India

Violence Erupts in PoK Elections; One Dead, Ballot Box Set Ablaze

The first phase of elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's Mirpur Division was marred by violence, resulting in at least one fatality. A ballot box was set on fire amid the unrest, raising concerns over the integrity of the polling process. Authorities deployed heavy security across the region in an attempt to maintain order during the vote. Despite the security presence, voter turnout in parts of Mirpur remained low, with high afternoon temperatures also believed to have kept voters away.

Half of Delhi's Daily Waste Still Ends Up in Landfills Amid Cleanup Efforts

Delhi continues to send nearly half of its daily generated waste to landfill sites, despite ongoing cleanup initiatives. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is actively working to clear legacy garbage that has accumulated at these dumpsites over decades. However, the persistent flow of fresh waste is undermining progress made by the cleanup drive. The situation highlights the challenge of simultaneously managing new waste while trying to remediate long-standing dumpsites in the capital.

Hummingbird hawkmoths show eye and proboscis dominance while feeding, study finds

Hummingbird hawkmoths display a consistent preference for using one eye and one side of their feeding tube when extracting nectar from flowers. Researchers found this lateralization is instinctive, appearing even during the insects' very first encounters with flowers. By coordinating a dominant eye with a favored proboscis side, the moths are able to streamline complex feeding maneuvers. This behavioral trait is thought to conserve cognitive resources, improving efficiency during intricate tasks. The finding highlights a remarkable adaptation that allows problem-solving despite the insects having a very small brain.

Homes of 2 women linked to trafficking case demolished in Ajmer, officials cite ‘illegal construction’

Right-Wing Activist Clarifies Remarks on Shooting Protesters and Rape Comments

A controversy has emerged after a video surfaced featuring right-wing activist Mohandas making inflammatory statements about protesters and women. In the video, Mohandas claimed that if he had the authority, he would impose a curfew within a four-kilometre radius around Jantar Mantar. He stated he would warn protesters three times to disperse before ordering police to open fire. The activist has since come forward to clarify the remarks that sparked widespread outrage.

BJP leaders feel delay in resolving CJP protest left a dent, but no political damage

Jammu court rejects bail of Bengal man accused of passing defence info — ‘Release would be outrageous’

Australia eradicates feral pigs from Kangaroo Island in world-record conservation effort

Australia has achieved a major conservation milestone by completely eliminating feral pigs from Kangaroo Island, ending a 224-year infestation. The project is recognized as the largest successful feral pest eradication effort of its kind in the world. It was launched in the aftermath of the catastrophic 2019/20 bushfires that devastated the island's ecosystem. Authorities combined modern technology with conventional hunting methods to carry out the operation. The eradication aims to protect native wildlife and local agricultural interests from the damage feral pigs cause.

Gulf nations accounted for over 70% of suicides by Indian citizens abroad: MEA data

UK actors urge government to block $111bn Paramount-Warner Bros merger

British actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Alan Cumming, and Benedict Wong have urged the UK government to block the proposed $111 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. The stars warned the deal could cause significant harm to the British public by threatening jobs, independent filmmaking, and media diversity. Their appeal comes as Paramount agreed to pause the takeover pending a US court ruling on whether the transaction breaches antitrust laws. The outcome of that legal review could have major implications for whether the merger proceeds at all.

Delhi Police Use Face Scans to Identify 989 Protesters With Criminal Histories

Delhi Police have used facial recognition technology to screen individuals who participated in recent protests in the city. Authorities identified 989 people among the protesters who allegedly carry serious criminal records. The charges linked to these individuals include murder, rape, kidnapping, robbery, and offences under the POCSO Act. Police are now focusing their investigation on this group following the face-scan exercise. The move reflects law enforcement's increasing use of biometric surveillance to track individuals with prior criminal histories at public gatherings.

Chhattisgarh woman IDs killer via phone message before dying of throat slash

A 20-year-old domestic worker was fatally attacked in a public park in Surajpur, Chhattisgarh, after her throat was slit. Before succumbing to her injuries, she managed to type a message on her mobile phone identifying her attacker. Police used this crucial lead to arrest 23-year-old Ritesh Rajwade, her boyfriend. Rajwade confessed to the killing, stating it arose from a relationship dispute and jealousy. The incident has prompted concerns about public safety in the area.

989 Protesters at Jantar Mantar Found to Have Criminal Records, Police Say

Delhi Police screened participants at a protest organised by the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) at Jantar Mantar and identified 989 individuals with prior criminal records. The offences on record include serious charges such as murder, rape, and robbery. The verification drive was launched in the aftermath of a violent protest incident that left several people injured. Authorities said the exercise was aimed at identifying those with criminal antecedents among the demonstrators. The findings are expected to support the ongoing police investigation into the violence.

ISIS and Al-Qaida Adopt Contrasting Approaches to AI Use

Since 2023, Islamic State supporters and affiliates have increasingly incorporated AI-generated content into their operations. The two major terrorist organizations, ISIS and Al-Qaida, have been observed using artificial intelligence in distinctly different ways. This divergence in AI adoption reflects broader strategic and operational differences between the two groups. The trend highlights growing concerns among security experts about extremist exploitation of emerging technologies.

Two arrested from Rajasthan village as hunt for 400-year-old cannon continues

California coastal waters 4°C warmer, disrupting marine life and local fisheries

Ocean temperatures off California's coast have risen by 4°C, triggering widespread disruption to marine ecosystems. Whales are being forced out of their traditional feeding grounds as conditions deteriorate. Seabird populations, including pelicans, are facing starvation due to the shifting environment. Great white sharks are moving closer to shorelines, raising safety concerns for swimmers and beachgoers. Scientists link these changes to climate change and El Niño patterns, which are also fueling toxic algae blooms that threaten local fisheries.

'No legal action, FIRs being withdrawn': Bihar govt gives assurance; big win for students, CJP

Fire Clouds Emerge as New Climate-Driven Threat Intensifying France's Wildfires

France is facing a new wildfire threat in the form of fire clouds, a phenomenon previously unseen in the country. These formations are making wildfires significantly more dangerous and harder to control. French wildfire researcher Jean-Baptiste Filippi has attributed the emergence of fire clouds in France to human-caused climate change. The development signals a troubling escalation in the severity of wildfire conditions across the country.

Iran Kills Four Members of Banned Kurdish Militant Group PJAK

Iranian forces have killed four members of the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) in a military operation. PJAK is a Kurdish militant group that has been designated a terrorist organisation by Iran, Turkey, and the United States. The group operates in the border regions between Iran and Iraq and has long been in conflict with Iranian security forces. The killings underscore the ongoing tensions between Iran and Kurdish armed factions active in the region.

Bindyarani Devi Wins Bronze, India's 5th Weightlifting Medal at CWG

Indian weightlifter Bindyarani Devi claimed a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games being held in Birmingham. This marked India's fifth weightlifting medal at the ongoing Games. Bindyarani's achievement added to India's growing medal tally in the weightlifting category. Her performance underlined India's consistent strength in weightlifting at the Commonwealth level.