anjali Nimbalkar didn’t move an inch until the aircraft made a priority landing in Delhi and the severely ill passenger, an American, was evacuated to hospital.A gripping mid-air medical emergency ended in a life being saved – thanks to some quick intervention by this Bengaluru doctor-turned-politician who was on board. Around 1.15 pm, barely 10 minutes after the IndiGo flight took off from Goa, the 34-year-old woman, identified as Jenny from California, complained of uneasiness and shivers before collapsing. She was seated in the 16th row, along with her sister. The duo were travelling to Delhi to attend a wedding.However, even before a call for a doctor could be made over the passenger address system, Dr Nimbalkar – a medical professional and former Congress MLA from Khanapur assembly constituency in Karnataka’s Belagavi district – got off her seat and rushed to help.Upon examination, she found the passenger unconscious, pale and severely dehydrated, with clenched fists and symptoms suggestive of a seizure. The doctor quickly gathered the passenger’s medical history from her sister and initiated basic resuscitative measures, managing to revive her. Dr Nimbalkar then administered oral electrolyte solution that the passenger herself was carrying, as she had suffered a stomach infection the day before.With the situation apparently under control, Dr Nimbalkar returned to her seat. However, about 30 minutes later, the doctor was urgently summoned to attend to the same passenger, who had collapsed for a second time and looked critical.Meanwhile, the captain was informed by the cabin crew about the medical emergency on hand and a priority landing was arranged in New Delhi.

Kulendra Sharma at police station on Saturday

GUWAHATI: A retired junior warrant officer of the IAF has been arrested in Assam’s Tezpur on charges of spying for Pakistan, police said on Saturday. Kulendra Sharma has been booked under BNS for waging war against India, criminal conspiracy, endangering the country’s sovereignty, unity and integrity, and destroying evidence.Sonitpur district DSP (border) Haricharan Bhumij said Sharma’s phones and laptops were seized. “From our sources and the gadgets, we discovered he shared sensitive defence-related documents and information with the Pakistani intelligence agency. Identity of those with whom he shared information is being verified,” he said.Four persons were also arrested in Arunachal Pradesh on espionage charges in the state over the last few weeks. Three of them are from Kupwara district in Kashmir, while the identity of the fourth has not yet been disclosed by police.DSP Bhumij said Sharma’s electronic devices revealed that he shared crucial information related to national security “and received instructions from the other side on WhatsApp”. The seized mobiles and laptops will be sent to the forensic lab for further analysis. Police, after receiving confidential information about Sharma’s Pakistani connections, picked him up from his house in Patiachuburi locality of Tezpur.Sharma retired from IAF in 2002, and worked as a technical assistant in the department of electronics and communication engineering at Tezpur University before leaving his job three years ago.Tezpur is the headquarters of the Army’s IV Corps and has vast parts of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, including the Tawang frontier, under its operational jurisdiction. At Salonibari, just on the outskirts of Tezpur, IAF’s Sukhoi base is located.In Arunachal, Hilal Ahm-ed (26), a J&K resident, was apprehended from Aalo in West Siang district, while an unidentified individual was arrested at Miao in Changlang. Hilal, who arrived in Aalo from Papum Pare district on Nov 25 to sell clothes at a trade fair, was sending sensitive information to his handlers, police said. On Nov 22, Itanagar police arrested Nazir Ahmad Malik and Sabir Ahmed Mir, also from J&K and in touch with Pakistani handlers.

NEW DELHI: Sudden deaths are no longer confined to old age. An AIIMS study has found that more than half of all sudden deaths examined over a year occurred in people under 45 — many of them apparently healthy, who collapsed without warning at home or while travelling.Published this month in Indian Journal of Medical Research as part of an ongoing Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) project, the cross-sectional study was conducted between May 2023 and April 2024 at the departments of pathology and forensic medicine at AIIMS New Delhi. Of the 2,214 autopsies analysed, 180 cases — 8.1% — met the criteria for sudden death. Young adults aged 18–45 accounted for 103 of these cases, or 57.2%, with an average age of 33.6 years and a strong male predominance.Heart disease emerged as the leading cause. Dr Sudhir Gupta, from AIIMS’s department of forensic medicine and an author of the study, said cardiovascular conditions accounted for 42.6% of sudden deaths in the young. Most had advanced coronary artery disease with severe blockages, often without any prior diagnosis, indicating that fatal heart disease had progressed silently. Respiratory causes — such as pneumonia, tuberculosis and asphyxia — accounted for a little over one in five deaths.More than one-fifth of deaths in young adults remained unexplained despite detailed imaging, full autopsy and microscopic examination. These “negative autopsy” cases point to hidden electrical or genetic heart disorders that routine investigations may miss.Most deaths occurred at home or during travel, frequently at night or early morning. Sudden loss of consciousness was the most common symptom reported by families, followed by chest pain and breathlessness. Only a small number of young adults had known conditions such as diabetes or hypertension.

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Lifestyle risks were common across the cases examined. Over half of those who died young were smokers or consumed alcohol — rates similar to those for older adults. The study found no significant link between sudden deaths and Covid infection or vaccination — vaccination coverage was high across age groups.Among adults aged 46–65, coronary artery disease was even more predominant, accounting for over 70% of sudden deaths.Commenting on the findings, Dr K K Talwar, chairman, PSRI Heart Institute, said the study highlights a disturbing rise in premature coronary artery disease. He noted that many unexplained deaths occur likely due to inherited electrical disorders of the heart, which routine autopsies cannot detect, underscoring the need for genetic testing and family screening. He stressed early preventive check-ups, strict avoidance of tobacco and alcohol, and routine heart evaluations in younger people, while reiterating there is no evidence linking Covid vaccination to sudden cardiac deaths.Researchers warn that sudden death in the young often stems from underlying disease, making early detection critical. With fatal events striking earlier in life, the study flags an urgent public health challenge: identifying silent heart disease before it turns deadly.

Fans with Argentine footballer Lionel Messi’s posters lay on the ground as they vandalise the Salt Lake Stadium, alleging poor management during the footballer’s G.O.A.T India Tour 2025, in Kolkata on Saturday. (ANI Photo)

NEW DELHI: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Saturday said it was concerned after the Lionel Messi event in Kolkata was disrupted due to crowd control issues and security lapses.Around 50,000 spectators, many of whom paid between Rs 4,000 and Rs 12,000 — and in some cases up to Rs 20,000 in the black market — were left upset as politicians, VVIPs, security personnel and others gathered around Messi. Many of them appeared focused on taking selfies, while fans inside the Salt Lake Stadium struggled to get a view.

“The All India Football Federation is deeply concerned by the events that transpired at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, where thousands of fans gathered to witness world football stars Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Rodrigo de Paul.“This was a private event organised by a PR agency. The AIFF was not involved in the organisation, planning, or execution of this event in any capacity,” the AIFF said in a statement.Soon after he arrived at the venue, Messi was surrounded by politicians, police officers, VIPs and their aides. The group formed a human barrier, leaving ticket-holders unable to see the footballer.The AIFF again clarified that it had no role in the event.“This was a private event organised by a PR agency. Furthermore, the details of the event were neither communicated to the AIFF, nor was any clearance sought from the federation,” the AIFF said.Also read: How Kolkata’s wait for Lionel Messi slipped into disorder“We urge all attendees to extend their full cooperation with the relevant authorities and to maintain order. The safety and security of all individuals involved must remain the paramount priority,” the federation added.The disorder began when angry fans threw bottles, which are banned inside sporting venues. Questions were raised over how such items, including food packets, were allowed inside the stadium. Soon after, chairs were pulled out and thrown.Fibreglass seats were found broken across the field and the synthetic track.Two canopies set up for Messi and the chief minister’s enclosure were torn apart. There were also attempts to set parts of them on fire before police stepped in.Several gates were damaged, the roof of the players’ tunnel was hit, and posters were pulled down.

Microsoft India and South Asia President Puneet Chandok had made a bold prediction of the careers that would shape the upcoming generations. Chandok believes that the rampant use of artificial intelligence (AI) means this will be the last generation that will enjoy “stable, long-term careers.” Addressing the Microsoft AI Tour, which also featured a speech from the software giant’s CEO Satya Nadella, Chandok claimed that AI itself will not steal jobs. However, he did point out that the actual threat to employment will come in the form of “refusal to learn.” He added that the new technology will actually “unbundle” tasks within the existing roles. “Will AI steal jobs? I don’t think AI will steal jobs. It will dissect jobs. It will unbundle jobs,” he explained.As AI is rapidly integrated across all sectors, he argued that the “industrial age era” template, the idea of learning once and using that knowledge for a lifetime career, is now breaking down. He added, “You and I are the last generation to have stable, long-term careers,” adding that “our kids will do a portfolio of things.”

Why Microsoft India head Puneet Chandok thinks employees need to keep learning

Emphasising the importance of continuous learning, Chandok said, “The real pink slip in this new AI era is not automation. That is what we are worried about. The real pink slip is refusal to learn.”Comparing learning to an oxygen mask, he said: “We are fighting guerrilla warfare against irrelevance every day” and must keep learning new things.The business leader also appeared to be referring to Delhi’s air pollution problems when he added that no one understands the importance of oxygen masks better than someone living in Delhi.In his speech, Nadella also questioned whether AI models are becoming a “commodity” and claimed that data is the most valuable resource for any company in the AI era.“In the experience layer, data is one of the most strategic assets, and it is one of those things that is super important in the age of AI. But you have to use that data contextually to the AI,” said Nadella, who is on a three-day visit to India.He said Maharashtra has been using Microsoft’s AI tools for cyber safety, and that the Nagpur project has cut cybercrime investigations by 80%.In addition, the company is now working on AI projects with several other customers, such as Adani Cement, Yes Bank, Aditya Birla Group, and LTIMindtree, among others, Nadella said.

Delhi plunged back into ‘severe’ air quality on Saturday, triggering Stage III restrictions across the NCR

NEW DELHI: Delhi slipped back into the ‘severe’ air quality zone as pollution levels surged on Saturday, prompting authorities to reimpose Stage III restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR).According to an official press update, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI), which stood at 349 at 4 pm on Friday, rose sharply through the night and was recorded at 401 by 10 am on Saturday due to slow wind speeds, a stable atmosphere and unfavourable meteorological conditions, leading to poor dispersion of pollutants.In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said its GRAP sub-committee had decided to invoke all measures under Stage III (‘Severe’ AQI: 401–450) with immediate effect across the NCR. These steps will be in addition to the curbs already in place under Stages I and II. Pollution control boards and enforcement agencies have also been directed to intensify preventive action to check further deterioration.A thick blanket of smog shrouded the capital on Saturday morning, reducing visibility and worsening discomfort.What’s banned under GRAP 3:

What’s allowed / exempted under GRAP 3:

Wazirpur recorded the worst air quality with an AQI of 445, followed by Vivek Vihar (444), Jahangirpuri (442), Anand Vihar (439) and Ashok Vihar and Rohini (437 each). Other severely polluted areas included Narela (432), Pratapganj (431), Mundka (430) and Bawana, ITO and Nehru Nagar (429 each). AQI readings also crossed 420 in Chandni Chowk, Punjabi Bagh, Siri Fort and Sonia Vihar, while Burari Crossing, RK Puram, North Campus and Okhla Phase II remained deep in the ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ range.Under CPCB norms, an AQI between 401 and 500 is classified as ‘severe’, posing serious health risks and warranting emergency control measures.Poor air quality was not limited to Delhi alone. Several parts of Uttar Pradesh also woke up to dense smog on Saturday. Noida Sector 125 and Sector 116 reported ‘severe’ air with AQI readings of 448 each. Lucknow fared slightly better with an AQI of 242 (‘poor’), while Kanpur and Prayagraj recorded ‘moderate’ levels and Moradabad remained in the ‘poor’ category. Thick fog and smog reduced visibility in cities such as Bulandshahr, Ayodhya and Mainpuri, where residents were seen lighting bonfires to cope with the cold and haze.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif faced heavy trolling on social media after a video claiming he had “gatecrashed” a closed-door meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan went viral on Friday. The video was later deleted, claiming that it may have been a “misrepresentation of the events”.According to a post earlier shared by RT India, Sharif had waited for around 40 minutes for a meeting with President Putin at the International Forum for Peace and Trust in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The post claimed that the Pakistani PM then walked into an ongoing meeting between Putin and Erdogan and stayed for about 10 minutes before leaving without securing a separate interaction.“PM Sharif waited for over 40 minutes for President Putin before growing tired and gate-crashing the Russian leader’s meeting with Erdogan. He left ten minutes later,” RT India had earlier posted on X. The video triggered widespread ridicule online, with many users questioning Sharif’s diplomatic conduct and calling the episode a “huge international embarrassment !!”, especially at a time when Pakistan has been trying to strengthen ties with Russia. RT India later deleted the post and issued a clarification, stating that, “We deleted an earlier post about Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif waiting to meet Vladimir Putin at the Peace and Trust Forum in Turkmenistan. The post may have been a misrepresentation of the events.” Russian state-owned news agency RIA Novosti reported that Putin and Erdogan continued their talks privately after members of both delegations had exited the room, but made no mention of any alleged “gatecrashing” by Sharif.Meanwhile, Sharif shared a post on X highlighting his interaction with Turkish President Erdogan at the event. “Met my dear brother, President @RTErdogan, on the sidelines of the International Forum on Peace and Trust in Ashgabat. It is always a pleasure to exchange views with a time-tested and trusted friend of Pakistan,” Sharif wrote on X.He added that the two leaders reaffirmed “the deep, historic bonds between Pakistan and Turkiye” and discussed cooperation in “trade, energy, defence, connectivity, and investment,” along with regional and global issues including Gaza and Afghanistan.The International Forum for Peace and Trust in Ashgabat saw participation from several world leaders, including Putin, Erdogan and Sharif, amid ongoing geopolitical discussions and diplomatic engagements.

Cambodia on Saturday accused Thailand of continuing air strikes on its territory, hours after US President Donald Trump said the two neighbours had agreed to halt hostilities.“On December 13, 2025, the Thai military used two F-16 fighter jets to drop seven bombs” on multiple targets, the Cambodian defence ministry said through a post on X. “Thai military aircraft have not stopped bombing yet.“The development followed a statement by US President Donald Trump on Friday that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to cease hostilities along their disputed border, clashes that have left at least 20 people dead this week.“I had a very good conversation this morning with the Prime Minister of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul, and the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Manet, concerning the very unfortunate reawakening of their long-running War,” Trump said through a post on Truth Social. Trump said both sides had agreed to immediately halt all fighting and revert to the July peace agreement brokered with his involvement and the support of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. “Both Countries are ready for PEACE and continued Trade with the United States of America,” Trump added. The United States, China and Malaysia, acting in its role as chair of the regional bloc Asean, brokered a ceasefire in July following an initial five-day outbreak of violence.Since Monday, Cambodia and Thailand have exchanged rocket and artillery fire at several points along their disputed 817-km (508-mile) border, marking some of the heaviest fighting since a five-day clash in July that was halted after US President Donald Trump called on both leaders to end the violence. The renewed unrest has killed at least 20 people and injured more than 260, according to figures from both countries, with each side accusing the other of reigniting the conflict. Hundreds of thousands of civilians have been displaced on both sides of the border.Trump’s remarks contrasted with comments made hours earlier by Thai Prime Minister Anutin, who said the call “went well” but did not mention any agreement between the Southeast Asian neighbours to halt the fighting. Anutin said he had asked Trump to press Cambodia to cease hostilities, withdraw its troops and clear landmines.“I explained to President Trump that we are not the aggressor against Cambodia but we are retaliating,” Anutin was quoted as saying by Reuters.“He wants a ceasefire. I told him to tell our friends – don’t just say a ceasefire but they must tell the world that Cambodia will cease fire, withdraw its troops, remove all landmines it has planted. They must show us first.”Trump, who has repeatedly said he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize, portrayed himself on Thursday as a global peacemaker, saying he had “solved eight wars” and was confident he would get the truce “back on track.”