Pakistan’s Punjab government has deferred its plan to restore several pre-Partition Hindu and British-era names of roads and localities in Lahore after facing strong backlash from extremist groups and social media campaigners. The Lahore Heritage Areas Revival project, backed by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, had approved restoring historical names such as Krishan Nagar, Lakshmi Chowk and Jain Mandir Road. The proposal aimed to preserve Lahore’s cultural and architectural heritage. However, critics accused the government of reviving “Hindu and Sikh identity”, forcing authorities to put the decision on hold to avoid further controversy and political pressure. (PC: X)

France is facing a major child abuse scandal as authorities investigate allegations of violence, sexual assault and rape involving staff supervising children in schools and daycare centres across Paris. Prosecutors say inquiries are underway in 84 preschools, around 20 primary schools and nearly 10 daycare facilities. Several cases involve alleged abuse of preschool-aged children by school monitors responsible for supervision outside classroom instruction. Public outrage has intensified following the trial of a school aide accused of sexually assaulting five children and harassing colleagues. City authorities have suspended dozens of staff members, while officials promise stricter oversight. The scandal has renewed concerns about child protection and institutional accountability across France. (PC: Reuters)

Iran on Monday accused the United States of committing a “gross violation” of the fragile ceasefire after American forces carried out air strikes in southern Iran near the Strait of Hormuz. The US Central Command said the strikes targeted Iranian missile sites and boats allegedly attempting to place mines, calling them “self-defence strikes”. Iran warned it would respond to the attacks and held Washington responsible for the consequences. The strikes come amid ongoing negotiations to extend the ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route. Talks involving Iran, the US and regional mediators are continuing despite rising tensions. (PC: BBC)

The Trump administration’s new immigration policy requiring most green card applicants to apply from their home countries has drawn criticism from leading U.S. technology entrepreneurs. Reid Hoffman questioned whether researchers, employees and students would now be forced to leave the country and wait through lengthy backlogs, warning of negative consequences for innovation. Andrew Ng called the measure a harmful attack on legal immigration that could reduce the number of doctors, teachers and scientists in the United States. Meanwhile, U.S. immigration authorities defended the policy, arguing it aligns with existing law, reduces system abuse and limits the risk of unlawful overstays. (PC: Reuters)

Iran has accused the United States of violating the ceasefire through recent military strikes in Hormozgan province and warned that any further aggression would receive a response. The Iranian Foreign Ministry described the reported actions as serious breaches of the truce and reiterated Tehran’s commitment to defending its territory. The allegations followed U.S. military operations targeting missile sites and boats near the Gulf, which Washington said were conducted in self-defence. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also claimed to have downed a U.S. MQ-9 drone and engaged other American aircraft. The developments have complicated ongoing diplomatic efforts in Qatar, where negotiators are seeking a broader agreement to end the conflict and preserve the fragile ceasefire.

The Punjab government in Pakistan has reportedly deferred plans to restore several pre-Partition Hindu, Sikh and British-era names of roads, bazaars and neighbourhoods in Lahore after facing criticism from conservative groups and social media commentators. The proposal, backed by Maryam Nawaz and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, was part of a heritage revival initiative aimed at preserving Lahore’s historical identity. Planned restorations included names such as Krishan Nagar, Lakshmi Chowk and Dharampura. Although historians, architects and heritage experts reportedly supported the proposal, authorities have paused implementation amid public controversy and concerns over potential backlash. (PC: X)

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said artificial intelligence is unlikely to cause mass job losses. Speaking at a conference in Sydney, Altman said fears about AI replacing large numbers of white-collar workers may have been overstated. “We’re not going to have the kind of jobs apocalypse,” he said. Altman admitted he earlier believed AI would eliminate more entry-level jobs by now. However, he said human interaction remains important in many professions. He added that people still value real communication and personal connection. Altman also said he stopped using AI for some messages because human responses felt more meaningful and personal. (PC: Reuters)

Iran on Tuesday accused the United States of violating the ceasefire agreement through aggressive actions near Bandar Abbas in southern Iran. Tehran claimed the US carried out illegal acts, including attacks on Iranian commercial ships. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said the incidents happened during ongoing peace talks mediated by Pakistan. “The Islamic Republic of Iran will not leave any act of wickedness unanswered,” the ministry said in a strong statement. Iran also warned that it would defend the country without hesitation. Meanwhile, reports said Iran has refused to transfer its enriched uranium abroad during the latest negotiations with the United States. (PC: AP)

The United States launched new strikes on southern Iran, targeting missile sites and boats near Bandar Abbas. The US said the attacks were carried out in self-defence to protect American troops. Iran claimed it shot down a US drone and warned that it has the right to respond to any ceasefire violation. Despite the fresh tension, both countries are still holding talks through Qatar to reach a possible agreement. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said discussions are continuing but may take time. The conflict between the US and Iran has raised concerns over security in the Strait of Hormuz and global oil supply. (PC: Getty Images)

Iran has said the release of its frozen funds remains the biggest issue in ongoing talks with the United States. According to Iran’s state-linked Fars News Agency, Tehran will not continue negotiations unless it gets access to the blocked money. Qatar is currently helping both sides through mediation efforts. Reports said some progress has been made, but Iran still does not fully trust the US due to past disagreements. Iranian officials said no final agreement will be accepted until the funds are transferred. The talks are part of wider efforts to reduce tensions between the two countries and reach a possible new understanding. (PC: AP)