India

Nipomo's 128-Year-Old Church Donated to Become a Cultural and Community Hub

A historic church in Nipomo, California, originally built in 1898, has been donated to the Dana Adobe and Cultural Center. The donors, John and Rebecca Prewett, handed over the 128-year-old building to preserve its legacy and serve the local community. The site is planned to be transformed into a museum, an event venue, and a visitor center for Nipomo. Despite the change in ownership, Calvary Church will continue to hold its Sunday services at the location.

Fragments of Hope Restores 100,000 Corals to Belize Reef After Hurricane Iris

Marine biologist Lisa Carne launched a coral restoration initiative in Belize following the devastating impact of Hurricane Iris in 2001. Carne focused on replanting coral fragments, a method that had largely been overlooked in reef recovery efforts. Through her nonprofit organization, Fragments of Hope, the project has successfully outplanted over 100,000 coral fragments across the damaged reef system. The restoration work has led to a significant increase in both coral coverage and overall marine biodiversity in the region.

Las Vegas developers acquire 940 desert acres for $94M to build 6,000-home community

A large parcel of former federal desert land near Las Vegas has been purchased for $94 million in what is described as the biggest Bureau of Land Management transaction in the valley in decades. The site will be developed into Monument Hills, a master-planned community offering up to 6,000 homes along with various resident amenities. Revenue generated from the land sale will be directed toward public projects across Nevada, including parks and education initiatives. The first homes in the new community are expected to hit the market around spring 2028.

IRCTC sets all-time single-day record with over 20 lakh tickets booked

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) recorded its highest-ever single-day ticket bookings on September 7, 2026. A total of 20,06,353 train tickets were booked through its platform in a single day. The surge was driven by the festive season Advance Reservation Period (ARP) bookings. This milestone highlights the growing demand for rail travel during peak festive periods in India.

5 Dead After Bus Carrying Dutch Tourists Crashes in Swiss Alps

A bus transporting Dutch tourists crashed in the Swiss Alps on Thursday afternoon, killing five people. The accident occurred in Graubunden, a canton located in eastern Switzerland. Authorities have confirmed fatalities, though further details on injuries or the total number of passengers remain limited. The cause of the crash has not yet been officially disclosed.

Tamil Nadu CM Vijay's UK Visit to Focus on Investments and Motor Sports City Plan

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay is on an official visit to the United Kingdom with a dual agenda of attracting investments and exploring motorsport infrastructure. The visit includes a focused effort to pitch Tamil Nadu as an investment destination to British businesses and institutions. On the sporting front, Tamil Nadu aims to study the UK's established motor racing ecosystem to inform its own ambitious plans. The state government is working toward developing a world-class Motor Sports City and sees Britain's infrastructure as a key reference model. The visit reflects Tamil Nadu's broader push to combine economic development goals with sports and automotive sector ambitions.

Odisha government awaits Central Zoo nod to keep 5 rescued orangutans at Nandankanan

Bank of India fined Rs 15K for delaying widow's savings release to elderly Kerala man

A Kerala consumer commission has directed Bank of India to pay Rs 15,000 in compensation after finding it guilty of service deficiency. The case involved an elderly man who was denied timely access to his deceased wife's savings account. The commission ruled that the bank imposed unnecessarily cumbersome procedures and failed to communicate clearly with the claimant. The bank could not substantiate its defense related to an unsigned application. The elderly man endured financial hardship and mental distress as a direct result of the bank's conduct.

Putin's Armoured Aurus Senat Limousine Spotted on Delhi Roads

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India travelling in his heavily fortified Aurus Senat limousine, one of the world's most secure state vehicles. The Aurus Senat is designed to be bulletproof and blast-resistant, offering maximum protection to its occupant. The vehicle is considered among the most secretive and advanced armoured cars used by any world leader. Its deployment reflects the high-security requirements surrounding Putin, who has accumulated significant adversaries over his 25-year tenure leading Russia.

Luxury home in Corsica? Separatists are bombing multimillion-euro properties

India Backs Dollar Use While Exploring Local Currency Trade Options

India has signaled it will not abandon the US dollar as its primary trade currency, even amid BRICS discussions around alternatives. New Delhi favors a layered strategy that uses the dollar where it remains most efficient for international transactions. At the same time, India is open to settling trade in local currencies where bilateral trade volumes make it practical. This nuanced stance reflects India's pragmatic approach to balancing global financial integration with emerging-market currency ambitions. The position also signals limited enthusiasm for a unified BRICS currency as a near-term replacement for dollar-denominated trade.

US DHS Proposes Ending 60-Day Grace Period for H-1B and Other Visa Holders

The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed eliminating the 60-day grace period currently granted to H-1B and other temporary visa holders. Under the proposed change, skilled foreign workers would be required to leave the United States immediately upon losing their jobs. The move carries significant consequences for both foreign national employees and their US-based employers. The department has opened the proposal for public comment before any formal implementation takes place.

Anthropic Shuts Down State-Sponsored AI Surveillance Operations Linked to China, Iran

AI company Anthropic announced on Thursday that it had dismantled several state-sponsored surveillance operations exploiting its AI models. The company identified China and Iran among the countries involved in misusing its technology. Anthropic warned that governments and state-aligned actors are increasingly turning to AI tools to monitor ethnic minorities and political dissidents. The company's disclosure highlights growing concerns about the weaponization of commercial AI systems for authoritarian surveillance purposes.

Red Alert Issued in Delhi as Heavy Rain Lashes City, More Expected

Heavy rainfall hit several parts of Delhi on Friday, prompting weather authorities to issue a red alert. The India Meteorological Department has forecast moderate to heavy rain across many areas of the city. Light to moderate showers are also expected during the evening hours. Rainfall activity is predicted to persist over Delhi for the next two days.

Trump Administration Seeks to Exclude Undocumented Immigrants from Census Count

The Trump administration is pushing for a major overhaul of the US Census that would exclude undocumented immigrants from the population count used for congressional apportionment. The US Census Bureau has argued that undocumented individuals should not be considered 'true inhabitants' for the purposes of this count. If implemented, the change could potentially remove millions of people from the figures used to allocate congressional seats among states. The move marks a significant shift in how the census has traditionally been conducted, as all residents regardless of legal status have historically been counted. Critics warn the change could dramatically reshape political representation across states with large immigrant populations.

iPhone 18 Pro costs less in the US than India due to taxes and duties

Apple has officially launched the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max globally, featuring the A20 Pro chip and upgraded camera systems. Prices for these flagship models vary significantly across countries. The United States offers the lowest purchase price for both variants. India's comparatively higher pricing is attributed to local taxes and import duties levied on electronics.

XCT scans reveal how spider-tailed viper's lure differs from its skeleton

Scientists used X-ray computed tomography (XCT) scanning to study the unusually shaped tail of a spider-tailed viper. The scans revealed that the tail contains standard viper vertebrae despite its distinctive spider-like external appearance. This highlights how an organism's outward form can differ significantly from its internal skeletal structure. The findings also suggest that fossilized bones alone may not accurately represent how an animal looked in life. Researchers emphasized that museum specimens remain valuable tools for advancing biological understanding through modern imaging techniques.

Actor Max Thieriot transforms Sonoma ranch into vineyard and rural retreat

Actor Max Thieriot and his wife Lexi purchased a roughly 90-acre ranch in Sonoma County in 2013. Over the years, they have developed the property into a working vineyard and rural retreat. The estate now features a nine-acre Pinot noir vineyard called Bodega Thieriot, with the remaining land consisting of hillside, woodland, and pasture. Although the Thieriot family primarily resides in Washington state, Max regularly returns to the ranch during the off-season.

Gujarat murder convict who acted in Bollywood films arrested after 12 years on run

Hemant Modi, a murder convict serving a life sentence in Gujarat, absconded while on parole in 2014 and evaded authorities for 12 years. During this time, he assumed multiple false identities and built a career in Indian cinema, appearing in films alongside prominent actors including Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan. Authorities received a tip-off that led them to track him down in Ahmedabad, where he was finally apprehended. Modi has been taken back into custody to resume serving his life sentence.

IMD Issues Red Alert for Delhi as Heavy Rain Lashes Parts of City

The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Delhi amid ongoing rainfall across several parts of the capital. The weather agency warned that moderate to heavy rain is expected to continue in many areas over the next few hours. The alert signals that residents and authorities should remain on high alert for potentially disruptive weather conditions. IMD regularly issues color-coded warnings to help the public and administration prepare for severe weather events.