The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has been ranked third among the world's strongest insurance brands, achieving a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 88 out of 100, according to the Brand Finance Insurance 100 2025 report.

Poland-based PZU secured the top spot with a BSI score of 94.4, followed by China Life Insurance, which ranked second with a BSI score of 93.5.

In terms of overall brand value, the LIC holds the 12th position among the most valuable insurance brands globally, while SBI Life ranks 76th, making them the only two Indian insurers in the top 100.

According to the Brand Finance report, the top 100 insurance brands have grown 9 per cent in brand value in 2025, driven by improved underwriting results, higher investment income, rising interest rates, and increased profitability. Market capitalisation for top insurance brands rose as demand for insurance products increased across sectors. Economic recovery and positive market sentiment have strengthened investor confidence, while strategic mergers, acquisitions, and technological advancements have accelerated industry growth.

A man was charred to death when the car in which he was traveling hit a tree early on Friday morning, near Dinera-Puni road village at Balaghat in Madhya Pradesh, an official said.

The car, carrying a group of individuals from Durg, Chhattisgarh, crashed into a tree and subsequently gutted in fire near Murmari village, under the jurisdiction of Rampayali police station in Balaghat district.

The impact and ensuing blaze resulted in the tragic death of one occupant, Rakesh Srivas, who was unable to escape the burning vehicle. The other passengers, who managed to get out of the car, sustained severe injuries. The group had been returning home after attending a wedding in Katangi, Balaghat.

Teenagers who do not get the right amount of sleep may be at an increased risk for high blood pressure or hypertension -- a common risk factor for cardiovascular diseases --, warned research on Friday.

Researchers from Pennsylvania State University in the US defined insomnia as reporting difficulty falling and/or staying asleep and defined objective short sleep duration as less than 7.7 hours, based on the median total time asleep in a lab-based sleep study.

The study on more than 400 teenagers in the US showed that teenagers who reported insomnia and slept less than 7.7 hours were five times more likely to have clinical hypertension than "good sleepers" (those who did not report insomnia and obtained sufficient sleep defined as 7.7 hours or more).

The unbeaten India will take on resilient New Zealand in the summit clash of the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai on Sunday. The eight-team extravaganza will get its new winner after a long wait of almost eight years.

Coincidently, India lost the 2017 Champions Trophy final against Pakistan and missed out on their second consecutive title. Meanwhile, it will be India's third successive trip to the ICC Champions Trophy final, making them the first team to do so.

India and New Zealand were placed in the same group and their previous encounter was a 44-run win for the former to stay on top of Group A with three straight wins. India went on to beat the ODI World Champions Australia in the semi-final by four wickets to advance to the title encounter.

On the other hand, New Zealand started their campaign with a win against defending champions and host Pakistan in Karachi, followed by a win and a loss against Bangladesh and India respectively. In the semifinal, Blackcaps defeated South Africa by 50 runs to set up a tournament pinnacle against India.

A Jaguar fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed near Morni in Haryana’s Panchkula district on Friday but the pilot managed to eject safely, officials said.

The fighter had taken off from the Ambala airbase on a training sortie.

As per officials, the pilot had ejected from the aircraft. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered into the accident.

Further details are awaited.

POCO, India’s fastest-growing consumer tech brand, on Friday announced the first sale of POCO M7 5G at just Rs 9,999.

The smartphone delivers power, style, and future-ready 5G -- all at a price that can fit the user's budget.

POCO M7 5G is a feature-packed device designed for young achievers, students, and everyday users who want more for less.

Limited-time first-sale offers include an unbeatable launch price. One can avail the smartphone with 6GB+128GB for Rs 9,999, while the 8GB+128GB is available Rs 10,999 as the special first day sale price.

Why POCO M7 5G is the smartest choice for users across India?

The South Korean defence ministry said on Friday that a total of 29 people, including 15 civilians, have been injured from an accidental fighter jet bombing of a northern village earlier this week.

On Thursday, two KF-16 fighter jets "abnormally" dropped eight MK-82 bombs outside a training range in Pocheon, some 40 kilometres north of Seoul, during live-fire drills, leading to multiple injuries and damage to buildings.

As of Friday, 15 civilians and 14 service members were injured from the bombing, including six foreigners, the ministry said, up from 15 tallied the previous day. Of them, two South Korean civilians were seriously injured.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued an administrative warning to FMCG major Nestle India for violating insider trading regulations, the company informed exchanges on Friday.

The warning, issued by the SEBI’s Deputy General Manager, was sent to the company’s Compliance Officer (CCO).

Nestle India disclosed in a stock exchange filing that it received the SEBI’s letter on March 6, 2025.

The violation was committed by a designated person within the company. However, the coffee and tea manufacturer clarified that this issue does not have any material impact on its financial, operational, or other business activities.