It is thought they may have been infected in the east of the country, where it had circulating among animals during the spring and summer this year.

The virus normally affects livestock and until now it had been considered non-transmissible to humans, the French government said.

Authorities said there is currently no risk to the general population.

Shamonda virus is an insect-borne virus that has been found in animals.

It is believed to be primarily spread by Culicoides biting midges and mainly affects cattle.

Jaipur will turn 300 in 2027, and that's just one of the many more reasons for travellers to visit Rajasthan's capital. The city has made National Geographic's Best of the World 2027 list, which features 25 destinations across six continents.

The annual selection highlights places with something special to offer in the year ahead, from major cultural events and historic anniversaries to new outdoor experiences. For Jaipur, the focus is on its architectural heritage, traditional crafts and the 20th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival.

The destinations on the list all bring different experiences to the table. Luxor in Egypt, known for its ancient temples and tombs, is also preparing for a total solar eclipse on August 2, 2027. Penang in Malaysia draws visitors with its food culture and historic streets, while Japan's Niigata offers regional cuisine, sake and coastal scenery.

At the Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, India have won a total of 23 medals so far, including five gold, eight silver, and 10 bronze. Indian para-athlete Deepthi Jeevanji clinched gold in the women’s 400m T20 event, setting a new Games record with a time of 56.36 seconds. Her victory marked India’s fifth gold medal at the competition. In another fixture, India’s Shrishti Arora marked her debut at the Asian Para Games 2026 with a bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol SH1 event, while Jehan Dorab Madan also won a bronze medal in Para Table Tennis Men’s Singles Class 1.

Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday launched the upgraded Agri Welfare Portal to provide farmers with single-window access to government schemes, financial assistance and reliable agricultural information through a mobile-friendly digital platform. The portal aims to simplify access to services, reduce procedural hurdles and intermediaries, and bring key agricultural initiatives under one roof.

Addressing the launch programme, Chouhan said the portal reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Digital India and his commitment to farmers’ welfare. He said technology must reach farms and rural communities to make farmers’ lives easier.

The upgraded platform will enable farmers to access scheme details, check eligibility and submit applications without visiting multiple government offices or navigating different websites. It will also connect Farmer Producer Organisations, Primary Agricultural Credit Societies, agricultural scientists, researchers and startups on a common digital platform, according to a press release by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

India’s youngest National Karting Champion Arshi Gupta has become world’s youngest driver to win the Rotax MAX Challenge (RMC) Mini title. She won the Mini Max category of The Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India- FMSCI RMC India National Karting Championship 2026 held in Bengaluru yesterday.

The title follows Arshi’s 2025 triumph in the Micro Max category, making her one of the rare drivers to win two successive Rotax MAX Challenge categories in consecutive years. Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi today, 10 year old Arshi who is from Faridabad shared her journey, achievements and ambitions in motorsports. She expressed her happiness at winning the Indian National Karting Championship 2025 and 2026.

Arshi is the youngest driver globally to be selected for the F1 Academy Discover Your Drive programme, a recipient of the FIA President’s Medal, and a podium finisher in the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

Nepal has banned Priyagold biscuits after an emergency virtual meeting, days after the Indian food regulator cancelled the licence and launched legal action against the cookie maker.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had underlined that it maintains “zero tolerance for food safety violations and compromises on public health under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006” while announcing legal proceedings against Surya Foods & Agro, the company that manufactures Cheese Cracker, Butter Bite and Marie Lite biscuits under the Priyagold brand.

Nepal’s Food Technology and Quality Control Department (FTDCQ) imposed restrictions on the import, sale, and distribution of Priya Gold biscuits and issued a notice on Monday, terming the product “sub-standard”.

The national highway users now can send feedback including grievances about their experience at toll plazas through Rajmargyatra app, all-in-one mobile application developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to help commuters travelling on national highways (NHs).

The annual FasTag pass users will be asked to submit their response each time they cross a fee plaza. Other users may access the “Toll Plaza Feeback” feature in the app to share their feedback.

The initiative aims to strengthen citizen participation and support efforts to make highway journeys safer, smoother and more convenient, officials of the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH).

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday announced that India will host the first Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Civilisation Dialogue Forum by the end of this year, inviting all member countries to participate in the initiative aimed at strengthening cultural ties and mutual understanding.

Addressing the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Singh highlighted India's longstanding friendship with Tajikistan and its close ties with Central Asian countries.

"At the end of this year, India will host the first SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum. We invite all SCO countries to participate in it," Singh said.

WWF-India’s EIACP (Environmental Information, Awareness, Capacity Building and Livelihood Programme) Programme Centre – Resource Partner has launched a nationwide Green Diwali campaign, urging citizens to avoid firecrackers and adopt environmentally responsible ways of celebrating the festival.

The campaign, supported by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), will run from October 20 to November 8. It will reach schools, colleges, resident welfare associations and local communities, with a special focus on the 130 cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme.

Aligned with Mission LiFE, or Lifestyle for Environment, the initiative encourages citizens to take a Green Diwali Pledge to avoid firecrackers and persuade family members and neighbours to do the same.

Days ahead of his superannuation, IAF chief, Air Chief Marshal A P Singh on Tuesday flew his final sortie aboard HJT-16 Kiran Mk-1 trainer aircraft at his alma mater near Hyderabad, bringing his distinguished flying career in the Indian Air Force a full circle.

At the end of the 55-minute sortie at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal in Telangana, Singh acknowledged it was his "last sortie in uniform."

The flight was particularly special as the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) flew with his first flying instructor, Wing Commander V S Kochar (retd), in the aircraft bearing tail number U707, a senior IAF official said.