India

How diamonds made Kolmanskop rich before turning it into a ghost town

Ex-TMC MLA Nirmal Ghosh arrested over hurried cremation in RG Kar murder case

Former Trinamool Congress MLA Nirmal Ghosh has been arrested in connection with the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case. He is accused of facilitating a hasty cremation of the victim's body, allegedly to obstruct evidence collection. Two other individuals have also been charged in relation to the same incident. This case is distinct from the central CBI probe into the rape and murder of the doctor. Authorities believe the rushed cremation may have compromised key forensic evidence in the high-profile case.

30-Year-Old Nurse Found Dead in NRS Hospital Washroom During Night Shift

A 30-year-old nurse was found dead in a staff washroom at NRS Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. She had stepped away from her night shift duties when colleagues grew concerned after she failed to return. She was discovered unconscious and was later declared dead. Preliminary investigation revealed no visible injuries and no suicide note was found at the scene. Her body has been sent for a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.

Mumbai Police Seize 15,000 Codeine Bottles and 1 Kg Charas, Two Held

Mumbai authorities seized over 15,000 codeine syrup bottles and approximately one kilogram of charas in a recent drug bust. The contraband was allegedly being transported aboard a passenger bus travelling between Gujarat and Mumbai. Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the case. The drugs were reportedly intended for distribution across Mumbai, Bhiwandi, and surrounding areas.

Amit Shah comes to Lok Sabha finally, only for House to be adjourned

Parliament Monsoon Session concludes: Key takeaways from final day of proceedings

xAI Launches Grok Bot Designed to Handle Professional Tasks Autonomously

Elon Musk's AI company xAI has unveiled a new product called Grok Bot, aimed at managing a broad range of professional work. The tool is designed to function like a coordinated team of AI agents working together. Grok Bot is intended to handle tasks seamlessly, reducing the need for human intervention in complex workflows. The launch marks xAI's latest step in expanding its Grok AI product lineup into agentic, task-oriented applications.

Bengaluru Proposes Annual On-Street Parking Fee of Up to Rs 25,000

The Greater Bengaluru Authority has released draft parking rules for 2026 that aim to regulate on-street vehicle parking across the city. The proposed Greater Bengaluru Area (Parking) Rules, 2026 are designed to discourage motorists from parking their vehicles on public roads for extended periods. Under the draft framework, charges will progressively increase for vehicles that remain parked beyond two hours. The rules could see annual parking costs reach as high as Rs 25,000, making long-duration roadside parking significantly more expensive.

Indian-Origin BBC Veteran Gautam Rangarajan Takes Senior Role at 10 Downing Street

Gautam Rangarajan, a strategist of Indian origin, has taken up a key position at 10 Downing Street, the official residence and office of the UK Prime Minister. He brings with him over three decades of professional experience gained at the BBC. His appointment marks a significant transition from a long media career to a central role in UK government administration. The move has drawn attention given his Indian-origin background and his extensive tenure at one of the world's most prominent public broadcasters.

Vijay's Jana Nayagan Approaches Rs 195 Cr Net After 22 Days in Theatres

Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan continues its theatrical run into its fourth week, maintaining a steady performance at the box office. The film has accumulated a domestic net collection of Rs 194.46 crore, with the gross India collection reaching Rs 226.50 crore. On its 22nd day, the movie is still screening across 523 theatres nationwide. It recorded an occupancy rate of around 10.5%, reflecting continued audience interest despite being in its final weeks of wide release.

Ex-Pakistan Interior Minister Claims Loyalty to Hafiz Saeed, Issues Threat Against India

Former Pakistan Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed has publicly declared himself a follower of Hafiz Saeed, the UN-designated terrorist and mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Rasheed served as Pakistan's Interior Minister between 2020 and 2022 and maintains close ties with former Prime Minister Imran Khan's PTI party. His remarks included a threatening statement directed at India, drawing significant attention. The comments have raised concerns given Saeed's status as a globally designated terrorist with a bounty on his head placed by the United States.

New York City Imposes New Tax on Luxury Second Homes to Boost Revenue

New York City has introduced a pied-à-terre tax targeting high-value properties that are not used as primary residences. The measure is designed to generate substantial annual revenue for the city. However, determining tax liability has proven difficult due to complex property ownership structures. The city has issued notices to thousands of affected properties, with exemptions available for qualifying owners. Some homeowners are now contesting the tax in court, raising concerns over its fairness and implementation.

Tata Trusts begins search for Chandrasekaran's successor as Tata Sons chairman

The Sir Dorabji Tata Trust has initiated the process of finding a successor to N Chandrasekaran as chairman of Tata Sons. This comes a day after Chandrasekaran announced he would not seek another term in the role. His current tenure as chairman is set to conclude on February 20, 2027. The trust acknowledged and respected his decision not to continue beyond the present term.

Mitchell Starc becomes most successful left-arm bowler in Test cricket history

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has set a new all-time record for left-arm bowlers in Test cricket. He claimed his 434th Test wicket, surpassing Sri Lanka's Rangana Herath to claim the top spot. Starc also matched Kapil Dev's wicket tally, achieving the milestone in fewer matches than the Indian legend. The feat came during a Test match against Bangladesh, where Hasan Mahmud took six wickets to bowl Australia out for 198 runs.

Study reveals how Archaeopteryx first took flight 150 million years ago

A new study published in August 2026 may have cracked the long-debated mystery of how birds first evolved flight. Researchers from the University of Southampton and Paris's National Natural History Museum conducted the investigation using advanced 3D modelling and billions of computer simulations. The team focused on Archaeopteryx, a bird-like creature that lived approximately 150 million years ago. Their analysis found that unlike modern birds, Archaeopteryx could not launch directly into the air, but instead relied on powerful two-legged jumps. It is believed the creature gradually transitioned from leg-driven leaps to sustained wing-assisted flight over time.

Cape Cod barrier blocking native trout for 73 years is set to be removed

Waking mid-dream, not vivid dreams, is what leaves you feeling exhausted

Many people blame vivid dreams for morning fatigue, but the real culprit is disrupted sleep during REM phases. The brain stays highly active during REM sleep, making it harder to reach the deeper, more restorative stages of rest. Remembering a dream is actually a sign that you woke up while it was occurring, cutting short the sleep cycle. This interruption prevents the body from clearing adenosine, a chemical that builds up and promotes sleepiness. The tiredness felt upon waking is therefore caused by the act of waking mid-dream, not the dreams themselves.

Trump's White House Renovation Plan Estimated at $927 Million

The Trump administration has proposed a sweeping renovation of the White House complex estimated at $927 million, potentially making it the most expensive overhaul in roughly 80 years. Key projects include a new ballroom in the East Wing, a visitor screening centre, and a helipad. Upgrades to the area around Lafayette Square are also part of the plan. The scale and cost of the proposal have drawn significant attention given its historic magnitude.

Salman Khan releases '7 Dogs' trailer featuring Sanjay Dutt and international stars

Bollywood actor Salman Khan has unveiled the official trailer for his upcoming international action film '7 Dogs'. The film features a global cast including Italian actress Monica Bellucci and American actor Giancarlo Esposito, alongside Sanjay Dutt. The project is helmed by directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, known for their work on high-octane productions. The trailer promises large-scale action sequences, signaling an ambitious international production for Khan.

Uttarakhand Man Trapped in Saudi Arabia in Hostage-Like Conditions

Indramani Nautiyal, a resident of Uttarakhand, India, travelled to Saudi Arabia in 2018 seeking employment opportunities. He secured work as a truck driver with Pick Roads and Contracting Company, based in the Saudi capital Riyadh. Nautiyal is currently reported to be held in a hostage-like situation, raising serious concerns about his safety and well-being. His case has come to light, prompting calls for intervention by Indian authorities to secure his release and safe return home.