India
Baltimore residents co-own local mall, 10 new leases set to create 100+ jobs
Edmondson Village Shopping Center in Baltimore is undergoing a major revival led by its own community. Around 200 local residents have taken direct ownership stakes in the shopping center, giving them a share in its economic future. Ten new leases have recently been signed, bringing essential services to the neighborhood. Among the incoming tenants, a planned Meals on Wheels headquarters is expected to generate over 100 jobs. The initiative highlights how community-owned real estate models can drive local economic growth.
Kiran Reddy, 18, becomes first Indian-American to win Miss Teen USA title
Kiran Reddy, an 18-year-old from Georgia, has been crowned Miss Teen USA, becoming the first Indian-American to win the title. She had previously won the Miss Georgia Teen USA pageant, making her the state's first contestant to advance to a national victory. Reddy is currently pursuing pre-medical studies and has expressed a desire to serve as a role model for young girls. She will go on to represent the United States at the Miss Teen Universe competition. The win marks a historic milestone for both the Indian-American community and the state of Georgia.
Khushi Kapoor buys 180 sq ft flat in Bandra West for Rs 63 lakh
Actor Khushi Kapoor, daughter of filmmaker Boney Kapoor, has purchased a 180 square foot apartment in Mumbai's Bandra West locality. The property was acquired for Rs 63 lakh, translating to approximately Rs 35,000 per square foot, according to registration documents. The transaction marks a real estate investment by the young actor in one of Mumbai's prime residential areas. Khushi made her acting debut in 2023 with The Archies and has upcoming projects including Mom 2 and The Garhwal Rifles.
Heavy Rain Triggers Waterlogging, Flight Delays in Delhi Ahead of BRICS Summit
Heavy rainfall hit Delhi-NCR on Friday, leading to widespread waterlogging and traffic congestion across the city. The India Meteorological Department issued a red alert warning of intense rain and thunderstorms in the region. Flight operations at Delhi's airport were disrupted, causing delays for travellers. Commuters faced significant difficulties navigating flooded roads in several parts of the city. The downpour comes as Delhi is making preparations to host the upcoming BRICS summit.
Sebi Clears NSE IPO, Likely to Be Worth Rs 30,000 Crore
India's securities regulator Sebi has granted approval for the National Stock Exchange to launch its initial public offering. The move ends nearly a decade of delays that had prevented the country's largest stock exchange from going public. The IPO is estimated to be valued at approximately Rs 30,000 crore, potentially ranking among India's biggest public offerings. The issue will be an offer-for-sale, with existing shareholders collectively offloading close to six percent of their stake in NSE. The exchange is a dominant player in India's equity derivatives segment and is the operator of the benchmark Nifty 50 index.
Terrorist Neutralised in J&K's Budgam During Army-Police Joint Operation
A terrorist was killed during a joint operation by the Indian Army and Jammu & Kashmir Police in the Budgam district of Jammu & Kashmir. The operation was launched after security forces received intelligence about a suspected group of terrorists moving through the region. The group was tracked as it travelled from Pakherpora in Pulwama district toward Yousmarg in Budgam. Acting on this information, security personnel swiftly mobilised to intercept the militants. The operation reflects ongoing counter-terrorism efforts by joint forces in the Kashmir Valley.

Heavy Rain Causes Waterlogging at Delhi's IGI Airport
Heavy rainfall led to significant waterlogging at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. Visuals from the scene showed passengers wading through accumulated water to reach the terminal entry gates. Travellers were seen rolling up their trousers and pushing luggage trolleys through the flooded pathways. The incident highlights infrastructure challenges at one of India's busiest airports during monsoon conditions.

Sam Altman Apologises as GPT-6 Astra Rollout Locks Out ChatGPT Paid Users
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has issued a public apology following a troubled rollout of GPT-6 Astra, the company's latest AI model. ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscribers were unable to access the model at launch, while enterprise cybersecurity customers were given priority access instead. To compensate affected users, OpenAI is offering one banked reset for each day of the wait. However, Altman's apology did not include a concrete timeline for when paid subscribers can expect full access. The chaotic launch has also drawn attention to broader questions around AGI claims and reported safety-related delays behind the release.
UN Report Links Al Qaeda-Affiliated Group to 2025 Red Fort Blast
A recent United Nations Security Council report has identified an al-Qaeda-linked organization with connections to the 2025 Red Fort blast in India. The report sheds light on the inner workings of what is described as al-Qaeda's India branch. The findings have raised fresh concerns about the operational presence and reach of the global terror network within the country. The UN report marks a significant development in understanding the group's structure and activities on the subcontinent.

Bihar girl born without hands writes with her feet, aspires to become a teacher
Lakshmi, a 13-year-old Class 4 student at a government school in Bihar, was born without both hands. She has adapted to school life by using her feet to open her bag, handle books, and write. A video shared by ANI showing her daily school activities has earned her widespread admiration. Lakshmi's goal is to become a teacher when she grows up. Her story has also sparked a broader conversation about the need for inclusive education and better support systems for children with disabilities.
Israel Says It Killed Hamas Commander Behind Oct 7 Sufa Outpost Attack
The Israeli Defense Forces announced the killing of Muhammad Mahmoud Marshad Al-Qadi, a Hamas Nukhba commander. Al-Qadi was identified as the leader of the Hamas attack on the Sufa outpost during the October 7 assault on Israel. The IDF disclosed the news through an official post on X. The elimination is part of Israel's ongoing military campaign targeting Hamas leadership responsible for the October 7 attacks.

Oakland Woman Loses $12,145 in Charles Schwab Impersonation Scam
An Oakland woman had her entire $12,145 investment account drained by scammers who impersonated Charles Schwab security representatives over a phone call. The victim claims she did not willingly share any sensitive information with the callers. However, Charles Schwab's internal investigation concluded that a verification code was disclosed to a third party during the interaction. The woman has since reported the incident to both local police and the FBI. She is also pursuing the matter through arbitration in an effort to recover her lost funds.
Sam Altman pushes back on claims ChatGPT queries waste excessive water
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has disputed widely circulated claims that a single ChatGPT query consumes water equivalent to six hours of showering. He argued that modern data centers use advanced cooling technologies that make older water consumption estimates outdated and inaccurate. Altman compared AI's water usage to that of almond farming, calling the prevailing narratives misconceptions. He also noted that large data centers consume water at levels comparable to typical office buildings.
Kolkata Building Hosting Abhishek Banerjee's Office Faces Partial Evacuation
A building in Kolkata that houses an office of Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee is set to be partially vacated. Authorities have ordered the partial evacuation of the premises, though specific reasons for the move have not been fully detailed. The development follows a recent action at the same building, where an allegedly illegal Trinamool Congress billboard was removed by authorities just a week prior. The back-to-back actions at the building have drawn attention to the property's regulatory compliance status.

Tiffany Haddish built a 17-property real estate portfolio after advice from a stranger
Comedian and actress Tiffany Haddish has revealed how she grew a real estate portfolio of approximately 17 properties after overcoming early financial hardship. Haddish previously experienced homelessness and lived on just $500 a month before turning her finances around. She credits a chance encounter with an accountant during a trip to China and Japan for reshaping her approach to money management. The actress also channelled her acting earnings directly into purchasing and paying off properties over time.
37 Dead in Nigeria After Inhaling Toxic Fumes During Oil Theft Attempt
At least 37 people have died in Nigeria following an oil theft attempt gone wrong. The victims lost their lives after inhaling toxic fumes during the incident. Oil theft, locally known as bunkering, is a widespread problem in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta region. The exact location and timing of the incident were reported by the Times of India, though further operational details were not provided in the available text.

