The Centre on Wednesday rolled back its order requiring smartphone makers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app. The decision came after two days of strong protests from opposition parties and civil rights groups, who said the rule threatened user privacy and could allow surveillance. The government said the mandate was meant to increase access, as downloads had already crossed six lakh in 24 hours. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia told Parliament the app is safe, can be deleted, and cannot be used for snooping. Apple had also raised concerns. Opposition leaders called the order “ridiculous” and compared it to surveillance states. (PC: NDTV)

In Nabadwip, West Bengal, a newborn was found abandoned outside a bathroom in a railway colony on a freezing night. Miraculously, a pack of stray dogs stood guard around the baby, keeping it safe until residents arrived at dawn. Locals wrapped the infant in cloth and rushed it to Maheshganj and Krishnanagar Sadar hospitals. Doctors confirmed the baby was unharmed. Police are investigating who abandoned the child. Residents praised the dogs for their protective behavior, saying they showed more care than the unknown person who left the baby. The community offered food to the dogs afterward. (PC: Gemini AI)

A technical glitch disrupted airport check-in systems across India on Wednesday, causing flight delays and confusion. Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport saw crowds of passengers seeking updates, while Bengaluru faced delayed and cancelled flights. Airlines including IndiGo, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, and Air India Express were affected. Microsoft reported global service outages impacting IT systems. Airlines switched to manual check-ins to manage operations. Delhi International Airport warned of possible delays due to operational issues. Air India confirmed the system is now restored and flights are back on schedule. IndiGo offered alternate flights or refunds for affected passengers. (PC: India Today)

Aleema Khan, sister of former Pakistan PM Imran Khan, said, “Radicalised Islamist Asim Munir yearns for war with India.” Speaking to Sky News, she added that Munir’s conservatism forces him to fight against those who don’t believe in Islam. She described her brother as a “pure liberal” who tries to befriend India and even BJP leaders. Aleema blamed Munir for Khan’s imprisonment, saying he is being mentally tortured in Adiala Jail. She claimed, “They want to suppress the people of Pakistan” by isolating her brother, who she says represents 90% of the country. (PC: NDTV)

Delhi saw more than 200,000 cases of acute respiratory illness in six state-run hospitals between 2022 and 2024, the government told Parliament. Over 30,000 patients required hospitalisation during this period. The capital’s toxic air, worsened in winter, is linked to vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, low wind, cold temperatures, and crop stubble burning. Delhi’s Air Quality Index often exceeds 20 times the World Health Organization limit. Hospitals report rising cases, including among children. The Delhi High Court will hear a petition demanding urgent action to curb pollution. Authorities say more study is needed to confirm the exact cause-effect link. (PC: BBC)

The Supreme Court directed the Union government to bring back Sunali Khatun, a pregnant woman, and her eight-year-old son from Bangladesh on humanitarian grounds. The court asked that she receive urgent medical care and be allowed to stay near her family in Birbhum, West Bengal. The Centre agreed, recording its undertaking in court. The bench emphasized humanity over technicalities and said the child would also receive necessary assistance. The order follows earlier High Court directions and concerns over her deportation without proper inquiry. The SC clarified the move is humanitarian and does not affect the Centre’s legal arguments. (PC: HT)

FIFA has stepped back from using dynamic pricing for all 2026 World Cup tickets after fans raised concerns about rising costs. The organisers said some tickets will stay at fixed prices, including those for fans following their national teams. Supporters will get 8% of seats for each match at set rates. FIFA said the cheapest group-stage tickets will start at $60, while the most expensive final tickets will cost $6,730. The move comes days before the tournament draw in Washington DC. The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest ever, with 48 teams and 104 matches across the US, Canada and Mexico. (PC: Sky News)

A political row erupted after Congress leader Ragini Nayak posted an AI-generated video showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi selling tea at a red-carpet event. The BJP condemned the clip and said the Congress was mocking the Prime Minister’s humble past. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala said the party had insulted Modi many times and could not accept a leader from a modest background. This is the latest in a series of AI videos that have angered the BJP. Congress has faced similar criticism before, including over a video about Modi’s mother that the Patna High Court ordered removed.

Union communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Wednesday denied claims that the Sanchar Saathi app could be used for snooping. Speaking in Lok Sabha, he said such use of the app was “not possible” and stressed that the government wants to empower people to protect themselves. His remarks came after criticism over a DoT order asking phone makers to pre-install the app on all devices. Scindia said the app is voluntary and can be deleted by users. The Sanchar Saathi platform helps people check mobile connections linked to their IDs, report fraud numbers and trace lost phones. (PC: India Today)

Talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner ended without a breakthrough on a Ukraine peace deal. The Kremlin said the meeting was “constructive” but key parts of the US-backed plan were still unacceptable to Russia. Putin earlier criticised changes proposed by Kyiv and Europe, calling them unrealistic. Ukraine and Russia remain divided over territory and security guarantees. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said there was a chance to end the war but only with clear guarantees. Fighting also continued on several fronts, with both sides rejecting each other’s claims of battlefield gains. (BBC)