India

Supreme Court notices govt on mandatory junk food warning labels amid obesity rise

The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the government over its reluctance to implement front-of-pack warning labels on junk food. The order came in response to a PIL filed by NGO '3S and Our HEALTH Society', represented by advocate Rajiv Shankar Dvivedi. The court highlighted that foods high in salt, sugar, saturated fat, and calories pose significant health risks to consumers. It stressed that clearer nutritional information must be displayed on packaging to help people make healthier dietary choices. The move comes against the backdrop of rising obesity levels in the country.

Galápagos Snapdragon Population Grows from 6 to 28 Wild Plants After 30-Year Effort

The Galápagos snapdragon, a critically endangered plant species, is showing signs of recovery after three decades of conservation work. With only six wild plants remaining, conservationists propagated the species in nurseries and transplanted 94 young shrubs into the volcanic landscape of Isabela Island. The effort has yielded encouraging results, with the wild population now rising to 28 plants. A key milestone was the appearance of naturally occurring seedlings in the habitat, signaling that the species may be beginning to sustain itself in the wild.

Surrogate Seeks Custody After Refusing to Abort Baby With Heart Defect

Intended parents Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed asked their surrogate, McKenna West, to terminate the pregnancy after the unborn child was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a serious heart condition. West declined to follow through with the termination and subsequently sought custody of the newborn, named Rumi. The infant remains in critical condition following the Norwood procedure, a complex heart surgery. A Dallas judge has issued an extended temporary restraining order as the court weighs the ongoing custody dispute between the two parties.

India to mandate low-beam headlamps by default in new motor vehicle rules

India's road transport ministry has proposed draft amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules to make low-beam headlamps the default setting in vehicles. The move comes after awareness campaigns urging drivers to use low-beam mode failed to produce the desired results. The proposed changes also include a mandatory requirement for buses and other heavy vehicles to use genuine reflective tapes. These measures aim to improve road visibility during nighttime driving and in adverse weather conditions.

India and China Announce 8-Point Consensus Ahead of Xi Jinping's Visit

India and China have reached an 8-point consensus, announced through a rare joint statement following diplomatic talks. The agreement includes advancing boundary delimitation discussions aimed at an early and substantial resolution. Both sides agreed to establish additional meeting points and hotlines to strengthen border management mechanisms. The consensus also focuses on improving mutual understanding of the Line of Actual Control through continued diplomatic and military engagements. Additionally, the two nations plan to expand trans-border trade and enhance cooperation on shared river resources.

SC Judge Files Complaint Against Rajasthan Acting CJ; CJI Seeks Response

A Supreme Court judge, Justice Mehta, has lodged a complaint against the Acting Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court, Justice Sharma, alleging poor leadership and maladministration on both judicial and administrative fronts. The complaint also includes allegations of malpractice within the High Court. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has acknowledged the matter and sought a response through established institutional mechanisms. CJI Kant cautioned that such disputes should not be played out in the media, emphasizing that the Supreme Court would not allow competing public claims to determine the outcome. The matter is expected to be addressed through the judiciary's internal resolution process.

Rare English moth rediscovered at Northumberland estate after 70-year absence

A rare moth species, missing from England for 70 years, has been rediscovered at the National Trust's Wallington Estate in Northumberland. Conservationists made the find in just 10 minutes, crediting extensive habitat restoration work at the site. The moth had previously been considered at risk of extinction in England. The rediscovery has raised hopes that other hidden or presumed-lost insect populations may also be found through similar conservation efforts.

Trump Claims US Does Not Need Canada as Trade Tensions Escalate

US President Donald Trump asserted that Canada needs the United States more than the other way around, amid an intensifying trade dispute between the two nations. The statement comes as trade tensions between Washington and Ottawa continue to rise. Canada ranks as the second-largest trading partner of the United States, following Mexico. Energy trade forms a central pillar of the bilateral economic relationship between the two countries.

Nepal Flash Floods: Over 100 Dead, 133 Indians Among 750+ Missing

Devastating flash floods originating in Tibet have swept through central Nepal, killing more than 100 people. Over 750 individuals remain missing in the aftermath, including at least 133 Indian nationals. Among those unaccounted for is a 32-member group from Kolkata, along with several other travelers from West Bengal. The floods have caused widespread destruction across central Nepal, triggering urgent search and rescue operations.

Security forces launch search op in J&K's Samba after intercepting militant wireless signal

Security forces launched a search operation in Samba district of Jammu & Kashmir after intercepting a suspicious wireless communication signal believed to be linked to militants. Authorities suspect terrorists were using Iridium satellite communication devices to contact handlers across the border. Such devices, including the 'Iridium GO!' app, can create a local Wi-Fi hotspot connectable to iOS or Android smartphones. Officials noted that militants typically switch off these devices quickly after making contact to avoid detection. The search operation continued until late Tuesday night but did not yield any satellite equipment or other suspicious material.

Yale researchers find a new way to make PFAS easier to remove and destroy

Six killed, three injured as vehicle plunges into gorge in J&K's Poonch

A vehicle fell into a gorge in Poonch district of Jammu & Kashmir at around 5:30 PM, killing six people on the spot and injuring three others. Police suspect the driver lost control of the vehicle before it rolled into the gorge. The six victims were identified as Mohd Shafiq, Nazakat Hussain, Sheraz Ahmed, Musarat Naz, Mohd Fareed, and Zulfat Bi, aged between 19 and 34. After being alerted, police rushed to the scene and launched a rescue operation with assistance from local residents.

Tamil Nadu Families Await News After Nepal Flash Floods Hit Pilgrim Convoy

A group of pilgrims from Tamil Nadu was caught in flash floods while travelling through Nepal. The pilgrims were aboard three buses heading towards Tibet when the disaster struck. Families back in Tamil Nadu are in a state of anxiety as they wait for updates on their loved ones. The flash floods hit the region the convoy was passing through, disrupting communication and rescue efforts.

Sandwich Terns Return to Pagham Harbour in Record Numbers After 2022 Bird Flu Wipeout

Sandwich Terns have made a remarkable comeback at Pagham Harbour in England, returning in unprecedented numbers after a devastating bird flu outbreak wiped out the colony in 2022. Conservationists credit dedicated habitat restoration and predator management efforts for enabling the recovery. The site has now developed into one of England's largest breeding colonies for the species. This breeding season has seen flourishing chicks supported by abundant food resources, offering an encouraging sign for seabird populations still dealing with the broader impact of avian disease.

USGS Clarifies Nepal Border Tremor Was a Powerful Landslide, Not Earthquake

The US Geological Survey (USGS) initially recorded a 4.4-magnitude seismic event near the Nepal-China border. However, the agency later clarified that the shaking was not caused by an earthquake. The event was instead attributed to a powerful landslide in the region. USGS monitors seismic activity globally and can sometimes initially misclassify landslides as earthquakes due to similar ground vibration signatures.

Assam Teacher Goes Door-to-Door for Census Duty With Young Daughters in Tow

A video of an Assam teacher named Rumi Deka has gone viral on social media, showing her carrying out census field duties alongside her two young daughters. Deka, who was assigned census duty, brought her children with her while conducting door-to-door visits. The video highlights the challenges faced by working mothers who must balance professional responsibilities with childcare. The clip has drawn widespread attention online, with many viewers praising Deka's dedication to her official duties.

Stephen and Ayesha Curry's Foundation Reaches 7,500 Oakland Students with Literacy Aid

NBA star Stephen Curry and his wife Ayesha Curry have achieved a significant milestone in their philanthropic efforts in Oakland. The couple, through their foundation, has extended literacy support to 7,500 students in the city. The initiative is aimed at addressing and closing the literacy gap among young learners in their hometown. The Currys' foundation continues to make a measurable impact on education in the Oakland community.

Haryana woman names husband as killer in dying message; man arrested within hours

A woman in Pinjore, Haryana, was found with her throat slit outside her boutique and managed to write a dying message identifying her husband as her attacker. CCTV footage captured a man, believed to be her husband, entering the shop around the time of the incident. Police acted swiftly on the evidence and arrested the husband within two hours of the crime. Authorities are currently investigating the motive behind the killing.

Lok Sabha Secretariat sends disqualification notices to 20 rebel TMC MPs

The Lok Sabha Secretariat issued notices dated August 25 to 20 rebel Trinamool Congress MPs, forwarding a disqualification petition filed by TMC's Sudip Banerjee on June 18. The petition was filed under Rule 6 of the Members of Lok Sabha (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules, 1985. The notices mark a formal step in the anti-defection proceedings against the rebel legislators. During the recently concluded Monsoon session, Banerjee had met the Speaker on August 12 to press for a swift decision on the pending disqualification petitions.

NCB Busts Cross-Border Drug Network in J&K, Seizes 5.16 kg Heroin

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has dismantled a cross-border drug cartel operating in Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities seized 5.16 kilograms of high-grade heroin valued at several crores of rupees. Three individuals were arrested in the operation, including the alleged mastermind behind the network. Two other traffickers linked to the cartel were also taken into custody.