India

Man posing as transgender assaults air hostess under guise of ritual, arrested

A 25-year-old air hostess was sexually assaulted in her flat by a man who disguised himself as a transgender person. The accused, identified as Anil Shinde, 28, gained entry by claiming he would perform a ritual to ward off the evil eye. Shinde also took Rs 200 from the victim before fleeing the premises. Police traced and arrested him within four hours using CCTV footage. Authorities are now investigating whether Shinde may have carried out similar offences in the past.

Michigan's Smallwood Lake Begins Refilling Six Years After Dam Disaster

Smallwood Lake in Michigan has begun refilling after restoration work on Smallwood Dam reached substantial completion in July. The refilling process started on August 4 and is anticipated to take between eight and ten weeks. The dam's recovery is part of broader restoration efforts following a disaster that occurred six years ago. Work is still ongoing at two nearby dams, Secord and Edenville. Progress at Secord Dam has been delayed after crews discovered an issue with one of its spillway gates.

Joe Root matches Tendulkar's record of 68 Test half-centuries at Headingley

England batter Joe Root equaled Sachin Tendulkar's all-time record for most half-centuries in Test cricket, reaching 68 fifties. The milestone came during England's first Test against Pakistan at Headingley. Root partnered with Cox to help England establish a first-innings lead. Pace bowlers Robinson and Tongue each claimed five wickets to bowl Pakistan out for 171. England successfully secured the first-innings advantage in the match.

Vanessa Bryant Speaks Out on Grief After Losing Kobe and Daughter Gianna

Vanessa Bryant has spoken candidly about the immense emotional pain she has endured following the deaths of her husband Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna. The losses occurred suddenly in 2020, drastically altering the course of her life overnight. Vanessa described the grieving process as an extraordinarily difficult journey she has had to navigate. Her comments offer a rare personal glimpse into how she has coped with the dual tragedies.

India flags 2.98 lakh URLs for takedown over scams, CSAM and unlawful content

Indian government departments have requested the removal of nearly 2.98 lakh URLs from social media platforms. State governments accounted for the bulk of these requests, flagging around 2.44 lakh URLs. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) separately identified over 51,000 URLs linked to various online scams. The crackdown comes amid student protests and reports of content being blocked on social media. Government regulations were also recently amended to speed up the process of removing unlawful online content.

Virgin Australia apologises after wrongly removing wheelchair user from flight

Virgin Australia has apologised to disability advocate Shane Hryhorec after he was removed from a flight over a misassessment of his wheelchair's power add-on motor. Airline staff insisted on his removal despite Hryhorec explaining that the motorised attachment could be easily detached. The incident has highlighted significant gaps in accessibility awareness and training within the airline industry. In response, Virgin Australia has committed to reviewing its staff procedures related to passengers with mobility devices. The airline is also offering Hryhorec a full refund as part of its remedial measures.

UAE Cuts Trade Ties with Iran Amid Tanker Attacks and US Alignment

The UAE has decided to sever trade relations with Iran, a move analysts say carries significant diplomatic messaging. The decision comes in response to Iran's increased attacks on Emirati tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Experts also see the move as a signal of the UAE's closer alignment with the United States. However, analysts caution that halting trade is unlikely to meaningfully disrupt the illicit flow of sanctioned Iranian oil money.

Southern economy could reach $10 trillion by 2047, says Naidu, seeks more cooperation among states

Premier League 2026/27 Season Preview: Arsenal, Promoted Clubs and European Spots

The 2026/27 Premier League season is set to kick off with Arsenal entering as defending champions. Three newly promoted clubs will make their return to English football's top flight this campaign. Nine English clubs will simultaneously compete in European competitions, adding further intensity to the domestic schedule. The season is expected to feature a competitive title race alongside tight battles for European qualification and relegation survival.

Ashton Hall and McGregor Film Mac Energy Ad Days After His Knee Surgery

Fitness influencer Ashton Hall collaborated with Conor McGregor on a promotional shoot for Mac Energy just eight days after McGregor underwent knee surgery. Hall described the intense session as a 'war with my brother,' highlighting the demanding nature of the shoot. McGregor admitted he disregarded his doctor's orders to rest in order to participate. The Irish MMA star is currently recovering from an ACL and meniscus injury sustained during his UFC 329 bout against Max Holloway earlier this summer.

US debt crosses $40tn but everyone still trusts Uncle Sam. But for how long?

India relaxes rupee trade rules to expand export benefits for businesses

India has eased its rupee trade settlement rules, expanding the scope of eligible payments for exporters. The policy change, highlighted by economic think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), means rupee payments received for exports to countries beyond Nepal and Bhutan will now qualify for Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) benefits. These payments can also be counted toward fulfilling export obligations, offering exporters greater flexibility. The move is seen as providing an alternative mechanism for exporters navigating international trade settlements in Indian rupees.

Mark Zuckerberg Acquires Historic Gothic Castle in Ireland

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has recently purchased Strancally Castle, a three-storey Gothic-style property located in Ireland. The castle was bought from the Alen-Buckley family in a deal completed within the past few weeks. Zuckerberg has expressed enthusiasm about his latest real estate acquisition. The purchase adds to the tech billionaire's growing portfolio of high-profile properties around the world.

India's Solar Cell Production Capacity Expected to Triple by December 2027

India is preparing to significantly expand its domestic solar cell manufacturing capacity in the coming years. The expansion is driven by new investments aimed at complying with local-content regulations and addressing existing supply gaps. A substantial increase in solar cell output is anticipated by December 2027. The push is part of a broader strategy to strengthen long-term energy resilience and reduce supply shortfalls. The evolving market is expected to better meet domestic demand as these new capacities come online.

US Army Battalion Offers Soldiers Days Off to Play GTA VI for Re-enlisting

A US Army battalion commander is offering soldiers extra days off as an incentive to re-enlist for additional years of service. The reward is timed to coincide with the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI, scheduled for November 19. Troops who agree to extend their service commitment will receive four days off around the game's release. The unusual offer highlights the lengths military units are going to in order to boost retention rates.

2026 US Open to pay singles champions record $5.5m in $108m prize pool

The 2026 US Open will distribute a record $108 million in total player compensation, marking a landmark moment in tennis history. Singles champions at the tournament will each take home $5.5 million, a substantial rise from previous payouts. Even players eliminated in the first round will receive a record $140,000, reflecting a sweeping increase across all prize tiers. Alongside the prize money boost, organizers announced a new player support program to enhance financial assistance for competitors. A Grand Slam Player Council was also established to give players a greater voice in tournament-related decisions.

Parliamentary panel identifies critical gaps at NGT, recommends urgent reforms

'Deceived, new fight begins': J'khand students after HC stays exam cancellation order

Rajya Sabha MP's Son Charged After Aston Martin Kills Woman in Hyderabad

Sanjush Lingamaneni, 21-year-old son of Rajya Sabha MP Lingamaneni Ramesh, has been charged following a fatal car crash in Hyderabad. He was allegedly driving an Aston Martin at high speed and in a reckless manner at the time of the incident. The vehicle struck Bharathi, a 26-year-old saleswoman employed at a mall. Bharathi succumbed to her injuries as a result of the collision. Authorities have filed charges against Sanjush in connection with the crash.

Bengaluru Rider Narrowly Escapes Tanker After Pothole Causes Bike Crash

A motorcyclist in Bengaluru had a near-fatal encounter after his bike hit a pothole, causing him to lose control. The incident was captured on video, highlighting the dangers of poorly maintained roads. A tanker approaching from behind failed to notice the fallen rider in time. The vehicle subsequently ran over the motorcycle, though the rider managed to escape being crushed. The incident has reignited concerns about road safety and pothole-related accidents in the city.