Category: India

On August 7, a day before the meeting with Manturov, NSA Ajit Doval held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia’s Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu.

Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov held a meeting with India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Kumar Doval, focusing on defense and strategic cooperation between the two countries, the Russian embassy announced on Friday.

According to the embassy, the discussions covered a wide range of issues within the framework of bilateral military-technical cooperation. Both sides also reviewed the progress of joint projects in other strategic sectors, including civil aircraft manufacturing, metallurgy, and the chemical industry.

On August 7, a day before the meeting with Manturov, NSA Doval held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia’s Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu.

On August 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin held a telephonic conversation, during which they discussed trade, economic, and investment cooperation.

PM Modi later described the call as “very productive and detailed,” noting that he thanked President Putin for briefing him on recent developments in Ukraine.

“Had a very productive and detailed conversation with my friend, President Putin. I thanked him for sharing recent developments on Ukraine. We reviewed progress in our bilateral agenda and reaffirmed our commitment to further deepening the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. I look forward to hosting President Putin in India later this year,” PM Modi stated on X.

This development comes amid ongoing tensions following India’s imposition of tariffs on Russian oil purchases.

During their call, President Putin briefed PM Modi on the latest developments concerning Ukraine, according to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/nsa-ajit-doval-meets-russia-deputy-pm-denis-manturov-discusses-defence-strategic-projects-9050176

Indian authorities have banned 25 books in Kashmir that they say propagate “false narratives” and “secessionism” in the disputed region, where strict controls on the media have escalated in recent years.

The ban threatens people with prison time for selling or owning these works by authors such as Booker Prize-winning novelist and activist Arundhati Roy, constitutional expert A.G. Noorani, and noted academicians and historians like Sumantra Bose, Christopher Snedden and Victoria Schofield.

Threat of prison time

The order was issued on Tuesday by the region’s Home Department, which is under the direct control of Lt. Gov. Manoj Sinha, New Delhi’s top administrator in Kashmir.

Sinha wields substantial power in the region as the national government’s representative, while elected officials run a largely powerless government that took office last year after the first local election since India stripped the disputed region of its special status in 2019.

The order declared the 25 books “forfeit” under India’s new criminal code of 2023, effectively banning the works from circulation, possession and access within the Himalayan region. Various elements of the code threaten prison terms of three years, seven years or even life for offenses related to forfeit media, although no one has been jailed yet under them.

“The identified 25 books have been found to excite secessionism and endangering sovereignty and integrity of India,” the Home Department said in its notice. Such books played “a critical role in misguiding the youth, glorifying terrorism and inciting violence against Indian State,” it said.

The action was taken following “investigations and credible intelligence” about “systemic dissemination of false narratives and secessionist literature” that was “often disguised as historical or political commentary,” it said.

In compliance with the order, police officials on Thursday raided bookstores, searched roadside book vendors and other establishments dealing in printed publications in the main city of Srinagar and across multiple locations in the region to confiscate the banned literature, police said. However, officials didn’t specify if they had seized any such material.

Bose, a political scientist and author whose book “Kashmir at Cross Roads” was among the banned works, rejected “any and all defamatory slurs” on his work, the Press Trust of India news agency reported.

“I have worked on Kashmir — among many other subjects — since 1993,” Bose said. “Throughout, my chief objective has been to identify pathways to peace so that all violence ends and a stable future free of fear and war can be enjoyed by the people of the conflict region, of India as a whole, and the subcontinent.

“I am a committed and principled advocate of peaceful approaches and resolutions to armed conflicts, be it in Kashmir or elsewhere in the world,” he said.

India cracking down on dissent

Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety.

Militants in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir have been fighting New Delhi’s rule since 1989. Many Muslim Kashmiris support the rebels’ goal of uniting the territory, either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country.

India insists the Kashmir militancy is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Pakistan denies the charge, and many Kashmiris consider it a legitimate freedom struggle. Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict.

Since 2019, authorities have increasingly criminalized dissent and shown no tolerance for any narrative that questions India’s sovereignty over Kashmir.

In February, police raided bookstores and seized hundreds of books linked to a major Islamic organization in the region.

In 2011, police filed charges against Kashmir education officials over a textbook for first graders that illustrated the word “tyrant” with a sketch resembling a police official. A year earlier, police arrested a college lecturer on charges that he gave his students an English exam filled with questions attacking a crackdown on demonstrations challenging Indian rule in the region.

In some cases, the accused were freed after police questioning, but most of these cases have lingered on in India’s notoriously slow judicial system.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a key resistance leader in Kashmir, condemned the book ban.

“Banning books by scholars and reputed historians will not erase historical facts and the repertoire of lived memories of people of Kashmir,” Mirwaiz said in a statement. He questioned authorities for organizing an ongoing book festival to showcase its literary commitment but then going on to ban some books.

“It only exposes the insecurities and limited understanding of those behind such authoritarian actions, and the contradiction in proudly hosting the ongoing Book Festival,” he said.

Source : https://apnews.com/article/kashmir-india-books-banned-conflict-e055a43becd240ea3c7df0c35d051524

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emphasised the significance of multilateralism and the need for cooperation in addressing trade challenges.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke on phone on Thursday amid US President Donald Trump’s tariff war against both nations. During the call, which lasted an hour, the two nations reaffirmed the importance of defending multilateralism and the need to address the challenges stemming from the unilateral tariffs.
In a post X, Lula said, “We discussed the international economic scenario and the imposition of unilateral tariffs. Brazil and India are, so far, the two most affected countries. We reaffirmed the importance of defending multilateralism and the need to address the challenges of the current situation, as well as to explore possibilities for greater integration between the two countries.”
Modi and Lula also discussed outcomes of the State visit that Prime Minister Modi made to Brazil on July 8. He also confirmed a State visit from Brazil to India early next year. “As a preparatory step for the visit, we agreed that Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin will travel to India next October, on the occasion of the Trade Monitoring Mechanism meeting. The delegation will include Brazilian ministers and businesspeople to discuss cooperation in the areas of trade, defense, energy, critical minerals, health, and digital inclusion,” the Brazilian President said.

India and Brazil also recalled the goal of increasing bilateral trade to over US$ 20 billion by 2030 and the successes of the BRICS Summit in Brazil, among other things.
Later, Modi in a post on X said, “Had a good conversation with President Lula. Thanked him for making my visit to Brazil memorable and meaningful. We are committed to deepening our Strategic Partnership including in trade, energy, tech, defence, health and more. A strong, people-centric partnership between Global South nations benefits everyone.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday categorically stated that India “will not compromise” and “is ready to pay the price for the same.”

United States President Donald Trump ruled out the possibility of trade negotiations with India unless the tariff dispute is resolved. Trump’s remark comes ahead of the US team’s scheduled visit to India for later this month.
Trump was asked, “Just to follow up on India’s tariff, do you expect increased trade negotiations since you have announced the 50% tariffs?”. On this, the US President told ANI, “No, not until we get it resolved.

India and the US have been negotiating a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) since March this year. The two sides have, so far, held five rounds of talks, and for the sixth round, a US is scheduled to visit India from August 25.

The Trump administration has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods entering the US. On July 31, Trump signed an Executive Order titled ‘Further Modifying The Reciprocal Tariff Rates’, imposing a 25 per cent tariff on India. Later, he announced an additional 25 per cent tariff, raising it to 50 per cent.
Notably, after the new levy, India will attract the highest tariff of 50 per cent along with Brazil. The US claimed that the tariff was a ‘penalty’ for New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
In a strong response, New Delhi called out the Trump administration for singling out India, despite the fact that several countries, including China, Turkey, the European Union, and the US itself, engage in trade with Russia. India said that the actions are “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.”

As far as the trade negotiations are concerned, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday categorically stated that India “will not compromise” and “is ready to pay the price for the same.”
“For us, the interest of our farmers is our top priority. India will never compromise on the interests of farmers, fishermen and dairy farmers. I know we will have to pay a heavy price for it. Today, India is ready for the country’s farmers, fishermen and dairy farmers…” PM Modi said at an event.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/india-us-trade-deal-donald-trump-says-no-trade-talks-with-india-amid-tariff-dispute-pm-modi-stands-firm-with-no-compromise-message-article-152428788

The United States overtook Bangladesh in 2024 to become India’s top source of foreign tourists, with over 18 lakh visitors — nearly 1 in every 6 Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs).

A total of 26,625 Pakistanis visited India in 2024 — the highest since 2022 — Tourism Ministry data presented in the Rajya Sabha shows. In contrast, 30,620 Indians travelled to Pakistan that same year, before relations between the two nations deteriorated following the April 2025 terror attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir.
After 26 tourists were gunned down in Pahalgam by terrorists, India suspended visa services for Pakistani nationals. All existing Indian visas issued to Pakistani citizens were revoked with effect from April 27, 2025. In retaliation, Pakistan also cancelled visas issued to Indians.

According to the official website of the High Commission of India in Pakistan, there were 10 categories of visas for those wanting to visit India — including Assignment, Business, Conference, Journalist, Medical, Official, Pilgrim, Student, Transit, and Visitor.

For Indians, Pakistan offered visas for Visit, Business, Conference, Pilgrimage, and diplomatic Assignments. Visas were also issued to students, journalists, and individuals working with the UN or other international organizations.

The numbers show that 2024 was the second time since 2019 when Indians visiting Pakistan outnumbered Pakistani visiting India, as shown in the graph.

The Ministry has not shared the data for the years 2020 and 2021 – the years when travel was impacted globally due to COVID.

About 5,000 Americans Visited India Per Day

The United States overtook Bangladesh in 2024 to become India’s top source of foreign tourists, with over 18 lakh visitors — nearly one in every six Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs). On average, about 4,944 US FTAs per day were registered in India.

As shown in the graph, apart from the USA and Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada were consistently among the top five FTA countries.

The analysis also shows that in the top five countries, only Bangladesh is yet to surpass the pre-COVID numbers. Over 25.77 lakh Bangladeshis arrived in India in 2019. This has dropped to 17.50 lakh in 2024.

On the other hand, the numbers for the USA have increased from 15.12 lakh to 18.04 lakh. For the UK, the increase is marginal – of just 22,295. For Australia (from 3.67 lakh to 5.18 lakh) and Canada (from 3.51 lakh to 4.76 lakh), the FTAs were higher in 2024 than 2019.

Tourist Recovery Almost at Pre-COVID Levels

Showing a consistent growth since 2022, India’s tourism sector marked a robust recovery in 2024, with nearly one crore foreign tourist arrivals, although it has not crossed the 2019 figure of over 1.09 crore arrivals.

Gujarat, Bengal, Rajasthan Lead State Recovery
The data suggests that although more foreign tourists are coming to India, their travel within the country hasn’t fully bounced back.

Maharashtra, which is the leading state for foreign tourist visits (FTVs), is yet to touch the 2019 levels, as shown in the graph.

FTAs is the number of foreign visitors arriving in India, FTVs is the total visits to various states/UTs by foreign tourists. As a single tourist may visit multiple states during their trip, the total number of FTVs is typically much higher than FTAs.

Among the states, Gujarat, West Bengal, and Rajasthan have surpassed the FTVs in 2024 beyond the 2019 levels.

In Gujarat, the FTVs increased from 5.95 lakh in 2019 to 22.74 lakh in 2024. For West Bengal, the increase was from 16.56 lakh to 31.24 lakh. For Rajasthan, the increase is from 16.05 lakh to 20.72 lakh, the analysis shows.

Apart from Gujarat, West Bengal, and Rajasthan, only a few states have seen an increase in FTVs in 2024 when compared to 2019 – Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Mizoram, Ladakh, Assam, Lakshadweep and Nagaland.

While this was about those visiting India, for Indians, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and USA are major outbound destinations.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) remained the top choice for Indian outbound tourists in 2024, with one in every four visiting the country. The number rose from 63.85 lakh in 2019 to 77.87 lakh in 2024, as shown in the graph.

Neighbour’s Arrival

While the overall foreign tourist arrivals and outbound travel patterns reveal broader global trends, examining the movement of visitors between India and its immediate neighbors has also changed in these years.

Among India’s neighboring countries, the FTA only from Nepal, Maldives and Bhutan have seen increases. The FTAs from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, China, and Afghanistan have dropped in 2024 when compared to 2019.

The FTAs from Pakistan decreased from 39,018 in 2019 to 26,625 in 2024. For Bangladesh, it dropped from 25.77 lakh to 17.50 lakh. FTA from Sri Lanka decreased from 3.30 lakh to 2.81 lakh in 2024. Myanmar’s FTAs decreased from 86,842 in 2019 to 47,588 in 2024.

For China, the FTAs drop was from 3.39 lakh to 38,960 in 2024. For Afghanistan, the drop was most steep – from 1.24 lakh visitors to just 1,253 FTAs.

Nepal has seen an increase in FTAs from 1.64 lakh to 2.02 lakh while in Bhutan, the numbers have increased from 28,178 in 2019 to 41,265 in 2024.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/over-26600-pakistanis-visited-india-before-2025-ban-us-tops-foreign-tourist-arrivals-in-2024-ws-l-9492236.html

In Gurugram, an upscale suburb just outside Delhi, gleaming SUVs, futuristic skyscrapers and neat apartments stand in stark contrast to nearby mosquito swarms, trash heaps and tarpaulin shanties.

Inside the gated compounds live some of India’s richest, while in the slums nearby live poor migrant workers – mostly domestic helpers, garbage-pickers and daily-wage workers – who keep the affluence going.

Last month, local authorities rounded up hundreds of these workers, most of whom say they are Bengali-speaking Muslims from India’s West Bengal state, in a “verification” drive targeting illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.

The suspects were detained and kept at “holding centres” where they were asked to provide documents to prove their citizenship. Many allege they were beaten and mistreated by police during the process. Police officials deny these allegations.

“I had my voter and national ID cards, but they told me they were fake. I spent six days not knowing my fate before I was finally released,” said Ather Ali Sheikh, a daily-wage worker, who has lived in the city for 15 years.

The action has left indelible scars on the social fabric of the city, which prides itself on its cosmopolitan culture. Hundreds of workers have fled overnight – abandoning jobs, homes and, in some cases, even families in their haste to escape.

“I still don’t understand why they suddenly came after me,” Mr Sheikh said. Behind him, his wife hurriedly packed their belongings – torn clothes, old utensils and school books – into flimsy boxes.

“Was it because of my language, my religion or because I am poor? ” Mr Sheikh continued, his face hardening with anger. “Why weren’t the rich Bengali residents held up?”

Police in Gurugram deny targeting any particular community. “Neither religion nor class has anything to do with the drive,” public relations officer Sandeep Kumar told the BBC.

He added that out of the 250 people picked up, only 10 have been identified as illegal migrants and will actually be deported.

“Everyone else was released. No one was mistreated at the centres. We have been completely fair and objective.”

Meanwhile, trepidation is being felt on other side of the city as well.

With no workers left, heaps of trash have been overflowing from public bins and dump yards on to the streets, inconveniencing residents.

“Our house help and her husband, who worked as a driver, both left and now we have no help,” said Tabassum Bano, who lives in one of the complexes.

Crackdowns on alleged illegal immigrants from Muslim-majority Bangladesh are not new in India. The countries are divided by a porous border 4,096km (2,545-mile) long, and have seen waves of movement of people on both sides.

But these efforts seem to have intensified under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

In recent months, hundreds of people, including a veteran Muslim officer of the Indian Army, have been arrested on suspicion of being illegal migrants.

In the north-eastern state of Assam, where the issue has been a potent flashpoint for decades, authorities have been “pushing back” hundreds of Bengali-Muslims into Bangladesh on suspicion of them being “illegal Bangladeshis”.

Deportations are also under way in Delhi, where some 700 people were picked up and flown out to border states in the last six months.

This has had a chilling impact on the marginalised community.

In Gurugram, a sense of shock prevailed over their dust-blanketed colonies.

“For years, we have cleaned and collected their garbage. Now we are being treated like it ourselves,” said Rauna Bibi.

A domestic help, Rauna’s husband had returned from West Bengal the same day the detentions began. When he heard about it, he was so terrified he left again – this time, without informing his wife.

“For three days, I wondered if he was picked up; whether he was even alive,” Rauna said. “When we finally spoke, he said he didn’t call because he did not want any trouble.”

But it was not her husband’s behaviour that bothered Rauna, or the fact that he was now jobless. It was the theft of her pride – and the comfort of belonging to a place – that hurt her the most, making her feel absurdly insignificant.

“Unlike poverty, I can’t fight this with my hard work,” she said. “If they pick us, I wouldn’t know how to survive. This slum, the work we do and the houses we clean – this is our entire life.”

Mr Kumar says the recent action is based on a home ministry notice from May that lays down new guidelines for deporting illegal immigrants.

Under the order, all states are required to set up a special task force along with holding centres to “detect, identify and deport/send back illegal immigrants settled from Bangladesh and Myanmar”.

Each person would be given 30 days to prove their citizenship, during which authorities would send their documents back to their home districts for verification.

If they fail to confirm the details, the suspects would be taken by the police “under proper escort, in groups as far as possible”, and handed over to the border forces for deportation.

Critics, however, have questioned the order, saying it does not specify the basis on which a person is made a suspect.

“On the face of it, it’s nothing other than the fact that you speak Bengali, have a Muslim name and live in shanty,” said Aakash Bhattacharya, of the national council of the All India Central Council of Trade Unions which advocates for workers’ rights.

What is worse is that none of the suspects are being given certificates confirming their citizenship had already been verified, he added.

“This means they can be put through the same process again, making them extremely vulnerable.”

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crevjxgqwnjo

Though the ice cream mimics the flavour of human breast milk, it does not actually contain any.

A parent product company and a boutique ice cream brand in the United States have collaborated to introduce a new ice cream flavour that has been raising eyebrows across the internet – one that’s designed to taste like breast milk.

The collaboration between Frida and New York-based OddFellows Ice Cream Co. has gone viral since its launch. A promotional post showing a truck bearing the words “Breast Milk Ice Cream” has only added to the buzz.

Hailing India as an “incredibly fast-growing” market, Altman noted the remarkable pace at which Indian citizens and businesses are adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI).

India, currently OpenAI’s second-largest market, could soon become its largest globally, CEO Sam Altman said on Wednesday as the company unveiled its next-generation model, GPT-5, which will be available free to all users.

Hailing India as an “incredibly fast-growing” market, Altman noted the remarkable pace at which Indian citizens and businesses are adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI).

“India is our second-largest market in the world after the US, and it may well become our largest market. It’s incredibly fast-growing, but what users are doing with AI, what citizens of India are doing with AI, is really quite remarkable.

“We’re especially focused on bringing products to India, working with local partners to make AI work great for India and make it more affordable for people across the country.

“We’ve been paying a lot of attention here given the rate of growth and I am excited to come for a visit in September,” Altman said during a media briefing.

OpenAI on Thursday announced the launch of GPT-5, describing it as its “best model yet for coding and agentic tasks”.

“We’re releasing GPT-5 in three sizes in the API — gpt-5, gpt-5-mini, and gpt-5-nano — to give developers more flexibility to trade off performance, cost, and latency. While GPT-5 in ChatGPT is a system of reasoning, non-reasoning, and router models, GPT-5 in the API platform is the reasoning model that powers maximum performance in ChatGPT.

“Notably, GPT-5 with minimal reasoning is a different model than the non-reasoning model in ChatGPT, and is better tuned for developers. The non-reasoning model used in ChatGPT is available as gpt-5-chat-latest,” OpenAI said in a blogpost.

The new model is a major upgrade over its predecessor, GPT-4, and represents a “pretty significant step” toward Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), Altman said.

“GPT-5 is really the first time that I think one of our mainline models has felt like you can ask a legitimate expert, like a PhD-level expert, anything… We wanted to simplify it and make it accessible. We wanted to make it available in our free tier for the first time,” he said.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/openai-ceo-sam-altman-hails-indias-incredibly-fast-growing-market-9043249

A food delivery agent allegedly attacked a woman with a sharp weapon after she questioned him about the delay in the service in Odisha’s Bhubaneswar on Thursday.

A food delivery agent allegedly attacked a woman with a sharp weapon after she questioned him about the delay in the service in Odisha’s Bhubaneswar on Thursday.

According to officials, the woman, identified as Binodini Rath, had ordered food that was delayed in delivery. When the delivery agent, Tapan Das alias Mitu, arrived with the food at her home, she asked him about the delay. The two then began arguing, during which the delivery agent picked a sharp weapon and attacked her.

The woman was critically injured on her neck, head, hands, and legs, and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital.

The victim worked as a nurse at a private hospital in the city, officials said.

The police arrested the accused on the spot and seized the weapon he used to attack the woman, officials said.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delivery-agent-attacks-odisha-woman-during-argument-over-food-delay-9043648

The incident occurred close to the residence of a college-goer, who was raped and found dead in 2012 in Dharmasthala town.

Four men, representing three YouTube channels, including a cameraman, were attacked by a large mob near Dharmasthala in Dakshina Kannada district on Wednesday evening, when they were interviewing a person, amid an ongoing probe by SIT into the alleged mass burial case, police said.

The incident occurred close to the residence of a college-goer, who was raped and found dead in 2012 in Dharmasthala town.

Ajay Anchan, Abhishek, Vijay and a cameraman, were interviewing Rajat of “Bigg Boss Kannada” when they were assaulted by an estimated 50 to 60 individuals near Pangal Cross here. They also damaged the camera equipment.

All four were rushed to Benaka Hospital in Ujire. One of them is reported to be in critical condition, police said.

Police have launched an investigation and no arrests have been reported yet.

Following the incident at Pangal Cross, two groups started abusing and pelting stones on each other. The police tried to pacify the mob, but when it showed signs of escalation, they resorted to a mild lathi charge to disperse them.

The police have beefed up the security in sensitive areas.

Dakshina Kannada district Superintendent of Police Arun K urged people to remain calm and said that action would be taken once the identities of the suspects are confirmed.

Authorities said the motive behind the incident remains unclear and are reviewing nearby CCTV footage.

The Special Investigation Team was formed after the Karnataka Women’s Commission chairperson Nagalakshmi Choudhary, several members from civil societies and lawyers demanded an investigation into the allegation of mass burial of people in Dharmasthala.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/youtubers-attacked-near-dharmasthala-four-hospitalised-9033720

Police were called to the Guards Polo Club in Virginia Water just after 5 pm on Thursday, 12 June, following the death of a man in his 50s at the location. “Colleagues from South East Coast Ambulance also attended and confirmed that the man had sadly died at the scene”, the police said.

Businessman Sunjay Kapur – who died last month while playing polo in London – died of natural causes, Surrey Police told NDTV.

Police were called to the Guards Polo Club in Virginia Water just after 5 pm on Thursday, 12 June, following the death of a man in his 50s at the location. “Colleagues from South East Coast Ambulance also attended and confirmed that the man had sadly died at the scene”, the police said, adding that, “His death is being treated as non-suspicious”.

Kapur’s mother Rani Kapur, approached UK authorities for an investigation into her son’s death under “highly suspicious and unexplained circumstances”. Regarding her concerns, the police said that they are in contact with Mrs Kapur’s solicitors in the UK.

Kapur was the owner of the Aureus polo team and used to play polo with William, the Prince of Wales and heir to the British throne. He became unwell while playing in a match at the club’s Smith’s Lawn.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ndtv-exclusive-sunjay-kapurs-death-not-suspicious-says-surrey-police-9034717

AG Noorani’s ‘The Kashmir Dispute 1947–2012’; political scientist Sumantra Bose’s ‘Kashmir at the Crossroads’ and ‘Contested Lands’ are among the banned books

The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered a ban on 25 books including those for allegedly propagating “false narrative and secessionism”. Writer-activist Arundhati Roy’s ‘Azadi’; constitutional expert AG Noorani’s ‘The Kashmir Dispute 1947–2012’; political scientist Sumantra Bose’s ‘Kashmir at the Crossroads’ and ‘Contested Lands’ are among the 25 banned books.

A notification of the Home Department in Jammu and Kashmir issued on Tuesday (August 5), signed by principal secretary Chandraker Bharti, argued that such literature “often disguised as historical or political commentary” plays a key role “behind youth participation violence and terrorism.”

“This literature would deeply impact the psyche of youth by promoting culture of grievance, victimhood and terrorist heroism. Some of the means by which this literature has contributed to the radicalization of youth in J&K include distortion of historical facts, glorification of terrorists, vilification of security forces, religious radicalization, promotion of alienation, pathway to violence and terrorism,” the notification reads.

The books are by various publishing houses, including Routledge, Stanford University Press, Oxford University Press, and are now “forfeited” under Section 98 of Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023. The government said that these books have been “found to excite secessionism and endangering sovereignty and integrity of India”, thereby, attracting the provisions of sections 152, 196 & 197 of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023.

While section 98 of BNSS 2023 gives power to the government to declare certain publications forfeited, sections 152, 196, and 197 of the BNS 2023 deal with assault without grave provocation, obstruction of public servants, and failure to assist them when legally bound, respectively.

This has come at a time when the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Friday, August 8, an application seeking directions to the central government to restore the statehood of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/jk-bans-25-books-for-promoting-false-narratives-and-terrorism-101754508657165.html

Earlier in June, two other bizarre applications surfaced—one in Patna, where a dog was granted a residential certificate under the name “Dog Babu”

A strange pattern of fraudulent residential certificate applications is unfolding in Bihar, where officials in Samastipur recently uncovered an audacious attempt to issue a certificate in the name of Donald Trump, the President of the United States.

Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Brajesh Kumar confirmed the discovery: “An attempt was made to create a residence certificate in the name of Donald Trump. The investigation revealed that the certificate was being generated through digital tampering. The cyber cell has been alerted, and an FIR will be filed. Necessary action is underway.”

This isn’t an isolated incident. Earlier in June, two other bizarre applications surfaced—one in Patna, where a dog was granted a residential certificate under the name “Dog Babu”, and another in Nawada, where a dog was once again at the centre of a scam. This time, the certificate application was filed under the name “Dogesh Babu”, complete with a canine photograph. In yet another case from the same district, a certificate was requested in the name of “Shri Ram”, raising serious questions about the verification mechanisms in place.

In both Dogesh Babu and Shri Ram’s cases, authorities were forced to step in. The Nawada District Magistrate directed the local police to lodge FIRs and conduct full investigations.

The incidents have sparked political backlash. Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala slammed the Bihar administration, calling the repeated lapses a direct assault on electoral integrity. Quoting a media report on the Trump case, Surjewala posted on X (formerly Twitter):

“Many people will smile at this as a joke and move on, but just think about it… This is the biggest proof that the entire process of ‘electoral roll revision’ in Bihar is a fraud and a way to steal votes.”

He went on to say: “The Election Commission’s act of striking off 6.5 million voters from Bihar is a direct attack on electoral democracy. The fraud is now evident to all, which is what Congress and Mr. Rahul Gandhi are fighting against. In such a situation, staying silent is a crime. So come, let’s raise our voices together and become the guardians of democracy.”

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/donald-trump-is-now-a-resident-of-samastipur-fake-certificate-joins-bihars-bizarre-list-9489776.html

PM Narendra Modi inaugurated first among several upcoming Common Central Secretariat buildings ‘Kartavya Bhavan’ at Kartavya Path on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated Kartavya Bhavan-3 at Kartavya Path in the national capital.

Kartavya Bhavan-3 is the first among the 10 upcoming Common Central Secretariat buildings, and is a part of the broader transformation of the Central Vista, officials said.

The project is aimed at bringing ministries and government departments under one roof for efficiency.

Kartavya Bhavan-3 will house the Home Affairs, External Affairs, Rural Development, MSME, DoPT, Petroleum & Natural Gas ministries, and the Principal Scientific Adviser’s office, officials said.

There are key ministries which are currently functioning from ageing buildings such as Shastri Bhawan, Krishi Bhawan, Udyog Bhawan, and Nirman Bhawan, which were built between the 1950s and 1970s. They are now “structurally outdated and inefficient”, the government said.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has plans to construct 10 buildings under the Centre’s ambitious Central Vista redevelopment project.

Two buildings under construction, Buildings 2 and 3, are expected to be completed by next month. Construction of CCS 10 is set to finish by April next year, while the CCS 6 and 7 buildings will be ready by October 2026.

On Tuesday, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that offices running from the four bhawans will move to four new locations on Kasturba Gandhi Marg, Minto Road, and Netaji Palace temporarily for two years, by the time construction is underway.

Some buildings are proposed to be retained.

These include new buildings like the National Museum, National Archives, Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan (Ministry of External Affairs), and Dr Ambedkar Auditorium. Vanijya Bhawan will also be kept as part of the plan.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/pm-modi-inaugurates-common-central-secretariat-building-kartavya-bhavan-at-kartavya-path-9487887.html

A woman from Odisha underwent a complex robotic Whipple procedure to remove a tricky tumour in her pancreas, which was becoming life-threatening. The surgery, also known as robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy, is a minimally invasive treatment option recommended for pancreatic cancer and other conditions related to the pancreas, gallbladder, small intestine, and bile duct.

A 53-year-old homemaker from Bhubaneshwar in Odisha underwent a complex and difficult robotic Whipple surgery to remove a tricky tumour in her pancreas, which was life-threatening.
It all started when Subhashree Patnaik (name changed) started experiencing sharp abdominal pain accompanied by mild fever. Initially, she brushed it off and carried on with her daily chores, unaware of what was to come. She then noticed that her skin was turning yellow and her urine became dark, realising something was seriously wrong.
Patnaik rushed to a local doctor, where two liver function tests were conducted, confirming the diagnosis of jaundice. However, even after taking the prescribed medications, her jaundice and fever persisted, after which she was recommended to get an ultrasound, which revealed an obstruction in her pancreas. Later, CT and PET-CT scans, along with an endoscopic biopsy, confirmed the presence of a pancreatic mass with obstructive jaundice. The tumour was located in the uncinate process of the pancreas, a particularly tricky spot due to its proximity to major blood vessels supplying blood to the liver and bowel, which made its removal much more complex.

The searches were conducted as part of a money laundering probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), following FIRs filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Delhi Police.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday carried out search operations at 11 locations across Delhi, Noida, Gurugram and Dehradun in connection with a Rs 260 crore global cyber fraud involving cryptocurrency and hawala networks.
The searches were conducted as part of a money laundering probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), following FIRs filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Delhi Police.
According to the ED, the fraudsters targeted both Indian and foreign nationals by posing as police officers and investigators. They allegedly threatened victims with arrest to extort money. In other instances, they impersonated customer service agents from tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon to deceive people.

The extorted money was then converted into cryptocurrency, particularly Bitcoins, which were stored in multiple digital wallets. Further investigation revealed that the accused had accumulated around Rs 260 crore through these fraudulent means.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/how-ed-cracked-a-rs-260-crore-crypto-fraud-spanning-delhi-ncr-and-dehradun-article-152419247

Soon after Trump announced a penalty of another 25 per cent on India for buying Russian oil, the former Congress president said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should not let Indian interests be overridden.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said US President Donald Trump’s 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods is “economic blackmail” to bully India into an unfair trade deal.
Soon after Trump announced a penalty of another 25 per cent on India for buying Russian oil, the former Congress president said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should not let Indian interests be overridden.
“Trump’s 50% tariff is economic blackmail – an attempt to bully India into an unfair trade deal.

“PM Modi better not let his weakness override the interests of the Indian people,” Gandhi said in a post on X.
Trump on Wednesday slapped an additional 25 per cent tariff on goods coming from India as penalty for New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil, a move that is likely to hit sectors such as textiles, marine and leather exports hard.
Trump signed an executive order – Addressing Threats to the US by the Government of the Russian Federation – imposing the additional tariff over an above the 25 per cent levy which comes into effect from August 7.
After this order, the total tariff on Indian goods, barring a small exemption list, will be 50 per cent.
The Congress said the action is unjust and unacceptable, even as it hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying his personalised and “headline-grabbing style of huglomacy” has been an “abysmal failure”.
Noting that US President Donald Trump has hit India “hard and unjustly”, Congress general secretary, communications, Jairam Ramesh called for a comprehensive reset of India’s foreign policy and said PM Modi should shed his ego and take inspiration from Indira Gandhi in the manner she stood up to the US’ “bullying” in the 1970s.
“Now President Trump, while still claiming to be a friend of Mr. Modi, has hit India hard and unjustly. While his tariff and penalty actions are simply unacceptable, the fact remains that they also reflect the abysmal failure of Mr. Modi’s personalised and headline-grabbing style of huglomacy,” he said in a post on X.
“India has stood up to the bullying of the US in the 1970s, especially under the Prime Ministership of Smt. Indira Gandhi. Instead of defaming, distorting, and denigrating her, Mr. Modi should shed his ego — if indeed that were possible — and take inspiration from the manner in which she stood up to the USA. India’s foreign policy and administration needs a comprehensive reset,” Ramesh also said.
Recalling past events under the Modi government, the Congress leader said the prime minister went to the US and attended a ‘Howdy Modi’ event in Houston in September 2019. “President Trump was also present and Mr. Modi broke with all tradition and declared ‘Ab ki Baar Trump Sarkar’,” he said.
In February 2020, Ramesh said, President Trump was hosted by Modi to a gala ‘Namaste Trump’ event in Ahmedabad and in February 2025, “much was made of the fact that Modi was amongst the earliest heads of government who met with President Trump in his second innings”.
Earlier, it was said that the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had a front row seat at President Trump’s inauguration and was the first to meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Congress general secretary said in a dig at the government.
“Mr. Modi wooed Elon Musk and his family as well, at a time when Mr. Musk was very close to President Trump. The wooing of Mr. Musk was part of Mr. Modi’s strategy to please President Trump.
“Mr. Modi has time and again flaunted his supposedly close friendship with President Trump. On Feb 14, 2025, he had shown off his knowledge of algebra by telling President Trump that MAGA + MIGA = MEGA,” the Congress general secretary said.
He said Prime Minister Modi has kept completely quiet even as President Trump has claimed 33 times that he intervened to bring about a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/trumps-50-per-cent-tariff-is-economic-blackmail-pm-modi-better-not-rahul-gandhi-article-152421356

Hours after US President Donald Trump signed a nine-section Executive Order imposing an additional 25% tariff on India for importing oil from Russia, bringing the total tariff on goods from India to 50%, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra suggested two strong steps India could take to turn the situation to its advantage.

In a post on micro-blogging website X Mahindra said,”The ‘law of unintended consequences’ seems to be operating stealthily in the prevailing tariff war unleashed by the U.S.”

Further proving his point, he gave two examples. “Two examples: The EU may appear to have accepted the evolving global tariff regime, responding with its own strategic adjustments. Yet the friction has nudged Europe to rethink its security dependence, leading to higher defence spending in France and Germany. In the process, Germany has moderated its fiscal orthodoxy, which may well catalyse a resurgence in Europe’s major economies. The world could gain a new engine for growth. In Canada, long hampered by notorious internal trade barriers between its provinces, steps are now being taken to dismantle them, bringing the country closer to a common market and enhancing economic resilience.”

He further suggested two urgent reforms that India should take. “1. Radically Improve Ease of Doing Business.” Explaining further he said, “India must go beyond incremental reform and create a genuinely effective single-window clearance system for all investment proposals. —While states control many investment regulations, we can begin with a coalition of willing states aligning with a national single-window platform. —If we demonstrate speed, simplicity, and predictability, we can make India an irresistible destination for global capital in a world seeking trusted partners.”

The industrialist also urged providing liquidity support for MSMEs, accelerating infrastructure development, a manufacturing Push, via enhancement and expansion of the scope of PLI schemes; Rationalise import duties so that duty on manufacturing inputs are lowered and assist in improving our competitiveness.

Mahindra ended the post by saying “We cannot fault others for putting their nations first. But we should be moved to make our own nation greater than ever.”

US President Trump Imposes Total 50% Tariff On Goods From India

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a nine-section Executive Order imposing an additional 25% tariff on India in response to its continued purchase of Russian oil. With this, the total tariff on Goods From India will be 50%. Trump had announced a 25 per cent tariff on India last week. The order states that India is directly or indirectly importing oil from Russia, which the US considers a threat to its national security and foreign policy.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/improve-ease-of-doing-business-anand-mahindra-suggests-strong-steps-india-should-take-after-trump-slaps-50-tariffs

The Defence Acquisition Council approved several proposals amounting to a total cost of about Rs 67,000 crore to boost the capability of all three services in various domains.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Tuesday approved various proposals amounting to a total cost of about Rs 67,000 crore, under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to boost the operational capability of the Indian Armed Forces.

One of the proposals cleared by the DAC included the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the Indian Army for the procurement of Thermal Imager-based Driver Night Sight for BMP to enhance night driving capability of BMP and provide higher mobility and operational advantage to the Mechanised Infantry.

For the Indian Navy, AoN was accorded for the procurement of Compact Autonomous Surface Craft, BrahMos Fire Control System & Launchers and Upgradation of BARAK-1 Point Defence Missile System, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Defence.

The procurement of Compact Autonomous Surface Craft was also approved to provide the capability to the Indian Navy for detection, classification and neutralisation of threats in anti-submarine warfare missions.

An AoN was accorded for the procurement of Mountain Radars and Upgradation of SAKSHAM/SPYDER Weapon System for the Indian Army. The procurement of mountain radars will enhance the air surveillance capability along and across the borders in the mountainous region. The upgradation of SAKSHAM/SPYDER System for integration with Integrated Air Command and Control System will enhance the Air Defence capability.

Furthermore, AoN was also accorded for procurement of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs) for the three Services. The proposed MALE RPAs can carry multiple payloads and weapons and operate at longer ranges for long endurance missions, significantly enhancing surveillance and combat capability.

The DAC has also approved measures for the sustenance of C-17 and C-130J fleets and comprehensive annual maintenance contract of S-400 Long Range Air Defence Missile System.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/dac-clears-proposals-worth-rs-67000-cr-to-boost-operational-capability-of-indian-armed-forces-ws-l-9486795.html

The viral image shows Sourabh More lying on a footpath outside TCS’s Sahyadri Park campus in in Hinjewadi, Pune

A photo of a Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) employee sleeping on the footpath outside the company’s Pune office has gone viral, sparking widespread outrage and raising questions about worker treatment in the IT industry.

The employee, identified as Sourabh More, claimed he was forced to live on the street after his salary was withheld despite repeated attempts to resolve the issue with the company’s HR department.

The viral image, which shows More lying on a footpath outside TCS’s Sahyadri Park campus, was first shared by the Forum of IT Employees (FITE) on social media platform X on Sunday.

A handwritten letter placed beside him read: “I have informed HR I don’t have money and will be forced to sleep and live outside TCS on the footpath.”

According to a summary posted by FITE, More returned to duty at the Pune campus on July 29, only to find that his employee ID was inactive and his salary had not been paid.

He raised the issue with the HR team the following day, on July 30, but the matter allegedly remained unresolved. The image of him sleeping outside the office quickly spread across social media, leading to a wave of criticism directed at the IT giant.

FITE Maharashtra, which represents employees in the IT, BPO, KPO, and telecom sectors, expressed support for More, saying: “We stand in solidarity with the TCS employee protesting outside their Pune office for his pending salary. His courage to raise his voice in such dire conditions is commendable. However, salary delays and job-related issues should also be formally reported to the Labour Office. Protesting is a strong visual message, but combining it with a legal complaint strengthens the fight and compels accountability.”

In response, TCS issued an official statement, saying the situation arose due to “unauthorised absence” on the part of the employee.

Source : https://www.news18.com/viral/tcs-employee-sleeps-outside-pune-office-over-withheld-salary-company-issues-clarification-ws-l-9486581.html

The move, approved by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, is aimed at preventing misuse and ensuring that only genuine beneficiaries get subsidies and aid.

If you’re planning to apply for any government welfare scheme in Delhi, your Aadhar card is now a must. The Delhi government has made Aadhaar mandatory for issuing income certificates, a document required to access several financial benefits.

The move, approved by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, is aimed at preventing misuse and ensuring that only genuine beneficiaries get subsidies and aid.

Why This Matters
Income certificates are used to determine eligibility for a wide range of Delhi government schemes, including:

Tuition fee reimbursement for SC/ST/OBC students

Old age and widow pensions

Financial help under Delhi Aarogya Kosh

Other state-funded welfare schemes

Now, without linking your Aadhar, you won’t be able to get this certificate.

“Furnishing proof of Aadhaar should be made mandatory,” Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had said in the proposal.

Backed by Law
The decision falls under Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016, which allows state governments to make Aadhaar-based verification compulsory for schemes that use money from the Consolidated Fund of India or State.

This step follows a UIDAI advisory from 2019, which empowered states to enforce Aadhaar authentication for welfare benefits.

What If You Don’t Have Aadhaar?
Don’t worry, you won’t be turned away. But you’ll need to start the enrolment process first.

Here’s what you’ll need depending on your situation:

For Adults without Aadhaar:
Aadhaar Enrolment Slip, and one valid document like:
Bank/Post Office Passbook

PAN Card

Passport

Kisan Passbook

Driving Licence

For Children/Minors:

Aadhaar Enrolment Slip or Biometric Update Slip

Plus Birth Certificate or School ID card with parent’s name, signed by the school principal

This ensures that even those who haven’t enrolled yet can still access schemes, as long as they start the process.

Government to Run Awareness Campaign
The Revenue Department has been asked to spread awareness across Delhi so that residents don’t miss out on benefits due to lack of information.

“It’s crucial that genuine beneficiaries are not left out because they don’t know the new requirements,” said a senior official from Raj Niwas.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-makes-aadhaar-mandatory-for-income-certificate-what-it-means-for-you-9026264

Uttarkashi Cloudburst: Reportedly, at least four people have lost their lives while many are feared missing, after a deadly flash-flood wiped out half a village in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi. Horrifying videos of the incident are circulating on social media, leaving netizens numb. Uttarkashi District Emergency Operation Centre has also issued emergency numbers: 01374222126, 01374222722, 9456556431.

Horrifying screams of victims running for their lives, rumbling sounds of homes and hotels washing away and terrifying videos of a deadly flash floods wiping out half a village is all that is echoing on the internet, in media channels and inside the mourning hearts of Indians– as the country is witnessing yet another bone-chilling destruction due to heavy monsoon. Half of the Dharali village in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi has now been reduced to rubble as a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst wiped out a massive portion of the settlement. Agonizing videos of debris and flood water destroying anything and everything on its path were shared on social media, which went viral- leaving the internet numb.
Reportedly, the cloudburst happened over the upper reaches of the Kheer Ganga river near Harsil. The tragedy happened today- Tuesday, August 05. As per reports, at least four people have lost their lives while many are feared missing or buried under debris. The settlement is full of locals, devotees, hotels, homes and homestays, as it is the main stopover on the way to Gangotri.
Reportedly, an Army team from Harsil has been rushed to the spot. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, on the other hand, is taking stock of the situation. “The news of heavy losses due to a cloudburst in the Dharali (Uttarkashi) area is extremely sad and painful. SDRF, NDRF, district administration and other related teams are engaged on war footing in relief and rescue operations,” he was quoted as saying.

“People are being evacuated to safe locations on a priority basis, and the situation is being continuously monitored. The administration is fully alert and providing all possible assistance to the affected citizens,” he added.

Tahawwur Rana submitted before the court that he needs to consult his family members before changing his counsel, while seeking permission for a phone call. He is currently being represented by a legal aid counsel.

A Delhi Court reserved its order on the plea moved by 26/11 attack alleged mastermind Tahawwur Rana seeking to make phone call to his family members to consult over changing his counsel.
Rana submitted before the court that he needs to consult his family members before changing his counsel, while seeking permission for a phone call. He is currently being represented by a legal aid counsel.
After hearing his submissions in an in-camera proceeding the court reserved its verdict.

The Patiala High Court is expected to pronounce its decision on the matter on August 7.
The court also disposed of his separate application requesting regular phone calls with family members, after Tihar Jail authorities opposed the plea.
Rana, a suspected close associate of 26/11 conspirator David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, was extradited to India after the United States Supreme Court rejected his review plea on April 4.
He is currently lodged in Tihar Jail under judicial custody, which was last extended until August 13.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/delhi-court-reserves-order-on-tahawwur-ranas-plea-for-family-call-over-counsel-switch-article-152413529

Reacting to the newly signed India-UK trade agreement, Mittal shared a strongly worded post on LinkedIn, hailing India’s rise in global negotiations and taking aim at the US for its policies towards Indian professionals.

Shaadi.com founder and Shark Tank India judge Anupam Mittal has criticised the United States over its “messy” visa system and stalled trade talks while praising the United Kingdom for embracing India with a “red carpet” approach.
Reacting to the newly signed India-UK trade agreement, Mittal shared a strongly worded post on LinkedIn, hailing India’s rise in global negotiations and taking aim at the US for its policies towards Indian professionals.
“The India-UK trade deal is done. After years of colonial hangover, it’s finally India calling the shots, this time, with spreadsheets not swords. But while the UK’s rolling out the red carpet… 🇺🇸 The US seems to be playing hardball,” Mittal wrote.

“Here’s the irony > We’re not just exporting goods & services anymore.
Indians are shining brighter than diamonds & building the US economy.
-Tech? Mostly run by Indians.
-Wall Street? Flooded with Indian-origin fund managers.
-P&G’s latest CEO? Indian again.
-And VC-backed startups? At least one Indian founder on the cap table.
There was a time when being Indian was a ceiling in corporate America. Now it’s almost a prerequisite. And yet, visas remain a mess, trade negotiations are dragging, and posture > partnership.
So dear America, Doesn’t look like bullying will work. But India should issue a counter ultimatum – play ball or we bring back our Kohinoors,” he added.
Mittal’s comments come at a time when US-India relations face new strains. US President Donald Trump this week announced the imposition of a 25 per cent tariff on all goods coming from India. Recently, the US Embassy in India warned visa holders to strictly follow stay limits or face revocation and deportation.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/dear-america-bullying-wont-work-anupam-mittal-rips-us-visa-mess-article-152412892

The army also urged to avoid spreading unverified information. “Please avoid spreading unverified information,” the army said.

Immediately after reports of a ceasefire violation by the Pakistani army, the Indian Army on Tuesday stated that there had been no violation of the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

“There have been some media and social media reports regarding ceasefire violations in the Poonch region. It is clarified that there has been no ceasefire violation along the Line of Control,” the Indian Army said in an official statement.

The army also urged to avoid spreading unverified information. “Please avoid spreading unverified information,” the army said.

Earlier there were reports of the Pakistan Army violating ceasefire along the LoC at Mankot Sector in Poonch district and the Indian Army is retaliating effectively.

On April 22, five to six Pakistan-backed terrorists opened fire on tourists at Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam killing 26 people. In response to the terror attack, India launched Operation Sindoor targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). When Pakistan tried to attack Indian civilian and military installations in retaliation, India’s air defence thwarted the attack. On the intervening night of May 9 and 10, India also hit 11 Pakistani air bases.

After Operation Sindoor, Pakistan unsuccessfully launched drones and missiles towards India, leading to a four-day military conflict military conflict which ended on May 10 after the Pakistani Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) called the Indian counterpart.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/indian-army-refutes-claims-of-ceasefire-violation-in-jks-poonch-sector

The decision to procure the supersonic cruise missiles came on the back of the huge success of Operation Sindoor, during which the weapon was used extensively and caused heavy damage to enemy targets.

In a bid to bolster its defence capabilities, India is set to place large-scale orders for the Indo-Russian BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for both the Navy and the Air Force, top defence sources told India Today.

The decision comes in the wake of the massive success of India’s Operation Sindoor, which saw extensive use of BrahMos missiles to strike key Pakistani terror and military installations in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, they added.

The BrahMos missiles annihilated terror launch pads in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7 and caused heavy damage to Pakistani air bases in the strikes carried out by India in retaliation to military provocation by the country.

A high-level defence ministry meeting is expected soon to clear the procurement of a significant number of BrahMos systems, including air-launched and surface-launched versions. The Navy plans to deploy the missiles on its Veer-class warships, while the Air Force will equip its fleet of Su-30 MKI fighter jets with the advanced weapon.

“India will continue to make sovereign decisions in the interest of national security. No external pressure will influence our defence preparedness,” a senior defence official said, indirectly referring to past criticisms from the US regarding India’s military trade with Russia.

“During Operation Sindoor, the world saw the capabilities of our indigenous weapons. Our Air Defence Systems, missiles, and drones have proved the strength of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, especially the BrahMos missiles,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi had heaped praise on the supersonic cruise missiles following the heavy damage they caused to the Pakistan terror infrastructure during Operation Sindoor and the subsequent military conflict.

India has maintained that it will not be dictated to by global powers, including recent tariff and sanction threats from former US President Donald Trump over its ties with Moscow. The country continues to buy energy and military hardware from Russia, citing strategic independence.

The upcoming orders are likely to include upgraded versions of the BrahMos missile, featuring scramjet propulsion technology. This is a step ahead of the current ramjet engines and is expected to significantly boost speed and range. The new BrahMos-II missile, inspired by Russia’s Zircon missile, could reach speeds of up to Mach 9.

Initially announced in 2008, the BrahMos-II program faced delays due to Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) restrictions that barred Russia from transferring technology to missiles with ranges over 300 km. These restrictions were eased after India joined the MTCR in 2016. Despite that, development has been slow due to high costs and complex engineering challenges.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-to-procure-more-brahmos-missiles-for-navy-and-air-force-after-successful-operation-sindoor-2766609-2025-08-05

Trump has ramped up his attack after calling both New Delhi and Moscow “dead economies” last week. After slapping a 25% tariff on Indian goods, he has now threatened to impose additional duties, citing New Delhi’s “buying massive amounts of Russian oil.”

US President Donald Trump has upped the ante on India over its purchase of oil from Russia, warning of levying additional tariffs within the next “24 hours.”

“India has not been a good trading partner, because they do a lot of business with us, but we don’t do business with them. So we settled on 25 percent, but I think I’m going to raise that very substantially over the next 24 hours, because they’re buying Russian oil. They’re fueling the war machine,” Trump said in an interview with CNBC on Tuesday.

Trump has ramped up his attack after calling both New Delhi and Moscow “dead economies” last week. After slapping a 25% tariff on Indian goods, he has now threatened to impose additional duties, citing New Delhi’s “buying massive amounts of Russian oil.”

A day before, Trump accused India of selling Russian oil “on the open market for big profits.” “They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform on Monday.

In a sharp response, India hit out at the United States and the European Union, saying it is being unfairly singled out by them over its Russian oil purchases when they both trade extensively with Moscow despite the war in Ukraine.

Following Trump’s tirade against India and Russia on Monday, India responded by saying that it is “revealing that the very nations criticising India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia.”

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-has-not-been-a-good-trading-partner-will-raise-tariffs-substantially-in-24-hours-trump-2766697-2025-08-05

The event coincides with peak office hours when heavy traffic is expected in the area due to the movement of dignitaries, government officials and invitees.

Traffic restrictions will be in place across parts of New Delhi on Wednesday evening as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new Kartavya Bhavan at 6.30 pm, police said.

The event coincides with peak office hours when heavy traffic is expected in the area due to the movement of dignitaries, government officials and invitees, they added.

“Traffic is likely to be affected around Rajendra Prasad Road, Maulana Azad Road, Man Singh Road, Janpath, Rafi Marg, Sansad Marg, Motilal Nehru Marg and the C-Hexagon. Additional personnel, traffic bikes and cranes will be deployed to manage the situation,” DCP (Traffic), New Delhi district, Rajeev Kumar told PTI.

“As the event is scheduled during office dispersal hours, we’ve made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth vehicular flow in the area,” he said.

Special parking provisions have been arranged for Members of Parliament, their secretaries and other senior officials behind Vigyan Bhawan, Kumar said.

The Kartavya Bhavan-03 is the first of several upcoming Common Central Secretariat buildings under the government’s Central Vista redevelopment project. It will house the ministries of Home Affairs, External Affairs, Rural Development, MSME, DoPT and Petroleum and Natural Gas along with the principal scientific adviser’s office.

Following the inauguration, the Prime Minister will address a public programme at Kartavya Path.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/traffic-restrictions-in-new-delhi-on-wednesday-for-kartavya-bhavan-inauguration-101754407022352.html

The first discovery was made at spot 6 on the third day of the excavation process. The remains have been sent for forensic examination

The special investigation team (SIT) probing the alleged mass burials near the Nethravathi river in Dharmasthala on Monday recovered a set of skeletal remains including a skull, along with fragments of a saree, at a freshly dug site. The latest find was made at a location marked as spot 11, where excavation efforts resumed following a request by the complainant who had earlier identified several possible burial grounds.

According to police officers involved in the case, the SIT had planned to begin digging at the 11th spot on Monday. However, acting on the complainant’s suggestion, the team initially diverted attention to a different area while digging at the spot 11 continued, eventually leading to the discovery of the remains.

“The digging at this spot was already planned for Monday, but we adjusted our sequence of operations based on a request from the complainant,” said an SIT officer who did not want to be named.

This is the second time the team has recovered human remains during the operation. The first discovery was made at spot 6 on the third day of the excavation process. The remains have been sent for forensic examination. Till now, 10 locations have been explored under the direction of the SIT.

One SIT officer involved in the search operation said the bones and skull were discovered without any digging. “It was found on a hillock, not underground. A saree was tied to a nearby tree, which may also suggest the possibility of a suicide,” the officer said, noting that this angle would also be looked into.

The case stems from allegations made by a former sanitation worker, who claimed he was ordered to bury multiple bodies near the river, including those of women and girls who he believed were sexually abused, between 1995 and 2014. He has since recorded a statement before a magistrate in connection with these claims.

On July 28, the complainant guided officials from multiple government departments to specific locations, offering detailed descriptions of each site.

A formal complaint was filed on July 3 and an FIR was registered a day later. The SIT began its field investigation on July 11 and is currently working to identify the recovered remains and determine whether more burial sites exist among the ones already marked.

Meanwhile, the incident has triggered backlash from sections of the Jain community. In Hubballi, Sri Gunadhar Nandi Maharaj of Navagraha Teertha voiced concern over defamatory remarks being circulated online that link Jain rulers to the alleged crimes.

“Using the Dharmasthala case as a pretext, miscreants have started maligning the legacy of Jain rulers by accusing them of exploiting women. This is not only baseless but deeply hurtful,” he said, adding that Jain leaders from across Karnataka will meet on August 10 in Varur to register their protest.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/another-set-of-skeletal-remains-found-in-dharmasthala-police-101754335452482.html

The NDA meeting comes just days before the nomination process for the vice-presidential election begins on August 7.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a meeting of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) parliamentary party on Tuesday. The meeting will bring together MPs of the ruling alliance and marks a rare full-session gathering, being held after a considerable gap.

The NDA meeting comes amid a deadlock in the monsoon session of Parliament, which has been largely disrupted—except for a two-day debate on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.

The Opposition has stalled proceedings in protest against the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.

PM Modi is expected to address several pressing issues in his speech today, including the Opposition’s accusations that the poll body is favouring the BJP-led government. He is also likely to speak on the April 22 terror attack and the subsequent military response.

According to news agency PTI’s sources, the parliamentary party is also expected to felicitate the Prime Minister over the government’s handling of the terror incident.

The meeting also comes ahead of the nomination process for the vice-presidential election, which begins on August 7. With the NDA holding a majority in the electoral college, its nominee is expected to comfortably win the poll, scheduled for September 9, if contested.

According to sources cited by PTI, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju, BJP national general secretaries and BJP national general secretaries are likely to coordinate with allies to finalise the vice-presidential candidate.

Modi to address NDA bloc

Since the 2024 general election, in which the BJP lost its solo majority but retained power with its allies, the saffron party has expanded its parliamentary meetings to include NDA partners. The last meeting took place on July 2, but no similar gatherings have been held in recent sessions.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-address-key-nda-meet-today-amid-parliament-logjam-101754357083323.html

A video of the incident — which shows at least 22 vehicles, including the Mercedes convertible, Toyota Fortuners, Mahindra Thars, Scorpios, and several hatchbacks — surfaced online after a local resident shared it on social media, tagging Gurugram Police and seeking action

Traffic was disrupted for several minutes on the road connecting Gurugram’s Sector 108 with the Dwarka Expressway on Sunday evening after a convoy of nearly two dozen vehicles, including a Mercedes-Benz SLC convertible, blocked the intersection, allegedly to shoot social media videos, police said on Monday.

The disruption near high-rises Shobha City and Experion Heartsongcaused significant inconvenience to commuters and residents, officials said.

A video of the incident — which shows at least 22 vehicles, including the Mercedes convertible, Toyota Fortuners, Mahindra Thars, Scorpios, and several hatchbacks — surfaced online after a local resident shared it on social media, tagging Gurugram Police and seeking action.

In the footage, two men can be seen standing on the seats of the Mercedes with its top down.

Two other men are seen recording videos, while other members of the group cheered from adjoining vehicles, some of them standing on footrests and others coming out of the sunroofs. The cars had illegally installed sirens, which were blared continuously, the residents alleged.

The Mercedes-Benz SLC seen in the video retails at around ₹80 lakh (ex-showroom) and was reportedly the lead car during the roadblock.

One resident of a society located at the intersection, requesting anonymity, said the sound could be heard even from 400 metres away.

“My apartment is at least 150 metres away from the intersection where these men had blocked the road, but the continuous blaring of hooters and sirens for 5-10 minutes annoyed everyone in the area. The cars were driving around erratically for several minutes even after dispersing,” the resident said.

After completing the shoot, several vehicles were seen in the video illegal U-turns and fleeing in the wrong direction.

While the video has prompted outrage and been acknowledged by police officials, no formal complaint had been registered till the time of going to press.

Gurugram police, public relations officer, Sandeep Kumar said that the incident came to their notice through social media platforms on Sunday night.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/gurugram-news/sports-car-leads-convoy-in-gurugram-social-media-stunt-that-disrupts-traffic-peace-101754333287733.html

“The age of all of them is around 20-25 years, and they work as labourers in Delhi. The Police have recovered some Bangladeshi documents from them. Currently, they are being interrogated,” police said.

Delhi Police said on Monday they have arrested five Bangladeshi “illegal immigrants” and launched an investigation.

“All of them are illegal immigrants”, police said, adding that “They tried to forcibly enter the Red Fort premises”.

“The age of all of them is around 20-25 years, and they work as labourers in Delhi. The Police have recovered some Bangladeshi documents from them. Currently, they are being interrogated,” police said.

Meanwhile, Gurugram Police on Saturday detained ten Bangladeshi nationals who were found to be living illegally in the city, according to police officials.

Identification documents recovered from them confirmed their Bangladeshi nationality.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/5-bangladeshi-immigrants-arrested-for-forcibly-trying-to-enter-red-fort-delhi-cops-9020029

A private hospital here is under probe for allegedly leaving a gauze inside a woman’s stomach, which caused her uterus to be removed, according to the chief medical officer.

It was a double whammy for Noorjahan, who gave birth to a stillborn.

When, after surgery, she complained of pain and her stitches started bleeding, her husband, Tahir, took her to another hospital on July 28.

An ultrasound revealed there was a medical gauze in her stomach.

The doctors removed the gauze, as well as her uterus, because of the rot that had set in due to an infection.

According to a complaint Tahir wrote to the Bareilly chief medical officer Dr Vishram Singh, Noorjahan had been operated on by Dr Shabaz on June 3 for delivery at a private hospital in Bhojipura.

“The doctor left the medical gauze (used in medical dressing) inside her body,” the Dadiya village native wrote in the complaint.

Dr Vishram Singh took cognisance of the complaint on Sunday.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pregnant-woman-sent-with-gauze-inside-after-surgery-loses-uterus-9019371

Supreme Court rapped Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on Indian Army and “Chinese occupation of Indian territory”, and said freedom of expression cannot be used to “say anything”.

The Supreme Court on Monday rapped Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his “defamatory” remarks concerning the Indian Army and “Chinese occupation of Indian territory” after the Galwan clashes.

A bench of Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice AG Masih expressed their sharp disapproval of the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition’s remarks made publicly in the past and asked how he came to know that the Chinese occupied 2,000 sq km of Indian land, while also underlining that freedom of expression cannot be used to “say anything”.

The top court was hearing a defamation case against Rahul Gandhi over his remarks about the Indian Army in connection with the 2020 Galwan Valley clash with the Chinese PLA.

What Had Rahul Gandhi Said?

Addressing a press conference on December 16, 2022, Rahul Gandhi had claimed that the Chinese soldiers were “beating up” Indian soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh.

“China is preparing for war and the Centre is hiding and not accepting it. The ones who captured 2,000 sq km of India and killed 20 Indian soldiers, and are thrashing our soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh. I said to my friend that the Indian media would not ask me questions about it,” Rahul Gandhi had said.

Months after the Galwan clashes in June 2020, Rahul Gandhi said in August that year that China had “captured a part of our territory”.

“My blood boiled when I learnt that China had captured a part of our territory. The prime minister spoke a lie that no such thing had happened. He got exposed by a contrary statement from the defence ministry itself. Did he not care at all for the sacrifices made by the Bihar Regiment? 20 of our soldiers belonging to the regiment were killed in the clashes with Chinese troops. The prime minister’s averment was tantamount to an insult to the martyrs,” he had said.

What Did Supreme Court Say About Rahul Gandhi’s Remarks?

• “Whatever you have to say, why don’t you say in the Parliament? Why do you have to say this in the social media posts? Just because you have 19(1)(a) [freedom of speech], you cannot say anything,” Justice Datta said.
• “Were you there? Do you have any credible material? Why do you make these statements without any…If you were a true Indian, you would not say all this. When there is a conflict across the order, is it unusual to have casualties on both sides?” the judge asked, Live Law reported.
• “Tell Dr Singhvi, how do you get to know that 2000 square kilometres of Indian territory were occupied by the Chinese? Were you there? Do you have any credible material?” the court asked Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who represented the Congress leader in the court.

Who Filed The Defamation Case Against Rahul Gandhi?

Former Director of Border Roads Organisation, Uday Shankar Srivastava, had filed a defamation case against Rahul Gandhi, which is currently being heard in a Lucknow court.

The complaint claimed that Rahul Gandhi made alleged insulting remarks on December 16, 2022, during Bharat Jodo Yatra.

The complainant also alleged that the Congress leader’s objectionable remarks were made about clashes between the Indian soldiers and the Chinese soldiers on December 9, 2022, which defamed the Indian Army.

He alleged that Rahul Gandhi had repeatedly said in a derogatory manner that the Chinese military was “thrashing” Indian jawans in Arunachal Pradesh.

BJP Slams Rahul Gandhi After SC Rap

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju slammed Rahul Gandhi after the top court’s strong observations.

“Supreme Court rebukes Shri Rahul Gandhi for irresponsible claim that Chinese occupied Indian Territory ! SC: How do you know 2000 Sqr km of Indian territory were occupied by Chinese ? A true Indian will not say this,” he tweeted.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/who-told-you-rahul-gandhis-post-galwan-china-remark-sparks-sc-scrutiny-heres-the-backstory-9482847.html 

In Khagaria, fake residence certificate applications under names like Lord Ram and a crow were rejected, prompting police action.

After the well-known ‘dog babu’ and ‘Sonalika tractor’, another incident came into the limelight from Khagaria district, where applications for residence certificates have been moved under the names of Hindu deities Lord Ram and Goddess Sita, as well as a crow.

The applicant allegedly submitted a photo of Lord Ram along with a residence certificate application in Chautham Zone Office of the district under the name ‘Shri Ram Ram’, father- Dashrath, mother- Kaushalya, village- Ayodhya, police station- Chautham, district- Khagaria, NDTV reported.

Another application was submitted with a photo of Goddess Sita under the name ‘Shrimati Mata Sita’, father- Raja Janak, mother- Rani Sunaina, village- Ayodhya, police station- Chautham, district Khagaria.

In another incident, the applicant allegedly submitted a photo of a crow along with a residence certificate application in Khagaria Sadar Zonal Office of the district under in which the name of the applicant was mentioned as “Crow”, father’s name – Kaua Singh, mother’s name – Maina Singh, village Bhadas, district – Khagaria.

The district administration said it has rejected several such applications submitted through the RTPS portal and has initiated police action, registering FIRs against unknown individuals in affected police station areas, including Chautham, Gogri, and Chitraguptanagar.

The fake application copies have gone viral on social media, triggering widespread discussions and criticism over lax verification procedures.

Last week, a similarly outrageous case came to light in East Champaran district where an application had been moved in the name of one ‘Sonalika Tractor’ by using the photograph of Bhojpuri actress Monalisa. The applicant allegedly submitted a photo of the popular Bhojpuri actress along with a residence certificate application under the name ‘Sonalika Tractor’, claiming descent from ‘Swaraj Tractor’ and ‘Car Devi’.

Earlier, a residence certificate was issued in the name of ‘dog babu’, born to ‘kutta babu’ and ‘kutiya devi’, much to the embarrassment of the administration, which got it promptly annulled.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/after-dog-babu-lord-ram-goddess-sita-and-crow-apply-for-bihar-residential-certificate-ws-l-9484176.html

A video of Shajeer, a lorry driver from Cherpulassery, killing a cat and sharing it on Instagram has sparked outrage in Kerala. Police are investigating and trying to locate him.

A disturbing video of a man killing a cat and sharing the footage on Instagram has triggered outrage in Kerala, prompting a police investigation. The accused has been identified as Shajeer, a lorry driver from Cherpulassery in Palakkad district.

The video, posted as an Instagram Story from the account ‘Shajeer_Tool’, first showed the cat being fed. What followed was far more horrifying as another clip showing the cat’s head and body parts separated was uploaded. As the footage circulated on social media, users flagged it to the police.

Cherpulassery police have launched a probe and are verifying the authenticity of the video. Preliminary findings suggest Shajeer is currently in Tamil Nadu. The police are trying to trace his exact location.

According to Kerala Kaumudi, when questioned informally about the act, Shajeer allegedly said, “Cat meat tastes better than human meat.”

Authorities are still trying to establish where the video was filmed. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation.

What The Law Says

Under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, killing or maiming an animal is a punishable offence. The new law, part of the overhaul that replaced the Indian Penal Code, clearly states that anyone who kills, poisons, or renders an animal useless can face up to five years in jail, a fine, or both.

The act may also attract charges under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, which lays down additional penalties for causing unnecessary pain or suffering to animals.

Source : https://www.news18.com/viral/cat-meat-tastes-better-than-human-kerala-mans-grisly-instagram-story-triggers-probe-ws-l-9484335.html

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to directly entertain a plea by former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel, challenging provisions in criminal law that he said enable ‘piecemeal’ investigation into the alleged Chhattisgarh liquor scam case, in which he is among the accused [Bhupesh Kumar Baghel v. Union Of India And Ors].

A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said that the concerns raised by Baghel could be raised first before the High Court or the trial court.

A related petition was also filed by Bhupesh Baghel’s son, Chaitanya Baghel, who had been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the case on July 18. He, too, was asked to approach the High Court first.

“For what purpose the High Court and special courts are there? These abnormalities are arising only when there is some affluent person. If this will happen, then ordinary citizen and ordinary lawyer will have no space in this court (Supreme Court),” remarked the Bench today, before directing both father and son to ventilate their grievances before the concerned High Court first.

However, the Court agreed to hear a petition filed by Bhupesh Baghel challenging the constitutional validity of Sections 50 and 63 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA).

This plea pointed out that these provisions permit the ED to summon any person and compel answers and the production of documents under a threat of penalty. These provisions also mandate the signing of statements recorded by those summoned, under a threat of penalty.

“The result is a chilling effect on the exercise of the fundamental right to silence. The statutory obligation to sign one’s own potentially incriminating statement under threat of prosecution or arrest forces individuals to either forgo their constitutional rights or face penal sanction,” the plea said.

In this plea, Baghel also urged the Court to declare that ED officers do not have the power to conduct “further investigation” after the filing of a chargesheet, unless there are exceptional circumstances and only with prior permission from a jurisdictional court and upon compliance with proper safeguards. The plea added that the accused person’s right to default bail in the event of delay by the ED in completing the investigation must also be protected in such a scenario.

The Bench today agreed to list Baghel’s challenge to Sections 50 and 63 on August 6 when another pending case on the validity of the PMLA is scheduled to be heard.

Moreover, liberty was also given for Chaitanya Bhagel to file a petition on this issue before the Supreme Court, while allowing him to withdraw his petition.

The petitions before the Court are tied to allegations that a ₹2,000 crore liquor syndicate racket operated in Chhattisgarh during the Chief Ministership of Bhupesh Baghel.

The ED has claimed that this syndicate collected illegal commissions and sold unaccounted liquor through government liquor shops.

Notably, on April 8, 2024, the Supreme Court quashed a previous money laundering case registered by the ED in the same matter after finding that there was no predicate offence (an underlying criminal case based on which ED cases can be registered if it is suspected that money was laundered as part of such a crime).

A day later, the ED registered a fresh money laundering case based on a predicate case registered by the Chhattisgarh police in January 2024.

Chaitanya Baghel, son of Bhupesh Baghel, was also among those who were accused of involvement in the matter. He was arrested recently by the ED on July 18 on allegations that he was involved in siphoning off money through real estate and other channels.

In his plea, Bhupesh Baghel denounced the arrest and connected actions as being politically motivated.

Senior Advocates AM Singhvi, Kapil Sibal and Mukul Rohatgi appeared for Chaitanya Baghel and Bhupesh Baghel today.

Sibal argued that ‘anybody can be picked up anytime’ if investigation agencies, including the ED, are allowed to conduct piecemeal investigations and submit chargesheets indefinitely. He added that such an approach would also defeat the accused’s right to default bail or bail granted when there is a delay in completing the probe.

The Court noted that the issue had less to do with the validity of laws allowing the filing of supplementary chargesheets and more to do with the abuse of such laws.

“It’s not a vires question. It’s a question of abuse. We fully appreciate your concern. Powers being so plenary, there’s always a chance of abuse and hounding innocent individuals,” the Bench remarked.

It added that the law has provisions to guard against the misuse of such powers, and that aggrieved individuals can always approach courts on an individual basis if the investigation agencies are found deviating from the law.

“If there is any deviation, please challenge that on and individual basis before the High Court,” the Court said.

Sibal, however, pointed out that related issues concerning such powers of the ED is already pending consideration before the Court in the PMLA review case.

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/liquor-scam-sc-refuses-to-hear-bhupesh-baghel-plea-against-piecemeal-probes-but-will-hear-challenge-to-pmla

In a bizarre incident, a 19-year-old youth was shocked to find that more than ₹1.13 lakh crore had suddenly appeared in his dead mother’s Kotak Mahindra Bank account. The account was immediately frozen and the matter has been reported to the Income Tax department for investigation.

The shocking incident occurred in Dankaur located in Greated Noida, where the youth found that the account has been credited with Rs 10,01,35,60,00,00,00,00,00,01,00,23,56,00,00,00,00,299.

Money Appears Overnight in Frozen Account

As per reports from News 24, the youth has been identified as Deepak alias Deepu lost his mother Gayatri Devi two months ago. Despite her passing away, he has been operating her bank account. On Sunday (August 03) night, he received a message which showed that his account has been credited by over Rs 1,13,56,000 crore (₹1.13 lakh crore). Shocked by the update, he shared the message with his friends and even asked them to count the zeros in the amount.

Deepak visited the bank in the next morning to confirm, bank officials checked the account and informed him that it had been frozen due to the unusually large transaction. The bank has alerted the Income Tax Department and a detailed inquiry is underway in connection with the matter.

After the news spread, the 19-year-old started receiving nonstop phone calls from relatives, neighbours and acquaintances. Overwhelmed, he switched off his phone.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/1001356000000000000100235600000000299-credited-in-dead-womans-kotak-mahindra-bank-account-in-greater-noida

The Indian Army will host the United Nations Troop Contributor Chiefs’ Conclave in October 2025. The four-day event will bring together army chiefs from countries that contribute to UN peacekeeping operations. However, Pakistan and China will not be invited.

According to official sources, the process of sending invitations is ongoing and the names of Pakistan and China are not on the list. The decision comes after the Pahalgam attack, which India has linked to Pakistan-based groups.

Officials informed that the exclusion of Pakistan and China from the conclave is in line with India’s current diplomatic position and is intended as a clear message regarding recent actions and alliances.

The conclave will begin in New Delhi and will include an integrated firepower demonstration on the third day at the Pokhran Field Firing Range near the India-Pakistan border. The demonstration will showcase the operational capability of the Indian Army.

India is the third-largest troop contributor to UN peacekeeping missions, after Nepal and Bangladesh. Since 1950, India has contributed over 200,000 troops to 49 UN missions and has lost 179 soldiers during peacekeeping operations.

Currently, India has personnel deployed in nine of the eleven active UN missions, including officers serving as staff and observers in regions such as Western Sahara, Cyprus, the Middle East, and the Central African Republic.

In response to the Pahalgam terror attack, India has taken a series of diplomatic and military steps, including suspending the Indus Water Treaty, closing air and sea routes to Pakistan and halting all strategic ties. The Indian Army has also launched Operation Sindoor, which remains ongoing.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-to-host-un-troop-contributor-chiefs-conclave-no-invite-for-pakistan-china-2766293-2025-08-05

We revisit the Ambani legacy settlement saga following the Enforcement Directorate’s first arrest linked to a multi-crore loan fraud case against Anil Ambani’s companies

It is one of those mysteries that may never be solved. Did Mukesh Ambani admit of his own volition to “ownership issues that are in the private domain”? Or was he cornered by some very skilful media management?

While the truth may just make an appearance in one of the brothers’ biographies, the fact is Anil Ambani has done his war guru Sun Tzu proud. Sun Tzu says the victorious seeks the battle only after it has been won in the mind, rather strategised.

Anil’s battle was skilfully strategised, carefully calibrated and finished with finesse. Almost guerrilla in style Anil used a combination of facts, emotion and timing to get his brother to the table. Most importantly, almost as in the marathons he runs, 46-year-old Anil held on tenaciously.

His focus was single: the mother’s commandment must prevail. On December 28, 2004 Kokilaben Ambani delivered a four-point peace charter. The Reliance brand shall not be split; neither brother will walk away with cash, no competition with each other in businesses created by Dhirubhai and total exclusion of outsiders in the family affair. She wanted the matter resolved in three months but Mukesh vacillated.

Using every tool and drawing on years of contacts in the media and government, Anil meticulously used shots of information and innuendo to nudge the brother back to the negotiating table. The weapons of mass perception used included emails, letters, bits and soundbites. The unstated threat was that he could do what S. Gurumurthy and The Indian Express could not. Every expose was timed and targeted.

The expose on investments in Infocomm were tailored to draw the attention of foreign financial institutions, shareholders and, of course, regulators. The spectre of violations in corporate governance brought regulators SEBI and the Department of Company Affairs into the picture.

When the coterie ganged up against him Anil unleashed a series of attacks to keep the outsiders out. Raising issues of questionable transactions he spared none, including Mukesh’s buddies, Manoj Modi and Anand Jain. He tackled meddlesome directors by raising questions about their independence and fiduciary responsibilities.

Anil was aware that in a battle with such high stakes there was bound to be politicking. While he kept up the information update with key members in the Government, including the prime minister, he also was wired on the political machinations.

So when he found the Congress’ neutrality faltering he exposed the cosy sweat equity deal struck between the kin of a Pramod Mahajan confidant and Infocomm. Not only were Congressmen baying for Mahajan thereafter but even those within the BJP who may have sided with Mukesh stayed out of the firing line.

The first tremors of the battle began as early as July 2002 when Dhirubhai Ambani died intestate. Anil who proposed Mukesh’s name for the post of chairman in the first board meeting after Dhirubhai’s death realised that legally he was on a slippery wicket. While many believed that it was Anil’s entry into the Rajya Sabha that caused the rift, the truth is the problems began much earlier. His exclusion from RIL’s biggest project, Reliance Infocomm, his absence from the inaugural function and subsequent rumours spread by Mukesh’s groupies were all pointers to a widening gulf.

Anil knew his father died intestate and that he could only depend on his mother. He understood that the critical piece of paper was the renunciation of all wealth in favour of Kokilaben by the brothers and sisters Neena and Deepti. But his mother had to be convinced for he couldn’t win the battle without her.

Till such time he kept up a brave face and not only was he the obedient son and good brother but also took pains to see that he was seen to be so. Then came the board meeting of July 27, 2004, when his writ was virtually wiped out surreptitiously in a resolution buried in the Supplementary Health Safety and Environment Agenda.

Anil’s mother who had long begun to suspect all was not right truly believed the younger son was being done in. And proof of it came in the form of the now famous “ownership issues in the private domain” statement of November 17.

His sisters who were wary of the role that “outsiders were playing in what was essentially a family matter” asked the brothers to bury the hatchet. On December 28, 2004 on the birth anniversary of Dhirubhai, the mother stepped in and announced the 30:30:40 formula.

Through the seven-month open battle that began in the first week of January his posture and approach was well calculated: be reasonable at home and aggressive outside. For someone who had been reduced to the position of an employee director and who had to openly state that the RIL board was like a cricket match where he was playing against 11, Anil fought a tenacious battle for what was his due.

Of course he couldn’t have done it without the support of the mother. On the day of deliverance he said, “I must be the most fortunate human being in this world—being born twice from the same mother, first on June 4, 1959 and a second time 46 years later. My father has truly blessed me from heaven.” A day after the settlement he announced plans to invest in his companies, signalling investor confidence and spoke about his plans, including bidding for airport projects and new power plants.

Unlike Mukesh whose businesses are less exposed to retail consumers and where pricing is still government administered, Anil’s businesses are retail customer-centric. In telecom he will face price competition, in Energy he will need to navigate politics and policy logjams.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/anil-ambanis-battle-for-reckoning-2766025-2025-08-04

The buzz around J&K’s statehood to be restored started after President Droupadi Murmu had back-to-back meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Playing down the rumours around Jammu and Kashmir regaining its statehood anytime soon, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said that nothing like that is going to happen in the coming days, but also expressed optimism about “something positive” during the upcoming monsoon session of the legislative Assembly.

The buzz around J&K’s statehood to be restored started after President Droupadi Murmu had back-to-back meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

What fuelled the speculations was Amit Shah calling on some J&K leaders as well as the local BJP chief. Sources said PM Modi has also called a key meeting of NDA MPs on Tuesday.

“I’ve heard every possible permutation & combination about what to expect in J&K tomorrow so let me stick my neck out and say nothing will happen tomorrow – fortunately nothing bad will happen but unfortunately nothing positive will happen either. I’m still optimistic about something positive for J&K in this monsoon session of Parliament but not tomorrow,” Abdullah tweeted, responding to the rumours.

He also denied having had any meetings or conversations with the union leadership in Delhi. “This is just a gut feeling. Let’s see this time tomorrow”.

On August 5, 2019, apart from abrogating Article 370, J&K was bifurcated into two Union Territories – J&K and Ladakh – under the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019.

THE MEETINGS AND THE BUZZ THAT IS

New Delhi, responding to US President Donald Trump’s threat to substantially hike tariffs on the buying and selling of Russian oil, said India is being targeted in an “unjustified and unreasonable” manner.

Hours after US President Donald Trump threatened to raise tariffs against India for buying Russian oil amid the Ukraine war, India on Monday hit back at Washington and the European Union, questioning their duplicity in their stance on crude imports.

Slamming the criticism from the US and the EU over its oil imports from Russia, India said its targeting was “unjustified and unreasonable” in light of continued and substantial Western trade with Moscow.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), responding to US President Donald Trump’s threat to substantially hike tariffs on India for buying and selling of Russian oil, said India’s decision to purchase discounted Russian oil followed the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict, which led traditional energy suppliers to divert their exports towards Europe. At the time, the US had even encouraged India’s purchases as a way to stabilise global energy markets.

The MEA emphasised that India’s energy imports from Russia are essential to ensuring affordable and predictable fuel prices for Indian consumers.

“India’s imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. They are a necessity compelled by global market situation. However, it is revealing that the very nations criticising India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion,” the ministry said in a statement.

Further highlighting the disparity, the ministry cited bilateral trade between the European Union and Russia in 2024, which were “significantly more than India’s total trade with Russia that year or subsequently.”

“Where the United States is concerned, it continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV industry, fertilisers as well as chemicals,” the statement said.

Earlier, Trump had threatened India to substantially raise tariffs on India for buying ‘massive amounts’ of oil from Russia amid its war with Ukraine. “…They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA,” he said on Truth Social.

The MEA, however, in a strong response, said that India will act in accordance with its national interest and economic security, adding that attempts to single out India ignore the broader context of global trade realities.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/us-encouraged-oil-imports-during-ukraine-war-but-now-targeting-us-india-on-trumps-tariff-hike-threat-2766240-2025-08-04

These meetings come at a time when the process for electing the next Vice President has formally begun and tensions continue in Parliament over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of the Election Commission in Bihar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday. While the official agenda of the meeting has not been disclosed, the high-level engagement is seen as politically significant.

Hours after PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also called on President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on August 3. The unexpected nature of Shah’s meeting has sparked speculation and stirred political activity in the capital.

These meetings come at a time when the process for electing the next Vice President has formally begun. The Election Commission announced the schedule for the Vice President election on August 1, with voting to be held on September 9.

Meanwhile, tensions continue in Parliament over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of the Election Commission in Bihar. Opposition parties are demanding a debate on the issue, but the government’s reluctance has led to disruptions in the House proceedings.

Adding to the geopolitical backdrop, the meetings follow US President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of a 25% tariff on Indian goods, along with proposed penalties over India’s continued defense and energy engagements with Russia.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pm-narendra-modi-amit-shah-meet-president-droupadi-murmu-amid-parliament-logjam-veep-election-announcement-2765713-2025-08-04

On Sunday, screenshots of tweets from accounts impersonating international media outlets such as “China in English” and “Middle Eastern Affairs” went viral on X (formerly Twitter).

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has officially debunked a series of fake social media posts that falsely claimed India was reviewing U.S. trade exemptions and bilateral agreements.

On Sunday, screenshots of tweets from accounts impersonating international media outlets such as “China in English” and “Middle Eastern Affairs” went viral on X (formerly Twitter). The posts alleged that the Indian government had begun reviewing U.S. products exempted from tariffs and was considering suspending bilateral agreements if “hostile economic policies continue.”

Both posts carried images of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar alongside the U.S. flag, suggesting an official Indian statement. However, a bold “FAKE” watermark was later added to the viral images after fact-checking.

The MEA’s official fact-check handle took to X to warn against the spread of disinformation. In its statement, the ministry said, “Disinformation is being spread on X using fake posts attributed to Indian authorities. These claims are entirely false.”

The fact checking social media handle shows that India has issued no such warnings to the United States and urged the public and media outlets to verify any such reports through official channels before sharing them.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/india-considering-suspension-of-bilateral-agreements-with-us-mea-debunks-fake-social-media-claims

The Indian Air Force currently operates a variety of fighter jets, including the Russian-origin Su-30MKI, French Rafale, indigenous Tejas, Mirage 2000, and Jaguar

What will India’s fifth-generation fighter aircraft be? The speculation has been going for several months as the nation weighs its options amid a complex geopolitical landscape.

With its indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) still years away from operational readiness, expectations are turning towards potential acquisitions from foreign manufacturers. Only two viable contenders are practically available: the American F-35 Lightning II and Russia’s Su-57 Felon. Neither the Indian government nor defence analysts have signalled a clear preference.

Amid the recent developments between India and the US, reports suggest India has conveyed decision on the F-35 to the US. However, Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, recently clarified in Parliament that “no formal discussions have been held as yet on this issue” concerning the F-35. He referred to the India-US Joint Statement from February 2025, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with President Trump, in which the US agreed to “undertake a review of its policy on releasing fifth-generation fighters (such as the F-35) and undersea systems to India”. However, this was only a policy review, and no proposal or negotiation has been initiated between the two nations.

The offer from the United States to potentially supply F-35 fifth-generation stealth fighters has been a headline-grabbing development since its inception, but an analysis of India’s defence ecosystem, technical realities, and indigenous ambitions shows why this deal is unlikely to materialise soon.

Speaking on the current scenario, Dinakar Peri, Fellow, Security Studies at Carnegie India, said, “While the lack of a fifth generation fighter jet is going to be a glaring gap in the Indian Air Force (IAF), the choice of importing a FGFA in small numbers is a hard one to make. The indigenous AMCA is just taking off in terms of development and is about a decade away. Another interim buy may take resources and time away from the crucial programme.”

Why Not F35?

The Indian Air Force currently operates a variety of fighter jets, including the Russian-origin Su-30MKI, French Rafale, indigenous Tejas, Mirage 2000, and Jaguar. Over the past few years, India has created an ecosystem supporting these fighters, with advantages in desired integration, interoperability, availability of expert crew and maintenance facilities.

“When selecting an aircraft, it’s not just about acquiring a platform that can fly. You must consider its compatibility with your operational needs—whether it can integrate with existing systems, communicate effectively with other platforms, and support your current weapons and infrastructure. The F-35 introduces a completely new ecosystem with predominantly American systems, which may limit flexibility and pose challenges to the existing systems,” said a senior Indian Air Force fighter pilot, on condition of anonymity.

Peri said, “The F-35 is the cutting edge of stealth and military aviation. However, that necessarily doesn’t mean it is the best bet for India for a variety of reasons. India doesn’t have the US fighter ecosystem and going through the curve will take long.”

“A more pertinent aspect is how much the US wants the F35 to be integrated into India’s military ecosystem which has high-end Russian systems such as SU-30MKIs, S-400 air defence systems, in addition to French and Israeli system, among others. Without seamless integration, the F35 cannot become an effective platform that it’s envisaged to be, nor can the aircraft itself be fully exploited to its potential,” he added.

Su-57 As An Option

Many consider the Russian Su-57 a viable option given the circumstances surrounding the F-35. However, this option comes with its own challenges. Along with the fear of sanctions and political pressure, there are sufficient reasons to believe that deliveries will be delayed, and the jet may not fully serve its intended purpose.

While the Su-57 offers benefits such as technology transfer and easier integration, given India’s existing Russian aircraft ecosystem, its issues—delayed production, sanctions risks, past technological concerns, payment hurdles, and alignment complexities— bring challenges.

Wait For AMCA

Following Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s approval, public and private sector companies can collaborate to execute India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. While development is progressing rapidly, the prototype is not expected before 2027-28. DRDO officials have indicated that the aircraft’s induction will likely occur no earlier than 2036. This timeline exacerbates the existing shortage of fighter jets in the Indian Air Force. Consequently, experts suggest inducting 4th Generation Plus (4Gen+) aircraft to bridge the gap until the AMCA is operational.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/f-35-su-57-or-amca-which-fifth-generation-fighter-aircraft-will-help-india-fly-higher-better-ws-l-9481372.html

Four SpiceJet ground staff suffered serious injuries, including a spinal fracture and a broken jaw, after an Army officer allegedly assaulted them during a confrontation over excess cabin baggage at Srinagar airport, the airline said.

The incident occurred when the officer, preparing to board a flight to Delhi, attempted to carry 16 kilograms of cabin luggage—well above the domestic limit of 7 kg. SpiceJet staff reportedly informed him that additional charges would apply.

“When politely informed of the excess baggage and asked to pay the applicable charges, the passenger refused and forcefully entered the aerobridge without completing the boarding process — a clear violation of aviation security protocols. He was escorted back to the gate by a CISF official,” SpiceJet said in a statement.

What followed was a violent altercation at the boarding gate.

“Our staff members suffered a spinal fracture and serious jaw injuries after being attacked with punches, repeated kicks and a queue stand,” the airline stated.

One employee reportedly collapsed unconscious during the attack and continued to be kicked. Another was injured while attempting to help the unconscious colleague, sustaining facial injuries and bleeding from the nose and mouth.

The injured personnel were taken to a hospital and remain under treatment, it added.

Video footage circulating online shows the officer striking employees with a check-in information board as CISF personnel attempt to intervene.

‘Murderous Assault’

SpiceJet said it filed a police complaint and initiated the process to place the passenger on a no-fly list. The airline has also written to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, urging action against what it described as a “murderous assault.”

“SpiceJet strongly condemns any act of violence against its employees and will pursue this matter to its fullest legal and regulatory conclusion,” the statement added.

The CISF confirmed it intervened to contain the situation and ensured that flight operations were not disrupted.

Senior Army officials told CNN-News18 that they have taken note of the incident and assured full cooperation with the investigation.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/spinal-fracture-broken-jaw-how-army-officer-assaulted-spicejet-staff-over-excess-luggage-9481401.html

Indian pharma companies will need to change tack and find newer markets should the Trump administration impose a reciprocal tariff on pharma imports

For long, the high-value US market has driven the growth of the storied Indian generic drugs industry, where companies like Cipla, Sun Pharma and Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, among others, have successfully challenged hundreds of off-patent drugs in the US and established a soaring business there.

In FY24, India exported $8.7 billion (Rs 76,113 crore) worth of pharma products to the US, which comprises over 11 per cent of India’s total merchandise exports to that country.

In the same period, India exported $77.5 billion (Rs 6.8 lakh crore) worth of merchandise goods to the US and imported $42.2 billion (Rs 3.7 lakh crore) worth of goods from it, resulting in a trade surplus of $35.3 billion (Rs 3 lakh crore) in India’s favour.

The US is India’s largest destination for pharma exports, accounting for over 31 per cent of the country’s total pharmaceutical exports. As much as 47 per cent of all generics consumed in the US are imported from India.

However, the Donald Trump administration’s threat of imposition of a 25 per cent reciprocal tariff from August 1 (up from 0 to 6.7 per cent at present) has thrown the Indian pharma industry in a bind. Shares of Indian pharma companies, led by Sun Pharma, fell close to 6 per cent on the NSE (National Stock Exchange) on August 1 following president Trump’s statements on the tariff imposition, and his letters to 17 top US pharma companies asking them to reduce their rates in line with what prevailed in other countries. Some fear Trump may send a similar letter to Sun Pharma, which earns as much as 20 per cent of its total revenues from the US market.

The Indian industry was hoping against hope that Trump would not hike tariffs on generic drugs since these are life-saving. However, Trump had indicated earlier this year too that tariffs on pharma products would be 25 per cent from April 2 onwards, without pinpointing any nation. He later gave a 90-day reprieve to countries, and the new deadline for the tariffs was put as August 1.

India imports roughly $800 million worth of pharmaceutical products from the US, and imposes a tariff of 10 per cent. Experts say that even if higher tariffs are imposed on active pharma ingredients (APIs), which are raw materials going into pharma production, India could still be competitive, if tariffs on other API-supplying countries are higher than that of India.

Moreover, the US will still be dependent on countries like India since the cost of manufacturing certain drugs in the US would be at least six times compared to that of manufacturing the same product in India, say industry sources.

The US market, which relies heavily on India for APIs and low-cost generics, would struggle to find alternatives, according to Namit Joshi, chairman of Pharmexcil (Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India). “Efforts to shift pharmaceutical manufacturing and API production to other countries or within the US will take at least 3-5 years to establish meaningful capacity,” he was quoted in media reports.

“There is no need for panic. The industry should lie low for now since the US has not yet increased the tariffs. Who else can give the US such competitively-priced goods in large quantities and high quality?” Daara Patel, secretary general of the Indian Drug Manufacturers Association, had said in an interview to INDIA TODAY in April.

“Even if it increases up to 10 per cent, the industry should be able to absorb it or pass it on to the US consumers. They would not mind paying for it since it all works on insurance money,” he explained.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/how-trump-tariffs-could-impact-indian-pharmas-87-bn-dream-run-2765646-2025-08-03

By August 3 evening, rains had blocked 296 roads, disrupted 266 water schemes, and knocked out 134 power transformers across Himchal Pradesh.

Amid ongoing monsoon-induced calamities across Himachal Pradesh, the state continues to reel under the devastating impact with severe disruptions across vital public utilities and a mounting death toll.

The SDMA on Sunday released its latest landslide monitoring report, highlighting risk levels across 22 locations in districts like Mandi, Kangra, Shimla, and Solan, based on real-time monitoring inputs.

According to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), Himachal Pradesh, a total of 179 people have lost their lives since June 20, including 101 in rain-related incidents such as landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts, and 78 in road accidents attributed to treacherous weather conditions.

As of the evening of August 3, the disaster has rendered 296 roads impassable, 134 power distribution transformers out of service, and 266 water supply schemes disrupted, highlighting the widespread infrastructural damage caused by torrential rains across the hill state.

Among the worst-hit districts are Mandi, Kullu, and Chamba, which together account for a major share of road blockages and public service breakdowns. National Highway-505 in Lahaul-Spiti also remains closed due to landslides and flash floods, cutting off vital access routes.

The SDMA report noted that the cumulative damage to public property, including roads, power lines, water systems, health infrastructure, and schools, exceeds ₹1,71,495 lakh, with over 88,800 hectares of crops affected, primarily in agriculture and horticulture.

Officials are working around the clock to restore access and resume services, but continuous rainfall and terrain instability are hampering rescue and relief operations. The SDMA has advised residents to remain alert, avoid travel in vulnerable zones, and adhere to weather advisories as more rains are forecast in the coming days.

Earlier in the Sunday, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) highlighted risk levels across 22 locations in districts like Mandi, Kangra, Shimla, and Solan, based on real-time monitoring inputs.

According to the report, two locations, Baldun in Nurpur (Kangra) and Dakshi in Solan, have been classified under ‘High’ landslide risk. At the same time, the majority of other zones have been recorded under ‘Moderate’ risk.

In Kangra district, Baldun (Nurpur) is marked as High risk; Dharamshala and Colony are reported as Moderate risk. Solan district: Both Dagshai and Dakshi are under active surveillance; Dakshi is flagged as High risk.

In Mandi district, a significant cluster of monitoring stations, including the Griffon Peak series (1-6, 8-10), Sanarli-2, Tattapani, and Vishwakarma Temple, is reporting a Moderate risk. One site, Godha Farm 2, is marked as “Not Working.”In Shimla, the Jutogh area continues to report Moderate risk, with monitoring functional. One critical site near Vishwakarma Temple in Mandi is operating without a landslide monitoring system. It is currently being assessed based on weather data predictions alone, highlighting potential gaps in real-time monitoring infrastructure.

The SDMA said that all functional monitoring units are currently operational except for the one mentioned above.

Local administrations have been alerted, and precautionary advisories are expected to follow depending on evolving weather patterns.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted light to moderate rainfall in the next 12 hours in several parts of the state.

In the next 12 hours, light to moderate rain is likely at many places and heavy rain at one or two places in Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, and Una districts.

Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, on Sunday, visited the disaster-affected areas of Thunag, Bakshyar, and Janjehli in the Siraj Assembly Constituency of the Mandi district.

During the visit, the Governor met with the affected families and distributed essential relief materials.

The Governor first interacted with disaster victims in Thunag and remarked that the subdivision has suffered the most damage in the recent natural calamity, with extensive losses to private property, land, and livestock.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mandi-kullu-hit-hardest-in-himachal-as-monsoon-fury-continues-imd-predicts-more-rain-101754265648650.html

ICMR seeks tech transfer for its anti-malaria vaccine, AdFalciVax, likely taking 6-7 years for readiness, targeting severe malaria caused by P. falciparum.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has invited an expression of interest for technology transfer to commercialise its anti-malaria vaccine candidate that it is developing in partnership with the department of biotechnology, even though the vaccine is likely to take at least six to seven years to be ready for use, according to people familiar with the matter.

According to the projected timeline, accessed by HT, the “Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) production and toxicology studies” will take approximately two years; “phase 1 clinical trial, including regulatory approval”, will take another two years; “Phase 2b and Phase 3 clinical trials” will take approximately two and a half years; and post-trial regulatory clearance and licensing for marketing would take approximately six months. (Each stage includes a buffer period of ± six months.)

The recombinant chimeric multi-stage malaria vaccine (AdFalciVax) is being indigenously developed against plasmodium falciparum— the parasite that predominantly causes severe and fatal malaria, according to ICMR. “In early stages, the vaccine candidate looks useful in preventing plasmodium falciparum infection in humans and minimising its community transmission,” it added.

Malaria continues to pose serious challenges to public health and economies, particularly in the tropical and subtropical regions around the world. According to data shared by the government, globally in 2023, there were almost 263 million estimated malaria cases in 83 malaria-endemic countries, an increase of 11 million cases compared with 2022. India accounted for half of all estimated malaria cases in the South-East Asia region in 2023.

ICMR has invited applications from organisations, companies, and manufacturers from across the country.

“ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar (ICMR-RMRCBB)— one of the constituent institutes of ICMR has led development of a technology entitled ‘A recombinant chimeric multi-stage malaria vaccine (AdFalciVax) against Plasmodium falciparum’… and ICMR-RMRCBB has technical know-how of process to produce this technology. The pre-clinical validation of this technology has been conducted in collaboration with ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research (ICMR-NIMR), another constituent institutes of ICMR, and National Institute of Immunology (NII), New Delhi, an autonomous research institute of the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India,” the ICMR invite said.

AdFalciVax is the first indigenous recombinant chimeric malaria vaccine specifically designed to target two critical stages of plasmodium falciparum. Country’s biomedical research regulator, however, emphasised that the vaccine candidate is in its early research and development phases and is not yet available for any clinical use or commercialisation.

The vaccine has shown excellent efficacy in the preclinical stage of development, ICMR said in a statement.

“Preclinical data suggest that AdFalciVax may have advantages over existing single-stage vaccines (such as RTS,S/AS01 and R21/Matrix-M), including: Broader protection by targeting two vulnerable parasite stages; lower risk of immune evasion and potential for better long-term immunity; extended thermal stability with functionality maintained for over nine months at room temperature; and cost-effective formulation using pharmaceutically acceptable carriers,” the statement added.

ICMR further said that it intends to licence the technology for AdFalciVax to eligible organisations and manufacturers for further development, manufacture, and commercialisation under non-exclusive agreements. This approach aims to enable wider outreach and maximize public health benefits, and all collaborations will adhere to ICMR’s intellectual property policy.

ICMR would provide technical support through its team of experienced scientists in study planning, product development, development of study protocol, results or data analysis, outcome assessment, safety and efficacy assessment, product improvement, etc. “Subsequent to the execution of the agreement such companies/manufacturers shall be responsible to pay the Royalty @ 2% on Net sales, as applicable, according to the ICMR Guidelines for Technology Development Collaboration…,” the statement said.

It added that the introduction and rollout of malaria vaccines, such as RTS,S and R21/Matrix-M, have shown promise in reducing disease incidence, particularly among young children in high-burden areas. While significant progress has been made in combating malaria, the global burden remains substantial. In order to address the goal of malaria elimination, an improved vaccine with better efficacy needs to induce protection against infection in human hosts as well as block or reduce transmission to the mosquito vector.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/icmrs-anti-malaria-vaccine-still-6-7-years-away-101754248247192.html

Kamal Haasan’s comments come amid continued opposition to the NEET system for medical admissions in Tamil Nadu.

Actor and politician Kamal Haasan made a powerful political and social statement on Sunday, declaring that only education has the power to “break the chains of dictatorship and Sanatana ideology”. Speaking at the 15th anniversary celebrations of actor Suriya’s Agaram Foundation, Mr Haasan strongly criticised the NEET medical entrance exam and its impact on marginalised communities in Tamil Nadu.

“Since 2017, this has denied education to so many children,” Mr Haasan said, referring to NEET.

“Even Agaram Foundation can’t do anything about it. Only education can give the strength to change the law. Education is not just a weapon in this war, it is the chisel that can sculpt the nation,” he said.

In a sharp rebuke to the political climate, Mr Haasan added, “Don’t take anything else in your hands. You will not win that way. Majoritarian idiots will defeat you. Knowledge will lose. We need to collectively hold together.”

Mr Haasan’s comments come amid continued opposition to the NEET system for medical admissions in Tamil Nadu. The state argues that NEET disproportionately favours students from affluent urban backgrounds who can afford private coaching, and puts rural and government school students – even those with high board marks – at a severe disadvantage. The BJP-led Centre, however, defends NEET, stating that it prevents the auctioning of medical seats and ensures a merit-based selection process.

Mr Haasan also invoked the term “Sanatana” – aligning with a controversial discourse that has seen intense political reaction.

At the event, actor Suriya reflected on Agaram Foundation’s impact, saying, “More than 6,000 students from extremely humble backgrounds have received an education and gone on to achieve great things. Many were orphans. Today, our former students are running the programme with empathy and social awareness.”

In 2023, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin had drawn national ire for saying ‘Sanatana Dharma’ must be eradicated like “diseases caused by mosquitoes”, equating it with caste-based discrimination. Many cases were filed across the country, though the Supreme Court later ordered that no new cases be registered.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/kamal-haasan-slams-neet-in-tamil-nadu-denied-education-to-many-children-9013231

The man’s wife Arati Saha said her husband had been worried that he would be deported to Bangladesh after implementation of the NRC.

A 63-year-old man was found hanging in his residence in Kolkata on Sunday morning, with his family claiming that he had been living in fear that he would be sent to Bangladesh if the National Register of Citizens (NRC) was implemented.

Initial probe revealed that the man, Dilip Kumar Saha, had arrived in Kolkata in 1972 from Nawabganj in Dhaka and had been living in Anandapally West in the Regent Park area, a police officer said.

Saha worked as a non-teaching staff member at a private school in Dhakuria in south Kolkata.

“This morning, his wife called him several times, but received no response from inside his locked room. She then called their niece-in-law from a neighbouring house. They broke open the door to find him hanging from the ceiling fan,” the officer said.

The man’s wife Arati Saha said her husband had been worried that he would be deported to Bangladesh after implementation of the NRC.

“He has been under severe stress for quite some time regarding this. There was no other tension. He came to Kolkata in his childhood. He was afraid that he would be sent to a detention camp and then pushed back to Bangladesh, where he had nobody. He had valid voter ID card and other documents,” she said.

It is suspected that this fear led him to take his own life, the police officer said, adding that a suicide note has been recovered from the room.

The matter is being investigated, the officer said.

Power Minister and local Trinamool Congress MLA Arup Biswas reached the place and spoke to the family members.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/63-year-old-man-dies-by-suicide-feared-being-deported-to-bangladesh-9012532

The formulations, which will now cost less, span a wide range of medicines including anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular, antibiotic, anti-diabetic and psychiatric medicines.

In a move to make medicines more affordable for patients, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has reduced the retail prices of 35 essential drugs sold by leading pharmaceutical companies.

The formulations, which will now cost less, span a wide range of medicines including anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular, antibiotic, anti-diabetic and psychiatric medicines.

The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers notified the order based on price regulation by the NPPA. The price reductions, which apply across drugs, are expected to bring relief to consumers, particularly those managing chronic conditions.

The key formulations covered by the price control order include fixed-dose combinations of Aceclofenac, Paracetamol and Trypsin Chymotrypsin, Amoxycillin and Potassium Clavulanate, Atorvastatin combinations and newer oral anti-diabetic combinations like Empagliflozin, Sitagliptin, and Metformin.

The price of one Aceclofenac-Paracetamol-Trypsin Chymotrypsin tablet manufactured by Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals and marketed by Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has now been fixed at Rs 13, while the same formulation marketed by Cadila Pharmaceuticals is now priced at Rs 15.01.

Similarly, a tablet containing Atorvastatin 40 mg and Clopidogrel 75 mg, widely used for cardiovascular conditions, is priced at Rs 25.61.

Oral suspensions for paediatric use – Cefixime and Paracetamol combinations – have also been included, along with critical medications like Cholecalciferol drops for Vitamin D supplementation and Diclofenac Injection, which has been priced at Rs 31.77 per ml.

The official order states that retailers and dealers must display these updated price lists prominently in their premises. Failure to comply with the notified prices may attract penal provisions under the DPCO, 2013, and the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, including recovery of overcharged amounts with interest.

The NPPA clarified that the prices fixed were exclusive of Goods and Services Tax (GST), which may be added, if applicable. Manufacturers are required to comply with all statutory requirements, issue updated price lists in Form V through the Integrated Pharmaceutical Database Management System and submit the information to the NPPA and state drug controllers.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/centre-cuts-prices-of-35-essential-medicines-9012155

The passenger was sitting at the door of the local train when the incident took place between Shahad and Ambivali stations on the Central Railway.

A man got disbalanced and fell from a moving train when a thief snatched his mobile phone in Thane district, near Mumbai, today. The passenger was sitting at the door of the local train when the incident took place between Shahad and Ambivali stations on the Central Railway.

“Someone pulled my hand and snatched the phone, and I fell,” the passenger, identified as Gaurav Nikam, said.

He said that he tried to hold on to the door of the train, but eventually fell and his legs came under the train.

“I was clinging to the door. Then I fell here,” said Mr Nikam, who was seen lying near the train tracks.

Visuals showed severe injuries to both his legs, with one foot completely crushed.

The man is undergoing treatment at a hospital.

The Kalyan unit of the Government Railway Police is investigating the case and looking for the thief

Mobile phone thefts have become one of the most reported crimes on the railways. Police officers say the accused behind these crimes are drug addicts and organised gangs. Several interstate gangs are also stealing phones from passengers.

According to data available with the Government Railway Police, more than 26,000 cell phones were stolen between January 2023 to May 2025.

The police say that phone thefts dropped by around 10 percent between 2023 and 2024. While 12,159 phones were stolen in 2023, that number came down to 10,891 in 2024. Till May 2025, around 3,508 phones have been reported stolen on Mumbai’s suburban railway network.

Mumbai’s local train network, the city’s lifeline that serves lakhs of passengers, faces several issues like overcrowding.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mans-leg-gets-crushed-after-falling-from-moving-train-during-mobile-theft-near-mumbai-9012012

A bulldozer accident in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, killed the driver after the vehicle tumbled down a mountainside amid severe monsoon rains causing widespread damage.

A bulldozer accident occurred in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, while it was working on road construction. The vehicle lost control and tumbled down the mountainside.

The onlookers captured a video of the incident. In the video, the JCB was seen falling along the steep mountainside off the National Highway 5 in Jabli, where it was opening a blocked road. The machine fell 300 metres into the gorge after rocks fell from the hill.

Moments later, a man was seen rappelling down the landslide-hit mountain into the debris to reach the bulldozer driver, who had been critically injured in the accident. Despite the effort, the driver succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, NDTV reported.

The incident comes as rains have unleashed fury in the hilly states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Floods, landslides and blockages along highways and key roads have been reported from various districts.

Himachal Pradesh Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) said that out of the total 179 deaths, 101 deaths were directly caused by rain-related disasters such as landslides, flash floods, and lightning strikes, while 78 people were killed in road accidents exacerbated by treacherous weather and damaged roads.

Himachal Pradesh has suffered widespread damage to life and public utilities due to severe monsoon activity between June 20 and August 2, the SDMA said in its latest situation report.

Himachal Pradesh has experienced extensive damage to life and infrastructure due to intense monsoon rains from June 20 to August 2, according to the State Disaster Management Authority’s (SDMA) latest situation report.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/terrifying-video-shows-bulldozer-falling-300-metres-into-gorge-in-shimla-amid-rain-watch-ws-l-9480607.html

IndiGo banned Hafijul Rahaman for assaulting co-passenger during a panic attack on a Mumbai-Kolkata flight.

IndiGo on Saturday imposed a flying ban on a passenger who slapped and assaulted a co-traveller on a Mumbai-Kolkata flight after the latter suffered a panic attack mid-air on Friday.

In a post on X, the airline said that following due diligence, the incident involving an unruly customer has been formally reported to the relevant authorities for necessary action.

“In line with our commitment to discourage such unruly behaviour onboard flights, the individual has been suspended from flying on any IndiGo flights, in accordance with regulatory provisions,” IndiGo said.

“We remain committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and comfortable environment for all onboard. Thank you for your continued trust,” the airline added.

What’s The Incident?

The victim, identified as Hussain Ahmed Majumdar, hailing from Assam’s Cachar district, allegedly suffered a panic attack while aboard IndiGo flight 6E138 (Mumbai-Kolkata) on Friday, and demanded that he be allowed to deboard, The Hindu reported.

As two cabin crew members were assisting him in deboarding the aircraft, a video recorded by a fellow passenger showed another traveller seated on the aisle suddenly slapping him.

The attacker, identified as Hafijul Rahaman, was detained by security personnel upon arrival in Kolkata and handed over to the police, the report added.

A video of his assault went viral soon after the incident. It showed an anxious Mazumdar being escorted to his seat by flight attendants when the accused passenger slapped him.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/indigo-bans-flyer-who-slapped-co-passenger-mid-air-on-mumbai-kolkata-flight-ws-l-9480468.html

In addition to announcing a new 25 per cent tariff on Indian exports to the US, Trump said that India could face further penalties over its continued purchases of Russian oil

Indian companies will continue importing oil from Russia despite US President Donald Trump’s move to impose higher tariffs and penalties on New Delhi, Reuters reported on Sunday, citing two government sources.

In addition to announcing a new 25 per cent tariff on Indian exports to the US, Trump said in a Truth Social post that India could face further penalties over its continued purchases of Russian oil and weaponry.

However, the sources indicated that no immediate shift in policy is expected. “These are long-term oil contracts,” one of the sources explained. “It is not so simple to just stop buying overnight.”

Defending India’s continued oil imports from Russia, a second source noted that these purchases have played a role in preventing a global spike in oil prices, which have stayed relatively stable despite Western sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector.

The source also pointed out that, unlike Iranian and Venezuelan crude, Russian oil is not directly sanctioned, and India is procuring it below the price cap set by the European Union.

On Saturday, sources informed news agency ANI that Indian oil refiners will maintain their imports from Russian suppliers, with procurement decisions driven by factors such as price, crude grade, logistics, and overall economic considerations.

“Indian oil refiners continue to source oil from Russian suppliers. Their supply decisions are guided by price, grade of crude, inventories, logistics, and other economic factors.”

Russian media reports have indicated that the Government of India has not issued any directive to domestic refineries to halt Russian oil imports or seek alternative suppliers.

Meanwhile, a Reuters report on Friday suggested that India, one of the world’s major energy importers, might halt purchases of discounted Russian oil.

Reacting to the development, Trump told reporters it would be “a good step” if confirmed.

“I understand that India is no longer going to be buying oil from Russia,” he said. “That’s what I heard. I don’t know if that’s right or not. That is a good step. We will see what happens.”

However, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India is guided by what is on offer in the international market while securing its energy needs.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/india-to-continue-russian-oil-imports-amid-trumps-tariff-and-penalty-move-report-9480867.html

Authorities have halted the annual Amarnath Yatra just one week before its anticipated end due to significant damage from recent heavy rainfall. Originally commencing on July 3 and set to conclude on August 9, the yatra has been shortened to allow for essential repairs on the Baltal and Pahalgam routes.

Srinagar, Aug 2 (PTI) Authorities have suspended this year’s annual Amarnath Yatra, just a week before its scheduled conclusion, due to the need for maintenance on the tracks that were damaged by recent heavy rainfall, officials said on Saturday.
The yatra, which began on July 3, was scheduled to conclude on August 9 on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. However, authorities decided to shorten it by a week, citing “critical repair and maintenance works” to be undertaken in the wake of the heavy rainfall.
“Due to recent heavy rainfall and the need for track maintenance along both the Baltal and Pahalgam axes of the Shri Amarnathji Yatra route, the yatra movement has been closed on both the tracks,” Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, said here.

“It has been observed that due to the continued deployment of men and machinery on the tracks from tomorrow, we would not be able to resume the yatra. The yatra will therefore remain suspended from 3rd August onwards from both the routes,” he explained further.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/amarnath-yatra-suspended-from-august-3-amarnath-yatra-suspended-article-152395826

According to the ED, BTPL fraudulently submitted fake bank guarantees worth Rs 68.2 crore for a SECI tender, allegedly receiving Rs 5.40 crore from Reliance Power Ltd. in return.

A day after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued summons and a lookout circular against industrialist Anil Ambani, the agency on Saturday said it had arrested the managing director of a shell company that allegedly provided a fake bank guarantee in a money laundering case. The arrested individual has been identified as Partha Sarathi Biswal, Managing Director of Bhubaneswar-based Biswal Tradelink Pvt. Ltd. (BTPL).
“The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has arrested Shri Partha Sarathi Biswal, Managing Director of M/s Biswal Tradelink Pvt. Ltd. (BTPL), Bhubaneswar, on 1st August in money laundering case,” the agency said in a statement on Saturday.
The case originates from an FIR filed by the Delhi Police last year against BTPL, its directors, and others for allegedly submitting fake bank guarantees to the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).

On Friday, the ED had conducted raids at four locations – three in Bhubaneswar and one in Kolkata.
According to the ED, BTPL fraudulently submitted fake bank guarantees worth Rs 68.2 crore for a SECI tender, allegedly receiving Rs 5.40 crore from Reliance Power Ltd. in return.
The agency said, “Evidence confirms the use of fake documents in the name of certain Banks and fake email IDs in the name of SBI.”
It further added that BTPL, incorporated in 2019, maintained multiple undisclosed bank accounts and carried out transactions far beyond its declared turnover. Several violations of the Companies Act were also found.
“No statutory records are found at registered address – such as books of accounts, shareholders’ registers etc. Dummy directors are found to be used just to sign the documents,” the ED stated.
Sources said that the investigation revealed that BTPL’s registered office was actually a residential property belonging to a relative. At least seven undisclosed bank accounts have been traced, and crores of rupees identified as proceeds of crime have been found in those accounts.
“Suspicious financial transactions with multiple companies have been traced. Key individuals of the group are found using the Telegram application with ‘disappearing messages’ enabled, indicating attempts to conceal communication,” said officials.
Last month, ED searches at 35 locations unearthed documents linking the case to BTPL.
“A Bank Guarantee of Rs 68.2 Crore submitted to Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) on behalf of M/s Reliance NU BESS Limited / M/s Maharashtra Energy Generation Limited has been established as fake. In an attempt to prove that this fake bank guarantee is genuine, the group used a spoofed email domain. To create a facade of genuineness – instead of sbi.co.in, the domain s-bi.co.in was deployed to send forged communication to SECI, impersonating SBI. ED has sought domain registration details of s-bi.co.in from the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI),” the ED said.
In November 2024, Reliance Power disclosed to stock exchanges that it was the victim of fraud, cheating, and a criminal conspiracy.
“The Company has received a notice from Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) whereby it was directed that the Company including its subsidiaries stand debarred from participating in all future tenders issued by SECI for a period of three years from the date of issuance of the notice i.e., November 06, 2024,” the company stated.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/fake-sbi-emails-disappearing-telegram-chats-rs-68-crore-fraud-ed-arrests-shell-firm-md-in-anil-ambani-linked-case-article-152396890

The involvement of Pakistan in the Pahalgam terror attack is underscored by the recent funeral held for one of the terrorists killed during Operation Mahadev in Jammu and Kashmir. The attack on April 22 claimed 26 civilian lives, prompting India’s Operation Sindoor that neutralized over 100 terrorists.

In a big confirmation of Pakistan’s involvement in the Pahalgam terror attack, the ‘Janaza-Ghaib (funeral in absentia)’ of one of the Pahalgam terrorists killed in Operation Mahadev in J&K was performed in his village in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Twenty-six civilians were killed by terrorists on April 22 in the hill station in North Kashmir. More than 100 terrorists were killed as India carried out precision strikes targeting terror launchpads deep in Pakistan under Operation Sindoor on May 7.
Tahir Habib, one of the Pahalgam terrorists, was killed in Operation Mahadev in J&K. An ‘A’ category terrorist, his killing in Srinagar last week along with two others was a major breakthrough for Indian security forces.
Videos and pictures posted on Telegram channels showed his ‘Janaza-Ghaib being held in his village in Rawalkote. The event was attended by local LeT commander Rizwan Hanif. According to Times of India, Tahir’s family explicitly barred LeT members from attending the funeral but Hanif insisted, threatening mourners with a gun. The incident sparked outrage among villagers, with villagers now planning a public boycott to oppose terror recruitment, the report said, quoting a source.

Tahir was a wanted category ‘A’ terrorist. His killing during Operation Mahadev in Srinagar last week along with two others was a major breakthrough for Indian security forces.
The villagers’ call to boycott terror recruitment not only highlights the growing resistance among POK residents against Pakistan’s state-sponsored terror machine but also confirms that the impact of Operation Sindoor being felt across the border.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/operation-sindoor-janaza-ghaib-funeral-in-absentia-of-pahalgam-terrorist-in-pok-confirms-islamabad-hand-in-april-22-attack-article-152398856

Modi was addressing a public meeting in Banauli village in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called on citizens to adopt the spirit of “swadeshi” and support locally made products, stressing that true service to the nation lies in promoting indigenous goods amid global economic uncertainties.

His comments came a day after US President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on India and unspecified penalties for buying Russian oil, after talks bogged down over access to agriculture and other sensitive sectors, with New Delhi refusing to open its labour-intensive farms to unfettered American imports.

In a 55-minute speech, the PM also invoked Lord Shiva’s “Rudra roop” (fierce form) to describe India’s resolute action against terrorism, saying Operation Sindoor showcased the country’s strength and that any Pakistani misadventures will get a reply from missiles made in UP, a reference to the BrahMos.

He was addressing a public meeting in Banauli village in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi where he laid the foundation stone and inaugurated development works worth around ₹2,200 crore. He also distributed the 20th instalment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi worth ₹20,500 crore to over 97 million eligible farmers nationwide.

“The world economy is facing instability and uncertainty. In such times, countries are focusing solely on their own interests. India, too, is on the path to becoming the world’s third-largest economy and must remain alert to its own economic priorities,” he said.

The prime minister also made a renewed push for “swadeshi”, stressing that every party, leader and citizen must work to promote indigenous goods if “we want India to become the third-largest economy”.

“Welfare of farmers and small industries is paramount and the government is making every possible effort in this direction…At a time when the world is going through uncertainty, let us take a pledge to sell only swadeshi goods from our shops and markets. Promoting made in India goods will be the truest service to the country,” he added.

He also urged people to be conscious consumers, saying, “Whatever we buy, we should ask ourselves — has an Indian toiled to make this? If it has been made by the sweat of our people, with their skills, that product is swadeshi for us. We must adopt the mantra of ‘Vocal for Local’.”

Trump’s executive order on Friday also set punitive rates for 69 trading partners, including 35% duties on Canada, 50% for Brazil, 20% for Taiwan and 39% for Switzerland, as a previously announced 12.01am EDT August 1 deadline approached. Goods from unlisted countries face a 10% baseline tax. The new levies come into effect on August 7.

India now faces higher tariff rates than regional competitors, with Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia set for 19% duties while Bangladesh, Vietnam and Taiwan face 20% rates—potentially weakening India’s position as a preferred sourcing destination for US companies.

India exports $86.5 billion worth of goods to the US, with a surplus of $41 billion. However, industry experts estimate that a significant chunk of Indian goods may avoid the higher duties for now since the Trump administration has exempted electronics, pharmaceuticals, energy products and critical minerals from additional tariffs citing national interest. Nonetheless, analysts expect a significant impact for India’s exports.

In his first visit to Varanasi since Operation Sindoor, Modi drew attention to the state of the world economy. With the festival and wedding seasons approaching, the PM encouraged people to ensure that all new purchases are made in India. He recalled how many citizens changed their wedding plans from abroad to India after his earlier appeal.

“The feeling of swadeshi in every action will define our future. This will also be a true tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. Only through collective effort can we fulfil the dream of a developed India,” Modi said.

The PM accused the Congress of repeatedly insulting the valour of the armed forces and even terming Operation Sindoor a “tamasha” (spectacle).

“Can ‘Sindoor’ ever be a joke? They dared to insult the sacred mark of our sisters and the valour of our soldiers,” he said.

“My heart was filled with sorrow for the 26 people who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack… My promise to avenge ‘Sindoor’ of our daughters was fulfilled with blessings of Mahadev,” he said, adding, “I dedicate the success of the operation at the feet of Mahadev.”

He was referring to the killing of three terrorists responsible for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in an encounter named Operation Mahadev last week.

“Shiva means welfare, but when terrorism and injustice raise their ugly head, Mahadev takes his ‘Rudra roop’. During Operation Sindoor, the world witnessed this very form of India,” the PM said, warning that “whoever attacks India will not survive, even in Pataal Lok (netherworld)”.

Taking a dig at the Opposition, Modi alleged that while the country was celebrating the success of Operation Sindoor, “some people in our own country were troubled by it”.

“Congress and its allies are unable to digest the fact that India demolished terrorist hideouts inside Pakistan,” he said.

“Aren’t you proud of Operation Sindoor? Aren’t you proud that India destroyed terror bases (in Pakistan and PoK)?” the PM asked.

“Several air bases in Pakistan are still in ICU. While Pakistan’s anguish is understandable, what’s shocking is that Congress and Samajwadi Party leaders are also unable to cope with it.”

Modi also attacked the Samajwadi Party (SP) for questioning the timing of Operation Mahadev. “One of their leaders asked in Parliament — ‘why were the attackers of Pahalgam killed now’. Should I call and ask Samajwadi leaders whether to strike now or later? Should we wait and let the terrorists escape?” Modi asked.

“This is ‘Naya Bharat’ (New India), which worships Lord Shiva but turns Kaal Bhairav against its enemies when needed,” the prime minister said.

Modi stressed that Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s indigenous defence capabilities to the world.

Expressing pride as an MP from Uttar Pradesh, the PM announced that BrahMos missiles will soon be manufactured in Lucknow. The BrahMos unit in Lucknow was inaugurated on May 11.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/modi-makes-push-for-swadeshi-after-us-levies-25-tariff-101754161044932.html

As prices fall, onion growers want Maharashtra CM to chair urgent meet in Lasalgaon

Nashik, Amid a steep fall in prices, the Maharashtra State Onion Growers Association has urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to convene a special meeting urgently at Lasalgaon Agricultural Produce Market Committee , the largest market for the crop in Asia, to find immediate and long-term solutions.

A delegation from the association had recently submitted a written request to the chairman and secretary of Lasalgaon MC, urging them to extend a formal invitation to the chief minister for such a meeting.

The association also sent an official email to Fadnavis reiterating the demand.

The letter, signed by Maharashtra State Onion Growers Association founder-president Bharat Dighole and Nashik district president Jaydeep Bhadane, highlights the acute financial distress faced by farmers due to plummeting prices.

According to the association, onion farmers across Maharashtra are currently getting only ₹800 to ₹1,200 per quintal, while the average production cost is at least ₹2,500 per quintal.

This discrepancy is causing significant daily losses to growers, it added.

“Given the urgency of the situation, we request you to personally hold a special meeting at the Lasalgaon MC to discuss immediate and long-term measures with both the Central and state governments,” the letter stated.

The association expressed confidence that CM Fadnavis would take proactive steps to protect the interests of onion farmers and address the crisis at the earliest.

All eyes are now on the chief minister’s response, as discontent simmers in key onion-producing regions like Nashik over the continued neglect of the plight of farmers, Dighole said.

“Maharashtra is the largest onion-producing state in the country, and lakhs of farmers produce the crop. We will welcome the CM if he comes to Lasalgaon to address our grievances at the earliest,” Dighole said.

The condition of farmers is not good due to low prices and a shortage of storage facilities, which is damaging the harvested crop, he said.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/as-prices-fall-onion-growers-want-maharashtra-cm-to-chair-urgent-meet-in-lasalgaon-101754189917162.html

A Delhi court on Saturday issued notice to Robert Vadra, husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, in a money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Special Judge (PC Act) Sushant Changotra of the Rouse Avenue Court said that he will hear Vadra and the 10 other proposed accused in the case before taking cognisance of the prosecution complaint.

The case will be heard next on August 28.

The case centers on a 3.5-acre land parcel bought by Vadra’s company, Skylight Hospitality, from Onkareshwar Properties for ₹7.5 crore in February 2008. The transaction allegedly involved the use of false documents. It is claimed that soon after, the property was mutated in Skylight’s favour and transferred to Vadra within 24 hours.

It is alleged that the Haryana government, then led by Bhupinder Singh Hooda of the Congress party, swiftly granted a commercial license to Vadra’s firm, which dramatically increased the land’s market value. In September 2012, Skylight Hospitality sold the land to realty giant DLF for ₹58 crore, allegedly resulting in windfall gains for Vadra.

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/delhi-court-issues-notice-to-robert-vadra-in-ed-money-laundering-case

On July 13, Saina Nehwal, in a surprising move, announced her separation from Parupalli Kashyap. The couple, who have been together for over a decade, tied the knot in 2018.

Weeks after announcing separation from husband Parupalli Kashyap, Olympic medallist shuttler Saina Nehwal has posted a picture with the former claiming that they are “trying again”. Saina took to Instagram to share a photo with Kashyap, set against a stunning backdrop of the sea and mountains. “Sometimes distance teaches you the value of presence. Here we are-trying again,” she wrote in the caption. On July 13, Saina, in a surprising move, announced her separation from Kashyap. The couple, who have been together for over a decade, tied the knot in 2018.

“Life takes us in different directions sometimes,” Saina had written in her post last month.

“After much thought and consideration, Kashyap Parupalli and I have decided to part ways. We’re choosing peace, growth, and healing – for ourselves and each other. I’m grateful for the memories and wish nothing but the best moving forward. Thank you for understanding and respecting our privacy during this time.”

Commenting on the post, fans welcomed the news and expressed their elation at the reunion of the couple.

The seperation announcement had come as a surprise to the sports community and fans alike, given Saina Nehwal and Parupalli Kashyap’s long-standing bond both on and off the court. The two have been pillars of Indian badminton, frequently seen supporting each other at tournaments and sharing in each other’s achievements.

Saina, a former world No. 1 and Olympic bronze medallist, has been a trailblazer for Indian women in sport. Kashyap, too, has had a notable career, representing India in global events including the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/badminton/saina-nehwal-parupalli-kashyap-trying-again-weeks-after-separation-distance-teaches-9007152

Although initial claims alleged that three individuals were involved in setting the 15-year-old girl on fire, Odisha Police said they have found no indication of involvement by any other person in the incident.

A 15-year-old girl who was allegedly set on fire by three unidentified individuals in Odisha’s Puri district on July 19 has died while undergoing treatment at AIIMS Delhi, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi confirmed on Saturday.

“I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the death of the victim in the Balanga incident. Despite all the efforts of the government and the round-the-clock efforts of the expert medical team at AIIMS Delhi, his life could not be saved,” tweeted Majhi.

The incident occurred on the banks of the river Bhargavi, where the girl sustained 75 pe rcent burn injuries. She was initially treated at the Pipili Community Health Centre and later moved to AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

On July 20, she was airlifted to AIIMS Delhi for advanced treatment, where she underwent multiple surgeries and skin grafting procedures before she died. Shortly after her death, Odisha Police said their investigation had found no evidence of involvement by any other individual in the incident.

However, they did not explain how the girl was set ablaze, despite the initial FIR filed by her mother alleging that three unidentified persons abducted her and set her on fire with an inflammable substance. The girl was reportedly attacked while walking home after visiting a friend.

“We are deeply saddened to hear the news of the death of the victim girl in the Balanga incident. The police have conducted the investigation with utmost sincerity. The investigation has reached its final stage. According to the investigation conducted so far, it is clear that no other person is involved. Therefore, we request everyone not to make any sensitive comments regarding this matter during this tragic moment,” wrote Odisha Police on X.

Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik condoled the girl’s death.

“Deeply saddened and anguished to know that the young girl set on fire in #Balanga area of #Puri District passed away while undergoing treatment in AIIMS. My condolences to the young girl and prayers are with the family members in the hour of grief. May God give the family members strength to bear this irreparable loss,” he wrote on X.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/the-odisha-girl-who-was-allegedly-set-on-fire-by-three-unknown-men-dies-at-aiims-delhi-police-say-no-one-involved-2765395-2025-08-02

New Delhi and its adjoining areas woke up to heavy rainfall on Sunday, resulting in severe waterlogging across several parts of the city, disrupting road transport and affecting flight operations.

According to flight tracker FlightRadar, 98 departing flights and 27 arriving flights were delayed at Delhi International Airport, while three flights have been cancelled.

Several key areas, including Vijay Chowk, Connaught Place, Minto Bridge, Sarojini Nagar, AIIMS, Panchkuian Marg, Janpath, and Lajpat Nagar, were lashed by rain. Heavy showers were also reported from various parts of Noida and Gurugram.

Visuals from the affected areas showed commuters struggling to wade through rainwater-filled roads.

The incessant showers brought relief to city residents, as the relative humidity was recorded at 90 per cent on Saturday. The maximum temperature for the day settled at 33.7 degrees Celsius, 1.1 notches below the seasonal average, while the minimum was 25.7 degrees Celsius, 1.4 points below normal.

HEAVY RAIN ALERT FOR NORTHEAST

Northeastern states, especially Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Arunachal Pradesh, are likely to receive heavy showers on Sunday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). These states have already been battered by incessant rain, landslides, and flash floods since the monsoon intensified in the region.

In Himachal Pradesh, 404 roads, including the crucial Khab-Gramphu National Highway, have been closed to vehicular traffic as heavy rainfall continues across the state. The intense downpour has triggered widespread flash floods and landslides, severely disrupting normal life. Additionally, 411 power distribution transformers and 196 water supply schemes have been affected.

In Uttarakhand, a heavy rain alert has been issued for Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Nainital, Bageshwar, and Udham Singh Nagar. Residents in hilly regions, landslide-prone areas, and near rivers have been advised to remain cautious.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/delhi/story/delhi-rain-weather-waterlogging-road-block-flight-operations-cancellation-imd-forecast-2765425-2025-08-03

When both engines of Transat Flight 236 from Canada to Portugal died out midair over the Atlantic Ocean in 2001 due to a fuel leak, it was still 120km short of an airstrip. The pilots glided the plane to safety, creating a world record and saving 306 people onboard, in what is now known as the Miracle on the Azores.

“Mayday, mayday, mayday. We have lost both engines due to fuel starvation. We’re gliding now,” transmitted 28-year-old First Officer Dirk DeJager over the emergency frequency. It was August 24, 2001, and Air Transat Flight 236, an Airbus A330, with 306 people onboard, was in distress. It was powerless, and flying at 39,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean, and still 120 kilometres short of the nearest runway in the Azores archipelago, 1,400 kilometres off the Portuguese coast and about 1,500 kilometres from Lisbon, the scheduled destination.

The plane was on a 7-hour flight from Toronto in Canada to Portugal’s Lisbon. It was almost 5 hours into the flight that the pilots realised that a fuel leak had killed one engine.

Thirteen minutes after the right-hand engine flamed out, the second engine died out too.

What followed was not a crash but a miracle, now known as the Miracle on the Azores. An emergency descent over the dark, freezing Atlantic, with a plane gliding for 120 km with two flamed-out engines.

The trans-Atlantic flight could land safely only because of the sheer brilliance and composure of Captain Robert Piche, with First Officer Dirk DeJager backing him every second of the way, in what is now known as the Miracle on the Azores.

All 306 souls on board, including the crew, survived. It was a textbook glider landing and created the world record

Unlike the famed “Sully” landing on the Hudson River in 2009, when both engines failed due to a bird strike shortly after takeoff, the Air Transat flight lost power mid-Atlantic and had to glide for nearly 120 kilometres before landing.

Air Transat Flight 236’s landing sounds easy now. But inside that aircraft, the calm was paper-thin. The passengers had been told to brace for a ditch. The Atlantic below was black, cold, and unforgiving. Most believed they were about to die. And yet, in the cockpit, Piche and DeJager fought back against a total engine flameout, hydraulic system loss, electrical failure, cabin depressurisation, and the challenging physics of a powerless descent.

Nearly a quarter-century later, aviation scares have made their momentary appearances in news headlines. That’s after the crash of Air India Flight 171 in Ahmedabad, where a Boeing 787 Dreamliner plunged just 32 seconds after takeoff, killing 241 on board and 29 on the ground, with only one survivor onboard. The investigation into the Air India crash is on and India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has released a preliminary report.

According to an analysis by Dilip Desmond, a former Indian Navy pilot who also flew the Boeing 777, the pilots of Flight 171 faced a situation that no aviation course prepares crew for. The plane’s digital control system, Fadec, overrode the cockpit crew, and the pilots valiantly tried to reverse the situation by moving the fuel switches from RUN to CUT to RUN even as the plane started to lose altitude. Their effort actually might have worked had the plane gained some more height.

“Had they been just a bit higher in altitude, these two men might well have been hailed as superheroes,” Desmond, wrote for India Today Digital.

Despite the news of recent scares, aviation remains one of the safest and efficient modes of travel, and pilots do everything in their capacity for a safe and relaxing flight.

That’s what the pilots of Flight 236 did in 2001 when they realised that both the engines had flamed out with the nearest airstrip still over 100 kilometres away.

“When you don’t have that other engine, sooner or later you’re going to go down, you know… That’s just about it. You don’t have time to think about anything else than taking care of the safety of the passengers. You do as you’ve been taught,” Captain Piche said after returning to Canada.

On Flight 236 from Toronto to Lisbon, quick thinking, skills, and calm came together to glide the 250-tonne aircraft for nearly 120 kilometres, engine-less, over an open ocean, and land it safely.

FUEL TROUBLES OVER MID-ATLANTIC TURNED AIRBUS A330 INTO A GLIDER

Air Transat Flight 236 took off from Toronto Pearson International Airport at 52 minutes after midnight on August 24, 2001, for Lisbon, Portugal’s capital. There were 293 passengers and 13 crew members aboard the Airbus A330-243, one of the most advanced twin-engine jets at the time.

Everything appeared normal until the aircraft crossed into the mid-Atlantic stretch.

It is a stretch of sky where aircraft are farthest from any airports, runways, or even remote, unpaved landing strips. It was here that the pilots began noticing unusual fuel imbalance warnings.

What the pilots didn’t know at the time was that a fuel pipe on the right engine had started leaking, caused by an improper maintenance replacement of the hydraulic pump system.

Instead of shutting down that engine immediately, which would have isolated the leak, the crew attempted to correct the fuel imbalance by transferring fuel between tanks. The transfer of fuel to the leaking engine only worsened the situation.

No fuel left to burn, the right engine died out soon. The pilots declared a fuel emergency and began descending toward Lajes Air Base, a military-civilian airport on Terceira Island in the Portuguese Azores, some 130 kilometres away.

But six minutes later, disaster truly struck. The left engine too flamed out.

With both engines dead, the A330 lost its main source of electrical power and hydraulics. Though a backup Ram Air Turbine (RAT), a small wind-powered generator, was deployed to provide emergency power, the aircraft had now effectively become a big powerless glider.

FREEFALL FROM 39,000 FEET; CAPTAIN’S 16,000 HOURS OF EXPERIENCE TAKES OVER

This road will be important not only for the locals in Bhutan but for India it will be a strategic edge over China as it will enable forces with quick mobility if required.

India is building infrastructure near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to improve mobility and military movement. A road has been built in Bhutan near Doklam, where India and China had a standoff in 2017. The road connects to the Haa Valley in Bhutan, which is about 21 kilometres from Doklam.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) built the road at a cost of about Rs 254 crore. Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tobgay Tshering inaugurated the road on Friday. The road will help local people in Bhutan and also improve movement of security forces if needed.

The road leads to the Chumbi Valley in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Chinese soldiers are deployed in the Chumbi Valley. The road will help the Bhutanese Army reach the border near the Chumbi Valley. It will also help with the movement of supplies. While Bhutan will use the road for now, India will also benefit if there is a need in the future.

India is strengthening its ties with Bhutan. Bhutan is close to the India-China border and faces challenges from China. India sees its partnership with Bhutan as important for this reason.

DOKLAM STANDOFF

In 2017, China tried to build a road to Jamferi Ridge in Doklam. The Indian Army stopped the road construction by launching Operation Juniper. Indian soldiers entered Doklam and stopped the Chinese soldiers. After a 72-day standoff, the Chinese Army withdrew.

Later, China built infrastructure and helipads in Doklam and deployed troops in the area. Doklam is located near Bhutan and lies at the junction of Sikkim, Bhutan, and Tibet.

PROJECT DANTAK

Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi recently visited Bhutan and was briefed on the Haa Valley road. Five bridges have been built along the road, and it allows movement in all weather conditions. The road is part of BRO’s Project Dantak.

Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, Director General of BRO (DGBR), is on an official visit to Bhutan to review the project. He met King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Prime Minister Tobgay, who praised BRO’s role in Bhutan’s development.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-builds-road-in-bhutan-for-strategic-access-near-china-border-2765084-2025-08-02

Indian deportations from the US have surged dramatically under US President Donald Trump’s second term, with 1,703 sent back in just six months — nearly triple the rate during his predecessor, Joe Biden.

Deportations of Indian nationals from the United States have sharply risen since Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025 — nearly tripling the daily average seen during the Biden administration. According to data from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), 1,703 Indians have been deported in just six and a half months this year — roughly eight every day, compared to an average of three per day between January 2020 and December 2024.
This spike accounts for nearly a quarter of all deportations of Indians recorded over the last five and a half years, which total 7,244. The increase coincides with a renewed, aggressive enforcement push under the Trump administration.
On June 26, the US State Department issued a warning to visa holders, stating: “We continuously check visa holders to ensure they follow all US laws and immigration rules — and we will revoke their visas and deport them if they don’t.”

A few days earlier, the US government also issued a blunt message targeting illegal immigrants: “The US has increased enforcement of immigration laws and removal of illegal aliens. Illegal entry will lead to detention, deportation, and permanent consequences for future visa eligibility… Embarking on a costly and dangerous journey will land you in jail or back in your homeland with a permanent mark on your record.”
Of the 1,703 deportations this year, 864 individuals were sent back on charter and military flights arranged by various US agencies. According to the MEA, US Customs and Border Protection repatriated 333 Indians via military flights on February 5, 15, and 16. Another 231 people were deported through ICE charter flights on March 19, June 8, and June 25. The Department of Homeland Security organized the deportation of 300 more Indians on July 5 and 18.
An additional 747 individuals were deported via commercial flights from the US, often individually or in small groups, depending on flight arrangements. Another 72 individuals came through commercial flights from Panama in a similar staggered fashion.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/indians-deported-under-donald-trump-over-1700-sent-back-in-6-months-triple-the-joe-biden-era-rate-article-152393436

A luggage drop triggered a stampede at New Delhi station in February, killing 18. Railways will implement crowd management measures to prevent future tragedies.

A large piece of luggage falling from a passenger who had it on their head triggered the stampede that killed 18 people—including four children and 11 women—at New Delhi railway station in February, railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told Parliament on Friday.

The minister, responding to a written question by Samajwadi Party MP Ramji Lal Suman, said a high-level inquiry committee had identified the falling headload as the primary cause of the tragedy that occurred on February 15.

The stampede happened during the evening rush around 9:15-9:30pm on the staircase connecting platforms 14 and 15, as thousands converged on the station for Bihar-bound trains amid the Maha Kumbh festival on at the time in Prayagraj.

“There was a big headload falling from one of the passengers and the pressure was passed on to the stairs of platforms 14/15, resulting in the tripping of passengers,” Vaishnaw said in his parliamentary reply. The incident occurred at 8.48pm on foot-over-bridge 3.

The victims died from traumatic asphyxia, according to post-mortem examinations.

The committee found that while sufficient crowd management protocols were in place, passenger density had gradually increased on the foot-over-bridge after 8.15pm.

Many passengers were carrying large headloads, hampering smooth movement on the narrow 25-foot-wide footbridge before the fatal accident, the committee found.

At the time, HT reported citing Railway records that 7,600 unreserved tickets were sold that evening at a rate of 1,500 per hour with crowds building up from 6pm onwards.

The tragedy—the deadliest railway station incident since Mumbai’s Elphinstone Road stampede killed 23 people in 2017—had drawn sharp criticism from railway experts, some of who called it a “completely avoidable incident” and “classic mismanagement.”

To prevent similar tragedies, Indian Railways will implement comprehensive crowd management measures across 73 stations that periodically face heavy passenger rush, the minister told parliament.

Permanent holding areas will be created outside these stations, building on the temporary arrangements made during the 2024 festival season. Pilot projects are already underway at New Delhi, Anand Vihar, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Ghaziabad. Passengers will only be allowed onto platforms when trains arrive, helping to decongest station areas, Vaishnaw said.

The railways will introduce complete access control at the 73 identified stations. Passengers with confirmed reserved tickets will get direct platform access, while those without tickets or on waiting lists must wait in designated outside areas. All unauthorised entry points will be sealed.

New foot-over-bridge designs—12 metres wide and 6 metres wide—will replace existing narrow structures across all stations. These wider bridges with ramps proved effective during the recent Mahakumbh festival.

Advanced surveillance systems, including CCTV networks and war rooms for coordinated crowd management, will be installed. Digital communication equipment such as walkie-talkies and public announcement systems will be deployed at all heavy-traffic stations, the minister stated.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/luggage-dropped-by-passenger-triggered-new-delhi-railway-station-stampede-101754071079079.html

The court took up a batch of 22 cases involving the deportation of foreigners who are either in detention camps or are claiming refugee status.

The Supreme Court on Thursday began examining whether Rohingya entrants staying in the country are refugees or illegal migrants, as it heard a batch of petitions filed on their behalf challenging their deportation and seeking remedial steps to give them basic amenities during their stay in refugee camps.

A bench headed by justice Surya Kant said, “The first major issue is whether they are refugees or illegal migrants. The rest is consequential.”

“If they are refugees, they are entitled to certain protections under law. If not, they are illegal migrants and should be deported back to their country,” said the bench, also comprising justices Dipankar Datta and N Kotiswar Singh.

The court took up a batch of 22 cases involving the deportation of foreigners who are either in detention camps or are claiming refugee status. The bench directed that the cases related to Rohingya migrants be segregated into a single batch. It directed that cases concerning other foreigners be clubbed into a separate batch to be taken up separately.

The four questions the court framed in the Rohingya batch of cases included, “whether Rohingya entrants are entitled to be declared as refugees and if so, what protection emanates from the rights they are entitled to; whether Rohingyas are illegal entrants and if government of India and states are obligated to deport them in accordance with law.”

There were two consequential issues also that were framed by the court: “Even if Rohingya entrants are held to be illegal entrants, can they be detained indefinitely or they are entitled to be released on bail subject to conditions.” Lastly, it said, “Whether Rohingya entrants who are not detained but living in refugee camps have been provided with basic amenities like drinking water, sanitation, education, etc.”

As the batch of cases got listed together, the bench expressed a practical difficulty in proceeding with the hearing of the matter as some petitions talked of deportation of foreigners in general, while others specifically related to the condition of foreigners in detention camps.

Advocate Kanu Agarwal appearing for Centre submitted a list of cases pertaining to Rohingyas and urged the court to decide this batch of cases first. The non-Rohingya matters, he added, seek interpretation of the Foreigners Act. The bench said, “The issues that arise in the other batch of cases will be determined separately on another date.”

Advocate Prashant Bhushan appearing in multiple petitions said that the genesis of these cases began with cases filed by Rohingyas in 2013. He said 15 out of the batch of 22 cases pertained to Rohingya refugees and the need for providing them facilities in their camps at par with refugees recognised under the UN Convention on Refugees. India is not a signatory to this convention and has not considered grant of refugee status for them.

Senior advocates Ashwani Kumar and Colin Gonsalves, appearing in other matters, pointed out that Rohingyas who hail from Myanmar have fled to India seeking asylum as they are being persecuted in their country. Gonsalves further referred to a case filed by the wife of a foreigner facing detention in Assam which concern Rohingya and non-Rohingya foreigners. In that case, Gonsalves showed orders passed by the court to expedite the deportation process despite the fact that Myanmar is unwilling to take these persons back.

In May this year, while hearing an application filed by Delhi-based Rohingya migrants, the top court had refused to adopt a piecemeal approach in deciding individual cases and called for all cases pending on the issue to be listed together.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/are-rohingya-illegal-migrants-or-refugees-top-court-to-decide-101753987360982.html

New UPI rules: Key changes include limits on balance checks and autopayments, transaction recipient visibility, and improved payment status updates.

New UPI rules will be implemented on Friday, August 1. These rules will further enhance the efficiency of UPI apps and protect users from fraud. Implemented by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), they will apply to all payment service providers like Google Pay, PhonePe, or Paytm.

The new rules will regulate activities like checking bank balance, processing autopayments and accessing bank details. All these changes have been mentioned in a circular issued by NPCI on May 21, stating that these changes will improve the performance of UPI applications.

Balance enquiry

Each UPI app will allow users to check their bank balance 50 times a day. UPI apps will also be able to limit or stop balance enquiry requests to reduce the load on UPI during peak hours. From August, users will be able to see the available balance in their account with every transaction.

Auto payment processing

Auto payments allow banks to debit a certain amount from users’ accounts automatically on a recurring basis. However, autopayments, when done during the peak hours, can increase pressure on the Application Programming Interface’s (API) system. So NPCI has mandated that the processing of such transactions will only be processed during non-peak hours before 10 am, 1- 5 pm, and after 9:30 pm. This means that if an autopayment is due at 11 am, it might be deducted before or after the scheduled time. Additionally, retries will be provided for successful deduction of auto pay, after which auto payment will be cancelled.

Bank details

Customers will be able to see the list of banks linked to their mobile number. They can only check the bank’s details 25 times per day. With this, the customers will only be able to see their bank details at certain times, and the requests are to be initiated by the customers after selecting the issuer’s bank in the UPI app.

Transaction status

Transactions issued are very common during the peak hours when customers usually experience that the money has been debited from the sender’s account, but hasn’t been received by the receiver. From August onwards, these unconfirmed payments will have a time window to update within seconds instead of showing pending. The user will be able to check the payment status only 3 times, with a time gap of 90 seconds between them.

Details of the recipient

The name of the transaction recipient will be shown to the sender before each transaction. This is to avoid fraud or sending money to the wrong recipient. The registered name of the recipient will be shown along with the transaction ID on the UPI app.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/upi-rules-implemented-from-august-1-2025-payment-balance-paytm-phonepe-101754007900537.html

Amid viral messages claiming otherwise, the government has confirmed that ₹500 notes with a star symbol are genuine and legal.

Amid growing concerns on social media over ₹500 currency notes marked with a star, the Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) has clarified that these banknotes are not fake and have been legally in circulation since 2016. In a post on X, the official fact-checking arm of the PIB addressed the concerns over the authenticity of these notes.
“Do you have a ₹500 note with a star symbol (*)? Are you worried it’s fake? Fret no more!” the tweet read.
The PIB confirmed that the message deeming such notes as fake is false and that star-marked ₹500 banknotes have been in circulation since December 2016.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had earlier introduced star-marked banknotes as part of a system for replacing notes that are damaged or misprinted during the printing process. These notes carry the same security features and design as standard currency but include a star symbol in the number panel.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/fact-check-have-a-rs-500-note-with-a-star-mark-no-it-is-not-fake-says-pib-article-152384688

In a video posted on his account, Robinson is seen dancing in traditional South Indian attire when cops arrive on the scene and escort him into a police vehicle. The video shows, officers appeared to act without giving him an opportunity to explain the situation.

German TikToker Noel Robinson, known for his impromptu street dance videos and signature afro hairstyle, shared on Instagram that he was briefly detained by police in Bengaluru for shooting a dance video without permission on Church Street, which attracted a large crowd during his performance.

In a video posted on his account, Robinson is seen dancing in traditional South Indian attire and a large number of spectators are present, enjoying and shooting videos, when cops arrive on the scene and escort him into a police vehicle. The video shows, officers appeared to act without giving him an opportunity to explain the situation.

“Officer took me to the car, I wasn’t even resisting, but he was kind of rough. I hit my head on the car as you can see,” Robinson can be heard saying in the video.

The video caption read: “This was my first time being taken to the Police Station!! I was scared they would send me to prison but luckily Everything was fine 😂🇮🇳! I’m Safe and I love India!! 🇮🇳”

Robinson explained in the video that the police treated him well at the station and released him after 15 minutes. He mentioned that he was fined for shooting without permission.

Despite the brief scare, Robinson appeared to take the incident in good humour and reaffirmed his love for India.

“Don’t be sorry guys! This could have happen in every Country! It’s Not about India!! One Little experience like that won’t Take away my love for India,” he said in the comments section.

The video has received 405,493 likes in less than 24 hours.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/viral/im-safe-i-love-india-german-tiktoker-noel-robinson-says-after-getting-briefly-detained-by-bengaluru-police-for-shooting-dance-video-without-permission-video

Ravi Kishan questioned inconsistent food pricing and portions across India, citing examples like samosas served on small and big plates for the same price. He called for regulation ‘in a market serving crores without clear rules.’

BJP MP and actor Ravi Kishan on Wednesday requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to regulate the prices and quantity of food items served from dhabas to five-star hotels.

“I still don’t understand why we get a samosa on a small plate in some place and on a big plate in some other place for the same price. Such a vast market with crores of customers is operating without any rules or regulations,” said the MP from Gorakhpur.

During zero hour in the Lok Sabha, the BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur said the prices, quality and quantity of food items are different everywhere. “A uniformity is needed,” he said.

Pointing out the lack of uniformity in the prices and quantities of food items across the country, Kishan said, “Dal Tadka is available for Rs 100 at some outlets, Rs 120 at others, and Rs 1,000 in some hotels.”

Ravi Kishan’s demand stirred a row, with Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput mocking the BJP MP and asking if he could also speak up to regulate the highly-priced samosas at “airports run by PM Modi’s friend Gautam Adani.”

Coming to Kishan’s defence, BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi said that the Congress is not interested in the business of the House, as they are mocking an issue of public interest.

“Their sole focus is to create noise, disrupt proceedings, and deliberately obstruct the House. Those who have made such behavior a habit are naturally surprised when genuine public interest issues are raised,” he said.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/chhota-samosa-bada-samosa-bjp-mp-ravi-kishan-seeks-law-to-regulate-food-prices-2764363-2025-07-31

According to the police, several Bangladeshi passports issued in her name, an employee card of Regent Airways (Bangladesh), an admit card for secondary education in Dhaka, two Indian Aadhar cards registered at different addresses, an Indian voter/Epic card and Ration card were recovered.

The anti-rowdy squad of Kolkata Police arrested a Bangladeshi woman on Tuesday for illegally residing in India. The accused has been identified as Shanta Pal (28), a resident of Barisal in Bangladesh. She was arrested from her rented apartment in the Jadavpur area. Two Aadhaar cards, a voter card and a ration card have also been recovered from her.

“Based on a specific complaint, we registered this case and during the course of the investigation we have arrested a woman who is a Bangladeshi citizen. She is in police custody now. Investigation is underway,” said Rupesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner (Crime) of Kolkata Police to India Today.

According to the police, during the prolonged search at her rented place, several Bangladeshi passports issued in her name, an employee card of Regent Airways (Bangladesh), an admit card of secondary education in Dhaka, two Aadhar cards registered in different addresses, an Indian voter/Epic card and Ration card, all of different addresses were found and seized.

According to police, the woman rented the house in late 2024 along with a man.

The woman was produced before a city court on Wednesday and has been sent to police custody till August 8.

During the interrogation, Shanta Paul could not give any satisfactory answer to the police, following which she was arrested. She couldn’t produce any valid visa for her stay in India and is presently being questioned about how she managed to get hold of the Aadhaar, Voter and Ration cards. Out of the two Aadhaar cards recovered from her possession, one has a Kolkata address while the other has a Burdwan address.

Kolkata police are currently communicating with the UIDAI to enquire how an Aadhaar card was approved her. The detectives are also communicating with the National Election Commission and the Food Department of West Bengal to enquire about how she got the voter card and the ration card.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bangladeshi-model-arrested-by-kolkata-police-from-jadavpur-fake-aadhaar-card-voter-card-ration-card-recovered-2764366-2025-07-31

Trump on Wednesday announced imposing a 25% tariff along with additional penalties on Indian imports, effective August 1.

Playing down all the noise around 25% US tariffs on Indian imports announced by President Donald Trump, the government has said that India will not retaliate against the levy and is open to discussing the matter on the negotiation table and finding a solution that serves the best interests of both parties, sources told India Today.

Trump on Wednesday announced imposing a 25% tariff along with additional penalties on Indian imports, effective August 1. He cited India’s continued oil imports from Russia and longstanding trade barriers as key reasons behind the move.

“India is not going to retaliate against this. Silence is the best answer. Whatever we do, we will do at the negotiation table,” a government source said.

Claiming there were excessive tariffs and restrictive non-monetary barriers, Trump, in a Truth Social post, emphasised that while India is considered a friend, trade relations between the two countries have remained limited.

Trump also called India’s tariffs on US imports “far too high” and expressed his reservations against the “most strenuous and obnoxious” non-monetary trade barriers of any country.

Coming down heavily on India’s long-standing trade ties with Russia, the US president also derided both nations as “dead economies” and brazenly declared he “does not care” what New Delhi does with Moscow.

This came as both countries have been discussing a trade deal for months, but no final agreement has been reached. Trump has been pressing for greater access of American goods to the Indian market. He has often made similar demands in other trade negotiations.

While some experts raised concerns about the US move, expecting it to adversely affect key sectors of the Indian economy, the government is apparently not too panicked about it.

“When we did nuclear testing, so many sanctions were put on us. At that time, we were a small economy. Today, we are such a self-sufficient economic power. Why should we worry now?” the sources added.

Notably, when India carried out the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, the then-Bill Clinton administration in the US objected to it and asked the Indian government to backtrack. However, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government still went ahead with it, giving little importance to US warnings of sanctions.

Meanwhile, as Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs, among the highest on US trade partners, Opposition parties in India, especially the Congress, were quick to attack the Modi government.

Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, backed Trump’s remark in which he called India, along with Russia, a “dead economy” and attacked the government for its alleged mismanagement.

“Yes, he is right, everybody knows this except the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister. Everybody knows that the Indian economy is a dead economy. I am glad that President Trump has stated a fact. The entire world knows that the Indian economy is a dead economy. The BJP has finished the economy to help Adani,” Rahul Gandhi said.

Meanwhile, putting forth the government’s perspective on the Trump tariffs in Parliament on Thursday, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said that the government was examining the impact the US move may have on Indian exporters and the economy.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry consulting exporters, industries, and other stakeholders to understand their concerns.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-wont-retaliate-to-trumps-25-tariffs-sees-no-need-to-panic-sources-2764205-2025-07-31

The Central Bureau if Investigation (CBI)’s crackdown on builders comes following directions from the Supreme Court

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), acting on Supreme Court directions, has filed 22 cases to investigate a possible nexus between builders and banks in sanctioning huge amounts under so-called subvention schemes without following any due diligence and carried out raids at 47 locations in the national capital region (NCR), officials said on Wednesday.

The apex court had, in April, passed an order on a bunch of over 170 petitions filed by homebuyers who approached the court complaining that huge loans were disbursed by banks to the builders under the scheme even before construction of the underlying projects was complete. After builders/developers defaulted on getting the flats constructed, the banks demanded EMIs for recovering the loan amounts from the homebuyers.

“In a major crackdown on builders involved in cheating and defrauding thousands of homebuyers in NCR and to investigate the nexus of builders and officials of financial institutions, CBI has registered 22 cases against different builders of NCR and unknown officials of various financial institutions in compliance of the directions of the Supreme Court (SC) and conducted searches at 47 premises across NCR,” a CBI spokesperson said in a statement.

“The Supreme Court observing the unholy nexus between the builders and the financial institutions in cheating the homebuyers by innovating and introducing ‘subvention scheme’ of home loans, directed CBI to register 7 Preliminary Enquiries (PEs),” the spokesperson said, adding that the agency completed enquiry in six PEs within three months and “submitted the status report before the Supreme Court”.

“Upon perusal of the status report submitted by the CBI, the SC directed CBI to register 22 regular cases, against different builders in the NCR area and unknown officials of financial institutions,” the agency said.

Subvention schemes involve a tripartite agreement between the buyer, banker, and developer. Under these, buyers typically pay between 5% and 20% up-front, while the bank loans the rest to the developer in installments. The developer pays the interest on a loan for a certain fixed period, usually two to four years, until the buyer takes possession. The buyer starts paying back the loan in equated monthly installments after this.

The builders and their projects named in the CBI FIRs include – Supertech Limited, AVJ Developers (India) Pvt Ltd, Earthcon Universal Infratech Pvt. Ltd, Rudra Buildwell Projects Pvt. Ltd, Geotech Promoters Pvt. Ltd, Shubhkamna Buildtech Pvt. Ltd, Bulland Buildtech Pvt. Ltd, Decent Buildwell Pvt. Ltd, Rudra Buildwell Construction Pvt. Ltd, Saha Infratech Pvt. Ltd, Dream Procon Pvt. Ltd, Logix City Developers Pvt. Ltd, Shubhkamna Buildtech Pvt. Ltd, Jaypee Infratech Ltd, Sequel Buildcon Pvt. Ltd, Ajnara India Ltd, Vatika Limited, CHD Developers Limited, Ninex Developers Limited, Jaypee Sports International Limited, Idea Builders Private Limited and Manju J Homes India Limited, agency said.

Officials familiar with the development said directors or promoters of several realty firms have also been named in the FIRs, filed on July 28.

Among the banking and other financial institutions, unknown officials of State Bank of India, Indiabulls Housing Finance Ltd, Piramal Finance, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Tata Capital Housing Finance and PNB Housing Finance Ltd among others were named in different FIRs.

A status report by CBI earlier this month said that among the 1,200 homebuyers/borrowers represented before the Supreme Court, the majority pertain to Supertech, which is currently facing insolvency proceedings.

Looking at the vast expanse of the case concerning nearly 40 builders, several banks and housing finance companies and the role of regulatory and land owning authorities, the court had on March 18 appointed senior advocate and former Intelligence Bureau director Rajiv Jain as amicus curiae (friend of the court).

Jain in his exhaustive report told the court on Tuesday that Supertech received a lion’s share of the loans under the subvention scheme.

According to Jain’s report, Supertech got loans of over ₹5,157 crore since 1998. He further pointed out that of the 19 banks and housing finance companies, eight figure in most of the projects and these include some major names such as India Bulls Housing Finance Limited, Punjab National Bank and PNB Housing, Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Limited (DHFL), and India Infoline Finance Limited.

Jain said that the underlying nexus between Supertech and the eight banks and finance companies deserves to be investigated. He also suggested a probe into the loans released by Corporation Bank, IDBI Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank to Supertech.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cbi-files-22-cases-to-probe-builders-bankers-nexus-raids-47-locations-in-ncr-101753876688677.html

Indian Railways Has Introduced Non-AC Amrit Bharat And Namo Bharat Rapid Rail services, For High Quality Services To A Larger Section Of The Population.

The percentage of non-AC coaches in trains run by Indian Railways has significantly increased to about 70 per cent, and a special manufacturing programme is being implemented to produce an additional 17,000 non-AC general and sleeper coaches over the next 5 years, Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw informed Parliament on Wednesday.

Indian Railways have significantly increased the facilities for passengers demanding general class travel.

During the last financial year 2024-25 alone, 1,250 general coaches have been utilised in various long-distance trains.

Indian Railways continues to run a large number of trains with affordable fare structures, including Mail, Express and passenger trains, for the benefit of the general public including the poor and lower middle class.

Indian Railways has introduced non-AC Amrit Bharat services and Namo Bharat Rapid Rail services, providing high quality services to a larger section of the population, particularly lower income groups, the minister said.

Indian Railways has also provisioned for production of another 100 Amrit Bharat Trains, he added.

Vaishnaw highlighted that due to higher availability of general coaches, the number of passengers travelling in general/unreserved coaches has shown an increasing trend, going up from 553 crore in 2022-23 to 609 crore in 2023-24 and 651 crore in 2024-25.

The number of seats available for non-AC passengers has now gone up to 54 lakh which constitutes 78 per cent of the total while AC seats comprise the remaining 22 per cent.

To provide greater accommodation for the passengers using General and non-AC Sleeper Coaches, the extant policy regarding composition of Mail/Express trains provides for 12 General class & Sleeper class non- AC coaches and 8 AC-Coaches, in a train of 22 coaches, thereby providing greater accommodation for the passengers using General and non-AC Sleeper Coaches, Vaishnaw explained.

Further, to cater to the needs of passengers desirous of availing unreserved accommodation, Indian Railways operate unreserved non-AC passenger trains/MEMU/EMU etc. for affordable travel, which are in addition to the unreserved accommodation (coaches) available in Mail/Express services.

Development of Amrit Bharat Express trains, manufacturing of MEMU trains, and increasing the share of general coaches clearly shows that Indian Railways is catering effectively to the demand for travel in general class, the minister further stated.

Indian Railways has introduced fully non-AC Amrit Bharat trains, presently comprising 11 General Class coaches, 8 Sleeper Class coaches, 1 Pantry car and 2 Second class cum Luggage cum Guard Van & Disabled Friendly Compartment.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/non-ac-coaches-in-trains-increased-to-about-70-percent-indian-railways-8987198

Police said Younes Zarou had not taken permission for a large gathering.

A few months after Ed Sheeran was stopped from performing on Church Street without permission, German social media star Younes Zarou was briefly taken away by Cubbon Park police on Wednesday evening when a large crowd gathered around him during a visit to the popular stretch.

Police said Mr Zarou, who boasts over 21 million (2.1 crore) followers on Instagram, had gone to Church Street without taking any permissions for a large gathering. Some time before heading there, however, he had put up an Instagram post saying, “Church Street, we are coming”.

The post and his presence drew a large crowd, prompting concerns over public safety in the busy area. Officers were informed of the gathering and rushed to the spot.

Police explained to Zarou that such large gatherings require prior permission and cited the stampede during the RCB victory celebrations, in which 11 people were killed, as an example of the potential risks. He was taken away in a police vehicle and dropped off at another location after he assured officers that he would not return to Church Street.

“A social media influencer with over 20 million followers announced that he was coming to Church Street, leading to a sudden crowd gathering in the narrow lane. Our response team received a call and attended to the situation. He was taken away from the spot to a safe distance, allowed to leave, and advised not to engage in social media stunts that could pose public safety concerns,” said Akshay M Hakay, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Division), Bengaluru.

Church Street, which is in the heart of Bengaluru, is a bustling hotspot and attracts people of all hues.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/younes-zarou-after-ed-sheeran-bengaluru-cops-make-german-influencer-leave-church-street-8987190

Google is set to invest a staggering $6 billion in a 1 GW data centre in Andhra Pradesh. Sources indicate that this massive facility will be located in the port city of Visakhapatnam.

Andhra Pradesh has closed a major data centre deal with global tech giant Google and leading Indian Information and Communications Technology (ICT) service provider Sify. These agreements, totalling $7.9 billion in investment and contributing 1.55 gigawatts (GW) to the state’s data processing capacity, a source in the Andhra Pradesh government told NDTV.

Google is set to invest a staggering $6 billion in a 1 GW data centre in Andhra Pradesh. Sources indicate that this massive facility will be located in the port city of Visakhapatnam.

Notably, $2 billion of this investment is earmarked for developing renewable energy capacity to power the centre, aligning with the growing global demand for sustainable digital infrastructure. This project alone is expected to be the largest in Asia, both in terms of capacity and investment.

Complementing this, the Andhra Pradesh cabinet, in its meeting last week, officially approved a substantial data centre project with Sify. This initiative involves an investment of approximately $1.9 billion for a 550 MW data centre facility.

Andhra Pradesh has worked on attracting IT and technology-related businesses, particularly through its recently launched IT & Global Capability Centres (GCC) Policy (4.0) for 2024-2029.

This policy offers a range of incentives, including capital subsidies, rental assistance, power incentives, and tailor-made packages for mega-projects, aiming to bridge infrastructure gaps and foster a hybrid work ecosystem.

Andhra Pradesh’s Minister for IT, Electronics, and Education, Nara Lokesh, has been a vocal proponent of the state’s data centre ambitions.

He recently said that Andhra Pradesh has already finalised investments for data centres totalling 1.6 GW and aims to build an ambitious 6 GW of data centre capacity over the next five years from its current near-zero base.

Mr Lokesh also said that there were plans to establish three new cable landing stations in Visakhapatnam, further positioning the city as a crucial digital gateway for India and Southeast Asia, potentially rivalling existing hubs like Mumbai.

A key highlight of these investments, particularly the Google project, is the emphasis on renewable energy.

The state government has actively promoted the development of green energy solutions to power these energy-intensive facilities, envisioning most of the required 10 GW power generation capacity over the next five years to come from green sources.

Beyond these investments, the data centres are expected to be major job creators, offering a wide range of opportunities in technology, operations, and support services.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/andhra-pradesh-google-sign-6-billion-worth-major-data-centre-deal-sources-8986764

The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union has urged the Labour Department to act against the management of Tata Consultancy Services for alleged violations of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.

The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) has filed an industrial dispute against Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) over its proposed layoffs, urging the Labour Department to act against the management for alleged violations of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, and conditions imposed by the Government of Karnataka on reporting service particulars.

Earlier this week, TCS announced that it will reduce its global workforce by 2 per cent in its 2026 financial year, which would lead to about 12,000 people losing their jobs.

KITU representatives met Additional Labour Commissioner G Manjunath on Wednesday and submitted a complaint citing multiple employee grievances.

Under the Industrial Disputes Act, companies employing more than 100 workers are required to obtain prior government approval before carrying out any layoffs or retrenchments. Such actions are permitted only for specific reasons and under conditions clearly defined in the Act. KITU claimed that the TCS management had violated these provisions.

The Union demanded criminal proceedings against officials involved in the violations and immediate action from the Labour Department to ensure justice for the affected employees.

Meanwhile, sources in the Labour Department confirmed that a meeting with TCS management is being planned to discuss the proposed layoffs. Though the date is yet to be finalised, the state Labour Minister has directed that the meeting be held as soon as possible.

KITU stressed the urgency of the situation and called for strict enforcement of labour laws in the IT sector, warning that failure to act could set a dangerous precedent for employees’ rights in the state.

TCS has said the layoffs are part of its strategy to become a “future-ready organisation”, focusing on investments in technology, AI deployment, market expansion, and workforce realignment.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/it-union-files-dispute-against-tcs-over-layoffs-karnataka-may-also-intervene-8986610

Anurag Thakur claimed in Lok Sabha that Indira Gandhi wrote to US President Nixon during the 1971 war, pleading for help to stop the conflict with Pakistan.

BJP member Anurag Thakur on Wednesday claimed in the Lok Sabha that Indira Gandhi had sought the US’ intervention to stop the war with Pakistan in 1971 when she was the prime minister.

Thakur said Indian soldiers won the 1971 war, but “someone else” was declared the Iron Lady. He claimed that the war was won on the battlefield but lost at the negotiation table.

“If you dig a little deeper in history, the layers start unravelling. The then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had written to US President Nixon. It appears as though a supplicant was pleading before the US president,” Thakur said, making a Zero Hour mention in the Lok Sabha.

Anurag Thakur read out the letter Gandhi wrote to Nixon

He read out a letter from Gandhi to Nixon wherein she urged the US president to persuade Pakistan to desist forthwith from the policy of wanton aggression and military adventurism.

“The nation has to decide whether the government of that day was iron or an irony,” Thakur said, referring to the letter dated December 5, 1971.

Congress members were on their feet, protesting against the reference made by Thakur.

‘Indira Gandhi did not trust the armed forces’

The former Union minister wondered whether Gandhi did not trust the armed forces and chose to plead with the US to halt the War.

“This family is adept at bending and begging the US to ask Pakistan to end the war,” Thakur said, hitting out at Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s remarks daring the Narendra Modi government to show half the courage shown by Indira Gandhi during the 1971 war.

“Why did Indira Gandhi approach the US to end the war?” Thakur said.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/anurag-thakur-claims-indira-gandhi-sought-us-help-during-1971-pakistan-war-lok-sabha-101753883306077.html

India and the Philippines will begin their first bilateral maritime cooperative activity in waters close to the Scarborough Shoal, a focal point of the maritime dispute between Manila and Beijing.

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr is set to visit India this week to take forward economic and security ties, with the trip coinciding with the first naval exercise between the two countries in the South China Sea.

Marcos, also known as “Bongbong”, will make his first visit to India since becoming president in 2022 during August 4-8, people familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity. On August 3, India and the Philippines will begin their first “bilateral maritime cooperative activity” in waters close to the Scarborough Shoal, a focal point of the maritime dispute between Manila and Beijing.

Besides holding talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Marcos will deliver a speech on the theme of the Philippines and India as partners for a rules-based order at an event organised by a think tank on August 6.

The people said Marcos’ visit underscores the growing strategic convergence between India and the Philippines, especially in defence and maritime security cooperation. The visit also comes at a time of heightened tensions in the South China Sea, with New Delhi and Manila working to expand military collaboration and strengthen regional security.

The two-day joint naval exercise, for which India is fielding three warships, including a guided missile destroyer and an anti-submarine warfare vessel, will focus on enhancing inter-operability and maritime cooperation, the people said. The Indian warships will also make a port visit ahead of the exercise. The Philippines will deploy two warships for the drills that will be held in waters off several islands claimed by China.

In recent months, China has deployed naval and Coast Guard vessels to deter Philippines warships patrolling the country’s exclusive economic zone around Scarborough Shoal. China has also criticised joint patrols by the Philippines and its partners in the South China Sea, describing it as interference by outside powers.

India has openly expressed its support for the Philippines in the context of the maritime dispute in South China Sea. While India had earlier only acknowledged the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s ruling of 2016 in favour of the Philippines in its territorial dispute with China, it revised its position in 2023, when a joint statement emphasised the need to adhere to the arbitral award. In 2024, external affairs minister S Jaishankar reaffirmed “India’s support to the Philippines for upholding its national sovereignty”.

The Philippines has also emerged as a key buyer of Indian defence hardware. In 2023, it became the first country to take delivery of the BrahMos cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia, and Filipino officials said in April that Manila is set to receive a second consignment of the missiles.

India’s partnership with the Philippines and other members of Asean with the launch of the “Look East” policy in 1992. The Philippines now is a key pillar in India’s “Act East” policy and vision for the Indo-Pacific.

Modi and Marcos met briefly on the sidelines of the Asean-India Summit in Laos in October 2024. There has also been a regular political dialogue between the two countries. Economic and commercial engagement is an important aspect of bilateral relationship, and two-way trade was worth $3.5 billion in 2023-24.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/philippines-prez-india-visit-to-coincide-with-south-china-sea-joint-naval-drill-101753885633086.html

Between April 25 and July 25, BSF conducted 33 major operations in Meghalaya, arresting 116 Bangladeshi and 34 Indian nationals involved in illegal cross-border activities

In a crackdown on infiltration and smuggling along the Indo-Bangladesh border, the Border Security Force (BSF) Meghalaya Frontier has reported major operational gains during the second quarter of 2025, apprehending 150 individuals and seizing goods and livestock worth more than ₹7.5 crore.

The haul includes a staggering 622 cattle, contraband such as Yaba tablets, cannabis, liquor, garments, and a consignment of mobile display units worth over <span class=’webrupee’>₹</span>31 lakh. (Representational image)
The haul includes a staggering 622 cattle, contraband such as Yaba tablets, cannabis, liquor, garments, and a consignment of mobile display units worth over ₹31 lakh. (Representational image)
Between April 25 and July 25, BSF Meghalaya conducted 33 major operations, arresting 116 Bangladeshi and 34 Indian nationals involved in illegal cross-border activities. Among them were four touts — two Indian and two Bangladeshi — who were allegedly facilitating infiltration and smuggling routes.

The haul includes a staggering 622 cattle, contraband such as Yaba tablets, cannabis, liquor, garments, and a consignment of mobile display units worth over ₹31 lakh, which officials say indicates a new trend in cross-border smuggling.

“These successful interceptions are the result of sustained intelligence-based operations and seamless coordination with Meghalaya Police,” said the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of BSF in Meghalaya, adding, “Our troops remain vigilant and committed to neutralising the evolving tactics of trans-border syndicates.”

The BSF also underscored its humanitarian role alongside its security duties. Troops responded swiftly to several distress situations during this period, including the emergency evacuation of a woman, Berlin Tariang, from Umkiang to Silchar for advanced medical care, and the rescue of seven injured civilians after a truck accident near BOP Phanda.

“We take pride in being not just guardians of the border but also first responders for the people living in these remote and vulnerable areas,” the PRO said, while pledging, “BSF Meghalaya remains people-centric in approach while being firm on national security.”

Meanwhile, interrogations of the arrested touts and infiltrators have revealed vital intelligence, which BSF says has been shared with other enforcement agencies to aid in cracking down on organised cross-border crime networks.

As part of its broader strategy, the Force has also ramped up field-level coordination with Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) to strengthen bilateral trust and address shared security concerns, including identifying vulnerable routes and criminal hotspots.

“Our zero-tolerance approach to infiltration and smuggling is unwavering,” the PRO reiterated, asserting, “BSF Meghalaya will continue to adapt, respond, and safeguard both the nation’s borders and its people.”

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bsf-arrested-116-bangladeshis-34-indians-in-3-months-in-meghalaya-101753889653065.html

A video of Swami Aniruddhacharya allegedly making derogatory remarks about women has gone viral, sparking widespread outrage. His statement, made during a religious event, was condemned by legal groups and religious leaders, prompting protests and a police complaint. In response, Aniruddhacharya released a clarification claiming the video was misleading and that his comments were directed at “some girls,” not all.

A video of spiritual speaker Swami Aniruddhacharya has gone viral, in which he allegedly made derogatory remarks about women, saying that ”women by the age of 25 usually have had multiple relationships.” The sexist remark by Aniruddhacharya, reportedly made during a religious event at Vrindavan’s Gauri Gopal Ashram, has sparked sharp criticism and widespread outrage on social media. However, following the backlash, Aniruddhacharya posted a clarification video in which he claimed that the original clip had been “falsely doctored and was misleading.” Clarifying his stand, he said, “some girls, not all girls.”
Aniruddhacharya, who has courted controversies in the past also over his bizarre remarks on women, allegedly said in the viral video that “Ab 25 saal ki ladki chaar jagah mu maar chuki hoti hai. Sab nahi par bahut. Aur wo 25 saal ki jab aati hai toh puri jawan hoke aati hai. Jab jawan hoke aayegi toh swabhavik hai ki uski jawani kahin fisal jaegi.”
(“Now the girl arrives at the age of 25. By that time, a 25-year-old girl has been involved with multiple men. Not all, but many. And when she comes at 25, she is fully grown and mature. So naturally, her youth is likely to slip.”)

As per Navbharat Times report, Aniruddhacharya’s alleged remarks have triggered widespread backlash, particularly from women advocates of the Mathura Bar Association. The advocates have lodged a formal complaint with the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), calling the statement unconstitutional, inflammatory, and indicative of inappropriate sexual conduct. They also held a protest at the district collectorate, demanding strict legal action against the spiritual leader.
Gunjan Sharma, the state president of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Trust, firmly denounced the remarks, while Pandit Dinesh Phalahari—chief petitioner in the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple case—also condemned the statement, asserting that such indecent comments are unbecoming of a spiritual figure.
Following the outrage, Swami Aniruddhacharya uploaded a “clarification” video via his official Instagram handle. In the video, he said, “Radhe Radhe. Aap logon ke dwara humein soochna mili ki kuch behnein naraaz hain is baat ko lekar, kyunki unhone aadhi adhoori video suni. Us video mein kaha gaya ki aaj kal 25 saal ki ladki… dekhiye baat yahaan ja rahi thi ki kuch ladkiyaan aisi hoti hain jo live-in mein rehkar chaar jagah mooh maar chuki hoti hain. Aur jab woh kisi ghar ki bahu banengi, toh kya woh rishte ko nibha payengi? Isliye, ladka ho ya ladki, dono ko pehle charitrawaan hona chahiye. Yeh baat kuch ladkiyon ke liye thi, sab ke liye nahi.”
(“Radhe Radhe. I have been informed by some of you that a few sisters are upset because they listened to an incomplete video. In that video, it was said that nowadays, a 25-year-old girl… Look, the point being made was that some girls are such that they have been in live-in relationships and are involved with multiple men. And when such a girl becomes the daughter-in-law of a household, will she be able to maintain that relationship? That’s why, whether it’s a boy or a girl, both should be of good character first. This statement was meant for some girls, not all.”)

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/girls-flirt-around-aniruddhacharyas-viral-clip-on-women-draws-fire-clarification-makes-it-worse-article-152374590 

The Sawalkot project, a run-of-the-river hydroelectric plant on the Chenab River in the Ramban and Udhampur districts of the Union Territory, was initially conceptualised in 1984 but had remained shelved for years due to objections raised by Pakistan under the Indus Water Treaty framework.

In a significant move following the effective suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, Centre has floated tenders for the construction of the long-pending 1856 MW Sawalkot Hydro Electric Project in Jammu and Kashmir, nearly four decades after it was first conceived.
The Sawalkot project, a run-of-the-river hydroelectric plant on the Chenab River in the Ramban and Udhampur districts of the Union Territory, was initially conceptualised in 1984 but had remained shelved for years due to objections raised by Pakistan under the Indus Water Treaty framework.
With the treaty now on the backburner amid heightened bilateral tensions, India is pressing ahead with major infrastructure developments in the region. The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) will oversee the project, with a sanctioned expenditure of Rs 209 crore, and a targeted completion timeline of 113 months.

Once operational, the Sawalkot Hydro Electric Project is expected to generate 7,994.73 million units of energy annually, thereby bolstering power supply in the energy-deficient northern grid as well as aiding industrial growth in the region.
The project is part of a broader plan by the government to construct seven key hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir with a total installed capacity of 5,388 MW. These include 1000 MW Pakal Dul HEP, 624 MW Kiru HEP, 540 MW Kawar HEP, 1856 MW Sawalakote HEP, 390 MW Kirthai-I, 930 MW Kirthai-II and 48 MW small hydro initiatives.
Construction work is already in advanced stages for Pakal Dul, Kawar, and Kiru projects.
Following the Pahalgam carnage that killed 26 innocent tourists in the Baisaran meadow in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, India had announced a raft of measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, the expulsion of Pakistani military attaches and the immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post.

A young man performing stunts inside the ‘Well of Death’ (Maut Ka Kuan) lost his balance and fell from his bike mid-performance.

A major accident occurred during the Sawan fair at the Panchmukhi Shiva Temple premises in Uttar Pradesh’s Maharajganj on Monday evening, causing panic among locals. A young man performing stunts inside the ‘Well of Death’ (Maut Ka Kuan) lost his balance and fell from his bike mid-performance.

Surprisingly, despite the fall, the motorcycle continued circling the well’s vertical walls at high speed without a driver for nearly an hour.

A video of the dramatic incident has surfaced online and is now going viral on social media. In the footage, the bike can be seen racing along the well’s walls while stunned spectators watch. The video also shows two cars and a bike and some people inside the well.

Reportedly, the young stuntman’s condition is serious after the accident.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/viral/up-youth-falls-from-15ft-while-performing-maut-ka-kuan-stunt-bike-continues-to-run-video

Sister Preethi Mary and Sister Vandana Francis of the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate, affiliated to the Syro‑Malabar Church, were arrested in July 24 at Durg railway station by railway police.

Christian community groups have drawn the attention of international organisations, including the United Nations and the International Court of Justice, to the arrest of two Roman Catholic nuns in Chhattisgarh under charges of human trafficking and forceful religious conversion of three tribal women.

Nuns Arrested on Trafficking and Conversion Charges

Sister Preethi Mary and Sister Vandana Francis of the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate, affiliated to the Syro‑Malabar Church, were arrested in July 24 at Durg railway station by railway police. They were charged under Section 143 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for human trafficking and Section 4 of the Chhattisgarh Religious Freedom Act, 1968, for religious conversion. They were accompanying three adult tribal women, aged between 18 and 19 from Narayanpur, who were travelling to Agra for nursing jobs. The church said the women had signed parental consent letters and identification, which were in the possession of the nuns.

Church Claims Legal Documents Were in Order

This is the first recorded instance of Harappan remains being found in the Thar desert region, suggesting a significant expansion of the civilisation’s geographical footprint.

In a landmark archaeological breakthrough, remains of a 4,500-year-old Harappan (Indus Valley) civilisation have been discovered near the Pakistan border in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district.

The site, located at Ratadia Ri Deri, lies approximately 60 kilometers from Ramgarh tehsil and 17 kilometers northwest of the border village Sadewala.

The discovery was made through a collaborative effort involving Dilip Kumar Saini, a researcher in the Department of History and Indian Culture at Rajasthan University, historian Parth Jagani from Jaisalmer, Professor Jeevan Singh Kharkwal of Rajasthan Vidyapeeth, Udaipur, Dr Tamegh Panwar, and Dr Ravindra Devda from Rajasthan University, with support from local contributors Chatar Singh ‘Jam’ and Pradeep Kumar Garg of Ramgarh.

This is the first recorded case of Harappan remains being found in the Thar desert region, suggesting a significant expansion of the civilisation’s geographical footprint. The team has confirmed the authenticity of the site and submitted their research for publication in the Indian Journal of Science.

Artifacts found at the site point to a developed, urban Harappan settlement. Key discoveries include:

• Red and wheat-colored pottery, including bowls, pitchers, cups, and perforated jars
• Handmade pottery decorated with geometric patterns
• Blades (8–10 cm) made from chert stone, likely sourced from Rohri in present-day Pakistan
• Bangles made from clay and conch shells
• Terracotta cakes in triangular, circular, and idli-like shapes
• Stone mills, likely used for grinding and rubbing materials
• Wedge-shaped bricks, indicative of circular structures or furnaces
• Standard rectangular bricks, associated with Harappan urban planning
• A furnace structure with a central column, comparable to those found at Kanmer (Gujarat) and Mohenjodaro (Pakistan)
• Remains of ancient walls, suggesting organized construction and layout

The dog caught her hand in its jaws, dragging her to the ground. Despite her desperate attempts to free herself and the owner’s repeated efforts to pull the dog back, the animal refused to let go.

In a shocking incident caught on CCTV, a woman out for a routine morning walk in a residential society on Golf Course Road, Gurugram, was viciously attacked by a pet dog. The attack occurred around 7 am on Sunday, leaving the woman seriously injured and in a state of shock.

The woman, dressed in a red T-shirt, was walking along the society’s footpath when a Husky breed dog—being held on a leash by its owner—suddenly lunged at her. The dog caught her hand in its jaws, dragging her to the ground. Despite her desperate attempts to free herself and the owner’s repeated efforts to pull the dog back, the animal refused to let go.

According to CCTV footage, other morning walkers were present in the area, but only a few rushed to help. One or two bystanders tried to kick the dog, which eventually loosened its grip, allowing the woman to be rescued.

The woman was immediately taken to a hospital, where she received primary treatment. She is reported to have suffered serious injuries to her hand and is currently recovering at home. Though the traumatic event has sparked outrage among residents, no police complaint has been filed by the victim so far.

Despite being on a leash, the pet was able to break free and attack, raising questions about the safety protocols followed by pet owners in high-density residential areas.

This is not the first time Gurugram has witnessed such incidents. In recent years, several cases of pet dog attacks have emerged across the city, leading to growing concerns over responsible pet ownership and the enforcement of municipal guidelines related to pet behavior in public spaces.

Authorities have yet to respond to the incident formally, but residents are urging stricter regulations for aggressive dog breeds and mandatory training for owners to prevent such attacks in the future.

Recently, in a dangerous turn of events, a pit bull bit an 11-year-old boy in an auto in Mumbai, after its owner tried to scare him with his dog.

On July 17, the boy was playing in an auto-rickshaw with his friends in Mankhurd when they got excited upon spotting the dog and started shouting, “Pit bull!”

The dog’s owner, identified as Sohail Khan, entered the auto with the pit bull, prompting all the children to flee in fear. However, the victim was unable to escape in time.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/gurugram-woman-attacked-by-pet-husky-while-on-morning-walk-inside-society-badly-injured-2763827-2025-07-30