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India’s Supreme Court Rejects Menstrual Leave Petition
India’s highest court has rejected a petition seeking mandatory menstrual leave for working women and female students, saying such a policy could unintentionally reduce women’s employment opportunities.
A two-judge bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant at the Supreme Court of India said introducing compulsory menstrual leave could discourage employers from hiring women.
The judges warned that if the court mandated such a rule, “no-one will hire women,” adding that it might also lead young women to believe they were “not at par” with their male colleagues and could ultimately be harmful to their professional growth.
The court made the remarks while hearing a petition filed by lawyer Shailendra Mani Tripathi, who had called for a nationwide menstrual leave policy.
According to legal website LiveLaw, Tripathi had argued that working women should receive two to three days of leave each month to help manage menstrual pain and related health issues.
However, the judges said such a mandate could reinforce gender stereotypes and make employers in the private sector hesitant to recruit women.
They suggested that if such a policy were to be introduced, it should be developed by the government after consultation with stakeholders rather than imposed by the court.
The decision has once again reignited debate across India, where the topic of menstrual leave has long divided opinion.
Some supporters agree with the court’s view, arguing that additional leave specifically for women could create workplace inequality or discourage companies from hiring female employees.
Others say time off during painful periods would improve women’s health and dignity at work.
In many parts of India, menstruation still carries social stigma, with some women discouraged from entering temples or participating in certain activities during their periods.
Supporters of menstrual leave policies point out that several countries have already adopted similar measures, including Spain, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia.
Some Indian states have also introduced limited policies. Bihar and Odisha allow two days of menstrual leave per month for government employees, while Kerala offers similar provisions for university and industrial training institute staff.
Last year, the southern state of Karnataka approved a law granting one day of menstrual leave each month for women employees.
In recent years, several private companies across India have also adopted menstrual leave policies for their female staff, reflecting a gradual shift in workplace practices.
News
Donald Trump has announced that the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire has been extended by three weeks.
Donald Trump has announced a three-week extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, pointing to renewed diplomatic engagement aimed at stabilizing the region.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the decision followed a high-level meeting in the Oval Office involving officials from both countries. He described the discussions as highly productive, noting that they included JD Vance and Marco Rubio.
According to Trump, the United States will deepen its cooperation with Lebanon to strengthen its internal security framework, particularly in relation to Hezbollah. He framed the talks as part of a broader effort to support Lebanon’s sovereignty and reduce the influence of armed non-state actors.
Calling the meeting “historic,” Trump said he is preparing to host Benjamin Netanyahu and Joseph Aoun at the White House in the coming weeks. The anticipated visits are expected to focus on negotiating a more durable peace arrangement between the two neighboring countries.
Speaking again to reporters in the Oval Office, alongside senior U.S. officials and diplomatic representatives from both nations, Trump emphasized the complexity of the situation, particularly Lebanon’s need to manage internal dynamics involving Hezbollah. He indicated that Washington’s approach would combine diplomatic engagement with security cooperation.
Trump also suggested that progress on the Israel–Lebanon track could align with broader U.S. strategic efforts in the region, including ongoing initiatives related to Iran. He expressed optimism that simultaneous diplomatic advances could contribute to wider regional stability.
News
Five Critically Injured After Head-On Train Collision in Denmark
At least five people have been critically injured and 13 others hurt following a head-on train collision in Denmark, authorities have confirmed.
The crash occurred early Thursday on a railway line connecting the towns of Hillerød and Kagerup, northwest of Copenhagen. Police said a total of 37 people were on board the two trains at the time of the accident.
Emergency services responded immediately after the collision, which happened at approximately 06:29 local time. All injured passengers were transported to hospital by ambulance or airlift, according to Tim Ole Simonsen of the Greater Copenhagen fire department.
Local officials described the incident as deeply distressing. Trine Egetved, mayor of the Gribskov municipality, said she was “deeply shaken” and confirmed that those critically injured had been taken to the national hospital in Copenhagen.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed concern over what she called a “terrible train accident,” as authorities began investigating the cause.
The Danish Accident Investigation Board has launched an inquiry alongside police, examining all possible causes. Investigators say it is too early to determine what led to the crash but are considering multiple scenarios, including a potential signalling system failure or human error.
The trains, operated by Lokaltog, were shown in footage with significant front-end damage, having collided in a wooded area.
Rail operator officials described the incident as one of the most severe imaginable in the industry and said efforts are now focused on gathering data to understand how the collision occurred.
News
Hundreds of Wildfires Rage Across Florida and Georgia, Forcing Evacuations
Authorities in the southeastern United States are battling a surge of wildfires across Georgia and Florida, as dry conditions and strong winds fuel rapid fire spread, destroying homes and forcing residents to evacuate.
Fire crews in Georgia responded to 34 new blazes on Wednesday alone, burning at least 75 acres statewide, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission. The largest of the fires, known as the Pineland Road Fire, has expanded dramatically to nearly 30,000 acres and remains only 10% contained.
In Florida, officials say the state is facing one of its most severe wildfire seasons in decades, with more than 130 active fires currently burning. Emergency services are working around the clock to contain outbreaks as conditions continue to worsen.
Authorities in both states point to a combination of prolonged dry weather, strong winds, and limited rainfall as key factors complicating firefighting efforts. These conditions have allowed fires to spread quickly and unpredictably, increasing the risk to communities.
Evacuation orders have been issued in several affected areas, while firefighters continue to prioritise protecting lives and property. Officials warn that without significant rainfall, the wildfire threat could persist in the coming days.
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