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Kia Carens Clavis EV to have a Battery-as-a-Service May 15, 2026 15:32

Kia India has introduced a new Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) finance option for the Kia Carens Clavis EV, intending to make owning an electric vehicle easier and cheaper for Indian buyers. This program features a two-loan system where the battery and the vehicle's body are financed separately, greatly lowering the upfront cost of the EV. The BaaS model is available for both battery options in the Carens Clavis EV — the 42kWh and 51.4kWh versions. Under this program, customers will pay a battery subscription charge of Rs 3.3 for every kilometre driven, while the car can be financed through partner banks. By separating the battery cost from the car's price, the starting price of the Carens Clavis EV is significantly reduced. The 42kWh model starts at Rs 12.84 lakh with the BaaS plan, while the larger 51.4kWh model begins at Rs 15.94 lakh. In contrast, the traditional showroom prices without the battery subscription range from Rs 17.99 lakh to Rs 24.99 lakh. Prices are ex-showroom. Kia indicates that this program aims to provide more options and clarity for EV ownership. Separate loan accounts will be set up for the car's body and the battery, enabling customers to handle their repayments separately. The loan period for the chassis can last up to 60 months, while the battery subscription can go up to 96 months. The company asserts that this structure will help lessen the financial strain of owning an EV and motivate more people to think about electric vehicles. The BaaS finance model is being introduced in collaboration with major banks like ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Bajaj Finserv. Kia says that ownership options for the Carens Clavis EV can start from Rs 51,520, in addition to the battery usage fees based on the distance driven. Regarding this plan, Kia India mentioned that the BaaS model is part of a larger goal to make electric vehicles more accessible in India and to create a broader electric mobility network. The automaker has also been working on enhancing its EV infrastructure throughout the country. With the K-Charge platform connected to the MyKia app, customers can access over 15,000 charging locations across the country, along with features like route planning, updates on charger availability, and integrated payment options. Furthermore, more than 100 Kia dealerships in India now have DC fast chargers, and over 267 service centers across the nation have been upgraded to provide service and maintenance for EVs. The Kia Carens Clavis EV remains unchanged mechanically with the rollout of the BaaS model. The 42kWh variant boasts a claimed driving range of 404km, while the larger 51.4kWh battery offers a claimed range of 490km on a full charge. Earlier this year, Kia launched the MY2026 update for the electric MPV, which includes cosmetic changes like redesigned bumpers, new alloy wheels, and extra variants.

Xiaomi 17T Series Launch Date Tipped May 15, 2026 15:18

The Xiaomi 17T series is set to be released in certain global markets later this month, according to a source. After their global release, it is believed that the Xiaomi 17T and Xiaomi 17T Pro will also be introduced in India as the third and fourth devices in the company's top-tier range, joining the Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra. Additionally, reports suggest that the smartphone company is looking to bring the Xiaomi 17 Max to India and other global regions, which would increase the lineup to five models, including the two Xiaomi 17T devices. This news follows the company's recent hints about the Xiaomi 17 Max's launch in China. A post on X by tipster Yogesh Brar (@heyitsyogesh) indicates that the expected Xiaomi 17T and Xiaomi 17T Pro will be unveiled in specific global markets on May 28. The source also mentions that these two models will be available in India soon after the launch of the Redmi Turbo 5, which is confirmed for release in the country shortly. However, the company has not yet started promoting the global release of the Xiaomi 17T series, as the expected launch is only a few weeks away. In addition to the Xiaomi 17T and Xiaomi 17T Pro, there are discussions regarding the launch of the Xiaomi 17 Max in India, which is confirmed for a debut in China in the next weeks. If the three models become available in India, they will be added to the Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra, bringing the total number of flagship phones in the country to five. Key details and prices of the Xiaomi 17T and Xiaomi 17T Pro have recently appeared online. The base model is expected to be priced at EUR 749 (approximately Rs. 83,000) for the 12GB+256GB RAM and storage option. Meanwhile, the Pro version may be priced at EUR 999 (around Rs. 1,11,000). Regarding specifications, the Xiaomi 17T will reportedly feature a 6.59-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz and a pixel density of 460 ppi. Conversely, the Xiaomi 17T Pro is likely to come with a 6.83-inch 1.5K (1,280x2,772 pixels) AMOLED touchscreen that supports a refresh rate of up to 144Hz and has a pixel density of 447 ppi. The standard model is expected to be equipped with a 4nm octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 8500 Ultra processor, while the Xiaomi 17T Pro is rumored to utilize a 3nm octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset. The two devices are anticipated to provide 12GB of LPDDR5x RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 4.1 internal storage.

Apple-OpenAI Partnership Reportedly Strained May 15, 2026 15:05

Apple's relationship with OpenAI is reportedly under pressure and becoming increasingly tense. A recent report indicates that the creator of ChatGPT is considering possible legal steps against Apple, claiming it has not sufficiently supported or promoted the integration of ChatGPT into iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. This collaboration was first introduced at WWDC 2024 and was thought to be a significant move in integrating generative AI into the iPhone ecosystem. As reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, attorneys for OpenAI are collaborating with an outside law firm to explore various legal actions against Apple. This could potentially involve sending a formal notice regarding a contract violation. Nonetheless, it appears OpenAI has not made a conclusive decision yet and still hopes to settle the issue privately without resorting to a lawsuit. The conflict seems to stem from OpenAI's unhappiness with how Apple has integrated ChatGPT into its systems. The report mentions that OpenAI leaders initially felt confident that the partnership would greatly enhance ChatGPT subscriptions and improve its visibility through more integration with Siri and Apple applications. However, the actual integration is still quite limited and challenging for many users to access. The report suggests that for users to get OpenAI responses, they often need to specifically state “ChatGPT” when using Siri. Furthermore, the responses are shown in a smaller interface and provide fewer functions than the independent ChatGPT application. Gurman highlighted that OpenAI leaders think Apple has not put enough effort into promoting the integration on iPhones, iPads, and Macs. An unidentified OpenAI executive reportedly stated that the ChatGPT creator has done “everything from a product perspective,” while Apple “hasn't even made a genuine attempt. ” The connection is likely further strained by Apple’s growing partnerships with competing AI companies. The tech giant from Cupertino has been frequently rumored to be planning more extensive AI integrations within iOS 27, which would enable users to choose third-party AI models directly through Siri. Notably, Apple and Google announced a multi-year partnership earlier this year, which will allow Gemini and Google's cloud technology to support the next generation of Apple Foundation Models. Additionally, the report notes that OpenAI's increasing interest in hardware has also led to tensions between the two companies. The creator of ChatGPT is developing an AI wearable device, with former Apple Design chief Jony Ive leading the project. On the other hand, Apple has reportedly had concerns regarding privacy related to ChatGPT, even during the initial negotiations in 2024. However, it seems the company moved forward with the partnership due to its own AI features still being under development at that time.

HCLTech bets on Sarvam AI: To invest $150 Million May 15, 2026 14:53

The Indian IT industry has been careful when it comes to AI. Major companies like TCS, Infosys, and Wipro have worried about a possible crisis every time a firm like Anthropic introduces new features. However, now HCLTech, another big player in the Indian IT scene, is said to be looking to invest in the Indian AI startup Sarvam AI. According to a report from Moneycontrol, HCLTech is set to lead a new funding round for Sarvam AI, potentially putting in $150 million with a company value of $1.5 billion. Sarvam is also aiming to gather another $150 million during this round, with rumors suggesting that Nvidia might also be interested. This funding will be significant as it will be the first one for Sarvam in more than two years. The last time it raised money was $41 million in a Series A round back in December 2023. If this round happens, it would be a big change in the Indian tech landscape, as a traditional Indian IT firm decides to support a local AI startup. It would also rank among the largest fundraising by an Indian AI startup. It’s important to note that Sarvam has been creating its own AI models for a while now. The startup, based in Bengaluru, has previously outperformed ChatGPT and Google Gemini in some tasks with its Vision and Bulbul models. This investment arrives when the Indian IT sector is facing fast changes brought on by AI-focused companies like Anthropic and OpenAI. This has caused worries about the future of SaaS because of tools like Claude Cowork. Meanwhile, HCLTech has partnered with OpenAI to help bring AI solutions into client systems, which appears to be increasingly essential right now, especially as OpenAI and Anthropic have their own AI service offerings. Similarly, TCS and Infosys also have similar agreements. Remember that Indian service companies have previously been criticized for not putting money into AI. Now, Anthropic, which was established in 2021, has a higher valuation than the top four Indian IT firms. Sarvam AI was started in July 2023 by Vivek Raghavan and Pratyush Kumar. The goal of the startup is to be a complete sovereign AI company that focuses on creating foundational models, or essential AI systems that can be used in many ways, specifically for India. Sarvam AI is working on AI for Indian languages and voice applications for users and businesses, along with a platform for developing and implementing AI applications. At the IndiaAI Impact Summit earlier this year, it revealed two large language models, which are AI systems that learn from vast amounts of data to create and understand text, with one having 30 billion parameters and another with 105 billion parameters trained entirely in India. Sarvam also presented AI-powered smart glasses at this event, which were worn by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In February, the company launched the Sarvam Indus mobile app for Indian users, though it is still in the testing phase.

Satya Nadella reveals Microsoft's $25 Billion Plan May 15, 2026 14:35

Following the unexpected removal of Sam Altman from OpenAI on November 17, 2023, Microsoft was quick to position itself to take in OpenAI's key leaders and talent into an organization under its control, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella disclosed during court statements on Monday. Nadella’s remarks emphasized how critical OpenAI was to Microsoft’s artificial intelligence plans and how swiftly Microsoft acted to safeguard its interests amid the leadership crisis. Nadella testified on the last day of the Elon Musk versus OpenAI trial in federal court in Oakland, California. He shared that Microsoft almost instantly made a backup strategy. Within merely a day, Microsoft had finalized the legal documents to establish a new subsidiary that could hire Altman, Greg Brockman, and possibly several other OpenAI staff if they opted to leave the organization. In the technology field, especially in artificial intelligence, salary packages are greatly linked to equity and the future worth of the company. To persuade OpenAI employees to join them, Microsoft would have to propose extremely costly packages. Nadella revealed that Microsoft anticipated it would take about $25 billion to fully integrate Sam Altman, his leadership group, and a significant number of OpenAI staff into Microsoft while providing salaries, stock options, and equity in line with what they already had or expected at OpenAI. However, this proposal was never executed because Altman was reinstated as CEO of OpenAI afterward. When he came back and most employees remained at OpenAI, Microsoft found that the alternative plan was no longer necessary. Nadella also pointed out how puzzling and sudden the dismissal seemed, even to Microsoft, despite its close ties with OpenAI. He described Altman's firing as “amateurish. ” During his testimony, Nadella mentioned that even with Microsoft being OpenAI’s primary investor and closest business associate, the board failed to provide a clear reason for Altman’s removal. Nadella expressed that his immediate worry was to determine if there were serious issues involved, such as financial misconduct, fraud, security problems, or ethical breaches. However, as he stated in his testimony, no one from OpenAI provided Microsoft with a clear response. The only public justification from OpenAI’s board was that Altman had not been “consistently candid” in his communications, a vague statement that many at the time felt didn't warrant such a drastic action. Nadella’s testimony also clarified the power struggle that emerged after Sam Altman rejoined OpenAI following the leadership crisis in November 2023. After Altman’s return, OpenAI aimed to rebuild or “reconstitute” its board of directors, and Microsoft—being OpenAI's largest investor and closest business partner—suggested 13 to 14 individuals they thought could serve on the new board. However, none of the candidates proposed by Microsoft were chosen initially. During his testimony, Nadella recognized that Microsoft lacked the official authority to compel the nonprofit OpenAI board to follow its advice. When he was asked about Microsoft's options if the board chose to disregard its recommendations, he simply stated, “None,” indicating that even with Microsoft's significant financial investment, it did not have direct control over the management of OpenAI. Simultaneously, Nadella disclosed that Microsoft attempted to sway the board's composition by voicing objections to certain individuals. He mentioned he was against Diane Greene due to her associations with Google and also disapproved of Bing Gordon because of his connections to Amazon. This implied that Microsoft was worried about rivals having too much power within OpenAI. Elon Musk’s legal representatives asserted that Microsoft was trying to influence OpenAI's governance in ways that would help Microsoft's business goals and increase its control over the organization. Ilya Sutskever, a co-founder and former chief scientist at OpenAI, also gave evidence during cross-examination. He mentioned that OpenAI's board considered serious backup plans to bring stability to the organization amid the crisis. One of these plans reportedly included conversations with Anthropic, a significant competitor in the AI field, regarding the potential for a merger or collaboration. Sutskever expressed his disapproval of the idea of OpenAI merging with Anthropic, stating that he was “not excited” about this suggestion. In addition to Satya Nadella’s testimony, numerous other Microsoft leaders also took the stand to discuss Microsoft's financial involvement in OpenAI.

Indian Government Bans Sugar exports till September May 15, 2026 14:17

The government has prohibited the export of sugar until the end of September in order to keep local prices steady during a time when there are concerns about reduced sugar stocks and a potential decline in sugar production for the 2026-27 season, which runs from October to September. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade updated the export rules for raw sugar late on Wednesday, changing the category of white sugar and refined sugar from ‘restricted’ to ‘forbidden’ until September 30, 2026, or until further notice, whichever comes first. The Indian Sugar and Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) referred to the government’s decision to limit sweetener exports as a reaction to changing domestic supply situations and climate uncertainties for the upcoming season (2026-27). According to ICRA, the total sugar production, after accounting for ethanol usage, is expected to be about 28 million tonnes, which is less than what was initially predicted. The organization mentioned that with domestic consumption at 28.3 million tonnes and exports of 0.7 million tonnes, the ending sugar stock is forecasted to be around 4.3 million tonnes by September 2026. This amounts to nearly two months of usage, suggesting inventory levels are a bit lower compared to previous years. “The government’s decision will help prevent significant rises in local prices while ensuring that sugar remains available domestically, considering the expected decrease in sugar stock and next year’s production,” said Rachit Mehta, vice president of ICRA. The government allowed sugar exports in November 2025 based on the production forecasts available at that time. Industry insiders noted that as the season went on, sugar output in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh was negatively affected by weather challenges. According to ISMA, approximately 0.65 million tonnes of sugar has been exported so far, while an estimated 40,000 to 60,000 tonnes are being sent out under previously signed contracts. For the 2025-26 sugar marketing season (from October to September), the food ministry allowed 1.5 million tonnes of exports in November 2025, and in February 2026, it approved an extra shipment of 500,000 tonnes of sweetener. "Although the sector was looking forward to a measured assessment of the export situation, the quick implementation of the current restrictions could lead to real difficulties in meeting some export agreements already made with international partners," stated Deepak Ballani, the general director of ISMA. The organization recommended that allowing the fulfillment of existing contracts might assist in ensuring smooth trade settlements and enhance the reliability of Indian suppliers in the worldwide market. As of the end of April 2026, ISMA reported total sugar output of 27.52 MT, which is 7% greater than the previous season, even though only 5 out of 539 factories were functioning. On Thursday, shares of significant sugar firms – Triveni Engineering, Balram Chini, Shree Renuka Sugar, and Mawana Sugar – fell following the government's announcement regarding the ban on sugar exports. On Thursday, shares of Balrampur Chini and Triveni Engineering dropped by 1.63% and 1.57%, reaching Rs 545 and Rs 383 respectively on the BSE compared to the previous trading day, while Shree Renuka Sugar saw a decrease of 2.41% to Rs 24. Shares of Mawana Sugar went down by 4.18% to Rs 104 on Thursday.

Shreyas Iyer Creates History in IPL May 15, 2026 12:59

On Thursday, May 14, Shreyas Iyer made history by becoming the second captain ever in Indian Premier League history to achieve 1000 runs for two different teams. Currently leading Punjab Kings in IPL 2026, Iyer needed only four runs in the match against Mumbai Indians to reach 1000 IPL runs as the captain of PBKS. He smoothly hit a four off the very first delivery he faced from Shardul Thakur in the 11.3 over to hit this milestone. He is now the second captain, after KL Rahul, to score 1000 IPL runs for Punjab Kings. Additionally, Iyer is just the second captain, following Rahul, to accumulate 1000 IPL runs leading two separate teams. Rahul has been the captain of both Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, collecting 1296 runs in 27 matches with PBKS and 1395 runs in 37 matches with LSG. Meanwhile, Iyer has reached 1000 runs in 29 IPL matches as captain of Punjab Kings, and he previously scored 1242 runs in 41 matches as the leader of Delhi Capitals. Iyer took 28 innings to reach 1000 runs in the IPL for Punjab Kings. He is now the third quickest player, following Shaun Marsh and KL Rahul, to score 1000 runs for the Punjab-based team in the IPL. Marsh achieved his 1000th IPL run for PBKS in his 21st innings, and Rahul reached the milestone in 23 innings with Punjab Kings. Overall, Iyer is the 11th player to score 1000 runs in the IPL for Punjab Kings. The right-handed batsman from Mumbai has played 87 IPL matches for Delhi Capitals from 2015 to 2021, scoring 2375 runs in those 87 games, and he also made a total of 752 runs in 29 matches for Kolkata Knight Riders during two seasons, which were 2022 and 2024.

Is Hantavirus Mutating to Become More Contagious? May 15, 2026 11:33

Health authorities looking into the serious hantavirus outbreak tied to the cruise ship MV Hondius report that there is no current proof that the virus has changed to become more spreadable or dangerous. This assurance follows genetic testing of the virus, indicating it is almost identical to types linked to earlier outbreaks in South America, as stated by specialists from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). So far, this outbreak has been associated with ten cases, with eight confirmed illnesses and three fatalities. This announcement also comes amid increasing international worries about whether the virus might have evolved to spread more easily among humans after several illnesses were noted among passengers and crew onboard the ship. Nevertheless, both European and American experts affirm that the current information does not back the concerns of a significant viral change. As reported by Bloomberg, one US doctor who was initially thought to have a hantavirus infection tested negative twice, which has further reduced worries about a broader outbreak. In addition, another passenger in isolation in Italy also received a negative test result. Health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and ECDC, are still conducting extensive international contact tracing while keeping track of passengers in several countries. During a health briefing in Europe, Andreas Hoefer, an expert in microbiology and molecular epidemiology with the ECDC, mentioned that the sequencing study revealed no significant genetic alterations indicating the virus has changed to spread more aggressively. "Currently, there is no information suggesting this virus is acting differently in terms of transmission or severity," Hoefer stated, as reported by Bloomberg. He emphasized that all the viral sequences examined so far were "almost identical" to known strains of South American hantavirus. The ECDC suspects that the first sick passenger was probably infected in South America before getting on the MV Hondius cruise ship. Researchers pay close attention to viral changes during outbreaks because genetic shifts can sometimes lead to easier transmission, more serious illness, or escaping immune response. However, experts point out that no such trends have shown up in this outbreak yet. Hantaviruses are mainly viruses spread by rodents, transmitted through contact with infected animals, their urine, saliva, or droppings. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that most hantavirus cases globally do not spread easily between people. However, some South American strains, especially the Andes virus, have shown limited human-to-human transmission in situations of close contact. This situation has made researchers very careful during the MV Hondius outbreak. Bloomberg reports that ECDC officials mentioned the virus might be found in blood up to two days before any symptoms show up. This has led authorities to widen contact tracing to include individuals who were in contact with others before they showed symptoms. Experts point out that this does not necessarily imply the virus has become airborne or as easily spread as influenza or Covid-19. Some worries about spreading internationally lessened after a number of suspected cases outside the cruise ship outbreak returned negative results. Bloomberg indicated that Stephen Kornfeld, an oncologist from Oregon who assisted sick passengers on the MV Hondius, first tested "mildly positive" in the Netherlands but subsequently tested negative twice. Kornfeld reportedly offered medical assistance after the ship’s main doctor fell ill. In a different report, Italian health officials confirmed a 25-year-old man who was isolated following potential exposure also tested negative for hantavirus. However, a previous passenger in France is still in critical condition in intensive care and is receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a complex life-support treatment used when the lungs are not working well. Virologists explain that viral mutation is a standard biological occurrence, but not all mutations significantly affect how a disease behaves. Currently, there is no proof that the virus from this outbreak has become more transmissible. Public health experts insist that ongoing monitoring of genetic changes is vital because: viruses are always changing,outbreaks that involve human-to-human transmission need careful observation,and early identification of significant mutations can enhance outbreak responses. Scientists are still studying viral samples from confirmed cases to gain better insights into how the virus spreads on the ship. Health officials highlight that hantavirus is still quite uncommon worldwide. Most infections happen through contact with rodents rather than casual interactions between people. Preventive actions include: staying away from areas where rodents are found,cleaning rodent droppings safely,ensuring better airflow in closed areas,and wearing protective gear during cleaning. The CDC advises not to sweep or vacuum areas that are contaminated with rodents directly, as this might spread viral particles into the air. Experts suggest that for the general public, the immediate risk remains low, even with ongoing surveillance of the cruise ship outbreak. While the situation with the MV Hondius has caused global concern, health experts state that the current evidence does not indicate that the hantavirus involved has changed to become more contagious or severe. Genetic analysis shows the virus is still very similar to known strains from South America, and many suspected international cases have now returned negative results. However, authorities are continuing global contact tracing and monitoring as researchers look into how the virus was transmitted on the cruise ship. For now, experts stress that hantavirus is mainly a disease spread by rodents, not a rapidly spreading respiratory virus like Covid-19.

Jaipur Among World's 20 Best Cultural Cities In 2026 May 15, 2026 09:46

Jaipur has earned a prestigious place among the top cultural spots globally, as stated in Time Out's recent worldwide ranking of the finest cities for art and culture in 2026. Famous for its rich history, colorful festivals, and growing creative environment, the Pink City is positioned at 18th place on the list. This ranking comes from feedback from numerous residents around the globe, alongside expert opinions, and highlights places where art, culture, and creativity thrive and are available to both locals and tourists. Each location mentioned is home to famous cultural organizations, deep artistic traditions, and a schedule filled with activities that appeal to both locals and visitors. Jaipur's inclusion in the global list of 'top cities for art and culture' reflects its special mix of history and modern creativity. The city's famous forts, heritage hotels, and busy markets shape its unique look, while newly established cultural venues are working to adapt traditional art styles for today’s audiences. Places like the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing and the Museum of Meenakari Heritage are crucial in keeping ancient crafts alive and giving them a new twist. For example, the Anokhi Museum provides hands-on block-printing workshops that let visitors connect with traditional techniques. The city's historic water wells, known as baolis, are also gaining fresh attention. Once forgotten, many are now being transformed into enchanting spots for music and dance events, supported by groups like the Jaipur Virasat Foundation. This revival has brought a new aspect to Jaipur's cultural scene. The city’s vibrant festival lineup boosts its cultural charm even more. Big events like the Jaipur Literature Festival and Jaipur Art Week attract many attendees every year, while shows like The Manganiyar Seduction highlight traditional Rajasthani folk music with over 30 performers. Jaipur achieved a score of 77 percent for cultural quality and 69 percent for affordability, indicating strong local satisfaction. Impressively, 73 percent of residents rated the city highly for its festivals, reinforcing its status as a center for cultural festivities. London was named the top city globally for culture in 2026, thanks to its lively arts scene, diverse community, and wide array of experiences. The cultural offerings in London blend historic institutions with new venues, many of which are free to visit. The city received excellent ratings in various areas, with 99 percent of residents labeling its cultural offerings as "good" or "fantastic. " Theatre stood out as a significant feature, followed by museums and art spaces, along with an active schedule of music events, comedy shows, and celebrations. Paris took the second place and New York came in third, while other cities like Berlin, Cape Town, Melbourne, and Madrid were also recognized. To compile this year's rankings, Time Out asked over 24,000 individuals from more than 150 cities to evaluate how good and affordable their local culture is. Participants also mentioned what their cities excel at, including live music, theatre, festivals, and literature. This information was combined with votes from Time Out’s team of editors, writers, and cultural specialists. Only the top city from each country was listed, making sure the cultural centers represented a global perspective. Here is the full list of the world's top cities for culture in 2026: London Paris New York City Berlin Cape Town Melbourne Sao Paulo Madrid Florence Krakow Taipei Marrakech Copenhagen Guadalajara Athens Cairo Beijing Jaipur Chiang Mai Lisbon

Alia Bhatt Hits Back at Trolls Over Viral Cannes 2026 Video May 15, 2026 07:32

After turning heads with her stunning look at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, actress Alia Bhatt has become popular again, this time for her clever and elegant reply to someone who trolled her online. On Wednesday, Alia posted an Instagram video showing off her custom-made ivory silk saree-gown from the Cannes Film Festival. While many fans and fashion lovers praised the post, one comment tried to ridicule the actress's global presence. “What a shame, no one saw you,” the individual commented, along with a laughing emoji. Alia replied calmly but with a sharp edge: “Why shame, dear? You noticed me :)”. Her response quickly spread on the internet, with fans celebrating her ability to handle negativity with poise and cleverness. Many users on social media labeled her reply as both “classy” and “savage,” admiring her composed reaction to online bullying. Alia faced online trolling because of a trending video from the Cannes Film Festival 2026. The trending clip featured Alia confidently posing on the Cannes red carpet, smiling, waving, and blowing kisses. However, some social media users claimed that the photographers seemed more interested in taking pictures of other celebrities instead of her. At the same time, Alia's fashion selections for the event attracted major attention online, including a peach bustier gown and an ivory silk saree-gown. This appearance marks Alia Bhatt's second time at the Cannes Film Festival as a global ambassador for L'Oreal Paris. Last year, she made her first appearance at Cannes wearing a custom gown by Schiaparelli, which received great praise from both fans and fashion critics. The 79th Cannes Film Festival started on May 12 and will go on until May 23.