NewsBytes

A Los Angeles jury recently ruled that Meta and YouTube intentionally designed their products to be addictive and harm children. The trial was closely watched by Jeffrey Stephen Wigand, a biochemist and whistleblower from the tobacco industry. Wigand had exposed how big tobacco companies targeted children in the 1990s to use their products. He said the social media trial reminded him of those cases.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to keep key policy rates unchanged in its upcoming Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, scheduled for April 6-8. This prediction comes from a report by SBI Research, which cites heightened global uncertainty due to the ongoing West Asia conflict. The report highlights that this will be the first policy review since the outbreak of this conflict.

The upcoming sci-fi romance film, Love Insurance Kompany, starring Pradeep Ranganathan and Krithi Shetty, is set to hit theaters on April 10, 2026. The movie explores relationships in a tech-driven world and has already secured a post-theatrical streaming deal with Amazon Prime Video. It will premiere on the platform in mid-May 2026 after its four-week theatrical run, according to 123Telugu.

The Supreme Court has ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) preliminary inquiry into the alleged irregular allotment of public contracts by the Arunachal Pradesh government to companies owned by relatives of Chief Minister Pema Khandu. The court has asked the CBI to submit its report within 16 weeks on whether an independent investigation is needed. The central agency has been asked to examine contracts awarded from November 2015 till 2025.

The Hollywood film Project Hail Mary has been witnessing steady growth at the Indian box office. The sci-fi action-adventure drama, starring Ryan Gosling, added another ₹5.5cr to its total collection on Sunday, taking the second weekend's gross to ₹15.5cr. With this addition to its first week's collection of ₹29.5cr, the film's total gross has reached an impressive ₹45cr in just 11 days since its release.

NASA's Artemis II crew has shared stunning new images of the Moon and the interior of their Orion spacecraft. The photos give a unique insight into life in space. One of the most remarkable images shows a part of the Orientale basin on the Moon, a first for human eyes. The 600-mile-wide shadowed crater marks a major transition zone between the near and far sides of our natural satellite.

Chia seeds have become a global sensation for their nutritional benefits, but in Africa, these tiny seeds have been used in traditional recipes for centuries. From adding texture to enhancing flavors, chia seeds are an integral part of various African dishes. Here, we explore five traditional African recipes that highlight the versatility and cultural significance of chia seeds, offering a glimpse into the continent's rich culinary heritage.

Tim David's explosive batting against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Sunday not only propelled Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a stunning win but also saw him equal a record held by some of the franchise's biggest hitters. Playing at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, David smashed eight sixes en route to his 25-ball 70*. The feat is now tied for the second-most number of sixes hit by an RCB player batting at No.5 or lower in an IPL match.

Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya, who missed the last match against Delhi Capitals due to viral fever, is all set to make his return. He was seen training in Guwahati on Sunday night ahead of the upcoming clash with Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday. Stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav, in MI's last game against Delhi Capitals, had confirmed at the toss that Hardik was "unwell."

India's services activity has witnessed a slowdown, with the Purchasing Managers's Index (PMI) falling to a 14-month low of 57.5 in March. The figure is a decline from February's reading of 58.1 and marks the lowest since January 2025 (56.5). The moderation in services activity is less severe than that seen in manufacturing, where the PMI plunged to a near four-year low of 53.9 last month from February's reading of 56.9.

African cultures have long depended on natural elements and traditional practices for physical fitness. These exercises, which are often done outdoors and use minimal equipment, can be an effective way to tone thighs. By incorporating these age-old techniques into your routine, you can achieve stronger and more defined thigh muscles. Here are five African-inspired exercises that focus on leg strength and endurance.

The untimely demise of Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee (43) has sent shockwaves through the Tollywood community. The actor drowned while filming for the Bengali soap Bholey Baba Par Karega on March 29. In response, the West Bengal Motion Pictures Artists's Forum has announced an indefinite strike from Tuesday (April 7) to demand improved safety measures on film and television sets.

Manav Gohil, who plays Sushant Bansal in the Dhurandhar franchise, has praised director Aditya Dhar's working style. In an interview with Zoom, he compared Dhar to a swan for his ability to stay calm despite challenges. "So, even to keep a calm demeanor on the surface, you know, Aditya was surely going through a lot of churning, a lot of challenges inside, but he was so (calm), oh my God," said Gohil.

Early Monday, United States-Israel airstrikes targeted Tehran, damaging the Sharif University of Technology and causing gas outages in parts of the city. The attack also impacted a nearby natural gas distribution site. Iranian state media reported multiple explosions and low-flying fighter jets heard intermittently for hours. However, the specific targets within the university remain unclear, as it is currently empty due to online classes amid the ongoing conflict.

The political drama Dhaai Chaal, written by Ritesh Shah and directed by Satish Nair, will return for a second season, according to Variety India. The news comes even before the first season has premiered on JioHotstar. Actor Ankit Siwach, who was recently seen in 120 Bahadur and has previously appeared in shows like Rishton Ka Chakravyuh and Beyhadh 2, will also be part of the second season.

Akan goldweights, small brass sculptures from West Africa, are being creatively reimagined by contemporary African artists. These pieces, which were once used to weigh gold for trade, are now being used to explore themes of identity, culture, and history. Artists are using these traditional forms to make statements about modern life and the past's influence on it. Here are some ways artists are transforming Akan goldweights into modern art.

Bangladesh is facing a major public health crisis as a suspected measles outbreak has killed at least 130 children in the last six weeks. The deaths include 113 suspected and 17 confirmed fatalities, according to the latest health data released on Sunday, Anadolu Agency reported. In response to this alarming situation, authorities have launched an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign targeting over 1.3 million children aged between six months and under five years.

The Malayalam film Vaazha 2: Biopic of a Billion Bros, directed by Savin Sa and starring debutants, has taken the Kerala box office by storm. The film raked in ₹8.4cr on its first Sunday alone, setting a new record for non-Mohanlal films in Kerala (only Mohanlal starrers have ever crossed ₹8cr on a single day in the state). With this, the movie's total net collection for its extended first week stands at an impressive ₹25.6cr.

OpenAI's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Sarah Friar has expressed reservations about CEO Sam Altman's intention to take the company public as early as the fourth quarter of 2026, The Information reports. Friar is particularly worried about the financial risks associated with OpenAI's aggressive spending plans and its commitment to securing computing infrastructure.

The OPEC+ oil alliance has decided to raise its oil production quotas for the second consecutive month. The decision comes amid rising concerns over global energy markets due to ongoing US-Iran war affecting supply routes. The increase will see an additional 206,000 barrels per day (bpd) in production quotas from May onward by member countries including Russia and Saudi Arabia.