Get all the latest India news and top breaking news live from all cities of India only on Readselective.com. Read latest India news, current affairs and news headlines online today.
India has successfully test-fired the Agni-5 intermediate-range ballistic missile, capable of covering most of Asia and carrying nuclear warheads. This launch enhances India’s position to join the elite ICBM club.
The successful missile launch paves way for India to become a part of the elite ICBM club.
In a major boost to the defence sector, India successfully test-fired Agni-5 intermediate range ballistic missile. The missile can almost cover the whole Asian continent. The successful missile launch paves way for India to become a part of the elite ICBM club.
The defence ministry said the test-firing of the missile from the Integrated Test Range in Odisha’s Chandipur validated all operational and technical parameters.
“Intermediate range ballistic missile ‘Agni 5’ was successfully test-fired from the integrated test range, Chandipur in Odisha on August 20,” it said in a brief statement.
Agni-5 Test Comes A Week Ahead of PM Modi’s Visit to China
The indigenously developed intermediate-range ballistic missile, which is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead deep into the territory of China, was test-fired just as Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for his first visit there in years.
The missiles 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles) puts India’s rivals like China and Pakistan well within range of the weapon. DRDO is working on an upgraded variant with an expected range of up to 7,500 kilometres.
India is trying to expand its arsenel as tensions continue to simmer along the disputed border with China.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), China is estimated to have around 600 nuclear warheads, while India has 180.
The Agni-5 test comes on the heels of a visit to New Delhi by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
New Delhi is also closely monitoring the challenges from Pakistan under Field Marshal Asim Munir, whose rise signals a dangerous shift: the addition of Atomic Weapons. Unlike his predecessors, Munir has taken the audacious step of publicly issuing nuclear threats against India with unprecedented boldness, while simultaneously cultivating close ties with the United States under Donald Trump.
DRDO is working on an upgraded variant with an expected range of up to 7,500 kilometres.
Rapper Montero Lamar Hill, aka Lil Nas X, shocked fans after a viral video showed him half-naked in Los Angeles, wearing only underwear and cowboy boots. Police said he charged at officers before being taken into custody and hospitalised for a possible overdose. He faces suspicion of misdemeanour battery on a police officer. His condition remains unknown.
Photo Via X
Rapper Montero Lamar Hill, popularly known as Lil Nas X, shocked fans after a video posted by TMZ of him went viral on Thursday. He was seen half-naked, wearing only underwear and cowboy boots, walking around the streets of Ventura Boulevard in Studio City, Los Angeles, around midnight.
Lil Nas X Spotted Nearly-Naked In LA
The viral video showed the Old Town Road singer wandering down the street. At one point, he pointed at a passing car that was recording him, muttered about going to a party, and even placed an orange traffic cone on his head.
Shortly after, a man noticed him and informed the police, reporting a ‘nude man walking in the street.’
According to police, when officers arrived at the scene, the suspect charged at them and was subsequently taken into custody. According to TMZ, Lil Nas X was transported to the hospital after officers shared that he might have suffered a possible overdose.
Lil Nas X Arrested After Clash With Police
He was arrested for battery on a police officer, along with misconduct, including public obscenity and was subsequently transferred to a hospital. While the rapper remains hospitalised, he is expected to be booked later on suspicion of misdemeanor battery on a police officer.
His condition remains unknown.
Before the shocking incident, Lil Nas X had been posting a bizarre series of 11 photos on Instagram, as reported by Page Six. The images showed his house in a state of disarray, with scattered pieces of art and furniture.
In the caption of one of his selfies, he wrote, “OH NO sHES GONE MAD! CRAZY I TELL U!”
Surprisingly, the restaurant served food at 1962 prices before its demolition. A massive crowd was drawn at the restaurant to take advantage of the scheme.
Udipi Vihar Restaurant Serves Food At 1962 Prices In Mumbai’s Goregaon | Instagram
An advertisement surfaced on the television with the tag line “Aapke zamaane me baap ke zamaane k daam” (Your era, your father’s era prices.) became a reality at a famous restaurant in Mumbai’s Goregaon. Surprisingly, the restaurant served food at 1962 prices before its demolition. A massive crowd was drawn at the restaurant to take advantage of the scheme.
The offer was introduced at Udipi Vihar restaurant in Goregaon East only for a single day due to which a large crowd lined up outside the hotel despite heavy rain. The old restaurant which is set to be demolished to make way for a new building decided to give its customers a taste and feeling of the paste. The restaurant served the cheap meal only on Monday (August 18).
Yesterday crowd at Udipi Vihar Goregaon east braving the Rain. As the old hotel is being demolished for new bldg. They served all items in 1962 year rates. Lunch 50 paise, jalebi 12 paise, wada idli 12 paise, pic.twitter.com/M5DSpaHSQ7
As a farewell gesture, the restaurant served all its popular dishes at the same prices at which it used to sell in the year 1962. The visitors were thrilled as they were going to get a full lunch at an unbelievable rate of 50 paise, while other items like jalebi, wada and idli were being served to the customers at only 12 paise.
Videos surfaced on social media which showed that the nostalgic move drew food lovers and everyone was excited to be a part of the restaurant’s final day to make it memorable.
Each unanswered helpline call is not just silence, it is a life teetering on the edge, left alone in its darkest hour. India’s rising suicide numbers demand more than token helplines; they demand a system that listens, cares, and responds.
When suicide helplines go silent, missed calls turn into missed lives (Photo: India Today/Vani Gupta)
Suicide is an untimely, avoidable death. And yet, every day, countless lives are lost because support either arrives too late or not at all. Most suicide helplines operate like offices: Monday to Friday, 10 am to 5 pm. But mental health doesn’t follow office hours. When the day ends, distractions fade and the world falls asleep, the flames of the battle inside rage again. Loneliness, memories, and unspoken fears resurface with a force that suffocates.
Here’s the stark reality. I called one such helpline (just to check) past midnight, the very hour when despair peaks and you still cling to a flicker of hope that tomorrow might be better, if only you survive the night. But when nobody picks up, when that one “lifeline” you trusted goes unanswered, the silence feels like the world crashing in on you.
That missed call can become a missed life.
Dr Samir Parikh, Chairperson, Mental Health Program, Fortis Hospital said, “When someone is going through a crisis and at that time the person doesn’t get help, it only makes the crisis worse. That’s why crisis intervention needs to be prioritised.”
In 2022, India reported the highest number of suicides in the world: 1.71 lakh people took the extreme step. The suicide rate has climbed to 12.4 per 1,00,000, the highest ever recorded, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). And yet, we remain disturbingly unalarmed.
We put faith in helplines, the lifelines meant to prevent people from taking that final irreversible decision. The Centre launched KIRAN, a national mental health helpline, to “provide support to people facing anxiety, stress, depression, suicidal thoughts and other mental health concerns.” But the question remains: do these helplines actually save lives, or do they merely exist on paper?
WHEN HELP FEELS HOLLOW
When calls are answered, several counsellors sound untrained, mechanical, or detached. Instead of warmth and empathy, one is often met with a barrage of questions: What triggered you? What’s your history? What’s your past trauma?
For someone reaching out in their darkest moment, multiple explanations can feel like a punishment. What the person desperately needs at that moment is reassurance, not interrogation.
Dr Parikh said, “Crisis intervention is about supportive care, giving unconditional positive support at that moment, being directive and guiding the individual to be able to curb the impulse and connect them with the right people and ensure that a well-wisher or a family member can be involved to be able to give them support.”
CALLS THAT NEVER CONNECTED
I dialled multiple helplines one night:
One of them, which claims to operate 24×7, never answered despite repeated attempts at around 1:36 am.
Tele Manas, a government-backed initiative, forced me through layers of automated selections.
Finally, a robotic voice said: “All our counsellors are busy assisting other callers, please take an exit or press 1 to drop the call and receive a call when Tele Manas counsellor is available”. There was no real person at the other end.
KIRAN, the national helpline, dropped my call every time I tried, even during the day.
A call made well past midnight to a helpline was returned only at 6 am. The man who called back, appearing half-asleep, asked: “Did you reach out last night?” I said yes, adding that I was fine now. To that, he muttered “okay” and hung up. No questions. No concern.
I reached out to another private suicide helpline, which claims to offer support on WhatsApp. My simple “Hi” was met with a barrage of automated questions about how I was feeling which felt more exhausting than reassuring in that moment.
After making me click through these checkboxes of despair, the chat ended with a curt message, “Thanks so much for reaching out. Things are a bit busy right now, so it might take us a little longer to get back to you.”
At 7:46 am, someone finally connected, “We regret that we couldn’t assist you earlier due to the high traffic volume at our helpline. Are you still available to chat?” This sounded more like – “Are you still alive?”
When I didn’t reply, the chat was closed. Nobody tried to call. Nobody checked back.
But why is it so?
Dr Parikh said, “Helplines may not be able to answer all calls. It depends on what kind of helpline you are reaching out to, what infrastructure and resources it has. Prevalence is significant, help is much lesser. This discrepancy between available help and the problem needs to be addressed.”
UNTRAINED, UNPREPARED, UNAVAILABLE
On at least two helplines, when I mentioned suicidal thoughts, counsellors panicked and told me to “reach out to someone nearby.” If the ultimate advice is to go elsewhere, what’s the point of a helpline?
Dr. Harish Shetty, psychiatrist at LH Hiranandani Hospital, said that the lack of trained professionals and their low numbers continue to hinder the functioning of suicide helplines.
Drawing a comparison with higher education, Dr. Shetty added, “When the state has invested heavily in IITs and IIMs, they have shown no initiative in creating universities for mental health professionals.”
SAD SUNDAYS
Sundays bring a two-fold crisis: those battling depression feel lonelier and it is this day when the helplines are unavailable. Most helplines don’t function on Sundays. For someone battling depression, Sundays may look like sitting alone in a room, heart pounding with crippling anxiety, counting the hours until night falls and somehow passes.
On one such Sunday, I picked up the phone and dialled a helpline, again to check. No answer. I tried another helpline and then another. Finally, an IVR voice told me to “call back during working hours.” Working hours? On a suicide helpline? At that moment, it felt like the cruelest joke. A lifeline that shuts precisely when you need it most.
BEYOND TOKENISM
The problem is deeper than unresponsive phones. It is systemic. Suicide helplines in India often exist more as tokens of care than actual support systems. Their intent collapses under poor infrastructure, lack of training, and a shocking absence of urgency.
What we need is not just more helplines, but better ones, staffed with trained, empathetic counsellors who understand that at 2 am, a call is not just a call. It is a plea for life.
Dr Shetty said, “The suicide statistics should be delinked from the Home ministry and should be transferred to the Health ministry. A detailed analysis district-wise needs to be done for planning effective strategies.”
BEYOND HELPLINES
Dr Shetty said that even though thousands of people are battling depression, most of them don’t even reach out or talk about it for the fear of stigma.
Therefore, “Suicide helplines cannot be a stand-alone systems for prevention of deaths. It has to be supported by drop-in facilities, short-stay and long-stay facilities and community outreach groups for accessing those who drop out after a serious distress call. These do not exist and there is apathy and a resolve by the state. The authorities do not understand that to build a trillion-dollar economy one needs to focus on mental health,”
Dr Parikh echoed the thought and stressed, “Schools, workplaces and the healthcare sector will all have to do their part.”
WORK PLACE SUPPORT
Dr Harish Shetty observed that while workplace suicides have risen, corporate responses remain superficial. “Workplace suicides have increased and apart from a token Employee Assistance Program (EAP) service, the corporates do not do much,” he said.
For many struggling employees, the weight of deadlines becomes heavier than the will to live. Even those on the brink are forced to drag themselves to work because the system leaves them no room to pause. What excuse can one give? How often have we heard someone say: “I can’t come to work today because I am having a crippling anxiety attack,” or “because I’ve slipped into a dark hole where no light seeps in”?
Anxiety rarely rests. It grows sharper at night and turns lethal by morning. You wake up to a piercing pain in your chest, your heartbeat racing out of control and yet your first thought is not of survival, but of showing up at work. You force yourself out of bed, carrying an invisible weight that tightens with every breath.
And when you finally reach the office, you are met not with empathy but with another avalanche of tasks. In such spaces, people battling anxiety and depression are left to fend for themselves.
No support at work. No comfort in familiar faces. Helplines that ring endlessly. For many battling depression and anxiety, the search for help ends in silence. India is witnessing an alarming surge in student suicides, with young adults pushed to the edge and no guiding hand to pull them back. The data screams of a crisis, yet the response remains muted. How many more lives must be lost before action matches the urgency? Do we only wake up when a tragedy spreads like a pandemic, as Covid once did?
Frustrated by a widow’s repeated demands for marriage, a former village pradhan and his nephew murdered her in Jhansi’s Kishorpura village, chopped the body into seven pieces, stuffed them into sacks, and dumped them in a well and near a bridge.
Thousands of posters were distributed, eventually leading to the victim’s identification as Rachna Yadav, a widow from Tikamgarh, two hours from Jhansi.
A woman’s dismembered body was found dumped in a well in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi district. Police have arrested two men in connection with the murder — a former village head, identified as the victim’s lover, and his nephew. A third accomplice, who helped execute the murder, remains at large, said police.
Pressured and frustrated by the woman’s constant urges to get married, the former village pradhan, Sanjay Patel, along with his nephew, Sandeep Patel murdered the woman in Jhansi’s Kishorpura village, cut her body into seven pieces and stuffed them into sacks, subsequently dumping them into a well and near a bridge.
The case came to light on August 13 when a farmer inspecting his fields noticed a foul smell emanating from a well. Upon inspection, two sacks were found floating in the water, containing body parts of a woman. The discovery sent shockwaves through the community and posed a significant challenge for local authorities.
Following the incident, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Jhansi, formed eight investigative teams to crack the case. On August 17, police recovered the victim’s hands from the drained well. However, the head and legs were missing, complicating identification. A post-mortem was conducted, and cremation took place on August 18.
Police investigations revealed the murder was premeditated due to the victim’s persistent marriage demands on the former pradhan. In response, Patel conspired with his associates to eliminate her, resulting in her brutal murder. Intense investigations included questioning over 100 villagers and examining footage from more than 200 CCTV cameras.
Thousands of posters were distributed, eventually leading to the victim’s identification as Rachna Yadav, a widow from Tikamgarh, two hours from Jhansi.
The breakthrough came when Rachna’s brother recognised her after seeing one of the posters. She had been entangled in a legal dispute supported by the former village pradhan, during which they developed an intimate relationship.
According to police, on August 8, the accused strangled Rachna and transported her body to a well, where it was dismembered to conceal evidence. The crime scene was carefully analysed, with bricks and soil samples matching local materials.
“Two sacks containing parts of a woman’s body were recovered from a well in Kishorpura village under Todifatehpur police station. Eight teams were formed to investigate the case. Today, the woman’s head was recovered from the Lakheri river,” the SSP told India Today TV on Thursday.
TCS layoffs: The IT firm announced its decision to layoff around 12,000 employees in July this year.
TCS layoffs: The union protesting over IT firm’s decision to layoff 12,000 people. (Image: X)
TCS layoffs: The Union of IT & ITES Employees (UNITE) staged a protest in Chennai on Tuesday against the layoffs of 12,000 employees at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). The layoffs will impact mid and senior-level employees.
TCS layoffs: 30,000 employees to be fired?
“Union of IT and ITES Employees protested today in Chennai against the announced TCS layoff of 12,000 employees and the government inaction,” UNITE said on X (formerly Twitter).
Alongside, the organisation posted pictures of people protesting against the layoffs by the IT firm. They have banners, flags and placards in their hands.
One of the placards reads: “Secret to stop layoffs: ‘Unionise’.”
The placards also tagged top management as “Chief of Cruelty” and “Chief of Corporate Greed”.
Union of IT And ITES Employees protested tofay in Chennai against the announced TCS layoff of 12000 employees and the government inaction. pic.twitter.com/E3kDPLUZVW
“TCS is in the process of laying off staff at senior and managerial levels. At the end of this, nearly 30,000 to 40,000 staff may lose their jobs,” The New Indian Express quoted Janani of UNITE as saying.
The union of IT employees further alleged that the company has been hiring freshers at 80-85 per cent lower pay to replace experienced employees.
TCS rubbishes 30,000 layoffs claim
In a statement to FinancialExpress.com, TCS dismissed the layoffs of 30,000 employees.
“These speculations are incorrect and misleading. As communicated earlier, the impact is limited to 2 per cent of our workforce,” TCS said in a statement.
The union demanded that the IT firm should upskill the employees instead of “discarding” them.
“With a revenue of 2.55 lakh crore and an operating profit margin of 24.3% and a 45,588 crore dividend, 12,000 jobs are slashed,” a part of the press release by UNITE read.
The video quickly went viral, prompting the Forest Department to take suo motu cognizance of the incident.
Odisha YouTuber Rupa Nayak was arrested for cooking the meat of a rare species of monitor lizard
A YouTuber from Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district has been arrested for allegedly cooking the meat of a protected and rare species of monitor lizard and posting the video on social media platforms.
The accused, identified as Rupa Nayak, a resident of Asanbani village, reportedly came across a dead monitor lizard on the roadside near the Banta area while returning from his wife’s maternal home in Bhadrak. He took the carcass home, cooked its meat, and recorded a video of the entire process, which he later uploaded to Facebook and YouTube.
The video quickly went viral, prompting the Forest Department to take suo motu cognizance of the incident. A probe was launched, and Nayak was taken into custody. During interrogation, he admitted to the act.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has pushed to increase trade with Russia, encouraging Russian companies to engage “more intensively” with their Indian counterparts.
S Jaishankar pushed for deeper cooperation to promote growth.
With the US announcing a 50% tariff on India, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has encouraged Russian companies to engage “more intensively” with their Indian counterparts.
Noting India’s rapidly growing economy and initiatives like ‘Make in India’ that have opened up new windows for foreign businesses, Mr Jaishankar said that these dimensions represent an invitation for Russian companies to engage more.
“An India with a GDP of USD 4 trillion plus growing at 7% for the foreseeable future has an obvious need for large resources from dependable sources. In some cases, it could be assured supplies of essential products, fertiliser, chemicals, and machinery, being good examples. Its rapidly growing infrastructure offers business openings to enterprises with an established track record in their own country,” said Mr Jaishankar.
“The ‘Make in India’ and other such initiatives have opened up new windows for foreign businesses. The modernisation and the urbanisation of India generate their own demands, flowing from shifts in consumption and lifestyle. Each of these dimensions represent an invitation for Russian companies to engage more intensively with their Indian counterparts. Our endeavour is to encourage them to rise to that challenge,” he added.
Mentioning that India and Russia have nurtured one of the steadiest relationships between major nations, Mr Jaishankar pushed for more “strenuous efforts” to diversify and balance trade between both nations.
“India and Russia have nurtured one of the steadiest relationships between major nations in current times is now widely recognised. However, that did not automatically translate into significant economic cooperation. Our trade basket remains limited and till recently, so did our trade volume. It may have grown in recent years, but then, so too has the trade deficit. Both the diversification and balancing of trade now urgently mandate more strenuous efforts on our part. At the end of the day, they are essential not just to reach higher trade targets but even to sustain the existing levels,” he said.
Mr Jaishankar pushed for deeper cooperation to promote growth and accelerate development and expressed India’s willingness to contemplate more investments, joint ventures and other forms of collaboration.
“It is reasonably evident that there is much that India and Russia can do for each other in promoting growth and accelerating development. What we seek to do as Governments is to provide the guidance and create conditions for economic activities to take place. Clearly much centres around trade but there is growing willingness to contemplate more investments, joint ventures and other forms of collaboration. First DPM Manturov and I are here amongst you to encourage those processes. We want to send a clear message that an enduring strategic partnership must have a strong and sustainable economic component.” he said.
Further speaking about India signing Terms of Reference (ToR) for the India-Eurasian Economic Union on a Free Trade Agreement, Mr Jaishankar said,” We have today concluded the Terms of Reference for the India-Eurasian Economic Union FTA. That will surely make a difference when concluded. We spoke about motivating joint ventures in key areas where the demand is already established. Some initiatives of significant investment levels were also spoken about. Our skilling and mobility endeavours have started to take off. The desire to improve connectivity is also expressed through multiple options.”
“But in the final analysis, what we really need is for businesses to step forward confidently. Not just that, also ensure that there is a close collaboration between what Governments are discussing and businesses are planning,” he added.
Probe is underway to ascertain motive of accused and whether he was under the influence of alcohol or any other substance at the time of the incident
Probe is underway to ascertain motive of accused, the police said
A senior doctor at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) had a narrow escape after the driver of a car allegedly tried to mow him down inside the hospital campus, the police said on Wednesday.
The incident occurred on August 18, around 4:00 pm, near Gate Number 1 of AIIMS, when the victim was passing through the campus and noticed a traffic jam being caused by the car.
The complainant informed the police that the car was blocking traffic. When he signalled to the driver to reverse so that other vehicles could pass, the driver, instead of complying, allegedly accelerated and struck him, a senior police officer stated.
“The driver did not stop after the first collision. He struck me two more times and dragged me along with the car before I managed to save my life,” the complaint told the police.
Based on the complaint, an FIR under Section 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was registered at the Hauz Khas Police Station.
The officer noted that CCTV footage from the cameras installed on the campus has been seized, and eyewitnesses are being identified.
“We are taking the matter seriously, and multiple teams are working to identify and nab the accused. The vehicle number has been noted, and technical surveillance is being used to track the suspect,” the officer said.
Nikki Haley warned the Trump administration’s relations with India are at a critical point, stressing the need to strengthen ties to counter China.
Nikki Haley with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.(HT file)
Former US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has warned that the Donald Trump administration’s ties with India are at a “troubling inflexion point”, cautioning against allowing trade tensions to derail a partnership critical to countering China.
In an opinion piece along with Bill Drexel, a fellow at the Hudson Institute, for Newsweek, Nikki Haley wrote that strengthening relations with India is vital to America’s Asia strategy, warning that “scuttling 25 years of momentum with the only country that can serve as a counterweight to Chinese dominance in Asia would be a “strategic disaster”.
US President Donald Trump on August 6 signed an executive order imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on imports from India, in response to India “directly or indirectly” importing oil from Russia. This is over and above the 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports that Trump approved on July 31.
What Nikki Haley wrote: 5 key takeaways
Tariff tensions: Nikki Haley criticised the Trump administration’s 25 per cent tariff threat on Indian goods and Russian oil imports, calling it counterproductive. “Trump is right to target India’s massive Russian oil purchases,” she noted, but warned that treating India like an adversary instead of a partner would be “a massive—and preventable—mistake.”
India versus China: Haley argued that India must not be bracketed with Beijing. “India must be treated like the prized free and democratic partner that it is—not an adversary like China,” Haley wrote, pointing out that China has escaped similar sanctions despite being a top buyer of Russian oil.
Strategic importance: On supply chains, Haley stressed on India’s scale and potential: “India stands alone in its potential to manufacture at China-like scale for products that can’t be quickly or efficiently produced here, like textiles, inexpensive phones, and solar panels.”
Defence and security ties: The former US envoy to the United Nations underlined India’s growing role in global security, saying its expanding defence cooperation with the US and allies makes it “a crucial asset to the free world’s security”.
According to the police, during the protest, some employees stole tables and chairs from vendors and used them as barricades to block a pedestrian bridge.
Protestors poured red paint over the Microsoft sign. (X/@RedmondWaPD)
Police arrested 18 people at the Microsoft Campus on various charges. The Redmond Police Department, in an X post, wrote that the incident occurred on August 20.
“18 arrested for various charges during a protest at Microsoft Campus. Redmond police are at the scene of a demonstration at the Microsoft campus. On Aug 20, around 12:15 p.m., Redmond officers were dispatched to a large gathering of protestors in the Microsoft courtyard,” the department wrote.
The police tweeted that when officers initially attempted to trespass the protestors, they resisted and became aggressive. “A few protesters had poured paint over the Microsoft sign and on the ground.”
Amid the chaos, some protesters blocked a pedestrian bridge using stolen tables and chairs from vendors, as per the police. They used the furniture as barricades.
“Officers took 18 into custody for multiple charges, including trespassing, malicious mischief, resisting arrest, and obstruction. No injuries were reported,” the department added.
Redmond Police Department shared three pictures, one showing red paint scattered across a Microsoft sign.
“Today, the group returned and engaged in vandalism and property damage,” Microsoft said in a statement, reported Bloomberg. “They also disrupted, harassed, and took tables and tents from local small businesses at a lunchtime farmer’s market for employees.”
“Microsoft deeply appreciates and supports the actions of local law enforcement officers and the Redmond Police Department,” the company said in its statement.
Why did the employees protest?
As per Bloomberg, the employees were protesting about the software company’s business ties with Israel. The outlet reported that the group behind the protest, No Azure for Apartheid, wants the company to stop selling their products to Israel, claiming that the technology is contributing to deaths in Gaza.
Himachal Pradesh braces for fresh spells with IMD issuing Orange and Yellow alerts. The death toll has reached 276 and around 366 roads are blocked.
Over 270 Killed, 366 Roads Closed In Himachal Pradesh (PTI/File)
Himachal Pradesh monsoon is all set to hit the state yet again. IMD predicted fresh spells of rain over next three days and issued Orange and Yellow alerts across several districts. As per the official data, 276 people lost their lives in the state during monsoon.
The IMD weather forecast predicts intense rainfall over Solan, Shimla, Mandi, Kangra, Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and Sirmaur districts. A yellow alert has been issued for remaining districts of the state.
Chamba District Collector Mukesh Repaswal told IANS, “Over the next five days, according to the IMD forecast, yellow and orange alerts have been issued, and rainfall is expected across the entire district…”
Chamba, Himachal Pradesh: District Collector Mukesh Repaswal says, “Over the next five days, according to the IMD forecast, yellow and orange alerts have been issued, and rainfall is expected across the entire district…” pic.twitter.com/ZO9bTXbcMN
Himachal Pradesh’s cumulative monsoon death toll since June 20 has climbed to 276, of which 143 people have died in rain-related incidents such as landslides, flash floods, and house collapses, while 133 lost their lives in road accidents, according to the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA).
Alongside this, heavy monsoon rains have crippled large parts of Himachal Pradesh, blocking 366 roads, snapping power in 929 areas, and disrupting 139 water supply schemes in the past 24 hours, added HPSDMA.
National Highway-305 in Kullu and NH-154 in Mandi remained blocked due to road sinking and landslides. In contrast, dozens of key link roads were rendered impassable in districts including Mandi, Kullu, Kangra, Sirmaur and Chamba.
The man cooked the monitor lizard, recorded the act and posted on Facebook and YouTube.
YouTuber arrested for cooking rare lizard species on cam (AI-generated image)
A TouTuber from Odisha was arrested for allegedly cooking the meat of a protected and rare species of monitor lizard in Mayurbhanj, according to a report.
The incident came to light after he posted the video of the incident on social media, prompting the authorities to take him into custody.
The man was identified as Rupa Nayak, who hailed from Asanbani village. He came across a dead monitor lizard on the road near the Banta area on his way back from his wife’s maternal home in Bhadrak, NDTV reported.
Nayak took the lizard home and recorded the video while he cooked its meat and put it on Facebook and YouTube.
The video went viral after which the Forest Department took suo motu cognisance of the matter and launched a probe. The man was arrested and interrogated. He confessed to being involved in the act, the report said.
Gestapo in the making, or a step towards justice? Here’s what the 130th Constitution Amendment Bill really proposes.
Home Minister Amit Shah introduces the 130th Constitution (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha. (Image: X)
Parliament’s Monsoon Session witnessed high drama on Wednesday as Opposition MPs accused the government of pushing India towards a “Gestapo-style” police state with the introduction of the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025.
As Union Home Minister Amit Shah faced a barrage of protests from the Opposition leaders – some of whom tore and threw copies of the Bills at him – AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi rose up from the Opposition benches to launch a blistering attack on the proposed legislation.
Copies Of Bills Torn And Thrown At HM – Watch
#WATCH | Copies of the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025, Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025 torn and thrown towards HM Amit Shah in Lok Sabha. pic.twitter.com/x9CqjAausr
“This Bill will undermine Parliamentary democracy. This is the 1933 Gestapo in Germany. This government is hell-bent on creating a police state. This will be death-knell for elected governments. Indian Constitution is being amended to turn India into a police state,” AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi said.
Bill Will Create Gestapo State, Says Owaisi – Watch
#WATCH | Copies of the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025, Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025 torn and thrown towards HM Amit Shah in Lok Sabha.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge warned that the legislation would arm agencies with unchecked power.
#WATCH | Delhi | Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says, “Over the last 11 years, we have witnessed the blatant misuse of parliamentary majority to arm the autonomous agencies like ED, I-T, and CBI with draconian powers to target opposition leaders. Now, these new Bills are… pic.twitter.com/OEzz2IBRvI
“Over the last 11 years, we have witnessed the blatant misuse of parliamentary majority to arm the autonomous agencies like ED, I-T, and CBI with draconian powers to target opposition leaders. Now, these new Bills are set to become instruments in the hands of the ruling party to further undermine and destabilise democratically elected governments in the states. In Parliament, we have seen a growing trend of stifling opposition voices. We are repeatedly denied the opportunity to raise matters of vital public concern in the House,” he said.
What Is The Gestapo?
The Gestapo, or Geheime Staatspolizei, was the secret police force of Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945, playing a central role in the regime’s oppressive tactics. Established under Hermann Göring, it evolved into a powerful tool for Adolf Hitler, who considered it a crucial weapon against perceived enemies of the state, including political dissidents, Jews, Romani people, and other marginalised groups, an excerpt on the leading research platform EBSCO states.
The excerpt adds, “Despite being a relatively small force, the Gestapo wielded immense power, operating above the law and often employing brutal methods such as torture and intimidation to enforce compliance and silence opposition… The legacy of the Gestapo remains a chilling reminder of state-sponsored terror and the dangers of unchecked authority.”
What Does The 130th Amendment Bill Say?
The 130th Constitution (Amendment) Bill amends Article 75 of the Constitution, introducing a new clause:
“A Minister, who for any period of 30 consecutive days during holding the office as such, is arrested and detained in custody, on allegation of committing an offence under any law for the time being in force, which is punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or more, shall be removed from his office by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister to be tendered by the 31st day after being taken in such custody.”
Also noteworthy is that it provides that such a leader may be reappointed once released.
Case For Amendment
The proposal stems from controversies like the 2023 arrest of Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji. His dismissal and subsequent reinstatement after bail triggered a constitutional tussle, with the Supreme Court eventually expressing concern.
The Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill says: “A minister who is facing allegations of serious criminal offences, arrested and detained in custody, may thwart or hinder the canons of constitutional morality and principles of good governance and eventually diminish the constitutional trust reposed by people in him.”
It adds that ministers must be “beyond any ray of suspicion.”
Constitution Amendment Bill: Who Removes Whom?
– President removes the Prime Minister
– Chief Minister removes state ministers
– Governor removes Chief Minister of a state
– Lt. Governor removes Chief Minister of a Union Territory
The Three Bills In Play
– The Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025
– The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025
– The Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025
Articles 75, 164, and 239AA are being amended to introduce these provisions. J&K and Union Territories have separate frameworks via the J&K Reorganisation Act and the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963.
How Did The BJP React?
BJP MP Sambit Patra lashed out at the Opposition’s protests in the Lok Sabha: “The way the opposition MPs, especially Congress MPs, behaved in the Parliament has never happened in history…The way opposition MPs tore and threw the copies of the bill and intimated the Speaker…The copies of the bill were thrown towards Union Home Minister Amit Shah…A black chapter has been written by the opposition…They did all this to save the corrupt…Government cannot be run from jail…
“When this kind of bill was brought by Indira Gandhi, it was mentioned that cases cannot be registered against the Prime Minister, President, Vice-President…In this bill, action can be taken against the Prime Minister, Union Ministers, state ministers, and the Chief Minister…To save Lalu Prasad Yadav, Manmohan Singh brought an ordinance, tore that ordinance and said that he was against corruption. Today again the bill was torn, which means that they want governments to be run from jail…The nation is watching this hypocrisy…”
“Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile ‘Agni 5’ was successfully test-fired from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur in Odisha,” the Defence Ministry said.
The Agni-5, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), was first tested in April 2012. (Image only for representation/AI generated)
India on Wednesday carried out a successful test of its Agni-5 ballistic missile from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha, the Defence Ministry said, calling the launch a validation of the country’s strategic capabilities.
The missile was fired under the command of the Strategic Forces Command, which oversees India’s nuclear arsenal. “Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile ‘Agni 5’ was successfully test-fired from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur in Odisha on August 20, 2025. The launch validated all operational and technical parameters. It was carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command,” the ministry said in a statement.
The Agni-5, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), was first tested in April 2012. With a range of more than 5,000 kilometres, it places most of Asia, including China, within reach. The missile is also capable of carrying nuclear warheads, making it a key component of India’s deterrence strategy.
The Agni-5 can carry up to three nuclear warheads, and work is underway on newer variants expected to extend its range to about 7,500 kilometers. Future versions are also being designed with bunker-busting capability, giving the missile the ability to strike heavily fortified targets.
Wednesday’s launch comes amid growing attention to India’s expanding arsenal, which includes both land-based and submarine-launched missiles.
The test has drawn concern from across the border. The Strategic Vision Institute, a think tank in Islamabad, warned Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir that India’s missile program poses “serious risks” to regional stability. It argued that India’s progress accelerated after joining the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 2016, giving it access to advanced missile systems, as per a report by The Times of India.
Russia on Wednesday said the S-400 air defence system’s performance in Operation Sindoor was proof of the deep defence cooperation between Moscow and New Delhi, with envoy Roman Babushkin stressing that both countries were ready to work together as they have for decades.
Russia on Wednesday said the S-400 air defence system’s performance in Operation Sindoor was proof of the deep defence cooperation between Moscow and New Delhi, with envoy Roman Babushkin stressing that both countries were ready to work together as they have for decades.
The S-400 air defence system, which played a crucial role in the four-day Operation Sindoor between India and Pakistan, was yet another example of the close defence cooperation between Moscow and New Delhi, Roman Babushkin, Charge d’Affaires of the Russian Embassy, said on Tuesday.
Speaking to Times Now, Babushkin stressed that India and Russia were ready to continue working together as they have for decades. He pointed out that the S-400 system — credited with bringing down a Swedish-built Pakistan Air Force (PAF) airborne early warning and control (AEW) aircraft, as confirmed earlier by Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh — had performed strongly during the crisis. The IAF currently has three S-400 units, with two more on the way.
Babushkin recalled that Russian President Vladimir Putin had strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, which triggered Operation Sindoor. He added that Moscow would be open to contributing technology to India’s Sudarshan Chakra nationwide air defence system, targeted for 2035 as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address.
Given the proven success of the S-400, Russian weapons were a natural choice, Babushkin said. He underlined that Russia had supported “Make in India” long before it became an official slogan, citing joint work on jet engines and the fact that India-made components are already part of Sukhoi-30MKI fighter engines.
On August 21, Kerala will script history as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan declares it India’s first fully digitally literate state, a milestone born from Pullampara’s pioneering journey and Kudumbashree’s grassroots training.
Even centenarians in Kerala embrace technology as the state achieves full digital literacy.
Kerala is set to script history on August 21, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expected to officially declare it as the first fully digitally literate state in India. The milestone is more than a statistic, it is a story of resilience, curiosity and an entire community learning to tap into the digital world.
The inspiration for this achievement lies in Pullampara, a gram panchayat tucked away in rural Thiruvananthapuram district. In 2022, Pullampara became the first panchayat in the country to achieve full digital literacy, a feat that has since ignited a movement across Kerala.
When India Today TV met 103-year-old Karunakaran in Pullampara, he was seated with his 73-year-old son Rajan, the two of them watching videos on YouTube. Karunakaran, whose eyesight and memory are fading with age, still lights up when making video calls to his grandchildren.
Rajan, who once depended on a keypad phone, now navigates smartphones with ease. “When the panchayat came to teach, I only had a keypad phone. My son bought me a smartphone after I learned how to use it. I consider myself lucky to live in this digital world and see the world through this phone. I mainly use YouTube, Facebook and news channels,” he said with pride.
Not far away, 58-year-old Shyamala returned home from work, chatting with her children on WhatsApp. The calls, once unimaginable for her, now feel second nature. “They are covering me on the news for using these apps,” she told her daughter excitedly.
Behind these small but transformative stories stand the women of Kudumbashree, Kerala’s celebrated self-help group, who trained lakhs of people across the state. Their modules began with the basics, switching on smartphones, sending a message, installing apps, and stretched to teaching online payments, gas booking and awareness about digital scams. Learners were certified digitally literate only after clearing six of the fifteen modules.
“It was difficult initially,” recalls Preetha, a Kudumbashree trainer. “Most would say their children already had phones, so why should they? We explained that one day they might need it to talk to their children far away. Slowly, people began joining. Some homemakers learned YouTube to watch cooking videos, others learned GPay to manage pension money. The biggest happiness was when senior citizens, even those above 60, started using Google Pay. They were so proud of themselves.”
Pullampara’s journey was not without hurdles. Aswathy, the panchayat’s Vice President, called it a “dream project” born out of the isolation of the Covid-19 pandemic. “At first, only a few were interested. We had to visit them personally and convince them. The oldest learner was 98-year-old Karunakaran, and the youngest was seven-year-old Keshu. Two wards had no network, so MP John Brittas helped us get mobile towers. After that, the project took off. We worked tirelessly for a year to finish it,” she said.
The ripple effect is now visible across the state. In Ernakulam, 105-year-old MA Abdullah Maulavi Bafaqi went digital under the state’s “Digi Kerala” initiative. Local Self Government Minister MB Rajesh called him “the hero of this real Kerala story” and presented him with a smartphone to celebrate the achievement.
The scale of Kerala’s digital literacy drive is staggering. A survey covering more than 83 lakh families identified over 21.8 lakh people as learners. Of them, 99.98 per cent completed their training and passed the assessment, including more than 1.35 lakh people aged between 76 and 90, and even 15,223 above the age of 90. The modules themselves were aligned with international standards, including those laid down by Unesco.
The all-risk insurance package has been provided by New India Assurance and covers gold, silver and precious stones, personal accident insurance, fire and earthquake risks, and public liability.
Of the total amount, the largest component is personal accident insurance worth Rs 375 crore, extending coverage to volunteers, priests, cooks, attendants and security staff.
Mumbai’s wealthiest Ganesh mandal, the GSB Seva Mandal at King’s Circle, has secured a record insurance cover worth Rs 474.46 crore for this year’s festival, significantly higher than last year’s Rs 400 crore policy. The increase is attributed to a higher valuation of gold and silver ornaments adorning the deity, along with the inclusion of more volunteers and priests under the policy.
The all-risk insurance package has been provided by New India Assurance and covers gold, silver and precious stones, personal accident insurance, fire and earthquake risks, and public liability.
Of the total amount, the largest component is personal accident insurance worth Rs 375 crore, extending coverage to volunteers, priests, cooks, attendants and security staff.
Public liability insurance worth Rs 30 crore covers pandals, stadiums and devotees, while standard fire and special risk cover for the venue premises stands at Rs 43 lakh. Fire and earthquake coverage has been retained at Rs 2 crore, unchanged from previous years.
This year’s policy also reflects a sharp rise in insurance premiums. The all-risk policy for ornaments alone is valued at Rs 67 crore, compared to Rs 43 crore in 2024 and Rs 38 crore in 2023. GSB Seva Mandal president Amit Pai said, “The increase is largely due to the rise in valuation of gold and silver. Volunteers and priests have also been included in the coverage.”
The soaring price of gold has added to the jump in coverage. During Ganeshotsav 2024, 24-carat gold was priced at Rs 77,000 per 10 grams, whereas it currently stands at Rs 1,02,000. The GSB deity will be adorned with 66 kilograms of gold ornaments and 336 kilograms of silver.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was attacked during a public hearing at her residence by Rajesh Bhai Sakariya, who has been sent to 5-day police remand. Doctors confirmed she is stable, and Gupta vowed to continue her Jan Sunwai sessions.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was attacked during a public hearing at her residence by Rajesh Bhai Sakariya.
A Delhi court on Wednesday sent Delhi Chief Minister’s alleged attacker, Rajesh Bhai Khimji Bhai Sakariya, to five days of police remand. Police produced the 41-year-old Rajkot resident before the Duty Metropolitan Magistrate at midnight.
During the remand period, Delhi Police may take Sakariya to Rajkot. Cops may recreate the crime scene at the Chief Minister’s residence. Investigators will probe who he met and spoke to after arriving in Delhi. Police have also sent his mobile phone for forensic examination and will examine whether there is a larger conspiracy behind the attack.
The attack took place during a Jan Sunwai (public hearing) at Gupta’s Civil Lines residence earlier in the day. Officials said the man first handed over some papers to the Chief Minister before shouting, yelling, and striking her. He was immediately overpowered and later arrested.
According to police sources, one of Sakariya’s relatives is in jail, and he had come with a petition seeking their release, a matter currently pending in court. His family has also shed light on his background. Witnesses claimed that others at the event thrashed him before police detained him.
Earlier reports suggested that Gupta had been slapped. However, Delhi BJP chief Virendraa Sachdeva denied those claims, clarifying that the attacker tried to pull the Chief Minister by the hand, leading to a scuffle in which “her head may have hit a corner.”
Doctors confirmed that Gupta is stable but in shock. “She remains determined to continue her daily work and Jan Sunwai sessions,” Sachdeva said, calling her a “strong woman with a clear commitment to Delhi.”
In her first response after the incident, Gupta said the assault was an attack on her resolve to serve the people. “The attack on me during this morning’s public hearing was not just an attack on me, but a cowardly attempt on our resolve to serve Delhi and work for the welfare of the people,” she posted on X.
These bills are the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill 2025; the Constitution (One Hundred And Thirtieth Amendment) Bill 2025; and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill 2025.
Centre To Introduce Bills In Parliament For Removal Of PM, CMs And Ministers Facing Serious Criminal Charges | Representational Image
The government is planning to introduce three bills in Parliament on Wednesday for the removal of a prime minister, a Union minister, a chief minister or a minister of a state or Union Territory when arrested or detained on serious criminal charges.
Constitutional Amendment Bills
These bills are the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill 2025; the Constitution (One Hundred And Thirtieth Amendment) Bill 2025; and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill 2025.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will also move a motion in the Lok Sabha to refer these three bills to a joint committee of Parliament.
According to the statement of objects and reasons of the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill 2025, there is no provision under the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963 (20 of 1963) for the removal of the chief minister or a minister arrested and detained in custody on account of serious criminal charges.
Hence, there is a need to amend section 45 of the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963, to provide a legal framework for the removal of a chief minister or a minister in such cases. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objectives.
The objectives of the Constitution (One Hundred And Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025, say there is no provision under the Constitution for the removal of a minister who is arrested and detained in custody on account of serious criminal charges.
Hence, there is a need to amend Articles 75, 164 and 239AA of the Constitution, for providing a legal framework for the removal of the prime minister or a minister in the Union Council of Ministers and the chief minister or a minister in the Council of Ministers of States and the National Capital Territory of Delhi in such cases. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objectives.
In the past 10 days, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has repeatedly targeted India for its energy trade with Russia.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also pressed European allies to match US penalties. (Reuters)
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has once again taken aim at India’s Russian oil purchases, accusing New Delhi of profiteering at the cost of the West’s sanctions regime. In an interview with CNBC, Bessent described India’s practice of buying discounted crude from Moscow and reselling refined products as an “unacceptable” arbitrage – the latest in a string of remarks where Washington has singled out India for its energy trade with Russia.
“This… Indian arbitrage — buying cheap Russian oil, reselling it as product – has just sprung during the war, which is unacceptable,” Bessent told CNBC’s Squawk Box. “They are just profiteering. They are reselling.”
The sharp criticism comes even as India has consistently defended its energy trade as a matter of national interest, arguing that affordable Russian oil has been vital for meeting its growing energy needs and shielding consumers from global price shocks.
DELHI IN WASHINGTON’S CROSSHAIRS
This is not the first time the Treasury Secretary has taken aim at India over its Russian oil purchases. In an interview with Bloomberg TV last week, Bessent had warned that the US could impose further secondary tariffs on India if President Donald Trump’s talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska failed to yield results.
“We’ve put secondary tariffs on Indians for buying Russian oil. And I could see, if things don’t go well, then sanctions or secondary tariffs could go up,” Bessent had said a day before the August summit.
He also pressed America’s European allies to match US penalties. In an interview with Fox News, Bessent accused Europe of hypocrisy, pointing out that European nations were still buying refined products from Indian refineries processing Russian crude. “It is time for our European counterparts to put up or shut up,” he said. “If we want a unified front, President Trump needs maximum leverage, and that means Europe doing its part.”
TRUMP’S TARIFF THREAT AND INDIA’S RESPONSE
President Trump has already announced an additional 25 per cent duty on Indian exports to the US, on top of the earlier 25 per cent levy, effectively doubling tariffs to 50 per cent. He has threatened more penalties, specifically targeting Russian oil buyers like India.
Defending the measures, Trump argued earlier this month that the tariffs were instrumental in pressuring Moscow into talks. “When you lose your second-largest customer [India] and you’re probably going to lose your first largest customer, I think that probably has a role,” he said.
India, however, has strongly rejected the US position, calling the tariffs “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” while maintaining that its energy imports are a matter of national security and economic stability.
US’S DOUBLE STANDARDS
While Washington has aggressively penalised India, it has stopped short of imposing similar measures on China – despite Beijing continuing to import large volumes of Russian crude. When asked about the difference, Bessent argued that China had been a major buyer even before the Ukraine war, implying its case was less egregious.
This uneven approach has sparked accusations of double standards. Critics say New Delhi is being punished while Beijing escapes secondary sanctions, despite US officials – including Secretary of State Marco Rubio – openly acknowledging that India’s Russian oil purchases remain a “point of irritation” in ties with Washington.
INDIA’S RUSSIAN OIL BET
India turned to discounted Russian crude after Western sanctions were imposed on Moscow in 2022. With a price cap of USD 60 per barrel, the purchases have dramatically reshaped India’s energy basket.
Russia’s share in India’s crude imports has soared from just 1.7 per cent in FY20 to over 35 per cent in FY25, according to official trade data. Out of 245 million metric tonnes of oil imported last fiscal year, 88 MMT came from Russia alone, making it India’s largest supplier.
The monorail services in Mumbai were disrupted between Chembur and Bhakti Park due to a technical snag amid heavy rain. Passengers dialled the civic body helpline number, following which fire officials arrived at the scene and rescued them.
All 582 passengers who were stuck inside the Mumbai monorail that was stalled between two stations due to a technical snag amid torrential rain in the city were rescued after nearly four hours, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The rescue operation was carried out by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and the fire brigade on Tuesday evening.
The incident occurred around 6:15 pm when the monorail, which was fully packed with passengers, came to a sudden halt on its elevated track following a power supply issue. The passengers were stranded inside the rake and sky ladders were pressed into action to rescue them.
The rake was stuck between Bhakti Park and the Chembur station near the Mysore Colony. Twelve passengers who complained of suffocation and breathlessness during the ordeal have been hospitalised. Their conditions are reported to be stable and would soon be discharged from the hospital, officials said.
“I was on the train from 5:30 pm. The rescue operation started after one hour. There were at least 500 passengers on the train. This train arrived after a gap of 30 minutes, so the entire train was overloaded with passengers,” a passenger who was rescued told news agency ANI.
During the rescue operations, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that he was in contact with the concerned officials and has ordered an enquiry into the incident. He also urged the passengers not to panic.
In a tweet, Fadnavis had assured that all passengers would be safely evacuated and requested everyone to remain patient.
“Due to some technical reason, a monorail is stuck between Chembur and Bhakti Park. MMRDA, the fire brigade, and the municipal corporation, all agencies have reached the spot. The highest priority is being given to the safety of all passengers. Therefore, no one should worry or panic. All passengers will be safely evacuated. I request everyone to remain patient,” tweeted Fadnavis.
“I am in contact with the MMRDA Commissioner, the Municipal Commissioner, the police, and all relevant agencies. An inquiry will also be conducted into why this incident occurred,” he further added.
Elaborating on the incident, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that many people took the monorail since the Harbour Line was closed due to heavy rain, leading to overcrowding inside the train and a subsequent power breakdown.
“Due to the closure of the Harbour Line, several passengers started travelling on the monorail. This led to overcrowding on the train, and a power breakdown occurred. Due to the power breakdown, emergency brakes were applied and the train stopped,” said Shinde.
The Manipur High Court directed the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur, Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur (COHSEM), Manipur University (MU) and the Manipur Medical Council to issue fresh certificates for Dr Beoncy Laishram within one month.
Manipur High Court orders new academic certificates for Dr Beoncy Laishram
The Manipur High Court has directed the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur, Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur (COHSEM), Manipur University (MU) and the Manipur Medical Council to issue fresh educational certificates reflecting the new name and gender of Dr Beoncy Laishram, the first transgender doctor of Northeast India.
The order was passed by the single bench of Justice A Guneshor Sharma while hearing a petition filed by Dr Beoncy Laishram, whose birth name and gender were earlier recorded as “Boboi Laishram, male” in her educational records. After undergoing gender reassignment surgery in 2019, the District Magistrate, Imphal West, issued her a transgender certificate and an identity card in the name of “Dr Beoncy Laishram” with gender “female”, in line with Sections 6 and 7 of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. Her updated credentials have already been reflected in Aadhaar, PAN and Voter ID.
Despite this, BOSEM, COHSEM and MU declined to change her name and gender in educational certificates, citing absence of rules in their by-laws and arguing that such changes must begin from the matriculation stage. However, the High Court ruled that any educational institution or establishment is independently obligated under Sections 6, 7 and 10 of the Act to correct the records of a transgender person upon application, without waiting for initial institutions to do so.
India and China have agreed to set up an expert group to explore early boundary delimitation and resume direct flights, marking a major thaw in bilateral ties. This comes after China Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s meetings with EAM Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval and finally PM Narendra Modi.
India and China have agreed to set up an expert group to explore early boundary delimitation and resume direct flights, marking a major thaw in bilateral ties.
India and China have agreed to resume direct flights at the earliest and expand the scale of Indian pilgrimage to Mt Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, marking a significant thaw in bilateral ties. The announcement came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Prime Minister’s Office in Delhi today. PM Modi asked Wang Yi to convey his cordial greetings to President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, and expressed his great anticipation for attending the… pic.twitter.com/KSTtFLnhFw
“The two sides spoke positively of the progress made in the implementation of the important leader-level consensus in Kazan. The two sides shared the view that peace and tranquillity has been maintained in the India-China border areas since the 23rd SR Talks. They reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas to promote overall development of the India-China bilateral relationship,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
Expert Group For Boundary Settlement
As part of the breakthrough, both nations decided to work on a settlement of the boundary question. “The two special representatives agreed on setting up an Expert Group, under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC), to explore Early Harvest in boundary delimitation in the India-China border areas,” the statement added.
Delimitation refers to defining the boundary through legal and political means, without placing physical markers on the ground. In addition, a working group will be formed under the WMCC for effective border management to maintain peace and tranquillity along the India-China border.
An agreement was also reached to take a political perspective of the overall relationship while seeking a “fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework” for settlement of the boundary question, in line with the 2005 Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for Settlement of the India-China Boundary Question.
The IAS fraternity expressed solidarity with CEC Gyanesh Kumar after his public spat with Rahul Gandhi and opposition parties over allegations of vote theft in Bihar.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. (PTI)
The IAS fraternity has strongly condemned abuse and personal remarks against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and his family, following a tense confrontation between the Election Commission and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who has accused the poll body of stealing votes to benefit the BJP.
“We strongly condemn unwarranted abuse and personal attacks against Hon’ble Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar and his family. We urge everyone to maintain respect and decorum, acknowledging his dedicated service and significant contributions towards the nation,” read a post by IAS Fraternity on X.
We strongly condemns unwarranted abuse and personal attacks against Hon’ble Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar and his family. We urge everyone to maintain respect and decorum, acknowledging his dedicated service and significant contributions towards the nation. pic.twitter.com/jRf41VMrAd
The confrontation between two Constitutional position holders—the CEC and the LoP – began after Rahul Gandhi alleged “vote theft” and irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls in the state. The Election Commission has repeatedly denied these “baseless” accusations and called on Gandhi to sign an affidavit or apologise.
In a departure from norms, the Chief Election Commissioner held a press conference to address Gandhi’s ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’, where he stressed that the Bihar SIR is aimed at removing all shortcomings in voter lists, while slamming political parties for spreading misinformation.
In a tersely-worded speech, Kumar rejected as “baseless” the allegations of double voting and “vote theft”, saying it was an insult to the Constitution. He also called on Rahul Gandhi to either sign an affidavit or apologise to the country for his claims of vote theft.
Meanwhile, the opposition parties, led by the Congress, said the Election Commission is not acting like an unbiased entity and is in the hands of officers who are taking sides. The parties also accused CEC Gyanesh Kumar of acting like a BJP spokesperson, saying he failed to answer their questions on the SIR exercise.
While the multi-billion-dollar gaming industry is understandably dismayed by this proposal, there is a strong sentiment within the government that such a move is essential
This effectively includes a complete ban on endorsements by celebrities and social media influencers, a measure intended to curb the appeal of these platforms to a wider, often impressionable, audience. Representational image
The Indian government is moving to strictly regulate the online gaming industry, with a particular focus on apps that involve money transactions. The union cabinet on Tuesday approved the Online Gaming Bill, which aims to monitor the sector and curb illegal betting. The bill and a related note indicate a clear intent to protect vulnerable users and ensure these platforms are not exploited for money laundering or as a threat to national security. The proposed legislation seeks to create a stringent framework that targets the financial aspects of online gaming.
According to the accessed note, the government’s approach is to prohibit any involvement in “the offering of online money game and online gaming service”. This ban extends beyond the operators, explicitly targeting any form of promotion. The bill states that “no person shall make, cause to be made, aid, abet in any media or a communication which promotes any person to play an online money game or indulge in online money app”. This effectively includes a complete ban on endorsements by celebrities and social media influencers, a measure intended to curb the appeal of these platforms to a wider, often impressionable, audience.
The penalties proposed for non-compliance are severe. Anyone found offering an online money gaming service could face up to five years of imprisonment. For those involved in endorsements, the punishment includes imprisonment of up to two years and a hefty fine ranging from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore. Government sources have clarified that these regulations will not affect gaming apps used purely for entertainment with no money involved.
While the multi-billion-dollar gaming industry is understandably dismayed by this proposal, there is a strong sentiment within the government that such a move is essential. Officials believe the unchecked exponential growth of money-based gaming has led to significant mental health issues among the young generation, stemming from the addictive nature of these games and the financial risks involved. The government is careful to distinguish between this sector and e-sports, which it sees as a legitimate sport that could even be included in the Olympics.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday quoted from a News18 report on the Parliament archives to slam Nehru’s approach in signing the IWT
A perusal of the archives shows Nehru was completely dismissive of the idea of consulting Parliament on it. File image/X
Should I bring a truckful of papers to the Parliament? This is how then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru dismissed the demands of parliamentarians, including senior members from his own party, who questioned him in 1960 on why he did not consult Parliament before signing the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday quoted from a News18 report on the Parliament archives to slam Nehru’s approach in signing the IWT. A perusal of the archives shows Nehru was completely dismissive of the idea of consulting Parliament on it.
“All those numerous papers will probably fill a cart. You can imagine ten years’ papers and if you have to bring them and present them to Parliament you require a truck-huge number of correspondences, this debate, that engineer’s estimate, etc, running to hundreds of pages. It is a mountain of papers; it is not a few letters exchanged, for a period of twelve years,” Nehru told Parliament.
In this debate on November 30, 1960, Nehru went on to say that such “complicated agreements” cannot be brought to Parliament. “I do not think it is possible for any kind of these complicated agreements to be dealt with, when we have to refer to Parliament. There must have been, I suppose, in this particular matter, dozens of approaches, dozens of plans, discussed, ultimately rejected and something happened. Are we to come at every step and ask Parliament?” Nehru told the MPs.
Parliamentarians, including those from the Congress, were aghast that while the Parliament was in session till September 9, 1960, the treaty was signed on September 19 in Karachi without Parliament being aware. “You cannot carry on any kind of negotiation, even relatively simple ones and certainly not this very difficult one (with Parliament being consulted). Therefore, very wisely, the Constitution and convention lay down that in such agreements, Government has to stake its own judgment, its future, on it. There is no other way. One takes a risk; maybe that Government may go wrong. But there is no other way to deal with it,” Nehru insisted.
In the end, as per the BJP now and the general wisdom of the parliamentarians then, the Nehru government did go wrong on the Indus Waters Treaty. Nehru had then accused his fellow MPs of acting in “narrow-minded spirit” while opposing the treaty and requesting “a little more friendly treatment by this House”. He said Congress MPs using words like a “second partition” for IWT was loose language and a “perversion of the facts”.
The top court was hearing a batch of pleas seeking guidelines to prevent misuse of POCSO Act in cases where minors engage in consensual relationships.
The Supreme Court bench noted that there is a distinction between exploitative criminal conduct and “romantic bonds” between teenagers. (HT Photo)
“Love is not penal, and it cannot become one,” the Supreme Court asserted on Tuesday, underlining that young couples, even those just short of attaining majority, must be “left alone” if they have entered into genuine romantic relationships.
The Supreme Court bench noted that there is a distinction between exploitative criminal conduct and “romantic bonds” between teenagers. (HT Photo)
The Supreme Court bench noted that there is a distinction between exploitative criminal conduct and “romantic bonds” between teenagers. (HT Photo)
A bench of justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan made the remarks while hearing a batch of petitions that sought guidelines to prevent misuse of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in cases where minors engage in consensual relationships.
During the proceedings, the court also dismissed petitions by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and the National Commission for Women (NCW) challenging Punjab and Haryana high court orders that recognised the validity of marriages of Muslim girls after attaining puberty.
The bench said the commissions had “no locus standi” in such matters, remarking: “It is strange that NCPCR, which is for protecting children, has challenged an order protecting two children…Leave these couples alone.”
Personal laws in Islam allow a Muslim girl to enter into a contract of marriage after attaining puberty whereas a set of common civil and criminal laws in India proscribes the marriage of girls under 18 and further makes sexual intercourse with minors a penal offence.
With the dismissal, a January 2023 order of the top court that the high court ruling should not be treated as precedent also came to an end.
During the Tuesday hearing, the bench noted that while POCSO remains a vital tool to protect children against sexual abuse, there is a distinction between exploitative criminal conduct and “romantic bonds” between teenagers. “Can you say it is criminal to love?” Justice Nagarathna asked, cautioning that prosecuting adolescents for consensual relationships inflicted lasting trauma.
Appearing for petitioner NGO Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), senior advocate HS Phoolka pressed for safeguards to ensure that leniency in such cases is not abused, suggesting for instance that the age gap between minors in relationships be capped at three years. Phoolka also assailed a 2022 circular by the Tamil Nadu director general of Police directing the police officials to not show haste in effecting an arrest of the accused in consensual relationships, saying such mandates were prone to be misused and minors getting trafficked.
But the bench was emphatic that investigators can look into the facts of each case. “It has to be examined on a case-by-case basis. Why do you want to prosecute everyone? Every case is different, and police have to investigate, apply their mind, and segregate genuine cases from those that should be prosecuted,” the court said.
The bench highlighted the misuse of POCSO provisions by parents who file cases when daughters elope, often citing “honour” as the pretext. “Many such cases are filed by the girls’ parents to so-called protect their honour. There will be honour killings if we start treating all such cases as crimes,” it warned.
“Look at the trauma when a boy has to be lodged in jail or face prosecution despite having a consensual relationship with a girl who is on the verge of attaining majority…We have to keep the realities of society in mind,” said the court.
The bench also reflected on the social realities of adolescent life: “Girls and boys study together, spend time together. They can develop feelings for each other and have romantic relationships. Where there are genuine romantic relationships; where they want to get married or want to be together…why should they be stopped?”
The same bench also refused to entertain different petitions filed by NCPCR and the National Commission for Women (NCW), which had challenged separate high court orders on the issue.
In one case, the bodies had assailed a Punjab and Haryana high court judgment, which held that Muslim girls are legally old enough to marry once they reach puberty at the age of 15; in another, the high court had handed custody of a minor girl to her adult husband following a habeas corpus plea.
The bench said that NCPCR or NCW had no locus (legal standing) to interfere in these personal matters.
“NCPCR has no locus standi to challenge such orders,” the bench held. It further remarked: “It is strange that the NCPCR, which is for protecting the children, has challenged an order protecting two children. How can we set aside protection orders of a high court? Leave these couples alone.”
With the NCPCR’s petitions getting disposed of on Tuesday, a January 2023 order by a previous bench of the Supreme Court that the Punjab and Haryana high court judgment shall not be treated as a legal precedent also ends.
The court’s observations come against the backdrop of multiple pending pleas, including those filed by BBA and NCPCR, that grapple with whether the statutory age of consent at 18 under POCSO should be revisited. Senior advocate Rajshekhar Rao assisted the court as amicus curiae.
In separate proceedings, the Union government last month adduced its submissions in the top court, opposing any move to lower the age of consent under POCSO or introduce exceptions for adolescent relationships. As reported first by HT on July 24, the government told the court that such dilution, “even in the name of reform or adolescent autonomy,” would dismantle the statutory shield meant to safeguard minors and risk opening the door to child abuse. It added that the current threshold of 18 years must remain “strictly and uniformly enforced” to maintain the integrity of child protection laws and uphold the best interests of minors.
HT’s analysis of government data, presented as part of its written submissions, revealed a stark disparity between the number of juveniles and young adults charged under rape and child sexual abuse laws and the relatively small proportion who are eventually convicted, throwing focus on the ongoing debate over the age of consent and its unintended consequences.
On July 20, 1858, 20,656 bigha and 19 marla of Rohnat’s private and panchayat land were auctioned for Rs 8,100, leaving villagers with almost no land
On September 14, 1857, the then Deputy Commissioner of Hisar, William Khwaja, declared Rohnat a ‘village of rebels.’ (News18 Hindi)
Rohnat village in Haryana’s Bhiwani district carries a painful legacy from the 1857 freedom struggle. When villagers revolted against British rule, they faced brutal reprisals. Many were killed, and their lands were confiscated and sold to outsiders. The trauma ran so deep that for decades, the tricolour was not hoisted here on Independence Day or Republic Day, as the villagers continued to demand the return of their seized land.
In 2018, then Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar visited Rohnat and hoisted the tricolour, promising to address the villagers’ demands. Since then, the flag has been raised, but many reports indicate that the community is still waiting for their land and other commitments to be fulfilled.
While the tricolour is now officially hoisted, the village continues to mark national festivals with restraint, reflecting its long struggle to reclaim its lost identity.
Rohnat’s Brave Legacy
According to a report by The Print, Rohnat village played a pivotal role in the 1857 revolt against British rule in present-day Haryana, which saw centres of uprising in Gurgaon, Rohtak, Sirsa, Hisar, Rewari, Panipat, and Thanesar. On May 29, 1857, revolutionaries from Rohnat attacked and looted the government treasury at Tosham, 19 km from the village. They later stormed the prison at Gujri Mahal in Hisar, freeing numerous imprisoned rebels. Led by Rohnat villagers, the group killed eleven British officers in Hansi and twelve in Hisar, with participation from residents of nearby villages including Putthi Mangalkhan, Mangali, Hajimpur, and Jamalpur.
Ruthless Reprisals Against Villagers
The British response to Rohnat’s revolt was brutal and merciless. Armed soldiers on horseback, led by Platoon 14, surrounded the village and deployed cannons along its boundaries. The three leaders of the uprising, Birhad Bairagi, Naunda Jat, and Rupa Khati, were tied to cannon barrels and blown up in front of the villagers, their bodies scattered across the fields. Subsequently, men were dragged from their homes and hanged from an old banyan tree near the village pond. In the nearby town of Hansi, over a hundred revolutionaries, including 14 from Rohnat, were crushed under a road roller. The road where many villagers lost their lives is still called Lal Sadak.
The Well Filled With Corpses
The well into which women and children reportedly jumped still exists, now surrounded by a concrete wall with water turned green from algae. The exact number of casualties remains unknown, but villagers recount from their elders that the well was filled with corpses. According to locals, the British later filled it with mud to prevent the remaining residents from accessing water.
The FASTag annual pass, introduced nationwide on August 15, allows private vehicle owners to make a one-time payment of Rs 3,000 for one year’s validity or up to 200 toll plaza crossings.
NHAI said the facility is available only for non-commercial vehicles with a valid FASTag.
The newly launched FASTag annual pass has crossed the five lakh mark in just four days, reflecting strong demand from highway users, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said Monday.
The pass, introduced nationwide on August 15, allows private vehicle owners to make a one-time payment of Rs 3,000 for one year’s validity or up to 200 toll plaza crossings. It is valid at about 1,150 toll booths on national highways and expressways and can be activated within two hours of purchase through the Rajmargyatra mobile app or the NHAI website.
Officials said the response has been overwhelming across the country, with Tamil Nadu recording the highest number of annual pass purchases so far, followed by Karnataka and Haryana. The highest number of transactions have been logged at toll plazas in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
On the first day of the rollout, more than 1.2 lakh users purchased and activated the annual pass, while nearly 1.24 lakh transactions were recorded at toll booths, according to NHAI data.
The government has promoted the scheme as a move to enhance “ease of living” and provide a seamless, economical option for highway commuters. By eliminating the need for frequent FASTag recharges, the annual pass is expected to reduce delays at toll plazas and make long-distance travel more convenient/
NHAI said the facility is available only for non-commercial vehicles with a valid FASTag. It is part of a broader push to promote technology-driven solutions on highways and to build on the success of the electronic toll collection system.
The move aims to correct a widespread data gap that may unfairly blame stray dogs for all bite incidents, despite cases involving pets.
Animal Welfare Board of India has written a letter to Director General of Health Services urging seperate records of dog bite cases. (Representative image)
Dog bite cases across India are often indiscriminately attributed to street dogs, but the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) wants to change that narrative.
Challenging the assumption that only stray dogs are responsible for attacks on children and the elderly, the AWBI has once again urged the government to start maintaining separate records for dog bite incidents, distinguishing between bites from street dogs and pet dogs. The move aims to correct a widespread data gap that may unfairly blame stray dogs for all bite incidents, despite cases involving pets.
ANIMAL WELFARE BOARD URGES HEALTH MINISTRY TO ACT
In a letter addressed to the Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Animal Husbandry Commissioner Abhijit Mitra of the AWBI has requested that all medical institutions be directed to categorise dog bite cases based on the type of dog involved.
“Separate records for street and pet dog bites must be maintained,” Mitra emphasised. “There are additional subcategories, as mentioned in earlier communications, which should also be referred to for proper classification.”
This is not the first appeal of its kind. A similar letter was sent in June 2023, yet little has changed on the ground. Dog bite data continues to be lumped together without specifying the source of the bite.
STREET DOGS GETTING A BAD NAME?
In a conversation with India Today’s sister channel Kisan Tak, Mitra pointed out that the lack of categorisation means all dog bite cases are currently being recorded as attacks by street dogs. For example, Delhi recorded over 1.27 lakh dog bite cases between 2018 and early 2023, while Mumbai saw 3.53 lakh cases between 2018 and 2022.
Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro, a former economics professor, was key in driving US retaliatory tariffs on trading partners.
A woman walks past a heavily damaged residential building following a Russian strike in the town of Bilozerske, Donetsk region in Ukraine.(AFP)
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro sharply criticised India for purchasing Russian energy and defence equipment, pledging to “hit India where it hurts” in order to change New Delhi’s policy. In an opinion piece for the Financial Times, Navarro termed India’s oil trade with Russia “opportunistic” and “corrosive” to global efforts being made to isolate the Russian economy.
A former economics professor who emerged as a major trade adviser to US President Donald Trump in his first administration, Navarro is seen a major force behind the US’s retaliatory tariffs on trading partners. In his article, Navarro sought to link what he termed as India’s “high” tariffs and “financial support” for Russia’s war in Ukraine, saying India was using dollars earned from trade with America to buy Russian oil.
“As Russia continues to hammer Ukraine, helped by India’s financial support, American (and European) taxpayers are then forced to spend tens of billions more to help Ukraine’s defence. Meanwhile, India keeps slamming the door on American exports through high tariffs and trade barriers. More than 300,000 soldiers and civilians have been killed, while Nato’s eastern flank grows more exposed and the west foots the bill for India’s oil laundering,” wrote Navarro.
In negotiations with the US for a Free Trade Agreement, India has refused to budge on protections for its agriculture, dairy and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sectors from unfettered American imports.
Trump on July 30 announced punitive tariffs of 25% on Indian goods shipped to America. He subsequently added another 25% levy, which is scheduled to come into effect next week, for purchasing Russian oil. India’s foreign ministry has termed the tariffs as “unreasonable” and “extremely unfortunate”.
Navarro also attacked Indian refiners for “profiteering” by purchasing Russian discounted oil and exporting the processed petroleum products to Europe, Africa and Asia, stating that the surge in crude oil imports from Russia after 2022 was not for meeting domestic consumption.
“The Biden administration largely looked the other way at this strategic and geopolitical madness. The Trump administration is confronting it,” Navarro said of Trump’s tariffs on India that have left the country’s exports to the US at a significant disadvantage with those from competing nations.
“This two-pronged policy will hit India where it hurts — its access to US markets — even as it seeks to cut off the financial lifeline it has extended to Russia’s war effort,” Navarro said. “If India wants to be treated as a strategic partner of the US, it needs to start acting like one.”
Navarro’s criticism marks the latest recrimination of India’s ties with Russia from a senior member of the Trump administration. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller have also taken issue with New Delhi’s relationship with Moscow.
Kapil Singh’s father, Krishan Pal, has demanded strict action against the perpetrators, while his brother, Pradeep, alleged that around 10-12 people were involved in the assault.
Indian Army soldier was assaulted at Meerut toll plaza when he was returning to his duty.
A disturbing incident unfolded at the Bhuni Toll Plaza in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, where Indian Army soldier Kapil Singh was brutally assaulted by toll staff on August 17.
Kapil Singh, who was returning to his duty in Srinagar after completing his leave, requested the toll staff to let him pass quickly as he had a flight to catch. However, this request led to an argument, and the toll staff allegedly tied him to a pole and beat him with rods.
Kapil Singh’s father, Krishan Pal, has demanded strict action against the perpetrators, while his brother, Pradeep, alleged that around 10-12 people were involved in the assault.
Speaking to ANI, Kapil Singh’s father, Krishan Pal, said, “He had completed his leave and we were on our way to drop him at the Delhi Airport. When we reached the Bhuni Toll Plaza, he requested them to let him pass, as he had to catch his flight…They threw away his army card…They tied him to a pole and started beating him…Strict action should be taken.”
Kapil Singh’s brother, Pradeep, added that the assault involved 10-12 people who used rods to beat the jawan.
“As we reached the Bhuni toll plaza, there was a fight going on, and my brother requested to be let through as he had to catch a flight. They snatched his ID card, tied his hands to a pole, and beat him up… They beat my brother with rods… 10-12 people beat him up,” he told ANI.
Six toll plaza employees have been arrested so far, and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has imposed a penalty of Rs 20 lakh on the toll collecting agency, Dharam Singh. The agency’s contract is also being terminated, and they will be debarred from future participation in toll plaza bids.
The Indian Army’s Central Command strongly condemned the incident, stating that it will pursue the case to its logical conclusion. The Uttar Pradesh Police have registered an FIR under sections for attempt to murder, unlawful assembly, and robbery.
In a post on X, they said, “Indian Army strongly condemns such an incident against a serving soldier. The highest authorities of Uttar Pradesh Police have been approached to bring the guilty to book. FIR has since been lodged under BNS for attempt to Murder, unlawful assembly and Robbery. Six arrests have been made by the Police so far. A protest has also been registered with NHAI regarding the incident, seeking departmental action against the culprits and measures to prevent any recurrence. Indian Army remains committed to ensuring justice and will pursue the case to its logical conclusion”.
The police are investigating the incident, and further arrests are expected based on video evidence. The NHAI has also taken swift action, condemning the behaviour of the toll plaza staff and ensuring safe and seamless travel on national highways.
The government noted that in order to create a scientific health map of the Ganga, several decisive steps are being undertaken in the new project.
Advanced Web-GIS library will directly be used in future policies and river management strategies.
The Uttar Pradesh government announced on Monday that, in a historic initiative to chart a course for the Ganga River’s future through its past, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) had launched a major project led by IIT Kanpur.
Researchers at the institute have combined rare images captured in 1965 by the American spy satellite series ‘Corona’ with advanced satellite imagery from 2018-19 to record major changes in the river’s morphology, flow, and land use over the last five decades.
“This study is being hailed as a milestone in developing a data-driven and concrete blueprint for Ganga’s conservation and restoration. The project would form part of the Ganga Knowledge Centre, which is a repository of research, portals, and datasets related to Ganga and would facilitate scientific and research-based decision-making for the river’s rejuvenation,” the government said in a statement.
“The Corona images capture the Ganga in an almost untouched form, while the 2019 images reveal the changing reality, where barrages, embankments, and urban sprawl have restricted the river’s meandering pace. This comparative study now offers fresh hope. Scientists now have concrete maps that indicate areas where restoration could help the Ganga regain its old rhythm and where improved land use could enhance its health,” it added.
According to the government, this major NMCG project is not only creating a scientific record of changes in the river’s geomorphology but is also highlighting, through a comparative study of Land Use and Land Cover (LULC), how encroachment, rapid urban expansion, and agricultural growth are impacting the river’s natural balance.
Based on these findings, an advanced Web-GIS library is being developed, which will be directly used in future policies, river management strategies, and restoration plans.
“As a step forward, the NMCG would be hosting the Corona and LULC data on an interactive user interface and the Google Earth Engine application, allowing both analysis and planning to be done on the same platform,” the government mentioned.
The project will also prepare special digital displays for nine major windows — Haridwar, Bijnor, Narora, Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna, Bhagalpur, and Farakka — which will play a vital role in decision-making from local to national levels.
The government noted that in order to create a scientific health map of the Ganga, several decisive steps are being undertaken in the new project.
It explained that first, the entire Ganga basin’s boundaries will be delineated and accurately mapped using the Corona imagery.
Comparing images from 1965-75 to the present-day landscape will provide a clear visualisation of land use and geomorphic changes.
All data will be organised into a Web-GIS module with an advanced query system, enabling researchers and planners to access the specific data they need instantly.
A system for public dissemination of data would facilitate its use in future research on the Ganga across the diverse stakeholders.
IIT Kanpur scientists believe this achievement marks the beginning of a new era of “data-driven” planning in Ganga conservation, according to the statement.
Shubhanshu Shukla conveyed the exhilaration and challenges of his groundbreaking journey, which saw an Indian astronaut actively participate in long-duration space operations.
A momentous meeting took place in the capital today as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s pioneering astronaut and Indian Air Force test pilot, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence.
In a gesture laden with patriotic pride, Shukla presented the prime minister with the Indian national flag he personally carried to the International Space Station during his historic Ax-4 mission, symbolising the nation’s leap into a new era of human spaceflight.
During the meeting, Shukla conveyed the exhilaration and challenges of his groundbreaking journey, which saw an Indian astronaut actively participate in long-duration space operations aboard the ISS as part of an international crew.
The scientific experiments executed on board, ranging from studies on human physiology in microgravity to new technologies for space agriculture have direct implications for India’s own Gaganyaan human spaceflight ambitions.
Prime Minister Modi, deeply moved by the symbolic gift, lauded Shukla not just for his technical achievements, but for inspiring a generation to dream beyond Earth.
Parliament on Monday paid glowing tribute to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla for his historic Ax-4 mission to the International Space Station.
Union Minister of State for Science & Technology, Jitendra Singh, led the commemoration by lauding Shukla’s achievements and their significance for India’s aspirations in space.
The health department in Kerala’s Kozhikode district has issued safety guidelines after a nine-year-old girl died and two others fell critically ill from amoebic meningoencephalitis.
Kerala health department issues warning after amoebic meningoencephalitis kills one, two under treatment in Kozhikode.
The health department in Kerala’s Kozhikode district issued a warning after three cases, including a death, were reported due to amoebic meningoencephalitis or ‘brain eating amoeba’. A nine-year-old girl died from the infection, while two others are currently undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Medical College. Health department sources confirmed that one of the patients is on a ventilator.
District Medical Officer Dr KK Rajaram emphasised that residents must follow the instructions provided by the health department to prevent further cases.
Amoebic meningoencephalitis occurs when pathogens belonging to the amoeba family, which live freely in water, affect the brain. The disease typically affects individuals who dive or swim in stagnant water. The amoeba can enter the brain either through pores in the thin layer separating the nose and brain or through pores in the eardrum.
The infection has a high mortality rate and is not transmitted from human to human. Symptoms usually appear within five to ten days after exposure and include severe headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty turning the neck or looking at light. Children may show additional signs such as loss of appetite, reluctance to play, lying still, memory loss, seizures, or fainting. The health department advised that anyone with a fever who has recently bathed or swum in stagnant water should inform a doctor immediately.
CJI Gavai made the comment while hearing a petition from the NHAI over the collection of tolls on National Highway 544 in the Thrissur district of Kerala. The Kerala High Court has suspended toll collection on the highway due to its poor condition.
CJI Gavai questioned toll collection if people spend 12 hours in crossing small stretch (File Photo)
Chief Justice of India, Justice BR Gavai, while hearing a petition of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) regarding the condition of a National Highway in Kerala and the collection of toll tax, said that the entire national capital gets paralysed if it rains for two hours.
CJI Gavai made the comment while hearing a petition from the NHAI over the collection of tolls on National Highway 544 in the Thrissur district of Kerala. The Kerala High Court has suspended toll collection on the highway due to its poor condition.
The decision of the Kerala High Court was challenged by the NHAI. Following the hearing, the Supreme Court reserved its decision on the petition.
While hearing the petition, the Supreme Court also raised questions about the 12-hour jam on a highway in Kerala, saying that if a person takes 12 hours to reach from one end of the road to another, then why should he pay the toll.
The Central Government has submitted a detailed affidavit defending the autonomy and plenary nature of the role of the President and Governors. The matter will be heard by a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on Tuesday.
Centre defends Governor’s powers ahead of key hearing on presidential reference
A day ahead of a crucial Supreme Court hearing on the Presidential reference concerning the powers of Governors and the President in granting assent to state legislation, the Central Government has submitted a detailed affidavit defending the autonomy and plenary nature of these constitutional roles.
The matter will be heard by a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on Tuesday. The bench, which includes Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, PS Narasimha, and AS Chandurkar, will consider 14 constitutional questions referred by the President under Article 143. These questions stem from an earlier Supreme Court ruling in April related to delays by the Tamil Nadu Governor in acting on state bills.
In its written submission to the court, filed through Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, the Union Government argues that any attempt by the judiciary to impose timelines on constitutional authorities such as the Governor and the President would “disturb the delicate separation of powers” and trigger “constitutional chaos.”
The Centre emphasised that:
The Indian Constitution recognises co-equality of the legislature, executive, and judiciary, maintained through a system of checks and balances.
Articles 200 and 201, which govern the powers of Governors with respect to bills, do not prescribe any time limits, a deliberate choice by the Constitution’s framers.
The Governor’s power under Article 200 is plenary and beyond judicial review.
Courts cannot use Article 142 to override explicit constitutional provisions or alter the structure created by the Constitution.
The affidavit firmly states that any such judicial intervention would result in one organ “usurping powers not vested in it,” going beyond its jurisdiction.
The issue originates from a petition by the Tamil Nadu government, where the Supreme Court had, in April 2025, held that Governors cannot indefinitely delay bills passed by state legislatures. The judgment prompted the President to seek constitutional clarity under Article 143, posing 14 questions on the limits and obligations of the Governor and President regarding bill assent.
These include:
Whether the Governor is bound to act on the advice of the Council of Ministers?
Whether the Supreme Court can prescribe a timeline for Governors or the President to act on bills?
Can a Presidential reference reopen matters already settled by the Supreme Court?
TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT OPPOSES REFERENCE
In its response, the Tamil Nadu government has contended that the Presidential reference is unnecessary and should be rejected. It argues that the Supreme Court’s earlier decision in the Tamil Nadu v. Governor case already settled these issues. According to Tamil Nadu:
Article 143 cannot be used to review or nullify decisions already made by the Supreme Court.
The reference is an attempt to reopen a binding judgment and, as such, should be declined by the court under its discretionary power.
Key constitutional articles involved:
Article 200: Governor’s options when a bill is presented.
Article 201: President’s power on bills reserved by the Governor.
Article 142: Supreme Court’s power to do complete justice.
Article 143: Presidential reference to the Supreme Court for advisory opinion.
Article 361: Immunity of President and Governors from court proceedings.
Article 145(3) and 131: Deal with Supreme Court procedures and original jurisdiction.
Kseniya Alexandrova, a Russian model and a contestant of Miss Universe 2017, died on August 12, due to a freak accident in Tver Oblast, Russia. Kseniya and her husband were on their way to Rzhev on July 5 when an elk darted at them suddenly on the road. The husband shared that the 30-year-old model was “covered in blood”.
Kseniya Alexandrova, a Russian model and a contestant of Miss Universe 2017, died on August 12 after her husband and she met with a freak accident in Tver Oblast, Russia. Their car reportedly collied with an elk which ran in the middle of the road, and the 30-year-old model succumbed to her injuries days after being in the hospital.
According to a report in the New York Post, the incident took place on July 5 when Kseniya and her husband were driving home from Rzhev. An elk suddenly darted onto the road and their car collided with it, resulting into a major mishap. Kseniya, who was in the passenger seat, suffered the maximum blow, while her husband, who was driving, also sustained injuries.
Kseniya was rendered unconscious after the accident. In an official statement to Russian media outlet, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, her husband said, “From the moment it jumped out to the impact, a split second passed. I didn’t have time to do anything. The elk flew into the car. The blow hit Ksyusha in the head. She was unconscious, her head was broken, everything was covered in blood.”
The scheme was uncovered when the intended recipient reported a suspicious parcel to the police. Inside was a 2-kg IED designed to detonate upon plugging in.
Obsessed with the woman since college, he plotted the murder after her recent marriage. Photo : iStock
A 20-year-old electrician from Chhattisgarh attempted to murder a woman’s husband by sending an explosive device hidden in a music speaker as a gift. The accused Vinay Verma was allegedly obsessed with the woman since their college days, and hatched the plan to eliminate her husband after her recent marriage.
The conspiracy came to light when a suspicious parcel, neatly gift-wrapped and bearing a fake India Post logo, was delivered to a shop in Manpur village under the Gandai police station limits. The parcel was addressed to village resident Afsar Khan, the intended target. Finding it suspicious, Khan promptly alerted the police.
A bomb disposal team then examined the package and found a 2-kg IED concealed inside a brand-new speaker. Technical analysis showed the IED was designed to detonate upon being plugged into a power source. The current would reach a detonator connected to the speaker’s wiring, triggering the explosion.
The investigation revealed that Vinay Verma, a resident of Kusami village in Khairagarh, allegedly hatched the plot in a bid to murder Khan. Police say he was in one-sided love with Khan’s wife since her college days. After she married Khan a few months back, Verma allegedly plotted to eliminate him and assembled the IED using online tutorials, designing it to detonate upon being plugged in. Gelatin sticks were used as the primary explosive, and the speaker’s outer casing would act as deadly shrapnel upon detonation.
‘How to kill person using bomb’: Google search history reveals shocking murder plan
Verma, an electrician, procured the speaker and assembled the IED using online tutorials. His mobile phone’s Google search history included “how to kill a person using a bomb without being caught by police”, Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai district Superintendent of Police (SP) Lakshya Sharma told PTI.
Further probe indicated the explosives used in the device had been siphoned off from a stone quarry in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district. Durg resident Parmeshwar allegedly paid Rs 6,000 to procure gelatin rods from Gopal and Dilip, also natives of Durg. Ghasiram delivered the explosives, while Khilesh is accused of preparing the fake India Post logo used on the parcel, the official said.
An Indian vlogger’s video from Japan’s Nagoro village — known for having dolls instead of real residents — has gone viral. The eerie clip shows life-sized figures posed as if going to school, working, or socialising, making the village feel like a “ghost town.” Netizens reacted with a mix of fascination and unease, calling the place both ”weird and creepy.”
Indian Vlogger’s ‘Scary’ Experience In Japan’s ‘No Real People’ Village Goes Viral (Image Source – On Road Indian/Instagram)
An Indian travel vlogger visited what he described as Japan’s “weirdest and scariest” village — a place with “no real people.” The village, known as the famous Nagoro, has gained attention as a “weird” destination where everything appears real but isn’t. Instead of people, life-sized dolls occupy the village, positioned to act like humans. While many travellers have shared their experiences of visiting Nagoro, this Indian vlogger’s video documenting his visit has now gone viral on social media.
The video was posted on Instagram by an account identified as On Road Indian. In it, the vlogger explores the village, showing that there are no actual residents — only dolls. The dolls are placed to look as if they are going to school, talking to each other, playing, fishing, sleeping, and performing everyday human activities, which the vlogger found extremely eerie. He shared that the atmosphere felt like being in a “ghost village.” He even filmed himself waking up at 3 a.m. to explore the area again, describing the experience as even scarier at night.
In the video, he says: “Japan ka scariest and most weird village. No real people are here, school ma koi bacche nahi padte, gharon ma koi insaan nahi rehta bas hai toh kewal darawane putle. Yeh school hai, yaha fake chaple hain bahar jo aisa dikhaya hai kee koi utaar ke gaya hai unko andar. Aur fir andar jaakar har cheez ke putle hai, bacche unke parents wo saare putle hain. Main keh raha hun raat ma inme se ek bhi putla jag gaya toh mereko heart attack aa jayega. Nobody is here, bhoot ka sheher hai yeh toh.” (“Japan’s scariest and most weird village. There are no real people here — no children studying in schools, no humans living in houses, only creepy dolls. This is a school; outside there are fake slippers placed to make it look like someone took them off before going inside. But once you enter, everything is just dolls — children, their parents, everyone is a doll. I’m telling you, if even one of these dolls came to life at night, I would get a heart attack. Nobody is here, it’s a ghost town.”)
The Delhi govt warned that the Yamuna River’s water level could rise above the danger mark due to incessant rain. Precautionary measures are being taken as flooding risks increase.
Notably this is the third time the Yamuna river has crossed danger level
The Delhi government on Sunday issued an advisory warning that the Yamuna River’s water level could rise above the danger mark in the next two days.
According to the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, the river is expected to cross the 206-metre danger level by 2 am on August 19, and the situation is being closely monitored.
Officials said the situation is being closely monitored, with all relevant agencies instructed to take precautionary measures as rising water levels could trigger a flood-like situation.
Officials said the situation is being closely monitored, with departments directed to take safety measures as the rising water level may lead to a flood-like situation.
Incessant rain over the past few days has caused the river to swell.
All 18 gates of the Hathnikund barrage were opened for the first time in this monsoon season, and 1.16 lakh cusecs of water were discharged from the barrage, Money Control cited an official of the irrigation department as saying.
The released water typically takes 48 to 50 hours to reach Delhi.
Meanwhile, the Som River in Haryana swelled on Sunday after heavy rainfall in Yamunanagar and adjoining Himachal Pradesh over the past few days.
The danger of flooding is looming in many villages, such as Paniwala, after a breach in a river embankment on Sunday.
A UK teenager was convicted of killing an Indian-origin student’s newborn boy in a car crash. He was given a jail term of 13 years for the crime.
UK man sentenced to jail for killing woman’s baby (AI-generated image)
The man who hit an Indian-origin pregnant student and killed her newborn baby in the UK has been sentenced to 13 years of imprisonment, according to local media reports.
The victim woman was identified as Renju Joseph, 31, who was five months pregnant when she was rammed into by a speeding car driven by 20-year-old man Ashir Shahid, as she was crossing a zebra crossing on Station Road in Bamber Bridge, Lancashire, in September last year, BBC reported.
Shahid, who hailed from Windsor Road in Walton-le-Dale, pleaded guilty to his crime in June and admitted to causing death by dangerous driving. His brother, Sam Shahid, was also sent to a 3-year jail term by Preston Crown Court for assisting an offender.
What Did The Court Say?
The convict was driving the Toyota Prius at an estimated speed between 58mph and 71mph (114kmh) in a zone where 30mph was allowed in dark and wet conditions, the court was told.
Sentencing them, the judge said that Ashir Shahid’s acceleration moments before the crash was “akin to what you may see on a Formula 1 race track”.
“Olive’s life lasted five hours and 38 minutes. He did not live to see dawn. His mother never saw him alive. His life was snubbed out before it really began,” BBC quoted the judge as saying.
The court slammed the defendants and said, “You seemingly have no moral compass. Throughout these proceedings, you have sat with your heads down as if in shame. You have no shame,” Metro reported.
The judge described how the two convicts “disappeared into the night like cowards” after the crash and then acted with “breathtaking coolness” shortly after it, as they attempted to cover up the crime.
He told them that the duo had “not shown a care in the world for anyone and anything around you”, as they drove rashly through residential streets.
“Your arrogant, selfish and shameless actions put multiple people at risk, including yourselves. Neither of you has a shred of remorse for your involvement that evening,” Metro quoted the judge as saying.
Prosecutor Emma Keogh told the court, “An emergency C-section had to be carried out in an attempt to save the unborn child’s life. The placenta had ruptured and Joseph had bled quite heavily. Her child was born that evening but sadly he only survived for a few hours before passing away.”
How Were Accused Persons Convicted?
The Indian-origin woman was rushed to the hospital from the scene in the evening of September 29, 2024, and an emergency C-section was performed in an attempt to save the life of her son, Olive.
According to a motorist who was travelling in the opposite direction at the accident site, Shahid seemed to increase the speed of his vehicle around 15 metres away from the crossing where he hit the woman, after which she was “thrown into the air for quite some distance”. She tumbled and rolled into his car, a witness said.
The latest threat comes against the backdrop of a spate of similar incidents in the national capital in recent months.
File photo of police conducting searches at a Delhi school that received a bomb threat.(Vipin Kumar/HT)
Several schools in the national capital received bomb threats on Monday morning, prompting immediate evacuations and large-scale security checks.
According to officials, Delhi Public School (DPS) Dwarka, Modern Convent School and ShreeRam World School in Sector 10, Dwarka were among the institutions that received the threat via email. Police, bomb disposal squads, and the Delhi Fire Service quickly reached the spots and began thorough searches of the premises.
“All students and staff have been evacuated as a precautionary measure. Search operations are underway,” a Delhi Police officer said.
The latest threat comes against the backdrop of a spate of similar incidents in the national capital in recent months. On July 18, over 50 schools across Delhi reported receiving bomb threat emails on a single morning, leading to panic and large-scale evacuations. Those included prominent institutions such as St Xavier’s in Civil Lines, Richmond Global School in Paschim Vihar, Abhinav Public School in Rohini, and The Sovereign School in Rohini.
Earlier in July, threats were also reported at St Stephen’s College and St Thomas School in Dwarka, a day after three other schools in the city had received similar hoax emails. At least seven schools were targeted on July 17, the third consecutive day of such threats.
Police later traced one of the hoax emails to a 12-year-old boy in south Delhi, who was found to have sent the message as a prank. He was questioned, counselled, and sent home.
While all previous threats turned out to be hoaxes, the repeated incidents have raised concerns among parents and school authorities. Former Delhi chief minister and AAP leader Atishi had criticised the Centre and the BJP-led civic administration last month, saying: “Think of the trauma that children, parents and teachers would be going through. BJP controls all four engines of governance in Delhi, and is yet not able to provide any safety or security to our children! Shocking!”
The incident happened on Saturday evening when a Safari vehicle (canter) broke down in Rajasthan’s Ranthambore National Park.
The incident took place in Zone 6 of the park.(Unsplash/Representational Image)
Twenty tourists were stranded in the Ranthambore National Park after their safari vehicle broke down, and the guide abandoned them mid-route in the forest to retrieve another vehicle and never returned.
The incident happened on Saturday evening when a Safari vehicle (canter) broke down in Rajasthan’s Ranthambore National Park. At 6 pm, the canter carrying tourists, including children, broke down, and according to the tourist, the guide left saying that he would fetch another vehicle, NDTV reported. The tourists also claimed that the guide misbehaved with them and never returned, leaving them stranded in the forest from 6 pm to 7:30 pm before they were finally rescued.
The matter came to light after reportedly a video surfaced showing tourists in the middle of the forest. The video caught the park administration’s attention, which initiated a probe and took action. Three Canter drivers and the guide have been barred from entering the park till the probe is completed, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Pramod Dhakad told PTI.
DCF Dhakad also said that Assistant Conservator of Forests Ashwini Pratap has been assigned to conduct a detailed inquiry. “Those restricted include canter drivers Kanhaiya, Shehzad Choudhary, and Liaqat Ali, along with guide Mukesh Kumar Bairwa,” Dhakad said further.
The incident took place in Zone 6 of the park. The vehicle carrying 20 people broke down, and the guide left. With darkness falling, heated exchanges broke out between tourists and the guide, parts of which were recorded in the video.
Chandrashekhar, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, worked as a labourer in Jaipur.
A 35-year-old man was killed after an SUV ran him over during a road rage incident in Jaipur on Saturday.
Chandrashekhar, a resident of Uttar Pradesh who worked as a labourer in Jaipur, was caught in the middle of a clash between two groups after a Mahindra Scorpio collided with a Maruti Suzuki Brezza, senior police officer Alok Singhal said.
Following the collision, occupants of the Scorpio got into a fight with the driver of the Haryana-registered Brezza. They also allegedly smashed the windows and windshield of the car with sticks.
Locals then gathered and confronted them.
In a video that has since gone viral, Chandrashekhar was seen falling on the road during the argument. The accused, surrounded by the crowd, then sped away in the SUV and ran over him.
In a separate incident in Jaipur on Friday, a retired soldier was killed after he was run over by a speeding car.
Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla returned to Delhi after NASA’s Axiom-4 mission. Greeted by leaders and family, his ISS journey marks a proud step for India’s space ambitions and future Gaganyaan mission.
‘Moment of Pride’: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Returns To Delhi After Completing NASA’s Axiom-4 Space Mission | X/shubhanshufans_
India’s space ambitions touched home ground on Sunday, August 17, after astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla arrived in Delhi after successfully completing NASA’s Axiom-4 (AX-4) mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
His return was marked by an emotional family reunion and a warm welcome from political leaders, who hailed his achievement as a milestone for the country’s growing role in global space exploration.
#WATCH | Delhi: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla arrives back in India. He is welcomed by Union MoS for Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh and Delhi CM Rekha Gupta.
He was the pilot of NASA’s Axiom-4 Space Mission, which took off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida,… pic.twitter.com/FTpP1NaY0O
Shukla touched down at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in the early hours of Sunday, where he was greeted by a welcoming party led by Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh. Calling it a “moment of national pride,” Singh described Shukla’s return as a testament to India’s rising stature in space research and emphasised the collaborative nature of the mission. He added that the astronaut’s accomplishment strengthens the foundation for upcoming projects, particularly the Gaganyaan programme.
A moment of pride for India! A moment of glory for #ISRO! A moment of gratitude to the dispensation that facilitated this under the leadership of PM @narendramodi.
At Civil Hospital in Thane, 11-year-old Siddhu Suhas Munda was admitted with chest injuries.
Seventeen Govindas, including seven minors aged between 5 and 17, sustained injuries during the Dahi Handi celebrations in Thane.
At Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Kalwa, the injured included Chandan Jaiswar (23) with a waist injury, Akshay Sharma (26) with a right-hand injury, Ajay Nargade (15) with a left-hand injury, Sarvesh Chavan (27) with chest injuries, Shankar Patil (27) with a left leg injury, Sahil Bhoir (19) with a waist injury, and Anup Yadav (36) with a back injury.
The Court directed Delhi Police to ensure safety of a couple that had eloped and married against family wishes.
Couple (representational)
The Delhi High Court recently ordered the Delhi police to extend protection to a couple who claimed that they were facing threats after they eloped and married against the wishes of the woman’s family [Prince Tyagi And Anr Vs State of NCT of Delhi And Ors].
Justice Sanjeev Narula observed that family disapproval cannot curtail the rights of two consenting adults to to choose each other as life partners, which is protected under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
“The right of two consenting adults to choose each other as life partners and to live together in peace is a facet of their personal liberty, privacy, and dignity protected under Article 21. Family disapproval cannot curtail that autonomy. The Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed this position and directed the police to safeguard such couples from intimidation or harm,” the Court stated.
The married couple had approached the Court after the woman’s family members allegedly sent life threats through messages, phone calls and video calls.
A missing person complaint had also been filed by the woman’s family members. The police conducted a preliminary enquiry by which it got to know that she had voluntary left her parents’ house and got married.
After considering their submissions, the Court directed the Delhi police to ensure adequate protection to the couple by designating beat officers to check on their safety.
“As regards the Petitioners’ apprehension of threats, Respondent No. 1 (Delhi police/ State of Delhi) shall ensure adequate protection. The SHO of the concerned police station shall designate a beat officer, sensitise him/her to the present order, and furnish to the Petitioners, the mobile numbers of the beat officer and the station’s 24×7 contact. Upon any complaint of threat, the police shall promptly enter a DD entry and extend immediate assistance. For coordination, counsel for the Petitioners shall share the Petitioners’ current place of residence and contact details with the Investigating Officer, today itself,” the Court stated in its August 5 order.
Advocates Anjaneya Mishra, Nidish Gupta, Sahil and Abhishek Shukla appeared for the couple.
Several houses were buried under rubble and floodwaters in the Ghati area, officials said. Damage was also reported on the Jammu–Pathankot National Highway. Rescue teams are at the spot.
Debris and mud accumulated in a residential area following a cloudburst, in Kathua, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (PTI Photo)
At least seven people were killed and five injured after two separate incidents of cloudburst and landslide in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, days after a similar incident in Kishtwar left over 60 dead earlier this week.
Several houses were buried under rubble and floodwaters in the Jodh Ghati area, officials said. Damage was also reported on the Jammu–Pathankot National Highway. Rescue teams are at the spot.
While five persons lost their lives in Jodh Ghati which was hit by the cloudburst, snapping access to the village and causing damage to some houses, two persons lost their lives in landslide triggered by rains at Janglote area, the officials said.
In another visual accessed by India Today TV, a police station in Kathua has been completely submerged. A railway track has also been damaged, officials added.
The incident happened during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, snapping access to the village and causing some damage to land and property.
A joint team of police and SDRF have been rushed to the village and further details are awaited, officials told news agency PTI.
They said landslides also hit Bagard and Changda villages under the jurisdiction of Kathua police station and Dilwan-Hutli in Lakhanpur police station area but there was no major report of damage.
The heavy rains have led to a sharp increase in the level in most of the water bodies with the Ujh river flowing near the danger mark, the officials said.
The district administration is closely watching the situation and have requested people to stay away from water bodies for their safety, the officials said.
Shortly after the incident, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah assured all necessary assistance for those affected.
“Chief Minister has expressed grief over the tragic loss of lives and damage caused by landslides in several parts of District Kathua, including Jodh Khad and Juthana, which claimed 4 lives and left many injured. He conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, and assured all necessary assistance,” an official statement from CMO read.
Commuters can now zip between Noida and Delhi Airport in just 20 minutes as PM Modi inaugurates the UER-II and Dwarka Expressway. The new corridors will ease traffic and connect seven key cities across Delhi-NCR.
Noida to Delhi Airport in 20 Minutes: UER-II & Dwarka Expressway Open Today (X-@Amarrrrz)
Travelling from Noida to Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport has just become far smoother and faster. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated two landmark infrastructure projects today from Rohini, the Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II) and the Delhi section of the Dwarka Expressway, that promise to slash travel time to the airport to just 20 minutes. Major boost to Delhi-NCR connectivity
The 76-kilometre UER-II, described as Delhi’s new “outer ring road”, runs from Alipur to Mahipalpur near the airport. Built at a cost of about Rs 7,716 crore, the six-lane corridor connects key areas such as Mundka, Bakkarwala, Najafgarh and Dwarka, while linking to major highways including Delhi–Chandigarh, Delhi–Rohtak and Sonipat.
Alongside, the 29-kilometre Delhi stretch of the Dwarka Expressway was also opened. Extending from the Kherki Daula toll plaza to Shiv Murti at Mahipalpur, this section will now seamlessly join the Gurugram stretch inaugurated in March 2024. Together, the two corridors are expected to ease pressure on Delhi’s arterial roads, offering uninterrupted access to the airport, Gurugram and Jaipur.
Leaders attend grand inauguration
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and several BJP leaders joined Prime Minister Modi at the inauguration ceremony. Officials highlighted that the access-controlled expressways will not only save time but also significantly cut congestion across the capital’s Ring Road and other choke points.
Modern features for a smoother ride
According to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the UER-II was developed under the Delhi Master Plan 2021 and spans 54 kilometres within Delhi and 21 kilometres in Haryana. The corridor includes eight lanes, service roads, four multi-level interchanges and multiple underpasses.
The Rs 9,000 crore Dwarka Expressway, built in four packages, and UER-II, completed in five phases, are both being hailed as game-changers in Delhi-NCR’s road network. With their opening, travellers from Noida and western suburbs now have a direct, 20-minute run to IGI Airport – a relief long awaited by daily commuters.
Stranded pilgrims are helped across a water channel using a makeshift bridge a day after flash floods in Chositi village, Kishtwar district, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)
Flash floods triggered by torrential rains have killed over 280 people in India and Pakistan and left scores of others missing, officials said Friday, as rescuers brought to safety some 1,600 people from two mountainous districts in the neighboring countries.
Flooding began a day earlier in Indian-controlled Kashmir and spread to the north and northwest in Pakistan, triggered by sudden, intense downpours over small areas. The floods and subsequent landslides injured dozens of people and forced the evacuation and rescue of thousands of others, particularly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Such cloudbursts are increasingly common in India’s Himalayan regions and Pakistan’s northern areas, and experts have said climate change is a contributing factor.
Leaders in both countries offered their condolences to the victims’ families and assured them of swift relief.
Dozens missing in remote Himalayan village
In Indian-controlled Kashmir, rescuers searched for missing people in the remote Himalayan village of Chositi after flash floods a day earlier left at least 60 people dead and at least 80 missing, officials said.
At least 300 people were rescued Thursday following a powerful cloudburst that triggered floods and landslides, but the operation was halted overnight. Officials said many missing people were believed to have been washed away, and the number of missing could increase.
Resident Harvinder Singh said he joined the rescue efforts immediately after the disaster and helped retrieve 33 bodies from the mud.
At least 50 seriously injured people were treated at hospitals, many of them rescued from a stream filled with mud and debris.
Chositi, in Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, is the last village accessible to motor vehicles on the route of an annual Hindu pilgrimage to a mountainous shrine at an altitude of 3,000 meters (9,500 feet). Officials said the pilgrimage, which began July 25 and was scheduled to end Sept. 5, was suspended.
The devastating floods swept away the main community kitchen for pilgrims, as well as dozens of vehicles and motorbikes. More than 200 pilgrims were in the kitchen at the time of the flood, which also damaged or washed away many of the homes clustered together in the foothills, officials said.
Sneha, who gave only one name, said her husband and a daughter were swept away. The two were having meals at the community kitchen while she and her son were nearby. The family had come for the pilgrimage, she said.
Authorities erected makeshift bridges Friday to help stranded pilgrims cross a muddy water channel and used dozens of earthmovers to shift boulders, uprooted trees, electricity poles and other debris. Nearly 4,000 pilgrims were evacuated, officials said.
Photos and videos on social media showed household goods strewn next to damaged vehicles and homes in the village.
Kishtwar district is home to multiple hydroelectric power projects, which experts have long warned pose a threat to the region’s fragile ecosystem.
More heavy rain and floods were forecast for the area.
Hundreds of tourists trap
ped by floods in Pakistan
In northern and northwestern Pakistan, flash floods killed at least 243 people, including 157 who died Friday in the Buner district in northwest Pakistan.
Mohammad Suhail told The Associated Press that dozens of people were still missing, and rescue operations were underway.
He said 78 bodies were recovered by midday Friday, and another 79 were pulled from the rubble of collapsed homes and flooded villages later.
“The death toll may rise as we are still looking for dozens of missing people,” Suhail said.
Dozens were injured as the deluge destroyed homes in villages in Buner, where authorities declared a state of emergency on Friday. Rescuers backed by boats and helicopters worked to reach stranded residents. Ambulances transported more than 100 bodies to hospitals, according to a government statement.
Bilal Faizi, a provincial emergency service spokesman in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said rescuers worked for hours to save 2,000 tourists trapped by flash flooding and landslides in the Siran Valley in Mansehra district and elsewhere on Thursday.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, at an emergency meeting, ordered the disaster-management authority to ensure the evacuation of tourists and all those hit by the floods.
A helicopter carrying relief supplies to the northwestern Bajaur region crashed due to bad weather, killing all five people on board, including two pilots, a government statement said.
The latest fatalities bring the total number of rain-related deaths to 556 since June 26, according to the National Disaster Management Authority.
Region hit by multiple floods in recent weeks
Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region has been hit by multiple floods since July, triggering landslides along the Karakoram Highway, a key trade and travel route linking Pakistan and China that tourists use to travel to the scenic north. The region is home to scenic glaciers that provide 75% of Pakistan’s stored water supply.
During the summer, when schools are closed for more than two months, hundreds of thousands of people travel to scenic destinations in northern and northwestern Pakistan. This year, despite repeated government warnings about landslides and flash floods, many still visited popular resorts in flood-hit areas.
The heavy overnight rainfall resulted in waterlogging across several low-lying stretches, particularly in suburbs prone to flooding. Waterlogging was reported in Sion-Kings Circle, Bandra, Andheri, Vashi and Vasai-Virar. Local train tracks can be seen submerged at Sion station amid heavy downpours. Vehicles can be seen wading through waterlogged roads in Bandra and Andheri.
Mumbai woke up to a wet and gloomy Saturday as heavy to very heavy showers lashed several parts of the city since early morning. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a red alert for Mumbai for today, warning of intense rain at isolated spots. In neighbouring Raigad, a red alert has been issued for August 16 with the possibility of extremely heavy showers, while Palghar is likely to witness a fresh spell of heavy rain starting Sunday and continuing until August 19.
Waterlogging In Several Areas
The heavy overnight rainfall resulted in waterlogging across several low-lying stretches, particularly in suburbs prone to flooding. Waterlogging was reported in Sion-King Circle, Bandra, Vile Parle, Andheri, Vashi and Vasai-Virar. Local train tracks can be seen submerged at Sion station amid heavy downpours. Vehicles can be seen wading through waterlogged roads in Bandra and Andheri. Pedestrians were seen walking on waterlogged streets in Vashi.
Yet, unlike previous years when such showers brought the city to a standstill, Saturday’s rains caused minimal disruption as of now. Suburban train services, Mumbai’s lifeline, continued to run with only slight delays while major arterial roads reported no severe traffic snarls at the time of reporting. Civic officials attributed the relatively smooth functioning to improved drainage management and pre-monsoon preparedness.
The latest weather system has kept Mumbai on its toes through the week, with August 15 already recording heavy downpour across multiple areas. As per IMD data, the cumulative rainfall recorded since the beginning of this monsoon has touched 1,119.2 mm at Colaba observatory and 1,435.7 mm at Santacruz observatory, indicating that the city is already well on course to surpass its seasonal averages.
Mumbai is experiencing heavy rainfall with an Orange Alert in effect. Water-logging and reduced visibility have been reported in several areas.
Mumbaikars are advised to avoid non-essential travel and to exercise caution while venturing out.
Police have been instructed to be on…
— मुंबई पोलीस – Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) August 15, 2025
Senior lawyers INDIA TODAY spoke to opined that with the previous bench, of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan, not hearing the other side, the principle of natural justice had not been served
Arun Kumar
In what is being viewed as a rarity, a case of suo motu cognisance of a matter has been taken away from a court bench that had just 48 hours ago delivered its order. That is how the contentious August 11 ruling on relocation of stray dogs from Delhi has unfolded, with Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai shifting the case from the two-judge Supreme Court bench, of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan, to a three-judge bench.
The new bench, headed by Justice Vikram Nath and comprising Justices Sandeep Mehta and N.V. Anjaria, on August 14, reserved its order on an interim plea seeking a stay on the earlier directive that stray dogs in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) be shifted out en masse to shelters on city outskirts.
The August 11 ruling has outraged animal lovers, experts and commoners at large. Among those who have questioned its rationale and emphasised on alternative solutions are several politicians and personalities, including animal rights activist and former Union minister Maneka Gandhi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Trinamool Congress MP Sushmita Dev, actor John Abraham and stand-up comedian Vir Das.
Concerns have also been raised that stray dogs were being rounded up in localities even before the Supreme Court order had been uploaded. No one can tell if it is the public outcry that moved the CJI to intervene or the nature of the judgment itself.
The recording of the August 11 court proceedings, now viral, shows Justice Pardiwala rejecting any attempt by counsels representing animal lovers to intervene. “All requests for interventions are rejected,” he is seen as saying.
Senior lawyers INDIA TODAY spoke to were of the view that with the two-judge bench not hearing the other side, the principle of natural justice had not been served—audi alteram partem, which means let the other side be heard. “The refusal to entertain intervention by animalwelfare groups strikes at the fundamental right to be heard—a breach of procedural fairness (audi alteram partem),” said a senior lawyer, who did not wish to be named.
The order, said another lawyer, flies in the face of a tenet of universal law of not punishing the innocent. “Sterilised and vaccinated dogs—often the most peaceful—would be rounded up alongside more dangerous strays. This collective punishment betrays the idea that liability must be personal,” she said.
What has riled up animal lovers as well as a section of the legal community is also the two-judge bench’s comments on rules established under laws. Justice Pardiwala apparently called “absurd” the Animal Birth Control Rules, which stipulate that a community dog is to be returned to the community it was taken from after vaccination and immunisation. “rule which says that if you pick up a dog, a stray dog from one part [of the locality] to sterilise that dog and put him [back] at the same locality that’s absolutely absurd; doesn’t make any sense at all,” Justice Pardiwala is seen in the video remarking. “Why should that stray dog come back to that locality? For what? What’s the idea behind it?” the judge asked.
Following the video getting shared like wildfire among animal welfare groups, there has been widespread conversations on why such a rule exists. According to the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), relocating or removing street dogs is counterproductive and often worsens the stray animal problem.
The Animal Birth Control Module of 2025 says that when dogs are taken away, their territories become vacant, quickly attracting other dogs from neighbouring areas. Those that escape capture continue to breed, meaning the area is soon repopulated. The resulting influx of new animals leads to more dog fights—both over territory and for mating—which raises the risk of passers-by being bitten. In such unstable conditions, rabies transmission remains a threat, especially since the incoming dogs are often unvaccinated.
Another issue that the Animal Birth Control Module points out is that large-scale removals tend to target the friendlier and already sterilised dogs first, leaving behind the more aggressive, unsterilised ones. This unintended selection can change the overall temperament of the street dog population, making it harder to manage. In effect, displacement creates a volatile, fast-growing, and potentially rabies-carrying dog population, increasing man-dog conflict rather than reducing it.
In support, the AWBI quotes the World Health Organization (WHO). “Mass dog vaccination has repeatedly been shown to be effective in controlling canine rabies. On the other hand, there is no evidence that removal of dogs has a significant impact on the dog population density or the spread of rabies,” a WHO report said in 2013.
In fact, WHO has been spreading this message for long. Back in 2005, the UN health body said in a report after its coordinated projects in Ecuador, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Tunisia and other ecological studies in South America and Asia: “There is no evidence that removal of dogs alone has ever had a significant impact on dog population densities or the spread of rabies.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Independence Day celebrations from the Red Fort in Delhi on Friday AFP
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Friday that India is seeking self-reliance in energy independence and the development of its own powerful defence systems, vowing to defend his country’s interests “like a wall”.
Modi delivered his annual Independence Day address from the imposing ramparts of New Delhi’s Red Fort at a time when India faces intense pressure and threats of additional tariffs from the United States.
“Self-reliance is the foundation of developed India,” Modi said after a flypast of military helicopters scattered flower petals above an invited crowd of thousands.
“Freedom becomes meaningless if someone becomes too dependent on others”.
Ties between New Delhi and Washington have been strained by Trump’s ultimatum that India end its purchases of Russian oil, a key source of revenue for Moscow as it wages its military offensive in Ukraine.
India has said it “stands ready” to support efforts to end the Ukraine war and endorses a summit to be held between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.
But the United States says it will double new import tariffs on India from 25 percent to 50 percent by August 27 if New Delhi does not switch crude suppliers.
“We know that we remain dependent on many countries to meet our energy needs”, said Modi, leader of the world’s most populous nation and fifth-biggest economy.
“But to build a truly self-reliant India, we must achieve energy independence.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a statement congratulating India’s Independence Day, said the relations between the two nations were “consequential and far-reaching”, and wanted to “ensure a brighter future for both”.
Modi urged scientists and engineers to focus on building key sectors and technologies including fighter jet engines, semiconductor chips and military hardware systems.
“We will have India-made semiconductor chips in the market by the year’s end,” Modi said.
He added that the country was also working towards building a space station and would have a “defence shield” in the next decade, without giving further details.
Modi also honoured the Indian armed forces, which took part in a four-day conflict with arch-rival Pakistan that ended in a ceasefire on May 10.
“India will give a befitting reply to any other misadventure by the enemy,” he added, and referred to New Delhi’s suspension of its cross-border water sharing treaty with Pakistan.
“India has decided that blood and water will not flow together”, he added.
“Popularity cannot be a shield for impunity… Celebrities serve as social role models – accountability is greater, not lesser,” SC warns in Darshan bail case judgment
Kannada actor Darshan being taken to custody after his arrest in the Renukaswamy murder case, in Bengaluru, Thursday, August 14, 2025. Video grab. | Photo Credit: The Hindu
The Supreme Court, by cancelling Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa’s bail in the Renukaswamy murder case, has sent a strong message that celebrity status cannot be used to sway the law.
“No individual – however wealthy, influential, or famous – can claim exemption from the rigours of law. A celebrity status does not elevate an accused above the law, nor entitle him to preferential treatment in matters like grant of bail. Popularity cannot be a shield for impunity,” the Supreme Court cautioned.
A Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan observed that influence, resources and social status cannot form a basis for granting bail where there was a genuine risk of prejudice to the investigation or trial.
Justice Mahadevan, who authored the scathing judgment, wrote the Karnataka High Court failed to consider “vital aspects” raised by the State government concerning Darshan’s social and political clout.
The State, represented by senior advocate Siddharth Luthra laid bare details of Darshan actively mobilising widespread media support and shaping the public narrative in his favour, thereby creating an atmosphere capable of prejudicing the ongoing investigation and undermining the fairness of the trial.
“He was not a passive onlooker but an active conspirator who played a pivotal role in the planning and executing the crime,” Mr. Luthra had submitted.
The crime was not the result of a sudden provocation or emotional outburst. It was cold, calculated. The accused actor was involved in the systematic destruction of evidence, including deleting CCTV footage, bribing co-accused to falsely surrender, and using police and local influence to derail the investigation.
Though the High Court’s grant of bail was primarily based on medical grounds raised by Darshan, a bare perusal of the health records showed the plea was “misleading, vague, and grossly exaggerated”.
This fact was further confirmed when Darshan made “multiple public appearances, including participation in high-profile social events, was seen in fine health and mobility, and did not undergo any surgery or serious medical procedure post-release. This establishes that he abused the liberty of bail, which was obtained on a false and misleading premise”.
The Supreme Court crit—cised the bail order, saying the gravity of the offence and its impact on society should have weighed heavily with the court, which ought to have considered the plea for bail with greater care and circumspection.
“Celebrities serve as social role models — accountability is greater, not lesser. They, by virtue of their fame and public presence, wield substantial influence on public behaviour and social values. Granting leniency to such persons despite grave charges of conspiracy and murder, sends a wrong message to society and undermines public confidence in the justice system… In a democracy governed by the rule of law, no individual is exempt from legal accountability by virtue of status or social capital. Article 14 of the Constitution mandates that all persons — regardless of their popularity, power, or privilege — are equally subject to the law,” the Supreme Court emphasised.
Among the deceased, 21 have been identified by officials with the help of their Aadhaar cards or mobile phones.
Houses damaged in Chishoti village of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district as a result of a suspected cloudburst. The tragedy has resulted in the deaths of at least 60 people. Photo: Imran Shah
Following the incident of a suspected cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Thursday (August 14) which resulted in the deaths of at least five dozen people, authorities are struggling to locate the bodies buried under mounds of heavy boulders, uprooted trees and mud which came crashing down like a giant wave and swept away parts of the Chishoti village, the site of the tragedy.
The death toll in the climate tragedy which struck the ecologically fragile Himalayan region on Thursday touched 60 with 22 more bodies recovered from the debris so far. An official in Kishtwar deputy commissioner’s office told The Wire that the search and rescue operation, which was put on hold last night, resumed early this morning.
‘We are facing an unprecedented situation’
Among the deceased, 21 have been identified by officials with the help of their Aadhaar cards or mobile phones. Of them, at least ten are from Jammu and Kashmir while one has been identified as a resident of New Delhi. So far, 80 people looking for missing persons have approached the helplines and officials in charge of rescue operations
“We are facing an unprecedented situation,” the official said, wishing to remain anonymous, “For now, our priority is the welfare of survivors and those who are looking for their loved ones. It is nature’s wrath and humans are helpless before it”.
Witnesses and officials said that intermittent rain continued throughout the night in some parts of Kishtwar, hampering operations to locate survivors and bodies in the hilly village which serves as a base camp for the Machail Mata pilgrimage that takes place in Padder sub-division.
Officials said that around two hundred thousand devotees had performed the pilgrimage, of whom around 500-800 – most of them from other parts of the country, including the national capital, Delhi – were present at the base camp in Chishoti, a poor village of 336 people per Census 2011.
Senior Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) leader Sunil Sharma said that around 1,200 people were present at the time of the incident. Officials released a list of 80 people on Friday (August 15) who were injured and rescued.
Some survivors recalled hearing a “scary” sound emanating from the forest – a giant wave of sludge and debris gaining mass and momentum as it came hurtling down and altered the geography of the village.
“The noise seemed to be coming closer. I screamed at everyone that we should run away,” a middle-aged woman, who escaped with an injury in the arm, told reporters at a hospital in Kishtwar where she is undergoing treatment. The Wire could not identify her immediately.
The climate tragedy, which is believed to have been triggered by a cloudburst in the higher reaches of Kishtwar, has left a trail of death and destruction in the village where at least six residential houses have been swept away or partially damaged while some local residents are also searching for their loved ones.
Kishtwar is an eco-fragile district located in Seismic Zone IV along the Reasi fault line of J&K’s Chenab valley which has witnessed haphazard infrastructure development without adequate geological or environmental assessment in recent years.
Widespread mountain cutting and excavation for projects have destabilised Himalayan slopes
According to environmental experts, widespread mountain cutting and excavation for roads and several hydro power projects that have come up in Kishtwar in recent years earning it the nickname of north India’s power hub have destabilised the slopes of the young Himalayan mountains while worsening the impact of flash floods and mudslides triggered by cloud bursts.
R.K. Ganjoo, former professor of geology at the University of Jammu, said that the climate change has triggered a trend of accumulation of clouds and heavy precipitation in higher areas (3000-4000 metres above sea level) across the world than lower areas which is accompanied by changes in wind patterns also.
Ganjoo, whose work focuses on climate change and glaciology in the Himalayas, said that the narrow river valleys across the Himalayan region from Uttarakhand to Jammu and Kashmir are being occupied by human settlements with most of these settlements coming up on the riverside.
“A big cluster of human population turns these valleys into tiny heat islands which leads to cloud accumulation and cloudburst. Development and power generation is necessary but when you undertake mega projects, there are peripheral developments like roads, blasting, introduction of heavy machinery, etc. which act as a catalyst in changing the ecosystem. It may not happen overnight but it will definitely happen,” said Ganjoo.
The officials informed that 11 people have been rescued from the site and have been admitted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
Officials said they received a distress call at 3:51 pm, after which fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the site.
Six people, including three women and three men, were killed after a portion of a wall collapsed inside the Dargah Sharif Patte Shah, located near Humayun’s Tomb complex in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area on Friday afternoon. Seven people are still feared trapped under debris.
Officials informed that 11 people have been rescued from the site and have been admitted to various hospitals in Delhi for medical treatment. As per initial reports, the Delhi Fire Service and other emergency teams rushed to the location after receiving a call about the incident at approximately 3:51 pm, following which rescue operations were launched immediately.
Nine injured were rushed to the AIIMS trauma centre, where five of them were pronounced dead. The deceased include two men aged 79 and 35 years, while two of the three women were aged 40 years. The other woman was reported to be 42 years old.
The condition of another injured man, who has been admitted to Lok Nayak hospital, is critical. The rest of the injured are in stable condition.
The DVR of the mosque has been seized and brought to PS H Nizamuddin and the caretakers of the mosque are being examined. Further investigation is underway, and civic agencies are being informed of the incident for further n/a at their end.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday marked his 12th consecutive Independence Day address from the Red Fort ramparts, breaking former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s record of 11 straight speeches.
On the 79th Independence Day, he unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at making India self-reliant, technologically advanced, and economically stronger — with the clear goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
Mission Sudarshan Chakra
Announcing an ambitious plan to strengthen India’s defence capabilities, PM Modi launched “Mission Sudarshan Chakra”, inspired by the weapon of Lord Shri Krishna.
The mission aims to create an indigenous air defence system similar to Israel’s Iron Dome to protect critical sites, including civilian areas, from terrorist attacks.
The Prime Minister set a 2035 target for expanding and modernising this “national security shield” entirely through domestic research, development, and manufacturing.
PM Modi confirmed that India’s first domestically produced semiconductor chips will hit the market by the end of 2025. Highlighting decades of lost opportunity, he said the country’s early semiconductor ambitions were stalled “50-60 years ago,” while other nations surged ahead.
The launch, he said, will be a turning point for India’s electronics, automotive, and defence sectors.
Warning of demographic changes in border areas, the Prime Minister alleged that infiltrators were threatening livelihoods, targeting women, and misleading tribal communities to seize land.
The Prime Minister officially rolled out the Rs 1 lakh crore “PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana”, aimed at creating 3.5 crore jobs.
Under the scheme, youth entering their first private sector job will receive Rs 15,000 from the government, while employers hiring them will get financial incentives.
Calling it a “double Diwali” for citizens, PM Modi announced that the government will soon implement next-generation GST reforms to drastically cut taxes on essential goods.
He said the changes are “the need of the hour” to ease the financial burden on ordinary people.
The prime minister revealed plans for a National Deep Water Exploration Mission, dubbed “Samudra Manthan”, to explore oil and gas reserves in the ocean.
The revision comes after a massive pushback from customers and days after one of the largest banks in the country raised the MAB requirement from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 for new customers in urban areas
ICICI Bank has reduced its MAB requirements from Rs 50,000 to Rs 15,000
ICICI Bank has partially reversed its minimum average balance (MAB) requirements from Rs 50,000 to Rs 15,000 for new customers in urban areas.
The revision comes after a massive pushback from customers and days after the second-largest bank in the country raised the MAB requirement from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 for new customers in urban areas.
The revised MAB requirement is still Rs 5,000 more than the earlier one.
The minimum balance that new ICICI Bank customers in semi-urban areas must maintain has also been reduced to Rs 7,500 from Rs 25,000.
The MAB remains at Rs 5,000 for old customers in rural and semi-urban areas.
ICICI Bank’s announcement on Saturday that it had raised the MAB to Rs 50,000 was in contrast to other banks that have rationalised their penalties.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar’s son Arjun Tendulkar got engaged to Saaniya Chandok in a private ceremony, sources confirmed to NDTV on Wednesday. Social media went on over-drive after the news of the young cricketer taking a major step in his personal life surfaced. However, no official statement has been released by Arjun Tendulkar and Saaniya Chandok’s families yet.
According to a report by India Today, Saaniya is the granddaughter of promiment Mumbai entrepreneur Ravi Ghai. The Ghai family is famous for its services in hospitality and food industries. They are the owners of the InterContinental hotel and Brooklyn Creamery. The report also claimed Arjun and Saaniya got engaged privately, and hence only close friends and families from the two sides attended the ceremony.
Notably, Arjun is a left-arm pacer, who could also add valauble contributions with the bat. The bowler piles his trade for Goa in domestic cricket. In 17 First-Class games, he has picked 37 wickets while also scoring 532 runs.
Arjun has played 24 T20s, scalping 27 wickets and scoring 119 runs. He has featured in 18 one-dayers (List A), picking 25 wickets and scoring 102 runs.
The fast bowler has also played for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. He made his IPL debut in 2023, playing four matches in the season. He picked three wickets in it. In the next season, Arjun could play just one game and remained wicketless in it.
The order on moving all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to shelter homes had been passed by a two-judge bench.
The order said the dogs should be moved to shelter homes within eight weeks.
A day after Chief Justice of India BR Gavai assured a relook at the two-judge bench order on moving all stray dogs in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) to shelter homes, the matter is scheduled to be taken up by a larger bench on Thursday.
On the directions of Chief Justice Gavai, a three-judge bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria will take up the case.
The relocation had been ordered by a bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan on Monday and the issue was raised before the Chief Justice on Wednesday. Seeking urgent listing, Advocate Nanita Sharma informed Justice Gavai that there had been two conflicting rulings on the issue by the Supreme Court and an earlier bench had asked for the implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, which state that sterilised and vaccinated stray dogs should be returned to the same locality.
In its order on Monday, the bench of Justices Pardiwala and Mahadevan, taking note of the rising incidents of dog bites and attacks, had said all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR should be rounded up and moved to shelters within eight weeks. The dogs, the bench had said, should be kept at the shelters and not allowed to escape.
“We are not doing this for us, it is for the public interest. So, no sentiments of any nature should be involved. Action should be taken at the earliest… Pick up dogs from all localities and shift them to shelters. For the time being, forget the rules,” Justice Pardiwala had said.
“All these animal activists, will they be able to bring back those who have fallen prey to rabies? We need to make streets absolutely free of stray dogs,” the bench had remarked.
Infrastructure?
Animal activists, celebrities and even some political leaders had spoken out against the order, pointing out that Delhi and other cities in NCR, including Noida and Gurugram, did not have the infrastructure to execute the mass relocation, especially in such a short timeframe. Many also said that moving the dogs from their territories would just make room for others and that the answer lay in the effective implementation of the ABC Rules.
“You have three lakh dogs in Delhi. To get them all off the roads, you will have to make 3,000 pounds, each with drainage, water, a shed, a kitchen, and a watchman. That will cost about Rs 15,000 crore. Does Delhi have Rs 15,000 crore for this?” animal activist and former Union minister Maneka Gandhi had said.
“Within 48 hours, three lakh dogs will come from Ghaziabad, Faridabad because there’s food in Delhi. And once you remove the dogs, monkeys will come on the ground… I have seen this happen at my own house. In Paris in the 1880s, when they removed dogs and cats, the city was overrun with rats,” she added, calling dogs “rodent control animals”.
Other Order
In the earlier order, the Supreme Court bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and JK Maheshwari had asked for the implementation of existing laws, including the ABC rules, and stressed that the issue should be dealt with compassion.
The Court passed the order on a plea filed by the Nitish Katara murder case convict, Sukhdev Pehalwan.
Supreme Court, Jail
The Supreme Court recently ordered State governments and Union Territories (UTs) across the country to release all convicts who are still in jail despite completing their sentences [Sukhdev Yadav @ Pehalwan v. State of NCT of Delhi].
In a judgment delivered on July 29, a Bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and KV Viswanathan ordered the authorities to ascertain whether any convict is continuing in jail beyond the period of sentence. If such people are found, they must be released, the Court directed.
“Copy of this order should be circulated by the Registry of the Court to the home Secretaries of all states and UTs to ascertain whether any accused or convict has remained in jail beyond the period of sentence. If so, issue directions for release of such convicts if not wanted in any other cases,” the Court ordered.
It also directed the supply of the judgment to the legal services authorities at the national, state, UT and district levels for proper implementation.
The Court passed the directions while dealing with a plea filed by Sukhdev Pehalwan, a convict in the Nitish Katara murder case, seeking release from jail.
Katara, a business executive, was kidnapped and murdered in 2002, in what the trial court described as a case of “honour killing”. Vikas Yadav, the son of a former Member of Parliament, had opposed his sister’s alleged relationship with Katara.
Vikas Yadav and two other co-accused, Vishal Yadav and Sukhdev Pehalwan, were convicted for the crime and awarded life imprisonment by the trial court in 2008.
After this jail term was upheld by the Delhi High Court, the matter reached the Supreme Court as well. In October 2016, the Supreme Court upheld the sentence, adding that Vikas and Vishal Yadav would serve 25 years of rigorous imprisonment and Pehalwan would serve 20 years in prison, without remission.
Pehalwan completed 20 years in jail in March this year.
Since his furlough application was pending, he was not released in March.
He was granted furlough on June 25 and was out of prison since then.
The Court ordered on July 29 that he should have been released since March itself.
It added that the sentence review board cannot sit in judgment over orders already judicially determined by the courts.
“Earlier, one used to use cars for 40-50 years. Now still vintage cars are there…” the Bench remarked orally.
Supreme Court and Cars
The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed that no coercive action be taken against owners of diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in Delhi [MC Mehta vs. Union of India].
A Bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria passed the order.
“Issue notice returnable in 4 weeks. In the meantime no coercive steps to be taken against the owners of cars on the ground that they are 10 years old in respect to diesel vehicles and 15 years old with respect to petrol vehicles,” the Court stated in its order.
The matter will be heard again after four weeks.
“Earlier, one used to use cars for 40-50 years. Now still vintage cars are there…” the Bench remarked orally.
The order was passed in an application file by the Delhi government seeking a review of the apex court’s 2018 order which banned 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles in the National Capital Region (NCR) as a pollution control measure.
In an application filed as part of the MC Mehta v. Union of India case, the Delhi government submitted that the 2018 directive was not based on any scientific study or environmental impact assessment.
The application explained that there are now stricter pollution control measures in place, such as the enhanced coverage of the Pollution-Under-Control (PUC) certificate system and implementation of Bharat Stage-VI standards (BS-VI Standards).
Adherence to BS-VI pollution control norms was made mandatory in 2020, after the Court’s 2018 order, the application pointed out.
“Bharat Stage VI engines are significantly less polluting … if the order of this Hon’ble Court dated 29.10.2018 continues to operate, it will result in road worthy, non-polluting BS-VI vehicles also going off the roads in a matter of a few years without a scientific basis for the same,” the plea said.
It also noted that at present, there are cleaner forms of fuel available and that the use of electric vehicles has also been promoted to reduce pollution, among various other measures.
The Delhi government further highlighted that the 2018 ban has caused practical hardships to a large number of people in Delhi who are the owners of vehicles that are otherwise compliant with pollution norms.
These vehicles, it noted, often clock far fewer kilometers each year and contribute very little to the overall pollution.
The application also flagged the harm caused to the second-hand car market, which remains the only viable option for many poor and lower-middle-income families looking to own a four-wheeler.
Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, appearing for the government, pointed out the difficulties due to the ban.
“I have a vehicle. I use it for going from court to home and back to court. After 10 years it will be 2000km. Somebody uses it for taxi, in 2 years it will be 1 lakh km. So my vehicle I have to sell because 10 years have passed but that 1 lakh km run vehicle will continue running. There has to be no coercive steps because the police is under an obligation to seize the vehicles,” he said.
After hearing the SG, the Court directed that no action be taken against owners of end of life vehicles.
According to official figures compiled by the State Disaster Management Department, over 1,000 people have died in such incidents in the last 10 years alone
Flash floods in Uttarkashi brought a sudden wave of debris and destruction, forcing terrified locals to run for their lives. (Image: PTI)
The sacred land of Uttarakhand, often called Devbhoomi for its spiritual significance, has been trapped in a decade-long spiral of devastation. Between 2015 and 2024, the state endured a relentless barrage of natural disasters including 4,654 landslides, 92 avalanches, 259 lightning strikes, 67 cloudbursts, and a staggering 12,758 instances of heavy rain and floods.
These are not just numbers; they are a grim testimony to the region’s vulnerability and the growing fragility of life in the hills.
Each monsoon season has become a ticking time bomb. Mountain slopes turn unstable, rivers swell into fury, and skies open up with little warning. Once known for its tranquil beauty, Uttarakhand now grapples with the constant threat of landslides, cloudbursts, and flash floods, sometimes all in a single week.
According to official figures compiled by the State Disaster Management Department, over 1,000 people have died in such incidents in the last 10 years alone. Landslides are the deadliest, accounting for 35 to 40 percent of disaster-related deaths, followed by floods and cloudbursts.
Pauri: Epicentre of Destruction
Among Uttarakhand’s 13 districts, Pauri Garhwal emerges as the most severely hit. In just the last ten years, Pauri has witnessed a staggering 2,040 landslides and multiple cloudbursts. Other high-risk districts include Pithoragarh (1,426 landslides), Tehri Garhwal (279), Chamoli (258), and Champawat (173). The picturesque but perilous district of Uttarkashi, too, remains constantly on edge, having recorded over 1,525 disaster events in this period including landslides, floods, avalanches, forest fires, and hailstorms.
The recent cloudburst on August 5 in Dharali and Harshil (Uttarkashi) only deepens the sense of dread. Flash floods brought a sudden wave of debris and destruction, forcing terrified locals to run for their lives. The harrowing scenes were captured on video and widely circulated on social media, showing the helplessness of mountain residents against nature’s fury.
CM Dhami sanctioned Rs 1.3 lakh each from the State Disaster Relief Fund to 15 families in Sainji village whose houses were completely destroyed
Houses buried under debris following flash floods triggered by a cloudburst, in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, Wednesday, Aug. 6. (PTI Photo)
Uttarkashi Flash Foods: Rescue operations continued on Thursday in the high-altitude villages of Dharali in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district after a cloudburst led to flash floods.
At least five people were killed, and nearly two hundred people have been rescued so far.
A cloudburst in the Kheer Ganga river’s catchment area triggered devastating floods, damaging or washing away several houses on August 6.
Here’s Latest Updates On Uttarkashi Flash Floods
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held review meetings at the Disaster Control Room, assessing ongoing rescue and relief operations in the affected regions. He also met people in affected areas.
CM Dhami sanctioned Rs 1.3 lakh each from the State Disaster Relief Fund to 15 families in Sainji village whose houses were completely destroyed.
While five bodies have been recovered so far, the CM confirmed that 274 people have been rescued.
Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan said it is likely that some people are stranded in Gangotri. He added that the rescue operations will continue.
Maharashtra Minister Yogesh Ramdas Kadam said 151 tourists from the state are stranded, out of which 30–31 are currently unreachable. Efforts are ongoing to trace and relocate them safely, he added.
Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters are being used to airlift stranded civilians. Around 180–200 tourists in Gangotri are receiving food, shelter, and medical aid from the armed forces.
Teams from SDRF, NDRF, ITBP, and Indian Army personnel are on the ground conducting large-scale rescue operations in Dharali, Harsil, and other remote areas.
Roads in the region, including the Ganganani-Harsil road, have been heavily damaged due to landslides triggered by a cloudburst. The Gangotri Highway near Papargad has been restored, and work is progressing swiftly near Ganganani, where a bridge was washed away.
Here’s 4-Day Weather Forecast For Uttarakhand
August 8: Heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places in the districts of Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Dehradun, Pauri, Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Udham Singh Nagar, Champawat, and Nainital. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and very intense spells of rain are also expected at some locations across all districts of Uttarakhand.
In the CCTV footage, the specially-abled woman was seen running in a deserted road for her life as the bike-borne men chased her at night.
UP rape case: Woman seen being chased by men in Balrampur (Photo: X)
In a shocking incident, a 21-year-old specially-abled woman was allegedly raped on a fairly deserted road, at a kilometre distance from the residences of top police personnel in Uttar Pradesh’s Balrampur, according to a report.
The woman was chased by unidentified bike-borne men as she ran for her life. The sequence of events was caught on CCTV.
The incident took place on Monday when the victim was on her way back home on foot from her uncle’s residence. This was a distance of hardly a kilometre. A man on the bike took the woman to a deserted place, where the crime took place, India Today reported.
The CCTV camera at the Superintendent of Police’s residence showed the woman running while looking behind on the road and the unknown men chasing her on around four motorbikes.
As she did not return home, her family members started searching for her. She was found in the bushes near a police post, lying unconscious, the report said.
After she regained consciousness, she alleged that she had been gang-raped by those men.
“A specially-abled woman was returning home from her maternal uncle’s house. On the way, she was made to sit by a man on his bike. She was taken to a deserted spot, where she was raped,” ASP Vishal Pandey was quoted as saying in the report.
The victim was taken for medical examination and was hospitalised.
Based on her statement, the cops registered a case and launched a manhunt to nab the accused men.
Maneka Gandhi, a prominent animal rights activist, criticised the Supreme Court’s order to remove stray dogs in Delhi-NCR, deeming it impractical and financially burdensome.
Maneka Gandhi warns Delhi, citing Paris’s 1880s dog killings as a warning against harming strays. Disclaimer: This image was generated using AI and has been verified by the newsroom for accuracy and context.
Animal rights activist and former Union Minister Maneka Gandhi has lashed out at the Supreme Court’s recent directive ordering the removal of stray dogs from Delhi-NCR. Calling the order “impractical,” “financially unviable,” and potentially harmful to the city’s ecological balance, Gandhi warned of serious consequences if implemented.
The apex court, describing the stray dog menace as “extremely grim,” instructed the Delhi government and civic bodies to begin rounding up strays from all localities and house them in shelters. The court also warned of strict action against anyone obstructing the process.
Gandhi, however, called the scale of the task unmanageable. “You have three lakh dogs in Delhi. To get them all off the roads, you’ll have to make 3,000 pounds, each with drainage, water, a shed, a kitchen, and a watchman. That will cost about Rs 15,000 crore. Does Delhi have Rs 15,000 crore for this?” she asked. Feeding the dogs, she added, would require another Rs 5 crore per week, an expense she warned could lead to public outrage.
She also questioned the legal soundness of the order, pointing out that a different Supreme Court bench had delivered a “balanced judgment” on the same issue just a month earlier. “Now, after one month, a two-member bench gives another judgment which says ‘sabko pakdo’ (pick up all). Which judgment is valid? Obviously, the first one, because that’s a settled judgment,” Gandhi said.
What happened in the 1880s in Paris?
Maneka Gandhi cited a historical example to warn of the unintended consequences of removing stray animals. “In Paris in the 1880s, when they removed dogs and cats, the city was overrun with rats,” she said. According to her, stray dogs are vital for controlling rodents in urban environments. “Once you remove the dogs, monkeys will come on the ground. I’ve seen this happen at my own house,” she added, calling dogs “rodent control animals.”
She also predicted that Delhi could quickly be repopulated with strays from neighbouring areas. “Within 48 hours, three lakh dogs will come from Ghaziabad, Faridabad because there’s food here in Delhi,” she warned.
Gandhi further said that the move could spark tension on the ground. “To get them into pounds, you will have a pitched battle with feeders in every street because they will beat you up and make the dogs run away. Why are we destabilising Delhi?” she asked.
India’s top 300 families now control wealth worth over Rs 140 lakh crore, or 40% of the GDP, Hurun-Barclays reports. The Ambanis lead with Rs 28 lakh crore, double the Adanis.
Ambanis Reign Supreme in 2025 as India’s Richest Family Empire (File photo) Photo : Twitter
The Ambani family, headed by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, possesses a wealth of Rs 28 lakh crore, more than double that of the Adani family at Rs 14.01 lakh crore, a report said on Tuesday.
The 300 most valuable Indian families have a wealth of over USD 1.6 trillion (over Rs 140 lakh crore), or more than 40 per cent of the country’s GDP. The Ambani family’s wealth alone accounts for 12 per cent of the country’s GDP.
The Ambani family witnessed a 10 per cent increase in its wealth in the last year to retain its ranking as the most valuable family business in the country, while the Adani family is the most valuable family business started by a first-generation entrepreneur, as per a report prepared by Hurun in association with Barclays.
The Kumar Mangalam Birla family had a 20 per cent increase in its fortunes to Rs 6.47 lakh crore in the last year, which helped it move up one place to occupy the second rank among the multi-generation families’ list, while the Jindal family also moved up a rank courtesy a 21 per cent jump in wealth to Rs 5.70 lakh crore, it said.
The Bajaj family slipped one rank to be the fourth in the list because of a 21 per cent decline in the fortune to Rs 5.64 lakh crore.
The report said the country’s top 300 families by wealth generated Rs 7,100 crore of wealth per day last year.
The number of families possessing over USD 1 billion (around Rs 8,700 crore) in wealth rose by 37 to 161 now, as per the report.
More than a fourth of the businesses on the list are not listed on the exchanges, it said.
Amid the thrust on manufacturing, the list said only 11 per cent of the businesses on the list are service-oriented, while the remaining 89 per cent sell physical products.
There was an addition of nine companies that prefer to run the business through a professional chief executive hired from outside the family in the last year, and the number of such families is 62 now.
Mumbai has the highest contribution at 91 families, followed by the National Capital Region’s 62 and 25 from Kolkata.
Amid the concerns over newer generation in families preferring to manage wealth, rather than run a business, Barclays’ head of private bank Nitin Singh said Rs 130 lakh crore of wealth expected to transfer across generations over the next five years, and a record 71 families now operating dedicated family offices.
Interestingly, the report said that private equity has expanded their ownership of such businesses, Hurun India’s chief researcher Anas Rahman Junaid said, pointing to deals such as Temasek’s buy into Haldiram’s.
Around three-quarters of the top family businesses witnessed a growth in their fortunes in the last year, he added.
A 70-year-old Sikh man was brutally assaulted near a Gurudwara in Los Angeles. As per reports, the elderly person is in a critical state.
Elderly Sikh man brutally assaulted in Los Angeles.
A 70-year-old Sikh man was brutally assaulted outside a Gurudwara in Los Angeles. According to Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) chief, Jim McDonnell, the suspect who unleashed the brutal act against the elderly man, has been arrested. The victim, identified as Harpal Singh, is reportedly in a critical state, while the suspect was a homeless man.
The crime took place in North Hollywood when Harpal Singh was out for a walk when a man brutally attacked him with a golf club near Lankershim Boulevard and Saticoy Street. According to LAPD police, an argument broke out between the two, during which the suspect got enraged and attacked the elderly person.
The assault has endangered elderly Sikh man’s life as he remains in critical condition after internal bleeding to the brain. Harpal Singh, a few days ago, had undergone three surgeries for broken facial bones and bleeding on the brain.
Brutal Attack on 70-Year-Old Sikh Near Gurdwara in L.A.
What we know about the accused Bo Richard Vitagliano?
The accused who attacked elderly Sikh man and left him into a critical condition has been identified as Bo Richard Vitagliano by the Los Angeles police.
Upon investigation, it has been found that Vitagliano has an extensive criminal record as he had been charged for narcotics, possession of weapons and assault.
A farmer removes weeds from a soybean farm in Nashik, India, July 28, 2025. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
India’s drive to produce more ethanol is leading its farmers to switch away from growing oilseeds, undermining government efforts in the world’s largest buyer of cooking oils to reduce costly imports.
Helped by record corn and rice harvests, New Delhi is using more of the grains to make ethanol and meet its target of blending 20% of the biofuel additive with gasoline. The process, however, produces Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS), a protein-rich byproduct that is flooding the animal feed market.
The DDGS glut is weakening demand for oilmeals, depressing oilseed prices and prompting farmers in the South Asian nation to plant more corn and rice in place of soybeans and groundnuts – despite New Delhi’s push to grow more of the oilseeds to ease imports.
DDGS production in India has soared some 13-fold over the past two years to an estimated 5.5 million tons by 2025, according to industry officials.
“DDGS is a pain in the neck,” said Aashish Acharya, vice president at Patanjali Foods Ltd (PAFO.NS), opens new tab, a leading soybean processor. “Feed makers are substituting oilmeals with DDGS since it is cheaper.”
The shift is visible in government sowing data. As of August 8, oilseed acreage – including soybean and groundnut – was down 4% from last year, while corn area jumped 10.5% to a record high.
Madhukar Londhe, a farmer in Nashik in the western state of Maharashtra, said he had cut his soybean area to one acre from six, planting the rest with corn – which has the added benefit of providing fodder from its stalks for his five milking cows.
Nearly two dozen farmers in the area that Reuters spoke to said they had made a similar switch.
“Soybean prices were too low, so I couldn’t even cover my costs in the past two years. Corn did better for me last year, so I’ve decided to grow more of it,” Londhe said.
According to data from the health department, this sharp increase is significant compared to 2024, which saw 3.6 lakh dog bite cases and 42 rabies deaths, of which 1.69 lakh cases and 28 deaths were recorded between January and July.
Credit: DH File Photo
Karnataka has reported 2.81 lakh dog bite cases in the first seven months of this year, a 37% increase over the same period last year.
As many as 26 people have died due to rabid dog bites so far this year.
According to data from the health department, this sharp increase is significant compared to 2024, which saw 3.6 lakh dog bite cases and 42 rabies deaths, of which 1.69 lakh cases and 28 deaths were recorded between January and July.
Vijayapura district tops the list with 15,527 cases, followed by: BBMP (Bengaluru) – 13,821, Hassan – 13,388, Dakshina Kannada – 12,524 and Bagalkot – 12,392.
Dharwad, Belagavi, Uttara Kannada and Gadag districts recorded around 7,000 cases each.
Bengaluru Urban accounted for nine rabies deaths, followed by two each in Bagalkot and Belagavi, and one each in Ballari, Chikkaballapur and Shivamogga.
Only three districts, Yadgir, Chamarajanagar and Kodagu, reported relatively lower numbers, each with around 1,500 cases.
Dr S Shrinivas from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme said human rabies had been declared a notifiable disease under the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020.
The Bench said that if any individual or organisation creates obstruction to the exercise, the Court will take strict action against them.
The Supreme Court on Monday ordered the Delhi government, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) to start removing stray dogs from all localities in Delhi.
A Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan said that all localities should be made free of stray dogs and there should not be any compromise.
“NCT Delhi, MCD, NMDC shall at earlier start picking up stray dogs from all localities from more particularly vulnerable localities. How to do it is for the authorities to look into and if they have to create a force, do it at earliest. However, this should be the first and foremost exercise to make all localities free of stray dogs. There should not be any compromise in undertaking the exercise,” the Bench said.
Pertinently, the Bench said that if any individual or organisation creates obstruction to the exercise, the Court will take strict action against them including contempt of court.
“If any individual or organization that comes in the way of picking stray dogs or rounding them up, we will proceed to take action against any such resistance,” the Court added.
The Court also directed the State and municipal authorities to create dog shelters with sufficient staff to sterilise and immunise them.
“The State of NCT Delhi, MCD and NDMC is directed to create dog shelters and report this Court creation of such infrastructure within 8 weeks. The dog shelters should have sufficient staff to sterilise and immunise. The dog shelter would be monitored by CCTV,” the order said.
All these animal activists, will they be able bring back who have fallen prey to rabies?
Supreme Court
Pertinently, the Court also criticised animal rights activists for obstructing removal of stray dogs.
“All these animal activists, will they be able bring back who have fallen prey to rabies,” the Bench demanded.
The Court said that the order is being passed for public interest and dogs should be shifted to far off places.
“We are not doing this for us—it is for the public interest. so no sentiments of any nature should be involved. Action should be taken at the earlier. Pick up dogs from all localities and shift them to far off places,” the Bench orally remarked.
In a strong push against the growing stray menace, the Rajasthan High Court and Supreme Court have issued parallel orders for the immediate removal of stray dogs from public roads across multiple cities.
Photo : iStock
The Rajasthan High Court has come down firmly on the issue of stray animals, directing municipal bodies across the state to clear dogs and other animals from city roads while ensuring they are not subjected to unnecessary harm. “The Municipal bodies shall also undertake a special drive to remove stray dogs and other animals from city roads while ensuring that minimum physical harm is caused to them,” the court ordered.
Hearing a suo motu case over the growing threat posed by strays, the bench noted that incidents of dog bites and accidents caused by animals on roads have already claimed multiple lives. It warned that anyone standing in the way of such removal drives would face legal consequences. “If an individual or a group of persons obstruct the employees of Municipalities from discharging their duties in removing the stray animals from the roads/colonies/public paths, then Municipal Officials/employees will be free to take appropriate action against them under the relevant Municipal Laws including lodging of the FIRs for obstructing public servants from performing their duties,” the order stated.
#Breaking | After SC’s order on stray dogs, Rajasthan HC follows suit
The directive was passed by a division bench of Justice Kuldeep Mathur and Justice Ravi Chirania, which laid out detailed measures to be implemented by civic bodies. Apart from the removal of strays, the court asked municipal authorities to set up accessible complaint systems — via telephone, mobile numbers, or email — so that citizens can report stray-related concerns quickly.
On the same day, the Supreme Court also took a decisive step in the matter, directing authorities in Delhi-NCR to immediately pick up stray dogs from all localities and shift them to shelter homes. The apex court’s instructions cover Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad, signalling an equally urgent approach to public safety concerns.
With India now on the list, Indian nationals convicted in the UK can be deported before their appeals are heard. Once sent back, they would continue the appeal process remotely
UK officials argue that the system was being abused, with offenders using repeated appeals as a stalling tactic to remain in the country. (Getty Images)
The UK has officially expanded its controversial “Deport Now, Appeal Later” policy to cover 23 countries, including India. This policy empowers British authorities to deport foreign nationals convicted of crimes before they can complete their legal appeals.
The move is being hailed by UK officials as a “common-sense reform” to speed up justice and reduce costs, but it has sparked debate on human rights, due process, and the potential impact on India-UK relations.
What Is The ‘Deport Now, Appeal Later’ Policy?
Introduced in 2014 under the UK’s Immigration Act, the policy was designed to prevent foreign offenders from using lengthy appeal processes to delay or avoid deportation. Initially suspended after legal challenges, it was reinstated in 2023 with safeguards for vulnerable individuals.
Under the scheme:
Convicted foreign nationals can be removed from the UK immediately after sentencing.
Any appeals against the deportation order take place remotely, often via video link, from the offender’s home country.
The goal is to reduce the time foreign offenders spend in UK prisons while waiting for their appeal.
Before this month, only eight countries were on the list, including Nigeria, Ghana, and Finland. The latest update has added 15 more nations, bringing the total to 23.
What Changes After India’s Inclusion?
With India now on the list, Indian nationals convicted in the UK—for crimes ranging from theft to drug trafficking—can be deported before their appeals are heard. Once sent back, they would continue the appeal process remotely.
This means:
Loss of in-person appeals: Being physically absent from court can make it harder for defendants to participate effectively in their cases.
Risk of avoiding UK sentences: Unless there is a bilateral enforcement arrangement, deported individuals may not serve the rest of their prison term in India.
Increased urgency for legal defence: Lawyers will have less time to prepare appeal cases before deportation.
Impact on families: Families living in the UK could face separation or logistical challenges in supporting an appeal from overseas.
Why Has The UK Expanded The List?
UK officials argue that the system was being abused, with offenders using repeated appeals as a stalling tactic to remain in the country.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said expansion of the scheme is to prevent foreign criminals from “exploiting our immigration system” and “fast-track” their removals.
Cooper said previously that offenders were able to remain in the UK “for months or even years” while their cases worked through the appeals system.
“That has to end. Those who commit crimes in our country cannot be allowed to manipulate the system, which is why we are restoring control and sending a clear message that our laws must be respected and will be enforced,” she added, as quoted by the BBC.
As per the Ministry of Justice, foreign nationals make up roughly 12% of the UK prison population.
The UK deported 5,200 foreign offenders between July 2024 and June 2025—a 14% increase compared to the previous year.
The expansion could result in around 3,000 more deportations being carried out earlier than before.
How The System Works
Once a foreign national is convicted:
Sentencing takes place in the UK court.
Deportation order is issued immediately after sentencing (except for life-sentence prisoners, terrorists, and murderers).
Physical removal from the UK, typically within weeks.
Appeal hearings continue via video link from the home country.
The UK government says deportees will still face justice, but critics point out there is no guarantee that the home country will enforce prison sentences or restrictions after deportation.
The Legal Debate Around The Issue
Human rights groups in both the UK and abroad have voiced concerns regarding:
Right to a fair trial: Remote participation can disadvantage defendants, particularly if internet access, language interpretation, or legal support is limited.
Justice avoidance risk: Without enforcement agreements, offenders may never serve their sentence once deported.
Diplomatic sensitivities: Countries may see this as offloading prison populations rather than engaging in justice cooperation.
Former UK Justice Secretary Alex Chalk has warned that the policy risks creating a loophole where serious offenders evade punishment altogether.
The officials said the agency conducted the raids at the residences of several persons, who were formerly associated with the banned Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) in connection with the murder of Sarla Bhat.
Sarla Bhat was found dead in Srinagar April 1990.
The State Investigation Agency on Tuesday carried out raids at several places in central Kashmir as part of its investigation into the murder of a Kashmiri Pandit woman 35 years ago, officials said.
The officials said the agency conducted the raids at the residences of several persons, who were formerly associated with the banned Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) in connection with the murder of Sarla Bhat.
Bhat, who went missing from her hostel at the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences at Soura in April 1990, was found dead in downtown Srinagar.
Former JKLF leader Peer Noorul Haq Shah alias Air Marshal was among those whose houses were searched by the sleuths of the agency, which has recently taken over the investigation of the case.
The ED also alleged that in the alleged money laundering linked real estate transaction, Robert Vadra exerted ‘undue influence’ on Haryana government officials through former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.
Robert Vadra Credit: PTI Photo
Robert Vadra, the businessman husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, gave “evasive” replies during questioning in a 2008 “fraudulent” land deal in Shikohpur village of Haryana’s Gurugram, and put the “entire onus” on his three deceased associates, the Enforcement Directorate has said in its chargesheet.
The ED also alleged that in the alleged money laundering linked real estate transaction, Robert Vadra exerted “undue influence” on Haryana government officials through former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.
The 332-page chargesheet mentioning these charges was filed by the federal probe agency on July 17 before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Delhi.
Vadra, 56, received Rs 58 crore as “proceeds of crime” in the land deal, the ED alleged.
Special Judge (PC Act) at Rouse Avenue Courts, Sushant Changotra, on August 2 issued a notice to all 11 accused named in the ED chargesheet before taking cognisance of the prosecution complaint and has listed the matter for August 28.
The judge also directed that a copy of the chargesheet be shared with the accused.
Vadra has been named as accused number 1, apart from seven companies linked to him and two directors of SGY Properties (formerly Omkareshwar Properties) named Satyanand Yajee and Kewal Singh Virk.
There was no immediate comment from Vadra’s legal team on the allegations made by the ED against the businessman.
The case pertains to Vadra’s company Skylight Hospitality (SLHPL) purchasing a 3.5 acre land in Shikohpur village in Sector 83 of Gurugram from Omkareshwar Properties (OPPL) at a price of Rs 7.5 crore in 2008.
The ED took cognisance of a September 2018 FIR of the Gurugram police to file a money laundering case in December that year.
The police FIR claimed the land deal was a “bribe” to Vadra’s company (SLHPL) so that he could help OPPL in getting housing licence in the same village from the then CM Hooda, who was also minister of town and country planning, by his personal influence as he (Vadra) was the son-in-law of the then Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
“He (Vadra) entered into a dishonest or fraudulent execution of deed of transfer containing false statement of consideration and thus acquired 3.5 acres of land,” teh ED claimed.
“Robert Vadra through his entity SLHPL has purchased 3.5 acres of land in Shikohpur village without making the payment at the time of registration of sale deed, and declaring that full and final payment has been made,” the ED alleged in the chargesheet.
It claimed the businessman issued a cheque of Rs 7.50 crore from his other entity named SLRPL (Sky Light Realty) to “misrepresent” the facts in the sale deed.
“This cheque was never encashed and no payment was ever made by SLRPL at the time of execution of sale deed,” the ED probe found.
Vadra, as per the ED, created structures to “launder” the proceeds of crime generated out of criminal activities.
It said the buyer in this case was SLHPL but the stamp duty was paid by the seller, i.e., OPPL.
“The allegations in the FIR (Haryana Police) that Vadra has undue influence through the then CM of Haryana (Hooda) was evident from the fact that the financial capacity to build a colony in the absence of any financial details and documents were accepted by the officials of DTCP (department of town and country planning) at entry level for the only reason that Robert Vadra was the director of this company.
“Moreover, the processing of file on the day of its submission by every official in DTCP in a single day and approving by the then CM of Haryana within five days clearly indicates the influence of Robert Vadra, where the government has to take such decision which have a cascading effect on the planning of the cities of Haryana,” the ED said.
It alleged Vadra acquired “proceeds of crime” worth Rs 58 crore as the land was sold to DLF for the said amount (Rs 58 crore).
This was done by entering into a joint venture with DLF Retails Ltd on the basis of Letter of Intent (LoI) issued by DTCP on 3.5 acres of land owned by SLHPL.
The ED alleged Vadra transferred the illicit funds to his various entities for purchasing movable and immovable assets apart from making “conspicuous” expenditure.
The agency alleged Vadra gave “evasive” replies during his questioning and he put “all the onus on three deceased persons (his associates) named late H L Pahwa, late Rajesh Khurana and late Mahesh Nagar for acting on behalf of him”.
The three boys left the school around noon on Saturday but failed to return by the designated time, prompting school authorities to alert the police.
Witnesses said the boys were spotted at different locations on Mall Road, Shimla. (Representative image)
Three class 6 students of a prestigious boys’ boarding school in Shimla went missing over the weekend as they stepped out for their weekly outing day. According to the police, the boys left the school at 12.09 PM on Saturday to visit the Mall Road. After they did not return by 5 PM, school authorities immediately informed the police, and the principal registered a complaint.
Witnesses said the boys were spotted at different locations on Mall Road, Shimla, on Saturday. Police suspect a case of kidnapping. The school said boarding students are allowed days out on weekends.
Shimla police register case
A case has been registered, and parents of the missing children have been informed, according to the police. A search for the students of the private school is underway, police told PTI.
Cops are looking at places they could have gone to, vehicles they may have used to move and are scanning CCTV footage. There is a vigil at the entry and exit points of Shimla, they added.
The Noida police apprehended six individuals from West Bengal’s Birbhum district for allegedly operating a fraudulent “international police” office in Central Noida’s Sector 70.
This image was generated using AI and has been verified by the newsroom for accuracy and context.
Noida police on Sunday arrested six men for allegedly running a fake “international police” office in Sector 70, Central Noida. According to officials, the men were misleading people through a fake office and by posing as members of international police and various other organisations. The accused had rented an office recently in Sector 70 in Central Noida to run their operations.
The racket was busted, and six people were arrested, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Noida) Shakti Mohan Awasthy said on Sunday. All accused are residents of West Bengal. They pretended to be government officials as well and influenced locals with the logo of the office, the officer said.
In an official statement, the Noida Police took to their handle on X (formerly Twitter) and said, “Six accused arrested for fraudulently extorting money from the general public by creating a fake office under the name INTERNATIONAL POLICE & CRIME INVESTIGATION BUREAU in an organized manner, misleading people, falsely posing as government officials, and using police-like colors and logos to influence them.”
Fake police logo fooled people: DCP
In a press brief, the DCP Central Noida said that the entire racket had just begun recently. “They used to extort money from people by showing fake documents and logos. They also pretended as government officials to impress people,” the officer added.
“The arrested accused made a rent agreement on June 4 and were operating the office for the last 15 days. They also had a website — www.intlpcrib.in — and took donations. Further investigation is on,” he said.
The accused have been identified as Vibhash Chandra Adhikari (27), an arts graduate, Aragya Adhikari (26), a law graduate, Pintu Pal (27), Samapdal (25), Babul Chandra Mandal (27), Ashish Kumar (57) — all Class-12 pass. While the first four are residents of West Bengal’s Birbhum district, Mandal and Kumar are residents of 24 Parganas and Kolkata respectively, police said, PTI reported.
Police have seized nine mobile phones, 17 stamp seals, six cheque books, nine identity cards, a PAN card, a voter card, six ATM cards, three types of visiting cards, certificates recognised by ministries and a CPU. Four boards of the “International Police and Crime Investigation Bureau”, Rs 42,300 in cash and other documents were also seized from the possession of the accused.
The notice came days after Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, alleged “vote theft” in Karnataka, Haryana and Maharashtra. Soon after, the Election Commission urged him to either sign a declaration to back his allegations or “apologise to the nation” for making “absurd” claims.
Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has levelled ‘vote theft’ allegations against the Election Commission. (File Image)
The Karnataka chief electoral officer (CEO) on Sunday issued a notice to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, asking him to submit documents supporting his claim that a woman had voted twice.
The notice came days after Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, alleged “vote theft” in Karnataka, Haryana and Maharashtra. Soon after, the Election Commission urged him to either sign a declaration to back his allegations or “apologise to the nation” for making “absurd” claims.
Karnataka’s top poll body said the documents would help conduct a detailed inquiry. Gandhi had shown some papers at a press conference in New Delhi last week.
— Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka (@ceo_karnataka) August 10, 2025
“You have also stated that as per the records given by the polling officer, Smt Shakun Rani had voted twice… On inquiry, Smt Sakun Rani has stated that she has voted only once and not twice, as alleged by you,” the notice read.
A preliminary probe by the CEO’s office found that the tick-marked document shown by Gandhi “was not issued by the polling officer,” the letter stated.
“Therefore, you are kindly requested to provide the relevant documents on the basis of which you have concluded that Smt Shakun Rani or anyone else has voted twice, so that a detailed inquiry can be undertaken by this office,” it added.
The Election Commission, in a statement, said, “Rahul Gandhi still has time to give a declaration on the first letter of CEO Karnataka or apologise to the country.”
Earlier, slamming the ECI for demanding an affidavit under oath over his “vote chori” (theft) claims, Gandhi on Friday said he had already taken his oath inside Parliament on the Constitution and would not be silenced.
Speaking at the ‘Vote Adhikar Rally’ in Bengaluru, Gandhi alleged that the EC and BJP colluded to “steal” the 2024 Lok Sabha election in at least three states, warning officials involved that they would be caught “one by one”.
“The EC asks me to file an affidavit and give information under oath. I have taken oath inside Parliament, in front of the Constitution, on the Constitution,” he said, adding that if the poll panel did not release data, the Congress would audit 15 to 25 seats with narrow victory margins, similar to its probe in Karnataka’s Mahadevapura constituency.
“In the last election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP leaders assaulted the Constitution. Indian institutions were destroyed… The Lok Sabha election was stolen,” he alleged. “Neither can you cover up nor hide. Every officer and the election commissioner should understand this properly. If you attack the Constitution, we will attack you.”
Describing the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls as “institutionalised chori”, Gandhi claimed EC websites in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar had been shut down to avoid public scrutiny. The poll panel has rejected the charges.
Gandhi also posed five questions to the EC, asking why it refused to release voter lists in machine-readable format, why video evidence was being destroyed, and why it was “hreatening the opposition instead of answering questions.”
The Air India flight, which was carrying several MPs, including Congress secretary KC Venugopal, hit turbulence shortly after takeoff from Thiruvananthpuram.
KC Venugopal informed about the Air India incident through a social media post.(Bloomberg/File)
An Air India flight from Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi escaped a mishap when another flight came on the same runway after the flight was diverted to Chennai due to a fault.
The flight, AI 2455, which was carrying several MPs, including Congress secretary KC Venugopal, hit turbulence shortly after takeoff from Thiruvananthpuram. According to Flightradar24.com, the flight took off at around 8 PM from Thiruvanathapuram and landed in Chennai at around 10.35 PM.
Venugopal posted about the incident on social media.
“Air India flight AI 2455 from Trivandrum to Delhi – carrying myself, several MPs, and hundreds of passengers – came frighteningly close to tragedy today. What began as a delayed departure turned into a harrowing journey. Shortly after take-off, we were hit by unprecedented turbulence. About an hour later, the Captain announced a flight signal fault and diverted to Chennai. For nearly two hours, we circled the airport awaiting clearance to land, until a heart-stopping moment during our first attempt – another aircraft was reportedly on the same runway. In that split second, the Captain’s quick decision to pull up saved every life on board. The flight landed safely on the second attempt,” Venugopal wrote in a post on X.
Air India flight AI 2455 from Trivandrum to Delhi – carrying myself, several MPs, and hundreds of passengers – came frighteningly close to tragedy today.
What began as a delayed departure turned into a harrowing journey. Shortly after take-off, we were hit by unprecedented…
According to KC Venugopal, the flight was saved by luck and the pilot’s skill. He called for an investigation into the incident to fix accountability in the matter.
“We were saved by skill and luck. Passenger safety cannot depend on luck. I urge @DGCAIndia and @MoCA_GoI to investigate this incident urgently, fix accountability, and ensure such lapses never happen again,” he added.
Responding to KC Venugopal’s post, Air India commented, “Dear Mr Venugopal, we would like to clarify that the diversion to Chennai was precautionary due to a suspected technical issue and poor weather conditions. A go-around was instructed by Chennai ATC during the first attempted landing at Chennai airport, not because of the presence of another aircraft on the runway.”
“Our pilots are well-trained to handle such situations, and in this case, they followed standard procedures throughout the flight. We understand that such an experience can be unsettling and regret the inconvenience the diversion may have caused to you. However, safety is always our priority. Thank you for your understanding,” Air India said.
An Air India spokesperson also confirmed the diversion from Thiruvanathapuram to Chennai and cited a technical issue for the same.
Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri Says, ‘He Wants To Expose The Agencies That Want To Hide The Truth’ Through The Bengal Files!
Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri is currently promoting his highly anticipated film, The Bengal Files, in the USA through multiple world premieres across various cities. Without teasing or creating controversy, the filmmaker began the promotions silently and respectfully. However, despite no provocation, multiple FIRs were filed against him, producer Abhishek Agarwal, and actress-producer Pallavi Joshi by members of Mamata Banerjee’s TMC party, accusing the film of portraying controversial content.
In response, the makers approached the Indian judiciary, and the High Court granted interim relief by putting a stay on all FIRs. Yet, despite the court’s ruling, fresh FIRs continue to be filed. Now, Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri has taken to social media to share a powerful video message slamming the ruling party for trying to suppress the film and stop the truth from coming out. He called The Bengal Files the most important film of the country, one that uncovers one of the darkest and most hidden chapters in Indian history.
Sharing the video, Vivek wrote, “Important & Urgent: Multiple FIRs have been filed against me by the West Bengal govt for making #TheBengalFiles. The Hon’ble High Court has stayed them. Why do they want to silence us? Why are they so scared of the truth? I will not be silenced. Pl Watch & Share. #RightToLife #NeverAgain”
Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri questioned why the ruling party is trying to suppress voices and block the truth of the past and present. “Are they against the film, the maker, or the truth?” he asked, urging every citizen, especially the youth, to watch The Bengal Files and uncover the hidden realities. He emphasized the years of hard work and research behind the film and reiterated his faith in the judiciary. He also challenged the party and announced that the film’s trailer will now be launched in Kolkata itself—the very city where these FIRs are being filed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remark came after the Navy was asked to hold back from a reportedly planned strike on Karachi port during Operation Sindoor.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with top military commanders to review Operation Sindoor on May 10. (File)
While reviewing the Operation Sindoor with the Indian defence forces’ chiefs amid soaring tensions with Pakistan on May 10, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the efforts of Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh for their roles in the operation.
He then turned to Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi and said, “Humne aapke mooh se niwala cheen liya, aapko mauka phir milega (I have snatched the morsel out of your mouth, but your turn will come)”, reported Hindustan Times.
The Prime Minister’s remark came after the Navy was asked to hold back from a reportedly planned strike on Karachi port during Operation Sindoor. As per the report, PM Modi remained unfazed by the possibility of a retaliatory Pakistani missile strike on Gujarat, and granted the three service chiefs complete operational autonomy.
Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, a staunch advocate for the Navy’s offensive capabilities, was ready to launch BrahMos missiles at Karachi port on May 10 until he was ordered to hold back, the news outlet reported.
Operation Sindoor
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7– bombing terrorist camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in pre-dawn strikes that killed at least 100 militants– in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent people.
The operation sparked four days of cross-border fighting involving fighter jets, missiles and artillery.
Heavy Destruction In Pakistan
Between 8 and 10 May, IAF fighter jets struck 11 military air bases across Pakistan in a coordinated, precision-led campaign. The IAF also destroyed several key Pakistani assets, including fighter aircraft, radar systems, and an airborne early warning platform. Intelligence reports confirm that a hangar at Chaklala airbase in Rawalpindi housing C-130 Hercules aircraft was heavily damaged and two F-16 jets were destroyed in Jacobabad.
The objective was to cripple the Pakistan Air Force’s capability to launch aerial attacks using drones and fighter jets.
While addressing an event on Saturday, the IAF Chief had said that India’s air defence surface-to-air missile systems destroyed five Pakistani fighter jets and an AEW&C/ELINT aircraft, which is a specialised military plane designed for airborne surveillance, early warning. He also said that some parked F-16 jets were destroyed in Jacobabad and an AEW&C in Bholari.
India’s Defence System
During Operation Sindoor, India’s Akash missile defence system and security shields like the S-400 fortified the nation’s defences. Pakistan launched a wave of drone attacks using UAVs acquired from Turkey. While Pakistan rained drones, India’s defence system proved strong, intercepting and destroying about 99 percent of them in time.
On the intervening night of May 7 and 8, Pakistan attempted to engage a number of military targets in northern and western India, including Awantipora, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankote, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj, using drones and missiles. These were neutralised by the Integrated Counter UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) Grid and Air Defence systems.
Air Force Chief Amar Preet Singh said political will was one of the key reasons for the success of Operation Sindoor
With Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh rejecting the Opposition’s charge that ‘Air Force’s hands were tied’ during Operation Sindoor, the BJP has launched a scathing attack on senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of lying and damaging India’s reputation.
Addressing the Parliament during the Operation Sindoor debate, Mr Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, had alleged that the Centre had asked the Indian Air Force not to attack Pakistan’s air defence system. “You told our pilots, go and attack and face the air defence system of Pakistan. Meaning, you tied their hands behind their back,” he had said.
In his address yesterday, the Air Force Chief said political will was one of the key reasons for the success of Operation Sindoor, launched to avenge the cold-blooded murder of 26 innocents in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. “I am being very, very candid here, very open here, because I hear various versions of it. I think, if I tell you something, people will have to believe. Because I was there listening to everybody, attending every meeting. There was very clear political will, very clear directions, which were given to us. And there were no kind of restrictions which were put on us,” the Air Force Chief said in a lecture yesterday, during which he also confirmed that six Pakistani aircraft were downed during the operation.
“Many people have spoken somewhere. Unfortunately, you know, everybody is speaking about it. So, there have been talks about: Was there any restriction? Were you kept constrained? If there were any constraints, they were self-made. We, the forces, decided what will be our rules of engagement. We, the forces, decided what will be the escalation ladder that we want to ride on. We decided how we want to control the escalation. So, I want to make it very clear, there were no, I repeat, no restrictions on us. Full freedom was given to us to plan and execute,” Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh said.
The Air Force Chief’s remarks prompted the BJP to launch a scathing attack on Mr Gandhi.
I request Rahul Gandhi ji to maintain the decorum of India’s Parliament. Why do you keep lying all the time?
I have witnessed many Leaders of Opposition who had maintained Parliamentary standards. You have not only lowered your stature but damaged India’s high reputation! pic.twitter.com/TwVQEnKX9q
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju urged Mr Gandhi to maintain the decorum of the Parliament. “Why do you keep lying all the time? I have witnessed many Leaders of Opposition who had maintained Parliamentary standards. You have not only lowered your stature but damaged India’s high reputation,” he said.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the Air Chief Marshal’s remarks should “put the Congress party to shame”.
“First, their leaders peddled lies on India’s losses whereas we now have quantifiable, detailed and irrefutable proof on the wrath inflicted upon the enemy. Second, they ran another Pak-originated disinfo campaign claiming the Modi Govt put restrictions on the operational capability of our forces. This, too, has been debunked comprehensively,” he said.
Mr Gandhi had claimed that India lost fighter aircraft because the government did not give a free hand to the forces.
There’s something extra unsettling about the words flesh-eating and beach season being in the same sentence. But that’s where we are.
A bacterium called Vibrio vulnificus is spreading across five southern states, and it has already been linked to nine deaths this year. It lives in warm, salty, not-super-clear water—the kind you wade into barefoot while holding a beer—and it’s hitting Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and North Carolina the hardest.
The bacteria can enter your body in two ways, and neither is ideal. The first is through open wounds, which include scrapes, cuts, tattoos, piercings, and yep, even razor burn. The second is through the consumption of raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters.
If that sounds like a particular attack on your vacation plans, that’s because it sort of is. According to state health departments, most cases so far have been linked to wound exposure, but several have been tied to the consumption of raw seafood. Either way, once it’s in, things can get serious fast.
The Flesh-Eating Bacteria That’s Infecting People Across the South
Doctors say symptoms can go from “that looks red” to “get in the ambulance” in a matter of hours. High fever, swelling, intense pain, and oozing wounds are common. In the worst cases, the infection can spread to your bloodstream and trigger blisters, confusion, dangerously low blood pressure, and tissue death—hence the “flesh-eating” nickname.
Some people have needed amputations. Others didn’t survive. The Florida Department of Health says bloodborne infections from Vibrio vulnificus have a fatality rate of around 50 percent.
And while the bacteria isn’t new—it was first reported in the 70s—it’s showing up more often, especially as ocean temperatures rise. Louisiana typically sees about seven cases a year. This summer alone, it’s already had 17.
Florida has had at least 13, with four deaths. North Carolina has seen nearly 60 Vibrio cases across different strains. Some health departments are blaming the spike on hotter water and hurricane-related flooding. Climate change, once again, is playing all the hits.
The best way to protect yourself is, unfortunately, also the least fun: don’t go into the water if you’ve got any open skin, no matter how small. Skip the raw oysters unless you know they’re from a safe, regulated source. And if you’re immunocompromised or have liver issues, be especially cautious—doctors say you’re at higher risk of life-threatening complications.
Bangalore Yellow Metro Line: PM Modi inaugurated Bengaluru’s long-awaited Yellow Line Metro today, linking RV Road to Bommasandra through 18 key stations. The new corridor promises faster commutes, reduced traffic, and better connectivity for the city’s tech and residential hubs.
PM Modi to Inaugurate Bengaluru Metro Yellow Line: Routes, Fares, and Key Details (X- Indian Tech & Infra) Photo : Twitter
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the long-awaited Yellow Line of Namma Metro on Sunday, 10 August, marking a major leap forward in Bengaluru’s urban transit. Covering 19.15 km from RV Road in South Bengaluru to Bommasandra in the east, the line features 16 elevated stations and comes with a price tag of approximately Rs 5,057 crore.
The launch also heralds the beginning of regional transformation, offering smoother journeys to tech and industrial hubs like Electronic City, Silk Board, and BTM Layout. The line is expected to significantly reduce congestion at notorious bottlenecks, especially around Silk Board junction.
Commercial operations are expected to start as early as Monday, 11 August. Initially, three driverless trains will operate at a frequency of every 25 minutes, with the frequency anticipated to improve to 20 minutes as more train sets become available later this month.
The metro will run daily from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM, serving up to 800,000 commuters each day.
A typical one-way fare on the line ranges from Rs 10 at the minimum to Rs 90 at the maximum, continuing a familiar and affordable structure for Bengaluru Metro users.
Key stations on the Bangalore Yellow Metro line:
Rashtriya Vidyalaya Road (RV Road) – interchange with Green Line
Jayadeva Hospital – future interchange with Pink Line and possibly tallest station
Electronic City – tech hub connectivity
Bommasandra – eastern terminus and industrial link
And here’s the complete list of stations:
RV Road
Ragigudda
Jayadeva Hospital
BTM Layout
Central Silk Board
HSR Layout
Oxford College
Hongasandra
Kudlu Gate
Singasandra
Hosa Road
Electronic City-I
Konappana Agrahara
Huskur Road
Hebbagodi
Bommasandra
Phase-3 Expansion Foundations Also Laid
In the same ceremony, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for Phase-3 of Bengaluru’s Metro, also known as the Orange Line. The project spans 44.65 km, featuring several new corridors and 31 stations, with an estimated cost of ₹15,611 crore and a target completion by 2029.
Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi likened Operation Sindoor to a game of chess, describing it as a ‘grey zone’ mission where both sides made unpredictable moves, posing significant operational challenges for India’s forces against Pakistan.
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi addresses an event. (Photo: PTI/File)
Operation Sindoor was unlike any conventional mission, with the Army uncertain of the enemy’s next move, making it akin to a game of chess. Yet, India delivered a decisive checkmate, securing victory against Pakistan, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi said. He slammed Islamabad’s ploy to portray itself as the victor in the conflict through its narrative management.
“In Operation Sindoor, we played chess… We did not know what the enemy’s next move was going to be, and what we were going to do. This is called greyzone. Greyzone means that we are not going for conventional operations. What we are doing is just short of a conventional operation… We were making the chess moves, and he (enemy) was also making the chess moves,” the Army chief remarked.
Speaking at an event at the IIT Madras, he added, “Somewhere we were giving them the checkmate and somewhere we were going in for the kill at the risk of losing our own but that’s life is all about”.
He called out Pakistan’s strategic narrative management, portraying itself as the winner in the conflict, referring to the government’s decision to elevate its Army chief, Asim Munir, to the rank of five-star general and field marshal.
“Narrative management system is something which we realise in a big way because victory is in mind. It’s always in mind. If you ask a Pakistani whether you lost or won, he’d say, ‘Army chief has become Field Marshal. We must have won only, that’s why he has a become a Field Marshal’,” the Army Chief said.
The anti-terror operation, launched on May 7 in retaliation for the Pahalgam terrorist attack in which Pakistan-based militants killed 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir, was driven by political resolve and strategic clarity at the government level, the Army chief added. He commended the decision to grant the Army a ‘free hand’ during high-level meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Defence Minister.
“On (April) 23rd, we all sat down. This is the first time that RM (Defence Minister Rajnath Singh) said, ‘enough is enough’. All three chiefs were very clear that something had to be done. The free hand was given, ‘you decide what is to be done.’ That is the kind of confidence, political direction and political clarity we saw for the first time,” Dwivedi said at the event.
On naming the mission ‘Operation Sindoor,’ General Dwivedi said it was something that galvanised the nation.
“It is important that how a small name Op Sindoor connects the whole nation… That is something which galvanised the whole nation… That is the reason the whole nation was saying why have you stopped? That question was being asked and it has been amply answered,” he added.
Operation Sindoor, the targeted military campaign launched by India, involved precision strikes against terrorist infrastructure and camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Indian armed forces, operating with a free hand from the government, used a combination of air and missile strikes to hit nine specific targets.
While India maintained that the strikes were focused, measured, and non-escalatory, Pakistan responded with retaliatory drone and missile attacks, which were effectively neutralised by India’s air defence systems.
The flash flood that flattened Dharali village this week is the latest in a deadly pattern of natural disasters in Uttarakhand. Flash floods and landslides have claimed 705 lives in the hill state over the past decade, with flash floods alone killing 389, disaster management data shows.
As per details accessed by TOI, 316 people lost their lives in landslides during the same period. The twin disasters — both typically triggered by intense rainfall, glacial activity or cloudbursts — have emerged as the most lethal consequences of the region’s rapidly changing climate. Overall, nearly 3,500 people have died in incidents of natural disasters in Uttarakhand in the last 10 years, the data shows.
The alarming death toll aligns with recent scientific studies that flag Uttarakhand as a hotspot of extreme hydro-meteorological events, with increasing frequency and intensity since 2010.
A study published in the Journal of the Geological Society of India in July warned of a sharp spike in cloudbursts, flash floods and surface runoff events across the state over the past 15 years.
The study examined 140 extreme hydro-meteorological events recorded in nearly four decades of climate data, most clustered between 30°–31°N latitude and 79°–80.5°E longitude — a zone aligned with the Main Central Thrust (MCT), a major geological fault line.
Rudraprayag and Bageshwar districts emerged as key hotspots, owing to the region’s geological fragility and the influence of orographic lifting.
“From 1998 to 2009, the state experienced unusually low rainfall and rising temperatures. But post-2010, extreme events like flash floods and cloudbursts have surged,” said YP Sundriyal, lead author of the study.
An Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on ‘Changes in Climate Extremes and their Impact on the Natural Physical Environment’ notes that climate change is altering the frequency, intensity, spatial extent, duration and timing of weather extremes — leading to unprecedented events.
Published in Natural Hazards, another study by IIT Gandhinagar researchers warns that flash floods — sudden, high-intensity events triggered by extreme rainfall — are becoming more frequent and severe across India. Titled ‘Drivers of Flash Floods in the Indian Subcontinental River Basins’, the study documents the emergence of flash floods in regions previously considered low-risk.
The western Himalayas face added risk from cloudbursts and snowmelt, which often trigger localised floods, debris flows and landslides, according to authors Vimal Misra, Nandana Dilip K and Urmin Vegad.
They also highlight a rise in intense, short-duration rainfall in the lower Himalayas.
The Himalayas, west coast and central India have emerged as key flash flood hotspots, with steep terrain and dense drainage systems in the Himalayas intensifying the threat.
Experts say the growing risk from extreme weather events demands urgent action — including climate-resilient infrastructure, updated dam design standards, district-level early warning systems and a halt to unchecked development in hazard-prone zones.
ICICI Bank has increased the average minimum balance requirement for savings accounts opened on or after August 1
ICICI Bank
ICICI Bank Increases Average Minimum Balance: ICICI Bank has increased the average minimum balance requirement for savings accounts opened on or after August 1, 2025.
This move is aimed at expanding its premium customer base, a banker told NDTV Profit on condition of anonymity.
In metro and urban branches, the minimum average monthly balance (MAMB) will be Rs 50,000, up from the earlier Rs 10,000. In semi-urban branches, it will rise to Rs 25,000 from Rs 5,000, while in rural branches, the requirement will double to Rs 10,000 from Rs 5,000. The higher MAMB will apply only to new accounts opened after August 1.
Customers who fail to meet the requirement will face a penalty of 6% of the shortfall or Rs 500, whichever is lower. The move marks a significant shift for one of India’s largest private lenders, especially as other banks are softening their penalty structures — State Bank of India, for instance, has already scrapped all minimum balance charges.
The bank has also revised its service charges for cash transactions. For deposits at branches and cash recycler machines, customers will be allowed three complimentary transactions per month.
Each additional transaction will be charged at Rs 150. A cumulative monthly value limit of ₹1 lakh will be available without charge, beyond which Rs 3.5 per Rs 1,000 or Rs 150 — whichever is higher — will apply. Third-party cash deposits will be capped at Rs 25,000 per transaction.
Cash withdrawals at branches will follow the same structure — three free transactions per month, Rs 150 per additional transaction, and a free cumulative monthly limit of Rs 1 lakh. Withdrawals beyond this limit will also be charged at Rs 3.5 per Rs 1,000 or Rs 150, whichever is higher. Third-party withdrawals will likewise be capped at Rs 25,000 per transaction.
Deposits made via cash acceptor or recycler machines during non-working hours (4:30 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.) and on holidays will attract a charge of Rs 50 per transaction if total deposits exceed ₹10,000 in a month, whether in a single or multiple transactions. These charges will be levied in addition to standard cash transaction fees.
The Supreme Court has stayed a MP High Court order in a property dispute involving Saif Ali Khan’s family over the inheritance of Bhopal’s last Nawab, Hamidullah Khan’s estate.
A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Atul Chandurkar issued notice on a petition filed by Omar Faruq Ali and Raashid Ali, descendants of the Nawab’s elder brother.
The Supreme Court on Friday granted an interim stay on a Madhya Pradesh High Court order that had remanded a decades-old royal estate dispute, involving the family of actor Saif Ali Khan, back to a trial court for fresh adjudication, news agency PTI reported.
The case concerns the inheritance of the estate of Bhopal’s last Nawab, Hamidullah Khan. A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Atul Chandurkar issued notice on a petition filed by Omar Faruq Ali and Raashid Ali, descendants of the Nawab’s elder brother, challenging the High Court’s June 30 order.
The dispute began in 1999 when extended family members of the Nawab, including the late Begum Suraiya Rashid and her children, sought partition and possession of the royal estate.
In 2000, a trial court ruled in favor of the Nawab’s daughter, Sajida Sultan, and her legal heirs — including her son Mansoor Ali Khan (former India cricket captain), daughter-in-law Sharmila Tagore and grandchildren Saif Ali Khan, Soha Ali Khan, Saba Sultan. The court held the estate was not governed by Muslim Personal Law but devolved upon Sajida under constitutional provisions.
This judgment was based on a 1997 Allahabad High Court decision, which was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2019. Citing that, the Madhya Pradesh High Court set aside the 2000 trial court ruling but instead of applying the 2019 precedent, it ordered a fresh hearing.
Senior advocate Devadutt Kamat, appearing for the petitioners, said the high court remand order was contrary to the procedural norms outlined under the Civil Procedure Code (CPC), PTI reported.
The Supreme Court has now stayed the remand order and will hear the matter further, keeping alive the long-running legal battle over the Nawab’s estate.
Just 120 Indian soldiers, led by Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, beat back 5,000 Chinese troopers at Rezang La in 1962, preventing China’s takeover of Ladakh. A search party found frozen bodies of Indian soldiers still holding guns, showing the last stand in which 110 of the 120 Indians were killed. Revisiting the legendary battle of the 1962 Indo-China war, which is the subject of Farhan Akhtar’s 120 Bahadur.
Soldiers of the 13 Kumaon, pictured with Lt Col HS Dhingra, the commanding officer, days before the 1962 India-China War. (Image: 13 Kumaon)
“When the Chinese attacked in an overwhelming number and death was written all over, these gallant Ahirs stood their ground to the last man, last round, although they had an opportunity to move back and roll down the reverse slopes of the ridge and save their lives. Nay, they did not do so,” recalled Lieutenent General DD Saklani (retired). Lt Gen Saklani was the last Army officer to speak to Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, who was commanding the Indian forces in the Battle of Rezang La during the India-China War of 1962. In one of the greatest last stands in military history, 120 Indian soldiers fought a 5,000-strong invading force of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
For his ultimate sacrifice in the Battle of Rezang La, Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, who led the gallants at a height of 5,000 metres in sub-zero temperature, was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest wartime gallantry award.
In India’s modern military history, only a few battles rival the raw courage shown by Indian soldiers at Rezang La, a mountain pass in eastern Ladakh. In the battle in November 1962, just 120 soldiers of Charlie Company of the 13 Kumaon Regiment of the Indian Army stood in temperatures of up to -40 degrees Celsius, blocking the path of an invading 5,000 force of the PLA.
“When Rezang La was later revisited, dead jawans were found in the trenches still holding on to their weapons. Every single man of this company was found dead in his trench with several bullets or splinter wounds. The 2-inch mortar man died with a bomb still in his hand. The medical orderly had a syringe and bandage in his hands when the Chinese bullet hit him,” Major General Ian Cardozo (retired) later recalled.
Led by Major Bhati, the Indian jawans, mostly from the Ahir community of Haryana, held the strategic pass with nothing but their rifles, grenades, and raw courage.
By the end of the battle, 110 of them were martyred, most of them found in their trenches, bodies frozen, still holding their weapons, having fought to the last bullet. With their valour, the 120 bahadur (bravehearts) halted the Chinese advance and prevented the takeover of the Chushul airfield and a deeper Chinese occupation of Ladakh.
While such tales of bravery and service to the nation need no occasion to be narrated, Farhan Akhtar’s new film 120 Bahadur gives yet another reason to remember the heroism at Rezang La. The teaser shows Major Bhati and his 120 brave soldiers facing thousands of Chinese troops in the freezing heights of the Himalayas.
After the incident, villagers rushed to the scene after hearing the screams of the passengers. Authorities have confirmed the deaths of four women and the bus driver.
A hard-hitting video of a bus accident from Uttar Pradesh’s Barabanki surfaced on social media, wherein a woman can be seen trapped inside the mangled bus, while some onlookers stood in silence and chose to capture the entire incident on their phones.
The woman trapped inside says, “People here are struggling between life and death, and you people are making videos.”
बाराबंकी में हुए बस हादसे का एक बहुत ही मार्मिक वीडियो,जिसमे एक महिला बस के अंदर फसी हुई है और बाहर खड़े कुछ वीडियो बना रहे है,अंदर फंसी महिला बोली -“यहाँ जिंदगी-मौत से लोग जूझ रहे हैं और आप लोग वीडियो बना रहे हो” अगर आकर पेड़ की डाल हटवाने मे मदद करते तो हम लोग बाहर निकल आते… https://t.co/QTiTsfbCttpic.twitter.com/n4EDNETHnd
According to reports, the tree fell on the front part of the bus carrying approximately 40 passengers, claiming five lives, including those of four women teachers who were travelling on the bus to attend a training session organised by the NCERT. At least 17 passengers sustained injuries in the accident.
According to reports, the incident occurred around 10:30 am on Friday, when the bus was travelling to Haidergarh from Barabanki. The bus met with an accident near Raja Bazar in Harakh village under Jaidpur Police Station.
The incident happened at Harsil helipad when Dhan Gauri, a resident of Ishanpur in Ahmedabad, went over to the chief minister to express her gratitude for being looked after so well by the state government.
Touched by her warm gesture, Dhami bowed to her with folded hands, saying it was a very “special blessing” for him. Credit: X/@pushkardhami
Uttarkashi: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhamion Friday was moved by the emotional gesture of a rescued woman pilgrim from Gujarat who tore a part of her saree’s ‘pallu’ and tied it like a ‘rakhi’ on his wrist to thank him for taking such good care of the stranded yatris.
Touched by her warm gesture, Dhami bowed to her with folded hands, saying it was a very “special blessing” for him.
The incident happened at Harsil helipad when Dhan Gauri, a resident of Ishanpur in Ahmedabad, went over to the chief minister to express her gratitude for being looked after so well by the state government.
धराली (उत्तरकाशी) में आपदा प्रभावित क्षेत्रों के निरीक्षण के दौरान एक बहन ने साड़ी का किनारा फाड़ कर मेरी कलाई पर राखी के प्रतीक के रूप में बांधा तो मन अत्यंत भावुक हो उठा।
ना थाली, ना चंदन, केवल एक कपड़े का टुकड़ा, लेकिन उसमें रिश्ते का सच्चा एहसास, सुरक्षा का वचन, और मानवता का… pic.twitter.com/DR2B4OFBpA
Dhami has been camping in Uttarkashi for the last three days to keep a close eye on the rescue operations underway in the affected areas of the district.
The festival of rakhi or Raksha Bandhan, which celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters, falls on Saturday.
Officials said many pilgrims from Gujarat had to return to Gangotri after the flashflood hit Dharali on Tuesday.
They were put up at hotels and other lodging facilities there and taken good care of, the officials said, adding that they began to be evacuated in helicopters to Matli and Harsil when the weather improved on Tuesday.
A fresh round of gunfire at Kapil Sharma’s Kaps Cafe in Canada and an “open threat” from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang have prompted Mumbai Crime Branch to consider questioning the comedian again.
A fresh round of gunfire at Kapil Sharma’s Kaps Cafe in Canada and an “open threat” from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang have prompted Mumbai Crime Branch to consider questioning the comedian again and reviewing his security.
The Mumbai Crime Branch is set to speak to comedian Kapil Sharma again following the latest firing incident at his Kaps Cafe in Surrey, Canada, and an “open threat” allegedly issued by a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Highly placed sources said the meeting could take place today or tomorrow, with the option of contacting Sharma over the phone for privacy and security reasons.
Officials are also weighing whether to extend security cover for the actor-comedian. While no formal request for protection has come from Sharma and he has not reported receiving any direct threat calls, police are examining whether he might have received threats but chose not to report them out of fear.
The move follows a second attack on Kap’s Cafe on Thursday, when around 25 rounds were fired at the establishment, shattering windows but injuring no one. Bishnoi gang member Goldy Dhillon, wanted by Punjab Police and the NIA in multiple extortion and murder cases, claimed responsibility for the shooting on social media. Dhillon is believed to be hiding in Germany.
The latest assault comes less than a month after the first incident on July 10, which was claimed by Harjit Singh Laddi, a fugitive associated with Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). That attack was allegedly linked to derogatory remarks Sharma was accused of making about Nihang Sikhs.
Canadian investigators are now looking into possible links between the two incidents. CCTV and dashcam footage from vehicles passing through the busy market where the cafe is located are being analysed. Authorities are also examining social media posts connected to both attacks, with Canadian officials suspecting that an international illegal arms dealer may have supplied the weapons used.
An audio message allegedly connected to the Bishnoi gang has added a fresh twist to the probe. In the clip, a gangster warns that anyone in the film industry showing support or closeness to Salman Khan will be targeted, even hinting at plans for “major attacks” in Mumbai. The threat reportedly stems from Sharma inviting Salman to the launch of The Great Indian Kapil Show. Salman appeared in the first episode of season 3, which aired on June 21.
Security officials in India, however, remain cautious. They have not verified the authenticity of the audio and note that Salman’s appearance on the show took place well before the latest shooting.
Indian Railways has launched its longest freight train, named ‘Rudrastra’, measuring 4.5 kilometers and consisting of 354 wagons powered by seven locomotives. This train completes a 200-kilometer journey from Ganjkhwaja to Garhwa Road in approximately five hours. By linking six rakes into one unit, the Railways enhances efficiency, reducing time and operational costs.
The train has 354 wagons and is powered by seven locomotives.
Indian Railways has launched its longest-ever freight train, ‘Rudrastra’, on the Grand Chord rail section. The train is about 4.5 kilometres long, formed by linking six standard rakes into one unit. It has 354 wagons and is powered by seven locomotives.
The train travelled from Ganjkhwaja station in Uttar Pradesh to Garhwa Road station in Jharkhand, covering a 200-kilometre journey in about five hours at an average speed of 40 km per hour. Part of the route ran along the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) before switching to normal tracks.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a video of the train on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, “‘Rudrastra’ – Bharat’s longest freight train (4.5 km long).”
A couple was allegedly refused entry to a restaurant in Delhi for wearing traditional Indian attire, a video of which has gone viral on social media. In the now-viral video, the couple can be seen narrating their ordeal after being denied entry to the restaurant located in Delhi’s Pitampura area.
The couple claimed that, while others were being allowed inside, the restaurant manager misbehaved with them. The person seemingly recording the clip stated that the restaurant not allowing people with Indian attire, had no right to function and that it should be shut down immediately.
Following the viral spread of the video, Delhi cabinet minister Kapil Mishra acknowledged the incident and said that Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had been informed about the matter.
“This is unacceptable in Delhi. A video has surfaced showing a ban on Indian attire at a restaurant in Pitampura. This is unacceptable. CM @gupta_rekhaji has taken serious note of the incident. Officials have been directed to investigate the incident and take immediate action,” Mishra said on X.
In a subsequent post, Mishra informed that the restaurant owners will no longer impose any attire ban on customers for entry to their establishment.
“The operators of this Pitampura restaurant have accepted that they will no longer impose any restrictions based on attire and will welcome citizens coming in Indian attire. On Rakshabandhan, they will also offer some discounts to sisters coming in Indian attire,” said Mishra.
This is unacceptable in Delhi
पीतमपुरा के एक रेस्टोरेंट में भारतीय परिधानों पर रोक का वीडियो सामने आया है
ये अस्वीकार्य है
CM @gupta_rekha जी ने घटना का गंभीरता से संज्ञान लिया है
अधिकारियों को इस घटना की जांच व तुरंत कार्यवाही के निर्देश दिए गए हैं https://t.co/ZUkTkAZmAT
Meanwhile, restaurant owner Neeraj Aggarwal denied the allegations, stating that the couple was refused entry because they hadn’t made a reservation. He clarified that the restaurant does not have a dress code and welcomes all customers.
Flightradar data showed 105 flights were delayed on Saturday. While 13 flights to the IGI Airport were delayed, 92 outbound flights were also behind schedule.
An IndiGo aircraft, a unit of InterGlobe Aviation Ltd., left, and an Air India Ltd. aircraft on the tarmac at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.(Bloomberg file photo)
Delhi and its neighbouring areas received heavy rain, bringing a respite from the humidity and leaving several areas of the capital waterlogged. The IMD has issued a red alert for the city.
The overnight rain also brought the capital to a standstill, disrupting traffic and flight operations. Several areas in the capital, including Panchkuian Marg, Mathura Road and Connaught Place reported waterlogging.
The Delhi Airport, in a statement, said that the flight operations were currently normal even as several flights reported delays.
“As per the Indian Meteorological Department’s forecast, Delhi is experiencing inclement weather conditions. However, all flight operations at Delhi Airport are currently normal. Our on-ground teams are working diligently with all stakeholders to ensure your journey remains hassle-free,” the Delhi Airport said in a post on X.
The data from Flightradar showed 135 flights were delayed on Saturday morning. The flight tracking website at 8:30 am showed 15 flights to the Indira Gandhi International Airport were delayed, while 120 outbound flights were also behind schedule.
Indigo issued an advisory on X cautioning the passengers against traffic congestion in the city. The airline advised the passengers to reach the airport well ahead of time and take alternate routes, if possible.
“Due to today’s downpour, several roads across Delhi are currently blocked or experiencing slow movement. Please allow extra time, take an alternate route if possible, and check your flight status on our website or app before leaving for the airport. Our teams are working to keep things on track and support your journey,” the Indigo advisory said.
Spicejet also issued an advisory saying the departures and arrivals at the Delhi airport may get affected due to the heavy downpour.
“Due to bad weather (heavy rain) in Delhi (DEL), all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights may get affected. Passengers are requested to keep a check on their flight status via http://spicejet.com,” the advisory read.
Days after US President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Indian exports, citing Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil, PM Modi invited Putin to visit India later this year for the Annual Bilateral Summit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone. In their conversation, the Russian President briefed PM Modi on the latest developments concerning Ukraine, whilst PM Modi reiterated India’s consistent position for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation today with the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, read a press release by PMO. pic.twitter.com/siSCJNv685
Days after US President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Indian exports, citing Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil, PM Modi invited Putin to visit India later this year for the Annual Bilateral Summit.
“The two leaders also reviewed progress in the bilateral agenda, and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia,” said a release from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Had a very good and detailed conversation with my friend President Putin. I thanked him for sharing the latest developments on Ukraine. We also reviewed the progress in our bilateral agenda, and reaffirmed our commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged…
The Income Tax Bill 2025, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha on February 13 to replace the Income Tax Act, 1961, has been formally withdrawn.
The Income Tax Bill, 2025, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha on February 13 to replace the existing Income Tax Act, 1961, has been formally withdrawn.
A new version of the Income Tax Bill, incorporating most of the recommendations made by the Select Committee chaired by BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda, will be introduced in Parliament on Monday.
To avoid confusion by multiple versions of the Bill and to provide a clear and updated version with all the changes incorporated, the new version of the Income Tax Bill will be introduced for the consideration of the House.
According to Mr Panda, who chaired the Parliamentary Select Committee responsible for reviewing the legislation, the new law, once passed, will simplify India’s decades-old tax structure, cut down legal confusion, and help individual taxpayers and MSMEs avoid unnecessary litigation.
“The current Income Tax Act of 1961 has undergone more than 4,000 amendments and contains over 5 lakh words. It has become too complex. The new bill simplifies that by nearly 50 per cent — making it far easier for ordinary taxpayers to read and understand,” Mr Panda told news agency IANS.
He further stated that the greatest beneficiaries of this simplification would be small business owners and MSMEs who often lack the legal and financial expertise to navigate complicated tax structures.
The new measures will play a significant role in creating a fair and equitable system of direct taxation that ensures no additional burden of direct taxes on the working and middle-class population of the country.
Slabs and rates have been changed across the board to benefit all taxpayers. The new structure substantially reduces the taxes of the middle class and leaves more money in their hands, boosting household consumption, savings and investment, according to the government.
The Finance Act, 2025, has increased the income threshold for claiming a tax rebate under section 87A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 for resident individual taxable under the new tax regime under section 115 BAC of the Act from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 12 lakh, and the maximum rebate amount has been raised from Rs 25,000 to Rs 60,000.
The ongoing trade tensions could pose a risk of long-term damage to India-US ties, ex-US official said.
Former US Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade and senior foreign policy expert, Christopher Padilla, has warned that the ongoing trade tensions could pose a risk of long-term damage to the India-US relationship.
“I’m concerned that for the sake of short-term issues, we’re putting this relationship at risk,” Mr Padilla told IANS.
He also feared that “there will be a long memory” of US actions in India, potentially leading to “a questioning of whether the United States is a reliable partner”.
“I know from working with colleagues in India over many years that these slights will not be quickly forgotten, and saying that India, which is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, is a dead economy. That doesn’t help,” he noted.
Mr Padilla, who served in the George W. Bush administration and is now a Senior Advisor at Brunswick, a global advisory firm, highlighted that the current crisis stems from President Donald Trump’s actions against India’s core interests – the pressure to open up the agriculture and dairy sectors and New Delhi’s independent foreign policy.
“The difficulty of opening the agriculture market, given the structure of the Indian economy, is a core interest, and the other is the independence of Indian foreign policy,” he told IANS.
On the potential impact of US tariffs on India’s exports, Mr Padilla argued that “it will be painful”, but Indian exporters could adapt with alternative markets.
“When you look at some of the key Indian exports, there are alternative markets for things like precious stones, or textiles…People have talked a lot about the number of iPhones being made in India. Well, there’s a global market for iPhones. If they can’t be sold in the United States, they can be sold in other places.”
On foreign policy, he highlighted that India’s relationship with Russia has always been an “irritant” in India-US ties, but Washington had been willing to “live with it” for the larger strategic importance of India vis-a-vis China. But that strategy is undergoing a major shift.
Mr Padilla expressed surprise over how the US is “treating China at the moment, much more favourably than India”.
“So, we’ve got this strange situation. Where we’re seeing significant damage to an important strategic relationship between the US and India, while at the same time, the United States is making apparent concessions toward its most significant strategic competitor in the world,” he told IANS.
On the possibility of US coercion driving India closer to Russia and China, he believed that there are “internal contradictions in terms of foreign policy interests” among the three countries but stressed that it’s “not in the interest of the United States to drive countries toward closer collaboration”.
Mr Padilla, who was part of the civil nuclear deal and other trade negotiations with India during the mid-2000s, asserted that Washington’s arm-twisting tactics that led to the capitulation of other countries were never going to work with New Delhi.
“India is a very vibrant democracy. I’ve experienced that in my dealings with India over many years. We’re not dealing with a relatively small country in Latin America or Southeast Asia that might be more willing to compromise on core interests,” he noted.
Looking ahead, the former US senior official acknowledged that “it’s going to be difficult for both sides to find a way to go back away from confrontation”, but he was confident that “it can be done”.
“We have got 20 years of a strong relationship here. There’s a firm base of common interest. I’m hoping that things will calm down. We have bigger interests at stake here than just trade and dairy products,” he told IANS.
