India

Delhi Poll Body Defends Raghav Chadha Voter Roll Entry, Cites Due Process

The Delhi electoral authority has responded to questions surrounding the addition of AAP leader Raghav Chadha's name to the voter rolls. The poll body clarified that names are added, deleted, or modified in the electoral roll strictly through prescribed forms — Form 6, 7, and 8, respectively. Officials stated that all procedures were duly followed in Chadha's case. The response comes amid scrutiny over the legitimacy of the entry of his name in the electoral register.

Woman recovers seized gold and diamonds after winning tax tribunal case

An Indian woman who filed her income tax return in August 2019, declaring an income of Rs 1.34 lakh, found herself under scrutiny after the Income Tax Department discovered information about her during a search at a company's offices roughly a year earlier. Following the search, tax authorities seized her gold, diamonds, and silver. The woman challenged the seizure and took her case to the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT). The tribunal ultimately ruled in her favor, ordering the return of her seized assets.

Ex-Andhra Minister Faces Domestic Violence Case Filed by Daughter-in-Law

Jogi Meghana has filed a domestic violence case against her in-laws, who include a former Andhra Pradesh minister. She alleged that her in-laws made additional dowry demands after her marriage. The demands reportedly included Rs 5 crore in cash, a Toyota Fortuner SUV, and diamond jewellery. The case highlights ongoing concerns about dowry-related harassment in India.

India to Propose BRICS Nations Link Central Bank Digital Currencies for Cross-Border Payments

India plans to pitch a framework at BRICS for connecting central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) across member nations to facilitate cross-border transactions. The proposal is backed by the Reserve Bank of India and aims to streamline international payments within the bloc. By linking CBDCs, the initiative seeks to reduce dependence on traditional banking intermediaries. This move is also expected to lower transaction costs for cross-border payments among BRICS countries.

Pakistan's Test Series Run Tally Falls Short of Shubman Gill's Solo 2024 Haul

Pakistan's batting lineup has hit a new low during their ongoing Test series against England. The team's cumulative run tally across the series has failed to match the runs Shubman Gill scored individually against England in 2024. Despite experimenting with different batting combinations, Pakistan suffered another dramatic collapse in the third Test. England's bowlers dominated proceedings, restricting Pakistan to minimal scores throughout the match.

Self-taught teen from Penarth holds 5 Guinness records in freestyle football

James Taylor, a 14-year-old from Penarth, has emerged as a standout talent in freestyle football, finishing third at the world championships. He has earned five Guinness World Records through his exceptional ball control abilities. Taylor is largely self-taught, relying on YouTube tutorials alongside his daily practice sessions. Among his recent achievements is completing a high number of 'around-the-world' tricks within a single minute.

NC-Congress Alliance Strained by Vande Mataram Row and Leadership Disputes

The political alliance between the National Conference (NC) and Congress in Jammu & Kashmir is facing growing internal tensions over leadership and ideology. A recent dispute around Vande Mataram has exposed deeper ideological differences between the two parties. Memories of the controversial 1987 elections continue to shape NC's political outlook and behavior toward its coalition partner. The alliance now faces the dual challenge of pursuing statehood restoration and addressing Article 370 while managing these conflicts. Analysts suggest the coalition's long-term survival depends on its ability to reconcile these competing priorities.

Australia's 1981 White Cliffs Solar Power Station Receives Heritage Listing

Australia's White Cliffs solar power station, built in 1981, has been granted heritage listing recognition. Located in a remote outback region, the facility has supplied electricity to a small local community for over a decade. It stands as one of Australia's earliest operational solar energy installations, demonstrating the viability of renewable power in extreme climatic conditions. The heritage listing acknowledges the station's historical significance in shaping Australia's renewable energy journey and its role as a symbol of the country's long-standing sustainable energy ambitions.

20 Cats Found Dead in Mumbai's Chembur; PETA Offers Rs 50,000 Reward

Nearly 20 cats were discovered killed and mutilated in the Panjrapole area of Chembur, Mumbai. Local animal caregiver Rubeena Pathan brought the disturbing incident to the attention of authorities. Animal rights organisation PETA India has announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for information leading to the arrest of those responsible. Police are currently examining CCTV footage from the area to identify the perpetrators. A case has been registered under sections related to animal cruelty and the Indian Penal Code.

Apple Launches iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max With A20 Pro Chip

Apple has officially unveiled its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. The iPhone Duo features a large inner display paired with a smaller outer screen, marking Apple's entry into the foldable phone segment. The iPhone 18 Pro models come equipped with a 48MP camera system and improved battery life over their predecessors. All three devices are powered by Apple's new A20 Pro chip and support eSIM-only connectivity. Apple has announced pre-order details and availability dates for the Indian market.

Triptii Dimri Appears in IShowSpeed Livestream at Apple Launch Event in California

Bollywood actress Triptii Dimri drew social media attention after she was spotted in a livestream by popular content creator IShowSpeed. She attended Apple's recent product launch event in California, where she was seen interacting with new devices. Dimri was also photographed alongside singer AP Dhillon and Apple CEO John Ternus at the event. The actress is currently preparing for her upcoming film 'Spirit' and is also expected to appear in 'Animal Park'.

Elon Musk's daughter Vivian Wilson stars in fashion campaign critiquing AI

Vivian Wilson, estranged daughter of billionaire Elon Musk, has fronted a new fashion campaign that takes a critical stance on artificial intelligence. The advertisement uses humor to underscore the inability of robots to grasp human emotions and imperfections. The campaign carries added weight given Wilson's well-publicized strained relationship with her father, a prominent AI advocate. She uses the platform to raise concerns about AI's negative impact on creative jobs and the environment. The initiative ultimately champions human authenticity while scrutinizing the growing influence of AI across industries.

Civil Service Aspirant Dies by Suicide, Note Names 19 People Over Debt

A civil services aspirant has died by suicide, with police recovering a two-page note from his room. The note contained the names of 19 individuals, believed to be connected to financial debts. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the young man's death. The case highlights the pressures faced by competitive exam candidates, including financial burdens.

Sheikh Hasina's Daughter Saima Wazed Quits as WHO Southeast Asia Chief

Saima Wazed, daughter of ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, resigned from her position as WHO Regional Director for Southeast Asia on Wednesday. Her departure comes amid fraud allegations leveled against her. Wazed had been serving as the head of WHO's Southeast Asia regional office, a prominent public health role. Her mother Sheikh Hasina was removed from power in Bangladesh, adding political context to the resignation.

Sheikh Hasina's daughter resigns from WHO post following fraud allegations

NIA Chargesheet Reveals Red Fort Blast Accused Stored Urine to Make Explosives

The National Investigation Agency has filed a chargesheet detailing unusual evidence against Umar-un-Nabi, an accused in the Red Fort blast case. Nabi allegedly stored urine in a polythene bag while hiding in Nuh, which came to light after a foul smell led to a complaint by the house owner. Investigators recovered PDF files from his pen drives containing instructions on preparing urea nitrate explosives. Nabi is alleged to have led a revived module of the Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind terror group.

UK Scientists to Tag 70 Sharks in 3-Year Study to Boost Conservation Efforts

A three-year research project will track 70 vulnerable sharks across British waters using electronic tags. The study focuses on three at-risk shark species and will monitor their movements and diving behaviours. Researchers will also analyse decades of historical distribution data collected from anglers. The combined approach is intended to deepen understanding of shark migration patterns and behaviour. Findings are expected to support more effective conservation strategies for these marine species.

Where in the World Is the iPhone Cheapest? A Country-by-Country Look

Apple's latest premium lineup includes the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, alongside the new foldable iPhone Duo. iPhone prices vary significantly across countries due to differences in taxes, import duties, and currency exchange rates. Certain countries consistently offer lower retail prices for iPhones, making them attractive destinations for buyers. Prospective buyers looking to save money may benefit from purchasing in these lower-priced markets.

Norfolk Rewilding Project Doubles Plant Species in Just Three Years

Wild Ken Hill, a farm in Norfolk, England, converted 500 acres of former arable land into a rewilded nature reserve as part of a pioneering conservation initiative. Within three years, the number of plant species on the site nearly doubled, with plant variety increasing fourfold overall. Grazing animals played a central role in driving this growth by improving the structural complexity of the ecosystem. The surge in plant diversity is expected to bring cascading benefits for local insect and bird populations. The results highlight nature's strong capacity for recovery when agricultural pressure is removed.

Samsung and Google Mock Apple Over iPhone Fold Name and Foldable Design

Samsung publicly teased Apple on social media after the launch of Apple's new foldable iPhone, accusing the company of copying its foldable technology and naming style. Language-learning app Duolingo joined the exchange with a humorous comment, comparing the situation to being mistaken for someone else's twin. The lighthearted online banter quickly spread across social media, drawing widespread attention. The episode highlighted the ongoing competitive rivalry between Apple, Samsung, and other major tech players.