India

New York aquarium study suggests beluga whales may recognise themselves

Colorado boosts habitat protection for endangered Preble's meadow jumping mouse

Colorado is ramping up efforts to protect the endangered Preble's meadow jumping mouse by restoring streamside ecosystems and connecting them to floodplains. The initiative encourages landowners to participate through voluntary conservation measures backed by financial incentives. A conservation bank was set up in 2024 to support and fund these restoration projects. New programs are set to launch in 2026 to further strengthen habitat protections for the species.

Centre's Mineral Bill Sparks Debate Over States' Right to Tax Natural Resources

A growing debate has emerged in India over the distribution of revenue from mineral extraction between the central government and mineral-rich states. The central government's proposed mineral legislation has raised concerns that states, which physically host these resources, may lose significant taxation powers. Critics argue that coastal and resource-rich states bear the environmental and social costs of mining while revenue authority shifts to New Delhi. The opinion piece highlights a structural tension in India's federal framework regarding who controls and benefits from the country's mineral wealth.

Former Manchester United and Aston Villa goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer dies at 78

Jimmy Rimmer, a veteran English goalkeeper who played for Manchester United and Aston Villa, passed away at the age of 78. He holds the rare distinction of being a European Cup winner with both clubs during his career. Rimmer was part of Manchester United's celebrated 1968 European Cup-winning squad. He also played a notable role in Aston Villa's 1982 European Cup campaign. The club officially confirmed his passing and honored his contributions to the sport.

FIR Filed After Attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal at Punjab Gurudwara

An FIR has been filed in connection with an attack on former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. According to the complainant, the incident occurred at approximately 1:50 pm inside the Gurudwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji Mugat complex. The case has been registered under charges related to attempt to kill. The attack took place within the gurudwara premises, raising serious security concerns around the prominent political figure.

Drug Kingpin Virender Basoya Extradited to India in Rs 13,000 Crore Case

Virender Basoya, a suspected drug kingpin wanted in connection with a Rs 13,000 crore drug case, has been extradited to India. He was arrested in the United Arab Emirates in June 2024 following an Interpol red notice issued at India's request. The red notice was sought by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), which is leading the investigation. His extradition marks a significant development in one of India's largest drug-related cases.

Arunachal Villages Near LAC Hold Tiranga Yatra With 300-Metre National Flag

Villages near the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh organized a Tiranga Yatra to celebrate national pride. The event featured a prominent display of the Indian tricolour close to the sensitive border area. A key highlight of the march was a 300-metre-long national flag that was carried during the procession. The flag was borne from Chuna village to the neighbouring Mago village as part of the patriotic event.

Tata Steel Divests Jamshedpur FC for Rs 100, Exits Indian Super League

Tata Steel has sold Jamshedpur Football Club for a symbolic price of just Rs 100, marking the company's exit from the Indian Super League. The club was backed by the Tata Football Academy, which was founded in Jamshedpur in 1987. Over its years of operation, the academy has trained more than 300 football cadets. The divestment signals a strategic withdrawal by Tata Steel from professional football ownership in India.

Nigel Farage Wins Unusual UK By-Election Against Fringe Candidates

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage won a by-election with 63% of the vote in a contest widely ridiculed for its unusual field of candidates. His closest rival was satirical candidate Count Binface, who secured 27% of the vote. The race attracted a total of 34 candidates after major political parties chose to boycott the election. The absence of mainstream parties turned the contest into an unconventional spectacle, drawing significant public attention and mockery.

Jaipur Residents Dress as Astronauts to Protest Pothole-Ridden Roads

Over 100 residents of Gokulpura staged a creative protest on Pratap Circle Road in Jaipur to highlight deteriorating road and drainage conditions. Two protesters dressed as astronauts waded into waterlogged potholes, drawing a comparison to a lunar surface. The demonstration came after months of residents failing to get adequate attention from local authorities. Officials have reportedly awarded tenders for road and drainage repair work, though construction will only begin once the monsoon season ends.

Oracle plans new layoffs before September 1 amid major AI infrastructure push

Oracle is preparing another round of layoffs this month, with managers instructed to identify employees for termination before the company's second fiscal quarter begins on September 1. Some teams are reportedly facing cuts in the double-digit percentage range. The move comes after a turbulent year in which Oracle eliminated approximately 21,000 jobs and spent $1.8 billion on restructuring efforts. During the same period, the tech giant invested $55.7 billion into AI data centre infrastructure, signalling a strategic shift in workforce and resource priorities.

ICE Plans to Equip Officers with Electric Shock Gloves Amid Criticism

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is planning to provide its officers with gloves capable of delivering painful electric shocks. The initiative is part of the Trump administration's approach to equipping immigration enforcement personnel. The plan has drawn criticism from various quarters raising concerns about its use. Officials from the Trump team have defended the devices, describing them as a legitimate enforcement tool.

Iran eyes India as mediator in West Asia, backs diplomatic solution

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited India in June and indicated that Tehran views New Delhi as a potential partner in easing tensions in West Asia. He stated that Iran does not believe a military solution exists to the ongoing regional conflict. Araghchi emphasized that negotiations remain the only viable path forward. His remarks signal Iran's interest in leveraging India's diplomatic influence to help de-escalate the crisis.

Manav Suthar emerges as India's top left-arm spin candidate after Jadeja

Manav Suthar, a classical left-arm finger spinner, has been drawing significant attention in Indian cricket circles for his technical skill and consistency. Former cricketer Maninder Singh is among the experts who have praised Suthar's smooth bowling action, wrist technique, and ability to generate high revolutions on the ball. His strong performances in domestic cricket have positioned him as a credible long-term successor to all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in the Indian setup. Suthar's adaptability across conditions and disciplined work ethic have further strengthened his case for international recognition.

Musician Offers Free Hugs to Comfort Colombia Earthquake Survivors

A powerful earthquake struck Colombia, claiming at least 273 lives and injuring thousands of people. Hundreds of victims remain unaccounted for in the aftermath of the disaster. Amid the tragedy, a musician stepped forward to offer free hugs to survivors as a gesture of emotional support. The initiative aimed to provide comfort and human connection to those suffering from the devastating loss. The act drew attention as communities struggled to cope with the scale of the destruction.

BCI action, U-turn and SC rebuke: How NALSAR protest against CJI kicked up a row

Elon Musk's 2024 Tesla Pay Was 2.5 Million Times Average Worker's Salary

Tesla CEO Elon Musk received a staggering $158.3 billion in compensation from the electric vehicle maker in 2024, according to a recent report. This figure was approximately 2.5 million times greater than what an average Tesla employee earned during the same period. The enormous pay gap highlights the extreme disparity between executive and worker compensation at one of the world's most prominent automakers. Such disclosures are typically made public through annual regulatory filings that require companies to report CEO-to-median-worker pay ratios.

Michael Burry shorts Oracle and Micron, warns of AI investment risks

Renowned investor Michael Burry has taken short positions against Oracle and Micron Technology, betting against their stock performance. He argues that both companies are overly exposed to the rapidly expanding AI infrastructure market, making them vulnerable. Burry has also flagged concerns about Nvidia's significant financial commitments to OpenAI, warning of risks tied to large-scale AI investments. His moves reflect a broader skepticism about the long-term sustainability of AI-linked stocks.

India to Mark 80th Independence Day on August 15, 2026

India will celebrate its 80th Independence Day on Saturday, August 15, 2026. The occasion will begin with a flag hoisting ceremony led by the Prime Minister, as is customary. Homes and public spaces across the country are expected to display the tricolor as part of the ongoing Har Ghar Tiranga campaign. The day is widely observed with patriotic messages, quotes, and images shared across social media platforms.

Starc surpasses Kapil Dev's tally as Bangladesh lead by 150 in first Test

Mitchell Starc overtook Kapil Dev's Test wicket record during the first Test between Australia and Bangladesh, bringing his tally to 435 wickets and placing him 11th on the all-time list. The milestone came as Australia found themselves in a difficult position in the match. Bangladesh batsman Tanzid Hasan Tamim added to the hosts' troubles by scoring his maiden Test century on Australian soil. At the close of day two, Bangladesh held a commanding 150-run lead over Australia. The result leaves Australia under significant pressure to remain competitive in the series.