India

PM Modi rebukes top bureaucrats over poor quality of public infrastructure projects

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday chaired the monthly Pragati meeting and sharply criticised senior secretaries over the substandard quality of public projects. He reportedly told top bureaucrats that such lapses were 'unacceptable' and that the current approach was unsustainable. Modi reviewed six infrastructure projects spanning railway, road, and power sectors across nine states, with a combined cost exceeding Rs 30,000 crore. He stressed that infrastructure projects must be monitored as an integrated whole rather than as separate sections or packages.

Kentucky county converts 225-acre golf course into public park, preserving 70% as green space

A Kentucky county has shut down its Fox Run Golf Course, which drew only 9,000 to 10,000 rounds of golf per year, deeming it unsustainable. The 225-acre property is now being redeveloped into a large public park for the local community. The new facility will include trails, climbing areas, biking infrastructure, water features, and family-friendly spaces. Approximately 70% of the land will be retained as natural greenspace to benefit future generations.

Pasaquan: Georgia Artist's 29-Year Visionary Masterpiece Restored by Kohler Foundation

Eddie Owens Martin, an unconventional American artist, spent nearly 29 years transforming his Georgia property into an elaborate visionary art environment called Pasaquan. The sprawling 900-foot site features painted totems and intricate masonry that blend diverse cultural influences. Over time, the outdoor installation suffered significant weathering and structural deterioration. The Kohler Foundation stepped in to undertake a major restoration effort, preserving the site for future generations.

PM Narendra Modi reviews cyber fraud cases, calls for regular capacity building

IIT Delhi Student Death: Police Register Abetment to Suicide Case

Delhi Police have filed a case of abetment to suicide in connection with the death of a student at IIT Delhi. The case has been registered against unidentified persons under relevant legal provisions. The development comes amid ongoing protests related to the student's death. Demonstrators have been demanding accountability and action from authorities in the matter.

NYC Mayor Mamdani opposes RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s Madison Square event

How 1903 rabbit introduction to Laysan Island wiped out three bird species

In 1903, German immigrant Max Schlemmer released rabbits on Laysan Island for commercial and recreational purposes. The rabbits rapidly stripped the island of its vegetation, directly causing the extinction of three native landbird species. In response, President Theodore Roosevelt created the Hawaiian Islands Bird Reservation to safeguard the remaining wildlife. Federal authorities eventually expelled Schlemmer and fully eliminated the rabbit population by 1923. Conservation efforts have since focused on restoring the island's habitat and reintroducing lost species.

Assam Man Steals Rs 50 Lakh From Father, Flees to Ahmedabad With Girlfriend

A man named Yash Agarwal from Jorhat, Assam, allegedly stole Rs 50 lakh from his own father and spent the money on his girlfriend and personal purchases including an iPhone. Police initially suspected an inside job after the cyber security cell assisted in the investigation. Agarwal fled Jorhat following the incident, prompting authorities to track his whereabouts. Police successfully traced his cellphone signal to Ahmedabad, leading to his identification and potential arrest.

How a 1929 Land Gift Gave Lassen Volcanic Park Its First Museum

Homesteader Benjamin Loomis photographed the dramatic eruptions of Lassen Peak in 1914, documenting a pivotal moment in volcanic history. Together with his wife Estella, he later built a museum and seismograph station on their private land near the volcano. In 1929, the couple formally donated their 40-acre property, including these facilities, to the United States government. The site is now known as the Loomis Museum, located within Lassen Volcanic National Park in California. It continues to educate visitors about the region's volcanic past and the Loomis family's role in preserving its history.

Southaven residents petition against xAI power plant over health and pollution concerns

A power plant built to supply energy to Elon Musk's xAI data centers has displaced at least one family from their ancestral home in Southaven. The facility's constant noise forced the family to abandon their residence, triggering broader community concern. Local residents have raised alarms about air pollution and a declining quality of life in the area. Neighbors are now actively pushing for cleaner air standards and more responsible development practices in their community.

SpaceX Plans $100 Billion Starbase Investment and 3,000 Jobs in Louisiana

SpaceX has announced a major expansion plan centered on a new facility called Starbase in Louisiana. The company has committed to investing a minimum of $100 billion in the project. As part of the development, SpaceX expects to create more than 3,000 new jobs at the site. The announcement was made through an official company statement, signaling a significant long-term commitment to the state.

Dolly Parton Dies at 80; Final Video Message to Kelce Goes Viral

Legendary country singer Dolly Parton passed away at the age of 80, with her family confirming the news. A video of Parton playfully commenting on Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift's rumored future child has resurfaced, taking on a poignant new meaning after her death. In the clip, she had expressed warm appreciation to the celebrity couple for their generous donation to her Imagination Library program. The initiative, which supplies free books to children, was one of the most cherished causes of Parton's enduring legacy.

Trump Orders Week-Long Half-Staff Flags Nationwide to Honor Dolly Parton

President Donald Trump issued an order on Wednesday directing US flags to be flown at half-staff across the country for one week. The directive comes in response to the death of legendary country music icon Dolly Parton. Trump described her passing as a 'true loss for millions of people.' The week-long flag lowering reflects the national significance of Parton's cultural legacy.

India & China welcome border peace, Beijing seeks 'package solution'

CIA Chief Makes Secret Moscow Visit Amid US Request to Ukraine to Pause Strikes

CIA Director William Burns reportedly made a covert visit to Moscow in a significant diplomatic development. Prior to the trip, the United States asked Ukraine to temporarily suspend drone and missile attacks targeting Moscow and other northern Russian cities. The request signals a possible shift in Washington's approach to managing escalation in the ongoing conflict. The visit underscores ongoing back-channel efforts between the US and Russia despite the war in Ukraine.

PM Modi Chairs PRAGATI Meeting, Promotes AI for Agriculture and Cybercrime

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a PRAGATI meeting, where he pushed for the use of artificial intelligence in farming and combating cyber fraud. He stressed that infrastructure project delays carry consequences beyond rising costs, as they also defer benefits meant for citizens, businesses, and the economy. PRAGATI is a government platform used to review and monitor key infrastructure and social sector projects. Modi's emphasis on AI adoption signals the government's intent to leverage technology for both agricultural productivity and digital security challenges.

Madhya Pradesh Forest Dept to Launch App Linking Residents to Snake Rescuers

The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department is set to launch a digital platform called SHIVAA aimed at improving public safety around snakes. The app will connect citizens with trained snake catchers who can respond to snake sightings or encounters. It will also provide guidance to snakebite victims on where and how to seek medical treatment. The initiative reflects the department's effort to reduce snakebite casualties through faster, technology-driven emergency response.

Man Detained for Pelting Stones at Vande Bharat Train Carrying UP Governor

A man has been detained for throwing stones at a Vande Bharat Express train in which Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel was travelling. The Governor had boarded the train at Vapi station after attending an official event organised by the Union Territory administration in Daman. The stone-pelting incident targeted the train while it was in transit. Authorities acted swiftly to detain the suspect following the security breach involving the constitutional head of UP.

2 killed at NHAI construction sites in J&K

Baglihar hydel plant shutdown leaves Jammu & Kashmir with 900MW power deficit

Jammu & Kashmir is facing a significant power crisis following the prolonged shutdown of the Baglihar hydroelectric project on the Chenab river. Both stages of the Baglihar plant remained largely non-operational for most of the past week, creating a shortfall of nearly 900MW. The project, comprising Stage I and Stage II, is one of the region's most critical sources of electricity. The crisis is particularly concerning given that peak power demand in the region reaches approximately 2,500MW in summer and 3,000MW in winter. The unavailability of this key facility has considerably widened the existing power deficit in Jammu & Kashmir.