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The Seine must be able to defend itself, as a subject of law and not as an object, because it will always be under attack,” said Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo.

French authorities want to give legal rights to the River Seine to better defend the world-famous waterway in court and protect its fragile ecosystem, part of a global movement to grant legal personhood to nature.

In a resolution adopted on Wednesday, the Paris City Council called on parliament to pass a law granting the Seine legal personhood to enable “an independent guardian authority to defend its rights in court”.

“The Seine must be able to defend itself, as a subject of law and not as an object, because it will always be under attack,” said Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo.

Conservationists have backed granting fragile ecosystems such as rivers and mountains basic legal rights to better protect them.

In a world first, New Zealand in 2017 recognised the Whanganui River revered by Indigenous people as a living entity, with legislation combining Western legal precedent and Maori beliefs.

In 2022, Spain granted personhood status to the Mar Menor, one of Europe’s largest saltwater lagoons, to give its threatened ecosystem better protection.

The Paris Council based its decision on the conclusions of a citizens’ convention on the future of the Seine held between March and May.

Fifty citizens chosen at random proposed granting the Seine fundamental rights such as “the right to exist, to flow and to regenerate”.

The Seine must be considered an ecosystem that “no one can claim ownership of”, where the preservation of life must “take precedence over everything”, the convention concluded.

It also noted “positive” change, with the Seine now home to around 40 species of fish, compared to only four in 1970.

French authorities spent $1.5 billion ahead of the 2024 Olympics to clean up the Seine, the 777-kilometre (482-mile) river that flows through Paris past the Louvre, Notre Dame cathedral and other iconic landmarks.

However, it is threatened by pollution, rising water temperatures and the use of pesticides in agriculture.

The opening of the river to the public for swimming this summer could present “additional risks”, warned the convention.

Fulfilling a key legacy promise from the Paris Games, authorities are to allow the public to swim from July 5 at three points in the Seine, which is now deemed safe for a dip.

Trump Putin Phone Call: “Putin said very strongly that he will have to respond to Ukraine’s drone attack,” President Trump said immediately after getting off the phone with his Russian counterpart.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke for more than an hour during which the Russian leader made it very clear that Moscow will “have to respond” to the daring drone attack launched by Ukraine deep inside Russia.

“Putin said very strongly that he will have to respond to Ukraine’s drone attack,” President Trump said immediately after getting off the phone with his Russian counterpart.

On Sunday, Ukraine carried out what has been described by war analysts as the most audacious drone attack in military history, targeting and destroying Russian Air Force jets parked at strategic air bases deep inside Russian territory. The attack left dozens of Russia’s strategic bombers, transport aircraft, and airborne warning aircraft decimated.

Moscow was caught off-guard presumably over the fact that these airbases are located so far inside Russia that the sheer distance was enough to keep aircraft safe from a Ukrainian attack. The attack has given a huge boost to Kyiv’s morale, while creating a big dent on the morale of Moscow. Though peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow went as planned a day after the stunning attack, the conflict has intensified in the last 48 hours.

Meanwhile, President Trump spoke with President Putin today. “I just finished speaking, by telephone, with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia. The call lasted approximately one hour and 15 minutes. We discussed the attack on Russia’s docked airplanes, by Ukraine, and also various other attacks that have been taking place by both sides,” President Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social.

President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields,” President Trump revealed. The Russian President’s warning comes two days after Ukraine’s Zelensky claimed that as many as 41 Russian military jets were destroyed in the Trojan-horse styled attack, in which drones were sent secretly concealed in container trucks before being deployed remotely.

The air bases targeted by Ukraine were the Belaya Air Base in Siberia’s Irkutsk, the Olenya Air Base in the Arctic region’s Murmansk, the Ivanovo Severny Air Base in Ivanovo, the Dyagilevo Air Base in Ryazan, and Ukrainka Air Base in Russia’s Far East. While the nearest of these air bases is located more than 500 km from the Ukraine border, the farthest one is located as much as 8,000 km from the border.

These attacks are being called the most audacious in military history due to its scale and reach. Though western allies have supplied Ukraine with missiles too – the US-made ATACMS and the British-French-made Storm Shadow – neither has the range to hit these air bases located deep inside Russian territory.

During the call on Tuesday, Presidents Trump and Putin “also discussed Iran, and the fact that time is running out on Iran’s decision pertaining to nuclear weapons, which must be made quickly! I stated to President Putin that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and, on this, I believe that we were in agreement,” President Trump said.

“President Putin suggested that he will participate in the discussions with Iran and that he could, perhaps, be helpful in getting this brought to a rapid conclusion. It is my opinion that Iran has been slowwalking their decision on this very important matter, and we will need a definitive answer in a very short period of time,” the US President stated.

He also wished a swift recovery for the injured in the incident. The Congress leader said the Karnataka government must give full support to those affected and stressed that safety rules must be strictly followed at all public events

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday called the stampede near Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB’s IPL victory celebrations “heartbreaking” and expressed condolences to the families of the victims, which claimed 11 lives.

He also wished a swift recovery for the injured in the incident. The Congress leader said the Karnataka government must give full support to those affected and stressed that safety rules must be strictly followed at all public events.

Taking to social media, X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, “The tragic stampede near Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB’s IPL victory celebrations is heartbreaking. My condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. Wishing a swift and full recovery to all those injured.”

He also said that this tragedy is a painful reminder that no celebration is worth a human life.

“In this hour of grief, I stand with the people of Bengaluru. The Karnataka government must provide all possible support and relief to the affected families. This tragedy is a painful reminder: no celebration is worth a human life. Every safety protocol for public events must be reviewed and strictly enforced – lives must always come first,” the post reads.

Earlier, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed grief over the loss of lives in a stampede near the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

In a post on X, Kharge called on the authorities to immediately strengthen safety protocols for such events to prevent any future tragedy like this.

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic stampede in Bengaluru during the celebrations of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2025 victory. The loss of precious lives and the injuries sustained by many in this unfortunate incident are profoundly distressing. My thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost loved ones, and I wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” Kharge said.

He emphasised that the Congress Party stands in solidarity with the people of Bengaluru and commits to supporting all efforts to provide relief, medical help, and assistance to the families affected by the Karnataka government.

“The state government and relevant authorities must immediately review and strengthen safety protocols for such events to prevent any recurrence of such a tragedy. The joy of victory should never come at the cost of lives,” Mallikarjun Kharge asserted

The Muslim Law Board also said it would approach the Supreme Court against the government move by filing a contempt of court petition.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has taken exception to the Centre’s move to activate the Waqf Umeed Portal from June 6. In a statement, the board alleged that the government’s move is illegal and amounts to contempt of court since the law backing it – the Waqf (Amendment) Act of 2025 – has been challenged before the Supreme Court.

The statement also appealed to Muslims and State Waqf Boards not to use the portal until the Supreme Court delivers its verdict.

The Muslim Law Board also said it would approach the Supreme Court against the government move by filing a contempt of court petition.

According to the law board, all Muslim organizations have opposed the law, and it has also drawn criticism from Opposition parties, human rights groups and minority communities including Sikh and Christian bodies.

The law board also alleged that though the matter is pending before the Supreme Court, the government has proceeded to launch the portal and made registration of Waqf properties mandatory through it. 

The law board has contended that such a move constitutes contempt of court as the very basis of the portal – the validity of the amended Waqf law – is sub judice.

The Supreme Court has heard a clutch of petitions challenging Waqf Amendment Act of 2025.

Last month, the court had reserved its order on the question of interim stay on certain provisions of the UMEED Act of 2025 till it takes a call on the legality of the new law. 

JAC 12th Result 2025: Once released, students can check results by visiting the official website.

The Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) is set to declare the Class 12 results for the Arts stream on June 5, 2025, at 2 pm. The official result link will be activated on the JAC website, jacresults.com, and on DigiLocker.

The JAC Class 12 board exams were conducted from February 11 to March 4, 2025. As per the official notice, the result announcement is only for Arts stream students.

The results for the Science and Commerce streams were already announced last week. The Science stream result stood at 79.26%, marking a 7% increase from last year, while the Commerce stream result was 91.2%, showing a 2% rise. Notably, Latehar district topped in both streams, and girls outperformed boys in both.

How To Check JAC 12th Result 2025:

Students can follow these steps to check their results:

• Visit the official website – jacresults.com
• Click on the link titled “JAC 12th Arts Result 2025”
• Enter your roll number and other login credentials
• View your result displayed on the screen
• Download and take a printout for future reference

JAC 12th Result 2025 LIVE: How To Check Scorecards Through DigiLocker

Students can also access their digital marksheets through DigiLocker by following these steps:

• Visit digilocker.gov.in
• On the homepage, click on “Jharkhand Board 12th Result 2025”
• Select Class 12
• Enter your School Code, Roll Number, and the 6-digit Security PIN provided by your school
• Click on “Next” and enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number
• After successful verification, your account will be activated
• Access the DigiLocker dashboard and find your result in the “Documents” section

If already registered, students can directly log in to view their results.

Jharkhand Board Class 12 Result 2025: Passing Criteria

To pass the JAC Class 12 exams, students must score:

• At least 23 out of 70 marks in each subject
• At least 33 out of 100 marks in aggregate
• Arts: 93.7%

Tomorrow, on World Environment Day 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will plant the first saplings of the Aravalli Green Wall Project in Delhi’s Ridge, launching a 1,400 km-long green belt to heal this ancient guardian

The Aravalli range, made up of India’s oldest fold mountains, is bleeding. Stretching 692 km from Delhi to Gujarat, this range stands as a vital shield, holding back the Thar Desert, guiding monsoon winds, and cradling over 300 plant and 120 bird species in its vibrant ecosystem. But relentless deforestation, illegal mining, and creeping desertification are ripping apart its ecological core, threatening rivers, biodiversity, and millions of livelihoods.

Tomorrow, on World Environment Day 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will plant the first saplings of the Aravalli Green Wall Project in Delhi’s Ridge, launching a 1,400 km-long green belt to heal this ancient guardian. NDTV spoke to Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director of Research and Advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), to explore whether this ambitious vision can triumph over the Aravallis’ mounting crises.

he Aravallis’ Wounds

The range’s green cloak is tattered. Forest cover fell 0.9% from 1999-2019, with the central range losing a staggering 32% since 1975 to urban sprawl and mining. Illegal mining has obliterated 25% of Rajasthan’s Aravalli hills since 1967-68, despite Supreme Court bans in 2002 and 2009. Of 4,150 mining leases for copper, zinc, and marble, only 288 have environmental clearance.

Desertification also looms: 8.2% of Haryana’s land turned arid by 2018-19, and 8% of the Aravallis-5,772.7 sq km-was lost by 2019, with 22% more at risk by 2059. These assaults have dried rivers like the Sahibi and Luni, eroded soils, depleted groundwater, and slashed biodiversity, undermining the region’s climate resilience.

A Green Wall of Hope

The Aravalli Green Wall Project, launching June 5, 2025, aims to weave a 1,400 km-long, 5 km-wide green belt, inspired by Africa’s Great Green Wall. Starting with 24,990 hectares in Haryana’s Gurgaon, Faridabad, Nuh, Rewari, and Mahendergarh, it will plant native species, revive 75 water bodies, and bolster soil conservation, targeting 1.1 million hectares by 2027.

“The Aravalli Green Wall Project is a very critical step forward. Since our childhood, we have seen massive degradation of the Aravallis. This project will restore confidence that we can protect, conserve, and expand this essential resource.” Aligned with India’s UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification), CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity), and UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) commitments, it promises to curb desertification, boost biodiversity, and create jobs while cooling the region and filtering dust that fuels Delhi-NCR’s air pollution crisis,” said Ms Roychowdhury.

“The wall will act as a wind and dust barrier,” Ms Roychowdhury explained, “consistent with global best practices for green walls, addressing the intersection of clean air challenges and climate change,” she added.

Eco-Tourism: Opportunity or Threat?

The project’s eco-tourism push-safaris, nature parks, and trekking routes-aims to fund restoration and engage local communities. But could increased human activity harm this fragile ecosystem?

“The Aravallis are a fragile ecosystem,” Ms Roychowdhury warned. “Tourism can’t take over or disrupt the local ecological balance. We have to be respectful and sensitive to the communities and species that depend on this region.”

She stressed that unregulated tourism risks habitat disruption, pollution, and wildlife displacement. To counter this, CSE recommends robust safeguards: “We advocate for strict regulatory frameworks-limiting visitor numbers, enforcing waste management protocols, and ensuring low-impact, non-invasive infrastructure. Species introduced for reforestation must be native to avoid ecological imbalances,” she said.

On the risk of over-commercialisation, Ms Roychowdhury is clear: “The Aravallis are a buffer between Delhi, Haryana, and expanding urban areas. Unregulated development, like stone quarrying or encroachments, must stop for the green wall to succeed. Community involvement is essential, but it must prioritise ecological restoration over commercial interests.”

She emphasises enforcement and scale: “The clean air agenda cannot succeed on a small scale. We need speed of implementation, but it must integrate local needs without allowing tourism to dominate. Conservation must always come first,” she said.

As PM Modi plants saplings tomorrow, the Aravalli Green Wall signals a fierce resolve to heal this ancient range. But, as Ms Roychowdhury underscored, “The green wall will work only if we stop urban pressures. It’s a matter of enforcement and implementation.”

Meghalaya East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Vivek Syiem, on Wednesday confirmed that a raincoat had been recovered, but said it is too early to determine whether it is linked to the missing woman

As the police continue their search for Sonam Raghuvanshi who went missing on May 23 while on her honeymoon in Meghalaya, a raincoat with stains has been found, giving investigators hope that the body will be found soon.

The body of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, was found on Monday, 11 days after the couple went missing.

Meghalaya East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Vivek Syiem, on Wednesday confirmed that a raincoat had been recovered, but said it is too early to determine whether it is linked to the missing woman.

“We recovered a wet raincoat. There are certain stains on it, but we cannot confirm if those are blood stains. Only forensic tests will determine that,” Mr Syiem told reporters.

The police said they are checking if the raincoat matches the one worn by Sonam in available video footage.

“We will compare with the footage that we have, whether it belongs to the missing woman or not, and only after some time can we confirm it. Even the size is also XXXL,” he said.

Regarding the search operation, Mr Syiem told reporters that teams combed through the dense undergrowth in the Wei Sawdong area on Wednesday. However, heavy rainfall hampered the progress of the search effort. Despite the challenges posed by the inclement weather, search efforts will continue in the surrounding areas.

“Many groups are involved, more than 50 to 60 people from the NDRF, SDRF, fire and emergency services, SIT, SOT, and also local volunteers are searching for her,” he said.

On the possibility of using drones due to a brief respite from the rain to enhance the search effort, Mr Syiem said the weather had only recently improved.

It was only recently the weather cleared a bit, otherwise the weather was bad, and torrential rain was making it very difficult, even though we used the NESAC drone,” he said.

Mr Syiem said it was through drone assistance that the body of the man was found.

“When it cleared up, we could find the body and other evidence. Hopefully the weather clears up,” he added.

Addressing the issue of speculation surrounding the incident, Mr Syiem said, “A lot of theories will be there. The SIT is formed. We will gather evidence and get to the facts of the matter.”

“All possibilities are being considered. We will proceed based on facts, the circumstances, and evidence collected from the crime scene. From there, we will know which direction to take,” he added as questions remain over what led to the death of Raja Raghuvanshi.

According to the police, the couple arrived in Mawlakhiat village on May 22 and then went to Nongriat, where they stayed the night to celebrate their honeymoon.

They left the homestay the following morning, and on May 24, their scooter was found outside a cafe along the road from Shillong to Sohra, also known as Cherrapunji.

The body of 29-year-old Raja Raghuvanshi was recovered in a gorge some 20 km from Nongriat village.  His brother identified his body through a tattoo on his right hand that read ‘Raja’.

The police said a woman’s white shirt, a strip of medicine, a part of the LCD screen of a mobile phone and a smartwatch were also found at the spot.

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