India

Kerala right-wing activist arrested over 'girls enjoy rape' remark

Kerala police took right-wing activist TG Mohandas into custody days after he made a deeply offensive remark about rape. A team from the Thiruvananthapuram Cyber Police Station, which is investigating the case, arrived at his residence in Koovappadam near Mattancherry on Sunday evening. Local police officials accompanied the cyber crime team during the arrest. The case was being probed by the cyber police unit, suggesting the remark was made or circulated online.

Backed into a corner? Trump ready to end Iran war without nuclear deal - report

PMAY-Urban: 1.25 Crore Homes Sanctioned, Over 1 Crore Delivered Nationwide

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban scheme has sanctioned more than 1.25 crore houses, with over one crore already completed across the country. Of the total sanctioned homes, one crore have been allocated to women beneficiaries. Under the scheme's second phase, an additional 2.09 lakh houses were recently approved for economically weaker section families, taking the PMAY-U 2.0 total past 18.38 lakh units. The central government is actively monitoring implementation progress and fund utilisation across states to ensure effective delivery.

DK Shivakumar Heads to Delhi Amid Speculation Over Cabinet Portfolio Talks

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is visiting New Delhi, triggering speculation about potential cabinet portfolio discussions. His official schedule includes a meeting with senior Supreme Court advocates at Karnataka Bhavan. The visit comes amid ongoing political murmurs about power-sharing arrangements within the Karnataka government. No official confirmation has been made linking the trip to any portfolio reallocation talks.

ICE targets August deadline to equip all field officers with body cameras

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement is working to outfit all field officers and agents with body cameras by August. The push for wider deployment follows fatal shootings involving ICE officers earlier in July. The agency says the initiative is aimed at improving transparency and accountability in its enforcement operations. However, existing policies may limit public access to footage captured during serious incidents. The rollout is expected to substantially increase visual documentation of immigration enforcement activities across the country.

5-Year-Old Fateh Singh Gill from Amritsar Wins Gold at World Martial Arts Games

Fateh Singh Gill, a five-year-old from Amritsar, has claimed a gold medal at the World Martial Art Games held in Thailand. He competed in the event on skates, marking a remarkable achievement at such a young age. Fateh's journey in martial arts began as early as age two, when his parents first identified his natural aptitude for the sport. His family has since played a crucial role in nurturing his talent by offering consistent encouragement and support.

Furnace explosion at Jharkhand steel plant leaves nine workers injured

A furnace chamber explosion at a private steel plant in Jharkhand injured nine workers on Sunday. The blast caused hot metal to splash, resulting in burn injuries among the workers. Two critically injured workers were transferred to a hospital in Ranchi for advanced medical care. Authorities have ordered an inquiry into the incident to determine its exact cause. The chief factory inspector has directed an immediate investigation into the matter.

Denmark's River Skjern Restoration Shows Progress but Full Recovery May Take Centuries

Denmark has been working to restore River Skjern by reversing the damage caused by decades of historical drainage. The restoration has allowed the river to flood more of its floodplain, though artificial channels continue to limit its natural flow and dynamics. While certain aquatic species have begun to recover, the overall biodiversity seen in the river's historical state remains largely absent. Key backwater habitats have seen only limited regeneration, suggesting the current efforts fall short of a complete ecological revival. Experts indicate that more proactive and targeted restoration measures will likely be needed to achieve a full recovery.

Jharkhand to set up fast-track courts, panel headed by ex-judge; student protesters hold on to CBI probe demand

Jharkhand Students Vow to Continue Indefinite Fast Despite Government Talks

Students in Jharkhand have decided to press on with their ongoing protest, including an indefinite hunger strike, even after holding talks with the state government. The negotiations failed to produce an outcome satisfactory enough for the protesters to call off their agitation. Concerns have been raised about the deteriorating health condition of students participating in the fast. The students remain firm in their demands and show no signs of backing down from their protest.

Kerala Teacher Suspended After Savarkar Question Sparks School Quiz Controversy

A teacher in Kerala has been suspended following a controversy over a question about Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in a school quiz. The action was taken based on a report submitted by the Deputy Director of Education in Kasaragod district. An inquiry was conducted into the matter before the suspension order was issued. The incident drew attention due to the politically sensitive nature of the question posed during the quiz.

Hunter Biden Says Father Joe's Prostate Cancer Has Spread to Bones

Hunter Biden has disclosed that former US President Joe Biden's prostate cancer has spread to his bones, causing significant pain and physical decline. The diagnosis is considered aggressive, representing a serious progression of the disease. Despite the severity, Joe Biden is currently receiving radiation and hormone therapies as part of his treatment. He is reported to be maintaining an optimistic outlook about the country's future. Prior to the diagnosis becoming public, former First Lady Jill Biden had noted that he was experiencing disrupted sleep at night.

Mamata Orders Fresh Probe Into RG Kar Doctor Rape-Murder Case

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has ordered a fresh investigation into the RG Kar Medical College rape-murder case. The decision came following a request from the victim's mother, who has since been elected as a BJP MLA. Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari disclosed the development publicly. The case had earlier sparked widespread protests across the state and the country, drawing significant public and political attention.

Skyroot co-founder Chandana echoes PM Modi's tribute to first-gen rocket engineers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a recent address, acknowledged young engineers who are the first in their families to pursue rocket-building careers. Pawan Kumar Chandana, co-founder of Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, said he strongly identifies with this sentiment. Chandana previously worked at ISRO before leaving to co-found Skyroot Aerospace. The company made history by launching Vikram-S, India's first privately developed suborbital rocket.

Minors Reported Forcibly Disappeared in Karachi and Balochistan

Fresh cases of forced disappearances of minors have been reported in Pakistan, according to The Balochistan Post. Three of the most recent incidents occurred in the Tikri locality within Karachi's Mauripur area. The cases are part of a continuing pattern of enforced disappearances affecting young individuals in the Karachi and Balochistan regions. The report highlights ongoing concerns about the safety and rights of minors in these areas.

Iran to release Supreme Leader footage as health rumours intensify

Daniel Kinahan Extradited from Dubai to Dublin After Losing Final Appeal

Irish crime figure Daniel Kinahan has been held in custody in Dubai following his arrest on April 17. He recently exhausted his legal options after losing his final appeal against extradition. Kinahan had spent approximately a decade living in Dubai before facing extradition proceedings. His transfer to Dublin is expected to involve extraordinary security arrangements given the high-profile nature of the case.

Shanghai's Houtan Park transforms industrial wasteland into urban wetland purifier

Shanghai's Houtan Park is a former contaminated industrial site that has been converted into a functioning wetland ecosystem. The park purifies river water on a daily basis through its natural design and processes. Recycled materials were incorporated into the project, reflecting local heritage and minimizing waste. Ecologically, the park contributes to carbon sequestration and supports the recovery of local wildlife. It also serves as a model for managing urban flooding while providing green communal spaces for residents.

Laser Strike Disorients Pilot on KL-Kolkata Flight Before Safe Landing

A Kuala Lumpur-to-Kolkata flight was disrupted after a laser beam struck the cockpit while the aircraft was approximately eight nautical miles from the runway. The flash of light, originating from the Madhyamgram-Barasat direction, temporarily disoriented the pilot. As a result, the plane was forced to circle the area before it could safely land at Kolkata airport. Laser strikes on aircraft pose serious safety risks by impairing pilots' vision during critical phases of flight.

Taiwan targets 100,000 drones monthly by 2030 to deter Chinese invasion

Taiwan is aggressively expanding its drone production capabilities as a core defense strategy against a potential Chinese invasion. The initiative, informed by Ukraine's effective use of drones against Russia, aims to manufacture 100,000 drones per month by 2030. Beyond domestic defense, Taiwanese companies are also scaling up drone exports and broadening their manufacturing operations. The program encompasses the development of maritime drones alongside critical drone components to strengthen overall capabilities.