India’s Central Bureau of Investigation has formed a team of 53 officers, including 29 women, to investigate the recent violence that broke out in the north-eastern state of Manipur.
The remote province has since May 3 suffered a series of violent episodes over ethnic divisions, leading to condemnation and allegations that authorities were unable to control the situation.
More than 180 people have been killed in clashes between the Meitei Hindus and the Christian Kukis that arose over a proposed government policy that would have benefitted the majority Hindu community.
But many victims, mostly Kukis, accuse state police of siding with the Meiteis, prompting the federal government to transfer the case to the central investigation agency.
Villages have been burnt, leaving tens of thousands of people homeless.
While the state police filed more than 6,500 cases of arson, looting and destruction of property, there was hardly any headway in prosecuting the accused even after India’s top court criticised Manipur police over the handling of the complaints.
State authorities told the court that they were investigating one case of fatal sexual violence, three gang-rape cases, 72 cases of murder, and four cases of sexual assault.
India’s Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had earlier submitted to the Supreme Court that the CBI would investigate 12 cases involving female victims.
This is the first time such a large number of women officers are being simultaneously deputised.
The team includes three deputy inspector generals of police, one superintendent of police, 16 inspectors and 10 sub-inspectors.
The agency has registered eight cases, including the incident of the stripping and parading of two tribal women by a mob on May 4, which sparked a furore after video of the incident appeared on social media on July 16.
Tens of thousands of security personnel have been stationed in the region, where ordinary villagers are arming themselves to guard their respective territories, and armed militias engage each other in daily gunfights.
During search operations on Wednesday, security forces recovered eight firearms and 112 rounds of ammunition from districts in the state.
The line up
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Saturday: Nas, Lion Bbae, Roxanne Shante and DaniLeigh
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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TERMINAL HIGH ALTITUDE AREA DEFENCE (THAAD)
What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US's most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out ballistic missiles as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
THAAD can target projectiles inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 150 kilometres above the Earth's surface.
Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then stationed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
Points tally
1. Australia 52; 2. New Zealand 44; 3. South Africa 36; 4. Sri Lanka 35; 5. UAE 27; 6. India 27; 7. England 26; 8. Singapore 8; 9. Malaysia 3
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The Two Popes
Director: Fernando Meirelles
Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce
Four out of five stars
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani