Explainer: Why gold smuggling is booming and seizures are growing

PM Modi birthday: Wishes pour in from across politics, sports and Bollywood

Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 76 on Thursday, with politicians, sportspersons and Bollywood personalities taking to social media to extend birthday wishes. Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Saina Nehwal, Akshay Kumar and Anupam Kher were among those who shared messages.

India revamps cotton testing labs amid govt’s push for global cotton and textile hub

The ₹38.72 crore upgrade will add modern testing equipment across 21 labs in key cotton-producing regions as India seeks to improve quality, competitiveness and textile exports.

UK armed forces member killed in Ukraine road traffic accident named by MoD

Major Paul Wilks, 40, was killed in a traffic accident away from the front lines on Saturday

Rodrigo Duterte appears at ICC for 2nd time, facing pile of evidence

MANILA, Philippines — Former President Rodrigo Duterte appeared in person before the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday for the first time since his virtual initial appearance on March 14, 2025. Duterte, 81, sat silently through the third status conference before the Trial Chamber III, as lawyers and judges discussed how to manage a case

Winning Powerball numbers for Thursday 17 September

Number of ships transiting Strait of Hormuz falls to three on Wednesday, data shows

In the ⁠Red Sea, vessel crossings through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait eased to ‌21 on Wednesday

Carney's EU speech draws focus after Trump calls Canada-EU move hostile

Carney's EU speech draws focus after Trump calls Canada-EU move hostile

Explainer: Why gold smuggling is booming and seizures are growing

After India doubled import duties on gold earlier this year, duty-evaded gold has become far cheaper in comparison. As a precious metal, even a tiny amount of gold earns a fortune for the smuggler.

The oral condition that could increase dementia risk by over 50 per cent

Chronic inflammation across the whole body could be triggering both dementia and poor oral health

India at UN says Pakistan sheltered 9/11 plotters, warns on LeT and JeM

India at UN says Pakistan sheltered 9/11 plotters, warns on LeT and JeM

Roosevelt Bridge Replacement: Oklahoma starts $408m Lake Texoma span; traffic stays on old US-70

Oklahoma is set to replace the Roosevelt Bridge over Lake Texoma with a modern four-lane bridge, an ambitious project worth over $408 million. Construction has recently commenced and is expected to take about three years, with a target completion date in fall 2029. Notably, the current bridge will remain open for traffic throughout this period, enhancing safety and travel capacity across state lines.

Former Australian miner spotted Saturn ripple in 2024; two years later, co-authored 10-sided wave

An Australian amateur astronomer made a groundbreaking observation in their backyard, discovering a colossal ten-sided atmospheric wave. This unique finding corroborated the existence of a decagon around Saturn's south pole, as confirmed by years of data from the Hubble Space Telescope. The decagon, intertwined with fierce jet streams, spans numerous atmospheric levels, shedding light on the circulatory processes within the atmospheres of these gas giants.

Every peaceful moment in Kyiv is a miracle. If only there were more

I went to the Ukrainian capital to talk to locals about the incredible stress and hardship they are enduring. I also saw much joy of life, personal pride and an unshakeable determination to withstand and rebuild.

Second Phase Of Easement: Montana pursues $17.1mn timberland deal; public can weigh in by September 26

Montana officials are proactive in their efforts to conserve approximately 48,000 acres of private timberland. This proposed conservation easement is designed to halt future development while permitting ongoing timber activities. The initiative aims to preserve wildlife habitats and maintain public access for recreation. A multimillion-dollar funding approach consists of various state and federal stakeholders, and they are currently inviting public feedback prior to making a conclusive decision.

Sydney Sweeney loses hundreds of thousands of Instagram followers after nude ad scandal

Actor sparked backlash by posing naked in a commercial for a sports betting platform

Ukraine's incredible resilience

This Kyiv petrol station was struck by a Russian drone. It's still open for business.

US lawmakers push 100-foot protest buffer around places of worship

US lawmakers push 100-foot protest buffer around places of worship

Burger King addresses customer backlash over ‘nugget-sized’ hand bag

100 miniature handbags — big enough only to store nuggets — were made available for purchase each day

Jalan Besar Stadium to get 1,500 more seats as FAS responds to stronger fan support

Donations to FAS surged from S$695,000 to S$12.35 million, including S$10 million from tech firm Sea.

Climate change likely to have helped trigger Nepal glacier collapse, scientists say

Rapidly warming temperatures in the region have caused glaciers to thin and have melted ice and permafrost buried deep in the bedrock of the Himalayas, according to the researchers.

Asian stocks are mixed after Wall Street slips following Fed's rate hike decision

Asian shares are mixed after Wall Street closed lower following the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike decision for the first time in three years

Romanian border residents fear fallout as frequency of drone alerts rises

Romanian residents near the Ukraine border are living in fear due to Russian drone strikes

Australia cracks down on student and backpacker visas to curb migration

SYDNEY - Australia will stop foreign students from bringing partners and children to accompany them while they study and tighten working holiday visa rules, a senior minister said on Thursday, amid growing debate over high migration levels.

Long-term community support key to preventing return to hoarding: Charities

Experts say patience, building trust and gradual decluttering can be crucial.

Iran-US war latest: Trump says conflict ‘hopefully’ nearing end and claims to be in direct talks with Tehran

Iran dismissed Donald Trump’s renewed claims that the Islamic Republic is seeking a quick deal to end the war

Low-cost food pantry awarded £272k lottery grant

Oasis Hub Bath said the funding will cover its main operating costs over the next three years.

Man United reach new low with shambolic Brighton defeat in nightmare week

Man United 2-3 Brighton: United squandered a 2-0 lead at Old Trafford to crash out of the Carabao Cup and were booed off at the end of the match

Ukraine-Russia war latest: General decorated by Putin for false victory claim killed in Ukrainian drone strike

Moscow confirms death of Major General Anton Grunis just weeks after he received 'Hero of Russia' medal from Putin

Leaders from Lebanon, France and Jordan to discuss struggling Lebanese military

Leaders from Lebanon, France and Jordan are meeting in Paris to support Lebanon's struggling military

International students, 'visa hoppers' and backpackers targeted in Australia migration crackdown

The government wants to reduce net overseas migration to 225,000 people by 2028.

Bank of England expected to keep interest rates unchanged despite rising inflation

The Bank of England is expected to keep interest rates unchanged, despite rising inflation in the UK

Travis Kelce among 64 people duped by Indian-origin man in $35-million Ponzi scheme

Travis Kelce among 64 people duped by Indian-origin man in $35-million Ponzi scheme

Rosenberg: Russia's elections will have few surprises, but for the Kremlin they matter

There is no doubt over the outcome of this vote, but for the Kremlin they are still an important moment.

Assad regime planned US journalist's kidnap for weeks, BBC finds

Austin Tice’s abduction was approved by Syria’s former leader Bashar al-Assad, a source claims.

King to seek ‘reassurance’ from AI leaders amid concerns over the technology

Charles will ask guests at a summit to consider how to harness the benefits of AI with safety at its heart.

King Charles Meets With A.I. Executives About Safety Risks

The gathering in Scotland brings together industry leaders amid a growing debate about the safety risks of unchecked artificial intelligence.

Inside Hyrox, the sport where people will soil themselves to win

Hyrox champion Joanna Wietrzyk’s unfortunate accident at a race in Beijing has caused a furore in the fitness community. Katie Rosseinsky looks at this new fitness trend and asks the experts whether participants are pushing too hard in the name of personal bests

Voices: I resent having to care for my ageing parents – it’s a living nightmare

The Independent’s agony aunt Victoria Richards is here to help. Email [email protected] for advice on love, work, family and relationships

The truth about cooking with seed oils and what viral trends won’t tell you

Social media has labelled seed oils toxic, olive oil still costs a small fortune, and the supermarket shelf has never been more confusing. Hannah Twiggs separates the fats from the facts – and explains which oils are actually worth your money

World View with Marites Vitug: Inside the fight against POGOs

Rappler editor-at-large Marites Vitug speaks to former PAOCC officials Winnie Quidato and Winston Casio about their book, The Rogue Compound: POGOs, Human Trafficking, and the Fight to Reclaim the Philippines