India

Pope Leo XIV Expresses Love for US but Emphasizes Universal Church Role

Pope Leo XIV has spoken warmly about the United States, acknowledging a deep affection for the country. However, he was careful to clarify that he does not define himself primarily as an American. The newly elected pope stressed that his core mission is to serve as a pastor to the entire global Catholic Church. His remarks underline his intent to lead the institution as a universal figure rather than as a representative of any single nation.

'No abnormal wear & tear': Centre reiterates E20 safe for vehicles

Neeraj Chopra, Rohit Yadav, Yash Vir Singh all qualify for javelin final

All three Indian javelin throwers — Neeraj Chopra, Rohit Yadav, and Yash Vir Singh — have qualified for the javelin throw final. Chopra, who is managing recovery from an injury, kept his focus on securing qualification rather than peak performance. Challenging weather conditions during the qualifying round impacted athletes across the board. Despite these hurdles, the entire Indian contingent successfully advanced to the medal round. India will now look to claim podium finishes when the final takes place.

ED Raids 4 Cities to Trace Funding Behind Coimbatore Car Bomb Blast

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted search operations across four cities as part of its investigation into the 2022 Coimbatore car bomb blast case. The agency recently assumed charge of the probe, focusing specifically on identifying the financial sources that funded radicalisation and terror-related activities. The searches aim to uncover money trails linked to those behind the attack. The ED's involvement signals an intensified effort to pursue the financial dimensions of the case beyond the initial criminal investigation.

TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee protests rebel colleagues in Parliament with poster stunt

Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee staged a protest inside Parliament against 20 rebel party MPs who defected from the TMC. The rebel legislators joined the Nationalist Citizens Party of India and have pledged their support to the NDA alliance. The Trinamool Congress has publicly condemned the defectors, labelling them traitors to the party. The rebel MPs have approached the Election Commission seeking recognition amid the ongoing party split dispute. Political observers say a swift resolution is needed to end the uncertainty surrounding the factional conflict.

UK Heatwaves Linked to Nearly 3,000 Excess Deaths in England This Summer

Record-breaking heatwaves in England have been linked to approximately 3,000 excess deaths, according to provisional figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The toll is nearly double the 1,504 excess deaths recorded across the entire summer of 2024. The UKHSA described the impact as representing a substantial public health concern. The figures highlight the growing health risks posed by extreme heat events in the UK.

NYC Mayor credits app tipping reforms with $104M boost for delivery workers

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that the city's crackdown on tipping practices by Uber Eats and DoorDash has generated $104 million in additional tips for delivery workers since January. A report by the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection found that average tips per delivery doubled from $1.18 to $2.29 after the apps were required to display tip buttons at checkout. The reforms followed earlier action by Mamdani against Motoclick, which was shut down over similar concerns. The mayor signaled that further enforcement measures against delivery platforms are forthcoming.

Josh Allen's charity golf event hits $17M milestone for children's hospital

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen hosted his '117 Holes for Charity' fundraiser, pushing the Patricia Allen Fund to $17 million in total donations for Golisano Children's Hospital. Allen spoke emotionally at the event, reflecting on how fatherhood has transformed his outlook on children's healthcare. The birth of his daughter Harper has given him a deeper personal connection to families navigating medical crises with their children. Allen credited his new role as a father with reshaping both his priorities and his bond with the broader community.

SpaceX Starship 40 Completes Successful Splashdown, Floats Intact for Five Days

SpaceX's Starship 40 successfully completed a splashdown landing in the Indian Ocean during its Flight 13 test mission. The spacecraft remained intact and afloat for five days following its return, marking a notable milestone for the program. This outcome represents a significant step forward for SpaceX's reusable rocket technology. Previous Starship test flights had ended in failures and explosions during landing attempts. SpaceX has now dispatched a recovery vessel to retrieve the intact Starship 40 from the ocean.

EPA Expands Energy Cost Pledge to Include Google, Meta and Amazon

The US Environmental Protection Agency has broadened an electricity bill pledge originally signed by major tech companies including Google, Meta, and Amazon. The expanded initiative now brings utilities and regulators into the agreement alongside these tech giants. New EPA guidance exempts data centers that operate off the public grid from certain regulatory requirements. The move is designed to support the growing infrastructure demands of artificial intelligence development. It also aims to ensure that ordinary American households do not face higher electricity bills as a result of increased data center energy consumption.

PwC Joins KPMG and EY in Facing Embarrassment Over AI Missteps

PwC, one of the world's Big Four consulting firms, has become the latest major consultancy to face embarrassment linked to artificial intelligence. The incident adds PwC to a growing list of industry peers that have stumbled over AI-related issues. Fellow Big Four firms KPMG and EY have previously encountered similar controversies. The repeated missteps highlight a broader pattern of AI challenges facing top-tier consulting giants.

BJP Accuses Kharge of Threatening Violence Over Remark Targeting Amit Shah in Parliament

A heated exchange broke out in the Rajya Sabha after Union Minister Jitendra Singh introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge made a remark directed at Home Minister Amit Shah during the session. The BJP responded sharply, accusing Kharge of threatening violence through his comments. The incident significantly raised tensions in the upper house of Parliament. The BJP's reaction underscored the deepening friction between the ruling party and the opposition over parliamentary conduct.

Indian Railways TTE Rules: How many coaches can one ticket examiner cover?

UK commits £8.4bn to Dreadnought submarine programme to renew Trident deterrent

The UK government has announced £8.4 billion in funding for the Dreadnought submarine programme, aimed at modernising its Trident nuclear deterrent. Prime Minister Andy Burnham unveiled new agreements tied to the initiative, which forms a central pillar of the government's broader defence strategy. The investment is expected to create thousands of jobs and apprenticeships across the defence sector. The programme will replace the ageing Vanguard-class submarines with newer, more advanced vessels. Officials say the move is intended to strengthen both national security and economic recovery.

Tamil Nadu mulls adding chicken biryani to school noon-meal programme

Tamil Nadu is considering including chicken biryani in its school noon-meal programme as part of efforts to improve student welfare. The proposal reflects a broader evolution in the state's approach to midday meal policies. Teachers have also raised concerns over unresolved issues related to employment conditions and salaries. Additionally, the government plans to introduce a digital system for tracking petitions to enhance accountability. The developments highlight the growing role of school meal programmes in shaping education policy across the state.

Bhojshala complex row: SC asks govt to provide nearby site for Friday namaz

Africa's $50bn Transaqua Project Eyes Congo River Water to Rescue Lake Chad

Lake Chad, a critical freshwater source in Central Africa, has shrunk dramatically over recent decades, severely affecting millions of people in the surrounding region. To address this crisis, African governments are backing large-scale initiatives to restore the lake's ecosystem. The centerpiece of these efforts is the Transaqua project, an ambitious $50 billion plan to divert water from the Congo River basin into Lake Chad. Beyond replenishing the lake's water levels, the project is also intended to stimulate economic development across the affected regions. The initiative represents one of the largest proposed water-diversion schemes on the African continent.

Teen's Jute Sponge Filters 80% of Tire Pollutants, Wins $75,000 Science Prize

An 18-year-old student has invented a biodegradable sponge made from jute waste that removes up to 80% of tire-related pollutants from water. The device targets 6PPD-quinone, a toxic chemical compound found in tire runoff that is known to be harmful to salmon and other aquatic life. The sponge presents a low-cost, sustainable alternative to conventional water filtration methods. The project earned the young innovator a $75,000 prize at a major science competition, recognizing its potential environmental impact.

Farmer Shot Dead by Security Guard's Accidental Firing at Delhi Bank

A farmer visiting a bank in Delhi was killed after a security guard accidentally discharged his firearm on the premises. The incident occurred when the farmer had come to the bank to update his Aadhaar details. The accidental shot struck and fatally wounded the victim. Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances that led to the unintentional firing.

'Join BJP to avoid trouble for family': CJP's Dipke alleges Centre supports rapists