Author: Indmedia

A 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit New Zealand on July 16, 2026. | Photo Credit: GFZ New Zealand authorities withdrew a tsunami warning on Thursday (July 16, 2026) following a 5.9-magnitude quake on the western coast of the South Island.“This advisory represents a downgrade from warning,” the National Emergency Management Agency said, explaining that the quake was smaller than its initial estimate.After first warning people in affected areas to “move immediately” to high ground, it now advised them to be careful of “strong and unusual currents” at the shore.The earthquake was 76 kilometres deep and struck 83km west of popular South…

Iran accused Kushner, Witkoff of profiting from war leaks in private message to Vance, report Iranian negotiators had reportedly sent a private message to US vice president JD Vance during US-Iran talks in Switzerland in late June, warning that the continued presence of President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner would undermine the chance of reaching a lasting deal, a senior Iranian official told Drop Site News.The official said Iran conveyed to Vance that the pair were more interested in exploiting insider knowledge of the negotiations to profit in financial markets than in reaching a deal.…

The Higher School of Economics, one of Russia’s most prestigious universities, announced Thursday that it will offer free tuition to applicants who sign a one-year military contract to fight in Ukraine, even if they fail to meet the university’s entrance exam requirements. According to the university’s statement, applicants can enroll immediately but must complete one year of military service before they can actually begin their chosen university-funded bachelor’s or master’s program. While serving, these recruits will be placed in either a preparatory or a continuing education program, depending on whether they already hold a degree.  “This option is also suitable…

New Delhi: Delhi govt has launched an investigation into residential, commercial and group housing projects where building plans were allegedly approved in the past five years without the payment of the mandatory infrastructure development charge (IFC).Govt estimates this has caused a revenue loss running into thousands of crores of rupees.According to Delhi Jal Board (DJB) minister Parvesh Verma, who has ordered the scrutiny amid allegations of irregularities, it has been found out prima facie that several applicants obtained building plan and layout approvals from Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) using official DJB letterheads instead of valid no-objection certificates (NOCs) confirming…

The grape farm that was targeted by thieves on the outskirts of Bengaluru Bengaluru: Sometimes, the biggest harvest story isn’t about what comes off the vine, it’s about what disappears before anyone gets the chance to pick it.In what could easily pass for the plot of a rural heist thriller, thieves allegedly walked away with nearly 2.5 tons of Red Globe grapes just days before harvest, leaving farmer Basavaraj staring at empty vines and shattered expectations. The theft occured at the two-acre farm on Tuesday night at Kolavanahalli village, near Nandi Hills in Chikkaballapura district.According to Basavaraj, the thieves are…

A teacher was terminated after assigning religious homework to a Hindu student HYDERABAD: Amid the controversy over alleged ‘Kalma’ homework at a Hyderabad school, police on Thursday revealed that the Class 2 section at Success School had 25 students, including only one Hindu student, while the remaining 24 were Muslims.The class comprised 25 students, including only one Hindu student.Deputy commissioner of Police (DCP), Charminar Zone, Khare Kiran Prabhakar, said, “Yesterday, in Success School, an incident came to our notice. In this school, one lady teacher wrote that everyone has to read Kalma as the homework.””Out of 25 students, all were…

The action came in the wake of video which surfaced on social media where Veera was seen receiving cash from a person, purportedly a contractor. CHENNAI: TVK on Wednesday sacked its Chengalpet east district joint secretary NV Veera alias Veerasamy from the party in the wake of allegations that he received money as bribe.Veera, who was the president of Mambakkam panchayat union in Chengalpet district, refuted the charges. Later in the night, he was picked up by police for inquiry.TVK Chengalpet district secretary CV Dhinakaran issued a statement that Veera was removed from the party membership since he acted against…

Gujarat University Building at Ahmedabad. photo: Manish Mistry Ahmedabad: Gujarat University has allotted 45,716 undergraduate seats for the 2026-27 academic year, with commerce and arts accounting for the bulk of admissions so far. Commerce led the intake with 23,888 allotments, followed by arts with 12,670. Science accounted for 3,019 seats, while an additional 464 seats were filled in BS courses.Professional programmes also drew students. BS (BBA) recorded 2,141 allotments, while BS (BCA) saw 1,268 admissions. Integrated programmes, including combined degree courses, accounted for 1,949 allotments. Integrated LLB courses recorded 317 allotments.The figures show that commerce and arts streams continue to…

Kendrapada: At least 44 people have been hospitalised, mostly in the last two days, following an outbreak of gastroenteritis in several villages under Aul block in Kendrapada district, prompting health department to launch emergency measures to contain the spread of the water-borne disease.Most patients, including six women and eight children, from Lokapada, Chandiagadi, Giribandha, Padanapur and Demala villages were admitted to the community health centre (CHC) at Aul on Wednesday and Thursday with complaints of vomiting, stomach cramps, loose motion and general weakness, medical officer Dr Pranab Shukla said.A medical team from the district headquarters hospital visited the affected villages…

TIRUPUR: Four masked men robbed a couple at knifepoint at their farmhouse near Udumalpet in Tirupur district in the early hours of Thursday.According to police, Arulkumar, 47, and his wife, Brindha, 35, are residing at their farmhouse in Ravunapuram near Udumalpet. Around 2am, Arulkumar stepped out of the house on hearing their pet dog barking continuously. Four masked men, who were hiding near the house, surrounded him. One of them held a knife at his throat. Another man threatened Brindha at knifepoint.The gang threatened to kill the couple if they failed to hand over cash and jewellery. While two men…