India

Tennessee man, 91, reclaims record as oldest to finish 2,193-mile Appalachian Trail

Dale Sanders, a 91-year-old Tennessee man nicknamed 'Grey Beard', has reclaimed his record as the oldest person to complete the Appalachian Trail. The gruelling trek spans 2,193 miles across 14 US states. Sanders endured a remarkably difficult journey, falling 71 times — including six serious falls — and sustaining injuries that required a brief hospitalisation. Despite these setbacks, he successfully completed the entire trail.

Tribunal alters gay ex-IAF man 'dismissal' to 'routine discharge'

Kolkata's Janmashtami Festival Shifts to Hindu-Only Format After Decades of Inclusivity

A well-known Janmashtami celebration in Kolkata, which was historically open to participants of all faiths including Muslims, has been restructured as a Hindu-exclusive event this year. Organizers say the change is intended to emphasize Hindu traditions and cultural heritage. The festival will now be managed solely by members of the Hindu community. This marks a significant departure from the event's longstanding tradition of multicultural participation. The shift has drawn attention given Kolkata's reputation as a city with a diverse and inclusive cultural identity.

Stan Kroenke adds LA Angels to sports empire in deal closing by 2027

Billionaire sports mogul Stan Kroenke is set to acquire the Los Angeles Angels, adding a Major League Baseball franchise to his growing portfolio. The deal is expected to be finalized by early 2027. Kroenke, whose net worth stands at $24.3 billion, built much of his fortune through real estate investments. He already owns several major sports franchises, which have seen notable championship success in recent years. The Angels acquisition will mark his first entry into Major League Baseball.

Truck Drivers Block Highway for Third Day Over Assam-Mizoram Border Tensions

A truckers' protest entered its third consecutive day on Tuesday, with drivers halting traffic on the Assam-Mizoram border highway. The demonstration, which began on Sunday, has left multiple Mizoram-bound trucks stranded on the Assam side of the route. Drivers have alleged harassment linked to the ongoing dispute between the two northeastern states. The blockade has disrupted the flow of goods and vehicles heading into Mizoram.

BRICS Summit: Delhi Traffic Police issues advisory ahead of motorcade rehearsal

Ram Temple CEO Shortlist Narrows to Three UP Candidates

The search committee for the Ram Temple's top administrative post has shortlisted three candidates for the CEO position. All three contenders hail from Uttar Pradesh and bring relevant experience to the role. The final selection will be made at an upcoming meeting of the Trust. The chosen candidate will oversee administrative operations as well as facilities for pilgrims visiting the temple. An official announcement regarding the appointment is expected to follow shortly after the meeting.

Builder restores 16th-century English longhouse and turns it into family home

Smithsonian's 1881 Arts and Industries Building to House National Museum of American Latino

The Smithsonian Board of Regents has chosen the historic Arts and Industries Building on the National Mall as the permanent home for the National Museum of the American Latino. The decision ends a lengthy debate over where the museum should be located. Built in 1881 and restored at a cost of $55 million after closing in 2004, the building will be renovated and modernized to suit the museum's needs. Selecting this existing structure means congressional approval for a new dedicated building will not be required. The museum had already offered visitors a preview of its collection when it opened a temporary space in 2022.

Joel McCrea's Historic Ranch Transformed into Wildlife Sanctuary and Parkland

The former California ranch of Hollywood actor Joel McCrea has been converted into a wildlife preserve and public parkland. McCrea's family donated the estate to support conservation efforts, creating a protected habitat for native plants and animals. The property also features notable rock formations and historic ranch structures. The buildings have been transferred to local park authorities to ensure their long-term preservation. Educational programs and ecological restoration initiatives are actively being carried out on the protected land.

Government halves sugar stock limit for dealers to curb hoarding

Israel Captures Hamas Internal Security Chief in Gaza, Netanyahu Confirms

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israeli forces have captured the head of Hamas's internal security apparatus in Gaza. The announcement was made via an official statement, though Netanyahu did not provide further operational details. Israeli media outlets identified the captured individual as Muein al-Arabid. The development marks a significant blow to Hamas's internal security structure within the territory.

Punjab Constable and Sister Attacked in Gurdaspur After Reporting Drug Peddlers

A Punjab police constable named Karanpreet Singh and his sister were attacked in Gurdaspur district. The constable believes the assault was carried out in retaliation for his earlier decision to report drug dealers active in his village. The incident highlights the risks faced by individuals, including law enforcement personnel, who take a stand against drug trafficking in the region. The attack raises concerns about the safety of those who cooperate with anti-drug efforts in Punjab.

Ahmedabad Airport Adopts Hub-and-Spoke Model to Boost Regional Connectivity

Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has adopted a hub-and-spoke operational model aimed at improving air connectivity across Gujarat and beyond. The model is designed to streamline flight networks by channeling regional routes through a central hub, making air travel more accessible. The initiative aligns with the Indian government's UDAN scheme, which seeks to connect smaller cities and towns through affordable regional flights. The move is also positioned to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi's broader vision of elevating Indian civil aviation to international standards.

UK Man's £1 Car Boot Sale Find Turns Out to Be 600-Year-Old Ming Jade Dog

A man in the UK made a remarkable discovery after purchasing a small carved dog for just £1 at a car boot sale. The figurine, found inside a box, has since been identified as a genuine Ming dynasty artifact dating back approximately 600 years. The black-and-green jade carving measures 8.5 centimetres in length and is attributed to one of China's most celebrated imperial eras. Experts have now consigned the piece to auction, where it is expected to sell for as much as £10,000.

ED tells court Punjab Police ignored 7 letters in alleged transfer racket case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has informed a court that Punjab Police failed to register an FIR despite receiving seven letters regarding an alleged transfer-and-posting racket. The ED alleges that Rajbir Singh Ghuman, a close aide of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, was running the racket. The scheme reportedly involved the illegal transfer and posting of senior officials, including IAS and IPS officers. The ED's disclosure highlights a lack of action by state police in pursuing the case.

Tughlakabad Leads Delhi Voter List Gaps With 92,000 Uncollected Forms

Delhi's ongoing voter list revision has revealed significant gaps in form collection across several constituencies. Tughlakabad recorded the highest number of missing enumeration forms, with 92,033 out of 1,92,419 forms left uncollected. Okhla ranked second, reporting 1,63,829 missing voters from an initial electorate of 3,62,813, representing a 45.16 per cent gap. The data highlights challenges in ensuring complete voter enumeration during the revision exercise.

Guwahati Airport Upgrades Landing Safety System After Rigorous Testing

Guwahati Airport has successfully commissioned an enhanced landing safety system, marking a significant upgrade to its aviation infrastructure. The project was carried out in full compliance with applicable aviation safety and regulatory standards. It involved multiple stages including planning, installation, calibration, and thorough testing before final commissioning. The upgrade is expected to improve the safety and reliability of aircraft landings at the airport.

Thailand Raids Pattaya Sex Trade Venues Ahead of 5,000 US Navy Sailors' Visit

Thai authorities have launched crackdowns on prostitution in the coastal city of Pattaya ahead of a large US Navy deployment to the country. Weekend raids resulted in approximately 40 to 50 individuals being detained on suspicion of engaging in prostitution. The operations are linked to the anticipated arrival of around 5,000 US sailors in Thailand. The raids reflect Thai authorities' efforts to manage and curb illegal activity in the region during the high-profile military visit.

J&K Lt Governor Directs Officers to Strengthen Counter-Terror Ops and Coordination

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has called for a stronger counter-terrorism strategy across the union territory. He instructed all officers to maintain heightened operational vigilance at all times. Sinha also emphasized the need for seamless coordination among various security and intelligence agencies. The directive reflects ongoing efforts to intensify area domination operations in the region.