Forced To Watch Each Other Die: New Details On Russian Millionaire's Murder

Chilling new details have emerged about the murder of Russian crypto millionaire Roman Novak and his wife, Ana, revealing how they were tortured before being murdered in the UAE last month.

The couple was dismembered and poured into concrete at a remote desert location in Dubai after a ransom plot went wrong. They were reportedly forced to watch each other being tortured before they were stabbed to death, according to a Russian newspaper quoted by The Week.

The new investigation report revealed that the couple had gone to meet three unidentified Russian investors in early October near a lake in Hatta, a mountain resort area in Dubai. They were lured into a rented villa by the suspects under the pretext of an investment meeting, the report added. 

The suspects then asked them to provide access to their crypto assets. When the couple failed to do so, the suspects stabbed them to death. After that, the attackers cut their bodies into pieces and put the parts into polythene bags. 

They then used industrial-strength chemical solvents to speed up the decomposition process, in an attempt to destroy DNA evidence and make it harder for police to identify the bodies.

"The couple was tortured, forced to hand over the keys to their cryptocurrency wallets. Interestingly, the extortion trio ended up without any money—law enforcement officers found no treasure on them. Besides, they understand nothing about cryptocurrency. It's likely that all of Novak's wealth, if any, was transferred to the account of the mastermind behind the crime," the report quoted the Russian daily.

The police got to know about the two when Roman's family filed a missing persons complaint. The couple's private driver told Russia's Investigative Committee that he last dropped them off on October 2 in Hatta. After that, Roman Novak and Ana reportedly got into another car with these "investors," and nobody saw them again.

It is believed that seven people were involved in the crime, with three identified as the main suspects and the remaining four acting as intermediaries who helped plan the operation. Out of these seven, six suspects have already been arrested in Russia, the report added.

Two of the three murder suspects come from St. Petersburg, while the third is from Kazakhstan.

Roman Novak had been convicted of large-scale fraud in Russia in 2020. He was sentenced to six years in prison, but was released early, the report added. Roman then shifted with Ana to the UAE and launched a new crypto application called Fintopio, which reportedly raised $500 million from investors in Russia, China, and the Middle East, according to The Week report.

But after collecting all this investment, the company suddenly shut down, causing losses to numerous investors.

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Four Indian Delicacies Make It To The World's Top 10 Best Dishes List

Indian cuisine, with its vibrant mix of spices and soulful warmth, spells comfort with every bite. Whether it is the creamy bowl of dal that tastes like home or the fragrant plate of biryani that tantalises the senses, every dish feels like a small celebration of flavour. So, when popular food and travel guide TasteAtlas unveiled its annual list of the Top 100 Best Dishes in the World, it was no surprise that some major Indian delicacies made it to the prestigious lineup. Vori Vori from Paraguay bagged the first spot in the list and four of the most popular Indian dishes got recognition as well.

Also Read: Viral Now: British Vlogger Tastes Crunchy Spiders In Nagaland, Says It Reminds Him Of Sev

Four Indian Foods In The Top 100 Best Dishes In The World: Watch The Full Post Below:

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Here Are The Indian Dishes That Made It To TasteAtlas' 100 Best Dishes in The World

1. Amritsari Kulcha (Rank 17)

Hailing from the northern state of Punjab, Amritsari kulcha is a soft and fluffy flatbread filled with the goodness of potatoes, onions, cottage cheese and an array of spices. It is typically garnished with red chili powder, cilantro and coriander seeds. This flaky–crispy bread, spread with ghee or butter, is a staple in Amritsar, charred and baked to perfection in large tandoor ovens. It pairs well with tangy chole or spicy gravies.

Rating: 4.4

2. Murgh Makhani/Butter Chicken (Rank 66)

Of course, the good old butter chicken makes the list. After all, how can anyone resist this mouth-watering combination of roasted meat cooked with rich spices to form a savoury gravy? Cream, fresh tomatoes and gooey butter turn the dish into a feast. Originating in Delhi during the 1950s, butter chicken is enjoyed with naan bread, topped with even more butter, coriander and green chilis.

Rating: 4.35

3. Hyderabadi Biryani (Rank 72)

Biryani lovers, rejoice – this fragrant rice dish is officially one of the best in the world. Hyderabadi Biryani, with its roots in South India, is an amalgamation of fine basmati rice and mutton or chicken with a squeeze of lemon and a dollop of yoghurt, coupled with saffron and onions. It can be prepared either kachchi (raw) or pakki (cooked) in a special style known as ‘dum', believed to date back to ancient Persian cooking methods.

Rating: 4.35

Also Read: Watch: Shankar Mahadevan Reveals How Parle-G Brings "Soul Satisfaction"

4. Shahi Paneer (Rank 85)

Last but not least, shahi paneer is another flavourful gravy dish that tastes best with Indian breads like naans, pooris, or rotis. The cheese curry, rooted in India's Mughal cuisine, is made with Indian cottage cheese, cashews, onions and a vibrant, spicy tomato-cream sauce, commonly sprinkled with coriander leaves. It can elevate any festivity with its aromatic and hearty presence.

Rating: 4.34

The dish that bagged the top spot in TasteAtlas's list is Vori Vori from Paraguay. This creamy soup is made with small balls of cornmeal and cheese cooked in a broth of chicken, veggies and herbs. 

Other top-ranked items include Pizza Napoletana, Tajarin al tartufo bianco d'Alba, Sate Kambing, Cag Kebabı, Kontosouvli, Arroz Tapado, Komplet Lepinja, Quesabirria and Pappardelle al cinghiale, to name a few.

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Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps MLS Cup Final: When And Where To Watch

Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps Live Streaming MLS Cup Final: Inter Miami and Vancouver Whitecaps face off in the MLS Cup 2025 final at the Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The clash will see Messi coming face-to-face with Thomas Muller, one of his longtime rivals. It's the first final for both clubs, which means MLS is about to have a first-time champion. With their contracts expiring, Inter Miami's Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba are set to retire after the final. The match will be the 58th for Inter Miami across all competitions in 2025, which is a record for the most matches for an MLS club in a single year.

When will the Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps MLS Cup 2025 Final match be played?

The Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps MLS Cup 2025 Final match will be played on Sunday, December 7 (IST).

Where will the Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps MLS Cup 2025 Final  match be played?

The Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps MLS Cup 2025 Final match will be played at the Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

What time will the Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps MLS Cup 2025 Final match start?

The Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps MLS Cup 2025 Final match will start at 1 AM IST.

Which TV channels will broadcast the Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps MLS Cup 2025 Final match?

The Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps MLS Cup 2025 Final match will not be televised live in India.

Where to follow the live streaming of the Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps MLS Cup 2025 Final match?

The Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps MLS Cup 2025 Final match will be streamed live on Apple TV with subscription.

(All the details are as per the information provided by the broadcaster)

(With Agency Inputs)

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Kohli's Statement Amid Career Rumour: "Haven't Played Like This In 2-3 Years"

Virat Kohli ended the ODI series against South Africa with yet another 50+ score. Following a Player of the Series-winning performance, Indian batting icon Virat Kohli admitted that he has "not played like this in two or three years" and that his century at Ranchi in the first ODI "opened him in a way he had not felt in a while." Kohli rolled back the clock throughout the series, channelling the vibes, aggression, and shot-making of the 2016-19 era, considered his best statistically-scoring 302 runs in three matches at an average of 151.00 and a free-flowing strike rate of 117.05. His tally included two centuries: a 120-ball 135 at Ranchi, followed by a 93-ball 102 at Raipur, and a fluent 65* off 45 balls in the series decider.

"Honestly, playing the way I have in the series is the most satisfying thing for me. I feel really free in my mind. I don't think I have played at this level for a good 2-3 years now. The game is coming together nicely," Kohli said after the match.

"I know when I can bat like that in the middle, it helps the team in a big way. Then I can bat long, I can bat according to the situation. Just being confident in any situation makes me feel I can handle it and bring it in favour of the team."

He was also asked about the "patch" when a player starts questioning himself.

"When you play for that long-15-16 years-you are going to have many phases when you doubt your ability. Especially as a batter, because you are literally relying on one mistake, so you tend to go into a space where you feel like 'maybe I am not good enough.' That's the beauty of sport, especially batting, where you have to keep overcoming the fear every ball," Kohli said.

"It's a whole journey of getting better and growing as a person along the way. It improves you as a person and it improves temperament as well. I'm just glad that I'm still able to contribute to the team. I have had many phases where I have doubted myself, and I have not been shy in accepting that. It's a very human part of any player who has competed for that long."

Kohli was also asked about his six-hitting spree. "When I play freely, I know I can hit sixes. There are always levels you can unlock," he said.

The former Indian cricket team captain rated the first century in Ranchi as his best innings. "The first one at Ranchi-because I hadn't played a game since Australia. Just how your energy is on the day, Ranchi was very special for me and I'm very grateful for how these three games have gone. It's always brought the best out of us-that's what we want to play for. When it's 1-1, we want to do something special for the team. That's why we have played for the team for so long. I'm just happy that both of us continue to do it for so long," he said

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Sent To Bangladesh, Pregnant Woman Brought Back After Supreme Court Order

Two days after the Supreme Court directed the Centre to do so, a pregnant woman who was deported to Bangladesh despite being an Indian citizen was brought back to the country along with her eight-year-old son. 

Sonali Khatun, who is nine months pregnant, and the child entered India on Friday in West Bengal's Malda in the presence of several officials from the district administration. 

Khatun, her husband, Danish Sheikh, and their eight-year-old son were among six people who were pushed across the border into Bangladesh on June 27 after being picked up by the Delhi police earlier that month on charges of being Bangladeshi citizens who had entered the country illegally. 

The woman's father, Bhodu Sheikh, had told the Supreme Court that she and her child were waiting on the Bangladesh side to enter India. 

On Wednesday, a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi had directed the Centre to bring back Khatun, and the government had agreed to do so on humanitarian grounds.

Justice Bagchi had said that since Bhodu Sheikh's Indian citizenship is not in question, Khatun and her children would also be citizens of India under the Citizenship Act.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had also mentioned Khatun during an anti-Special Intensive Revision (SIR) rally in Malda on Wednesday.

"How are Indian citizens being labelled Bangladeshi? Was Sonali Khatun Bangladeshi? She was Indian. Despite her having Indian documents, you pushed her to Bangladesh using the Border Security Force," the Trinamool Congress chief had said.

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Mumbai's Luxury Homes Now Cost As Much As New York's Lower Manhattan Flats

The prices of premium apartments in Mumbai are now on a par with some parts of New York, according to a new report, underscoring the rapid rise of wealth and property prices in the country's financial capital.

Apartments in Mumbai's high-end Worli area are priced at as much as 100,000 rupees ($1,109) per square foot, equal to realty pricing in New York's Lower Manhattan, the report by Indian real estate consultant Anarock Group and wealth management firm 360 One Wealth said.

The prices indicate how more of Indian wealth is now getting invested locally and driving up prices in desirable enclaves such as Worli, which is now home to 40% of India's 'ultra-luxury apartment' market valued at more than 40 crore rupees, according to Anarock Chairman Anuj Puri.

The area has seen over 20 residential deals priced above 100 crore rupees over the last three years, the report said.

The district currently has around 40 to 50 lakh square feet of premium residential real estate and retail space under construction, with the residential projects estimated to be worth at least 19,000 crore rupees, the report says. Since 2023, land deals worth 7,600 crore rupees have closed in and around Worli, bringing in estimated revenues of 36,000 crore rupees.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Video: Ukrainian Air Force Drops 226-Kg Bomb On Russian Drone Operators

Ukraine has carried out an airstrike to destroy Russia's drone control and communication hub in Vovchansk. A video of a Ukrainian Air Force Su-27 fighter jet dropping a 500-pound (about 226 kilograms) Joint Direct Attack Munition Extended Range (JDAM-ER) precision glide bomb on a Russian drone team hiding in the upper levels of a grain elevator has surfaced on social media.

The clip, widely shared on X, begins with a sweeping view of the grain elevator. Moments later, a Ukrainian Su-27 swoops in at high altitude and drops a bomb on the top floors of the structure.

The bomb strikes its target, causing a powerful explosion, sending debris and smoke billowing into the air.

Kharkiv Oblast, a Ukrainian Air Force Su-27 drops a 500 lb JDAM-ER glide bomb onto a Russian drone team occupying the upper levels of a grain elevator. pic.twitter.com/yY02DzEoPv

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) December 3, 2025

The bomb used in the strike was a GBU-62 fitted with a JDAM-ER kit. It has also been modified to work with older Soviet MiG-29 jets in Ukraine, according to local media.

The GBU-62 itself is a 500-pound bomb based on the standard Mk-82. It is upgraded with a JDAM GPS/INS guidance system, allowing the bomb to steer itself towards a target using satellite and internal navigation.

The ER glide module lets the bomb glide through the air instead of dropping steeply, which means the aircraft can hit the target without flying too close to it.

A day prior to the blast, the Azov 1st Corps, part of Ukraine's National Guard, said that its combat drone operators managed to stop and destroy a Russian MTU-72 armoured bridgelayer in Donetsk.

The MTU-72 is a special Russian military vehicle used to help other vehicles cross obstacles such as rivers or deep trenches. By targeting and destroying this vehicle, the Ukrainian forces prevented Russian tanks and armored vehicles from crossing these barriers.

Exclusive drone footage obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday shows a heavily damaged Ukrainian town, Myrnohrad, surrounded by Russian forces. The footage shows that most streets and buildings are damaged.

Oleksii Hodzenko, press officer of the drone battalion of the 38th Marine Brigade, said, "They are trying to simply erase the (town) from the face of the Earth."

Ukraine's eastern military command said that it was sending supplies to troops in Myrnohrad using ground-robot drones to deliver food and water to soldiers still in the town.

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Congress Seeks Larger Role, Asks DMK To Finalise Seat Sharing By Dec 15

Undeterred by the setback in Bihar, where it won only six of the 61 seats it contested, the Congress has toughened its position during talks with key ally DMK in Tamil Nadu during their latest meeting, sources have said. 

Congress leaders said the party's Tamil Nadu alliance committee has sought one to two Assembly seats in each of the state's 38 districts and a share in power if the alliance returns to power after the elections next year. The Congress had contested 25 seats in Tamil Nadu in the 2021 Assembly poll, and won 18. 

Leaders present at Wednesday's discussion say the Congress has gone nearly two decades without playing a part in the state government and now wants both acknowledgement and a defined administrative role. The committee has also urged the DMK to finalise all terms, including seat sharing, by December 15 to avoid the recurring pattern of last-minute negotiations. 

The leaders said the committee told the DMK it cannot secure a comfortable victory without the party's support, given that Congress votes remain crucial in several pockets where the DMK's organisational depth is relatively thin.

The Congress formed its five-member committee on November 22 after the DMK sought clarity from the party high command. This came after speculation that sections of the state Congress were favouring an alliance with actor-politician Vijay's TVK, which has emerged as a third political force in the state, alongside the DMK- and AIADMK-led alliances. 

The committee - comprising Tamil Nadu Congress president K Selvaperunthagai, party in-charge for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Girish Chodankar, Congress Legislature Party leader S  Rajeshkumar and senior leaders Nivedith Alva and Suraj Hegde - met DMK President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and senior DMK figures to discuss the party's expectations. 

Rethink After Bihar

The Bihar results weakened the broader opposition front and sharpened concerns about the Congress's national standing, and leaders said this has prompted a rethink, with the party unwilling to remain a passive junior partner in key states. The Tamil Nadu unit has told the High Command that while its presence may not be dominant, it holds meaningful pockets of influence that must translate into real bargaining power.

Other alliance partners, including the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and the Left parties, are also preparing to push for larger shares ahead of the 2026 polls. 

DMK negotiators are expected to weigh the Congress demands carefully because, as the principal party, it carries the largest electoral burden and must also work to secure victories for allies. 

Both the DMK and the Congress have been reassessing the TVK and Vijay's potential impact after the Karur stampede in September, in which over 40 people were killed. Vijay recently spoke to Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, adding another layer of complexity to an already complicated political equation.

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Maharashtra's 'Car In Sea': A Rolls Royce Boat Turning Heads At Juhu Beach

Maharashtra's coastline has a new attraction making waves, quite literally. A Rolls Royce-shaped vessel cruising through the Arabian Sea is drawing crowds at Juhu beach, rapidly becoming one of the beach's most talked-about tourism innovations.

The unique watercraft, popularly dubbed the "car in the sea," offers locals and tourists a luxury-themed marine experience that would otherwise require travel abroad. And behind this spectacle is Pramod Pawar, who turned an idea he once saw on a Dubai beach into a homegrown adventure for Maharashtra.

A Dubai Dream Recreated At Home

Pawar says the concept struck him during a beach trip in Dubai, where similar luxury-themed boats are a staple. With a renewed vision, Pawar returned with sketches, observations, and a resolve to build something suited to local waters.

Inside Maharashtra's viral ‘Car In The Sea' ride. @AnujRayate speaks to Pramod Pawar, the man who designed and built the unique “car-boat” after spotting a similar concept in Dubai. pic.twitter.com/NhUkZc8Kfi

— NDTV (@ndtv) December 2, 2025

The team then modified the vessel extensively to withstand the specific conditions of Maharashtra's coastline, from tidal behaviour to safety norms. The result is a premium-looking boat that seats five people and travels up to 1.8 nautical miles into the sea.

The boat comes equipped with onboard music, plush interiors, and even a shower facility for visitors returning from the salty spray.

A Push Toward 'International-Level' Tourism

Maharashtra already hosts most of the water sports available internationally, from jet skiing to parasailing. But with attractions like the "car boat," officials and operators say the goal is to scale up to 100% international standards.

The team behind the Rolls Royce vessel plans to expand further with new offerings, including flyboarding and Ferrari and Lamborghini-inspired boat variants.

"We want people to feel like they're getting a true international experience right here," said Vijay, the manager.

More Than A Gimmick, A Sign Of What's Coming

Pawar was very clear in his resolve that this is not a one off, but a start to a newer trend. "We do not wish to stop here, we want to bring as many newer sports to our waters as possible," he said.

He also stressed on the need for the government to encourage such experiments at home and make it hassle free.

"I was able to bring it home because I happened to be in Dubai and saw it, but not every one of us can do that, hence their chances of expanding become limited. The government should encourage more of such sports for greater footfalls."

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Revanth Reddy's Remarks On Hindu Gods Spark Political Row

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's lighthearted remarks about 3 crore Hindu deities, a God for every occasion, have sparked a political row.

The controversial comments made during a party executive meeting have drawn immediate and sharp condemnation from the opposition BJP and BRS, who accused him of insulting Hindu sentiments.

While addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Reddy introduced a seemingly conversational point about the nature of Hindu worship, which he framed as an observation delivered "in a lighter vein".

The Chief Minister's quote, which quickly went viral after internal accounts surfaced, was: "How many deities are there in Hinduism? How many deities? Three crores? Why? For those who are unmarried, there is god hanuman. For those who are married twice, there is another god. For those who drink, there is another god. Yellamma, Pochamma, Maisamma. For those who demand chicken, there is a god. And for those who eat dal-rice, there is another god, right? There are all kinds of deities."

The opposition quickly seized upon the remarks, interpreting them as a mockery of the fundamental tenets of Hindu faith and customs.

Attacking the Chief Minister, Union minister and former Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar issued a strongly worded statement on social media, accusing the Congress party of holding deep-rooted hatred towards Hindus.

"I strongly condemn the comments made by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy insulting Hindus and Hindu deities. The Congress has always been a party that bends before the AIMIM. Revanth Reddy himself said Congress is a Muslim party. That statement alone exposes their mindset. Congress carries deep-rooted hatred towards Hindus," Bandi Sanjay said.

"This is exactly why we warned during the Jubilee Hills by-election that if Congress or BRS accidentally won, Hindus would not be able to step out with dignity. The Chief Minister's latest comments prove BJP was right," he added.

Bandi Sanjay urged the Hindu community to unite: "The hatred Congress holds towards Hindus and Hindu gods now stands exposed. It is time for the Hindu community to think seriously. Will you stay divided and continue to endure humiliation, or will you unite and assert your strength?"

The backlash was quickly formalised into action, with the BJP state chief, G Ramchandra Rao, calling for statewide protests and agitations against the Chief Minister and the Congress government, demanding an unconditional apology.

The protests are expected to escalate across Telangana in the coming days.

The BRS also joined the condemnation, with several leaders demanding that the Chief Minister immediately retract the statement and apologise for hurting the sentiments of crores of Hindus across the state.
 

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Abandoned In Cold, Newborn Finds Unlikely Protectors In Pack Of Stray Dogs

In the hours before dawn, when most of this river town in West Bengal's Nadia district lies silent under a winter sky, a newborn baby was left alone on the cold ground outside a bathroom in a railway workers' colony.

The infant was only a few hours old, still marked with blood from birth, with no blanket, no note, and no one nearby. But the baby was not entirely alone.

What followed is now whispered with the disbelief reserved for miracles-a pack of strays, the very dogs people chase away daily, had formed a perfect ring around the newborn, not barking or moving, simply standing guard through the night.

Residents say the dogs did not allow anyone or anything to come near through the night, except the morning light itself.

"Waking up, we saw something that still gives us goosebumps," said Sukla Mondal, a resident who was among the first to spot the baby. "The dogs were not aggressive. They looked... alert. As if they understood the child was fighting to live," she said.

Another resident, Subhash Pal, recalled hearing the short, sharp cry around dawn.

"I thought the family had a sick baby. Never imagined a newborn was lying outside, with dogs watching over. They behaved like sentries," he said.

It was only when Sukla finally approached, whispering, that the dogs eased open their circle.

She wrapped the baby in her dupatta and called neighbours for help.

The infant was rushed first to Maheshganj Hospital and then referred to Krishnanagar Sadar Hospital.

Doctors later said there were no injuries, and the blood on the head was likely from a birthmark that the abandonment happened minutes, not hours, after delivery.

Police suspect someone from the locality may have left the child there under the cover of night.

Nabadwip police and Child Help authorities have begun inquiries and initiated procedures for the baby's long-term care.

Yet, even as officials get to work, the town cannot shake off the image of the dogs-silent, untrained, and yet uncannily protective.

"These are the same dogs we complain about," said a railway worker. "But they showed more humanity than whoever abandoned that child," he said.

Old-timers in Nabadwip say the place has always been touched by an inexplicable compassion, tracing it back to the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a 15th-century saint, who was born in this river town and whose message of empathy still echoes through its ghats and temples.

"Maybe that spirit worked through those animals," an elder remarked.

As evening fell, children in the Rail Colony were seen offering biscuits to the very dogs that held vigil the night before.

One teenager, stroking a brown stray, said, "They saved the baby".

In a community used to daily struggles, residents say this night will stay with them - a reminder that sometimes protection comes from the most unexpected places, and that humanity, too often missing, can arrive on four legs.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Extreme Rain Alert For Chennai, School Shut Tomorrow

Although Cyclone Dithwa fizzled out without causing major damage along the Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh coasts, the deep depression it weakened into is now expected to unleash isolated extremely heavy rains over parts of the Chennai, Tiruvallur, and Ranipet districts, the meteorological department has warned.

With the system moving parallel to the Tamil Nadu coast, around 50 km from the shoreline, and heading towards south Andhra Pradesh, Chennai's Nungambakkam recorded 9 cm of rain in just 11 hours, signalling the start of what could be another challenging spell for the city.

Civic Body Claims Full Preparedness

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has asserted that the city is "fully prepared" to handle another prolonged rain spell. 

Officials say 215 relief centres have been readied across Chennai, each equipped with food, essential supplies, and basic medical support. Alongside these, 111 community kitchens have been activated to serve hot meals if residents need to be moved to shelters. 

The Corporation has also deployed more than 700 pumps, including large-capacity 100 HP motors and portable units, across known flood-prone locations to minimise water stagnation.

Additionally, teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) - over 350 personnel in total - have been stationed across vulnerable zones for emergency response. 

The civic body has mobilised nearly 480 vehicles, including tree-cutting units, mechanised saws, rescue boats and power-saw-equipped rapid response units, to attend to complaints related to fallen trees, flooding and disruptions. Zonal teams and field volunteers, GCC says, are operating round the clock to handle distress calls and drainage issues.

Rain Holiday for Schools, Colleges

As a precaution, district administrations declared a rain holiday tomorrow for schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu, citing the extremely heavy rainfall alert.

City Still Struggles With Waterlogging

Despite the corporation's preparedness claims, several low-lying pockets in Chennai remained waterlogged after today's rains, raising fresh questions over the efficiency of the stormwater drains built over the last four years, a major DMK government project since 2021. The extreme rains could put this larger system to the test.

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Hyderabad Man Falls To Online Fraud, Threats, Loses More Than Rs 1 Lakh

A sophisticated "honeytrap" operating on the Telegram messaging platform has led a 20-year-old Hyderabad resident to lose over Rs 1 lakh before the fraud turned into extortion. The victim, lured by a convincing fake profile, transferred Rs 1,02,093 to the fraudsters before realising the deception.

The incident in Yakutpura, now being investigated by the cybercrime cell, again highlighted the growing threat of scams targeting vulnerable users on social media.

According to the complaint, someone posing as a woman had contacted the victim and offered paid companionship services. The fraudster went to great lengths to establish credibility, using stolen photographs, fake testimonials, and manipulated feedback.

Once trust was established, the scammer initiated a sequence of rapid demands for payments under deceptive pretexts, creating a financial sinkhole for the unsuspecting victim.

The victim paid Advance Booking Fees, Service Security Deposits, Room Reservation Charges and "Refundable" Manager Fees.

After promises of refunds, the young man made multiple UPI and bank transfers, ending up transferring Rs 1,02,093 to various bank accounts provided by the fraudster.

The trap finally became apparent when the victim was told to arrive at a hotel in Abids locality for the supposed meeting. On reaching the location, the victim found no one. 

When he attempted to contact the individual, the fraudster dropped the pretence and immediately pivoted to aggressive extortion, demanding an additional Rs 10,000 and issued threats.

Recognising the attempt to blackmail him, the victim immediately approached the police cybercrime cell to lodge a formal complaint.

Cybercrime officials consistently warn that these rackets thrive on stolen media and the victim's fear of social embarrassment. The key elements of the scam, fake profiles and repeated demands for fees, are standard modus operandi.

The Hyderabad cybercrime wing has issued a stern advisory urging the public to exercise extreme caution, advising them never to trust unsolicited messages or profiles on platforms like Telegram or WhatsApp offering paid companionship or high-value services.

They say that no legitimate service will demand repeated payments for "security", "managers" or "refundable deposits" before a service is rendered.

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