India

iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max launched: Check prices in US, UK, Dubai, Canada and more

Newport mansion revives 1500s staircase craft with mortise-and-wedge joinery

New Australian insect genus named after Taylor Swift amid 12-species discovery

A newly identified genus of Australian insects has been named Swiftiephylus in honor of pop star Taylor Swift, with four species also carrying names inspired by her music and albums. The pale yellow and cream-colored insects were collected over nearly a decade, between 1995 and 2004. A Taylor Swift fan contributed to the discovery, which encompasses a total of 12 new insect species. The findings underscore the significant volume of insect biodiversity that remains undocumented and unstudied worldwide. Researchers hope the high-profile naming will draw greater public attention to insect conservation efforts.

BJP and Congress Trade Blows in AI-Generated 1980s Portrait Meme War

A viral social media trend using AI to recreate personal photos as 1980s-style portraits has been adopted by Indian politicians. Both the BJP and Congress have seized on the trend to take satirical digs at each other. Senior BJP leaders including Piyush Goyal and Kiren Rijiju have participated by sharing their own retro-styled images. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also joined in, posting AI-generated portraits of himself. The trend has effectively turned a lighthearted aesthetic craze into a tool for political point-scoring on social media.

Centre defers green nod to limestone mining near Great Indian Bustard habitat

Kobe and Vanessa Bryant's Relationship: A Story of Resilience and Legacy

Kobe and Vanessa Bryant shared a long relationship marked by both personal challenges and deep commitment. The couple met when Vanessa was young and went on to build a family together, raising four daughters. Despite difficulties along the way, the two remained devoted to each other and grew stronger as a couple over time. Following Kobe's sudden death, Vanessa has continued to honor his memory and preserve the legacy they built together. Their story is widely seen as an example of how perseverance and love can sustain a family through hardship.

Assam Man Arrested After Killing Wife, Storing Head in Refrigerator

A man in Assam was arrested after allegedly killing his wife and storing her severed head in a refrigerator. The accused had previously made aggressive remarks online about killing a so-called 'sugar daddy', which drew public attention before the grim discovery. Authorities took him into custody following the shocking revelation of the crime. After his arrest, the man issued a cautionary statement, urging others not to repeat his mistake, marking a sharp reversal from his earlier threatening tone.

Imran Tahir, 47, becomes oldest man to take a T20 five-wicket haul

Veteran leg-spinner Imran Tahir has set a new world record by becoming the oldest cricketer to claim a five-wicket haul in men's T20 cricket, achieving the feat at the age of 47. The performance came during a Caribbean Premier League match, where he played for the Guyana Amazon Warriors. His five-wicket haul proved decisive, steering his side to victory in the contest. Tahir, who has long been a prominent figure in T20 cricket globally, continues to defy age with his consistent performances. The spinner has credited encouragement from his son as a key motivation behind his enduring passion for the game.

Deer fled human voices 64% of the time, then learned to ignore them

Karnataka mandates only first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at official events

The Karnataka government has issued an official order regulating how the national song Vande Mataram is to be performed at state functions. The directive specifies that only the first two stanzas of the song should be sung or played. The government stated the move aims to ensure uniformity, respect, and proper protocol in the song's rendition. The order is expected to spark controversy, as decisions around Vande Mataram have historically been sensitive in India.

Apple skips standard iPhone 18, splits launch cycles for Pro and base models

Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and a new foldable model called Duo, but notably left out the standard iPhone 18 from the announcement. The company appears to be separating its premium and base model launches into distinct release cycles going forward. Analysts point to memory shortages and broader supply chain constraints as key factors behind this strategic shift. The standard iPhone 18 is now anticipated to arrive in early 2027. The move is also expected to help Apple distribute product shipments more evenly across financial quarters.

Pakistan walks back defence minister's warning, clarifies no military action planned

Pakistan has issued a clarification stating that no discussions are currently underway regarding military responses linked to the Mecca defence pact. The statement comes within 24 hours of warnings issued by the country's defence minister, representing a notable reversal in tone. The Mecca defence agreement is designed to strengthen deterrence and defence cooperation among member nations, and is only intended to be activated if the Yemen conflict spills over into Saudi Arabian territory. Pakistan also confirmed that there are no immediate plans to expand the alliance further.

Invasive Giant Reed Is Tripling Wildfire Fuel Loads in Southern California

Giant reed, originally native to eastern Asia, was brought to California in the 1820s for use in roofing and erosion control. The plant has since turned invasive, spreading aggressively and displacing native vegetation across the state. In Southern California's Santa Ana River Basin, infestations of the weed have nearly tripled the amount of available wildfire fuel. The plant's dense growth also places added strain on local water resources, compounding its environmental impact.

Space-based surveillance: Dhruva to get key systems worth €5m from Safran

West Virginia's Restored Elk Herd Grows to 130, Spreads Into New Territory

West Virginia's elk restoration program is showing strong results, with the herd now numbering around 130 individuals. The population includes multiple native-born calves, indicating successful natural reproduction within the region. Elk have begun moving into new territories beyond their initial reintroduction zones, reflecting a healthy and expanding population. The revival is being seen as a significant conservation success, while also generating a boost in local tourism.

Centre’s Ladakh proposal: No statehood or legislature, but new model needing Parliament’s vote

India Asserts Strategic Autonomy as Iran's President Visits for BRICS Summit

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is visiting New Delhi for the BRICS summit, marking a significant diplomatic moment for India-Iran relations. The visit follows signals from India at Bishkek reaffirming its independent foreign policy stance. New Delhi is effectively communicating that its strategic partnerships, including with Tehran, will not be dictated by Washington's pressure. India's engagement with Iran underscores its long-standing doctrine of strategic autonomy, which it regards as non-negotiable. The development highlights the limits of US influence over India's sovereign foreign policy decisions.

Mayawati demotes nephew Akash Anand again, raising doubts over his BSP future

BSP chief Mayawati has once again sidelined her nephew Akash Anand, publicly questioning his political maturity. His designation on X has been downgraded from National Convenor to Party Worker and now to mere Supporter. Mayawati has linked Akash's political prospects to the exit of his father-in-law from the party. Younger sibling Ishan Anand has been elevated to a more prominent role within the BSP. The shake-up comes as the party faces declining voter support ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

MP High Court withdraws protection from Wildlife SOS chief in Leopard poaching

Bank Services to Face Disruptions on Sept 11 Due to Strike and Holidays

Bank employees across India have planned a nationwide strike for September 11, which is expected to disrupt normal banking operations. In Gujarat, a three-day strike is set to impact thousands of branches and financial transactions. Additionally, several states will observe bank holidays in observance of Ganesh Chaturthi and other regional festivals. Despite branch closures, customers will still be able to access ATMs and digital banking services during the disruption period.