Heatwave linked to over 1,000 deaths as Spain records hottest first half of year

US Rejects China's New Restrictions on Filipino Fishermen at Scarborough Reef

The United States has formally opposed China's latest moves at Scarborough Reef in the South China Sea. Washington stated that Beijing's environmental justifications are being used to block Filipino fishermen from accessing waters they have traditionally fished. The US reaffirmed its alliance with the Philippines, condemning China's use of legal claims to assert maritime dominance. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions over contested waters in the Indo-Pacific region.

Stalled government jobs, cases stuck in court, exam delays: What’s behind the Ranchi fast, protest

India Tests Agni-4 Ballistic Missile, Boosting Strategic Deterrence Capability

India conducted a successful test of its Agni-4 medium-range ballistic missile last Thursday. The missile has a range of 4,000 km and is capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional warheads. It is equipped with an advanced heat shield and a high-precision guidance system. The test is seen as addressing a significant gap in India's strategic deterrence arsenal. Officials say the launch underscores India's continued focus on developing indigenous defense technologies.

EPFO's new IT system rollout triggers claim backlog, officials under pressure

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has been facing a growing backlog of unresolved claims following the rollout of its new IT system. Field officials are struggling with a rising number of pending auto claims, many of which have remained unprocessed for more than 20 days. The delays are causing considerable inconvenience to EPFO members awaiting their settlements. EPFO has acknowledged the surge in pending claims but attributed it to a temporary transitional phase during the system upgrade. The organisation maintains that the switchover was carried out with minimal disruption to overall services.