Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh has set a new benchmark in India’s live entertainment industry with his Dil-Luminati Tour, which has emerged as the country’s biggest concert tour so far. According to a report by Ernst & Young (EY), the tour generated an estimated ₹943 crore in overall economic impact during its India leg.

The concerts were held across 13 cities with 14 shows and drew a combined audience of more than 3.2 lakh fans. Many of the events sold out quickly after tickets went on sale, reflecting the artist’s strong fan base and the growing appetite for large-scale live music events in India.

The report states that ticket sales alone contributed around ₹221 crore, while brand partnerships and sponsorships added about ₹33 crore to the overall revenue. In addition, the tour generated approximately ₹114 crore in taxes, including GST and other government levies.

Apart from revenue generation, the tour also had a strong impact on employment. The study estimates that the events together created over 1.18 lakh man-days of work, providing opportunities in sectors such as event management, production, logistics, security and hospitality.

The concerts also contributed significantly to tourism and local economies in the host cities. Around 38 per cent of concertgoers travelled from outside the host city to attend the shows. Many fans extended their stay by a few days, which boosted spending on hotels, restaurants, transport and other local services.

Another interesting finding from the report was the diversity of the audience. Nearly half of the attendees came from tier-2 and tier-3 cities, indicating that the demand for large music events is growing beyond India’s biggest metros.

Industry experts believe the success of the Dil-Luminati Tour highlights the rapid growth of India’s live music and concert market. With strong ticket demand and increasing participation from brands and sponsors, large-scale tours are expected to play a bigger role in the country’s entertainment landscape in the coming years.

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The government has introduced a major change aimed at making air travel fairer and more transparent for passengers. Under the new rules issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), airlines must now keep at least 60% of seats on every flight free from any extra charges. This means that passengers no longer have to pay extra for choosing standard aisle or window seats on most flights.

The move comes in response to frequent complaints about hidden charges that many flyers face while booking tickets or at check-in. Over the years, airlines have charged passengers separately for preferred seats, including extra legroom, aisle, or window options, which often added significantly to the cost of a trip. With the new regulation, the majority of seats will now be available without any additional cost, giving passengers more freedom and reducing surprise fees.

In addition, passengers travelling together under the same PNR (Passenger Name Record) will now be allocated seats together, wherever possible. Families, friends, and groups will no longer have to pay extra or sit apart, a common frustration in air travel.

Airlines are also required to clearly communicate passenger rights, including policies related to flight delays, cancellations, denied boarding, and baggage rules. Information about carrying pets, sports equipment, and musical instruments must be displayed prominently on airline websites, mobile apps, and at airport counters.

Officials say these reforms are part of a broader effort to make air travel more affordable and passenger-friendly as India’s aviation sector continues to grow rapidly. While airlines may need to adjust their business models, especially low-cost carriers that rely on ancillary fees, travellers stand to gain from fewer hidden costs and a smoother booking experience.

The changes have been welcomed by frequent flyers and families alike, signaling a shift toward a more transparent, fair, and enjoyable flying experience in India. By addressing both cost transparency and seating arrangements, the government aims to make air travel simpler and more convenient for millions of passengers across the country.

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India’s federal anti-terror agency, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), has arrested an American citizen and six Ukrainian nationals in connection with a suspected terror-related case involving activities near India’s northeastern border.

The accused include Matthew VanDyke, a US national, along with six Ukrainian citizens. They have been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), India’s main anti-terror law, officials said.

According to investigators, the group is suspected of having links with armed ethnic groups operating in neighbouring Myanmar. Authorities believe the individuals were attempting to travel to Myanmar through India’s northeastern region without the required permits.

Preliminary findings suggest that some members of the group may have provided drone training and technical support to armed groups active in conflict-affected areas near the border. Officials are also examining whether surveillance drones and related equipment were supplied or transported as part of the alleged activities.

Investigators said the accused had entered India on valid visas but later travelled to northeastern states, including Mizoram and Assam. Authorities suspect they planned to cross into Myanmar illegally and may have been in contact with insurgent organisations operating there.

The NIA is also probing possible international connections behind the case, including funding sources and logistical support networks that may have assisted the group. Officials believe the investigation could uncover a wider network involved in training or supporting armed groups across the border.

Following the arrests, a court granted the NIA custody of the accused for several days to allow further interrogation. During this period, investigators are expected to question them about their activities, contacts and movements in India.

The arrests have also drawn attention from foreign governments. Authorities in the United States said they are aware that an American citizen has been detained in India and are monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, officials from Ukraine have reportedly sought information about their citizens who were arrested in the case.

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An Indian man, Akash Tiwari, 36, has been charged in Singapore for allegedly harassing a flight attendant during a Singapore Airlines flight from Bangkok. The incident reportedly happened mid-air. If found guilty, he could face a jail term of up to three years.

Israel says its forces have carried out airstrikes inside Iran, killing two senior figures: Ali Larijani, Iran’s national security chief, and Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij militia. These officials were key players in Iran’s security and defense operations, making their deaths, if confirmed, a significant blow to Tehran.

Larijani was a central figure in shaping Iran’s security strategy, while Soleimani led the Basij, a large volunteer force responsible for maintaining internal order. According to Israel, the strikes were carefully targeted to reduce Iran’s ability to plan and coordinate attacks.

Iran has not officially confirmed the deaths, leaving the situation unclear. The reports, however, come amid escalating tensions in the region as the Israel-Iran war enters its third week. Missiles and drones have been reported in surrounding areas, sparking fears that the conflict could spread further.

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Google is introducing a bookmarks bar to Chrome on Android tablets and foldable devices, giving users quicker access to their saved websites and making the browser feel more like its desktop version.

The bookmarks bar appears directly beneath the address bar and shows icons or names of bookmarked sites. This allows users to open frequently visited pages instantly, instead of searching for them through Chrome’s bookmarks menu.

The change may seem small, but it could make a noticeable difference for people who regularly rely on bookmarks to browse the web. With the new bar, users can keep their most important websites visible at all times.

Chrome also allows users to organise bookmarks into folders on the bar, making it easier to manage a large number of saved links. If there are too many bookmarks to fit on the screen, users can tap an arrow at the end of the bar to view the remaining ones.

The feature is part of a recent Chrome update and can be activated from the browser’s settings under the “Appearance” menu. Once enabled, the bookmarks bar will remain visible during browsing.

However, the feature is primarily designed for devices with larger displays. As a result, it may not appear on standard smartphones with smaller screens.

 Tablets and foldable phones are increasingly used for productivity, reading and multitasking, and features like a bookmarks bar help create a more computer-like browsing experience.

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Imagine a vaccine you don’t have to keep cold, no bulky refrigerators, no ice packs, no electricity needed. That’s exactly what scientists are working on, and early results suggest it could be a game-changer for global health.

Most vaccines today must stay in a narrow temperature range, usually in a refrigerator, from the moment they are made until they’re given. In many parts of the world, maintaining this “cold chain” is a major challenge. Without reliable cooling, vaccines can spoil, leaving millions of people unprotected and wasting countless doses.

The new vaccine, called SPVX02, has been designed to be thermostable, meaning it stays effective even at higher temperatures. In early human trials, it protected volunteers against tetanus and diphtheria, two serious diseases that still threaten millions worldwide. Remarkably, the vaccine remained stable for up to two years at about 30 °C (86 °F), a feat that would have been impossible for traditional vaccines.

Health experts say this innovation could revolutionize immunisation campaigns, especially in rural villages, conflict zones, and regions with unreliable electricity. By removing the cold storage requirement, vaccines could reach far more people safely and efficiently, reducing waste, cutting costs, and saving lives.

The project was developed with support from the UK Health Security Agency and the biotech company Stablepharma. Researchers are optimistic that, if larger trials confirm these results, fridge-free vaccines could pave the way for other vaccines to be made similarly resilient, transforming global healthcare.

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Singer Shreya Ghoshal has opened up about the pressures of the music industry, admitting that she sometimes feels like taking a break from playback singing, much like fellow singer Arijit Singh.

Her comments come shortly after Arijit Singh’s decision to step away from playback singing sparked widespread discussion among fans and within the film music industry. For more than a decade, Singh has been one of the most dominant voices in Bollywood, delivering several chart-topping songs and memorable performances.

Responding to the development, Ghoshal said she understands why an artist might feel the need to pause. According to her, musicians often reach a point where they begin to reassess their work, creative satisfaction and the pace of their careers. She described Arijit Singh’s decision as courageous and said it reflects his sincerity toward music.

Ghoshal also admitted that the idea of taking a break has crossed her own mind at times. Years of recording songs, travelling for concerts and meeting industry expectations can be demanding, she noted. For singers who are constantly working, a pause can sometimes help them rediscover their passion and maintain balance in their lives.

Despite these thoughts, the singer clarified that she still enjoys making music and performing for audiences. At present, she continues to stay active with recordings, concerts and other musical projects.

The singer also spoke strongly about the importance of authenticity in live performances. She said singing live on stage is a vital part of an artist’s identity and connection with audiences.

Ghoshal added that she would never want to lip-sync during a performance. “The day I have to lip-sync on stage is the day I will stop singing,” she said, emphasising that honesty in music is non-negotiable for her.

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A deadly strike on a hospital in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul has triggered fresh tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with Afghan authorities accusing Pakistan of carrying out the attack that reportedly killed hundreds of people.

Officials in Kabul said the strike hit a large drug rehabilitation hospital where thousands of patients were undergoing treatment. According to Afghan authorities, the explosion destroyed major parts of the facility, killing more than 400 people and leaving at least 250 others injured. Many of the victims were patients receiving treatment, along with hospital staff.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes after the blast, with buildings collapsing and thick smoke rising from the hospital compound. Survivors said several people were trapped under rubble as rescuers and volunteers rushed to search for survivors. Emergency teams continued clearing debris hours after the incident, fearing that more victims could still be buried beneath the ruins.

Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government strongly condemned the attack, calling it a “crime against humanity”. Officials insisted that the hospital was a civilian facility and denied that any militants were operating from the area. They also said that some of the victims included children and vulnerable patients who were receiving medical care.

Pakistan, however, rejected the accusations. Authorities in Islamabad said their forces had carried out targeted operations against militant groups believed to be operating from Afghan territory. Pakistani officials denied that civilian infrastructure had been deliberately targeted during the operation.

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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced its first list of candidates for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, naming senior leader Suvendu Adhikari to contest from the Bhabanipur constituency against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The party released a list of 144 candidates on Monday, kicking off its election campaign in the state. The decision to field Adhikari from Bhabanipur is being seen as a direct challenge to Banerjee in a constituency that has long been closely associated with her.

Adhikari, who is currently the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, had earlier defeated Banerjee in the 2021 Assembly election from Nandigram in a closely fought contest. The result had drawn nationwide attention at the time, even though Banerjee’s party, the All India Trinamool Congress, went on to win the election and return to power in the state.

After losing in Nandigram, Banerjee later entered the assembly by winning a by-election from Bhabanipur, which has since remained her political base.

By nominating Adhikari from Bhabanipur, the Bharatiya Janata Party appears to be aiming for a high-stakes electoral battle between two of the state’s most prominent leaders. Political observers say the move could turn the constituency into one of the most closely watched contests in the upcoming polls.

Adhikari is also expected to contest again from Nandigram, the seat where he secured his victory against Banerjee in 2021.

The BJP’s first list also features several well-known names from politics, sports and entertainment. Among them are former state BJP president Dilip Ghosh, actor Rudranil Ghosh and former India cricketer Ashok Dinda.

Party leaders say the candidate list reflects a mix of experienced politicians and new faces as the BJP seeks to expand its support base in the state.

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