Vikram Ashok Deshmukh, a 31-year-old software engineer, tragically passed away from a heart attack while playing cricket at Mumbai's Azad Maidan last Sunday. Deshmukh, who worked in an IT company, was an avid cricket player and participated regularly in matches at the popular ground. On the day of the incident, he was playing in a 25-over practice match where his team was chasing a target of 159. During the match, Deshmukh complained of chest pain in the 10th over but continued pla

At Chennai Airport, an Air India cabin crew member was arrested for helping a passenger smuggle 1.7 kg of gold. The incident occurred when the flight from Dubai landed on Sunday. Customs officials intercepted the passenger and the crew member after the passenger admitted to handing over the gold during the flight. Upon searching the crew member, officials found the gold concealed in the undergarments, l

India’s focus has largely been on strengthening its ties in the east, particularly under the Act East policy. While the global attention often centers on the Middle East and Europe, India has quietly turned its focus to the Korean Peninsula, particularly North Korea. This effort has been marked by caution, with diplomatic relations being conducted discreetly and behind the scenes. In July 2021, India temporarily closed its embassy in Pyongyang due to COVID-19, and the entire staff was r

Natnov Bioscience, a biotech startup based in Odisha and recognized by India’s Start-up India initiative and Mukhya Mantri Krishi Udyog Yojana, is making notable strides in addressing the growing problem of seafood waste. The company aims to convert 5,000 metric tons of seafood waste into valuable bio-economy products, including bioplastics. By utilizing the by-products of India's marine fisheries, particularly crustacean waste, the team is developing a sustainable alternative to sy

Cyclone Chido hit Mozambique on Sunday, causing widespread destruction and claiming at least 34 lives across multiple provinces. The hardest-hit areas were Cabo Delgado, where 28 people lost their lives, followed by Nampula and Niassa, which each saw three fatalities. The storm, which brought intense winds of 260 km/h (160 mph) and heavy rainfall of up to 250 mm (10 inches) in just 24 hours, left a sign

A high-ranking Russian general, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, was killed in an explosion in Moscow on Tuesday. Kirillov, who served as the chief of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops (RKhBZ), was killed by a bomb hidden in an electric scooter. The blast occurred outside a residential building on Ryazansky Prospekt, located about seven kilometers southeast of the Kremlin. Kirillov’s assistant also died in the explosion. The attack comes as Mosc

China, the world's second-largest economy, is working to recover from the effects of its three years of pandemic isolation. In a bid to attract more international visitors and boost its economy, China recently announced an expansion of its visa-free transit policy. The new policy, which is effective immediately, allows travelers from 54 countries, including the US, Canada, and several European and Asian nations, to stay in parts of China for up to 10 days. Previously, the visa-f

A New York judge recently denied US President-elect Donald Trump's request to have his conviction for covering up hush money payments to a porn star thrown out on the grounds of presidential immunity. Judge Juan Merchan ruled that the immunity typically granted to presidents for official actions does not apply to the conduct involved in this case, which he deemed as "unofficial." This ruling keeps Trump's felony conviction intact, despite his legal team's attempt to use

A tragic shooting at a makeshift club in Houston late Saturday night resulted in the deaths of two teens and the injury of four others, including a 13-year-old girl. Police responded to the chaotic scene, where a large crowd was seen fleeing the venue. The incident occurred at an unsanctioned pop-up party, which appeared to have been organized via social media, in an empty business space. According to Assistant Chief Luis Menendez-Sierra, witnesses reported seeing a man dressed in b

Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy has once again defended his controversial call for a 70-hour workweek, which he initially proposed in 2023. Murthy believes that young professionals in India must work harder to make the country globally competitive. Speaking at an event in Kolkata, Murthy highlighted the importance of aiming high and working towards making India the best. He pointed out that millions of Indians still live in poverty, and working hard is crucial to improving the nation&rsquo

A shocking revelation from the Financial Times has disclosed that ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime airlifted around $250 million to Moscow between 2018 and 2019. The cash, including nearly two tonnes of $100 bills and €500 notes, was flown to Moscow’s Vnukovo airport and deposited in Russian banks under sanctions. This move was part of Assad's efforts to bypass Western sanctions that isolated Syria from the global financial system. During this time,

Ukraine has condemned FIFA after a map displayed during the European World Cup qualifiers for 2026 appeared to omit Crimea from Ukraine. The map, shown during the December 2024 draw for the joint-hosted tournament by the US, Mexico, and Canada, sparked backlash when it excluded Crimea, which has been under Russian occupation since 2014. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhy accused FIFA of supporting Russian propaganda and violating international law by "redrawing b

Indian tourists may soon enjoy visa-free travel to Russia, with the new arrangement expected by spring 2025. Since August 2023, Indian travelers have already been eligible for e-visas, which are processed within four days. The upcoming visa-free travel agreement will further strengthen tourism ties between India and Russia. In 2023, Russia granted 9,500 e-visas to Indian visitors, placing India among the top five countries for easy travel access to Russia. Consultations between Mosc

Nikita Singhania, the estranged wife of techie Atul Subhash, was arrested by Bengaluru police in Gurugram after being accused of abetting his suicide. Atul Subhash, aged 34, was found dead at his Bengaluru home, leaving behind a suicide note and a video accusing Nikita and her family of cruelty and dowry harassment. Nikita, along with her mother and brother, initially evaded arrest by constantly changing locations and using WhatsApp for communication. However, a single phone call by

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was discharged from a Sao Paulo hospital on Sunday after undergoing emergency surgery for an intracranial hemorrhage. The 79-year-old leader made a surprise appearance at a news conference where he assured reporters, "I am here in one piece... returning home calmly." He smiled and waved as he left Hospital Sirio-Libanes, where he received treatment. The surgery, which took place on Tuesday, was necessary after Lula fell

Bangladesh's interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, has confirmed that general elections will likely take place by the end of 2025 or in the first half of 2026. Yunus, who was appointed the country’s "chief adviser" after a student-led uprising in August toppled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is overseeing a temporary administration that is focused on restoring democratic institutions in the country. Yunus, 84, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning microfinance pioneer, h

Prince Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles III, has become embroiled in a new scandal involving an alleged Chinese spy. The businessman, identified only as "H6" for legal reasons, gained significant trust from the Duke of York, reportedly even acting on his behalf in an international financial initiative related to China. Court documents reveal that H6 had such a close relationship with Prince Andrew that he was invited to the Duke's birthday party and granted access to

Ahead of Bangladesh's Bijoy Dibosh, commemorating the country's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 Liberation War, deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched a sharp critique of the interim government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. She accused Yunus of leading a "fascist" administration that was "secretly supporting anti-liberation extremist-communal forces" and undermining the spirit of Bangladesh's independence. In her statement, Hasina poin

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday honored the soldiers who played a pivotal role in India's victory during the 1971 war, known as Vijay Diwas. The day commemorates the surrender of Pakistani forces to the Indian Army, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. In a post shared on X, PM Modi paid tribute to the bravery and sacrifices of the soldiers who contributed to this historic victory. Modi emphasized the selfless dedication and determination of the Indian soldiers, notin

Officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have seized counterfeit drugs worth Rs 1.85 crore after conducting raids at two locations in Maharashtra’s Thane district. The raids, which took place in Bhiwandi and Mira Road over the past few months, uncovered a scheme where the accused were manufacturing and selling spurious medicines while falsely branding them as original products. The drugs were distributed across several states, deceiving patients and jeopardizing p