India

Brian May's decade-long effort plants 101,000 trees across 157 acres in Dorset

Queen guitarist Brian May spearheaded a reforestation initiative in Dorset, England, that began with a single oak tree planted by residents of Bere Regis village in 2013. Over the following decade, more than 101,000 trees and shrubs were planted across 157 acres, dramatically transforming the local landscape. Wildflower zones were also created alongside the woodland to support biodiversity, providing habitat for birds, insects, and other wildlife. By 2023, the area had evolved into a flourishing woodland ecosystem. Photographer Linda Lamon documented the entire ten-year transformation, capturing the site's journey from bare land to thriving forest.

BofA forecasts 100 bps RBI rate hikes by mid-2027, terminal rate at 6.25%

Bank of America Securities has predicted that the Reserve Bank of India will raise interest rates by a cumulative 100 basis points by the first half of 2027. The investment bank has revised its forecast for the first hike to October, earlier than its previous estimate of December. These successive increases would bring the repo rate to a terminal level of 6.25 percent. The projection is underpinned by concerns over economic growth and inflationary pressures in India. However, BofA noted that any significant slowdown in the economy could alter the RBI's rate-hiking trajectory.

CISF Head Constable Kills 4 Colleagues in J&K After Workplace Argument

A CISF Head Constable named Avdesh Kumar Singh shot and killed four of his colleagues at a post in Jammu & Kashmir. The incident was triggered by an argument among the personnel. Singh fired 18 rounds from his service weapon during the confrontation. The victims were fellow CISF personnel stationed at the same location. Authorities are investigating the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting.

Pilot tried to crash plane, hijack code triggered: What happened on Tel Aviv flight

Cockpit Altercation Between Pilots Forces Dubai-Tel Aviv Flight to Divert

A Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight was forced to divert after an altercation broke out inside the cockpit. A regional official briefed on the matter confirmed that the incident apparently involved the pilots on board. The nature and cause of the dispute between the crew members has not been fully disclosed. Authorities are investigating the circumstances that led to the mid-flight diversion.

BJP Raises Punjab Drug Crisis as Electoral Issue Ahead of 2027 Assembly Polls

The BJP has intensified its campaign against drug abuse in Punjab, positioning it as a central issue for the upcoming 2027 state Assembly elections. Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a rally in Jalandhar, using the platform to highlight the drug menace in the state. The rally triggered a sharp political clash between the BJP and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party over the handling of Punjab's drug crisis. The AAP government, which came to power partly on promises to tackle drug abuse, found itself on the defensive following Shah's remarks. The BJP appears to be building its electoral narrative around law and order and the drug problem well in advance of the next state polls.

Psychiatric treatment done but nowhere to go for patients: Goa’s key institute has a problem

Delhi Court Denies Bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in Riots Case

A Delhi court has rejected bail pleas filed by activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, who are accused in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots case. The bench ruled that it could not modify a Supreme Court order dated January 5, which had set specific conditions for bail eligibility. Under that order, the two accused may seek bail either upon completion of the examination of protected witnesses or after one year from the passing of the order, whichever comes earlier. The court thus held that neither condition had been met to warrant granting bail at this stage.

Trump's AI Initiative Document Contains Misspelling of 'United States'

A official document linked to Donald Trump's artificial intelligence initiative contained a spelling error in the name 'United States'. The mistake surfaced in connection with Trump's so-called 'super intelligence' program. The error was notable given the formal and high-profile nature of the document. The blunder was reported by NDTV, drawing attention to the lack of proofreading on an official government record.

Patna Surgeon Has Charged Just Rs 10 Per Consultation for Decades

Dr. Ejaz Ali, a general surgeon based in Patna, has maintained a consultation fee of just Rs 10 for several decades. The doctor sees over 100 patients every day, drawing people from across Bihar to his clinic. Dr. Ali is known for factoring in patients' financial situations when making treatment decisions. His approach makes quality surgical and medical care accessible to those who might otherwise be unable to afford it.

Flint Schools Install Filters After Years of Bottled Water Reliance

Flint Community Schools has installed new water filtration systems across all its schools and administrative buildings. Students had previously depended on bottled water due to long-standing contamination concerns in the district. Testing has confirmed that the new systems successfully remove lead and harmful bacteria from the water supply. Drinking stations are now operational, giving students access to clean tap water for the first time in years. However, bottled water will continue to be made available to students throughout the current school year as an added precaution.

Explosion Sound and Dense Smoke Reported at Mangaluru Refinery

A loud explosion was reported at the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) facility on Wednesday. Dense smoke was seen rising from the site shortly after the blast sound, visible from a considerable distance. The incident triggered significant concern among residents living near the refinery. Official sources have yet to release details about the cause or extent of the incident.

Ex-UPSC aspirant Nikkitha Shanker builds $2M e-commerce firm, pivots to AI startup

Nikkitha Shanker initially spent three years preparing for India's competitive UPSC Civil Services Examination before a startup stint shifted her focus to entrepreneurship. She went on to found Shoppre, an e-commerce technology company that grew into a profitable venture generating approximately $2 million in annual revenue. Shanker eventually stepped back from Shoppre to explore artificial intelligence, dedicating nearly a year to experimentation in the space. She then co-founded SuperBryn, a voice-AI startup, alongside Dr Neethu Joy. The company has since secured $1.2 million in funding from Kalaari Capital and a group of angel investors.

2,100-Year-Old Roman Shipwreck Found Off Turkish Coast With 122 Ceramic Types

Marine archaeologists have uncovered an ancient shipwreck near Adrasan, on the southern coast of Turkey, estimated to be around 2,100 years old. The vessel was carrying thousands of ceramic tableware pieces, believed to have originated from the ancient port city of Rhosus. Researchers identified 122 distinct types of ceramics aboard, offering rare insights into ancient tableware varieties and how goods were packed for sea transport. The find sheds light on the prominent role Rhosus played in tableware manufacturing during the Late Hellenistic and Early Roman periods.

Trump calls Sundar Pichai a 'monster' at White House event, Google CEO quips back

Four Telangana Men Lured With Civilian Jobs, Forced Into Russian Military Training

Four men from Telangana, India, travelled to Russia after accepting what they believed were civilian job offers. Their families allege the men were instead taken to a forested area upon arrival. There, they were reportedly handed weapons and put through military training against their will. The incident has raised serious concerns about human trafficking and fraudulent overseas employment schemes targeting Indian workers.

Kharge Pushes for Ballot Papers at INDIA Bloc Meet Amid Election Body Row

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called for a return to ballot paper voting at a key INDIA bloc meeting. His remarks follow a recent Indian Express report revealing internal discord within the Election Commission of India. According to the report, Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi formally objected on record 14 times over 10 months to decisions related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. These objections were directed at orders issued under Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, raising concerns about the functioning of the poll body.

Ex-IAS officer found with throat slit at Bhopal home; police look for missing caretaker

India's Small Savings Schemes Collect Rs 1.54 Lakh Crore in First 4 Months of FY27

India's small savings schemes have recorded inflows 56% higher in the first four months of FY2026-27 compared to the same period last year. The government had budgeted Rs 3.59 lakh crore in net collections for the full fiscal year, but officials now expect the actual figure to exceed that target comfortably. Popular instruments such as PPF, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, and the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme continue to attract strong investor interest. Authorities note that collections typically surge in the March quarter, further boosting the likelihood of surpassing the annual estimate.

K Kavitha Blames KTR for BRS Decline, Warns Him to Back Off

BRS leader K Kavitha has launched a strong public attack against party colleague KT Rama Rao, holding him responsible for the party's deteriorating condition. She issued a stern warning to KTR, making clear she would not tolerate his actions. The dispute signals a deepening internal rift within the Bharat Rashtra Samithi. The fallout comes at a difficult time for the party, which has been struggling since losing power in Telangana.