• Sunday, February 23, 2025

Burial with dictionaries, pets: Weird requests appall London’s funeral services

The act of burial dates back thousands of years, offering a final resting place for the departed. Even in the excavations of the Indus Valley civilisation, the burials used to take place, where a dead person was buried with pots of grains and necessary items that would help the person…

UK rail services hit as train drivers go on strike

Train drivers in the United Kingdom (UK) have gone on strike, affecting rail services across the country, including routes to key tourist destinations and airports. The strike, organised by the Aslef (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen) union, is due to cost-of-living pressures and high inflation. Union chief Mick…

Indian American man sues Texas Hindu temple for branding minor…

AN Indian American man whose 11-year-old son was branded with a hot iron rod as part of a religious ceremony in 2023 has sued a Hindu temple in Texas, US, and its parent company seeking more than $1 million in damages. Vijay Cheruvu, a Fort Bend county resident, said his…

India central bank keeps ‘repo rate’ unchanged, cites inflation, growth

India’s central bank kept interest rates unchanged for the seventh time in a row on Friday, as it sees both lingering inflation risks and strong economic growth. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said its benchmark “repo rate”, the level at which the central bank lends to commercial banks, would…

UN resolution on intersex people discrimination

The UN Human Rights Council made a significant stride on Thursday (4) by passing a resolution aimed at addressing discrimination against intersex people, despite encountering opposition from certain nations regarding the terminology used. The resolution received approval from 24 out of 47 council members, with none voting against it and…

Study predicts prostate cancer cases to double by 2040

A Lancet report published on Friday predicts a significant surge in new prostate cancer cases worldwide over the next two decades. The study forecasts that annual new cases will more than double from 1.4 million in 2020 to 2.9 million by 2040. Researchers attribute this rise to demographic shifts, particularly…

Study attributes fall in academic freedom to free speech curb

Academic freedom is on the decline globally, according to a recent index released in Paris, France. The Academic Freedom Index — based on input from more than 2,300 experts in 179 countries, was published last month as part of a report on democracy by the V-Dem Institute at Sweden’s University…

TV show ‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’ fires its new…

THE most successful Indian TV serial of all time ran into trouble after an incredible run of more than 4,300 episodes. When it was launched in 2009, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai became a firm fan favourite with Hina Khan and Karan Mehra in the lead roles. Then, further generation leaps…

Pakistan seeks bids for majority stake in struggling national airline

PAKISTAN is putting on the block a stake ranging from 51 per cent to 100 per cent of lossmaking national carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the privatisation panel said on Tuesday (2), as part of reforms urged by the IMF. The disposal of the flag carrier represents a departure from…

Sonia Mehta on why she’s back with Salaam & Funk

LISTENING to music played on tape decks and vinyl as a youngster first connected Sonia Mehta to music. It enabled her to find safety, happiness, and a way to express emotions through the compositions and poetry of Indian film songs. Later, while pursuing her studies in London, she bonded with…