National News

Frederick Wells discovered the enormous Cullinan diamond in South Africa in 1905 while working at the Premier Mine. Its exceptional size caught public attention, leading to its purchase by the Transvaal government for King Edward VII. The diamond was carefully cut into several gemstones over eight months, resulting in noteworthy pieces for the British royal collection. Following Edward VII's death, the largest stone was incorporated into the Sovereign's Sceptre.

Random Acts of Flowers Indianapolis marked ten years of service, delivering its 175,000th flower arrangement to Eskenazi Health. This charity reuses donated flowers to create arrangements for hospital patients in need. Volunteers collect flowers from various local sources to prevent waste and support emotional well-being. The organization was founded after a successful fundraising effort in 2016. It aims to continue its work through community partnerships and ongoing donations.

Scientists have recently uncovered a small dinosaur named Infernogallus jamesi, believed to have predominantly dined on fruit. By examining its skull and jaw muscles, researchers gained insights into its dietary habits. Existing during the Cretaceous period, as flowering plants flourished, this dinosaur displays anatomical traits akin to modern fruit-feeding parrots, deepening our comprehension of the varied lifestyles in the era of dinosaurs.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's recent proposal for an associate membership with Canada seeks to bolster collaboration without full EU membership. This initiative dovetails with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's strategy to broaden trade relations with Europe. Together, both parties aim to fortify economic partnerships and jointly innovate in sectors like artificial intelligence and supercomputing, consequently navigating shared interests and global challenges.

Celeste Desjardins celebrated Leon Draisaitl’s 31st birthday with heartfelt Instagram Stories featuring personal videos, a childhood hockey photo, and memories from their relationship, and her message, “This is your year baby!!!,” stood out among the tributes to the Edmonton Oilers forward. The celebration came as Draisaitl continued to deliver strong offensive numbers early in the 2026–27 NHL season.

Cristiano Ronaldo thanked fans for recognizing his phenomenal 2008 season as the greatest, where he led Manchester United to clinch both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles. At just 23, he netted 42 goals, solidifying his reputation as a top player. In a fan-voted poll for the Ballon d'Or of All Time, Lionel Messi's legendary 2012 season came in second place, alongside other historic performances from football greats.

The inquiry follows an order from Central Elections Committee (CEC) chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg, who received information from Shin Bet chief David Zini describing the suspicions as “extraordinary in its seriousness”. Qatar, however, has categorically denied interfering in Israel’s elections. Meanwhile, the investigation is not expected to delay the announcement of final results or prevent President Isaac Herzog from asking a party leader to begin forming a coalition.

The melting glaciers of Italy's Dolomites are revealing World War I unexploded munitions, drawing attention to a significant European concern as similar remnants emerge across the continent. Countries like Belgium, Germany, and France also grapple with hazards posed by unexploded ordnance during construction and environmental changes. In a notable operation, Italian forces recovered over 250 munitions, underscoring the lasting threat of wartime relics in modern Europe.

In a tragic turn of events, Anand allegedly took the life of his wife Madhu during a domestic quarrel at their Gwalior residence on Karwa Chauth. The incident occurred while Madhu was observing her fast, resulting in her immediate death. Their children were present during the ordeal, yet family members did not hear any commotion.

Indian stock markets rallied sharply on Thursday, with the Sensex rising over 900 points to close at 74,151. The Nifty gained more than 1%, settling at 22,936.75, supported by positive corporate earnings and a firmer rupee. Crude oil prices eased slightly, providing relief to oil-importing India amid high inflation concerns. A broad-based buying interest was noted across sectors, particularly in realty and FMCG.

A Mississippi father left his family home and 0.86 acres of land equally to his three children in a 2008 will but transferred the property to his wife in 2021. After his death, his daughter challenged the transfer, claiming he had been improperly influenced due to his declining health. On Tuesday, an appeals court rejected her challenge, finding insufficient evidence of undue influence.

Michael Dell has endorsed the Trump Accounts initiative, which aims to provide American children with stock market investments. The program has opened approximately 9 million accounts for children under 18 and further plans to create accounts for all 70 million eligible kids. High-profile donors, including Gwynne Shotwell and Ray Dalio, are contributing funds to expand its reach.

Bili, the young gorilla saved from wildlife trafficking in Nigeria, has embarked on a fresh journey in the Republic of the Congo. After three years of dedicated care and rehabilitation, she is now set for a quarantine period at the Tchimpounga Nature Reserve. Here, Bili will undergo health assessments and prepare for her introduction to fellow gorillas, with hopes of eventually reintegrating her into the wild.

Markus 'Notch' Persson has placed his Beverly Hills mansion on the market for $70 million. He purchased the estate in 2014 after outbidding Beyoncé and Jay-Z, who also showed interest. The mansion features eight bedrooms, a nightclub, and a professional recording studio for entertainment. The billionaire decided to sell as he spends less time in Los Angeles these days.

The New Jersey Devils drew attention after Connor Hellebuyck was left out of the lineup for their game against the Colorado Avalanche, just one game after his debut with the team. Jake Allen started, while Rémi Poirier served as backup. With no official explanation provided, questions remain over whether Hellebuyck’s absence was routine workload management or related to another undisclosed consideration.