LIVE NOW Breaking News Live April 25: Rs 60 lakh seized in a Tripura cash scandal; IFS officer, kin under scanner in corruption probe. Stay here for real-time updates on breaking news from India and across the world that you can't miss.
Rs 60 Lakh Cash Haul in Tripura: IFS Officer's Relative Held, DFO Among Those Detained
In Tripura, police have seized nearly Rs 60 lakh in cash from a Mumbai-based man at Agartala Railway Station, detaining him along with several others, including a serving Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer. The accused, identified as Rajendra Chintaman Kaklij, is reportedly the maternal uncle of South Tripura Divisional Forest Officer Gaurav Ravindra Wagh. Authorities said the cash, amounting to Rs 59.94 lakh, was recovered under suspicious circumstances, with investigators suspecting it was packed at the DFO's official residence a day earlier. A forest guard and the driver of the DFO's government vehicle have also been detained, and a case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Officials indicated that intelligence agencies had been tracking alleged financial irregularities linked to forest department projects, and the seizure could point to deeper corruption within the administration. The probe remains ongoing, with more revelations expected.
Massive Fire at Kanpur Garage Doused, No Casualties Reported
A major fire broke out at a vehicle garage near Eidgah Chowk in Kanpur in the early hours of Saturday, prompting a swift response from fire services. Officials said 7–8 fire tenders were rushed to the spot and managed to bring the blaze under control before it could spread further. Chief fire officer Deepak Sharma confirmed that the fire has been completely extinguished and no injuries or casualties have been reported. The cause of the fire remains unknown and is under investigation.
Teen Charged in Baton Rouge Mall Shooting That Killed 17-Year-Old Girl, Injured Five
Louisiana authorities have charged a 17-year-old with first-degree murder and multiple counts of attempted murder after a shooting at a Baton Rouge mall left one teenage girl dead and five others injured. Police said the gunfire erupted after two groups met at the Mall of Louisiana and exchanged words, in what officials described as a dispute linked to social media and possible gang activity. The victim, 17-year-old Martha Odom, had been visiting the mall with friends for a 'senior skip day.' Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse said the incident was not random, while Governor Jeff Landry vowed a sweeping crackdown on gang violence, including targeted arrests. A second suspect remains at large as the investigation continues.
Colombia, Venezuela Pledge Joint Military Push Against Border 'Mafias' as Petro Meets Rodriguez
Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Venezuela's interim leader Delcy Rodriguez have agreed to strengthen military cooperation to combat criminal networks along their shared border, following Petro's visit to Caracas — the first by a foreign leader since the ouster of Nicolas Maduro. The two leaders said joint efforts would target drug trafficking, illegal mining, human trafficking and other illicit activities, with plans to enhance intelligence-sharing and coordinated operations. Rodriguez, who assumed power after a US-backed operation removed Maduro earlier this year, emphasised the need for immediate mechanisms to tackle cross-border crime. While the US supports Venezuela's interim government, Petro has criticised Washington's intervention, highlighting ongoing tensions even as both countries move to address long-standing security challenges in the volatile border region.
US Orders Global Outreach Over Alleged Chinese AI 'Distillation' of American Models
The US state department has directed a worldwide diplomatic push to highlight what it describes as efforts by Chinese firms, including AI startup DeepSeek, to extract and replicate American artificial intelligence models, according to a cable seen by Reuters. The communication urges officials to warn foreign counterparts about the risks of using AI systems developed through 'distillation,' a process that trains smaller models using outputs from larger proprietary ones. The move comes as DeepSeek unveiled a new model adapted for Huawei chips, underscoring China's growing technological independence. While Washington has raised concerns about intellectual property theft and potential removal of safety safeguards, Beijing has dismissed such claims as 'baseless.' The development signals renewed strain in US-China tech ties ahead of a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
