India

Kerala-Origin Man Killed in Sri Lanka Prison Riot Laid to Rest Under Police Guard

Unnikrishnan S, a Kerala-born man who had been residing in Chennai with his family for over four decades, was killed during a riot inside a Sri Lanka prison. His body was brought back and buried amid tight police security. The incident highlights the dangers faced by Indian nationals held in foreign detention facilities. Authorities have not yet disclosed the circumstances that led to Unnikrishnan's imprisonment in Sri Lanka.

Arrested central power body officer amassed assets 15 times his known income: CBI

Union minister Ramdas Athawale opposes VHP ban on Muslims at garba events

Brent Crude Surpasses $100 as Middle East Attacks Disrupt Oil Supply

Brent crude oil prices crossed $100 per barrel on Wednesday amid growing fears over supply disruptions. Fresh attacks on oil facilities and tankers in the Middle East triggered the surge. The U.S. military struck five Iranian tankers linked to missile attacks in the region. Meanwhile, Houthi rebels set fire to oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, further straining supply. The escalating conflict has pushed energy markets into heightened uncertainty.

UP Launches Rs 1,051-Crore Redevelopment Plan for Mathura-Vrindavan

The Uttar Pradesh government has unveiled a Rs 1,051-crore infrastructure and beautification plan for the Mathura-Vrindavan religious circuit, modelled on the Ayodhya redevelopment. Of the total budget, 62 projects valued at Rs 540 crore have already been inaugurated and are underway. An additional 167 projects have had their foundation stones laid, marking the beginning of their construction phase. The large-scale initiative aims to upgrade the religious and tourism infrastructure of one of Hinduism's most sacred regions.

Hardik Pandya returns from injury, picked for India A squad vs Australia A

India A squads have been announced for an upcoming home series against Australia A. Hardik Pandya has been included following his recovery from injury. Devdutt Padikkal will captain the multi-day side, while Ruturaj Gaikwad leads the one-day team. The series, scheduled to be held in Puducherry, consists of two multi-day matches and three one-day games.

CCTV Captures Black Thar Near Site Where Orangutans Were Discovered

CCTV footage has captured a black Thar vehicle in the vicinity where orangutans were found. The vehicle was recorded passing through the area at approximately 11:25 pm. It was seen returning to the same location roughly 15 minutes later. Authorities are likely examining the footage as part of their investigation into the presence of the orangutans.

Rights Groups Demand Probe Into Racist Killing of Manipuri Singer in Delhi

A Manipuri music teacher was killed in Delhi, prompting strong condemnation from civil society and human rights organisations. The groups have called for a thorough investigation into whether racial bias played a role in the crime. The FIR filed in the case includes serious charges of group murder on racial grounds. Activists have also highlighted the government's failure to act on earlier recommendations to address discrimination against people from Northeast India.

India-US Trade Deal Progressing, Commerce Secretary Gives Update

India and the United States are moving closer to finalizing a trade agreement centered on preferential market access. Alongside this, India is also making steady progress on separate trade deals with Chile and New Zealand. Indian authorities are looking to broaden the country's services exports beyond the traditional IT and professional sectors. Growth areas such as fintech and e-commerce have been identified as having significant potential. Officials also highlighted that lowering remittance costs could deliver meaningful financial benefits to migrant workers around the world.

Terror Probe Against US National Matthew VanDyke and 6 Others Continues in India

Indian authorities are continuing their investigation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against American national Matthew Aaron VanDyke and six other individuals. Sources confirmed that the terror probe has not been dropped, contrary to any speculation. VanDyke, a US mercenary, is among those facing scrutiny under the stringent anti-terror law. The UAPA is India's primary legislation used to investigate and prosecute individuals linked to unlawful or terrorist activities.

Consumer Panel Orders Rs 1.73 Lakh Refund After Man Gets Chinese Phone in iPhone Order

A consumer complaint forum has directed a refund of Rs 1.73 lakh to a man named Singh who ordered an iPhone worth Rs 1.43 lakh online but received a Chinese phone instead. Singh alleged that when he attempted to return the product, the seller rejected his request outright. He further claimed that a company representative declared the product damaged without conducting a proper inspection. Singh was reportedly not given any opportunity to present his side of the matter. The consumer panel ruled in his favour, ordering a refund exceeding the original purchase price.

California clears 900,000 lbs of debris, restores 40 acres at Sierra Azul Preserve

California crews have removed over 900,000 pounds of human debris as part of a restoration effort covering approximately 40 acres at Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. The cleanup also included the removal of hazardous materials and old septic systems from the site. Notably, certain telephone poles were intentionally left in place, as they serve as nesting habitat for purple martins. The bird species was previously believed to have vanished from Santa Clara County. The project marks a significant environmental restoration milestone for the region.

Canada's sunken warship becomes thriving reef home to 170 marine species

The HMCS Annapolis, a decommissioned Canadian warship, was deliberately sunk off the coast of British Columbia in 2015 to serve as an artificial reef. Within five years of sinking, the vessel had been colonized by more than 170 different marine species. The submerged ship now provides vital habitat for a wide range of underwater organisms. The project highlights how purposefully prepared artificial structures can deliver significant ecological benefits to marine ecosystems.

Co-sleeping with pets offers emotional comfort but may disrupt sleep quality

Many pet owners choose to share their beds with animals for feelings of safety, comfort, and emotional security. The familiar presence of a pet can reinforce a sense of routine and calm during nighttime hours. However, research suggests that co-sleeping with pets may negatively affect sleep quality and contribute to insomnia symptoms. The actual impact varies depending on the specific pet and the sleeping habits of the owner. Experts note that the decision ultimately comes down to individual well-being and the pet's behavior.

Mallya Says UK Law Bars Him From Leaving, Disputes Fugitive Tag

Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya has publicly stated that he is legally barred from leaving the United Kingdom. He challenged the Indian government's characterisation of him as a fraudster, citing that assets worth over Rs 14,000 crore have already been recovered from him. Mallya argued that his continued labelling as a fugitive is unjust given the scale of recoveries made. The Indian government, however, maintains its commitment to pursuing the extradition of economic offenders like Mallya.

Satheesan’s ‘no politics’ reply after ED’s nudge for case against Vijayan

One Dead, Four Hurt in Oxygen Cylinder Explosion at Delhi's Okhla

An oxygen cylinder explosion in Delhi's Okhla Phase 1 area left one person dead and four others injured. The deceased, 35-year-old Mohit Singh, was employed as a helper at a company operating in the area. Singh died on the spot following the blast, according to police. Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion.

ChatGPT prompts let users transform photos into 1980s Bollywood-style images

A new AI-driven trend is gaining popularity online, where users convert their personal photos into vintage 1980s Bollywood-style portraits using ChatGPT. The trend recreates classic movie hero and heroine aesthetics, complete with period-accurate hairstyles, clothing, and lighting. Specific detailed prompts are used to achieve authentic retro results, including stylized magazine covers and wedding album visuals. While the feature offers a creative and accessible way to generate nostalgic imagery, users are advised to review AI-generated outputs carefully before posting them publicly.

Hanuman Ansh surpasses Rs 170 crore total in fifth week at box office

The biographical film Hanuman Ansh, based on the life of Neem Karoli Baba, has crossed Rs 170.18 crore in cumulative box office earnings by its 34th day of release. The film continues to perform strongly in its fifth week, sustaining a notable theatrical run. Made on a modest budget of approximately Rs 1.75 to 2 crore, the film has delivered extraordinary returns relative to its production cost. Its success places it in competition with other major releases currently running in cinemas.

22 BRS MLAs Including KTR Suspended From Telangana Assembly

Twenty-two legislators from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), including senior leader K.T. Rama Rao (KTR), were suspended from the Telangana Legislative Assembly. The suspensions came amid a confrontation between BRS members and the Speaker during an ongoing assembly session. The Telangana Speaker indicated he would review whether the BRS members had formally submitted their demands in writing to him. The mass suspension marks a significant escalation of tensions between the ruling party and the BRS opposition in the state assembly.