India

India's Gen Z Turns Away From Conventional Political Engagement

India's Generation Z is increasingly disillusioned with traditional politicians and conventional forms of political outreach. Social media campaigns, youth-focused party cells, and celebrity endorsements are no longer effective in capturing young voters' attention or trust. This demographic is signaling a clear demand for more authentic, substantive political engagement rather than performative gestures. The shift reflects a broader generational skepticism toward established political figures and their methods of connecting with younger citizens.

Cuba opens real estate sector to foreigners as US pressure deepens economic crisis

Russian strike damages WHO warehouse in Ukraine; second such attack in weeks

Indian Railways plans to improve onboard waste management on trains – here’s how

India Probe Links US Mercenary and 14 Ukrainians to Myanmar Drone Attack

An Indian investigation has established a connection between a US mercenary and 14 Ukrainian nationals in relation to a drone attack in Myanmar. Authorities allege the group traveled to Myanmar as part of a pre-planned mission involving drone warfare training. The training reportedly covered drone operations, assembly, and jamming technology. According to the probe, the instruction was intended for ethnic armed groups operating in Myanmar that are engaged in conflict against the country's military junta.

Uber cuts 3,300 jobs in restructuring aimed at leaner management

Ride-hailing giant Uber is laying off approximately 3,300 employees, representing around 10% of its global workforce. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi is driving the restructuring by reducing management layers and tightening in-office requirements. The strategy closely mirrors moves made by Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, including improving the ratio of individual contributors to managers and requiring remote workers to return to office hubs. Unlike peers such as Amazon, Meta, and Block, Khosrowshahi has not cited artificial intelligence as a reason for the workforce reduction.

Two Workers Rescued After 9 Days Trapped in Collapsed Nepal Tunnel

Two workers were successfully rescued after being trapped for nine days inside a collapsed tunnel in Nepal. Rescue teams faced major challenges due to thick mud accumulation, requiring specialised equipment and technical expertise to clear the debris. A WhatsApp group comprising engineers proved instrumental in coordinating the operation by enabling real-time communication and updates among responders. The rescue was described as unexpected given the prolonged entrapment, and brought relief after days of uncertainty.

Tamil Nadu Woman Rescued by Indian Embassy in Kuwait After Alleged Torture

Vanitha, a woman from Kallakurichi district in Tamil Nadu, was rescued by the Indian Embassy in Kuwait after spending approximately three months in the country. She alleged that she had been subjected to torture during her time there. The Indian Embassy intervened and facilitated her rescue from the difficult situation. Following her rescue, Vanitha expressed relief, noting that she now had access to proper food and clothing.

Aravallis can’t be defined by 1 yardstick: Supreme Court panel seeks extension

Gadkari backs Rs 5,000 IIT-Delhi retrofit device to cut old vehicle emissions by 90%

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has endorsed a low-cost emission retrofit device developed through an innovation at IIT-Delhi. The technology, priced at Rs 5,000, has successfully completed testing and is ready for deployment. It can be fitted onto older diesel vehicles, including those meeting BS-III and BS-IV standards, upgrading their emissions to levels comparable with BS-VI norms. Gadkari announced this at an event organised by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). The device is expected to significantly reduce vehicular air pollution, with claims of cutting emissions by up to 90%.

Bengaluru Club Kitchen Shut After 40 kg Expired Chillies and Labelling Violations Found

A club kitchen in Bengaluru has been closed following a food safety inspection that uncovered serious hygiene and regulatory violations. Authorities discovered 40 kg of expired chillies stored and intended for use in food preparation. Inspectors also found improper labelling on 5 kg of breadcrumbs and 2 kg of Sajeera food products. These violations were found to be in breach of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations. The closure was ordered as a result of the cumulative non-compliance found during the inspection.

Maharashtra wrestler and two children die after gorge plunge at Naldurg Fort

A national-level woman wrestler and two of her three children have died after they reportedly jumped into a 100-foot gorge at the historic Naldurg Fort in Maharashtra's Dharashiv district. The incident was reported to police, who confirmed the deaths. One of the three children survived the fall. The exact circumstances and motive behind the act are under investigation by local authorities.

Tamil Nadu Man Arrested for Throwing Petrol Bomb Near Girlfriend's Home in Madurai

A 23-year-old man was arrested in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, after allegedly throwing a petrol bomb near his girlfriend's residence. The incident took place early in the morning and was recorded on CCTV footage. Police took the suspect into custody following the attack. The man is reported to have been drunk at the time of the incident.

Zuckerberg urges Trump to drop plans for a federal AI regulatory body

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg privately called President Donald Trump last month to voice his opposition to a proposed US AI regulatory body. The suggested agency, modelled on FINRA and championed by Google DeepMind's Demis Hassabis, would assess frontier AI models for potential risks before they could be released. Zuckerberg argued that mandatory pre-release testing would slow down American AI development and give China a competitive advantage. The White House is currently weighing this proposal against a lighter, industry-led alternative supported by AI adviser David Sacks and Elon Musk.

Martha's Vineyard estate sells for record $43M, breaking state price record

A 31.59-acre estate in Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, has sold for a record-breaking $43 million. The property was assembled by tech entrepreneur Michael Bronner, who spent approximately $19.125 million acquiring it between 2019 and 2023. The estate features a 12-bedroom, nearly 9,000-square-foot home. The sale surpassed Martha's Vineyard's previous record of $37.5 million and also broke Massachusetts' statewide record of $38.1 million.

Portland utility's plan to power 55,000 homes may cost Forest Park 400 trees

Portland General Electric has proposed a tree-removal project in Portland's Forest Park as part of a plan to provide reliable electricity to around 55,000 homes. The initiative has sparked strong opposition from conservationists concerned about the impact on mature forests and local wildlife. The utility maintains that the project is essential for maintaining consistent power supply to residents. Portland city officials are currently reviewing a new application and awaiting input from staff before making a decision. The outcome will require weighing environmental concerns against the need for electrical reliability.

Hubble detects rare 10-sided atmospheric wave at Saturn's south pole

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has identified a massive 10-sided wave forming around Saturn's south pole, with early signs of the pattern traceable to 2023. The structure is embedded within a powerful jet stream and spans multiple layers of the planet's atmosphere. The discovery comes after decades of scientists searching for a southern equivalent to Saturn's well-known northern hexagonal storm pattern. Unlike the northern hexagon, which was already fully formed when first observed, this southern wave offers a unique opportunity to study a major atmospheric feature as it develops. Researchers say the finding provides valuable new insight into the complex atmospheric dynamics of Saturn.

Indians Now Top Targets of Racist Attacks in the US, New Report Finds

A newly released report highlights that Indians have become the most targeted group in racist attacks across the United States. The findings shed light on a growing trend of hostility directed at the Indian community in America. The report documents an escalation in the ugliness and frequency of far-right rhetoric and actions aimed at Indians. These developments have raised serious concerns about the safety and well-being of the Indian diaspora in the country.

Marcus Foundation Donates $28.7M to USC for Heart Attack Stem-Cell Research

The Marcus Foundation has donated $28.7 million to the University of Southern California to advance stem-cell research focused on heart attack recovery. The foundation was established in 1989 by Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus and his wife Billi Marcus. It has a history of backing medical initiatives, including prior support for stroke research at Emory University. Since its founding, the organization has directed over $2.7 billion toward various philanthropic causes. The latest grant reflects the foundation's continued commitment to improving treatments for serious medical conditions.

Nepal Tunnel Worker Rescued After 9 Days Trapped Underground

A worker trapped in a Nepal tunnel for nine days was successfully rescued by emergency teams. Video footage released by the energy ministry showed the man being pulled out through a muddy opening to cheers from rescuers. He was helped to his feet before being carried on the backs of emergency workers toward a waiting helicopter. The rescued worker reportedly kept chanting a mahamantra throughout his ordeal underground.