India

Florida's underwater sculpture garden is now a living reef with 100+ species

Wyoming's 4 Lazy F Ranch stayed in family hands for nearly 80 years

The 4 Lazy F Ranch in Wyoming was purchased by the Frew family in 1927 and remained closely tied to them for decades. Family member Emily Frew Oliver transformed the summer retreat into a dude ranch in 1950. In 1967, she sold the property to the federal government but negotiated a life estate, allowing her to retain use of the land. She voluntarily relinquished that right in 2006, formally ending the family's long association with the historic Grand Teton ranch.

Ex-QPR Midfielder Akos Buzsaky Reported Missing in Hungary

Former Queens Park Rangers midfielder Akos Buzsaky, 44, has been reported missing in Hungary. Hungarian police have been conducting a search for the ex-Premier League player since August 18. His family is also independently working to find him. Buzsaky had been working as a construction contractor in Greece in recent years. Hungarian authorities have not disclosed any additional details about the circumstances of his disappearance.

Nepal floods: Over 100 Indians missing; MEA issues helpline numbers

US Military Strike on Suspected Drug Trafficking Vessel Kills 4 in Caribbean

The United States military carried out a strike on a boat in the Caribbean Sea, resulting in four deaths. US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced the operation via a post on X. The targeted vessel was allegedly involved in narco-trafficking and was said to be traveling along known drug smuggling routes in the region. SOUTHCOM identified the strike as part of efforts to counter drug trafficking activity in Caribbean waters.

Sam Altman gifts 7 custom $1M Swiss watches to select OpenAI staff

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has commissioned seven bespoke Swiss watches from luxury watchmaker Vanguart for a select group of OpenAI employees. The timepieces are based on Vanguart's titanium Orb model, which starts at $180,000, with each watch estimated at around $1 million. The watches feature the phrase 'COMPUTE IS DESTINY' engraved on the rotor and a line of Python code on the caseback. The gesture reflects a broader Silicon Valley trend, with staff at companies including Google, Palantir, and Uber also commissioning custom luxury timepieces.

How Bihar is bracing for impact after Nepal flash flood destruction

North American crayfish introduced to Britain now threaten native species

Karnataka MLA Apologises Again After Daughter Slaps Police Officer

A Karnataka MLA has publicly apologised twice after his daughter Aishwarya was caught slapping a police officer. The legislator, identified as Gowda, reiterated his apology during an interview with NDTV. He acknowledged that mistakes were made by both sides in the incident. The MLA had previously issued an apology before repeating it in the televised interview.

CIA Director Meets Russian Intelligence in Moscow, Not Putin, Kremlin Says

CIA Director John Radcliffe made an unannounced visit to Moscow on Tuesday, according to US media reports. He is among the highest-ranking American officials to travel to Russia since the country launched its war against Ukraine in 2022. Radcliffe held talks with Russian intelligence services during the visit. The Kremlin clarified that the meeting did not involve President Vladimir Putin.

Passenger Caught Smuggling Gold Capsules Hidden in Mouth at Bengaluru Airport

A male traveller was caught attempting to smuggle gold at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. The incident occurred around 7:30 am at Terminal 1 of the airport. Security personnel discovered the gold, which had been concealed in capsule form inside the passenger's mouth, during a routine frisking. The man was being screened before boarding a flight to Ghaziabad when the contraband was found.

Rhode Island woman's 1908 farm purchase became a 300-acre wildlife sanctuary

Mabel Norman Cerio bought Paradise Farm in Middletown, Rhode Island, in 1908, developing a deep personal connection to art, wildlife, and conservation over her lifetime. An accomplished artist and avid birdwatcher, she made plans during her life to transform the property into a bird sanctuary. Upon her death in 1949, she left the land to the community through her trust, fulfilling that vision. The property became the Norman Bird Sanctuary, which today preserves 300 acres of coastal habitat and six miles of trails supporting diverse wildlife. Beyond conservation, her legacy encompasses her paintings, sculptural interests, and ties to the European art world.

Mumbai builder ordered to pay Rs 6 crore for 20-year occupation certificate delay

A Mumbai-based builder has been directed to pay Rs 6 crore to a housing society for failing to obtain an occupation certificate for more than two decades. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission issued the order, holding the builder accountable for the prolonged lapse. Residents of the society lived without essential services and faced the risk of demolition due to the missing certificate. The commission also mandated that the builder must secure the occupation certificate within twelve months.

Financed Buyers Regain Edge in US Housing Market as Cash Deals Decline

Cash purchases in the US housing market are declining as overall home sales slow and available inventory increases. The moderation in price growth has created more favorable conditions for buyers relying on mortgage financing. Financed buyers are now more frequently winning competitive bidding situations, a shift from the recent past. The trend signals a broader stabilization of the US housing market, reducing the outsized advantage that cash buyers had previously enjoyed.

China Tests Radar-Evading Stealth Anti-Ship Missile, State TV Reveals

China has reportedly tested a stealth anti-ship missile engineered to evade radar detection systems. State broadcaster CCTV released footage of the missile last Saturday, drawing attention to its distinctive black coating. The black surface is believed to contribute to the missile's stealth capabilities by absorbing radar signals. The test underscores China's continued efforts to advance its naval strike capabilities with harder-to-detect weaponry.

Rijiju hits back at Khera over swimming video row, targets Rahul Gandhi

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has hit back at Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera amid a dispute over a swimming video. Rijiju alleged that Khera was rewarded with a Rajya Sabha seat as a 'prize' for making false allegations against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his wife. The minister also drew Rahul Gandhi into the controversy during his response. The exchange reflects ongoing tensions between the ruling BJP and the Congress party over the circulated video.

Meghalaya Assembly Passes Resolution Opposing Uranium Mining in State

The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly has passed a resolution opposing uranium mining within the state. The move reflects strong local sentiment against extractive industries operating on the region's land. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma noted that land in Meghalaya is governed by a unique constitutional and customary legal framework. This framework gives local communities significant say over land use and resource extraction decisions. The resolution signals the state government's intent to protect its land rights against central or external mining interests.

Pakistan women's team scrimmaged against men's side to prep for Asia Cup

Pakistan's women's cricket team held competitive T20 matches against a men's side as part of their pre-Asia Cup training camp in Lahore. Captain Fatima Sana said the unconventional approach was aimed at improving decision-making and composure under pressure. Pakistan, who have never claimed the Women's Asia Cup title, open their tournament campaign against Thailand on September 1. They are scheduled to face arch-rivals India on September 5.

NASA sent 3,301 bees to space in 1984 to study honeycomb construction

In 1984, NASA launched 3,301 honeybees aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery to study their behavior in microgravity. The experiment aimed to observe whether bees could survive and construct honeycomb in a weightless environment. While the bees initially struggled, bumping into walls, they adapted within a few days and began flying normally. By the end of the mission, the bees had built approximately 200 cm of honeycomb. Most bees survived the journey, though eggs laid by the queen failed to hatch after the crew returned to Earth.

Joint Home Loans: When They Help and When They Don't

A joint home loan involves two earning members of a household applying together for a single loan. Combining incomes can increase the overall loan eligibility, allowing borrowers to qualify for a higher loan amount. It also helps distribute the repayment burden more efficiently between the co-applicants. Most banks and housing finance companies (HFCs) recommend adding an earning family member as a co-applicant to strengthen a loan application. However, the arrangement may not suit every situation, making it important to weigh the benefits against potential drawbacks before proceeding.