A 52-year-old suspended municipal employee, Upendra Shankhdhar, has died by suicide in Uttar Pradesh. Shankhdhar worked as a tax collector and had been suspended in September last year. His suspension was linked to an alleged embezzlement case involving approximately Rs 30 lakh in tax funds. Following his death, police have registered a case against five individuals.
Spain defeated France 2-0 in the FIFA World Cup semi-final, sending them through to the final. The result extended Lamine Yamal's unbeaten run to 12 wins from 12 starts across the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship. No European player in history has maintained a perfect record across as many major tournament appearances. The teenage winger's consistency has been a defining factor in Spain's dominant run in the competition.
US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran on Tuesday, threatening to escalate American military strikes within a week. Speaking to Fox News, Trump said power plants and bridges in Iran would be targeted if Tehran refuses to negotiate a deal. The warning signals a potential broadening of existing US military action against Iran. Trump's remarks add significant pressure on Iranian leadership as diplomatic tensions between the two nations remain high.
New research indicates that the thymus, a chest organ involved in immune function, may serve as a predictor of how long a person lives. Studies show that individuals with healthier thymuses have significantly lower risks of death from all causes. The organ is critical for producing and training T cells, which are essential to the body's immune response. Lifestyle factors such as smoking and excess body weight are known to negatively affect thymic health. Scientists now consider the thymus a key to better understanding why people age at different rates.
Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, head priest of Bageshwar Dham, has publicly stated he shares no ties with his estranged brother Shaligram or Shaligram's family. The statement came after Shaligram was accused of allegedly shooting at a person. Shastri made clear that he considers himself separate from his brother's actions and personal matters. The religious leader's remarks were aimed at distancing himself from any association with the alleged incident involving his sibling.
The Supreme Court is hearing petitions challenging a Madhya Pradesh High Court ruling that declared the Bhojshala complex a Hindu temple. The court declined to stay the high court order, which Muslim petitioners argue overlooked historical evidence and prior arrangements at the site. Authorities in Dhar have been directed by the Supreme Court to arrange an alternative venue for Muslims to offer Friday prayers. The court has also prohibited any structural alterations to the Bhojshala complex without prior judicial approval.
India's Ministry of External Affairs has clarified that a passport is solely a document that regulates the departure of Indian citizens from the country. The ministry stated that passport issuance is governed by the Passports Act, 1967, and does not serve as proof or determinant of citizenship. Official sources emphasized that holding or not holding a passport has no bearing on a person's citizenship status. The clarification comes in response to recent remarks made by government officials regarding the nature of the travel document. Currently, fewer than eight percent of India's population holds a valid passport.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has informed the Supreme Court that its inquiry into the Air India crash is progressing. Investigative analysis is expected to be completed within six weeks, contingent on external factors. A draft final report is anticipated to be ready by October 2026 for review. The AAIB noted that this timeline is consistent with international standards followed in aviation accident investigations.
A series of earthquakes that struck Venezuela approximately three weeks ago has resulted in a devastating loss of life. An official report released on Tuesday confirmed that the death toll has surpassed 4,734. Nearly 17,000 people have sustained injuries as a result of the disaster. The figures highlight the severe and ongoing humanitarian impact of the seismic event on the country.
A survivor of a deadly boat accident in Vietnam recounted how the captain jumped overboard without warning, prompting others to follow. Those who leapt into the water were the only ones who managed to survive the incident. Passengers seated at the rear of the vessel were unable to escape due to the boat's closed structure, resulting in their deaths. The survivor lost a close childhood friend in the tragedy. Authorities have noted that better medical access to nearby islands could have reduced the overall death toll.
India is adding a new provision to its foreign trade policy that will enable the government to block imports produced using forced labour. The policy change comes amid scrutiny from the US Trade Representative (USTR). The government will adopt the International Labour Organisation's definition of forced labour as the standard for enforcement. The move is aimed at strengthening India's legal framework in the context of international trade negotiations. The new clause will come into effect thirty days after its official notification is issued.
The Supreme Court raised doubts about whether English qualifies as an indigenous language while hearing a challenge against CBSE's three-language policy. The scheme is designed to promote Hindi and regional languages in line with constitutional objectives. Petitioners opposing the policy cited a lack of qualified teachers, inadequate infrastructure, and limited availability of relevant books on the NCERT website. The court declined to stay the scheme during the proceedings. The Centre and CBSE have been directed to submit their responses within ten days.
A 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton nicknamed 'Gus' sold for $50.1 million at a Sotheby's auction in New York, making it the most expensive dinosaur fossil ever sold. The sale broke the previous record set by a stegosaurus fossil called 'Apex,' which went for nearly $45 million in 2024. It also surpassed the earlier benchmark set by 'Stan,' another T. rex skeleton that fetched close to $32 million in 2020. The sale marks a continued surge in demand for rare prehistoric fossils among high-end collectors.
The Supreme Court has set August 19 as the deadline for the Odisha government to reach a decision on the remission plea filed by Dara Singh. Singh, convicted for the 1999 murder of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons, has been imprisoned since 2000. He is seeking release after serving more than 26 years behind bars. The state sentence review board is reportedly viewing his plea favourably, citing his good conduct during incarceration. However, the board has stated that updated information is still required before a final decision can be made.
An expert panel has recommended environmental clearance for the Naying hydroelectric project in Arunachal Pradesh, located near the China border. The project will be constructed across the Siyom river at an estimated cost of Rs 11,835 crore. It is expected to significantly contribute to India's renewable energy capacity. The project developer is required to provide compensation and rehabilitation support to families displaced by the development. Forest clearance remains a pending requirement before the project can move forward.
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs was released by the New England Patriots shortly after their Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Despite the defeat, Diggs' on-field performance drew attention from several teams across the NFL. His release came amid an off-field legal controversy that added to the circumstances surrounding his departure. The Baltimore Ravens and the New York Giants have since emerged as the leading candidates to sign the veteran receiver ahead of the upcoming season.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has rejected allegations that he personally benefits from India's ethanol blending program. He described the conflict-of-interest charges as politically motivated and without merit. Gadkari acknowledged that his sons have a business stake in the ethanol sector but stressed it represents only a minor share. The minister defended the policy on its own merits, citing its role in cutting pollution and reducing India's dependence on fuel imports. He also noted that the ethanol blending initiative has historically received support from multiple governments.
The British government has announced plans to impose a default overnight curfew on social media apps for teenagers aged 16 and 17. This measure extends existing proposals that already seek to ban children under 16 from accessing social media platforms entirely. The overnight restriction will apply by default, meaning users in that age group will be blocked from accessing apps during late-night hours. The move reflects the UK government's broader push to tighten regulation of social media use among minors.
