Kemi Badenoch, leader of the UK Conservatives, defended fielding former neo-Nazi Joshua
Kemi Badenoch, leader of the UK Conservatives, defended fielding former neo-Nazi Joshua Bonehill-Paine as a local election candidate despite his past antisemitic abuse and convictions. Luciana Berger, previously targeted by Bonehill-Paine, argued that public office should have a higher bar for rehabilitation. Jewish groups criticized the decision, urging the Conservatives to withdraw Bonehill-Paine's candidacy due to the severity of his offenses. Badenoch acknowledged the seriousness of Bonehill-Paine’s crimes but cited his remorse and work against antisemitism as reasons to support him.
City life wins: Minnesota couple swaps forests for high-rise, never looks back
Stacy Brooks, raised in Minnesota's forests, agreed to spend one year living in a downtown Minneapolis high-rise with her husband. In a Business Insider essay, she details how the experience shifted her from suburban quiet to city life, enjoying walking, local dining, and building friendships among childfree neighbors. After a few months, they decided to buy their 19th-floor apartment permanently, ending years of compromise.
Singapore aims to plant one million trees by 2027 under Green Plan 2030
The Cooling Singapore project, a collaboration including the Singapore-ETH Centre, cites research from Germany estimating that trees can lower street-level temperatures by up to 2.6 degrees Celsius. However, local studies led by Lei Xu and Ronita Bardhan found shade reduces heat stress more effectively, lowering the Universal Thermal Climate Index by an average of 3.1 degrees. Meanwhile, a study by Naika Meili shows tree cover can save up to 9% in summer cooling energy but also highlights humidity trade-offs. Singapore aims to plant one million trees by 2027 under its Green Plan 2030, balancing immediate and long-term benefits of shade.
Deadly Drug-Resistant Fungus Hits 3,100 in 23 US States, Texas Leads with 706 Cases
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported over 3,100 cases of Candida auris, a drug-resistant fungus causing life-threatening infections, across 23 states by July 18. Texas had the highest number at 706 cases, followed by Michigan with 503. C. auris spreads easily in healthcare facilities and can survive on surfaces for weeks, primarily affecting seriously ill patients with weakened immune systems or invasive medical devices.
MP Ashok Mittal demands Expat Protection Law after Indian deaths abroad surge to 86
Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal urged the Centre to introduce an Expat Protection Law during a Special Mention, citing rising incidents of racial violence and harassment against Indians abroad. Official figures show Indian deaths overseas increased from 29 in 2021 to 86 in 2023. He highlighted cases like the alleged racial assault on Syed Sohel Uddin in Utah and the killing of Kirandeep Kaur in London, among others. Mittal proposed a law providing immediate legal aid, financial assistance, stronger consular support, and mechanisms for justice and safe repatriation.
Eighth-grader's Ant Experiment Earns Her Spot Among 2025 Science Finalists
Eighth-grader Seungah Chung from Beverly Vista Middle School in California designed an experiment involving 200 red harvester ants to explore their navigation methods. She found that the ants use visual landmarks rather than chemical trails alone, earning her a place among finalists in the 2025 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge.
Meta Apologizes to IT Minister After Mistakenly Restricting PM Modi's Post
On Wednesday, Joel Kaplan, Meta's chief Global Affairs Officer, apologized to IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for mistakenly restricting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's post during the CJP protests. The video was briefly removed but later restored due to a technical glitch. Kaplan and other top executives met with IT secretary S Krishnan and Meity officials in a 45-minute discussion. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey criticized Meta, demanding CEO Mark Zuckerberg's apology within three days.
Neurodivergent Child's Birthday Party Turns into Community Celebration with 83 Homes Participating
Leah Farrow, 47, asked her local Facebook group if anyone would let her autistic son Soren trick-or-treat for his birthday. Unexpectedly, 83 households participated in the event on a summer afternoon. Neighbors prepared special treats and gifts, turning it into a community celebration that highlighted joy, kindness, and acceptance towards neurodivergent children.
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's TVK government allocated over Rs 1,000 crore
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's TVK government allocated over Rs 1,000 crore for gold and cow gifts to beneficiaries. Rs 812 crore is for eight gram gold coins and silk sarees for women on their wedding day; Rs 560 crore for one gram gold rings for newborns in government hospitals. Additionally, Rs 110 crore will provide goats or sheep to marginalized groups under the "Vetri Magalir Goat Rearing Scheme." These allocations aim to fulfill election promises and support public health initiatives.
US Second Lady Usha Vance Welcomes Fourth Child Alec
Usha Vance, US Second Lady, expressed happiness about having a fourth child, Alec Neel Vance, born on July 19. Initially worried it might disrupt family life, she now sees the addition as bringing them closer together. She and JD Vance ensure each of their four children gets individual attention daily. Usha also promotes literacy through her podcast "Storytime with the Second Lady" and the White House Summer Reading Challenge. Alec's birth marks the first time in over 150 years a sitting vice president has welcomed a baby while in office.
SAD, Congress MLAs clash over sacrilege law, march into Well of House
On Wednesday, the third day of the Punjab Assembly, Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) accused the Bhagwant Mann government of failing to amend the anti-sacrilege law as promised. High drama ensued during Zero Hour with MLAs from both parties raising slogans and marching into the Well of the House, leading to a noisy confrontation. Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan ended Zero Hour early amid protests over security restrictions on protest materials and an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate into industrial plot allotments. The sacrilege issue remained the main political flashpoint.
Former champ Joseph Parker cleared to fight again after provisional doping banlift
Former heavyweight champion Joseph Parker was cleared to fight again after a doping ban following his failed voluntary drug test in October. Parker, 34, denied taking prohibited substances and faced a potential two-year ban after testing positive for cocaine traces post-loss to Fabio Wardley. “I’m pleased to confirm my provisional suspension is lifted and I’ll be back in the ring soon,” Parker stated. He holds a record of 36 wins and four losses.
Russian lawmaker urges crackdown on "black widows" exploiting military compensation
Under Russian military rules, families of soldiers killed in combat receive five million rubles (around Rs 60 lakh). However, "black widows" exploit this by marrying soldiers just before deployment to claim compensation. For instance, Maria's father married a woman two days before deployment and died in war; she received no compensation as the new wife claimed it all. Russian lawmaker Leonid Slutsky urges authorities to crack down on these scams amid public outrage.
NHAI Suspends Toll, Hits PNC Infratech with Penalties Over 300-Meter Road Slippage
The NHAI suspended toll collection on the Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway after detecting road slippage over a 300-meter stretch near its opening. The agency initiated action against PNC Infratech, proposing penalties, non-performer status, and repair at their own cost. Three officials were removed and barred for two years; Theme Engineering Services faces debarment. Toll revenue lost will be recovered from PNC Infratech. Repair work began after the incident on July 26.
Sheikh Hasina Plans December Return to Bangladesh Despite Death Penalty
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, 78, announced via video link at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia on Wednesday that she plans to return to Bangladesh in December despite facing the death penalty. She was ousted and fled to India after a crackdown in 2024; her trial found her guilty last year. Sheikh Hasina called for lifting the ban on her Awami League party, while her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy said they are not in contact with the current government. Bangladesh seeks her extradition as relations between it and India improve ahead of a BRICS summit.
British boxer Raven Chapman stable after surgery, awaits repatriation
British boxer Raven Chapman, 32, collapsed during a sparring session in Denmark on July 24 and underwent emergency surgery for a brain haematoma and cerebral oedema. The procedure successfully stopped the bleeding and stabilized swelling; she was placed in a coma before being taken off sedatives. Her family is with her as she awaits repatriation to the UK for rehabilitation, which is expected to take some time. A GoFundMe page has been launched to help cover costs, receiving support from across the boxing community. Chapman's professional record includes 10 wins and two defeats.
Greene, Carlson Meet to Run Third-Party Candidate in 2028, Face MAGA Skepticism
On Saturday, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Tucker Carlson, Thomas Massie, and Joe Kent met in Maine to discuss running a third-party candidate for the 2028 presidential election. Greene shared photos on X, criticizing Donald Trump's broken promises. Kent revealed they aim to convince Carlson to run but face skepticism from MAGA supporters like Laura Loomer and Nick Fuentes. The group seeks an "America First" agenda, potentially deepening divisions within the Republican Party.
PB Fintech Reports 40% Jump in Operating Revenue to Rs 1,888 Crore for Q1FY27
PB Fintech reported a 40% year-over-year rise in operating revenue to Rs 1,888 crore for Q1FY27. Insurance premium grew 41% YoY to Rs 8,372 crore, with new protection and health insurance premiums increasing by 53% and 59%, respectively. Core online insurance premium rose 41%. Renewal revenue reached a run-rate of Rs 999 crore, up from Rs 673 crore in Q1 last year. Total lending disbursal was Rs 4,366 crore, with core credit revenue increasing by 25% to Rs 127 crore. Adjusted EBITDA margin for new initiatives improved to negative 5%. (Complete sentence.
Husband helps solemnize wife's marriage to lover at Shiva temple in Uttar Pradesh
In an unusual gesture, Buddhiram Nishad helped solemnise his wife Phoolmati's marriage with her lover at a Shiva temple in Uttar Pradesh's Sant Kabir Nagar district. The couple had been married for 21 years and have five children together. Phoolmati left home but returned after family persuasion. The wedding took place on Tuesday, attended by villagers. Buddhiram said he wanted to end the discordance at home. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited.
Left-wing El-Sayed Beats Back Haley Stevens in Michigan Senate Primary
On Tuesday, Abdul El-Sayed, a left-wing candidate and child of Egyptian immigrants, won Michigan's Democratic Senate primary over Congresswoman Haley Stevens. Despite backing from establishment figures like AIPAC, Stevens lost to El-Sayed’s progressive policies and grassroots support. This victory could challenge traditional Democratic strategies in future elections but risks dividing the party before November’s general election against Republican Mike Rogers.
