Amid a surge in leopard attacks in Pune district, villagers in Pimperkhed, Shirur taluka, have resorted to unusual safety measures. They are wearing belts or collars fitted with sharp nails around their necks while working in the fields and have installed iron grills around their homes for protection. Some households have also set up electric fences as an additional precaution.
Residents say frequent leopard sightings and recent attacks have made routine outdoor activities, especially in the early morning and late evening, extremely risky. Villager Vitthal Rangnath Jadhav told ANI that leopards are spotted almost daily in the area. He shared that his mother was killed by a leopard a month ago, and earlier, a young girl also fell victim to an attack.
Jadhav said, “We wear these collars to protect ourselves from leopards. They can appear at any time, and farming is our only source of livelihood. We cannot stay home in fear. One month ago, my mother was dragged about a kilometre into the sugarcane fields by a leopard. Everyone in the village is terrified, which is why we wear these collars whenever we step outside. I urge the government to take action to address this issue.”
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
The Trump administration is reportedly weighing the approval of sales of Nvidia's H200 AI chips to China, sources say, amid a warming of U.S.-China relations that could open the door for advanced American technology exports. The Commerce Department, which regulates U.S. export controls, is reviewing its policy that currently bars such sales, though officials emphasized that decisions are still subject to change.
A White House spokesperson declined to comment directly, noting that the administration remains focused on maintaining U.S. technological leadership and national security. The Commerce Department did not respond to inquiries, and Nvidia stated that existing regulations prevent the company from offering a competitive AI data center chip in China, leaving the market to foreign competitors.
This move suggests a softer stance toward China following the recent trade and technology truce between President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Busan. Some Washington policymakers, however, worry that exporting advanced AI chips could strengthen China’s military capabilities—a concern that led the Biden administration to impose restrictions on such exports.
Despite earlier threats to restrict tech exports in response to China’s control over rare earth minerals, Trump largely rolled back those measures. The H200 chip, launched two years ago, features more high-bandwidth memory than its predecessor, the H100, allowing faster data processing. It is estimated to be twice as powerful as the H20, the most advanced AI chip currently allowed for export to China after Trump reversed last year’s brief ban.
Earlier this week, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, whom Trump has called a “great guy,” attended a White House event during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit. Meanwhile, the Commerce Department approved shipments of up to 70,000 Nvidia Blackwell chips, the company’s next-generation AI semiconductor, to Saudi Arabia’s Humain and the UAE’s G42.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday warned that Ukraine faces a difficult choice between compromising its dignity and freedom or losing US support, as Kyiv considers a US-proposed peace plan aimed at ending the conflict with Russia, according to Al Jazeera. Speaking outside his office, Zelenskyy called for national unity and vowed never to betray the Ukrainian people.
“Now is one of the most challenging moments in our history. Ukraine may face a very difficult choice—either losing dignity or risking the loss of a key partner,” he said. He added that he would work tirelessly to ensure that Ukrainian dignity and freedom are safeguarded in any agreement. CNN reported that a new US-backed peace proposal being discussed could involve Kyiv conceding territory in eastern Donbas and limiting its military capabilities in exchange for security guarantees. The plan, still in development, would require compromises from both Russia and Ukraine, who have been in conflict since 2014, escalating into full-scale war after Russia’s 2022 invasion.
US officials emphasized that elements of the draft, including points seen as favoring Moscow, are not final and may change. The 28-point proposal has been reviewed and supported by former President Donald Trump as part of Washington’s renewed efforts to end the nearly three-year conflict. Some measures, particularly those requiring Ukraine to cede territory not fully controlled by Russia, have previously been rejected by Kyiv.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) held coordinated protests across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Karachi against the 27th Constitutional Amendment and the alleged mistreatment of PTI founder Imran Khan’s sisters near Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, according to Dawn. In Karachi, police detained around six people to prevent them from reaching the protest site.
Rallies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were organized under PTI provincial president Junaid Akbar after TTAP announced its march. District-level demonstrations featured PTI workers holding Imran Khan’s portraits and chanting slogans. In Peshawar, a protest at the Press Club was addressed by Local Government Minister Meena Khan Afridi, MNA Sher Ali Arbab, and PTI district president Irfan Saleem. Afridi said Imran Khan had offered TTAP two options: negotiations with authorities or peaceful nationwide protests, criticizing the 27th Amendment as “un-Islamic, unethical, and unconstitutional.”
Saleem emphasized PTI’s campaign for constitutional supremacy, rule of law, and human rights, while condemning security agencies for detaining PTM workers. Protests were also held in KP districts, including Swabi, Mohmand, and Battagram, with participants accusing the federal government of siding with the establishment and undermining the judiciary. Demonstrators demanded the withdrawal of the 27th Amendment, alleging it was aimed at blocking PTI from elections and consolidating government power. In Punjab, PTI Chief Organiser Aliya Hamza called on party members to join the protests wearing black bands and carrying placards. By evening, demonstrations were scattered but remained peaceful, according to Hamza, who posted updates on X.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Members of Mexico's Heroic Military College Cavalry Squadron participate in Mexican Revolution anniversary events in Mexico City, displaying birds of prey as part of their ceremonial duties, showcasing national pride, historic tradition, and military pageantry during the 115th commemoration held each year to honor the nation's revolutionary spirit and legacy.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Author and columnist Sean Kelly argues that even though Labor holds a strong majority and the opposition is distracted by internal conflict, there are indications that Anthony Albanese’s government may squander the chance voters have given them. Kelly speaks with Guardian Australia’s political editor Tom McIlroy about his new Quarterly Essay, where he explores Labor’s shift from idealistic ambitions to a more pragmatic approach. The former staffer to Rudd and Gillard says that although Albanese’s cautious style has helped him win two elections, it may now prove to be the prime minister’s biggest vulnerability.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.
In a surprising reversal, Donald Trump this week signed a bill instructing the Justice Department to release additional files from the investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The move comes amid a major clash with his former staunch ally, Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has been pushing for the documents’ release. Could this signal a MAGA unraveling? And how will the escalating conflict between the two unfold? Jonathan Freedland talks with Rolling Stone reporter Nikki McCann Ramirez about the fallout between the former allies and what the next steps might be regarding the Epstein files.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian
In Made in SG, Melanie Oliveiro interviews Singaporean writer Alexander Ee about his book A Glimpse of Heaven: Grief, Self and Community on the Camino. The book recounts his process of navigating sorrow and finding acceptance after his wife passed away from cancer in 2019. It also chronicles his two-month, 925-kilometre walk along the Camino de Santiago — a historic pilgrimage route made up of interconnected trails across Europe that end in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Ee reflects on how the journey helped him confront loss, discover deeper meaning in life, and understand the importance of gratitude and forgiveness, themes that are central to the book.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
Australia exports more weapons and ammunition to the United Arab Emirates than to any other nation. This week, Team Defence Australia occupies a prominent spot at a weapons exhibition in Dubai. However, human rights groups are urging the government to halt defence exports to the UAE amid reports that its arms are being supplied to a militia accused of mass killings in Sudan. Senior journalists Ben Doherty and Henry Belot discuss with Nour Haydar Australia’s expanding involvement in the global arms trade.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
