India

California Court Strikes Down Governor Newsom's Diwali Holiday Order

A California court has struck down Governor Gavin Newsom's executive order related to Diwali observances in the state. The order had not established Diwali as a universal mandatory paid holiday, but rather allowed eligible state employees to use paid leave on the occasion. It also gave public schools and community colleges the discretion to remain closed in observance of the festival. With the court's ruling, these provisions are no longer in effect for the upcoming Diwali celebrations.

Sleeping sperm whales use gas bubbles to stay suspended underwater

Kerala IPS Officer MR Ajithkumar Suspended Over Interference in Assault Probe

Kerala authorities have suspended IPS officer MR Ajithkumar following allegations that he interfered in an assault case investigation. The suspension reflects the state government's response to concerns about misconduct within the police force. Ajithkumar's alleged interference is said to have compromised the integrity of the ongoing probe. The action signals that senior officers are not exempt from disciplinary proceedings when accused of obstructing investigations.

Khalistani terror suspect, US national held while entering India from Nepal

JNU Advises Students and Staff to Stay Away from Jantar Mantar Protests

Jawaharlal Nehru University has issued an advisory urging its students and staff to avoid the protest site at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The university posted the notice on X, asking its community to act responsibly and prioritize personal safety. The advisory cited the Supreme Court of India's directions regarding public demonstrations as the basis for the request. JNU's move follows a similar safety advisory issued earlier by the University of Delhi. Both institutions have asked their members to refrain from visiting or participating in gatherings at or near Jantar Mantar.

Delhi Police Debunks Viral Claim About CJP Protesters' Passports Being Cancelled

Delhi Police has fact-checked a viral claim circulating online that suggested passports of CJP protesters would be cancelled. The claim was found to be misleading and without any official basis. Police urged citizens to avoid sharing or amplifying such unverified posts on social media. Authorities advised the public to rely solely on official sources for accurate information.

Tesla Shares Plunge, Wiping $18.6 Billion Off Musk's Net Worth After Profit Miss

Tesla's stock suffered a sharp decline after the company's quarterly profit results fell short of analyst expectations. The drop erased approximately $18.6 billion from Elon Musk's net worth. Tesla has outlined plans for significant investment in artificial intelligence and other future initiatives, but investors are demanding concrete progress on robotaxi and humanoid robot development. Musk declined to address speculation about a potential merger between Tesla and SpaceX.

'How dare you threaten students': Rahul Gandhi slams DU over Jantar Mantar advisory

Bloomsbury to Receive $19M from Anthropic in Copyright Settlement

Bloomsbury Publishing, known for releasing the Harry Potter book series, is set to receive approximately $19 million from AI company Anthropic. The settlement resolves a copyright dispute between the two parties. Anthropic is the firm behind the Claude AI model. The agreement signals growing legal accountability for AI companies over how they use published content for training their systems.

Wildfires Force 30,000 Evacuations Across France and Spain

Wildfires burning through France and Spain have prompted the evacuation of more than 30,000 people. The blazes have devastated large stretches of land across both countries. Satellite data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) indicates that the total area burned in EU countries this year is the second largest ever recorded. The scale of destruction highlights a growing wildfire crisis affecting southern and western Europe.

Nepal Aid Workers Resort to Sex Work After Trump's USAID Funding Cuts

The dismantling of USAID under President Donald Trump has led to widespread job losses across the global development sector. According to Sadie Healy, who runs a global health consulting firm and has been monitoring the fallout, over 281,000 jobs have been lost worldwide as a result. Of those, only around 23,000 were held by American workers, highlighting the disproportionate impact on workers in developing nations. In Nepal, some former aid workers have reportedly turned to sex work as a means of survival following the loss of their livelihoods. The situation underscores the far-reaching humanitarian consequences of the US foreign aid cuts beyond American borders.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi becomes youngest to score fifty in men's international cricket

Seventeen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi set a new record by becoming the youngest player to score a half-century in men's international cricket. The milestone came during India's opening T20I match against Zimbabwe. His record-breaking innings helped India secure a commanding seven-wicket victory. Sooryavanshi dedicated the achievement to his family and coaches, crediting their support for his success. The young cricketer stated he was not taking the milestone for granted, surpassing a record previously held by Sachin Tendulkar.

'Found lying in pool of blood': Indian man found dead in Israel; suspect held

India may toughen anti-cheating law with jail terms beyond 10 years

The Indian government is planning to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 to increase the maximum jail term for offenders beyond the current 10-year ceiling. The proposed amendment is expected to be taken up by the Cabinet shortly, according to sources cited by the Times of India. The 2024 law was enacted to tackle paper leaks, cheating, and organised malpractice in major public examinations such as UPSC, SSC, and NTA-conducted tests. Under the existing provisions, offenders face penalties of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to Rs 1 crore. The anticipated changes signal the government's intent to impose stricter deterrents against exam fraud.

RBI steps in to lift rupee 22 paise as Brent crude crosses $100/barrel

The Indian rupee gained 22 paise against the US dollar in early trade, supported by the Reserve Bank of India's intervention in currency markets. The recovery came despite Brent crude oil prices crossing the $100-per-barrel threshold, driven by escalating Middle East tensions and disruptions to shipping routes. Foreign institutional investors continued to pull money out of Indian markets, while domestic equities remained weak, limiting further gains for the rupee. The combination of global risk factors and capital outflows had put pressure on the currency before the central bank stepped in to stabilize it.

Gold Rate Today, July 24: Check 18, 22 and 24 carat gold prices in Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and other cities

17 Delhi Metro Stations Closed for Third Day Amid Ongoing Protests

Seventeen Delhi Metro stations have been shut down for a third consecutive day due to security concerns. The closures are linked to ongoing protests taking place in the national capital. Authorities ordered the stations to remain closed as a precautionary measure to maintain public order. The disruptions have significantly affected daily commuters relying on the metro network across affected routes.

NASA research could help astronauts grow medicines in space

Cricket Australia open to hosting landmark 150th Ashes Test in India

Cricket Australia has indicated it is open to staging the 150th anniversary Ashes Test in India, acknowledging the country's growing significance in global cricket. The move reflects the substantial commercial opportunities that come with hosting marquee matches in the Indian market. Separately, the Big Bash League is also set to host a match in Chennai in December. However, scheduling the historic Test in India poses logistical challenges due to the country's already packed cricket calendar.

Bihar-Born Kanishka Narayan Becomes UK's First AI Minister

Kanishka Narayan, originally from Muzaffarpur, Bihar, has been appointed as the United Kingdom's first dedicated Artificial Intelligence Minister. The appointment marks a significant milestone in the UK's push to formally govern and advance AI policy at the ministerial level. Demis Hassabis, the chief of Google DeepMind, publicly welcomed the move, describing it as 'great news' for the UK. The appointment signals the British government's growing commitment to positioning the country as a global leader in artificial intelligence.