World

Foreign media report that Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, is reportedly preparing to present photographs and scientific evidence to prove her gender identity as a woman.

The allegations arose after American political commentator Candace Owens claimed that Brigitte Macron, the French first lady, was born male.

In response, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, have taken legal action in a U.S. court against Owens.

Their lawyer, Tom Clare, told the media that such defamatory statements affect not only anyone with a professional or family life but also President Macron in his capacity as the head of state.

He further stated that scientific expert evidence will be presented in due course and that the couple is fully prepared to demonstrate that the allegations are entirely false.

Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison briefly overtook Elon Musk as the world’s richest person this week, after Oracle’s shares jumped more than 40% on strong forecasts for its cloud and AI business. His fortune hit $393 billion, edging past Musk’s $385 billion, according to Forbes. By the end of the day, however, a dip in Oracle’s stock put Musk back on top.

Musk, who has held the top spot for nearly a year, faces challenges as Tesla shares slide amid political backlash and reduced US support for electric vehicles. Still, he could receive a pay package worth $1 trillion if ambitious targets are met.

Ellison, 81, has expanded his influence beyond software, aligning closely with President Trump. He has backed Project Stargate, a US-based AI initiative, and Oracle has been floated as a potential buyer for TikTok, which faces a possible US ban. Recently, Ellison also helped finance his son David’s $8 billion takeover of Paramount Global, adding media ambitions to his growing empire.

Indian troops have participated in the Russian-led Zapad-2025 military drills, Russian state agency TASS said on Tuesday, highlighting Moscow’s close ties with New Delhi, whose growing ties with the United States have been strained by the imposition of hefty tariffs by President Donald Trump.

The Indian Ministry of Defence confirmed that it had sent 65 armed forces personnel to participate in the five-day military exercise, a theatrical demonstration of firepower conducted jointly by Russia and Belarus to test their combat readiness in the event of an invasion.

The manoeuvres, which featured 100,000 troops in a display of might that included nuclear-capable bombers and warships, took place at a time of heightened tension with NATO countries, coming just days after the downing of Russian drones in Poland last week.

“Today we are conducting the final part of the Zapad 2025 strategic exercise,” said Putin, wearing a military uniform.

India was not the only foreign power involved, with “task forces and military contingents” from Iran, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Mali also joining in, TASS reported, citing the Kremlin.

But India’s participation, led by a battalion of the highly respected Kumaon Regiment and aimed at strengthening “the spirit of cooperation and mutual trust” with Russia, will have raised eyebrows amid signs that the US may be losing a key ally in Asia, seen as an important counterweight to China.

Strains emerged between the two countries last month after the Trump administration imposed 50 percent tariffs on Indian imports, accusing New Delhi of fuelling Moscow’s deadly attacks on Ukraine with its purchases of Russian oil.

Earlier this month, Trump seemed to confirm the rift, posting on social media that both India and Russia appeared to have been “lost” to “deepest, darkest China” as the three countries cozied up at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin.

India-US ties back on track?

But last week, Trump announced on X that India and the US are continuing negotiations to address trade barriers between the two nations. He previously accused India of imposing high tariffs on US goods.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded to Trump’s post on X, saying: “India and the US are close friends and natural partners”.

“I am confident that our trade negotiations will pave the way for unlocking the limitless potential of the India-US partnership,” Modi added.

On Tuesday, Modi thanked Trump for wishing him a happy 75th birthday.

“Thank you, my friend, President Trump, for your phone call and warm greetings on my 75th birthday. Like you, I am also fully committed to taking the India-US Comprehensive and Global Partnership to new heights,” he posted on X.

This is not the first time that India has participated in Russian military exercises. In 2021, shortly before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, New Delhi said it sent an unspecified number of troops to Russia’s Volgograd region to join activities linked to “Counter Terrorism and Conventional operations”.

India’s ties with Russia go back to the erstwhile USSR, which provided extensive help to the Indian economy. Throughout the Cold War, India chose to remain non-aligned, but it sourced most of its weapons from the Soviet Union.

New Delhi still buys most of its defence equipment from Moscow, but over the past two decades, it has attempted to diversify its weapons imports.

Iran-Russia continue strategic alignment

Iran also participated in this year’s Zapad, according to the TASS, though the presence of its troops was not confirmed by official channels.

Tehran is known to be a close strategic partner of Russia, supplying it with self-detonating Shahed drones used in the Ukraine war and, according to Western intelligence sources, ballistic missiles.

This year, the two countries signed a “comprehensive strategic partnership treaty”, deepening their relationship on military and other fronts.

Tehran and Moscow launched a joint military drill in the Caspian Sea after Israel launched bombings of Iran, leading to 12 days of war. The US also joined the war after targeting an Iranian nuclear site with bunker buster bombs.

On Tuesday, the US confirmed that its military officials observed the military drills the previous day after accepting an invitation to the event.

The US presence on the sidelines comes as it tries to wrestle Russia into bringing its war in Ukraine to an end, while seeking closer ties with Belarus.

(lankaleader.lk)

A new UNICEF report reveals that more school-age children and adolescents are now obese than underweight, with 188 million young people affected globally. Obesity now surpasses underweight in almost all regions except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Over the past 25 years, the number of overweight children has doubled from 194 million to 391 million, with a large portion classified as obese. The highest obesity rates are found in Pacific Island nations like Niue (38%), the Cook Islands (37%), and Nauru (33%). High-income countries also show significant levels, including Chile (27%) and the United States and UAE (21%).

UNICEF warns that obesity is a serious health risk, leading to conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and even cancer. Poor diets, particularly high consumption of ultra-processed foods, are a major contributor.

The report also highlights socioeconomic differences: in high-income countries, obesity is more common among poorer children, while in low-income countries, wealthier children are more at risk due to access to energy-dense foods. In middle-income countries, obesity affects children across all income groups.

While the prevalence of underweight children aged 5-19 has declined from 13% in 2000 to 9.2%, undernutrition remains a major concern for children under five, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

UNICEF emphasizes that malnutrition now includes both underweight and obesity, and addressing unhealthy diets is critical for children’s growth, development, and long-term health.

Israel has launched a major ground assault on Gaza City, an operation reportedly planned for some time.

According to foreign media reports, the offensive was accompanied by heavy airstrikes carried out late last night (16).

Hamas stated that in the past 24 hours alone, Israeli attacks have killed 59 people and injured at least 386 others.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the operation was being conducted against what he described as Hamas’ last major stronghold, despite mounting criticism from the United Kingdom and other nations.

Foreign media report that amid escalating protests, approximately 900 prisoners have escaped from two prisons in western Nepal.

Meanwhile, in response to the unrest, Nepal’s security forces, including the military, have been tasked with maintaining law and order. Following widespread protests that resulted in multiple fatalities, Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned from his position.

During the protests, which continued despite the imposition of curfews, several high-profile locations were set on fire, including Prime Minister Oli’s residence, President Ram Chandra Poudel’s residence, the offices of the ruling Nepali Congress Party, and the homes of other political figures.

Subsequently, protesters also attempted to set fire to the Nepalese Parliament complex and the Supreme Court. Social media reports indicate that Finance Minister, former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, and his wife, the current Foreign Minister, were reportedly attacked by demonstrators.

Other locations affected included the Singha Durbar building in Kathmandu, several hotels, media institutions, and the airport.

Amid the ongoing unrest, the Nepalese military has assumed control of governance in affected areas and has intervened to manage the violent activities. The military chief has appealed to the public to act calmly.

The military has also reported that certain groups have exploited the crisis to engage in looting, arson, property destruction, and even attempted sexual assaults.

The protests began primarily in response to the government’s decision to block 26 social media platforms in Nepal. A large portion of the demonstrators are young people from the new generation.

Following these unfortunate events, the Nepalese government restored access to all social media platforms. However, the protesters, expressing strong anger against the government, continued their demonstrations, contributing to the ongoing unrest.

Nepal’s tourism industry has suffered a severe setback following the recent wave of protests.

According to international media reports, tourist arrivals have dropped by nearly 30 percent amid the ongoing unrest. The decline is particularly significant as this period normally marks a peak season for visitors, especially those traveling for mountain trekking.

Reports further highlight that in Kathmandu’s bustling Thamel tourist district, shops and restaurants have been left deserted due to the instability.

The violent demonstrations in Nepal have already claimed 72 lives, while more than 2,000 others have been injured.

Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has resigned following the country’s worst unrest in decades, in which at least 19 people were killed and hundreds injured. The protests, led by Generation Z youths aged 13 to 28, were sparked by a government social media ban, anger over entrenched corruption, and limited economic opportunities.

Security forces used live ammunition, water cannons, and tear gas as demonstrations swept across multiple cities. Despite a curfew, protesters returned to the streets of Kathmandu on Tuesday, setting fire to a police booth and furniture outside the Nepali Congress office. The capital’s international airport was shut down due to the violence.

Nepal, a Himalayan nation of 30 million, has experienced political turbulence since becoming a republic in 2008, but the latest protests mark the most severe unrest in years.

What Triggered Nepal’s Youth-Led Uprising?

Public discontent over decades of corruption in Nepal erupted into nationwide protests after the government blocked major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and X, citing new rules against misinformation and hate speech. Rights groups widely condemned the ban, which saw 26 platforms go offline overnight.

While the social media restrictions ignited the demonstrations, organizers emphasize that the unrest reflects broader frustration among Nepal’s youth over limited economic opportunities. Youth unemployment stood at 20.8% in 2024, according to the World Bank, and dissatisfaction has been amplified by a viral online backlash against “Nepo Kids,” the children of politicians flaunting lavish lifestyles.

Nepal’s economy remains heavily dependent on remittances from abroad, accounting for 33.1% of GDP in 2024. Protesters say corruption, inequality, and the mass migration of young people are driving their calls for systemic change.

Protests Turn Deadly in Nepal

Violence erupted Monday outside Nepal’s parliament in Kathmandu as police clashed with thousands of mostly young protesters. Security forces fired rubber bullets and tear gas, while demonstrators set fire to an ambulance and threw objects at riot police.

At least 19 people were killed—17 in Kathmandu and two in Itahari—and more than 400 were injured, according to hospital and health ministry reports.

International groups condemned the crackdown, with the UN rights office calling for a transparent investigation and Amnesty International warning that the use of lethal force against non-threatening protesters violates international law.

Government Stands Cornered Amid Nationwide Uprising

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned Tuesday following mounting political pressure and the resignations of several ministers, including the home, agriculture, water, and health ministers, over the government’s handling of the protests. The government also lifted the social media ban that had sparked the unrest.

Before stepping down, Oli expressed sorrow over the violence but blamed “vested interest groups” for infiltrating the demonstrations. Opposition leaders, including Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa, demanded his resignation, condemning the killing of young protesters and urging his party to withdraw from the government.

Nepal’s largest newspaper also joined calls for Oli’s departure, stating he could no longer remain in office after the bloodshed.

(Source - CNN)

A report has revealed that by the year 2050, 1.5 million people living in coastal areas of Australia will be exposed to the impacts of rising sea levels.

Australia’s National Climate Risk Assessment indicates that due to climate change, Australians face a persistent risk of being affected by natural disasters such as floods, cyclones, heavy rainfall, and bushfires.

Commenting on the matter, Australia’s Minister for Climate Change, Chris Bowen, stated that Australians are already confronting these climate-related hazards, and that necessary measures must be taken to minimize the impacts in the future.

The report further highlights that the average temperature in Australia has already risen by 1.5 degrees Celsius, and if this trend continues, the number of deaths caused by heat-related events could increase by up to 400 percent.

Thailand’s Supreme Court has sentenced former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to one year in prison, ruling that his prior hospital stay in lieu of incarceration was unlawful. Thaksin, 76, who served as prime minister from 2001 until his ouster in a 2006 coup, returned from 15 years of self-imposed exile in 2023 and was initially sentenced to eight years on charges of corruption, abuse of power, and conflict of interest. His term was subsequently commuted to one year by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, before he was released on parole in February 2024, having spent his confinement in a hospital rather than a prison cell.

Owen Cooper has become the youngest actor to win an award at the Emmy Awards held in the United States.

He received this award for his performance in the television series Adolescents.

According to international media reports, Owen Cooper is currently 15 years old.

Meanwhile, at the same Emmy Awards ceremony, Seth Rogen won the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, while Jean Smart was honored as the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that Venezuelan military jets flying over American naval vessels would be shot down if such actions resulted in danger.

This warning came after Venezuelan aircraft flew near a U.S. Navy ship off the coast of South America for the second time in two days.

President Trump further alleged that Venezuela had become a hub for drug trafficking and that members of “Tren de Aragua,” a gang banned in the United States as a terrorist organization, were residing there.

In response, the U.S. military has deployed additional naval vessels, Marines, and sailors to curb drug trafficking and has strengthened its military presence in the southern Caribbean region.

During Trump’s first term, the United States had also leveled accusations against senior Venezuelan officials over drug trafficking, terrorism, corruption, and various other offenses.