Times of India

A fungus launches infectious spores using pressurized liquid bursts from dead flies. These spores are propelled with significant force, reaching speeds up to ten meters per second. Spore size is crucial, balancing momentum for dispersal and air current transport. Dead female flies attract males, aiding spore spread through contact and movement. This remarkable fungal artillery ensures continued infection and life cycle progression.

The State Bank of India has announced the release of the SBI PO Prelims scorecards for 2026. Candidates can now access their results and download the scorecard directly from the official SBI website. Those who passed the preliminary examination are set to take on the Main Examination, which is scheduled for September 12, 2026. The bank will soon issue hall tickets for this crucial stage of the selection process.

A shocking event unfolded on Monday in Times Square as a vice president of Bank of America was violently stabbed in an unprovoked attack. Armed with kitchen knives, a woman assaulted two people before police intervened, resulting in her death. The victim's attack included a 68-year-old man who sustained injuries but remains stable. This incident underscores escalating violence against corporate professionals in Manhattan, following a series of alarming attacks.

Viswanathan Anand is juggling two contrasting roles at this time. He is the interim FIDE President and also a competitive chess player. While handling increased responsibilities at world chess’s governing body, the Indian Grandmaster remains focused on the Global Chess League. Representing Alaskan Knights, Anand says his hunger to win remains strong, while his experience and routine help him balance administration, family commitments, and competitive chess.

To enhance accountability, promoters are now required to upload digitally signed certificates from architects, engineers, and accountants for project progress reports. This will be done through the UP RERA portal, in accordance with the upcoming RERA 2.0 updates. The adoption of digital certification will improve the establishment of quarterly project targets, supported by help desks for seamless submissions.

A glacier collapse in Nepal and China showed visible signs days before the disaster. Scientists noted brown meltwater and a propagating crack as pre-event indications. The disaster killed over 1,100 people, with more lives potentially saved by better warning systems. Comprehensive monitoring of glaciers and slopes is now stressed for vulnerable communities. Enhanced cross-border cooperation is also needed for transboundary hazard management.

The Karnataka high court quashed a criminal case filed under BNS Section 75(2). The court ruled accidental exposure while answering nature's call is not an offense. This ruling came after a man was seen urinating near a railway track. The complainant alleged the man made gestures, which the court deemed a shock reaction. Allowing the case to continue would have been a misuse of legal process.

Police arrested a self-styled Aghori for allegedly trespassing at a cremation ground. The accused was seen consuming flesh from a burning pyre in a viral video. A complaint was filed by the Senapati Kaal Bhairav Committee after the video surfaced online. The Aghori faces charges for trespass and indignity to human remains under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. This incident has been condemned by religious leaders as unacceptable in society.

After a 194-run defeat at Lord's, which gave England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided to overhaul both the squad and the support staff.

Project ‘C430L’: How Russia secretly helped Iran develop supersonic cruise missiles

A Class 11 student died after jumping from her school's third floor. Her father alleged a teacher punished her for four hours, causing humiliation. The principal denied the prolonged punishment, stating she sought washroom permission before jumping. The deceased student's parents also mentioned a teacher scolded her for eating biryani. Police have not yet received a formal complaint from the family.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev the original scoresheet from Javokhir Sindarov’s 2025 World Cup final victory in Goa. AICF chief Nitin Narang called it “Chess diplomacy”. Sindarov later won the Candidates tournament and will face D Gukesh. The gesture highlights growing India-Uzbekistan chess rivalry ahead of the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand.

Hampshire have faced backlash from fans after naming New Zealand cricketer Scott Kuggeleijn in their squad without announcing his signing. Kuggeleijn, who was acquitted of rape and indecent assault charges in 2017, has previously faced protests over his selection. One fan called the move “a disgrace”, while another labelled it “shameful” and “a new low for the club”.

Indian workers are enduring remarkably lengthy delays in obtaining US Green Cards, with projections suggesting that some may be forced to wait an astonishing 179 years for permanent residency. Stricter annual quotas and country-specific limitations contribute significantly to immigration backlogs, with nearly one million Indian applicants currently affected. This scenario exposes the disproportionate challenges facing Indian professionals in their quest for residency.

Police are still searching for the killer of Nidhi Patel, a computer engineer. She was found dead in her home, and investigators have no strong leads. A special investigation team was formed to probe the baffling case further. No signs of forced entry suggest the attacker was known to the victim. The victim was allegedly strangled and sexually assaulted while alone at home.

Michael Jordan’s $2.8 million Lake Norman property is undergoing a major transformation. Purchased in 2013, the site’s original six-bedroom, eight-bathroom mansion was demolished in March 2025. New aerial pictures now show the NBA legend’s custom luxury estate taking shape inside the exclusive Peninsula Club, with its structure and roofing apparently nearing completion.

Travis Kelce’s Eighty-Seven and Running Foundation is facing scrutiny over its reported spending between 2021 and 2024. The nonprofit raised $1.5 million and spent about $1.1 million, with $469,000 listed for management and $446,000 for charity. Kelce’s business manager Aaron Eanes disputed the figures, saying some charitable operational costs were misclassified. He said management fees dropped to zero in 2025 as the foundation works to improve transparency and governance.

LeBron James and Savannah James' foundation has marked a new milestone for children in Ohio.