India

Assam floods: Death toll rises to 80; state shifts focus to rehabilitation

Blinded by pellets in 2016, young J&K woman finally gets her Rs 41-lakh due

India secure three judo medals with Asmita, Harsh and Yamini in CWG finals

India has guaranteed at least three medals in judo at the Commonwealth Games after three athletes reached their respective finals on Friday. Asmita advanced to the women's 48kg final with a determined comeback victory over Scotland's Summer Shaw, winning by yuko in the semifinal. She will face Canada's Heidi Quach in the gold medal bout later the same day. Harsh and Yamini also secured their spots in their respective finals, ensuring a strong showing for India in the sport. The triple final appearances mark a significant achievement for Indian judo at the Games.

How this African region became the hub of global jihad

Rajinikanth avoids Malaysia for Jailer 2 launch to sidestep Vijay comparisons

Superstar Rajinikanth has reportedly decided against holding the audio launch of Jailer 2 in Malaysia, a venue closely associated with Vijay's recent high-profile event. The actor is said to have expressed reluctance to draw comparisons between the two launches. The decision has generated considerable buzz among fans and film circles. The production team has yet to officially confirm a date or venue for the audio launch. Jailer 2 is currently set for a theatrical release on October 15.

Chinese boss fires employee who shunned mother over looks, then hires her

A company founder in China fired an employee after learning he had excluded his mother from his wedding due to shame over her appearance. The businessman considered the act a reflection of the employee's character and values. He subsequently offered the dismissed worker's mother a job at his company. The incident has sparked widespread debate in China over the boundaries of workplace authority, family responsibility, and employee rights.

CJP Founder Blames BJP for Delhi Police Officer Injuries Amid Protest Violence

Families of injured Delhi Police officers are calling for a parliamentary discussion on the violence that left their kin wounded. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged that the attacks were a deliberate effort targeting students during the protests. While expressing concern for the injured officers, Dipke also raised questions about how students were being treated amid the unrest. The families presented evidence of injuries and property damage, claiming that anti-social elements had provoked the violence.

PM Modi, UK PM Andy Burnham discuss AI, defence, Strait of Hormuz in first phone call

India Summons Meta's Global Team Over Algorithmic Bias and Child Safety Concerns

The Indian government has summoned a global team from Meta to address serious concerns over algorithmic bias and child sexual abuse material on its platforms. Authorities have specifically requested that a technical representative from Instagram be present at the meeting. This signals that officials intend to seek in-depth explanations about how Instagram's systems and recommendation algorithms operate. The move reflects growing regulatory scrutiny of Meta's content moderation practices in India.

Zombie-ant fungus found living inside moss before infecting its hosts

Scientists have discovered that the zombie-ant fungus, known for manipulating ant behaviour, may have a hidden life stage inside mosses. This finding suggests the fungus quietly inhabits plants before it moves on to infect ants. The discovery points to a more complex, multi-species ecological relationship involving both plants and insects than previously recognised. Researchers believe this challenges earlier assumptions about how the parasite survives and spreads in biodiverse environments. The study has broad implications for understanding parasite evolution in complex ecosystems.

43 Arrested in High-Tech Cheating Syndicate Linked to Punjab Pharmacy Exam

Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains has clarified that the Punjab pharmacy recruitment examination controversy involved organised high-tech cheating rather than a paper leak. A syndicate traced to Haryana was found to be behind the operation. Authorities arrested 43 individuals in connection with the case. The incident has raised serious concerns about the integrity of recruitment examinations in the region.

'Brilliant story if he does': England leave door open for Stokes' Ashes return

‘Over 40 dead, rigged ‘polls’: India flags Pak’s ‘ruthless’ PoK crackdown

Jharkhand Zoo Achieves First Artificial Incubation of Cobra and Sand Boa Eggs

Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park in Jharkhand has successfully hatched snake eggs through artificial incubation for the first time. Five Spectacled Cobra hatchlings emerged following a 70-day controlled incubation process. The initiative also produced eight Sand Boa hatchlings, marking a broader reptile conservation effort at the park. The achievement underscores the role of scientific methods in wildlife breeding programs. All hatchlings are currently being monitored under veterinary supervision.

CBI arrests 2 more in Suvendu aide murder case, officials point to TMC link

CBI arrests 2 in Suvendu Adhikari aide murder case, probes political links

India summons Meta over algorithmic bias concerns linked to PM Modi post

The Indian government has called Meta's global team for discussions regarding a post related to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Officials intend to question the social media company on algorithmic bias and its content moderation practices. Meta's global representatives have also been asked to appear before a parliamentary panel for further scrutiny. Additionally, Hyderabad police have filed cases against the head of Meta India in connection with the matter. The development signals a significant escalation in the Indian government's oversight of Meta's operations in the country.

27-Year Study: Female Birds Die Younger Than Males Across 35 Species

A long-term study conducted over 27 years has found that female birds have lower survival rates than male birds. The research examined 35 different bird species across North America. Scientists believe that the physical demands of migration and reproduction place a greater burden on females. Additionally, genetic differences linked to sex chromosomes may contribute to the reduced lifespan of female birds.

US Senators Urge Apple to Drop Chinese Chip Suppliers Globally by August 21

A bipartisan group of US senators, led by Chuck Schumer and Jim Banks, has written to Apple CEO Tim Cook demanding the company abandon plans to source memory chips from Chinese firms CXMT and YMTC. The letter sets a deadline of August 21 for Apple to comply. Senators are pushing Apple to drop these suppliers not just in the US but across all markets where it operates. The pressure comes amid a global memory chip shortage that has driven up DRAM prices. The supply crunch has already forced Apple to raise prices on products including MacBooks and iPads.

US Military Faces Serious Weapons Supply Shortage, Raising Strategic Concerns

The United States military is confronting a significant weapons supply crisis, marking a rare and serious challenge for the world's largest armed force. For the first time in decades, questions are being raised not about America's ability to engage in multiple conflicts, but about whether sufficient weapons stockpiles exist to sustain such efforts. The shortage represents a strategic vulnerability that analysts and officials are increasingly concerned about. This development signals a shift in how the US must assess its military readiness and long-term defense capabilities.