India

Delhi Court Restores Umar Khalid's Two Weekly Family Video Calls in Jail

A Delhi court has ordered the restoration of activist Umar Khalid's two weekly video meetings with his family. Jail authorities had earlier cut these sessions from two to one per week without adequate justification, the court found. Khalid has been in custody in connection with the alleged conspiracy behind the 2020 northeast Delhi riots. The ruling comes shortly after a Delhi court rejected his recent bail applications, leaving him in continued detention.

Government Eyes Two-Thirds Majority in Both Houses of Parliament

The Indian government is working to secure a special two-thirds majority in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. Such a supermajority is required for passing certain significant constitutional or legislative measures. Achieving this threshold demands considerably more support than a simple majority, making it a complex political challenge. The ruling coalition must carefully manage numbers and alliances across both houses to meet this high bar.

Puri's Rath Yatra Set as Final Preparations Wrap Up at Gundicha Temple

The city of Puri, Odisha, is ready to host the grand Rath Yatra festival as final preparations have been completed. The procession centers on the Chaturddha Murti, comprising Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Maa Subhadra, and Sudarshan. The Gundicha Temple, the destination of the chariot procession, is considered by Hindu scriptures to be the birthplace of these four deities. Authorities and temple officials have wrapped up logistical and ceremonial arrangements ahead of the major annual event.

Agra home draws devotees after ice in fridge forms Shivling-like shape

An unusual ice formation inside a refrigerator at a residence in Agra has attracted a large number of visitors. The ice's resemblance to a Shivling sparked word-of-mouth buzz, prompting neighborhood residents to gather at the home. Devotees performed religious rituals and chanted slogans, viewing the formation as a divine occurrence. The incident has drawn comparisons to the naturally forming ice Shivling at the Amarnath cave shrine, with which the ongoing Amarnath Yatra coincides. The house has since turned into a local point of interest for both the faithful and the curious.

Elephants communicate via ground vibrations, sensing signals through their skulls

Elephants use ground-borne vibrations as a primary mode of communication, going beyond conventional airborne sound. Their anatomy, including large middle ear components and eardrums, enables efficient transmission of low-frequency signals to the cochlea. Remarkably, elephants can voluntarily close their ear canals to enhance their sensitivity to these low-frequency vibrations. This ability highlights the complexity and sophistication of elephant communication systems.

Cabinet okays new urea policy. What changes?

How to Rebalance Your Investment Portfolio for FY27 and Avoid Key Mistakes

Building an investment portfolio begins with deciding on an asset allocation, such as a 70% equity and 30% debt split. This allocation should be carefully determined based on individual factors including age, financial goals, income, and risk tolerance. Over time, market movements can shift these proportions away from the original targets, making periodic rebalancing necessary. Rebalancing helps investors realign their portfolio with their intended strategy and risk profile. Avoiding common mistakes during this process is essential to maintaining long-term financial health.

Tamil Nadu: Engagement called off, man attacks former fiancée, mother hacked to death trying to protect her

Princess Margaret's Former Sussex Retreat Listed for £3.95 Million

The Old House, a historic country estate in Staplefield, West Sussex, has been put up for sale for £3.95 million. The property was formerly owned by Lord Snowdon and served as a retreat connected to Princess Margaret. The estate includes six bedrooms and extensive grounds. During its time as a royal residence, it played host to various royals and celebrities. The property is considered to hold notable cultural and historical significance in Britain.

India's Esports Sector Shifts Focus to Leagues, Careers and Homegrown IP

India boasts approximately 600 million gamers, making it one of the fastest-growing gaming markets globally. Industry leaders argue that attracting players is no longer the primary challenge, with attention now turning to building sustainable leagues, careers, and intellectual property. The push for homegrown IP and structured professional pathways is seen as critical for long-term growth. Growing investment, emerging regulation, and the rise of e-cricket are adding further momentum to the sector. Experts believe Indian esports is currently at a pivotal stage in its overall development.

Anthropic Finds Claude AI Behaves Differently Depending on Language Used

Anthropic, the company behind the Claude AI assistant, has discovered that the chatbot expresses different values and personality traits depending on the language it is used in. The research specifically highlighted that Claude's Hindi-language persona differs notably from its behavior in other languages. This inconsistency raises concerns about fairness and reliability for users across different linguistic backgrounds. The findings prompt broader questions about how AI systems should maintain consistent values regardless of the language being spoken.

Missile-Armed Drones Redefine Modern Warfare With Long-Range Strike Power

Unmanned vehicles are increasingly being equipped with missiles, dramatically expanding their offensive reach on the battlefield. Turkey's Kizilelma and Russia's Orion drones exemplify this shift toward missile-capable unmanned aircraft. India is developing its Ghatak stealth drone to conduct deep-strike missions domestically while eliminating pilot risk. The United States has also deployed unmanned surface vessels offensively, targeting Iranian naval infrastructure. Meanwhile, Ukraine has demonstrated sophisticated autonomous operations by coordinating sea, air, and land-based unmanned systems simultaneously.

US Launches New Strikes Against Iran Amid Reimposed Naval Blockade

The United States carried out a new wave of military strikes against Iran on Wednesday, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM). The action came after Washington reimposed a naval blockade against Iran, signaling a return to active hostilities between the two nations. CENTCOM confirmed the strikes without immediately providing details on specific targets or the scale of the operation. The development marks a significant escalation in the long-standing conflict between the US and Iran.

Recording Police in Public Is Legal in India, but With Limits

In India, citizens are generally permitted to record police officers while they carry out their duties in public spaces. Such recordings are lawful as long as they do not interfere with police operations or violate any other applicable laws. Police officers do not have the authority to arbitrarily confiscate phones or demand deletion of legally captured footage. However, sharing such videos online can have legal consequences if the content is found to be defamatory or violates someone's privacy. Indian courts have stressed the importance of transparency in policing while also balancing individual rights with the needs of effective law enforcement.

Iran Threatens Broader Trade Disruption Beyond Strait of Hormuz

Iran has issued warnings of wider trade disruptions that could extend beyond the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy shipments. The threat puts significant volumes of oil, liquefied natural gas, and fertiliser exports at risk. Asian nations, which are the primary recipients of energy shipments through the strait, face the greatest exposure. The warning comes amid escalating tensions as the United States carries out strikes targeting Iranian capabilities.

Cabinet approves Rs 10,998 cr Varuna Expressway to ease Varanasi traffic

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved a major infrastructure project in Varanasi worth Rs 10,998.32 crore. The plan involves constructing a 43.2-km elevated corridor to be known as the Varuna Expressway. The project will connect NH-31 to the Varanasi Ring Road, aiming to reduce traffic congestion in the region. Commuters are expected to benefit from shorter travel times once the corridor becomes operational. Authorities also anticipate that the expressway will boost regional economic activity.

Leena Nair: From Kolhapur Roots to Leading Global Luxury Brand Chanel

Leena Nair, originally from Kolhapur, India, has risen to become the CEO of luxury fashion house Chanel. She made history early in her career by becoming the first woman to work a night shift at a factory. Before joining Chanel, Nair served as Chief Human Resources Officer at Unilever, one of the world's largest consumer goods companies. As Chanel's CEO, she prioritizes listening and human connection as core elements of her leadership approach. Her leadership philosophy is built around values such as compassion, audacity, optimism, curiosity, and a strong sense of purpose.

Four Jan Suraaj Leaders Defect to BJP Ahead of Bankipur Assembly Bypoll

Four leaders from Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj party joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday, dealing a blow to the outfit before the Bankipur Assembly bypoll. The bypoll is scheduled for July 30 and was triggered by the resignation of sitting MLA Nitin Nabin from the seat. Prashant Kishor himself is contesting the election against BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha. The defectors cited their faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and the vision of national development as reasons for switching sides.

100 volunteers collected 11m seeds to restore Scotland's disappearing rainforest

Spanish teen Rafael Jodar earns Team Europe call-up for 2026 Laver Cup in London

Rafael Jodar, a 19-year-old Spanish tennis player, has been selected to represent Team Europe at the 2026 Laver Cup in London. The teenager has had a standout breakthrough season in 2026, steadily climbing the ATP rankings. His impressive performances have earned him a spot alongside established stars on one of tennis's most prestigious team stages. The call-up marks a significant milestone in what has been a rapid rise for the young Spaniard.