Women with early onset of periods, and later menopause -- which means a longer reproductive span -- can have a healthier brain ageing in life, according to a study.

The study showed how a woman’s reproductive years may shape brain health later in life and also reduce the risk of dementia.

It also suggested the role of oestradiol (or the lack thereof) in the development of dementia.

Oestradiol levels rise at puberty, remain high during most of a woman’s reproductive life, and then decline sharply around menopause. This drop in oestradiol has been linked to an increased risk of dementia and other age-related brain conditions.

North Korea said on Friday that it has successfully righted a warship that partially capsized during a launch ceremony last month, adding the ship is currently moored at the pier for more repairs.

The 5,000-tonne destroyer tipped over and became partially submerged during the launch ceremony held in late May in the northeastern port city of Chongjin. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ordered the full restoration of the warship before a key party meeting set for late June.

After a North Korean team restored the balance of the warship in early June, it moored the ship at the pier by safely conducting its end launching Thursday afternoon, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

"The team will start the next-stage restoration after the reexamination of the overall hull of the destroyer by a group of experts," the KCNA said.

As Congress leader Rahul Gandhi began his extended tour of Bihar, several leaders from the ruling NDA, including Union Ministers Jitan Ram Manjhi, Giriraj Singh, and Bihar Minister Nitin Naveen, launched a barrage of criticism aimed at him and the grand old party.

Union MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, in a post on social media platform X, welcomed Rahul Gandhi to what he called the "new Bihar", contrasting it with the alleged lawlessness during the RJD-Congress rule two decades ago.

“Welcome Rahul Gandhi, to the good governance in Bihar. Bihar is no longer the same that Lalu Prasad’s RJD and the Gandhi family left us 20 years ago… If Rahul Gandhi had come to Bihar during Lalu Prasad’s rule, he could have been kidnapped,” Manjhi wrote, suggesting that Sonia Gandhi would have had to negotiate with criminals through Lalu Prasad for her son's release.

Popular television actress Rubina Dilaik has shared her fashion mantra and said that life is too short to wear boring clothes.

The actress took to Instagram, where she posted a string of images from the sets of “Battleground”. Rubina, who is seen as a mentor for Mumbai Strikers in the show, is seen in a dramatic floor-sweeping black gown with a voluminous cape. The bodice featured a big detailed embellishment bow with shimmery sequins and had off-shoulder puffed-up sleeves.

To complete her look, the actress chose to keep her hair open and went for a subtle nude look with pink lips.

US researchers have identified a mechanism that SARS-CoV-2 -- the virus that causes Covid-19 -- uses to protect itself inside the body as it works to replicate and infect more cells.

Without this protective mechanism, viral infection is dramatically reduced, said the team from the Texas Biomedical Research Institute and the University of Chicago.

The finding, published in the journal Nature Communications, not only provides a potential target for new Covid therapies but also offers insights that could inform future vaccine and antiviral development.

The study builds on earlier work from Texas Biomed that identified ORF3a, a type of viral protein most important for the virus's pathogenicity, or ability to cause disease.

In a major breakthrough, Punjab Police’s Counter Intelligence of Amritsar apprehended two people, Sukhchain Singh and Jugraj Singh, who were actively involved in cross-border arms smuggling and recovered eight weapons, police said on Friday.

Director General of Police, Gaurav Yadav, said that acting on specific Intelligence, these operatives were intercepted while transporting a consignment of illegal arms from Pakistan-based smuggler Noor.

The DGP wrote on social media handle X that three Glock 9mm pistols, four Px5 pistols and one .30 bore pistol were seized.

"A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered in Amritsar. Further investigation is underway to identify additional handlers and unearth the full extent of this smuggling network," the DGP added.

The Forest Department in Gujarat has taken action against five individuals caught attempting to spot lions illegally in the Kodiya Vedma area of the Khambha Tulsishyam range in Dhari Gir East.

According to officials, forest patrol teams intercepted a car late at night on June 5 in the protected Kodiya VD zone.

The group, which included two individuals from Bhavnagar and three from Khambha, had entered the restricted area without permission in an attempt to sight lions.

Acting under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the Department imposed a fine of Rs 90,000 on the offenders. A formal case has also been registered against them.

The jumbo 50 bps rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will directly benefit home loan borrowers, especially existing ones, by reducing their interest burden, experts said on Friday.

The decision comes at a pivotal time, as India, now the world’s fourth-largest economy, is witnessing strong real estate momentum across metros as well as tier 2 and 3 cities.

“Lower lending rates will directly enhance home loan affordability, particularly in interest-sensitive categories like mid-income and affordable housing. Reduced EMIs are expected to significantly improve buyer sentiment and encourage first-time homebuyers to enter the market,” said Shekhar G Patel, President, the Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (CREDAI).

The police on Friday intensified their hunt for four more accused persons in connection with the stampede near Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed 11 lives.

Earlier, four people, including the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Marketing Head and DNA Event Management Company staffers, were arrested at the airport.

The personnel from the Cubbon Park police, who registered the case, and a special wing of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) are conducting a joint operation.

According to sources, the hunt is on for Rajesh Menon, Head and Vice President of RCB; K.T. Majeed, Director and Chief Financial Officer of DNA Event Management Firm; Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Secretary A. Shankar; and Treasurer Jayaram.

A man has been hospitalised with serious injuries following a targeted shooting in the Australian state of Queensland.

The Queensland Police Service said on Friday that emergency services were deployed to a house in Parkwood, 65 kilometres southeast of Brisbane, around 7:50 p.m. on Thursday in response to reports that a man had sustained gunshot wounds to his leg and other injuries to his hand.

The 21-year-old man was found at the scene with serious injuries and was transported to the hospital in stable condition, news agency reported.

A police statement said that initial inquiries indicated that the incident was a targeted shooting and that there was no ongoing threat to the public.