India

Historic 1896 St. Louis Building 'The Cosmopolitan' Relisted at $800,000

A five-story historic building known as 'The Cosmopolitan' has returned to the market in St. Louis at a reduced asking price of $800,000. The structure, which dates back to 1896, was previously listed at $1.4 million. Originally built for commercial use, the property has since been transformed into a mixed-use space suitable for both residential and professional purposes. The building retains several distinctive vintage architectural features and carries flexible zoning for varied uses.

Robin Williams' Napa Valley Estate Sells for $18.1M, Nearly Half Its Asking Price

The late actor Robin Williams' expansive 640-acre estate in Napa Valley, California has been sold for $18.1 million. The property had originally been listed at $35 million, meaning it sold for roughly half its asking price. The significant price reduction suggests the high-end rural property faced challenges attracting buyers at its initial valuation. Further details about the buyer or the timeline of the sale were not provided in the available report.

Anne LaBastille's Adirondack Cabin and 32 Acres Preserved as State Forest Land

Anne LaBastille, celebrated for her off-grid wilderness lifestyle, built a remote cabin in the Adirondack region, living without modern conveniences. She documented her experiences in the widely read 'Woodswoman' memoir series, which inspired generations of nature enthusiasts. Following her passing, her property was transferred to New York State for conservation purposes. The 32-acre land now forms part of the protected Forest Preserve, ensuring its natural character is maintained. The move is seen as a lasting tribute to LaBastille's dedication to environmental stewardship.

Shakespeare's Globe to replace roof with 14,000 reed bundles in £10m project

Shakespeare's Globe theatre in London is undertaking a £10 million roof replacement nearly three decades after the reconstructed venue first opened. The project will use traditional thatching methods, requiring approximately 14,000 bundles of reed — more than double the 6,000 Norfolk reed bundles used in the original roof. The overhaul reflects a commitment to historical authenticity over modern roofing alternatives. The project arrives at a difficult time for traditional thatching in England, which is grappling with poor harvests, ageing equipment, and an unreliable seasonal workforce.

Tripura HC: Divorced daughter entitled to father's family pension from divorce date

The Tripura High Court has ruled that a daughter divorced after her father's death remains eligible for his family pension benefits. The court directed the Agartala Municipal Corporation to grant the pension, finding its earlier rejection of the claim unjustified. It clarified that pension rules do not mandate that the divorce must have occurred before the pensioner's death. The woman's entitlement was deemed valid from the date of her divorce. The court also ordered payment of all pending arrears along with interest within three months.

'Why bring BJP into this?' Rijiju slams Rahul's remarks on Manipuri musician's murder

Soha Ali Khan shares tips on building a reading habit in children

Actress Soha Ali Khan has opened up about her approach to encouraging her daughter Inaaya to develop a love for reading. She noted that gentle persuasion and well-placed incentives can help spark a child's initial interest in books. Khan emphasized that parents play a crucial role by modelling reading behaviour themselves, as children tend to imitate their caregivers. Creating a home environment where reading is visible and valued, she said, goes a long way in nurturing the habit. Her advice highlights that fostering a child's love for books requires consistent parental involvement rather than simply providing access to them.

Shiva Rajkumar's 'Hindi as national language' remark triggers social media debate

Kannada actor Shiva Rajkumar sparked controversy after referring to Hindi as a national language at the title launch event of his upcoming pan-India film 'Original Monster'. The remark drew criticism from those who pointed out that India has no designated national language, while his supporters suggested he was merely referring to Hindi's widespread use across the country. The incident quickly spread across social media, generating significant public debate. The episode has reignited broader conversations around language politics and regional identity in the Indian film industry.

China adds most gold to reserves since 2023 as bullion prices surge

China significantly increased its gold reserves in August, recording its largest single-month purchase since 2023. The country added 650,000 ounces of gold despite bullion prices rising sharply during the period. This reflects a broader trend among large economies, including India, of accumulating gold reserves in recent years. However, India's gold purchases have slowed compared to previous years, while China has moved in the opposite direction.

Thieves Loot $10 Million Worth of Artworks from Renoir Museum in France

Thieves have stolen artworks valued at approximately $10 million from a museum dedicated to French Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir in France. The museum houses a significant collection of personal belongings and works associated with Renoir, including his easel and wheelchair. The stolen items are believed to include portraits, landscapes, and nude paintings created by the artist. The heist represents a major loss for the cultural institution, which preserves the legacy of one of France's most celebrated painters.

Kangana backs Trisha Krishnan over character attacks linked to Vijay rumours

Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut has publicly expressed solidarity with Tamil actor Trisha Krishnan following a wave of character attacks directed at her over alleged link-up rumours with actor Vijay. Kangana highlighted that such targeted attacks on women in public life are a widespread global issue. The controversy has reignited broader discussions about how women in the entertainment industry are treated when their personal lives are scrutinised. Separately, Tamil Nadu politician Udhayanidhi Stalin is facing legal consequences over remarks he made in connection with the matter. The episode has prompted renewed debate around gender-based reputational attacks on public figures.

Uber cuts 3,300 jobs and ends remote work for nearly all staff

Ride-hailing giant Uber is laying off approximately 3,300 employees, representing around 10% of its total workforce. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi communicated the cuts alongside a major remote work policy change in a company-wide email. Effective going forward, all but 1% of Uber's remaining roughly 29,000 employees will be required to work from an office near their team. The company's existing three-day hybrid attendance policy will remain in place and be strictly enforced. Global operations will be concentrated primarily across offices in New York and San Francisco.

ED Launches Probe into Rs 3.28 Crore Bribery Allegations Against Kerala CM Vijayan

India's Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated an investigation into bribery allegations against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The probe centers on claims that a bribe of Rs 3.28 crore was allegedly routed to Vijayan through his daughter Veena T. The alleged transaction is said to have taken place during Vijayan's tenure as Chief Minister of Kerala. The ED, which handles financial crimes and money laundering cases, is now examining the matter formally.

‘Thought it was a minor altercation’: Neighbour recalls the night Manipuri singer was killed

BJP's Suvendu Adhikari Launches 'Saffron Samman Yatra' to Spread Nationalist Message

Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has initiated a programme called the 'Saffron Samman Yatra' in what appears to be a politically significant move. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has stated that the initiative aims to promote nationalist ideology among the public. The party has actively called on people to participate in the procession. The yatra is seen as a notable political exercise by the BJP in the region.

All 8 Arrested in Delhi Murder of Manipuri Musician, Chargesheet Due in 2 Weeks

All eight suspects accused in the killing of Manipuri musician Chongtham Vikram Singh have been arrested by Delhi police. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that a strong chargesheet will be filed within two weeks of the incident. Singh died following a violent altercation involving delivery workers and dhaba employees. His body is set to be transported to Manipur on Wednesday for the last rites. Authorities have expressed hope that those responsible will receive strict punishment under the law.

PM Modi, Putin to hold talks ahead of Brics Summit; Ukraine war, US sanctions in focus

India's Rafales Gathered Chinese J-16 Radar Data During Egypt Air Exercise

Indian Air Force Rafale jets and Chinese J-16 fighters came into close contact during a multilateral air exercise held in Egypt. The Rafale's onboard SPECTRA electronic warfare system captured radar signatures from the Chinese aircraft during the encounter. This data is considered valuable intelligence for India, offering insights relevant to potential future air combat scenarios involving China. However, analysts note that differences in weapons loadouts and military doctrine limit how directly the observations can be applied. Notably, China's exposure to India's full Rafale capabilities during the exercise was assessed as minimal.

Assam: Guwahati man chops wife’s head, stores it in fridge after fight over affair

Tourist Guide Killed in Knife Attack Near Amer Fort, Locals Shut Shops in Protest

A tourist guide lost his life near Amer Fort in Jaipur after being stabbed during a dispute over jeep access. The argument escalated when two men allegedly attacked the guide with a knife. The victim was taken for medical treatment but succumbed to his injuries. Following his death, local residents staged protests and shut down shops in the area. Police have detained the jeep driver and his associate in connection with the incident.