India

Sundar Pichai sends video message to IIT Kharagpur on its 75th anniversary

Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai sent a video message to IIT Kharagpur as the institute celebrated its 75th anniversary. Pichai, who graduated in 1993 with a degree in metallurgical engineering, fondly recalled personal memories from his time on campus, including meals at Harry's, the Illu festival, and studying in room B-308. He also mentioned that he met his wife Anjali during his years at the institute. Beyond nostalgia, Pichai shared his outlook on artificial intelligence, predicting that over the next five years AI will transition from research labs to practical use by farmers, doctors, and government workers.

China's Oil Demand Drops 9% in Q2 2026, Curbing Global Emissions

China's oil consumption declined 9% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, according to a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. The sharpest decline came from the transport sector, which saw a steep 16% drop in oil demand. This reduced appetite for oil has had a notable effect on keeping the country's emissions in check. The findings highlight a significant shift in China's energy consumption patterns during this period.

Meta AI Chief Mocks Google Gemini After Llama Model Tops Industry Benchmark

Meta's chief AI officer publicly ridiculed Google's Gemini AI model following a strong benchmark performance by Meta's new Llama Spark 1.3 model. The latest release demonstrated notable capabilities in agentic tasks and scientific reasoning, outperforming several competing models. It also positioned itself as a more cost-effective alternative to rivals in the AI space. The exchange highlights the intensifying competition between major tech firms in the race to dominate advanced AI development.

California $8M Grant Transfers 1,688-Acre Ranch to Public for Conservation

An $8 million grant has enabled the acquisition of 1,688 acres of land in California for public ownership and conservation purposes. The land, known as Park Ranch, is situated near Markleeville and protects a key wildlife corridor along with an undammed river. The site supports native fish habitats and serves as a seasonal migration route for wildlife. Alpine County took over management of the ranch in August, though public access has yet to be opened. Authorities plan to develop a comprehensive management strategy before allowing visitors onto the land.

Woman Found Strangled at Home, Husband Flees; Police Launch Manhunt

A young woman was discovered dead in her rented residence, with strangulation suspected as the cause of death. Her husband, Yash Thakur, is the prime suspect, as he allegedly had a history of assaulting her. Authorities were first alerted to a domestic dispute between the couple on August 31. Thakur allegedly locked the room before fleeing the scene following the incident. Police teams are currently conducting a manhunt to apprehend the absconding suspect.

YouTuber Santosh Pandit detained over defamatory video targeting Maharashtra minister

Social media influencer Santosh Pandit was detained by police early Wednesday morning in connection with a defamation case. The case stems from a video in which Pandit allegedly used abusive and derogatory language targeting Maharashtra minister Chandrakant Patil. The complaint was filed by Pune corporator Sunil Pande. Authorities have registered a formal defamation case and are currently conducting further investigation into the matter.

Government Warns Adult Content Apps Being Used to Drain Bank Accounts

India's Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) has issued an advisory warning citizens about a growing cyber fraud involving adult content platforms. Fraudsters are luring users through social media advertisements that redirect them to websites hosting adult material. These platforms are reportedly being used as a gateway to compromise victims' financial and personal data. The advisory urges the public to avoid clicking on such ads and to remain cautious while browsing online.

UK Mortgage Approvals Hit 18-Month Low as Borrowing Costs Weigh on Demand

UK mortgage approvals for home purchases dropped to their lowest point since January 2024 in July, reflecting weakening demand in the housing market. Rising borrowing costs have been identified as a key factor behind the decline. Net mortgage borrowing also fell sharply, dipping below its six-month average. Although house prices recorded modest annual growth, they declined in real terms once inflation was factored in. In contrast, unsecured consumer borrowing increased, suggesting households are relying more heavily on credit for day-to-day expenses.

Men Caught on Video Looting Flat Screens from TMC's Kolkata Office

A video has surfaced showing men walking out of the Trinamool Congress office in Kolkata carrying flat-screen monitors and other items. The footage also shows the floor of a room inside the office strewn with broken objects, suggesting prior vandalism. The incident appears to involve multiple individuals brazenly removing equipment from the premises. The circumstances surrounding the looting, including when exactly it occurred and who was responsible, have not been fully clarified.

Stray Dogs Maul 4-Year-Old Girl at Home in Karnataka's Kalaburagi

A four-year-old girl sustained serious injuries after being attacked by a pack of stray dogs in Karnataka's Kalaburagi district. The incident occurred while the child was playing at her home. The attack highlights the growing concern over stray dog menace in residential areas. Authorities have yet to announce specific measures taken in response to the incident.

IAF commander who shot down Pak jet after Balakot strikes joins private airline

IAF commander who shot down Pak jet after Balakot strikes joins private airline

Abhinandan Varthaman, who shot down Pak jet after Balakot strikes joins private airline

Robert Kiyosaki defends billion-dollar debt as a deliberate wealth-building strategy

Robert Kiyosaki, author of 'Rich Dad Poor Dad', openly embraces carrying substantial debt, viewing it as a strategic financial tool rather than a liability. He uses borrowed money to acquire income-generating real estate, a practice he distinguishes from reckless borrowing. Kiyosaki secures his debt against properties and works with partners to manage financial risk. He advocates for what he calls 'good debt', arguing that informed use of leverage can be a powerful path to wealth creation.

After Google, Apple Maps changes 'Lake Ontario' name to 'Lake America' for US users

7-Year-Old Skater Tangtang Falls at Race Start, Recovers to Take the Lead

A young skater named Tangtang, aged 7, fell at the very beginning of a skating competition but quickly got back on her feet. She steadily caught up with the other competitors and eventually moved into the lead. Her remarkable recovery drew widespread attention for the determination she displayed under pressure. The incident has been highlighted as a valuable lesson for parents about teaching children resilience. Experts and observers note that helping children cope with failure and bounce back is an essential part of their development.

Ex-Ukrainian Defence Minister Launches Palantir-Backed Defence Tech Firm

Former Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has founded a new defence technology company backed by Palantir CEO Alex Karp, who is serving as its principal investor. The firm aims to convert Ukraine's frontline combat experience into advanced technological solutions. Its primary focus is on developing defence innovations drawn from real-world lessons of Ukraine's ongoing war with Russia. The company intends to serve both Ukraine and its allied nations with these battlefield-informed technologies.

Nuvama VP Picks Bank of Maharashtra, Glenmark, Tata Tech as Top Buys

Aakash K Hindocha, Vice President of Research at Nuvama Professional Clients Group, has released his top stock picks for September 3, 2026. The three recommended stocks are Bank of Maharashtra, Glenmark Pharma, and Tata Technologies. These recommendations were published as part of Nuvama Wealth's daily market guidance for investors. The picks are intended to help investors identify potential buying opportunities in the current market environment.

UN: 20 Million Children Suffered Online Sexual Abuse Across 21 Countries in One Year

A United Nations report has revealed that approximately 20 million children across 21 nations experienced online sexual abuse within a single year. Around 15 million of those children were exposed to unwanted sexual content they did not seek out. Nearly 9 million were coerced or pressured into engaging in sexual conversations online. An additional 4 million children had their sexual images shared without their knowledge or consent. The findings highlight the alarming scale of digital child sexual exploitation across multiple countries.

New York City Schools Ban AI for Students Below High School Level

New York City has introduced strict regulations limiting artificial intelligence use in its public schools. Students below high school level face a complete ban on AI tools, while high schoolers are permitted limited access for specific educational purposes. Teachers, however, are allowed to use AI for tasks such as lesson planning and translation. Centrally approved instructional programs and assistive technologies have been exempted from the new restrictions. The policy marks one of the more defined stances taken by a major U.S. city on AI use in education.