Metro man Sreedharan’s solar rail idea runs into Kerala govt roadblock

‘Economic links to get deeper’: PM Modi as India-UK FTA comes into effect

Taslima Nasreen's Kolkata Return After 20 Years Stirs Political Debate in Bengal

Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen is set to return to Kolkata this August for the first time in nearly 20 years. She will participate in an anti-fundamentalism literary event, marking a significant moment after her forced exile in 2007. Both the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party have expressed strong and differing views on her planned visit. Nasreen's return has reignited debates around free speech and its tensions with religious sentiments in West Bengal. Her controversial writings were a key factor behind the circumstances that led to her original exile from the city.

China's Q2 Growth Hits Three-Year Low as Domestic Demand Stays Weak

China's economy slowed in the second quarter, marking its weakest growth pace in three years. While strong exports in sectors like electric vehicles and artificial intelligence offered partial support, consumer spending and domestic investment remained sluggish. Uncertainty in the property market continued to weigh on overall economic activity. The country is also grappling with the challenge of aligning its high-tech industrial growth with broader job creation. Chinese officials have stated their focus on achieving higher-quality growth and building a more resilient domestic market.

How microscopic pollen grains are helping forensic teams crack criminal cases

Forensic palynology, the scientific study of pollen grains, is emerging as a valuable tool in criminal investigations. Investigators analyze these microscopic particles to establish connections between suspects and crime scenes. In one prominent example, a murder case in New Zealand was successfully solved using evidence from mutated pollen. Because pollen is highly resistant to decomposition, it can persist at crime scenes long after other evidence has degraded. Its ability to indicate specific geographic regions makes it a reliable and silent witness in complex criminal cases.