India

What Kerala’s elder-friendly office certification means

Mamdani attends NYC 9/11 memorial despite calls from victims’ families to stay away

Delhi Mandates Strict Police Verification for School Bus Drivers and Staff

Delhi authorities have ordered rigorous police background checks for school bus drivers and support staff across the capital. The directive aims to strengthen child safety within the school transportation system. The move follows a school-safety inspection drive conducted in July that revealed serious deficiencies. Nearly 46 percent of inspected schools, amounting to 774 out of 1,677, were found to be non-compliant with safety norms. The latest order signals a broader push by Delhi to address systemic gaps in school safety infrastructure.

Poland Partners With ICEYE to Build Independent Military Satellite Network by 2030

Poland is collaborating with Finnish company ICEYE to develop its own military satellite communications system, reducing reliance on foreign providers for battlefield connectivity. The project is expected to roll out between 2026 and 2030 and will involve local industrial partners. The initiative draws lessons from the Ukraine conflict, where satellite communications proved critical to military operations. India, by contrast, has maintained strong military satellite communication capabilities for over a decade. New Delhi recently reinforced its position further with the launch of CMS-03, aimed at enhancing maritime surveillance.

World Trade Center Redevelopment Nears Completion with Final Office Tower

The last commercial office tower at the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan is currently under construction. The building will serve as the new global headquarters for American Express. The project marks a significant milestone in the long-running post-9/11 redevelopment effort. It is seen as both a tribute to the victims of the 2001 attacks and a revival of commercial activity in the area. The completion of this tower represents the near-conclusion of a rebuilding plan that has spanned over two decades.

UK police bust £1.3m cannabis farm hidden in disused Slough department store

Thames Valley Police discovered a large cannabis factory concealed inside a former BHS store in Slough, England. Officers found over 1,700 cannabis plants spread across two floors of the abandoned retail building. The crop was estimated to yield around 150kg with a potential street value of approximately £1.3 million. Two men admitted their involvement in the operation and were each sentenced to 14 months in prison.

Draisaitl's $14M Annual Deal and Wife's Acting Career Build Power Couple Brand

Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl has secured a lucrative eight-year NHL contract averaging $14 million per year, establishing him among the sport's highest earners. His wife, Celeste Desjardins, has independently built her own profile through an acting career and brand endorsement deals. The couple married in France, and their union has since amplified both their individual careers and combined public presence. Together, they have grown their collective brand value, making them a notable pair in both sports and entertainment circles.

PM Modi, Putin, Pezeshkian in single frame: Why this Brics photo may unsettle Trump

Qazi Touqeer Breaks Down Modern Dating Terms Like Situationship and Benching

Content creator Qazi Touqeer's explanation of modern dating terminology has gone viral online. He described a situationship as a romantic connection involving attraction and intimacy but without any defined commitment. Benching, another term he highlighted, refers to keeping someone engaged while simultaneously pursuing other options. He also explained ghosting, which involves abruptly cutting off all communication, and breadcrumbing, where someone offers minimal attention to maintain another person's interest without real investment. His breakdown resonated widely, reflecting how complex and label-heavy the contemporary dating landscape has become.

Rohit Roy sparks debate by calling TV a lesser medium, criticising actors' conduct

Actor Rohit Roy has stirred controversy by publicly criticising television actors, claiming many lack sophistication and grace. He described television as a low-status medium, contrasting it unfavourably with the film industry. Roy argued that film actors carry a distinct style and public presence that TV actors often do not. He also dismissed social media popularity as a poor substitute for genuine respect in the entertainment industry. In his view, cinema will always hold a superior legacy compared to television.

Tharoor defends BRICS value for India, countering Chidambaram's skepticism

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor publicly defended India's participation in the BRICS summit, pushing back against fellow Congress leader P. Chidambaram's questions about its tangible benefits for the country. Tharoor argued that India's ability to host world leaders demonstrates significant diplomatic influence and convening power. He also pointed out that BRICS collectively represents a majority of the global population, underscoring its strategic relevance. The BJP seized on the intra-party disagreement, using Tharoor's remarks to criticize Chidambaram's position. The episode highlights Tharoor's tendency to hold and express views that occasionally diverge from the broader Congress party line.

Disha Salian's father names Aaditya Thackeray, Dino Morea in CBI statement

The father of Disha Salian has given a statement to the CBI naming Shiv Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray and actor Dino Morea in connection with his daughter's death. The CBI took up the investigation following a directive from the Bombay High Court. Mumbai Police had previously ruled Salian's 2020 death a suicide and closed the matter. However, her father approached the court citing suspicious circumstances around her demise. The case has now been reopened at the federal investigative level.

Houthi Push Toward Bab el-Mandeb Strait Threatens Global and Indian Trade

Houthi forces are advancing toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical chokepoint for international maritime trade. The potential seizure of this waterway raises serious concerns about the security of global shipping and energy supply chains. India faces the prospect of higher import and export costs along with longer transit times if the strait comes under Houthi control. The group is also reportedly upgrading its military arsenal, including the integration of artificial intelligence into weapons systems. These developments are expected to create broader geopolitical tensions, with implications for regional powers including Pakistan and its defense partnerships.

AI Researchers Increasingly Worried About Existential Risks From Advanced AI

Surveys conducted among AI researchers and safety experts reveal a growing sense of concern about the long-term dangers posed by advanced artificial intelligence. Many in the field fear that highly capable AI systems could one day cause catastrophic harm on a large scale. The worry extends beyond near-term risks, with some experts raising the possibility of existential threats to humanity. These findings reflect a broader shift in the AI research community toward taking so-called apocalyptic scenarios more seriously.

Pakistan Among 29 Nations Still Awaiting BRICS Membership Decision

Pakistan is one of 29 countries that have applied for membership in the BRICS bloc but have yet to be admitted. The country's push to join the grouping is largely motivated by the economic difficulties it has been facing. Despite submitting its application years ago, Pakistan has not received a positive response from the bloc. BRICS has been expanding its membership, but a final decision on Pakistan's entry remains pending.

Elijah Wood receives Novato city key made for him 30 years ago

Actor Elijah Wood has finally received a Key to the City of Novato, California, more than 30 years after it was originally prepared for him. The honorary key was made in the early 1990s when Wood, then a child actor, filmed the movie Radio Flyer in the city. The key sat unclaimed and forgotten at Novato's City Hall for decades. It was eventually delivered to Wood by a fan who met him at Fan Expo in San Francisco. Wood reportedly reacted with surprise and was visibly touched by the belated gesture.

Bumrah trains with India squad ahead of T20I series against Afghanistan

India ramped up preparations for their upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan with a full-squad training session. Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah was notably present, participating alongside the rest of the team. The session included warm-up routines, fielding drills, and an extended stint in the nets. There was a brief moment of concern when wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan went down during the session, though he appeared to recover and walked off without any obvious signs of injury.

California wildlife officers recover 194 abandoned crab traps, two fishermen penalized

California wildlife officers discovered and retrieved 194 abandoned Dungeness crab traps off the state's coast. The neglected traps resulted in the wasteful loss of hundreds of crabs and posed serious entanglement hazards to marine animals. Investigations uncovered multiple violations, including untagged equipment and failure to service traps within required timeframes. Two fishermen were held accountable, facing four-year suspensions of their fishing licenses and permit revocations. The case draws attention to the broader environmental threat of ghost fishing, where lost or abandoned gear continues to trap and kill sea life.

‘Junk economy’ to ‘shining star of BRICS’: BJP leader traces India’s journey under Modi

US envoy visits conflict-torn Manipur, meets CM and Governor