India

Charlie Puth sells Montecito estate for $18.5M, quadrupling his 2017 investment

Singer Charlie Puth has sold his Montecito property for $18.5 million, a dramatic increase from the $4.17 million he paid for it in 2017. The estate carried personal significance for Puth, as it was the site of his wedding to Brooke Sansone two years ago. The sale represents a more than fourfold return on his original investment over roughly eight years. This transaction is part of a broader pattern of Puth offloading California real estate holdings, reflecting strong financial growth beyond his music career.

Delhi High Court Questions Student Violence, Issues Notices in DUSU Election Case

The Delhi High Court expressed strong displeasure over violence reported during Delhi University Student Union (DUSU) elections. A bench questioned how individuals involved in such conduct could be considered students. The court issued notices to all student organisations participating in the elections. All 140 candidates contesting the DUSU polls were also served notices by the bench. The court sought their responses on why collective electoral damages should not be imposed for alleged violations of election norms.

Gujarat Man Kills Daughter, Hides Body in Fridge, Dies by Suicide

A man in Gujarat killed his daughter, concealed her body in a refrigerator, and subsequently died by suicide. Authorities discovered the crime after finding the victim's body stored in the fridge at their residence. The man had left behind three suicide notes, which were found placed on a bed at the scene. Police registered a case and launched an investigation based on the first information report filed after the discovery.

From Meta Board to Executive: Dina Powell McCormick Leads $145B AI Compute Push

Dina Powell McCormick, a Goldman Sachs veteran and former US deputy national security adviser, stepped down from Meta's board of directors in December after Mark Zuckerberg asked her to take on an operational role instead. Nine months later, she serves as President, Vice Chairman, and co-leader of Meta Compute, overseeing the company's most complex legal, political, and financial challenges. Born in Cairo and raised in Texas, McCormick brings extensive finance and national security experience to her new position. Her appointment comes as Meta's AI capital expenditure guidance for 2026 has risen to as much as $145 billion.

Chinese Coast Guard Ship Rams Philippine Fisheries Vessel in South China Sea

A Chinese Coast Guard vessel collided with a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources boat in the South China Sea. The Philippine vessel was engaged in refueling local fishermen at the time of the incident. The collision caused structural damage to the Philippine boat, though no injuries were reported. China has claimed that the Philippine vessel disregarded warnings and altered its course before the collision. The incident has further heightened tensions between the two countries in the disputed waterway.

CJP Questions Award Given to Jaipur School Where 9-Year-Old Amaira Died

A political party has raised objections over a news channel's decision to honour Neerja Modi School in Jaipur. The school came under heavy scrutiny following the death of nine-year-old Amaira, who reportedly fell from the fourth floor last year. In the wake of the incident, the CBSE revoked the school's affiliation due to serious safety violations. A police chargesheet has also been filed in connection with the case. Critics argue that recognising the institution with an award is inappropriate given the ongoing legal and regulatory proceedings against it.

Explosive-laden truck rams into mosque in Pakistan's Kohat; 16 dead

Bill Gates Deepens Stake in US Waste Giant Republic Services via Cascade Investment

Bill Gates has significantly expanded his investment in Republic Services, one of the largest waste management companies in the United States. His private investment vehicle, Cascade Investment, recently purchased over three million additional shares in the firm. The expanded holding now accounts for more than 38% of Republic Services' outstanding common stock. This sizeable position could yield Gates hundreds of millions of dollars annually in dividend income. Republic Services operates nationwide, providing waste collection and recycling solutions across the country.

Muslim Artist, 85, Carves Hindu Gods on Living Trees in Viral Social Media Sensation

Ishtiaq Ali, an 85-year-old Muslim artist, has gained widespread attention on social media for carving Hindu deities, including Lord Ganesha, directly onto living trees without harming them. Ali spent much of his life working daily wage jobs before discovering his calling in this unique form of art. His craft reflects a deep understanding of Hindu iconography, including symbolic details such as the direction of Ganesha's trunk and the significance of carving the eyes last. The artist's work has been widely shared online, drawing admiration for both his skill and his cross-cultural devotion to the art form.

NC Girl, 12, Repairs 114 Stuffed Animals for Kids Displaced by Home Fires

A 12-year-old girl from North Carolina launched a personal initiative to help children who lost their homes in fires. She sourced discarded stuffed animals from local thrift stores, then cleaned and restored each one. In total, she repaired and donated 114 toys to affected children. The project provided emotional comfort to displaced kids while also promoting the value of recycling and reusing toys.

Sister killed while pregnant, brother waits months – then hacks her husband to death

St Stephen's Student Kills 3 Labourers After Ramming Car on Dwarka Expressway

Three labourers were killed on Dwarka Expressway in Delhi in the early hours of Thursday after a speeding car ploughed into them. The driver of the vehicle has been identified as a student of St Stephen's College. The incident occurred when the workers were present on or near the expressway, likely engaged in some form of labour activity. Authorities have taken cognisance of the case and the accused is believed to have been apprehended following the fatal crash.

Eight Air India Express Crew Suspended Over Delayed Breathalyser Tests in Amritsar

Air India Express has suspended eight crew members, including four pilots, following violations related to breathalyser testing protocols. The incident occurred after a flight landed in Amritsar, where crew are required by regulation to complete a mandatory post-flight declaration within two hours of landing. The suspended staff allegedly failed to comply with this two-hour breathalyser testing window. Aviation safety regulations mandate such checks to ensure crew members are not under the influence of alcohol after operating flights.

Scientists discover first new living cat species in more than a century

Student Opens Fire at Philippines School, Kills 2 Classmates Before Shooting Himself

A student at a school in the Philippines shot two of his classmates before turning the gun on himself. The incident occurred on a Friday, though the specific location within the Philippines was not detailed. The shooting has drawn attention to a pattern of school gun violence in Southeast Asia. It follows a high-profile incident in Thailand in August, where a student carried out a shooting rampage at a school on the outskirts of Bangkok.

EC Assigns New Names and Symbols to TMC Factions Led by Mamata and Arup Roy

India's Election Commission has allotted distinct names and symbols to two rival factions of the Trinamool Congress party. The faction led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been named 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' and assigned the 'Football Player' symbol. The breakaway group led by Arup Roy has been designated 'Democratic Trinamool Congress' and given the 'Envelope' symbol. The split has formally resulted in two separate recognised entities ahead of future electoral contests.

Nithari Serial Killer Surinder Koli Found Dead Under Suspicious Circumstances in Haridwar

Surinder Koli, convicted in the infamous 2006 Nithari killings case, was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Haridwar. Koli had been notoriously dubbed the 'monster of Nithari' following the discovery of human remains in a drain in Noida's Nithari village. The case had shocked the nation, involving confessions, multiple trials, and a series of acquittals over the years. The exact cause of Koli's death remains unclear as investigations are reportedly underway.

Parthiv frontrunner for chief selector if Agarkar, BCCI fail to agree extension

Gurgaon Hit-and-Run Accused Kalyan Bainsla Sent to 14-Day Judicial Custody

Kalyan Singh Bainsla and his cousin Lavnish have been sent to 14-day judicial custody in connection with a hit-and-run incident on Golf Course Road in Gurgaon. The case involves victim Shivani Chauhan, whose motorcycle was struck in the incident. Chauhan has alleged that support from a mahapanchayat is being used to distort the facts of the case. She stressed that the incident should not be framed as a gender or communal issue, but rather as a road safety concern. The victim called for strong action to prevent similar accidents and protect public safety.

Air India Express ordered to pay Rs 27,000 for mishandling passenger's bicycle

A consumer commission has directed Air India Express to pay Rs 27,000 to a passenger whose bicycle was mishandled during transit. The passenger had paid extra for special handling of the bicycle, but the airline placed it on the regular baggage belt instead. The commission ruled that this constituted a clear deficiency in service on the airline's part. The total payout of Rs 27,000 includes a refund of the special handling fee, compensation, and litigation costs.