Human Interest

Simone Tata, mother of Noel Tata and stepmother of the late Ratan Tata, passed away at 95 in Mumbai after a brief illness. Known for shaping Lakmé and founding Westside, she also contributed extensively to philanthropic initiatives. Last respects will be offered Saturday

Reviving lost species may help restore ecosystems, but it demands robust scientific oversight to ensure responsible use

Bangladesh’s ICT-BD issued an arrest warrant for ex-PM Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajib Wajed Joy over crimes against humanity during the 2025 July Uprising. The tribunal also summoned former ministers Anisul Huq, Salman F Rahman, and Junaid Ahmed Palak

Life insurance is a crucial financial tool for protecting your family’s future. This guide explains how to assess your needs, understand different policy types, compare features, and choose a plan that aligns with your long-term financial goals and life stage.

American zoologist Laurie Marker has maintained a cheetah sperm bank in Namibia for 35 years, preserving genetic diversity as wild populations drop to under 7,000. The bank serves as a last-resort conservation tool to prevent potential cheetah extinction

IndiGo cancelled over 180 flights from Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru due to crew shortages following new Flight Duty Time Limitations norms. DGCA is investigating, while the pilots’ body urges stricter oversight and potential reallocation of slots to other airlines

The Supreme Court called the 16-year delay in a Delhi acid attack case a "national shame," directing all high courts to submit pending trial details within four weeks and urged the Centre to recognize survivors as persons with disabilities

The US has expanded social-media vetting for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants, requiring all profiles be public from December 15. The move tightens immigration scrutiny amid broader restrictions, including paused Green Card processing for 19 countries following a deadly shooting involving an Afghan national

PM Modi marked International Cheetah Day by highlighting Project Cheetah’s success in restoring ecological heritage, with cheetah numbers rising to 32 in India. He urged global wildlife enthusiasts to visit Kuno and Gandhi Sagar, praising public support and conservation efforts

A raccoon caused chaos in an Ashland, Virginia liquor store, smashing bottles and ceiling tiles while drinking scotch and whisky. Animal control officer Samantha Martin rescued the drunken intruder, who was later safely returned to the wild

Indian Gas Exchange (IGX), an IEX associate, plans to go public via an IPO through an offer for sale by existing shareholders; details on size and timing are yet to be announced

Priyanka Chopra Jonas says, as a producer, she backs stories that move her personally, highlighting the documentary 'Born Hungry' on chef Sash Simpson, and aims to support bold, unique filmmakers

A new study shows coral reefs have regulated Earth's climate and marine evolution for over 250 million years. Reef growth and collapse affected ocean alkalinity, carbon absorption, and plankton evolution, revealing long-term climate recovery processes relevant to modern CO₂ increases

Aamir Khan announced *Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos*, a quirky spy comedy marking Vir Das’ directorial debut. Starring Das and Mona Singh, the film releases on January 16, 2026, under Aamir Khan Productions, blending comedy, action, romance, and spy elements

The FBI has offered a US$50,000 reward for information on Indian national Nazeer Hameed, wanted for the 2017 New Jersey murders of Sasikala Narra and her son. US authorities urge India to extradite him after DNA evidence allegedly linked him to the crime 

Lok Sabha conducted an undisrupted Question Hour for the first time this Winter Session after resolving a standoff over the opposition’s demand for a discussion on the SIR exercise. Members agreed to upcoming debates on *Vande Mataram*’s 150th anniversary and election reforms

Two Delhi colleges—Ramjas and Deshbandhu—received bomb threat emails early Wednesday, triggering swift responses from police and bomb disposal teams. Campuses were cordoned off and thoroughly inspected, but no suspicious items were found as verification and security checks continue

Dr Salvador Plasencia, who admitted to illegally selling ketamine to Matthew Perry before the actor’s fatal overdose, faces sentencing in Los Angeles. Prosecutors seek three years in prison, while his lawyers argue he’s already suffered severe personal and professional consequences

Severe, late-season storms and heavy rains have unleashed deadly floods across Southeast Asia, overwhelming governments and exposing weak preparedness. Scientists warn these increasingly destructive, unpredictable events reflect a climate-driven “new normal,” with rising losses, vulnerable communities hit hardest, and adaptation funding still insufficient

Census 2027 in India will be conducted in two phases: House Listing and Housing Census (April–September 2026) and Population Enumeration (February 2027), including caste data, using digital tools and mobile apps, with adaptations for snow-bound and special regions

Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said the mandatory pre-installed Sanchar Saathi fraud-reporting app can be deleted by users. The DoT has ordered all new and updated mobile devices to include the app, aiming to expand awareness and protection against phone-related fraud

Ranveer Singh apologized after backlash for mimicking Rishab Shetty’s sacred Daiva portrayal from 'Kantara Chapter 1' at IFFI 2025. Accused of hurting religious sentiments, he clarified his intentions were appreciative, acknowledging Rishab’s warning and expressing respect for cultural and spiritual traditions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a presidential pardon to halt his years-long corruption trial, citing national security demands. Critics warn the move threatens judicial independence and reflects his efforts to secure political survival ahead of elections expected next year

The Centre has said it is promoting AI, AR-VR and other digital tools for heritage preservation, museum digitisation and cultural dissemination. It also highlighted initiatives like JATAN, NMMA and SPPEL, along with funding support for ASI’s excavation and conservation work