India and Italy on Wednesday elevated their bilateral ties to a Special Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Rome. Both nations unveiled a Joint Strategic Action Plan for 2025-2029, focusing on trade, technology, and innovation. PM Modi highlighted the potential for collaboration in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, civil nuclear energy, and space exploration, stating that technology and innovation are the engines of the partnership.
Kerala Portfolio Allocation
Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar approved the portfolio allocation recommended by Chief Minister VD Satheesan, two days after the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government was sworn in. The UDF returned to power after a decade, defeating the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the April 9 assembly elections. Satheesan, who served as leader of opposition in the previous assembly, will oversee 35 departments, including finance, law, general administration, and ports.
WHO Warns of High Local Ebola Risk
The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that the risk of Ebola spreading in Congo and neighboring Uganda remains high at national and regional levels, though the global risk is currently considered low. The WHO emphasized that the outbreak does not meet the threshold to be declared a pandemic, but the spread of the virus suggests the outbreak may have begun several months ago.
Bhopal Police Urge Family to Take Twisha Sharma's Body
Bhopal police have urged Twisha Sharma's family to take custody of her body, warning that prolonged storage at AIIMS Bhopal could lead to decomposition as the mortuary lacks minus 80-degree preservation facilities. The family, alleging irregularities in the initial autopsy, has refused to accept the body and moved court seeking a second post-mortem.
Afghanistan Families Sell Daughters Due to Hunger
Disturbing instances have emerged from economically impoverished Afghanistan, where families are selling their young daughters to afford food, medical expenses, and debt relief. According to a BBC report from Afghanistan's Ghor province, fathers struggling with extreme poverty and unemployment said they have been forced into impossible choices as hunger deepens across the country.
