Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and workers staged a protest outside the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, accusing the Congress government of failing to fulfil its promises related to employment and government jobs. The demonstration took place during the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, with BJP members raising slogans against the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led government. The Opposition alleged that despite making major commitments to create jobs, the Congress government had failed to provide adequate employment opportunities to the state's youth.
Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said the Congress had promised to provide one lakh government jobs during its first Cabinet meeting after coming to power. He said the party had subsequently promised to create five lakh jobs during its five-year term. Thakur claimed that almost four years had passed since the Congress government assumed office, but the employment promises had not been delivered. He also alleged that the number of government employees in the state had declined rather than increased.
According to Thakur, the government workforce during the previous BJP administration had reached around 1.9 lakh, while the figure had now dropped to approximately 1.71 lakh. He argued that the decline raised questions over the government's claims of generating employment and said the BJP would continue to raise the issue in the Assembly under Rule 120.
The former Chief Minister said the Opposition's primary objective was to ensure that unemployed people in Himachal Pradesh received meaningful employment opportunities. He maintained that job creation should remain a priority for the state government, particularly for young people looking for stable careers. The BJP protest also targeted the government's decision to restart lottery operations in Himachal Pradesh. Thakur demanded that the move be withdrawn, arguing that the state should not promote another potentially addictive activity at a time when it is already dealing with concerns surrounding drug abuse.
He said the government should instead concentrate on strengthening the economy and generating sustainable employment. According to Thakur, while a lottery may provide financial gains to a limited number of people, it cannot serve as a reliable foundation for the state's economic development. Thakur also criticised the government's approach towards cannabis cultivation. He questioned the financial benefits of the policy and asked the government to explain how much revenue had actually been generated from the move.
He recalled that a committee had previously been formed to study cannabis cultivation and assess its possible implications. Thakur claimed that the committee had not recommended legalising cultivation in the manner subsequently pursued by the government. He said the government had yet to provide sufficient clarity on the expected economic gains or actual revenue generated. The BJP leader further attacked the Sukhu government over alleged delays in salaries and other dues owed to government employees and pensioners. He claimed that employees and retired workers had repeatedly staged protests across the state over pending payments.
Thakur questioned the government's handling of its finances, saying that while the administration had cited financial difficulties, employees continued to raise concerns over their outstanding dues. He alleged that the Chief Minister had not provided satisfactory answers on the issue. The Opposition leader also claimed that there was growing dissatisfaction among people over the functioning of the state government. He said unemployment, financial difficulties, employee payments and other issues would continue to be raised by the BJP during the Assembly session.
The employment issue is expected to remain a key point of debate during the ongoing Monsoon Session. The BJP has indicated that it will continue questioning the Congress government over its job promises while demanding measures aimed at creating stable employment opportunities for Himachal Pradesh's youth. With the Assembly session underway, the political confrontation between the BJP and Congress is likely to intensify over employment, the state's financial position, government employees' dues, lottery operations and the proposed cannabis cultivation policy.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Mozilla has introduced a built-in ad blocker for Firefox on iOS, giving iPhone and iPad users more control over third-party advertisements and ad-related tracking. The feature is integrated directly into the browser, meaning users do not need to install a separate extension to reduce unwanted ads while browsing.
The new Ad Blocker is designed to limit many third-party advertisements, trackers, pop-ups and intrusive overlays before they load. Mozilla says the feature uses Apple's WebKit Content Blocker technology along with the EasyList filter list to identify content that should be blocked. It is turned off by default, allowing users to decide whether they want to activate it.
Mozilla's ad-blocking tool also works alongside Firefox's existing Enhanced Tracking Protection. While Enhanced Tracking Protection focuses on limiting trackers and cross-site tracking, the new feature is specifically aimed at reducing third-party advertising and related content that can make webpages more cluttered.
Firefox's new tool will not remove every advertisement. Ads displayed directly by the website being visited may still appear, while advertisements included in search results will also remain visible. Mozilla has further clarified that sponsored shortcuts and other sponsored content displayed on Firefox's New Tab page are separate from website advertising and are not affected by the new blocker.
The company said the addition comes after years of requests from Firefox users who wanted a built-in ad-blocking option on iPhones. Mozilla also pointed to Apple's restrictions on extensions as a major reason for integrating the functionality directly into the browser. Firefox offers a wide range of extensions on desktop and Android, including tools for content blocking, accessibility, password management and other features. Mozilla says almost 40 per cent of Firefox users make use of its extension ecosystem. On iOS, however, Mozilla cannot provide extensions in exactly the same way because of Apple's platform rules.
According to Mozilla, Apple's App Review Guidelines generally require iOS applications to remain self-contained and restrict apps from downloading or executing code that can alter an app's functionality. Because of these limitations, Mozilla opted to build the ad-blocking technology directly into Firefox for iOS rather than relying on a conventional browser extension.
For users who want to enable the feature, Firefox provides the option through its settings. On an iPhone or iPad, users can open Firefox, tap the menu button at the bottom of the screen, enter Settings, select Browsing and then choose Ad Blocker. The feature can be activated from there and disabled again at any time.
The addition gives Firefox users on Apple's mobile devices another way to customize their browsing experience. While it does not promise a completely ad-free web, the built-in blocker can reduce many third-party advertisements and tracking elements without requiring users to install additional software.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Mozilla.
Bollywood actor Sonu Sood on Tuesday visited Trishuli Bazar, one of the areas badly affected by the devastating floods in Nepal, to assess the situation and understand the difficulties faced by people on the ground. During his visit, Sood met several residents and listened to their accounts of the destruction caused by the floods. He expressed concern over the hardships faced by families who have lost homes, belongings and livelihoods in the disaster.
The actor described the scale of the devastation and praised the Indian government for extending assistance to Nepal during the crisis. Sood also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India's relief efforts and stressed that Nepal would need continued support as it begins the long process of rebuilding. Sood said that the impact of the disaster would not be resolved within a few weeks or months. After meeting affected families personally, he said it was clear that sustained assistance would be necessary to help communities recover and gradually return to normal life.
The floods have caused extensive destruction across Nepal and resulted in a major loss of life. According to Nepal Police figures released on Wednesday, the death toll has risen to 1,127. Police said bodies had been recovered from several affected districts, including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan, Gorkha, Tanahun, Nawalparasi East and Nawalparasi West. Nine additional bodies were recovered in India.
Nepal Police said that 95 of the recovered bodies had so far been identified and handed over to their families. The authorities are continuing efforts to identify those who remain unaccounted for. Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah earlier said the government was following legal and scientific procedures while handling unidentified bodies. He said DNA samples and other evidence were being preserved to help establish the identities of victims. The process is being carried out with assistance from the Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force Nepal, while identified bodies are being returned to their relatives.
The disaster has also prompted international rescue efforts. Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said specialised tunnel rescue teams from India and China had been mobilised alongside the Nepal Army at critical hydropower facilities following severe flash floods linked to the Bhote Koshi River. The teams are assisting with operations at key infrastructure sites as Nepal deals with the widespread damage caused by the floods. The deployment comes as authorities work to restore essential services and support communities affected by the disaster.
Sood's visit has highlighted the scale of the humanitarian crisis and the challenges that lie ahead for flood-hit communities. His call for continued assistance reflects the growing need for long-term relief and reconstruction as Nepal works to recover from one of its most devastating flood disasters.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
A 32-year-old Bank of America vice president and new mother was fatally stabbed in New York City's Times Square in what police described as a random and unprovoked attack. Erin Piacenti was attacked on Monday afternoon near West 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue, one of the busiest areas of Manhattan. She was taken to Bellevue Hospital after suffering stab wounds but later died from her injuries, according to authorities.
Police said the violence began when a woman armed with knives allegedly attacked a 68-year-old man in the area. The man was also taken to a hospital and was reported to be in stable condition. Investigators said the attacker then moved along Seventh Avenue before Piacenti was stabbed. The suspect was identified as 49-year-old Pamela Cisneros, a Queens resident. Police said officers encountered her carrying two large knives and ordered her to drop the weapons. Officers also attempted to use Tasers, but authorities said she continued moving toward them. Two officers subsequently opened fire, and Cisneros was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
The circumstances surrounding the police shooting are being investigated separately by the NYPD's Force Investigation Division. Piacenti worked as a vice president in Bank of America's Business Selection and Conflicts division. She had joined the bank around 18 months before her death and had a legal background. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania before earning a law degree from Fordham Law School in 2021.
Her death has drawn particular attention because Piacenti had recently become a mother. Reports said she had spent several months on maternity leave caring for her infant daughter before returning to work. She had also recently celebrated her second wedding anniversary with her husband, Frank Piacenti. Bank of America expressed its grief over the death of Piacenti, describing her as a valued colleague and friend. The company said its security teams were assisting authorities with the investigation.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said there was no indication that Piacenti had been specifically targeted. Authorities have characterized the stabbing as random and unprovoked, while the motive remains under investigation. Investigators are also examining the suspect's background. Police said Cisneros had previous mental-health-related encounters, although authorities have not established that as a definitive explanation for the attack.
The stabbing has once again raised concerns about safety in Times Square, a major tourist and commercial hub that draws large crowds every day. The incident unfolded during the afternoon in an area normally filled with pedestrians, businesses and visitors. For Piacenti's family, the attack brought an abrupt end to a life that had recently entered a new chapter. She was building a career in New York's financial sector while raising her young daughter and had only recently returned to her professional routine. The NYPD investigation into the stabbing remains ongoing, while authorities continue to review the officers' use of deadly force during the confrontation with the suspect.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.
Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma has become the first woman officer from a non-medical branch of the Indian Armed Forces to attain the two-star rank. She took charge as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters on September 1. Joining the IAF Education Branch in 1994, Sharma has held key positions at training establishments, field stations and Air Headquarters. She was also the first woman non-medical Group Captain in the IAF and the first woman officer from the three services to command a Sainik School. Her elevation marks another significant milestone for women in India's armed forces.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from IAF/X.
As floods continue to affect communities across Nepal and Tibet, the Red Cross is assessing the urgent humanitarian needs, efforts to locate missing people and the difficulties involved in delivering assistance to hard-hit areas. Elakeyaa Selvaraji and Hairianto Diman also examine how the Singapore Red Cross’s S$50,000 humanitarian contribution will aid relief operations, the circumstances that could lead to a deployment in Nepal and how members of the public in Singapore can support the response. They discuss these issues with Benjamin William, Secretary General and CEO of the Singapore Red Cross.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
When Jackson Pollock created Blue Poles, one of the defining works of American abstract expressionism, he could hardly have imagined that the painting would later become the centre of a major cultural and political debate in Australia. The artwork drew the attention of figures ranging from former prime minister Gough Whitlam to the Shah of Iran before ultimately finding a home at Canberra’s National Gallery, where it came to represent Australia’s growing embrace of modern art and cultural ambition. As Blue Poles prepares to move from Canberra to Perth, Guardian Australia political editor Tom McIlroy joins Rafqa Touma to explore the remarkable intersection of art, politics and national identity surrounding the painting. Their discussion draws on McIlroy’s book, Blue Poles: Jackson Pollock, Gough Whitlam and the Painting That Changed a Nation, which examines how one American artwork became deeply woven into Australia’s cultural and political history.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
The White House has announced the threat of sanctions against countries that continue to conduct trade with Iran, intensifying Washington’s efforts to put further economic pressure on Tehran as its military campaign faces mounting challenges. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent unveiled what he described as “Operation Economic Outcast”, drawing a comparison with the historic D-Day invasion to underline the scale of the economic measures being pursued against Iran. The strategy aims to deepen Iran’s economic isolation by discouraging other countries from maintaining commercial ties with Tehran. However, China, Iran’s largest trading partner, has already indicated that it is unlikely to support or comply with President Donald Trump’s efforts to target the Iranian economy. The latest measures come as the Trump administration looks to increase pressure on Tehran and force an end to the conflict. The move raises questions over how effective the economic campaign will be and whether Washington can persuade major trading partners to join its strategy. Lucy Hough discusses the latest developments with Julian Borger, senior international correspondent, examining the US pressure campaign, China’s position and what the economic escalation could mean for the wider conflict.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
More than two years after Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom was killed by Israeli forces while travelling with a World Central Kitchen humanitarian convoy, Israel has cleared the soldiers involved of criminal responsibility. The decision has drawn strong criticism, including from Frankcom’s family and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who described it as an “outrage.” With increasing demands for accountability, an apology and possible compensation, political editor Tom McIlroy discusses with Reged Ahmad what the decision means for Australia-Israel relations and whether ties between the two countries have reached a new low.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
