The enactment of the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act, 2025 (UMEED Act) last week marks a turning point in reforms carried out in Waqf laws between 1913 and 2025 for social benefit from Waqf properties, said an official on Monday.

“The changes in Waqf laws in India from 1913 to 2025 show a strong effort to protect and manage Waqf properties for society’s benefit while ensuring a proper administration system.

"Each law aimed to solve current problems while keeping the main purpose of #Waqf endowments,” said the Ministry of Minority Affairs in a post on social media platform X.

Continuing its efforts to dispel misinformation and educate the masses over the benefits of the UMEED Act, the Ministry joined hands with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and said, “The #Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 is an important step towards making Waqf management more transparent, responsible, and inclusive.”

Foreign capital made a strong comeback in the Indian real estate sector in FY25, with cumulative investments at 3.1 billion, compared to $2.6 billion in FY24, a report showed on Monday.

The surge in foreign investments has led to an increased share of foreign investors in Indian real estate -- accounting for 84 per cent of total investment in FY25, up from 68 per cent in FY24.

This revival highlights a renewed global investor interest in India’s real estate story despite persistent macro volatility, according to a report by Anarock Capital.

Logistics and warehousing sector emerged as the clear frontrunner in India last fiscal, attracting 48 per cent of private equity (PE) funding, the highest in five years.

Australia's Opposition party has abandoned its plan to end work-from-home (WFH) arrangements for public servants and cut 41,000 bureaucracy jobs, in a major policy reversal ahead of the general election.

Peter Dutton, leader of the Opposition coalition, announced the policy shift on Monday, admitting the party "made a mistake" and "got it wrong" with the plan that had proved unpopular with voters.

He said that a coalition government will not change current flexible working arrangements, including work-from-home policies, for federal public servants.

Instead of cutting 41,000 public service jobs to reduce government spending, Dutton said that a coalition government would reduce the public service workforce over five years through hiring freezes and not always replacing workers who retire or resign.

At least 33 people have been confirmed dead following heavy rains that flooded Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), authorities said on Monday.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and Security, Jacquemain Shabani said the torrential downpour, which occurred overnight from Friday to Saturday, has caused major damage across several districts of the capital, leaving dozens injured and destroying numerous homes.

In response, the government has set up a crisis management unit in coordination with the armed forces, several ministries and the Kinshasa provincial government to carry out evacuations and deploy emergency teams.

The flooding has paralysed much of the city's infrastructure, submerging major roads and triggering widespread power and water outages across the city.

The Ministry of Transport reported severe disruption to routes to and from the N'djili International Airport, prompting the deployment of emergency ferry services to assist stranded travellers.

Residents in the southern county of Hadong in South Korea were advised to evacuate to safe locations on Monday, as firefighters battled to contain a wildfire in the region, according to authorities.

The fire erupted at a mountain in Hadong, some 290 kms southeast of Seoul, at 12:05 p.m., according to the Korea Forest Service.

Hadong is one of the regions devastated by the nation's worst wildfires that were contained late last month.

The Korea Forest Service mobilised 15 firefighting helicopters and 105 personnel to put out the latest wildfire.

Securitisation volume in India rose 24 per cent on-year to around Rs 2.35 lakh crore in financial year 2024-2025, the highest on record, driven by large deals originated by private sector banks and steady fund raising by non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), according to a Crisil report released on Monday.

Securitization enables banks and NBFCs to convert illiquid assets, like loans or receivables, into tradable securities, financial institutions to raise capital and transfer risk to investors.

Crisil Ratings director Aparna Kirubakaran said, “The share of securitisation by banks increased sharply to 26 per cent in fiscal 2025 from around 5 per cent in fiscal 2024 as a few banks used securitization to manage challenges arising from high credit-deposit ratios. That, and steady issuances by large vehicle financiers and mortgage lenders helped offset the decline in volume from microfinance and gold loans.”

Rajasthan is experiencing an intense heatwave, with Barmer and Jaisalmer emerging as the hottest regions.

According to the Meteorological Centre in Jaipur, a severe heat spell has begun and is likely to continue for the next two to three days, with no immediate relief in sight.

Barmer recorded the highest maximum temperature in the state on Sunday at 45.6 degrees Celsius, which is 6.8 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average.

This marks the highest temperature recorded in the first week of April in Barmer since 1998, when the mercury had touched 45.2 degrees Celsius on April 3.

Good food, sleep, and exercise are crucial for better health, said the government on Monday on World Health Day.

World Health Day is celebrated on April 7 every year. The theme this year is Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures.

“This #WorldHealthDay, let’s commit to small healthy habits for a brighter, stronger future,” the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare shared in a post on social media platform X.

In a video posted along the post, the ministry advised people to eat good food, with more fruits and vegetables; to move more, and sit less.

“Walk, run, dance, or stretch for 30 minutes a day to stay fit,” the ministry said

Indian Arrows Women Juniors suffered their first loss in the 2024-25 Indian Women's League 2 as they went down 0-1 against Group B hosts Roots FC at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence Phase 2 on Monday. Maibam Nandeshwori Devi scored the winner in the 12th minute.

As a result, Roots rose to the top spot in Group B with six points from two games. Indian Arrows Women Juniors, who had beaten Pudhuvai Unicorns and Inter Kashi in their first two matches, are now in second place. The top two in the five-team group will progress to the final round. Indian Arrows Women Juniors will hope to seal qualification for the final round when they face Casa Barwani SC in their last match on Wednesday.

Head coach Joakim Alexandersson again made a solitary change in the line-up from the previous match, bringing in striker Valaina Fernandes in place of winger Rupashree Munda.

Roots took the lead with a well-worked team goal in the 12th minute. Winger Rosy Thanga burst down the left flank and drilled a low cross into the six-yard box for striker Nandeshwori Devi, who finished it first time.

The upcoming edition of the Tribeca Film Festival will be opened by ‘Billy Joel: And So It Goes’, a two-part documentary based on musician Billy Joel.

Tribeca Festival CEO and co-Founder Jane Rosenthal announced the opening night programming on stage at the NAB Show’s Business Show of Entertainment event, reports.

“For nearly 25 years, the Tribeca Festival has celebrated the artists who give New York its heart and soul”, Rosenthal said. “On the opening night of the 2025 Festival, we are thrilled to honor Billy Joel, an artist who has embodied that very spirit. Paying tribute to the legendary performer who captured the essence of a ‘New York State of Mind’ is a perfect way to kick off this year’s celebration of creativity and inspiration”.

As per ‘Variety’, this year’s Tribeca Festival will be held from June 4 through June 15 in New York City, featuring a lineup of films, music, TV, audio storytelling, live talks, games and immersive programming.