India

Nicolas Cage sold Rhode Island mansion for $6.2m after buying it for $15.7m

Actor Nicolas Cage purchased the historic Gray Craig estate in Rhode Island for $15.7 million in 2007. The sprawling 27-acre property features a 24,000-square-foot stone mansion with 12 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, ocean views, and amenities including a tennis court, gym, and pool. Just a year after buying it, Cage listed the estate for $15.9 million but failed to sell it at that price. He eventually offloaded the property in 2011 at a significant loss, selling it for $6.2 million to Massachusetts-based couple Andrew and Pamela Constantine.

NASA finds 728-foot Moon crater from 2024 impact nobody saw happen

Tech Leaders Echo Hawking's AI Safety Warnings as Risks Mount

Leading figures in the artificial intelligence industry are calling for a more cautious approach to the rapid development of AI technologies. CEOs such as Dario Amodei of Anthropic and Sam Altman of OpenAI have stressed the urgent need for strong safety measures. Their concerns centre on AI systems' potential for recursive self-improvement, which could make them increasingly difficult to control. These warnings mirror those made by the late physicist Stephen Hawking, who had cautioned about existential risks posed by advanced AI. The growing chorus of voices has intensified calls for greater focus on ethical AI development and governance.

EU moves to ban social media for under-13s, tighten rules for teenagers

India shooting coach flags long daily commute disrupting top athletes' training

India's shooting contingent, which includes double Olympic bronze medallist Manu Bhaker and Asian Games medallist Esha Singh, is facing disruptions to their training schedules due to a lengthy 50-km daily commute. The long travel is forcing athletes to start their days significantly earlier, adding strain ahead of key competitions. India's shooting coach has expressed dissatisfaction with the logistical arrangement, raising concerns about its impact on performance. The situation is particularly concerning given that several of these athletes are considered strong medal contenders for India.

Leicestershire fined, docked 27 points over poor Grace Road pitch

Leicestershire Cricket Club has been fined £5,000 and docked 27 points after their Grace Road pitch was rated poor during a County Championship match against Glamorgan. The club attributed the deteriorating pitch conditions partly to extreme heat and an unscheduled Bollywood filming linked to Sourav Ganguly's biopic. However, the disciplinary panel did not accept the filming as a mitigating circumstance. The penalty leaves Leicestershire in a precarious position, facing a serious threat of relegation in their division.

EPFO raises wage ceiling: What changes & will your take-home take a hit?

The exact impact will vary depending on factors such as PF wages, previous PF and pension membership, and whether the employer currently contributes only up to the statutory ceiling or on actual wages.

Tsarukyan Names Khabib vs GSP as His Dream UFC Matchup

UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan has named a dream fight between retired champions Khabib Nurmagomedov and Georges St-Pierre as a bout he would love to see. Both fighters are widely regarded as all-time greats who built their success on elite wrestling abilities. Tsarukyan believes their contrasting styles would produce a compelling tactical contest inside the Octagon. The Armenian fighter made these remarks ahead of his own upcoming fight against Mauricio Ruffy.

‘It can’t be that Hindi won’t be taught’: SC to Tamil Nadu over Navodaya schools

Supreme Court Rebukes Tamil Nadu for Blocking Navodaya Schools Over Hindi Fears

The Supreme Court made strong remarks against Tamil Nadu's continued resistance to Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, making it the only state in India without a single such school. The state's opposition stems from concerns that these centrally-run schools are a vehicle for imposing Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking populations. The court questioned the state's stance, indicating that fears of linguistic imposition should not deprive students of quality educational opportunities. The remarks highlight the long-standing tension between Tamil Nadu's pro-Tamil language policy and the central government's school network expansion efforts.

Behind-the-Scenes Diplomacy Ends Manoj Jarange's 20-Day Hunger Strike

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange, 44, ended his 20-day hunger strike following intensive behind-the-scenes political negotiations. A dialogue session lasting nearly three and a half hours was central to convincing him to call off the fast. Discreet political maneuvering ran parallel to the talks, playing a key role in breaking the deadlock. The development was reported by NDTV based on sources familiar with the negotiations.

Tata Sons reappoints Chandrasekaran as executive chairman for another five years

The Tata Sons board has approved a fresh five-year term for N Chandrasekaran as executive chairman, reversing his earlier position of not seeking reappointment. The decision was taken at a board meeting held in Mumbai on Thursday. Chandrasekaran's ongoing term is set to conclude in February 2027, making this renewal a forward-looking extension of his leadership. Separately, the board has not yet reached any decision on the potential public listing of Tata Sons.

Congress Denies MPs Stayed Silent on Proposed UPI Transaction Tax

A Congress MP has pushed back against claims that the party's representatives raised no objections to a proposed tax on UPI transactions, calling the assertion fallacious. Five Congress MPs — Gaurav Gogoi, P Chidambaram, Manish Tewari, Kishori Lal, and K Gopinath — attended the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance meeting in August. The committee meeting was the forum where the UPI taxation proposal was reportedly discussed. Congress is asserting that its members did participate in dissenting against the measure during the proceedings.

69-Year-Old Kishori Kudecha Has 45 Podium Finishes After Starting Running at 60

Kishori Kudecha, now 69, began her running journey at the age of 60, challenging common perceptions about fitness and aging. Since taking up the sport, she has completed a full marathon and a 50 km ultramarathon. She has also accumulated over 45 podium finishes across various age categories in competitive events. Her sustained dedication to an active lifestyle continues to inspire many people to pursue fitness regardless of their age.

69-Year-Old Kishori Kudecha Has 45 Podium Finishes After Starting Running at 60

Kishori Kudecha, now 69, began her running journey at the age of 60, challenging conventional notions about age and fitness. Since taking up the sport, she has completed a full marathon and a 50 km ultramarathon. She has also amassed over 45 podium finishes across multiple age-group categories. Her dedication to an active lifestyle continues to inspire others to pursue fitness regardless of their age.

Buncombe County to develop 342-acre Deaverview Mountain as its largest park

Buncombe County in North Carolina has announced plans to transform a 342-acre property on Deaverview Mountain into its largest public park. The county recently approved a contract to create a master plan that will guide the park's development. A grant funded the acquisition of the land, making the project financially viable. The master plan will outline the construction of trails and visitor amenities, with an emphasis on passive recreation. Preserving the area's natural habitats is also a key priority in the development strategy.

Govt debunks Pak claim that IAF MiG-29 crashed during landing due to pilot error

Ron Popeil's Beverly Hills Estate Listed at $25M, Up from $7.5M Purchase Price

The Beverly Hills estate of late infomercial pioneer Ron Popeil has been listed for sale at $25 million, nearly five years after his death. Popeil and his wife purchased the 2.34-acre property in 2002 for $7.5 million, where they raised their two daughters. The sprawling villa spans 14,595 square feet and features a commercial kitchen that Popeil once used to develop and test his kitchen product prototypes. The property also includes a screening room, a gym, and a wine cellar among its amenities.

Three Mumbai Residents Lose Over Rs 7 Lakh in Separate Social Media Scams

Three Mumbai residents — a businessman, a hotel waiter, and a salesman — were defrauded of more than Rs 7 lakh in three distinct online scams. The incidents were reported separately and are linked to fraudulent activity on Facebook and Instagram. Victims were targeted through fake advertisements and deceptive phone calls originating from these platforms. The cases highlight a growing trend of social media-based financial fraud targeting ordinary citizens in urban areas.

Bengaluru Man Attacks Estranged Wife With Acid and Machete on Camera

A man in Bengaluru attacked his estranged wife with acid and a machete, and the assault was captured on camera. The couple had married in Madurai in 2024 but had been living separately for approximately a year due to a family dispute. According to police, the two had no contact with each other in the period leading up to the attack. Authorities are investigating the incident following the disturbing footage.