India

Kerala’s birth rate has reached an all-time low: 7 takeaways

NIA charges Shabir Ahmad Shah, 5 Hurriyat leaders over 1996 Srinagar mob violence

The National Investigation Agency has filed a chargesheet against Hurriyat leader Shabir Ahmad Shah and five other Hurriyat leaders in connection with a mob violence incident in Srinagar. The case dates back to 1996 and involves violence and firing on police during a funeral procession. The NIA alleges that the accused incited violence and raised secessionist slogans at the event. Investigators say evidence gathered establishes the accused were part of a criminal conspiracy and unlawful assembly. The agency stated that its investigation into the 1996 incident is still ongoing.

Supreme Court Questions 1993 MHA Rule Halting Pregnant IPS Officer's Training

A pregnant IPS officer's probationary training has been stalled due to a 1993 Ministry of Home Affairs Office Memorandum governing maternity-related interruptions. The case was brought before the Supreme Court, where advocate Sengar argued against the decades-old circular. The top court verbally expressed agreement with the submissions challenging the 1993 rule, though no formal order has yet been passed. The matter highlights how outdated maternity norms continue to affect the career progression of women officers in the Indian Police Service.

Doctors Assaulted by Sena Corporator Left in Shock, Says Victim's Father

Dr. Srishti Baviskar and her colleague Dr. Vaibhav Salunkhe were allegedly assaulted by a Shiv Sena corporator. Srishti's father, Mahendra Baviskar, spoke to reporters about the incident and described the severe emotional impact on his daughter. He stated that she is in deep shock and is unable to sleep following the assault. The incident has drawn public attention to the alleged misconduct of the elected official involved.

New Jersey mansion worth $35.5M transferred to Kazakh political figure for $10

A luxury mansion in New Jersey, valued at $35.5 million, was reportedly sold for just ten dollars. The property was transferred to Daniyar Kessikbayev, a figure with notable political connections. Kessikbayev is the son-in-law of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. The transaction has attracted scrutiny given the significant political ties involved. The deal is said to be part of a broader pattern of symbolic, near-zero-dollar property transfers.

Did Mathematician Abraham de Moivre Predict His Own Death Via Sleep Patterns?

Abraham de Moivre was a notable French mathematician widely recognized for his foundational work in probability theory. Beyond his academic contributions, he became known for an unusual claim: that he had predicted the exact date of his own death. De Moivre reportedly arrived at this conclusion by carefully tracking changes in his daily sleep duration over time. The prediction has since sparked considerable debate among historians and scholars regarding whether it was a genuine forecast or mere coincidence.

Zuckerberg Returns to X, Gets Monetization Pitch After Posting AI Announcement

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg made a return to X, formerly Twitter, where he announced Meta's new Muse Spark 1.1 AI model. The model is built for coding and complex AI tasks and is accessible to developers via Meta's API. Shortly after the post, X's Head of Product Nikita Bier responded by offering Zuckerberg access to Creator Monetization for his account. The exchange took place on Elon Musk's platform, drawing attention to Zuckerberg's renewed presence there.

Ryanair passenger nearly sucked out as cabin window detaches mid-flight

A Serbian tourist came close to being pulled out of a Ryanair aircraft after a cabin window detached while the plane was airborne. Fellow passengers intervened and pulled the man back to safety inside the cabin. The incident took place over North Macedonia on a flight returning to Thessaloniki, Greece. Oxygen masks deployed and an unusual smell filled the cabin following the sudden decompression. Authorities have launched an investigation, with engine debris cited as a possible cause of the window failure.

End Of Hustle Culture? Gen Z's 'Effort Recession' Hits 6 In 10 Indian Firms

According to the report, the trend is strongest in information technology, professional services, and construction, infrastructure and real estate.

Education ministry orders probe into NCERT's blacklisting of textbook paper supplier

BCCI to conduct full T20I team review after England tour ends

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has announced plans to review the men's T20I team's performance. The assessment will begin immediately after the ongoing England tour concludes. India's team has struggled in recent white-ball fixtures, prompting the board to take action. The review aims to identify key problems and address them systematically. BCCI's goal is to resolve current issues and strengthen the team's performance going forward.

Assam budget proposes job dismissal, welfare ban for polygamy practitioners

The Assam government has proposed barring individuals who practice polygamy from accessing state welfare schemes. Under the new measures, government employees found practicing polygamy could face dismissal from service. The state also intends to amend existing rules to strengthen disciplinary action in such cases. The initiative is aimed at advancing women's empowerment and gender justice in the region. The government has also announced that its welfare schemes will resume from August onwards.

Delhi HC sentences Rajpal Yadav to 3 months jail in 7 cheque bounce cases

The Delhi High Court has upheld the conviction of Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav in seven cheque bounce cases linked to a Rs. 9 crore debt dispute. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma sentenced the actor to three months of imprisonment in each of the seven cases. The court rejected any immediate relief for Yadav following a failed settlement attempt between the parties. Yadav has also been directed to pay Rs. 1.05 crore to the complainant per case, with separate fine adjustments ordered for his wife Radha Yadav.

New IRCTC website beta version to launch soon: 4 major changes for faster ticket booking

Man Arrested for Pasting Defamatory Posters to Stop Woman's Wedding

A man was arrested after he put up posters targeting a woman in an apparent attempt to get her upcoming wedding cancelled. The accused reportedly acted out of a one-sided romantic obsession with the woman. Police responded to the incident and launched an investigation into the matter. Authorities seized the mobile phones used in the offence, the vehicle used to paste the posters, and the printed materials as evidence.

India's First Hydrogen-Powered Train Officially Notified by Government

The Indian government has officially notified the country's first hydrogen-powered train, marking a significant milestone for Indian Railways. The project reflects the railway network's broader push toward technological innovation and improved energy efficiency. Hydrogen trains are considered environmentally sustainable as they produce minimal emissions compared to conventional diesel-powered trains. The initiative aligns with India's national clean energy goals and its long-term commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions.

Experts Warn Indian Firms of Costly 'Dark Data' Mismanagement

Indian companies are sitting on vast amounts of unused or underutilized data, a phenomenon experts refer to as 'dark data'. Specialists warn that failing to extract value from this existing information could result in significant financial losses running into millions of dollars. Rather than continuously collecting new data, experts advise organizations to focus on better leveraging the information they already possess. Addressing dark data inefficiencies is being highlighted as a critical priority for businesses seeking stronger returns on their data investments.

DMK's Growing Dominance in Tamil Nadu May Be Sowing Seeds of Its Own Decline

The DMK, Tamil Nadu's ruling party, is increasingly consolidating power in ways that analysts argue could backfire politically. The party's dominance, once a source of strength, is now being seen as a factor that may alienate potential allies and moderate voters. Actor-turned-politician Vijay and his fledgling party are seen as potential beneficiaries of any public discontent with the DMK's approach. Critics suggest the party is shutting out voices and partnerships that could have strengthened its long-term political position. This shift in dynamics could reshape Tamil Nadu's political landscape ahead of future elections.

1953 CIA-Backed Coup in Iran: The Root of Decades of US-Iran Hostility

The deep-seated tensions between the United States and Iran trace back to a 1953 CIA-backed coup that ousted Iran's democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh. The crisis was initially triggered by a British oil dispute with Iran, which led to severe economic pressure on the country. The US-backed rule of the Shah that followed generated widespread resentment and opposition among Iranians. This legacy of distrust directly contributed to the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the subsequent seizure of the US embassy in Tehran. Tensions between the two nations have continued into the present day, largely driven by disputes over Iran's nuclear ambitions and its regional influence.

Indian Embassy in Kuwait suspends passport, visa services till July 19