India

India Rejects Hague Court Ruling on Indus Waters Treaty, Cites No Jurisdiction

India has dismissed a ruling by the Hague court related to the Indus Waters Treaty, asserting that the court holds no jurisdiction over the matter. New Delhi stated it has never participated in proceedings before this body and does not recognize its authority in this case. India also confirmed that it has consistently refused to acknowledge any of the court's previous pronouncements on the issue. The rejection signals India's firm stance on not accepting third-party adjudication in disputes concerning the decades-old water-sharing treaty with Pakistan.

SC invokes Article 142, to hear Centre's plea to quash NEET protest FIRs on Sept 1

Oracle employees brace for fresh layoffs on September 1 amid AI spending push

Oracle employees are anticipating a new round of layoffs on September 1, the start of the company's fiscal second quarter. Managers have reportedly been asked to submit lists of affected staff, with some teams facing double-digit percentage cuts. Workers fear a repeat of March 31, when a 6 AM email from Oracle Leadership informed 10,000 employees that their roles had been eliminated. Oracle has already cut approximately 21,000 jobs this fiscal year, even as it continues to invest heavily in AI infrastructure, having spent $55.7 billion on data centres.

'No jurisdiction, illegal': India tears into Hague court's Indus Waters Treaty award

Punjab Police Given Deadline to Act on Congress Leader's Anti-Dalit Remarks

Punjab police have been given a deadline to take action against a Congress leader over alleged anti-Dalit remarks. The case has drawn attention amid claims that those involved have been evading accountability. Sarbjot Singh, son of veteran politician Buta Singh, has alleged that he is receiving threatening phone calls from individuals connected to the matter. The threats have added urgency to demands for swift police action. Authorities are now under pressure to respond within the stipulated timeframe.

Jaipur lawyers protest against Acting Chief Justice, Jodhpur bodies announce strike

Delhi Voter List Trimmed by 47 Lakh Names After Revision Drive

Delhi's voter rolls have been revised, resulting in the removal of approximately 47 lakh names, the Election Commission announced. Over 43 lakh voters were struck off after being found to have shifted residence or remaining untraceable. Around 1.4 lakh entries were removed as duplicate registrations across multiple locations, while nearly 2.8 lakh names were deleted due to the death of registered voters. Arvind Kejriwal responded to the revision with criticism, though the Election Commission maintained the exercise was a routine electoral roll cleanup.

Former gravel pit in Cotswolds transformed into wildlife haven and holiday retreat

A 53-hectare former gravel pit in the Cotswolds, England, has been converted into a thriving wildlife sanctuary known as Log House Holidays. The owner invested his life savings into the 130-acre site after gravel extraction ended. Restoration efforts included planting 50,000 trees along with wildflowers and reeds to create diverse habitats for birds and other wildlife. The estate has since earned designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, recognising its ecological value. It also operates holiday cabins, blending conservation with rural tourism.

Melbourne's M80 upgrade recycled 35.5M plastic bags and 22M bottles in road construction

Melbourne's M80 Ring Road upgrade, completed in 2022, made extensive use of recycled materials across its pavement layers. The project repurposed waste equivalent to 35.5 million plastic bags and 22 million glass bottles. Recycled pavement materials and eMesh technology were also incorporated into the construction process. The upgrade was designed to enhance the freeway's capacity, safety, and traffic reliability. The initiative marked a significant step forward in integrating recycled content into large-scale infrastructure projects.

How India's 1971 Soviet Friendship Treaty Countered US and Pakistani Pressure

Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to meet Russian President Putin in Kyrgyzstan, prompting reflection on a landmark India-Soviet treaty signed over 50 years ago. The 1971 Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation proved pivotal during the Bangladesh Liberation War. The pact provided India with crucial diplomatic and military backing at a time when Pakistan posed a serious military threat. The treaty also helped deter the United States, which had deployed its Seventh Fleet in the Bay of Bengal in a show of support for Pakistan. The historic agreement is widely credited with giving India the strategic cover it needed to intervene decisively in the 1971 conflict.

ChatGPT, Reddit, Roblox Designated as Very Large Platforms Under EU's DSA

The European Union has classified ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox as 'Very Large Online Platforms' under the Digital Services Act (DSA). This designation subjects the three platforms to stricter regulatory obligations compared to smaller digital services. The companies now have a four-month window to comply with the additional requirements set out under the DSA framework. The DSA's tougher rules for large platforms are designed to address systemic risks and ensure greater accountability in online spaces.

India's GDP Growth in Q1 FY27 Driven by Finance, Realty and IT Sectors

India recorded strong economic growth in the first quarter of FY27, according to a government statement. Key sectors driving this expansion included financial services, real estate, information technology, and professional services. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the performance, calling the growth figures exemplary and pushing back against pessimistic forecasts. Modi's remarks suggested confidence in India's economic trajectory despite earlier doubts raised by critics.

Wangchuk Claims CJP Asked Him to Persuade Protesters to Stand Down

Activist and climate advocate Sonam Wangchuk has alleged that the Chief Justice of India asked him to urge protesters to end their agitation. Wangchuk made these claims during a podcast appearance, bringing renewed attention to the ongoing demonstrations. He also took the opportunity to praise young students for sustaining the momentum of the NEET paper leak protest. The NEET controversy has centered on alleged irregularities in the high-stakes medical entrance examination. Wangchuk's remarks have added a new dimension to the public debate surrounding both the protest movement and the judiciary's role.

Liverpool FC was born from a 1892 rent dispute that split Everton from Anfield

Liverpool Football Club owes its existence to a landlord dispute dating back to 1892. Everton, then based at Anfield, fell out with stadium owner John Houlding over rising rent and chose to leave the ground. Rather than let Anfield sit empty, Houlding founded Liverpool FC to fill the vacant stadium. This bitter split between club and landlord inadvertently gave birth to one of English football's most intense rivalries, the Merseyside derby. More than 130 years on, that contractual disagreement remains the unlikely origin story behind Liverpool and Everton's fierce competition.

How Laurance Rockefeller's 1952 Visit Shaped Virgin Islands National Park

A boat trip to St. John in 1952 inspired philanthropist Laurance Rockefeller to protect the island's unspoiled natural landscape. His organization acquired nearly 5,000 acres of land, which formed the foundation of what would become a national park. In 1956, the US Congress officially established Virgin Islands National Park, safeguarding the island's tropical forests and beaches. The protected area was later expanded to include submerged lands surrounding the island. The conservation initiative continues to preserve St. John's natural environment for future generations.

Two Kerala Women Killed by Acquaintance in US; Repatriation Efforts Underway

Two women from Kerala were killed in the United States, allegedly by someone known to them. Union Minister Suresh Gopi confirmed the deaths on Monday, stating that the government is working to repatriate the bodies to Kerala. Both Gopi and Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan have reached out to the families of the deceased. Indian authorities are actively coordinating efforts to bring the women home.

‘Civilians must not be harmed’: PM Modi meets Iranian President Pezeshkian in Bishkek

Argentine Navone stuns idol Djokovic in five sets at US Open first round

Argentine tennis player Mariano Navone defeated his childhood idol Novak Djokovic in a dramatic five-set match in the first round of the US Open. The 25-year-old, nicknamed 'La Navoneta', called the victory the biggest win of his career. Navone began playing tennis at a local club at the age of three and steadily built his game through the Challenger circuit, winning five titles along the way. He had long admired Djokovic, once describing the Serbian great as 'very special', making the victory a deeply personal milestone.

‘India did not become superpower, but vishwaguru’: Mohan Bhagwat in Canada

Explosion at UP Firecracker Factory Leaves 24 Hurt, 15 Possibly Trapped

An explosion struck a firecracker factory in the Pipri police station area near the Manori power house in Uttar Pradesh. The blast resulted in at least 24 people sustaining injuries, while 15 others are feared to be trapped under debris. Emergency responders, including police, fire brigade units, and nearby Air Force personnel, launched a coordinated rescue operation at the site. Authorities are working to locate and free those still unaccounted for following the incident.