Kyrgyzstan takes down Central Asia’s tallest Lenin statue

Microsoft says cyber-espionage campaign ‘poses high risk’ to foreign embassies, diplomats and other groups in Moscow.Microsoft has accused Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) of a cyber-espionage campaign targeting foreign embassies in Moscow, using local ISPs to deploy malware and create backdoors for data theft. This ongoing threat, identified as "Secret Blizzard," poses significant risks to diplomatic entities relying on local internet services, amid heightened geopolitical tensions. Want More Context? 🔎

The U.S. imposed sanctions on Palestinian Authority officials and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization, citing their actions undermining peace efforts with Israel, while Canada, France, and Britain moved towards recognizing Palestinian statehood. The sanctions include visa denials but do not specify individuals; they were timed with an international conference aimed at a two-state solution, amid ongoing violence and humanitarian crises in Gaza. Want More Context? 🔎

Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh won her third gold medal at the Singapore 2025 World Aquatics Championships, finishing the 200-metre butterfly in 2:01.99, just shy of the world record. With this victory, she moves closer to matching Michael Phelps' record of five individual titles at a single world championship, having already secured wins in the 400-metre freestyle and 200-metre individual medley. Want More Context? 🔎

A resurgence of acid rain concerns has arisen with the detection of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a persistent "forever chemical," in various environments, including rainfall, rivers, and even human urine. While the environmental impact of TFA remains uncertain, its increasing prevalence poses potential threats to ecosystems and human health, prompting calls for regulatory action. Want More Context? 🔎

Vishwa Mohan is a Senior Editor at The Times of India, specializing in environment, climate change, agriculture, water resources, and clean energy, while also tracking policy issues and climate diplomacy. Having covered Parliament since 2003, he has a deep understanding of how politics influences domestic policy and India's role on the global stage, previously focusing on internal security and investigative agencies for over a decade. Want More Context? 🔎

Trade Minister Todd McClay indicated that US President Donald Trump may impose tariffs of 15% or even 20% on over 125 countries, including New Zealand, as announced during his Liberation Day speech. While Trump has reached 11 trade deals and paused tariff increases for Mexico, McClay noted a lack of detail regarding the implications of these agreements. Want More Context? 🔎