INDIA: The world’s largest national population count has begun, which could reshape welfare programmes and political representation across the country.

India’s previous census, in 2011, recorded a population of 1.21 billion. It’s now estimated to be more than 1.4 billion, making India the world’s most populous nation. 

The new census had been planned for 2021 but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

RUSSIA: A Russian military plane crash in annexed Crimea has killed six crew and 23 passengers, Russian news agencies reported in the early hours of this morning.

According to the Defence Ministry an An-26 military transport plane was carrying out a scheduled flight over the Crimean peninsula, but lost contact around 6pm on Tuesday.

AEGEAN SEA: A fast-moving boat carrying Afghan migrants capsized in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Bodrum today while attempting to evade the coastguard in rough waters, leaving 19 dead, officials said.

The Turkish Coast Guard Command said the boat, which was carrying dozens of people, ignored repeated warnings to stop and attempted to flee. 

AUSTRALIA: The online safety watchdog said on Tuesday it is considering court action against Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube, alleging they are not doing enough to keep Australian children younger than 16 off their platforms.

Inman Grant said her office had “significant concerns about the compliance” of half of those 10 platforms. Her office was gathering evidence against the five that they had not taken “reasonable steps” to prevent young children holding accounts.