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A fresh political and legal clash is unfolding in New York City as U.S. President Donald Trump takes aim at Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s proposed tax on high-value second homes. Trump has criticised the measure, arguing that the tax could drive wealthy homeowners and investment away from New York City. He has also questioned whether the federal government has any legal authority to challenge the policy. Mamdani’s administration, however, says the measure is aimed at making the city more affordable and ensuring that owners of expensive properties that are not their primary residences contribute more towards the city’s finances. The proposed tax has already encountered a legal setback. A Staten Island court reportedly blocked its rollout, while the Mamdani administration has moved to appeal the decision and says it will defend the policy in court.

Ships are now waiting about 10 days for their turn to pass through the trade route linking the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The route is favoured by shippers, as it usually reduces cost and transit times, especially for large retailers and energy companies that trade between Asia and the US.

Millions across Europe are looking to the skies as the 2026 total solar eclipse creates a spectacular celestial event across parts of the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland and Spain. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves directly between Earth and the Sun, completely blocking the Sun’s disc for observers within the narrow path of totality. The Moon’s shadow temporarily darkens the sky, creating an extraordinary daytime spectacle. At maximum eclipse, totality is expected to last around 2 minutes and 18 seconds. The rare event has attracted huge crowds, with communities across Europe turning into viewing zones. The eclipse has also sparked a surge in demand for specialised eclipse glasses, with pharmacies, opticians and retailers reporting strong sales and some locations running out of stock.

A routine flight turned into a terrifying ordeal when Air India Flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi abruptly plunged 300 feet mid-air, injuring 24 passengers and crew members. While initial reports blamed severe turbulence, the incident has blown open into a massive aviation scandal. Laboratory results confirmed that the pilot-in-command tested positive for marijuana, alongside alarming crew complaints regarding erratic behavior in the cockpit.

Maharashtra is intensifying its crackdown on unsafe, substandard and adulterated food as the state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) steps up inspections across the food sector. In the latest action, the Maharashtra FDA has suspended the licences of three outlets of a leading pizza chain in Mumbai over alleged violations of food safety and hygiene regulations. In an exclusive conversation, Beyond's Principal Correspondent Disha Shah spoke with Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Dharam Munde, who explained the scale of the ongoing crackdown and the state's approach to strengthening food safety standards. The FDA commissioner stressed that violations of food safety regulations will not be tolerated and said the government is following a zero-tolerance policy towards unsafe, substandard and adulterated food. He also addressed concerns about bribery and political pressure during inspections, saying there is no question of political pressure and that strict action would be taken against both those offering and accepting bribes. The Maharashtra FDA has urged people to report any suspected corruption or food safety violations to the appropriate authorities.

India and Pakistan can only meet in a medal match at the 2026 Asian Games after being placed on opposite sides of the cricket tournament draw.

Ahead of the Awarapan 2 release, let's revisit the original 2007 film. Starring Emraan Hashmi as Shivam Pandit, a ruthless gangster whose life takes a turn when he meets the love of his life, it had a tragic ending.

The task force will “review the activities of visa holders worldwide to identify instances of birth tourism, take action to revoke visas of those who engage in or facilitate it, and dismantle the networks that profit from this abuse”.

The Russia-Ukraine war has witnessed another major escalation after Ukraine carried out an overnight strike on Novorossiysk, a key Russian Black Sea port and naval base. According to Ukrainian officials, the operation involved missiles, aerial drones and sea drones, targeting Russian air-defence systems and port infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the operation as unique and said it targeted what he called a major remaining stronghold of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. The attack reportedly damaged several buildings in Novorossiysk, including schools and a college, prompting local authorities to declare a state of emergency. Russia’s southern Krasnodar region also came under a major drone attack, with the regional governor saying several hundred drones were involved. Meanwhile, fuel shortages are reportedly emerging in Moscow and surrounding areas, with some petrol stations experiencing shortages. Ukraine has also accused Russia of intensifying strikes on fuel and logistical infrastructure, including petrol stations. Elsewhere, Ukrainian authorities reported Russian drone attacks in Zaporizhzhia, while Zelenskyy warned that Russia could be preparing for another military mobilisation. Moscow has denied the claim. Zelenskyy also accused Russia of using North Korean ballistic missiles in overnight attacks on Ukraine, including strikes targeting Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia. Watch the full report for the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war, Black Sea naval operations, Russian attacks, Ukrainian drone strikes and the growing military escalation.

The security situation in Balochistan is escalating as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claims to have carried out 38 operations across the province in eight days. According to the claims cited in the report, the attacks targeted Pakistani military convoys, armoured vehicles, camps and patrols, along with police posts, trade routes, bridges, railway infrastructure and commercial vehicles. The BLA has also claimed casualties among Pakistani security personnel and the seizure of military equipment. Pakistani authorities have not independently verified all of the BLA's claims. The latest developments come amid reports of intensified clashes between Baloch militants and Pakistani security forces. The report also cites allegations of Pakistani airstrikes in Balochistan that reportedly killed civilians, including women and children.

Love can be deadly in the animal kingdom, and few examples are stranger than the male redback spider. Scientists say the spider’s bizarre death somersault during mating may be hardwired into its DNA. In a remarkable act of self sacrifice, the male flips toward the female during mating, dramatically increasing the chances of being eaten. Why would evolution favor such a deadly strategy? The answer reveals one of nature’s most fascinating survival stories.

A vandalised Wikipedia page falsely declared OpenAI CEO Sam Altman dead at 41. Google briefly picked up the fake information before removing it.

Israel captured the the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 six-day war. Syria attempted to retake it during the 1973 war but failed. Israel expanded its military presence beyond the Golan ceasefire line in 2024, following the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

Trump’s latest immigration crackdown is facing fresh scrutiny after the death of a Salvadoran citizen in ICE detention. A report recommending the use of electric shock gloves has added to the controversy, triggering questions over treatment, accountability and detainee rights. As immigration enforcement intensifies, the debate over how far authorities should go is becoming increasingly heated.

UNESCO has warned that the Taliban’s continued ban on girls’ and women’s education could cause decades of damage to Afghanistan’s social and economic future. An estimated 2.4 million Afghan girls have been excluded from secondary education since 2021, while women have also been barred from attending universities. Afghanistan remains the only country where girls and women are formally prevented from accessing secondary and higher education. UNESCO estimates that the restrictions could push nearly 600,000 women out of the workforce by 2066, potentially resulting in around $9.6 billion in cumulative income losses. The UN agency has also warned of a shortage of more than 11,000 qualified female teachers by 2030. More than 2 million primary-school children are already out of school for reasons beyond the ban on girls’ education.

Social media users mocked Trump’s reported secret plane switch in Turkey, with memes referencing Iran threats, airport catering carts and Obama and Biden

The operation began in Mumbai after the Kalachowky unit of ATS received information about the suspected drug consignment. Acting on the tip-off, investigators intercepted a suspect near a hotel in Bandra on Tuesday. The suspect was allegedly carrying 2.050 kg of methamphetamine.

The LA Lakers are being sold to former Disney CEO Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner for a record $12.5 billion, breaking all sports franchise sale records.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay is stepping up his opposition to the Centre over the proposed FCRA amendment legislation. His party TVK has urged the government to withdraw the bill, raising concerns over changes to rules governing foreign contributions. The move marks a sharper political challenge to the BJP and could add another layer to Tamil Nadu’s increasingly competitive political landscape.