State-owned Punjab National Bank (PNB) on Wednesday inaugurated its first startup-centric branch in New Delhi.

Aligned with the Startup India initiative, this branch aims to promote entrepreneurship and supports innovation through services, including all facets of banking solutions, PNB said in a statement.

The branch inauguration was done in presence of Arvind Kumar, Director General, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), and PNB MD & CEO Ashok Chandra.

Further, an MoU was signed between PNB and STPI to extend financial support to eligible startups, it said.

The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and the Water Resources Department of Maharashtra have signed an MoU for` eco-restoration' of the Ujani reservoir, a man-made wetland along the Bhima river in western Maharashtra.

Ujani wetland, also known as Bhigwan, is recognised as an `Important Bird Area' under the Central Asian Flyway and is a key habitat for migratory birds which also supports agriculture, hydroelectric power, drinking water supply and local fisheries, BNHS scientist and fish expert Unmesh Katwate told PTI.

The agreement, supported by the Cipla Foundation, was signed in the presence of Water Resources Department (WRD) Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and other officials on Tuesday.

A rare case of flesh-eating parasite infection has been confirmed in the United States for the first time in decades. The case involved a woman from Maryland who had recently travelled to Central America, where she is believed to have been exposed to the New World screwworm fly (Cochliomyia hominivorax).

According to CNN, health officials report the patient has fully recovered, and the US Department of Health and Human Services assures the public that the risk of further human transmission is very low. However, the incident has raised concerns about the parasite moving northward, which could eventually threaten US livestock and food security.

Screwworm infections occur when the fly lays eggs in open wounds of warm-blooded animals. The larvae then feed on living flesh, burrowing deeper as they grow. If untreated, the condition can be fatal. According to specialists, the maggots can cause devastating damage in a matter of days, even killing a fully grown cow within a week.

the forests of Agasthyavanam in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram district fell silent. At 72, cancer carried away Kuttimathan Kani, a man who once stood at the crossroads of indigenous wisdom and modern science. For the wider world, he was the once-famous tribal elder who introduced scientists to the wonder plant Arogyapacha — the elusive “elixir herb” of the Western Ghats.

But in his own settlement of Chonampara, deep in the forests, he was remembered differently. A frail father, often too ill to work, struggling to feed a family of four daughters and a sick wife. A man who had tasted international limelight, but returned to a hut patched with tin sheets and poverty.

Here lay the cruel irony of his life: hailed as a pioneer of biodiversity-based science, invited to world summits, celebrated as the face of indigenous resilience — yet condemned to die in neglect, unable to afford even basic healthcare.

Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized nearly 9 kilograms of narcotic drugs worth approximately 40 crores rupees in New Delhi under Operation Rainbow. In a statement, the Ministry of Finance said that one individual was apprehended during the operation.

DRI carried out coordinated search operations at multiple premises in New Delhi’s Mehrauli based on specific intelligence on the smuggling of narcotics in small quantities, concealed in soft toys and using domestic courier networks. During the searches, a significant quantity of the seized drugs was found in the form of tablets and small pouches ready for distribution.

The Ministry said that the initial investigation indicates the role of an international syndicate operating through foreign nationals residing in Delhi, using courier networks for concealment, trafficking and distribution of narcotics.

The yellow metal, rather tiny particles of it, can hold the key to a nanotechnology-based tool for early detection of Parkinson’s Disease (PD).

Parkinson’s disease is one of the fastest-growing neurological disorder globally. With an aging population and rising life expectancy, the number affected by the disease in India is projected to increase substantially, placing immense pressure on healthcare systems. Yet, most diagnoses occur only after significant neurodegeneration has already taken place.

Hence researchers are on the lookout for ways in which the disease can be detected at an early stage so that adequate measures can be taken to manage it appropriately.

A group discussion among scientists at Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) exploring how proteins behave differently in the brain during disease, sparked a big idea. They started exploring whether they could detect how dangerous a protein is just by sensing its surface charge.

Veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara has officially announced his retirement from all formats of Indian cricket. The 37-year-old shared the news on Sunday through his social media accounts.

In his post, Pujara expressed his emotions, writing: “Wearing the Indian jersey, singing the anthem, and trying my best each time I stepped on the field – it’s impossible to put into words what it truly meant. But as they say, all good things must come to an end, and with immense gratitude I have decided to retire from all forms of Indian cricket."

Defending champions NorthEast United FC produced a dominant display at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday, dismantling debutants Diamond Harbour FC 6-1 in the grand finale of the 134th IndianOil Durand Cup, sealing their second straight title in style.

A night of relentless attacking football saw the Highlanders overwhelm their opponents, with six different players on the scoresheet and talisman Alaaeddine Ajaraie starring with three assists and a late penalty.

The Indian compound men’s U-21 team clinched their first-ever Junior World title at the 2025 World Archery Youth Championships in Canada today. The Indian trio of Kushal Dalal, Mihir Apar, and Ganesh Mani Ratnam defeated Germany in a shootoff after the scores were tied at 233 each in the gold medal match. In another celebratory moment for the Indian archers, the compound men’s U18 team of Mohit Dagar, Yogesh Joshi, and Devansh Singh also became the Cadet World Champions after defeating the USA 224-222 in the final.

In Jammu & Kashmir, the three day “Khelo India Water Sports Festival”, at the iconic Dal Lake concluded this evening at the iconic Dal Lake in summer capital Srinagar.

Madhya Pradesh finished as a topper by winning 18 medals, including 10 gold medals and won the team championship to finish on top of the medal tally in the first Khelo India Water Sports Festival, in Srinagar. This includes three silver and five bronze medals.

Madhya Pradesh, who won all the four kayaking and canoeing gold at stake yesterday, added six more gold medals on the final day today.