Deep-rooted son preference fuels sex-selective abortions in India, leading to millions of fewer female births by 2030. Despite legal bans, illegal networks facilitate prenatal sex determination and terminations, driven by cultural pressures and financial anxieties. While some areas show slow improvement in sex ratios, demand for sons persists.
Senator Rick Scott accused Pakistan of hypocrisy for mediating a US-Iran peace deal after PM Shehbaz Sharif attended Ayatollah Khamenei's funeral in Tehran, questioning Islamabad's credibility.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed SpudCell, a synthetic system built from chemicals that mimics key life behaviors like eating, growing, copying genetic material, and dividing. While not strictly alive, it's the first to integrate these functions into a complete life cycle in a lab, marking a significant step in synthetic biology.
Malik Tillman scored a historic direct free-kick, becoming the first USMNT player with multiple such goals in 60 years, but it wasn't enough as the United States lost 4-1 to Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16. Belgium advances to face Spain.
Ravichandran Ashwin expressed concern over Sanju Samson's sudden fall in India's T20I team, questioning if social media and outside pressure are influencing selection. Samson was dropped after poor scores, with Ashwin suggesting a reshuffle and criticizing the potential impact of external narratives on team decisions.
Pune is under an orange alert for heavy rainfall, with five deaths reported in two days due to rain-related incidents like landslides and wall collapses. Schools in seven talukas have been closed, and the district has already received over a month's average rainfall in less than a week.
PM Narendra Modi's visit to Indonesia (July 6-8) aims for strategic outcomes including defence pacts, critical mineral investments, and maritime infrastructure development. Agreements are expected on Astra missiles, BrahMos missile support, and Indonesia-specific EVMs, alongside joint development of Sabang Port.
