No surrender, no dissent: How six months of war hardened Iran’s leadership

No surrender, no dissent: How six months of war hardened Iran’s leadership

Times of India

Iran's leadership has appointed hard-line military and security officials to key positions. These moves signal a resistance to US pressure and a crackdown on domestic dissent. The new appointments come as Iran faces prolonged confrontation and economic pressure. Hardliners are tightening their grip around the new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. This consolidation aims to maintain u...

Nepal-Tibet floods: rescuers work through night at hydropower tunnel as number of missing climbs to almost 3,000 – latest updates

Nepal-Tibet floods: rescuers work through night at hydropower tunnel as number of missing climbs to almost 3,000 – latest updates

The Guardian

Nepali army digs through thick mud that has filled tunnel at plant in Rasuwa, as death toll from flash floods rises to 626 with seven confirmed dead in Tibet‘The flood took everything I have’: survivors grieve for relatives and homes swept away in NepalChinese rescuers find ‘nothing but ruins’ at border crossing as Nepal seeks help to ID and store the deadThe Nepalese government said the army is d...

McDonald's-backed grants unlock $99.1m for conservation across 100,650 US acres

McDonald's-backed grants unlock $99.1m for conservation across 100,650 US acres

Times of India

McDonald's and its partners are actively funding conservation easements throughout the United States. With these grants, they will preserve over 100,000 acres of essential grasslands, providing support for ranching communities and a variety of wildlife. The initiative seeks to secure important habitats and migration paths for numerous species while promoting sustainable practices in beef cattle pr...

A wooden relic that survived the sack of Jerusalem's First Temple was unearthed by archaeologists, now they are finding shocking answers

A wooden relic that survived the sack of Jerusalem's First Temple was unearthed by archaeologists, now they are finding shocking answers

Times of India

In a remarkable find, archaeologists uncovered ancient wooden beams from the destruction of Jerusalem's First Temple, dating back over 2,600 years to 586 B.C. These preserved sycamore beams, covered in melted plaster, are believed to have supported the roof of an inner courtyard. By analyzing the growth rings, researchers have accurately dated this crucial archaeological evidence, providing an ext...

Ligue 1: PSG survive scare to snatch a miraculous 2-2 draw at Lille

Ligue 1: PSG survive scare to snatch a miraculous 2-2 draw at Lille

France 24

A dramatic start to Matchday 2 in Ligue 1. Just like last week at Rennes, Paris Saint-Germain found themselves 2-0 down, only to produce another miraculous comeback. Vitinha sparked the revival before Marquinhos rescued a point for the Parisians in Lille.

Three forgotten kings may change the accepted timeline of ancient Assyria

Three forgotten kings may change the accepted timeline of ancient Assyria

Times of India

Research indicates that ancient Assyrian king lists could have neglected to mention several ephemeral rulers. Evidence points to three monarchs who temporarily ascended the throne amid turbulent political times. Their short reigns might have been intentionally omitted from the official historical timeline, raising questions about the accuracy of Assyria's established chronology.

Exeter University approves deal with Saudi Arabia to train military officers and officials

Exeter University approves deal with Saudi Arabia to train military officers and officials

The Guardian

In move that could generate millions, Exeter academics to deliver MA at National Defense University in RiyadhThe University of Exeter has approved plans for a “formal partnership” with Saudi Arabia to train senior military officers and government officials, despite long-held concerns about the Saudi government’s human rights record, the Guardian has learned.In a deal that could generate millions o...

China-Nepal floods: Hong Kong groups rally to aid victims as government pledges HK$50m

China-Nepal floods: Hong Kong groups rally to aid victims as government pledges HK$50m

SCMP

Hong Kong’s Nepalese community and other local organisations have launched fundraising drives to support those affected by deadly flash floods at the Himalayan nation’s border with the Tibet autonomous region, as the city government earmarked HK$50 million (US$6.38 million) to support relief efforts. In a social media post on Saturday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the HK$50 million would ...

Hong Kong groups rally to aid Nepal-Tibet flood victims as government pledges HK$50m

Hong Kong groups rally to aid Nepal-Tibet flood victims as government pledges HK$50m

SCMP

Hong Kong’s Nepalese community and other local organisations have launched fundraising drives to support those affected by deadly flash floods near the country’s border with Tibet, as the city’s government earmarked HK$50 million to support relief efforts. In a social media post on Saturday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the money would come from the Disaster Relief Fund and that its advis...

Hong Kong sets aside HK$50 million from relief fund for Nepal-Tibet flood victims

Hong Kong sets aside HK$50 million from relief fund for Nepal-Tibet flood victims

SCMP

Hong Kong’s government has earmarked HK$50 million (US$6.3 million) from the Disaster Relief Fund for those affected by deadly flash floods near Nepal’s border with Tibet’s Gyirong county, which have left hundreds dead and thousands missing. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced the move in a Facebook post on Saturday. “I express my deep condolences for the victims and extend my heartfelt sym...

Hong Kong sets aside HK$50 million in relief fund for Nepal-Tibet flood victims

Hong Kong sets aside HK$50 million in relief fund for Nepal-Tibet flood victims

SCMP

Hong Kong’s government has earmarked HK$50 million (US$6.3 million) from the Disaster Relief Fund for those affected by deadly flash floods near Nepal’s border with Tibet’s Gyirong County, which have left hundreds dead and thousands missing. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced the move in a Facebook post on Saturday. “I express my deep condolences for the victims and extend my heartfelt sym...

Nepal-Tibet floods: number of missing climbs to nearly 3,000 as search for survivors enters fourth day – latest updates

Nepal-Tibet floods: number of missing climbs to nearly 3,000 as search for survivors enters fourth day – latest updates

The Guardian

Nepali minister estimates cost of rebuilding could be up to $5bn, as death toll rises to 626 with seven confirmed dead in Tibet‘The flood took everything I have’: survivors grieve for relatives and homes swept away in NepalChinese rescuers find ‘nothing but ruins’ at border crossing as Nepal seeks help to ID and store the deadIndia said it is increasing surveillance of glaciers and glacial lakes i...

South Korean court rules banging on ceiling, calling to complain considered stalking

South Korean court rules banging on ceiling, calling to complain considered stalking

SCMP

A woman in her fifties has been fined for repeatedly banging on her ceiling with a backscratcher and contacting her upstairs neighbour over noise, with a South Korean court ruling that her actions amounted to stalking. The Chuncheon District Court fined the 55-year-old woman, identified only as A, 2 million won (US$1,400) for violating the Act on Punishment of Crimes of Stalking, according to lega...

King Haakon VIII takes throne as Norway mourns death of King Harald

King Haakon VIII takes throne as Norway mourns death of King Harald

SCMP

Norway opened a new chapter in its history on Saturday under King Haakon VIII, after the death of his father Harald, a unifying figure who was on the throne for 35 years. A national period of mourning was declared in the Scandinavian kingdom following the king’s death on Friday at 6.35am, aged 89. Norwegians gathered on Saturday ⁠to say goodbye to ⁠the king in front of the ⁠royal palace, where he ...

Scientists spent 100 years discovering animals, reshaping where we see Earth’s biodiversity hotspots

Scientists spent 100 years discovering animals, reshaping where we see Earth’s biodiversity hotspots

Times of India

A groundbreaking study has unveiled that taxonomic advancements have reshaped worldwide biodiversity maps over the last century. While reptile and amphibian diversity has markedly changed, bird and mammal distributions have remained mostly unchanged. Australia and Southeast Asia have been identified as key biodiversity hotspots for these groups. Moreover, factors influencing species richness are a...