India

Padikkal Hits Maiden Test Century; Coach Credits Improved Back-Foot Technique

Devdutt Padikkal scored an unbeaten 131 to register his first international century against Sri Lanka. India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak attributed the knock to Padikkal's significantly improved back-foot play. The young batter also showed strong adaptability against Sri Lanka's spin-heavy bowling attack. KL Rahul made a notable contribution as well before being forced to retire hurt during the innings. Sri Lanka's coaching staff acknowledged the quality of both Indian batters' performances.

'I sincerely apologise': BCI chief to law students after row over NALSAR diktat

Kerala’s 3rd Vande Bharat Express upgraded to 16 coaches after 9 months: Check route

Over Half of US Renter Families Strained by High Housing Costs, Data Shows

More than 50% of renter households in the United States are burdened by steep housing costs, according to recent data. A persistent shortage of available homes across the country is keeping rental prices elevated. Lower-income families are disproportionately affected, as zoning restrictions and regulatory hurdles continue to slow new residential construction. Experts suggest that proposed housing legislation may eventually help ease pricing pressures in the rental market.

Texas's Green Island hosts world's largest reddish egret colony since 1923

Green Island in Texas is home to the world's largest colony of reddish egrets, a status it earned after heavy hunting once drove bird populations to critical lows. Protected since 1923, the island has developed dense vegetation that provides nesting habitats for a variety of coastal bird species. Dedicated wardens patrol the island to protect it from predators and preserve its fragile ecosystem. However, the sanctuary now faces a growing threat from climate change, which could jeopardize its long-term viability as a critical refuge for wildlife.

Lucknow cabbie suspended 99 years for ejecting passengers who used casteist slurs

A Lucknow cab driver, Ankit Kumar, asked four passengers to leave his vehicle after they repeatedly directed casteist slurs at a senior officer. Kumar's response was captured on video, which later went viral on social media. Following the video's circulation, Kumar received threats and abusive messages online. The ride-hailing platform suspended his account for 99 years without reaching out to hear his side of the story.

Delhi Man Throws Infant Daughter Into Yamuna After Stopping for Selfie on Bridge

A man named Rinku and his wife Lakshmi were travelling by motorcycle with their infant daughter toward Agra city. The couple stopped on a bridge over the Yamuna river, ostensibly to take a selfie with their child. Rinku then threw the infant into the river below. The incident has been reported by NDTV, and authorities are investigating the case. The motive behind the shocking act remains under scrutiny.

Ukraine Hits Russian Rocket Facility 900 km Inside Russia With Flamingo Missiles

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine carried out a strike on a Russian rocket facility located approximately 900 kilometres from Ukraine's border. The attack was conducted using Flamingo cruise missiles, marking a significant long-range strike deep into Russian territory. The targeted facility was reportedly involved in supporting a satellite communication network comparable to SpaceX's Starlink. The strike underscores Ukraine's growing capability to hit strategic military infrastructure well beyond the front lines.

Iran Seeks Release of 3 Pilots Captured in Qatar After Su-24 Jets Crashed

Iran has demanded the release of three of its pilots who were captured in Qatar following the crash of Su-24 jets. The incident is linked to an attack on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar that took place in early March. Iran's army confirmed last month that it had recovered the body of Iranian pilot Majid Kazemi, who was killed during that attack. The captures and fatality highlight a significant military incident involving Iranian aircraft in Qatari territory.

'Sharma ji ka beta toh': Why some Indian careers are judged before they are chosen

Australian woman reunites with twin brother 49 years after Vietnam war separation

Chantal Doecke, an Australian woman evacuated from Vietnam as a newborn during Operation Babylift, discovered she had a twin brother through a DNA test. Her brother Glenn had been living nearby in Brisbane, just kilometres away, for decades without either sibling knowing of the other's existence. The pair were separated at birth amid the chaotic wartime evacuations that airlifted thousands of children out of Vietnam in 1975. Their emotional reunion has prompted Doecke to speak out about the lasting impact of Operation Babylift on the many children whose lives were shaped by those wartime decisions. She is now advocating for greater recognition of the experiences of adoptees affected by the historical evacuation programme.

BWF World Championships: Delhi's heat and humidity may shape outcomes on court

The BWF World Championships are set to begin in Delhi from Monday, bringing together the best badminton players in the world. Beyond on-court rivalries, environmental factors such as drafts, heat, and humidity are expected to play a significant role in the tournament. Players will need to adapt to these challenging indoor conditions, which could influence shuttle flight and player stamina. Experts suggest that the ability to handle Delhi's climate may prove as decisive as technical skill in determining the eventual champion.

OpenAI drops recycled water cooling at Sydney data centre over permit issues

OpenAI has abandoned its recycled water cooling plan for its S7 data centre in Sydney after regulatory obstacles blocked the required pipeline construction. The facility will instead use a closed-loop liquid cooling system, which consumes more energy than the originally intended solution. The decision comes as Sydney experiences rising demand for data centre infrastructure. Despite the setback, the S7 project is expected to create thousands of jobs during its construction phase.

Drunk Man Wraps Python Around Neck After Snake Enters UP Meat Shop

A python entered a meat shop in Uttar Pradesh, apparently targeting a goat kept on the premises. The situation took an unexpected turn when an intoxicated man picked up the snake and draped it around his neck. The unusual spectacle drew a large crowd of onlookers, including passersby and nearby shopkeepers. The incident quickly became a talking point in the area due to the dangerous and bizarre nature of the man's actions.

BJP Leader's 'Ask Mother' Remark Sparks Fresh Political Row in Tamil Nadu

A BJP leader's 'ask mother' comment has triggered a fresh controversy in Tamil Nadu politics. The remark came in the wake of actor-politician Vijay's earlier 'father' comment, which had already stirred debate. Vijay's party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), strongly condemned the BJP leader's statement. TVK demanded that the BJP politician maintain the dignity befitting his public office.

China Eyes Arctic Shipping Route to Europe Amid Trade Route Disruptions

Shipping companies are actively seeking alternative trade routes as global conflicts, tariffs, and disruptions have destabilized established pathways. The Suez Canal, a critical artery for international trade, has become increasingly unreliable for shipping firms. China is exploring an Arctic route that could connect it to Europe in approximately 20 days. However, the route comes with significant challenges that may complicate its widespread adoption as a viable alternative.

India beat Wales 3-1 in FIH Hockey World Cup opener, Harmanpreet scores brace

India kicked off their FIH Hockey World Cup campaign with a commanding 3-1 win against Wales in Pool D. Sanjay put India ahead early, netting in the eighth minute of the match. Captain Harmanpreet Singh then took charge, scoring two goals to anchor the victory. Wales managed to reduce the deficit with a late goal but could not stage a comeback. The win earned India a full three points from their opening fixture.

KL Rahul fine after retiring hurt with cramps in India vs Sri Lanka Test

KL Rahul retired hurt during India's Test match against Sri Lanka after experiencing cramps, but batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed he is doing well. Rahul contributed a solid 77 runs off 162 balls before leaving the field. He was involved in a productive 150-run partnership with Devdutt Padikkal before his exit. Padikkal went on to score an unbeaten 131 on his Test comeback, anchoring India's innings. The hosts closed day one in a strong position, finishing at 288 for two wickets.

Bengaluru Engineer Kills Wife in Domestic Dispute, Then Dies by Suicide

A couple in Bengaluru became embroiled in a violent domestic dispute that ended in tragedy. The husband, Sumant Jain, a civil engineer, allegedly assaulted and suffocated his wife Padmavathi, who worked as a software engineer. Following the attack, Sumant died by suicide. The incident is reported to have begun as an argument between the two that escalated into violence. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Virginia State University on lockdown after shooting injures multiple people

A shooting incident triggered a lockdown at Virginia State University early Saturday. Multiple suspects were involved, and several people were injured near the Quad Annexes area of campus. The injured victims were taken to local hospitals for medical treatment. Both university and county police are jointly investigating the incident. Authorities have yet to release details about the suspects or the identities of those injured.