A state in eastern India, with ~99.7 million people (2023 est.).
The River Avon at Queen Elizabeth Gardens in Salisbury has been deemed unsafe for bathing after tests show sewage pollution from upstream works. The Environment Agency advised against swimming from May 28; the advisory remained until June 1 as residual contamination cleared. Wessex Water says the issue stems from a blocked sewer, with improvements planned, including near-real-time AI water monitors.
India has been pushing Bengali-speaking Muslims into Bangladesh under a deportation drive that has drawn criticism from rights groups. Bangladesh and India have held border talks to manage crossings and disputes over due process. Tensions rise as both sides pledge coordinated patrols and stronger information sharing.
Two separate firefighting operations are underway after a naphtha-pipeline blaze in West Bengal and a large forest fire near Müritz National Park, Germany, driven by record heat. Firefighters report injuries in the West Bengal incident, while German teams are battling a wildfire in a contaminated site with a 1,000-metre security perimeter.
The death of a girl in Baruipur has sparked days of protests and a political row as authorities probe the rape and murder, while BJP and opposition accuse the state government of failing to protect women. Protests have turned violent, officials say, and the death has prompted a SIT to investigate.