Category: India

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is expected to visit Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania later this year to inaugurate Indian embassies in these strategically significant Baltic States. Emphasizing cyber security collaboration, officials note Estonia and Lithuania’s expertise in the field.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is likely to visit the three Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania later this year. All three countries, increasingly important for both strategic and economic reasons, now have full-fledged Indian embassies and EAM is expected to “inaugurate” them.
Cyber security is an area of cooperation. As Lieutenant General V.G. Khandare (Retd.), who was advisor to defence minister Rajnath Singh till very recently, said: “Estonia and also, Lithuania are among the best in the world in cyber security. We have already worked with Estonia and we are keen to do more.” The three countries, once part of the Soviet Union, call themselves “frontline NATO states” and have dramatically increased defence spending to about 5 percent of GDP since the Russia-Ukraine war began three years ago. Importantly, NATO’s cyber headquarters is not in the three P5 countries of the United States, France and Britain or even Germany or Italy, but in Tallinn, Estonia.
With increased defence spending has come the possibility of the Baltic states looking at NATO compatible Indian-made weaponry. Trade ties are getting stronger: together, the three Baltic states have trade links of over $1 billion.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/from-tallinns-cyber-hub-to-defence-deals-india-eyes-baltic-strategic-boost-article-152315686

Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said the Centre was open to holding discussions on any topic of national importance, including Operation Sindoor.

The Centre on Sunday signalled its willingness to discuss Operation Sindoor in Parliament and indicated that it might also respond to US President Donald Trump’s claim of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan as the Opposition sharpened its demands during an all-party meeting ahead of the monsoon session.

Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said the Centre was open to holding discussions on any topic of national importance, including Operation Sindoor—India’s direct military response to the Pahalgam terror attack—during the session, which begins on Monday.

“We are open to discuss important issues such as Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam terror attack. These issues are of great importance to the nation. The government will never shy away from a discussion,” he said after the meeting.

During the meeting, which was attended by 54 leadersfrom across parties, the Congress, Samajwadi Party, Left parties, NCP(SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) sought a debate on Operation Sindoor, people aware of the matter said. According to two leaders, Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, a member of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), also favoured a discussion on the issue.

The Congress demanded a reply from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Operation Sindoor and Trump’s claims. “We have hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the country from the House. There are important issues like the Pahalgam attack and the security lapse [which led to it]… The statements coming from the US President in some way, raise questions on the dignity of India, the bravery of the Indian Army,” Congress’s deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said. He added that the Opposition will also seek answers from the government on the ongoing voter roll drive in Bihar.

People aware of the matter said that it was not immediately clear if the PM will reply on the issues and added that defence minister Rajnath Singh might present a detailed statement on Operation Sindoor.

The aircraft, an Airbus A321neo, departed from Tirupati Airport around 7:42 pm and returned to its origin around 8:34 pm.

A Hyderabad-bound IndiGo flight on Sunday allegedly suffered a technical glitch and circled in the air for about 40 minutes before returning to Tirupati safely.

The aircraft, an Airbus A321neo, departed from Tirupati Airport around 7:42 pm and returned to its origin around 8:34 pm, according to the air traffic tracking website Flightradar24.

A flight path on Flightradar24 showed that the plane, 6E 6591, reached the Venkatagiri town in Tirupati before taking a U-turn. It then circled in the air for about 40 minutes and returned to Tirupati Airport.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/tirupati-hyderabad-indigo-flight-circles-in-air-for-40-minutes-after-glitch-8913932

India-U.K. Free Trade Agreement expected to be unveiled during PM Modi’s U.K. visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a two-nation tour of the United Kingdom and the Maldives from July 23 to July 26, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Sunday (July 20, 2025). During the visit to the U.K., Prime Minister Modi is expected to unveil the bilateral trade pact that the two sides announced on May 6.

“During the visit, Prime Minister Modi will hold wide ranging discussions with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the entire gamut of India-U.K. bilateral relations. They will also exchange views on issues of regional and global importance,” said the Ministry of External Affairs in the official announcement. During the visit PM Modi is scheduled to meet King Charles III.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pm-modi-to-visit-united-kingdom-maldives-from-july-23-26-mea/article69834228.ece

The dog’s owner entered the auto with the pit bull, prompting all the children to flee in fear. However, the victim was unable to escape in time. What followed was extremely disturbing. Sohail first scared the boy, Hamza, with the dog and then unleashed it on him.

A man scaring an 11-year-old boy with a pit bull inside an auto in Mumbai took a dangerous turn when the dog attacked and bit the child.

The entire incident was captured on video, where others present were seen laughing and enjoying the scene instead of helping the child.

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.

What followed was extremely disturbing. Sohail first scared the boy, Hamza, with the dog and then unleashed it on him. In an attempt to save himself, Hamza jumped out of the auto and ran, but the pit bull chased and bit him in multiple places.

The boy alleged that no one came up to help him as others were busy filming the incident. He said that he was “very scared” as the dog bit and chased him while grabbing his clothes.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pit-bull-bites-child-in-mankhurd-mumbai-man-unleashes-dog-on-boy-inside-auto-laughs-as-dog-attacks-2758648-2025-07-20

Nearly 1,000 Tolkien-esque megalithic chambers dot southern India’s “Hill of the Dwarfs”, and locals believe they were created by a supernatural race of “small people”.

At first glance, Hire Benkal might be mistaken for any other village nestled in Karnataka’s lush interior. Surrounded by rocky hillocks, mango groves, small brick kilns and fields fed by a nearby canal, it exudes a languid, laid-back charm characteristic of rural South India.

However, a 90-minute hike up one of the ridges flanking the village brought me to Moryar Gudda, or the “Hill of the Dwarfs”, as its name means in the local Kannada language. Here, scattered across a granite-strewn plateau were nearly 1,000 prehistoric megalithic structures that have stood for more than 2,500 years. It’s a startling sight: nearly as far as the eye can see, rows of giant stone chambers resembling houses and stone circles stretch across the landscape, forming one of the oldest and largest necropolises in India.

The trek felt like stepping into a Tolkien tale. Massive boulders teetered precariously on top of one another, creating natural sculptures that seemed on the verge of tipping over at any moment but have somehow stood firm for millennia. Some formations housed rock shelters with red ochre paintings dating from 700-500 BCE, many still vivid with scenes of creatures resembling cattle and boar whose meanings have long been lost to time.

Historians believe the formations were created as an ancient burial or commemorative site. However, its exact purpose remains a mystery.

Stonehenge may be the world’s most famous megalithic monument, but tens of thousands of other such sites are scattered across the planet. While Europe counts more than 35,000 of these prehistoric constructions, only 3,000 or so have been documented in India. But by coming face to face with Hire Benkal’s ancient, enigmatic structures and the painted scenes of battle axe-wielding horseback riders, spear-clutching hunters, and deified deer, peacocks and other animals, adventurous travellers can get a sense of how early Indian societies lived, worshipped and were laid to rest.

The Hire Benkal archaeological site spans roughly 20 hectares, with an east-west orientation that suggests ceremonial or astronomical significance. Dominating the landscape are giant rectangular megalithic tombs with large capstones and side walls, known as dolmen. Many of the larger dolmen are clustered around a wide, shallow water basin at the top of the hill. Experts believe this basin likely began as a natural rock pool and may have been expanded over time as ancient Indians quarried to construct additional megaliths.

That morning, white and pink water lilies floated in bloom across the small pond, evoking the delicate beauty of a Monet painting.

“It must have been a very important site for several centuries because it cannot have all been done in one time,” said Srikumar Menon, an architect and associate professor at the National Institute of Advanced Sciences who has studied Hire Benkal and many other megaliths around the country.

According to local lore, the site’s dolmen weren’t built by humans, but by an extinct species of dwarfs known as the “moriyars”. These supernatural beings were said to possess immense strength and engineering prowess. As Chandrashekar Anegundi, a local naturalist who led our trek, explained: perfectly cut circular portholes on some of the dolmen have led nearby villagers to believe these legends, as the shapes are so precise that they’re thought to be too sophisticated for early sculptors.

“The villagers here believe moriyars were very short people and they were wiped out in a rain of fire,” said Anegundi, who remains sceptical. “If they were so small, how could they have lifted these big stones?”

During his research, Menon encountered similar legends referring to an ancient race of “small people” who allegedly constructed megalithic sites across southern India, such as at Moribetta and Morikallu nearby in Karnataka, Sanna Moriyara Thatte in Telanganaand Moral Parai in Tamil Nadu. He speculates that such folklore could be a far-reaching cultural memory of ancient Indians recalling an extinct human-like species, akin to Homo floresiensis, the so-called “hobbit” species discovered in Indonesia who likely lived alongside Homo sapiens 60,000 to 100,000 years ago.

“We know the megalith builders were humans like us,” Menon said. “But stories of these little people persist across the region.”

Despite its archaeological importance and historical intrigue, Hire Benkal remains largely unknown beyond southern India and overshadowed by the nearby Unesco World Heritage-listed temples and monuments of Hampi. The erstwhile medieval capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, located just 42km south of the megalithic site and renowned for its stunning ruins and grand temples, attracts thousands of tourists and devotees annually.

Meanwhile, local guides report that only about 20 to 30 intrepid travellers venture to Hire Benkal some months, with a peak of roughly 100 arriving during the cooler tourist season from October to February. By comparison, Stonehenge’s 83 standing stones lure more than one million visitors annually.

“This place has never been promoted, not even among people in nearby cities like Bengaluru,” says Disha Ahluwalia, an archaeologist and research scholar at MSU Baroda. “And yet, it deserves so much more attention… A lot of effort has been made by ancient humans to build them; we need to make double the effort to preserve them. And first we need to document them.”

As for the legend of the moriyas, Ahluwalia said the discovery of the site by British colonial officers in 1835 and their dismissive attitude towards ancient and rural Indian communities’ technological prowess likely also fed into this myth.

“The officers were going to these sites without even knowing the culture. Even if the megaliths were discovered, they were not very well known. They were simply [seen as] stone slabs,” she said.

In recent years, some of Hire Benkal’s megalithic structures have fallen victim to vandalism, cattle herders and treasure hunters who dig beneath the dolmen in search of rumoured riches. The overgrowth of plants, the ravages of time and the lack of preservation have also taken a toll on the ancient burial grounds.

“It’s a fragile site… people often vandalise what they don’t understand,” said Meera Iyer, convener at the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage Bengaluru, which has been actively working to include Hire Benkal as a Unesco World Heritage site. A successful nomination could provide international recognition, government funding and improved conservation measures. Local communities could also benefit from more visibility and visitors.

“But tourism is a double-edged sword,” Iyer warned, noting that too much of it without appropriate protection could cause the site to fall into further decay. “What’s needed is interpretation, education and better regulation.”​

While Hire Benkal’s future remains unclear, one thing is certain: it’s a hauntingly beautiful site. As rain clouds gathered over the Deccan plateau, the land seemed to have burst with life. On the walk up, shy songbirds flitted through the bushes. Peacocks were in full regalia, their iridescent tails fanned wide as monsoon heralded mating season. Rock agamas basked lazily on sun-warmed granite, while herds of goats meandered through the underbrush. Anegundi pointed out golden amaltas trees blooming between craggy outcrops.

A day after US President Donald Trump claimed that “five jets were shot down” during India’s Operation Sindoor, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi slammed PM Narendra Modi, saying the country had a right to know the truth.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Saturday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi after US President Donald Trump claimed that “five jets were shot down” during the India-Pakistan conflict in May. Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, said the country had a right to know the truth.

“Modi ji, what is the truth about the five jets? The country has the right to know!” Gandhi wrote on X, while posting a video of Trump who is heard making the claim.

Speaking at the White House during a dinner he hosted for Republican senators on Friday, Trump said, “You had India, Pakistan, that was going in fact, planes were being shot out of the air… four or five. But I think five jets were shot down. Actually, that was getting worse and worse, wasn’t it?”

However, Trump did not specify whether the jets were lost by either of the two countries or if he was referring to combined losses. The US President also reiterated his remarks that there would be no trade deal with India and Pakistan if the conflict continued.

“That was looking like it was going to go. These are two serious nuclear countries, and they were hitting each other. But India and Pakistan were going at it, and they were back and forth, and it was getting bigger and bigger. And we got it solved through trade,” he said.

Congress general secretary-in-charge (communications) Jairam Ramesh slammed PM Modi, saying that “the Trump missile gets fired” for the 24th time with the same two messages, two days before the Monsoon Session of Parliament begins.

“The Prime Minister, who has had years of friendship and huglomacy with President Trump going back to ‘Howdy Modi’ in September 2019 and ‘Namaste Trump’ in February 2020, has to now himself make a clear and categorical statement in Parliament on what President Trump has been claiming over the past 70 days,” Ramesh said.

The Congress has been demanding that PM Modi answer Trump’s India-Pakistan “ceasefire” claims in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon Session set to begin from July 21.

Since May 10, when Trump announced that India and Pakistan had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire after a long night of talks mediated by Washington, he has repeated his claim on several occasions that he helped settle the tensions between the two countries.

However, India has been consistently maintaining that the understanding on cessation of hostilities was reached following direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two militaries on a request from Pakistan.

Pakistan has claimed it downed three Rafales during the four-day military conflict with India. However, it did not provide any evidence to substantiate its claims.

While India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, admitted that an unspecified number of its fighter jets were downed during the hostilities with Pakistan, he dismissed Pakistan’s claims of shooting down Rafales, saying they were “absolutely incorrect”. He also said that the losses were not important, but what mattered was the outcome of the operation.

Even Eric Trappier, the CEO of Dassault Aviation, the French company that makes Rafale jets, called Pakistan’s claims “inaccurate”.

In a nearly 35-minute phone call with Trump last month, PM Modi firmly said that India does not and will “never accept” mediation and that the discussions between Indian and Pakistani militaries on cessation of military actions were initiated at Islamabad’s request.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/rahul-gandhi-pm-modi-donald-trump-india-pak-conflict-ceasefire-claim-op-sindoor-2758313-2025-07-19

A woman in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district married two men – who are brothers from the Hatti tribe – in a ceremony that lasted three days and drawn widespread attention.

One bride and two brothers. Yes, you read that right! A village in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district kept alive the age-old tradition of polyandry, wherein a woman married two men who are brothers, despite the practice not being legally recognised in India.

Polyandry is a practice whereby a woman is married to two or more husbands. The term comes from the Greek roots ‘poly’, meaning many, and ‘aner’, meaning man.

Pradeep Negi and Kapil Negi, two brothers from the Hatti tribe from Shillai village, married Sunita Chauhan from Kunhat village, in a ceremony held in the Trans-Giri area, which lasted from July 12 to 14, and witnessed by hundreds of people.

Pradeep works in a government department while his younger brother Kapil has a job abroad.

The throuple said they took the decision without any pressure and got consent from their families. A video of the marriage has surfaced on social media. The polyandry marriage has sparked a widespread discussion on social media.

WHY POLYANDRY IS CHERISHED IN HIMACHAL VILLAGES AND NOT ACROSS INDIA?

Despite polyandry being illegal in India, the practice remains prevalent in several villages of Sirmaur district. The tradition is also alive in Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti districts in Himachal Pradesh, and some parts of neighbouring Uttarakhand, though in some villages there, the practice is slowly getting obsolete.

Families from the Hatti tribe argue that the marriage remains intact, even if worse was to befall on one of the two men. Known locally as ‘Jodidaran’ or ‘Draupadi Pratha’, after Draupadi of the Mahabharata who had the five Pandavas as her husbands, polyandry ensures that family properties remain intact across generations.

For the Hattis, polyandry not only remains a cherished part of their cultural heritage, but is also a means to sustain their lives in a world full of uncertainties.

The Hattis, having recently been granted Scheduled Tribe status, view polyandry as a crucial marker of cultural identity. However, the shift towards modern values and urban lifestyles poses a challenge to the continuation of the anachronistic tradition.

In an interview with IndiaToday.in last year, Kundan Singh Shastri, general secretary of Hatti Central Coimmittee, believes ‘Jodidaran’ will die a slow death as more villagers become educated and shift to cities for jobs.

The Hattis are governed by the Hindu Marriage Act and for official purposes. However, there are provisions in Indian laws to protect the customs and traditions of other tribal communities.

Reacting to the recent polyandry in Sirmaur district, Ransingh Chauhan, a lawyer, said the practice has been prevalent in the region for decades and stressed it was legally recognised by the Himachal Pradesh High Court under the ‘Jodidar Law’.

“Hundreds of marriages happen through polyandry and other age-old traditions. Media highlighted the marriage in Shillai prominently and they should not be astonished as this is a regular phenomenon. The practice is being done to ensure that families stay united and lands are not divided among themselves,” Chauhan, a legal advisor for the Central Hatti Committee, told India Today’s TV sister channel, Aaj Tak.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/woman-marries-brothers-men-polyandry-himachal-sirmaur-village-about-age-old-practice-2758343-2025-07-19

A CCTV footage has surfaced showing a group of Kanwariyas thrashing, kicking and punching a CRPF jawan following an argument over the purchase of train tickets at UP’s Mirzapur railway station.

Seven Kanwariyas (Lord Shiva devotees) have been arrested on charges of beating up a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan over an argument over buying train tickets at Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur railway station, police said. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media.

The incident, captured on CCTV, shows a group of Kanwariyas wearing saffron clothes thrashing a CRPF jawan who was going to catch the Brahmaputra Mail at Mirzapur station. They are seen pinning down the jawan, landing punches and kicks at him as other people look on.

In the video, one of the passengers is seen pulling a Kanwariya from the melee as the others continue to beat the CRPF jawan.

The Railway Protection Force reached the spot on getting information about the incident and filed a case against the Kanwariyas. Following an investigation, seven Kanwariyas were arrested, RPF in-charge inspector Chaman Singh Tomar said.

“Seven Kanwariyas have been arrested in the case of beating up a CRPF jawan,” the official said.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kanwariyas-assault-crpf-jawan-up-railway-station-mirzapur-arrested-cctv-footage-2758284-2025-07-19

The accused intended to make the man’s death appear accidental by electrocuting him after sedating him.

A 36-year-old man’s death in Delhi’s Uttam Nagar, initially attributed to accidental electrocution, has turned into a murder case following the discovery of a chat between his wife and cousin. Police have arrested the victim’s spouse and her lover — the victim’s cousin — for their role in the killing.

The victim, Karan Dev, was declared dead at a hospital in West Delhi’s Janakpuri area on the morning of July 13. At the time, his wife Sushmita claimed he had suffered an accidental electric shock at home. The family declined a post-mortem, believing the death to be natural. Police insisted on an autopsy given the victim’s relatively young age and the circumstances of his death. The body was sent to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital in Harinagar for post-mortem examination.

Days later, a conversation retrieved from Instagram turned the course of the investigation. The victim’s younger brother, Kunal Dev, recovered an incriminating chat between Sushmita and Rahul — Karan’s paternal cousin — revealing the murder plot. Kunal preserved the conversation on video and submitted it to the police on July 16.

The messages reveal that the accused had mixed 15 sleeping pills in Karan’s food on the night of July 12. When the sedatives failed to take immediate effect, Sushmita grew anxious.

She wrote to Rahul: “Check once how long it does it takes to die after taking the medicine. It’s been three hours since he ate food. No vomiting, no potty, nothing. And no death yet either. Then what should we do, suggest something.”

Rahul replied: “If you can’t figure anything out, give him a shock.”

The conversation continued, with Sushmita asking: “How to tie him up for the shock?”

Rahul: “With tape.”

Sushmita: “He’s breathing very slowly.”

Rahul: “Give him all the medicine you have.”

Sushmita: “I can’t get his mouth open. I can pour water in, but I can’t give the medicine. You come here, maybe together we can manage to feed it to him.”

According to the police, the accused intended to make Karan’s death appear accidental by electrocuting him after sedating him. When the sleeping pills did not immediately result in unconsciousness, they decided to administer an electric shock — allegedly by applying current to his finger — while he was still sedated. They hoped to attribute his death to an electrical accident in the household.

Once the murder had been carried out, Sushmita reportedly went to her in-laws’ residence nearby and informed them that Karan had suffered an electric shock. The family rushed to the flat and transported him to the hospital, where he was declared dead.

At the time, the victim’s father and cousin (the accused Rahul) strongly objected to a post-mortem. Despite resistance, police proceeded with the autopsy due to procedural norms and suspicions around the unnatural death of a young man.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/karan-dev-sushmita-cant-get-mouth-open-delhi-woman-to-lover-midway-through-husbands-murder-8906120?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

A second-year BDS student at Sharda University died by suicide, with police recovering a note from the scene alleging harassment by a teacher.

A second-year BDS student at Sharda University in Greater Noida died by suicide on Monday, allegedly due to harassment by faculty members.

The incident took place in the hostel room of the university, which comes under the jurisdiction of the Knowledge Park Police Station.

Police recovered a suicide note from the scene, in which the victim accused her teachers of harassment and humiliation.

In her suicide note, the student held the teachers of PCP and Dental Materials responsible for her death, alleging that they mentally harassed and humiliated her, causing stress.

She called for them to be held accountable and face consequences in case of her death.

Following the incident, tensions escalated on campus as students staged protests, demanding accountability from the college authorities.

A heated exchange also broke out between police personnel and protesting students.

Based on a complaint filed by the student’s family, police have detained two individuals. The matter is currently under investigation, said officials.

“Two staff members from the management of the university have been arrested on the basis of the complaint lodged by the family members of the student,” Additional DCP, Greater Noida, Sudhir Kumar, said.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/they-humiliated-me-after-balasore-sharda-university-student-ends-life-alleges-harassment-9449981.html

The government plans to acquire Bitra Island in Lakshadweep for defense, citing its strategic location. An SIA has been initiated, causing concern among residents.

The central government is considering to acquire Bitra Island, one of the 10 inhabited isles in the Lakshadweep archipelago, for defence purposes.

Lakshadweep Revenue Department has also issued a notification for a social impact assessment (SIA) for the Bitra island.

The notice, issued last week, stated that the purpose of the assessment is to transfer the entire island to defence and strategic agencies owing to its “strategic location” and “national security relevance”, news agency PTI reported.

“The initiative is necessitated by the strategic location of the island, its national security relevance, and the inherent logistical and administrative challenges associated with civilian habitation,” the notification issued by the department on July 11 stated.

It added that the territorial administration would take over the island and an SIA is required under the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.

SIR To Be Completed In 2 Months

District Collector Shivam Chandra, in the order, said all stakeholders, including grama sabhas, would be consulted as part of the Social Impact Assessment initiatives.

As per the notification, the Social Impact Assessment will be conducted by the SIA and Consent Society, Union Territory of Lakshadweep, and is expected to be completed within two months of the notification.

The Department of Revenue has been named the project developer, and the survey will cover the full extent of land proposed for acquisition.

MP Opposes Move

Lakshadweep MP Hamdullah Syeed strongly criticised the administration’s move and called it an attempt to disrupt peace in the region.

The group was allegedly involved in radicalisation, illegal religious conversions, and promoting what they described as “Love Jihad”.

In a coordinated crackdown named ‘Mission Asmita’, the Uttar Pradesh Police arrested 10 accused from six different states for allegedly working on a module inspired by ISIS, police said.
The arrests were made after 11 simultaneous raids were carried out across Goa, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. According to police, the group was involved in radicalisation, illegal religious conversions, and promoting what they described as “Love Jihad”.
The accused were identified as Ayesha alias SB Krishna from Goa; Ali Hasan alias Shekhar Roy and Osama from Kolkata; Rehman Qureshi from Agra; Abu Talib from Khalapar, Muzaffarnagar; Abur Rehman from Dehradun; Mohammad Ali from Rajasthan; Junaid Qureshi and Mohammad Ali from Jaipur; and Mustafa alias Manoj from Delhi.

Agra Commissioner Deepak Kumar said the investigation began after two sisters went missing from Agra in March. The probe led authorities to a network allegedly radicalising individuals and promoting religious conversions.
“This modus operandi is the signature style of ISIS,” DGP Rajeev Krishna said. “We believe this group has links to PFI, SDPI, and militant elements in Pakistan,” he added.

The group reportedly received foreign funding from sources in Canada, London, and Dubai. The police said different members had specific roles, including receiving and channeling funds, creating safe houses, and arranging transportation.
One of the radicalised victims was found to have a profile picture featuring an AK-47.
The Uttar Pradesh ATS also arrested two more accused identified as Sabroj alias Imran alias Buddhu, and Shahbuddin in connection with illegal religious conversions.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/mission-asmita-up-police-arrests-10-across-6-states-in-isis-inspired-radicalisation-probe-article-152309082

The incident took place between 5am and 5:30am on platform number 5-6, said Thane railway police station senior inspector Archana Dusane.

Thane: A 39-year-old woman was killed after she was pushed in front of a moving goods train by a man amid a quarrel at Diva station in Thane district on Friday, a police official said.

The incident took place between 5am and 5:30am on platform number 5-6, said Thane railway police station senior inspector Archana Dusane.

“Rajan Shivnarayan Singh, a resident of Diva East, quarrelled with the woman and tried to molest her. He then caught her by the neck and pushed her in front of a moving goods train while she struggled to fend him off. She died on the spot. Singh tried to flee but was chased down by railway police constable Sagar Shinde,” the official said.

Singh was arrested for murder and other offences under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions and has been remanded in 5-day police custody, Dusane said.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/maharashtra/woman-dies-after-being-pushed-in-front-of-oncoming-train-at-diva-railway-station-man-arrested-3637682

Arjun prevailed over Abdusattorov 1.5-0.5 while Praggnanandhaa lost an intense battle 3-4 against Caruana.

Las Vegas: Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi defeated Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov to storm into the semifinals but R Praggnanandhaa bowed out of the title race after losing to USA’s Fabiano Caruana at the USD 750,000 Freestyle Grand Slam Tour here.

Arjun prevailed over Abdusattorov 1.5-0.5 while Praggnanandhaa lost an intense battle 3-4 against Caruana.

The American duo of Levon Aronian and Hans Moke Niemann were the other winners in the quarterfinal stage, defeating compatriot Hikaru Nakamura and Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan respectively.

While Aronian won by a 2.5-1.5 margin over four games, Niemann took longer in beating Sindarov 4-2.

In the semifinals, Arjun will take on Aronian while Niemann will meet Caruana.

In the lower bracket, world number one Magnus Carlslen regained his winning touch and ousted Vidit Gujrathi 2-0. American Wesley So won 1.5-0.5 against compatriot Samuel Sevian while Leinier Dominguez Perez had a smooth 1.5-0.5 victory over Bibisara Assaubayeva of Kazakhstan.

Vincent Keymer of Germany, the winner of the first leg, defeated Robson Ray, also from America, by 2.5-1.5 margin.

Arjun was a class act in both games and enjoyed the advantage from the word go. Playing white in the second game the Indian won a rook for a Bishop early, and very soon, it did not look like a Freestyle game, as Arjun simply overpowered Abdusattorov with his extra material.

Earlier in the first game too, Arjun enjoyed an advantage after the opening, but some unforced errors in the later part of the game allowed the Uzbek to get a half point.

Praggnanandhaa and Caruana were involved in as many as seven decisive games and the Indian was in lead on three occasions. Praggnanandhaa won the first, lost the second and the story continued till the sixth, until Caruana pulled away before winning the decisive seventh game.

It is not the end of the road for Praggnanandhaa though as he now moves to the lower bracket with seven other players for another set of knockout games.

Results quarterfinals: Arjun Erigaisi (Ind) beat Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzb) 1.5-0.5; R Praggnanandhaa (Ind) lost to Fabiano Caruana (Usa) 3-4; Levon Aronian (Usa) beat Hikarru Nakamura (Usa) 2.5-1.5; Hans Moke Niemann (Usa) beat Javokhir Sindarov (Uzb) 4-2.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/other-sports/erigaisi-storms-into-semifinals-praggnanandhaa-bows-out-of-title-race-3636628

During the ongoing operation, the forces have recovered a large number of firearms, including AK-47 and SLR rifles, explosive materials, and daily-use supplies typically associated with long-term Maoist camps.

At least six Maoists were killed in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district on Friday in an anti-Maoist operation.

They were killed in an ongoing operation between security forces and armed insurgents, which began deep inside the dense forest area of the Abujhmad region of Chhattisgarh.

During the ongoing operation, the forces have recovered a large number of firearms, including AK-47 and SLR rifles, explosive materials, and daily-use supplies typically associated with long-term Maoist camps.

Security sources have confirmed that the operation is still in progress. This encounter marks one of the most significant recent strikes against Maoist presence in the Abujhmad core zone, a known stronghold of left-wing extremism.

Based on credible intelligence inputs regarding the Maoist movement in the area, joint teams of security personnel launched a massive search operation in the region earlier on Friday.

The operation has since seen intermittent and intense encounters beginning in the afternoon.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/6-maoists-killed-heavy-weapons-recovered-in-encounter-in-chhattisgarh-8904641

“It is time Meta puts in place better and more responsible translation systems,” the Karnataka CM posted on X.

Raising concerns over automatic translation on Facebook, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that poor translations have been a cause of miscommunication and public backlash, urging that the issue be taken seriously.

“It is time Meta puts in place better and more responsible translation systems,” the Karnataka CM posted on X.

“Meta/Facebook has often previously faced similar issues globally for such auto-translation errors — including in Myanmar (2018), Palestine (2017), and most recently in Malaysia (2024) — where poor translations led to serious miscommunication and public backlash,” he added.

Siddaramaiah demanded that a responsible translation system be established for users on Facebook to avoid mistranslations of regional languages, including Kannada.

“Facebook has been in operation for nearly two decades and has a vast user base in India, including a large number of Kannada-speaking users. Despite this, it is unfortunate that a sound and reliable translation system has not been put in place. We hope this concern is taken seriously,” he added.

His remarks come after Facebook’s auto-translation feature mistranslated one of his posts on Facebook.

“On July 15, I paid my respects to the mortal remains of the late B. Saroja Devi – a moment of deep personal and public sorrow. A post about this was shared in Kannada from the official Chief Minister of Karnataka Facebook page. Unfortunately, some people saw a wrong English translation of that post by default on their Facebook feed. The post was written only in Kannada. No English version was posted, and no auto-translation was added or requested from our side,” Siddaramaiah informed.

He said that Facebook doesn’t provide avenues to content creators to manage the auto-translation feature for their posts.

“Facebook’s translation feature shows up on user feeds based on their settings, and content creators have no way to disable or control the auto-translation feature on viewers feed. In many cases, Facebook shows auto-translated versions of posts by default in user feeds. The original Kannada post remains unchanged and can be viewed by selecting ‘See original’ option,” Siddaramaiah said.

The Chief Minister added that his Media Advisor has also formally written to Meta regarding the situation.

“My Media Advisor has formally written to Meta urging immediate correction. Social media platforms must act responsibly. I caution citizens to be aware that translations shown are often inaccurate. Such negligence by tech giants can harm public understanding & trust,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, a formal complaint has been sent by KV Prabhakar, Media Advisor to the Chief Minister, via email to Meta’s India team. The letter noted that Kannada-to-English translations on Meta platforms are often “frequently inaccurate and, in some cases, grossly misleading.”

The email read, “We have noted with concern that the auto-translation from Kannada to English is frequently inaccurate and, in some cases, grossly misleading. This poses a significant risk, especially when public communications, official statements, or important messages from the Chief Minister and the Government are incorrectly translated.”

It continued, “It can lead to misinterpretation among users, many of whom may not realise that what they are reading is an automated and faulty translation rather than the original message.”

Subsequently, Prabhakar urged Meta to temporarily suspend the auto-translation feature for Kannada content, citing the sensitivity of public communication from constitutional functionaries, such as the Chief Minister.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/it-is-time-meta-establishes-responsible-translation-system-siddaramaiah-8904929

PM Modi also criticised the previous RJD government saying that they couldn’t provide employment to the people of Bihar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)-led government will return to power again and push to build a new ‘Bihar’. He added that the previous Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress alliance governments neglected the state.

Addressing a public rally in Motihari ahead of the upcoming assembly polls later this year, the PM said, “We will build a new Bihar, once again an NDA government”.

PM Modi also criticised the previous RJD government saying that they couldn’t provide employment to the people of Bihar.

“We neither get trapped in slogans nor remain confined to promises, we believe in concrete action which is reflected through our policies and programmes. When I talk about backward classes and extremely backward classes, we mean it and work for their uplift,” he said.

PM Modi also inaugurated multiple development projects worth ₹7,200 crore, which included four Amrit Bharat trains, infrastructure projects, handing over keys of houses and release of funds for housing schemes.

“Bihar ka sankalp atal, NDA ke saath har pal (Bihar’s resolve is firm, every moment with NDA). Banayenge naya Bihar, fir ek baar NDA sarkar ( We will make a new Bihar, once again NDA government),” said Modi who was accompanied by chief minister Nitish Kumar and deputy CM Samrat Choudhary.

Pushing for more employment opportunities in Bihar, Modi said his government is striving to provide more opportunities for the youth.

“Our resolve is Samriddh Bihar, Har yuva ko rozgar (A prosperous Bihar with employment to every youth). There will be more and more opportunities for youth. The Nitish Kumar-led state government has already provided government jobs in large numbers after a lot of work in the previous years. The Centre is helping the state. We have also come up with a new ₹1-lakh crore scheme to be implemented from August 1 under which on first time employment in the private sector, every youth will get ₹15,000. Mudra loans are also being provided for self-employment,” he added.

Modi also stressed on the fact that the funds allocation under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government until 2014 was less and since 2014, his government has provided more funds for the state to prosper.

Modi was referring to deputy CM Samrat Choudhary’s remark comparing the ₹1.92 lakh crore in the ten years under UPA while Bihar has received ₹14 lakh crore since 2014.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/patna-news/we-will-build-a-new-bihar-once-again-an-nda-government-pm-narendra-modi-101752832364894.html

TRF is the demon child of Pakistan ISI and LeT and is headed by Kashmiri Sajjad Gul, who lives in Rawalpindi.

A month after the massacre of 26 Hindus at Baisaran, Pahalgam, on April 22, India provided dossier on The Resistance Front (TRF) to the Trump administration in Washington and the 1267 Sanctions Committee in New York, which ultimately paved the way for the front of Pakistani Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT) group to be designated as a global terror group by the US State Department.

India was informed of the TRF designation as a global terror outfit four days before the formal notification on Thursday.

The global terror tag on the TRF by the Trump administration demonstrates continuing convergence on the counter terrorism agenda between India and the US. Also, this is a message to Pakistan that the Trump administration will give them no quarter on terrorism no matter the much-celebrated lunch between Field Marshal Hafiz Asim Munir and President Donald Trump.

While foreign secretary Vikram Misri handed over the TRF dossier to the US State Department during his visit to Washington on May 27-29, a similar dossier was also handed over to the UN 1267 Committee in New York for special designation of the group.

The TRF, led by Sheikh Sajjad Gul aka Sajjad Ahmed Sheikh, the Kashmiri face of LeT specifically chosen by the ISI, has been involved in a series of terror attacks, including targeted killings, in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 in central and south Kashmir. It has staged grenade attacks in Central Kashmir (2023), an ambush on JKP in Bijbehara area of Anantnag in 2023, Gagangir, Z-Morh tunnel attack and Ganderbal attack in 2024, apart from the Pahalgam massacre.

Sajjad Gul is currently based in Rawalpindi and is involved in radicalisation, recruitment, planning and execution of terror attacks in J&K.

His brother Parvez Ahmed Sheikh (an ex-doctor in SMHS Hospital, Srinagar) was a terrorist in the Kashmir Valley in the 1990s. Parvez went to Saudi Arabia with his family and then moved to Pakistan. He is involved in terror funding and hawala activities with Indian fugitives based in the Gulf Countries.

Sajjad Gul, 50, who was designated as a terrorist under UAPA in 2022, belongs to the HMT area of Srinagar. He completed his basic education in Srinagar and then pursued an MBA in Bengaluru. He then pursued a laboratory technician course in Kerala and returned to Srinagar to set up a diagnostic lab and at the same time started providing support to LeT.

He was arrested by the Special Cell of Delhi Police from Nizamuddin Railway Station, and five kilograms of RDX were recovered from him. He was involved in reconnaissance of targets and conspiring to engineer bomb blasts in Delhi. Gul and his two associates were sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment on August 7, 2003.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/foreign-secretary-misri-provided-trf-dossier-to-us-and-un-1267-committee-101752886064149.html

The Army will have a total of 70,000 AK-203 rifles in its arsenal by the end of this year. Currently, the rifles produced at the IRRPL Amethi facility are 50% indigenous

The joint production of AK-203 rifles at the Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) facility in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, is set to achieve 100% indigenisation by the end of 2025. Once fully indigenised, the rifle will be named “Sher”. The Indian Army has already received 48,000 units and is set to receive an additional 7,000 rifles by August 15. With further deliveries planned, the Army will have a total of 70,000 AK-203 rifles in its arsenal by the end of this year.

Currently, the rifles produced at the IRRPL Amethi facility are 50% indigenous. The transfer of technology was completed in 2024. “The contract signed between IRRPL and the Ministry of Defence mandates the production of 6,01,427 AK-203 assault rifles over 10 years. The first two years were dedicated to technology absorption. After 2025, we expect to produce 70,000 rifles annually,” said Maj Gen SK Sharma, CMD, IRRPL.

The AK-203 assault rifle, chambered for the 7.62x39mm cartridge, combines the legendary durability of the AK platform with advanced upgrades to dominate modern combat environments. It offers versatile firing modes, switching between automatic fire (700 rounds per minute) for sustained engagements and single-shot precision for controlled targeting. The rifle features a folding buttstock, an ergonomic foregrip, and a tactical three-point sling for enhanced mobility. Additionally, it is equipped with full-length Picatinny rails and under-barrel grenade launchers, transforming it into a mission-specific weapon system.

The AK-203 can engage targets up to 800 metres, with a battle sight range of 350 metres. It boasts a 30-round high-capacity magazine for sustained firepower and a lightweight design, weighing just 3.6 kg.

The rifles have performed flawlessly in service, with no reported issues. IRRPL officials attribute this reliability to rigorous design, quality control, and testing at the Amethi facility. Each rifle undergoes evaluation based on over 120 parameters and is tested with 63 rounds at the facility’s range.

Maj Gen Sharma stated, “We are committed to completing deliveries by 2032, but I am confident we will achieve this by 2030. Several other services and forces have approached us for these rifles, and we have received requests from multiple countries. We will evaluate these requests and plan to supply rifles to nations friendly to both Russia and India.”

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/when-sher-will-roar-fully-indigenised-ak-203-rifles-set-to-arm-indian-army-9449459.html

The arrested individuals are currently being questioned, and legal procedures are underway to bring them to Patna for further investigation, the sources told CNN-News18.

The Bihar Police arrested over five suspects linked to the murder of gangster Chandan Mishra at Patna’s Paras Hospital during raids conducted in West Bengal, according to sources.

Mishra, who had multiple criminal cases against him, was out on parole for medical treatment and admitted to the hospital when five armed men entered the high-security premises and shot him dead in broad daylight.

Sources told CNN-News18 that arrested individuals are currently being questioned, and legal procedures are underway to bring them to Patna for further investigation.

While an official confirmation from police is still awaited, sources said the number of arrests may rise as raids continue in various locations.

During preliminary interrogation, police reportedly identified several shooters believed to be linked to the case. Among them are Tausif alias Badshah, Balwant, Abhishek, Mannu Singh, Nilesh, Suryamaan, and Neeshu.

Once information surfaced about the suspects hiding in West Bengal, a special team was flown in under the direct supervision of senior Bihar Police officials. The investigation into the high-profile firing case remains ongoing.

Paras Hospital Shooting

Officials said six men arrived on two motorcycles at Paras Hospital to carry out the murder.

Five of them, armed, entered the premises while one waited outside, reportedly to assist in their escape.

CCTV footage captured the group assembling in a nearby lane before the attack. The man positioned outside wore a helmet and stayed near the motorcycles.

The shooters were initially stopped at the hospital’s emergency gate for not having entry passes, but later entered through the OPD section.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/patna-hospital-shooting-bihar-cops-identify-shooters-arrest-over-5-accused-from-bengal-9449827.html

Ananya Panday casually confessed her Labubu doll is a fake “Lafufu,” sparking laughs online. Here’s all you need to know about the same!

In this day and age when brand names and labels are quite literally everything, leave it to Ananya Panday to remind us that it’s okay to not take trends too seriously. In a recent video, the actress could be heard telling social media sensation Orry that the Labubu she’s been sporting on her Chanel bag is in fact – a Lafufu. And honestly? It’s the kind of nonchalant fashion confession we didn’t know we needed.

All about Labubus and Lafufus

Unless you have been living under a literal rock, you’re probably aware of the Labubu craze that has the internet in a chokehold right now. As for the unversed, Labubus are those adorable, wide-eyed gremlins that have been hanging from everyone’s bags. Originally designed by Hong Kong-based artist Kasing Lung and sold by Pop Mart, these vinyl dolls have gone from collectible toys to the latest “It” accessory. They’re cute, a little creepy, and somehow look amazing hanging from a Rs 3 lakh handbag.
Now let’s introduce you to – Lafufu
An ultra-fake version of the Labubu, Lafufus are counterfeit goods that you can buy in place of Labubus. They come at a fraction of the cost and unless you are looking closely, there is hardly any difference between the two dolls.

In the video quickly going viral, Ananya revealed that the Labubu everyone spotted clipped to her Chanel bag wasn’t, well…a Labubu. “It’s fake,” she said with a smile, adding, “But it’s on a Chanel, so no one’s going to know.”
As it happened, a friend of hers wanted to start a Labubu business and ended up ordering 100 Lafufus by mistake. Instead of swapping it out for the real deal, Ananya just rolled with it.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle/fashion/ananya-pandays-ultra-expensive-chanel-bag-is-sporting-a-fake-labubu-and-its-kinda-iconic-article-152306338 

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav’s plea against Delhi High Court’s refusal to stay trial court proceedings against him in the land-for-jobs scam case.

Yadav had moved the High Court seeking quashing of the First Information Report (FIR) registered against him by the Central Bureau of Investigation in 2022. He had urged the Court to stay the trial court proceedings during the pendency of the plea.

On May 29, the High Court issued notice to the CBI but found no compelling reasons to stay the proceedings before the trial court.

Yadav then moved the top court, arguing that trial cannot proceed without mandatory sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The Bench of Justice MM Sundresh and Justice N Kotiswar Singh after hearing brief arguments in Yadav’s plea said it would ask the High Court to decide the main petition that seeks quashing of the CBI case.

The Court then proceeded to direct the High Court decide the matter expeditiously.

Meanwhile, in a relief to Yadav, the Court said that his presence before the trial court may be dispensed with.

CBI has alleged that various residents of Bihar during 2004-2009 were given jobs after they or their family members transferred their land in the name of family members of Lalu Prasad Yadav, then Railway minister.

Before the top court, he has argued that “the very registration of the PE and FIR/RC requires a prior sanction/approval of the competent authority” and the CBI “failed to obtain the legal bar/sanction before registration.”

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/delhi-high-court-orders-blocking-of-ai-generated-porn-of-social-media-influencer

Currently touring England for broadcasting duties, Dinesh Karthik has brought a refreshing blend of cricket insights and offbeat humor, with this latest post drawing laughter and attention from fans across social media. The video has since gone viral, with many agreeing that the resemblance between Pujara and Noble is hard to ignore.

In a lighthearted moment amid the ongoing high-stakes Test series between India and England, former Indian cricketer and current commentator Dinesh Karthik unearthed a surprising doppelganger of veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara. The amusing revelation came through a video posted on Karthik’s official Instagram handle, offering a fun break from the on-field intensity of the five-match series.

In the video, Karthik introduced the moment with a cheeky teaser: “What I’m going to show you right now is one cricketer and another person who looks so similar, from a completely different part of the globe. That’s a proper doppelganger.” He then revealed side-by-side visuals of Cheteshwar Pujara and a man named Alex Noble, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the Indian cricketer.

The scene quickly turned delightful as Karthik introduced both men and asked them if they could see the resemblance. Both Pujara and Noble, clearly amused, shared a hearty laugh, making for an endearing exchange.

Currently touring England for broadcasting duties, Dinesh Karthik has brought a refreshing blend of cricket insights and offbeat humor, with this latest post drawing laughter and attention from fans across social media. The video has since gone viral, with many agreeing that the resemblance between Pujara and Noble is hard to ignore.

In a surprising yet energizing moment ahead of the fourth Test match against England, India’s vice captain Rishabh Pant was captured showcasing impressive football skills during a training session. The footage, shared by Star Sports, reveals Pant demonstrating smooth ball control, deft touches, and swift interplay while engaging in a casual football drill.

The offbeat training session took place at the Manchester practice venue, where the team incorporated light football exercises to enhance reflexes, coordination, and team bonding. Pant, known for his fearless approach with bat and gloves, stood out with his agility and ball-handling skills.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/thats-a-proper-doppelganger-dinesh-karthik-shares-hilarious-clip-of-cheteshwar-pujaras-lookalike-video

While the incident of the AI-171 crash is still afresh in people’s minds, the passengers of Thai Lion Air’s flight no. SL-212 were taken aback after the aircraft’s AC stopped functioning shortly after take-off.

A woman fell unconscious mid-air on a Thai Lion Air flight from Bangkok to Ahmedabad after the aircraft’s air conditioners stopped functioning due to a technical snag soon after take-off. The flight was diverted back to Bangkok where the passengers were shifted to another aircraft, resulting in a significant delay.

While the incident of the AI-171 crash is still afresh in people’s minds, the passengers of Thai Lion Air’s flight no. SL-212 were taken aback after the aircraft’s AC stopped functioning shortly after take-off. The flight operated by Thailand’s low-cost carrier had departed from Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) for Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD) at 10.03pm with around 140 passengers.

According to sources, the flight reported a technical snag soon after lift-off and caused the shutdown of the aircraft’s AC system. While multiple passengers felt dizzy, sources said that a female passenger felt unconscious a few moments after the ACs stopped working. Following the incident, the flight was diverted to its origin airport DMK where the aircraft was announced to be not fit to fly.

After the passengers created a scene at the airport, the airline arranged for an alternate aircraft to complete the journey to AMD. However, the passengers were not told about the technical issue faced by the aircraft.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/thai-lion-air-flight-returns-to-bangkok-after-ac-failure-mid-air-woman-passenger-unconscious-journey-to-ahmedabad-delayed

Amid restrictions on usage and immersion of Plaster of Paris (POP) idols, ahead of the Ganpati festival, the BMC has distributed a record 900 metric tonnes of shadu clay to 486 artisans in Mumbai. To encourage the artisans to use eco-friendly materials to make idols, the BMC distributes clay free of cost.

Amid restrictions on usage and immersion of Plaster of Paris (POP) idols, ahead of the Ganpati festival, the BMC has distributed a record 900 metric tonnes of shadu clay to 486 artisans in Mumbai.

To encourage the artisans to use eco-friendly materials to make idols, the BMC distributes clay free of cost. By the time the festival arrives, a total of 1000 metric tonnes of clay is expected to be distributed. Last year, only 613 metric tonnes of clay was distributed.

“The shadu clay is distributed on first-come-first basis at the ward level to artisans who apply online. This year, the applications are much higher than last year, which is a positive sign towards celebrating the festival in an environmentally friendly manner,” said a civic official.

Across 24 wards in Mumbai, a maximum of 96 metric tonnes of clay for Ganpati idols so far has been distributed in K-East ward (Andheri, Jogeshwari, Vile Parle East), followed by 91 metric tonnes in G-North ward (Dadar, Mahim), 77 metric tonnes in P-North ward (Malad), and 73 metric tonnes each in D (Grant Road, Malabar Hill) and N ward (Ghatkopar). (Pointers)

The Bombay High Court in January had put a complete ban on the usage of PoP idols following the Central Pollution Control Board guidelines; however, last month the court reversed its order and allowed the manufacture of PoP idols and banned immersion in natural water bodies. The immersion can be done only in artificial ponds set up by civic bodies.

Environment activist who had filed the petition to ban the manufacture and immersion of PoP idols said, “The court reversed it’s order of a blanket ban on PoP idols, thus many sarvajanik mandals will continue using PoP. However, it is positive that there is rise in clay idols. It’s a partial success as atleast these the PoP idols will not be immersed in sea, river and lakes thereby polluting the nature water bodies”

However, BMC’s plan to distribute natural colours to paint the Ganpati idols does not seem to be materialising as maximum artisans have already made the idols.

“The idea to distribute natural colours was to encourage artisans to make clay idols wholeheartedly. However, the tender has not been allotted yet,” said an official from BMC environment department. (can be used as Box)

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-news-bmc-distributes-record-900-metric-tonnes-of-shadu-clay-to-artisans-to-promote-eco-friendly-ganpati-celebrations

Defence minister Rajnath Singh lauded the Indian Army, DRDO, and industry partners for the successful demonstration.

Soaring above 4,500 metres in the rarefied air of Ladakh, India’s indigenous Akash Prime missile struck with precision on Wednesday, taking down two aerial high speed unmanned targets in a successful test that marks a major boost to the country’s air defence capabilities.

The trial not only showcased the missile system’s ability to perform under extreme altitude conditions but also demonstrated the growing strength of India’s homegrown defence technology.

The weapon system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), features notable technological upgrades, including an indigenously developed radio frequency seeker to enhance accuracy and response time.

These tests were part of the first of production model (FoPM) firing trials and mark a critical step toward the timely induction of Akash Prime into operational service.

“Based on the operational feedbacks from users, various upgrades are made to improve the operational effectiveness, demonstrating the advantage of the ecosystem created for the indigenous weapon system,” defence ministry said in a statement.

It added that the successful trial enhances India’s air defence potential in high-altitude frontier areas, a strategic priority given current regional security dynamics.

The Akash Prime system has been developed with support from defence public sector undertakings such as Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited, along with private industry partners. The weapon incorporates feedback from earlier operational deployments, showcasing the maturity of India’s indigenous weapons ecosystem.

This achievement also comes in the backdrop of the stellar performance of Indian air defence systems during Operation Sindoor, further underlining India’s growing self-reliance in missile technology and increasing global interest in its defence exports.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh lauded the Indian Army, DRDO, and industry partners for the successful demonstration. “This is a significant boost to India’s air defence capabilities, particularly in meeting high-altitude operational requirements,” he said.

Dr Samir V Kamat, secretary, Department of Defence R&D and chairman of DRDO, also congratulated the teams involved. He said that Akash Prime has successfully fulfilled the nation’s critical requirements for a high-altitude air defence solution.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/watch-how-india-s-akash-prime-missile-downs-aerial-targets-in-ladakh-101752767748153.html

The US designated The Resistance Front, an offshoot of the Pakistani terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, as a “foreign terrorist organisation” over the April 22 Pahalgam attack.

US Department of State on Thursday designated The Resistance Front (TRF), group behind the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, as a terrorist organisation.

In a statement issued by the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the statement acknowledged the fact that the organisation claimed responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir which claimed the lives of 26 civilians.

The US, therefore, accorded the TRF as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).

“Today, the Department of State is adding The Resistance Front (TRF) as a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). TRF, a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) front and proxy, claimed responsibility for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack which killed 26 civilians. This was the deadliest attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks conducted by LeT. TRF has also claimed responsibility for several attacks against Indian security forces, including most recently in 2024,” the statement read.

The statement said that this action demonstrated the US President Donald Trump administration’s commitment of countering terrorism.

“These actions taken by the Department of State demonstrates the Trump Administration’s commitment to protecting our national security interests, countering terrorism, and enforcing President Trump’s call for justice for the Pahalgam attack,” the statement said.

“TRF and other associated aliases have been added to LeT’s designation as a FTO and SDGT pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224, respectively. The Department of State has also reviewed and maintained the FTO designation of LeT. Amendments to FTO designations go into effect upon publication in the Federal Register,” the statement added.

Earlier on Tuesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stressed the importance of taking an uncompromising stance against terrorism, citing the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack in India, which was condemned by the UN Security Council.

The Minister was speakting at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin.

He highlighted three evils – terrorism, separatism and extremism, which often occur together in his X post.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/us-designates-group-behind-pahalgam-attack-foreign-terrorist-organisation-8897538?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

From January 2023 to June 2025, an astonishing 67,389 cyber fraud complaints were filed on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal.

As India’s digital transformation accelerates, Chhattisgarh is emerging as one of its most alarming cautionary tales. With smartphones in every hand and banking at every fingertip, digital convenience has quietly opened the door to an epidemic of cybercrime. Data presented during the latest assembly session has sent shockwaves through the state. From January 2023 to June 2025, an astonishing 67,389 cyber fraud complaints were filed on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal.

That’s roughly one victim every 20 minutes – or three every hour – falling prey to scammers siphoning off crores through phishing links, fake apps, fraudulent calls, and social engineering tactics.

The total amount of money involved – a staggering Rs 791 crore.

What’s worse, the scale of enforcement and redressal doesn’t even come close to matching the scale of the crime.

In Raipur alone, the digital crime capital of the state, over 16,000 cases have been registered. Yet, only 107 victims have received refunds, accounting for barely 0.2 per cent of those who came forward. And when it comes to bank-related fraud, just three cases have led to arrests, and only seven individuals have been jailed.

These figures, made public in response to pointed questions raised by BJP MLAs Sunil Soni and Gajendra Yadav, highlight an urgent need for both stronger digital safety mechanisms and public awareness.

The human cost behind these numbers is harrowing. MLA Sunil Soni, speaking in the state assembly, warned that the financial losses were so devastating that some victims had been pushed to the brink, even contemplating suicide.

“Cybercrime is not just theft-it’s psychological warfare,” Mr Soni said, calling for immediate ramping up of cyber literacy across the state.

The government has acknowledged the crisis, with Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma saying cybercrime is “a global challenge” and laying out the administration’s ongoing response.

Chhattisgarh has established cyber police stations in five divisions, with nine more approved in the budget. A cyber cell is now present in every police station, and a dedicated cyber building has been set up in Raipur.

Additionally, 129 personnel have been freshly appointed at the police headquarters, and a Cyber Commando scheme is in progress to create a specialized, tech-savvy police force. Officers are being trained at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Police Academy and institutions like C-DAC I4.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cyber-fraud-every-20-minutes-in-chhattisgarh-over-rs-700-crore-lost-in-2-years-8897078

The execution of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, convicted of murdering a Yemeni national, has been postponed from its original date of July 16. But her fate hangs on ‘Qisas’, or ‘God’s law’, and nothing else.

The execution of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, convicted for the murder of a Yemeni national, has been temporarily postponed. Originally scheduled for July 16, last-minute efforts to secure her pardon through humanitarian and diplomatic channels helped delay her execution, but her future remains far from certain.
The Kerala-born nurse, who is facing the death sentence in Yemen, has only one option left—clemency from the victim’s family. But that too seems unlikely.
In an interview with BBC, the victim’s brother, Abdelfattah Mahdi, said, “Our stance on the attempts at reconciliation is clear; we insist on implementing God’s Law in Qisas [retaliation in kind], nothing else.”

He further stated, “Any dispute, whatever its reasons and however big, can never justify a murder —let alone dismembering, mutilating and hiding the body.” Reiterating the family’s position, he made it clear they would not accept any offer of blood money or settlement, stating that the demand for execution stands unchanged.

Indore tops India’s cleanliness survey for the eighth year, followed by Surat and Navi Mumbai. Ahmedabad leads in the ‘Swachh Shahar’ category; awards promote sanitation, public participation, and sustainability efforts nationwide.

Indore: Indore has once again been named India’s cleanest city, keeping its top spot for the eighth year in a row. It was followed by Surat and Navi Mumbai in the ‘Super Swachh League’ category of the government’s annual cleanliness survey. In the ‘Swachh Shahar’ category, which looks at cities with over 10 lakh people, Ahmedabad came first, while Bhopal and Lucknow took second and third places. The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs announced the results on Thursday. Over 14 crore people took part in the survey across over 4,500 cities, using face-to-face interviews, the Swachhata App, MyGov, and social media, reported PTI.

The post, originally written in Kannada to mourn the death of veteran actor B Saroja Devi, was mistranslated into English, prompting sharp criticism from Siddaramaiah.

In a major gaffe, Meta’s automatic translation tool wrongly declared Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dead while translating a condolence message posted by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) on Facebook.

The post, originally written in Kannada to mourn the death of veteran actor B Saroja Devi, was mistranslated into English, prompting sharp criticism from Siddaramaiah and an official missive to Meta.

“Chief Minister Siddaramaiah passed away yesterday multilingual star, senior actress B. Took darshan of Sarojadevi’s earthly body and paid his last respects,” the post’s faulty translation read.

‘PAUSE KANNADA AUTO-TRANSLATION’

Reacting strongly to the faux pax, the Chief Minister asked social media platforms to act responsibly and urged Meta to suspend its Kannada auto-translation feature until it is accurate.

“Faulty auto-translation of Kannada content on Meta platforms is distorting facts and misleading users. This is especially dangerous when it comes to official communications. My media adviser, KV Prabhakar, has formally written to Meta urging immediate correction,” Siddaramaiah tweeted.

“Social media platforms must act responsibly. I caution citizens to be aware that translations shown are often inaccurate. Such negligence by tech giants can harm public understanding and trust,” he further said.

Meta seemed to have corrected the translation later.

LETTER TO META

The Chief Minister also shared the letter written by his media adviser to Meta, asking the Mark Zuckerberg-led tech giant to work with Kannada language experts “to enhance the quality and contextual accuracy” of translations from Kannada to English.

“We have noted with concern that the auto-translation from Kannada to English is frequently inaccurate and, in some cases, grossly misleading,” it said.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/siddaramaiah-dead-facebook-translation-error-karnataka-chief-minister-meta-2757497-2025-07-18

Monsoon floods have severely disrupted life across Uttar Pradesh, with over 5 lakh people surrounded by water in flood-hit parts of Prayagraj alone. Rising water levels in the Ganga and Yamuna rivers have submerged more than 15 neighbourhoods, including cremation grounds, forcing last rites to be performed on roadsides.

Monsoon floods have severely disrupted life across Uttar Pradesh, with over 5 lakh people surrounded by water in flood-hit parts of Prayagraj alone. Rising water levels in the Ganga and Yamuna rivers have submerged more than 15 neighbourhoods, including cremation grounds, forcing last rites to be performed on roadsides.

In Varanasi, all 84 river ghats have gone under water, along with nearly 1,000 adjacent temples. The Ganga is reported to be just 1.56 metres below the danger mark. Mirzapur, Jaunpur, and Sonbhadra districts have shut schools as a precaution, while similar measures are in effect in parts of Prayagraj as well.

The India Meteorological Department has issued a rainfall alert across all 75 districts, forecasting very heavy rain in 26 and heavy rain in 49 districts. Intermittent rainfall was reported on Thursday morning in cities including Lucknow, Prayagraj, and Varanasi. The forecast includes the possibility of lightning and strong winds.

Flood conditions continue to deteriorate in Chitrakoot, where the Mandakini river overflowed, submerging riverside temples. Two children were swept away in the rising water. In Sonbhadra, water was released from eight gates of the Kanhar Dam as the water level reached 256 metres. Similar action was taken at the Govind Sagar Dam in Lalitpur.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/uttar-pradesh-news-monsoon-floods-worsen-over-5-lakh-affected-in-prayagraj-ghats-submerged-in-varanasi

According to Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials the Uttar Pradesh police’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (UP-ATS), and other agencies, the racket operated across multiple states including U.P and Maharashtra (Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur) and extended into Nepal and the Middle East.

In one of the most sensational cases of illegal religious conversion in India’s recent history, intelligence agencies have dismantled a powerful syndicate allegedly spearheaded by Jamaluddin Shah (70) , also known as Chhangur Baba, a self-styled Sufi-type spiritual leader. He stands accused of orchestrating a nationwide religious conversion operation, reportedly fueled by foreign funding, radical operatives, and deceptive front NGOs.

According to Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials the Uttar Pradesh police’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (UP-ATS), and other agencies, the racket operated across multiple states including U.P and Maharashtra (Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur) and extended into Nepal and the Middle East. The network is believed to have been deeply embedded, with links to hawala operators and foreign-based funders.

From a modest beginning as a taweez-seller in Balrampur district in UP, to emerging as a self-styled spiritual “peer baba” with overseas reach, Chhangur’s empire is now under intense scrutiny by the ED, the UP-ATS and other state agencies.

Originally known as Jamaluddin Shah, Chhangur Baba hails from Rehra Mafi village in Balrampur district. He is popularly called “Chhangur” due to having six fingers on one hand. Officials say he began his journey by selling religious amulets (taweez) in his village, before moving to Mumbai in the early 2010s. In Mumbai, he regularly visited the Haji Ali Dargah, one of the city’s most frequented religious sites, where he sold gemstone rings and charms. Investigators claim he used the dargah’s high footfall to connect with vulnerable individuals, promoting his supposed spiritual powers. These interactions gradually helped him build a loyal base of followers. By 2020, Chhangur had rebranded himself as a ‘peer baba’ (spiritual guide), attracting a sizable following and accumulating unexplained wealth. He transformed from a roadside vendor into a self-styled ‘peer’ with nationwide influence, establishing ashrams, acquiring properties, and expanding his operations across several states. He reportedly undertook over 50 foreign trips, primarily to Gulf countries. His name surfaced prominently when Mumbai-based businessman Naveen Rohra, his wife Neetu, and their daughter allegedly underwent religious conversion under his influence.

Neetu, originally a Sindhi Hindu from Mulund, Mumbai, was allegedly indoctrinated by Baba and converted to Islam along with her husband and daughter in 2015.The couple subsequently moved to Balrampur in 2020 to actively engage in conversion network.

Central to Chhangur Baba’s inner circle were Naveen Rohra and his wife Neetu Rohra, who converted to Islam and adopted the names Jamaluddin and Nasreen. Their conversion was reportedly certified in Dubai in 2015, following which Neetu travelled to the UAE at least 19 times between 2014 and 2019. The couple, originally from Mumbai, moved to Utraula, Balrampur, where they became landowners and close aides to Chhangur.

Neetu played a critical role as a recruiter and indoctrinator persuading Hindu women to convert through emotional manipulation, financial promises, and spiritual pretexts.

Chhangur Baba, along with Neetu aliash Nasreen and Naveen are accused of orchestrating a covert operation that allegedly targeted over 4,000 economically vulnerable individuals across Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra for conversions targeting vulnerable Hindu women especially those from Scheduled Castes , Other Backward Classes , and financially weaker background.

According to sources in the UP-ATS, the operation used honey-trapping, cash offers, marriage promises, and spiritual manipulation to persuade individuals to convert. A rate card allegedly maintained by the group suggested specific monetary incentives for converting people of different castes.
# Rs 15–16 lakh for Brahmin women

# Rs 10–12 lakh for OBC women

# Rs 8–10 lakh for SC and other communities
officials state that this caste-based pricing was designed not only to financially reward those executing the conversions but also to strategically undermine the social fabric of Hindu society by targeting its perceived pillars. The deeper objective, according to UP-ATS sources, was to project the conversion of upper-caste women, especially Brahmins, as a symbolic “victory,” thereby lending the syndicate ideological leverage and legitimacy within radical networks operating both domestically and abroad. Investigators believe these significant funds were sourced through a combination of hawala networks, foreign NGO donations, and illegal property dealingsOfficials also unearthed code words like “project,” “mitti palatne” (turning soil), and “kajal” for internal communication, and recovered ledgers allegedly listing over 1,500 names of converted individuals.

An India Today RTI query revealed that about 1.17 crore Aadhaar cards of deceased persons were deactivated in the last 14 years, whereas more than 16 crore died in that period. A staggering gap that, UADAI says, it is trying to bridge with technology.

An Right to Information (RTI) application filed by India Today TV has revealed that the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has deactivated just 1.15 crore Aadhaar numbers since the programme’s inception 14 years ago, a figure that falls dramatically short when compared to the country’s mortality rates.

As of June 2025, India has 142.39 crore Aadhaar holders. According to the United Nations Population Fund, the country’s total population stood at 146.39 crore in April 2025. In contrast, official data from the Civil Registration System (CRS) shows that India recorded an average of 83.5 lakh deaths every year between 2007 and 2019.

Despite this, UIDAI’s deactivation numbers remain staggeringly low — less than 10 per cent of total estimated deaths have led to Aadhaar numbers being cancelled. Officials admitted the process of deactivation is cumbersome and largely dependent on external data such as death certificates issued by state governments and updates from family members.

The victim’s brother alleged some people were trying to exploit the tragedy for political gains and named four people in connection with the defamatory content in his complaint

The elder brother of the 20-year-old woman student in Odisha, who died after she set herself on fire in protest against sexual harassment by a professor, has filed a police complaint seeking protection for the family from cyber harassment.

The woman was a student of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore.

The victim’s brother alleged some people were trying to exploit the tragedy for political gains and named four people in connection with the defamatory content in his complaint.

The Odisha Police have launched an investigation into the allegations of cyber harassment.

“On social media, people are making derogatory remarks and posting filthy posts and comments. In our bad times, we are being made to bear this unnecessary trolling and abuse online,” he said.

“I have sought the help of police and administration and filed a first information report (FIR) against some people,” he said. He added the family needs proper protection and free and fair investigation.

“We will all die by suicide if we don’t get justice,” he said.

The police are verifying the social media accounts of people named in the complaint filed by the victim’s brother.

The woman, a second-year integrated BEd student, had set herself on fire on July 12 after allegedly being denied justice in the sexual harassment case filed by her against the professor, Samira Kumar Sahoo.

The woman suffered 95 per cent burn injuries. She died on Monday night after battling for her life for almost 60 hours at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/will-die-by-suicide-brother-of-odisha-woman-flags-trolling-goes-to-cops-8889795

The man was detained at Mumbai International Airport by immigration authorities based on a Look Out Circular issued by the Hyderabad police.

A key accused in a high-profile “digital arrest” fraud case was arrested by the Cyber Crime Police in Hyderabad. Aludasu Sudhaker was detained at Mumbai International Airport by immigration authorities based on a Look Out Circular issued by the Hyderabad police.

The 43-year-old is alleged to have been part of an elaborate impersonation scam that targeted a 48-year-old Hyderabad woman. The fraudsters, including Sudhaker and four others previously arrested, posed as officials from government agencies such as the CBI and TRAI. They meticulously constructed a false narrative, implicating the victim in a fictitious money laundering case.

The scam began on November 12, 2024, when the victim received an automated call threatening suspension of her Airtel service. Upon pressing “9,” she was connected to a fake call centre. Over a harrowing two to three-hour period, multiple impersonators, including a woman officer, a fake Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), and a man posing as “CBI officer Rajesh Mishra,” subjected her to intense pressure. They accused her of links to money laundering via fabricated FIRs and coerced her into transferring substantial amounts of money from her fixed deposits, gold loans, and personal loans via RTGS.

The accused also extracted her Aadhaar details and other sensitive personal information, maintaining continuous control through hourly video calls and severe threats of job loss and imprisonment. The victim realised she had been defrauded only later and promptly filed a complaint, leading to the registration of Cr. No. 2808/2025 under the IT Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The Cyber Crime Unit has now arrested a total of five individuals in connection with the case, all of whom are alleged to be “account suppliers” – individuals who provide their bank accounts to facilitate the fraudulent transactions. A debit card linked to an absconding accused, Ashok Kumar Javvaji, who is believed to be in Dubai, has also been seized, along with a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/key-accused-in-hyderabads-high-profile-digital-arrest-fraud-case-arrested-8889769

Out of 13,000 student claims submitted by coaching centres, only about 3,000 could be verified, alleged Delhi minister Ashish Sood.

The Jai Bhim Mukhyamantri Pratibha Vikas Yojana, a scheme meant to fund free coaching at private institutes for underprivileged students during the Aam Aadmi Party government, is now at the centre of a political and financial controversy.

Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Wednesday ordered an Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) probe into an alleged Rs 145-crore scam linked to the scheme during the Covid period.

The announcement was made by Delhi’s Home and Education Minister Ashish Sood and SC/ST Welfare Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh while addressing a press conference, alleging large-scale irregularities under the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.

“The Jai Bhim scheme was started to help SC/ST/OBC/EWS/Minority students prepare for competitive exams like UPSC and NEET, but during the pandemic, it became a tool for embezzlement,” Mr Sood said. He added that coaching institutes prepared a bill payment of Rs 145 crore between July 2021 and August 2022-far beyond the scheme’s original budget of Rs 15 crore.

Out of 13,000 student claims submitted by coaching centres, only about 3,000 could be verified, Mr Sood said, adding, the rest allegedly lacked documentation, signatures, or any record of attendance.

“The average coaching cost is Rs 1 lakh for IAS, Rs 50,000 for MBA/CLAT, Rs 30,000 for SSC/LIC, Rs 25,000 for Group-C exams and Rs 10,000 for interview preparation,” he said.

“Even if we consider that all 3,000 verified students took IAS coaching, the maximum cost would be around Rs 30 crore. How did it become Rs 145 crore?,” Mr Soon added. He alleged that AAP has insulted Dr Ambedkar’s legacy and turned a welfare scheme into a nexus of corruption.

Following a recommendation from Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the LG approved a detailed probe by the ACB into what is now being referred to as an “alleged coaching scam.”

The investigation will focus on 35 coaching centres that failed to provide verified data for even 100 students, SC/ST Welfare Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh said.

He said the scheme, which began in 2018, was intended to create educational opportunities for Dalit students. “Instead, it was allegedly turned into a money-making racket. We owe it to the students to investigate this thoroughly,” Singh said.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-orders-probe-into-rs-145-crore-scam-in-jai-bhim-coaching-scheme-8889354

According to the police, a total of five threatening emails were received; authorities then launched security drills to ensure public safety

Amritsar Police registered an FIR and launched an investigation after receiving a series of bomb threat emails, officials said on Wednesday.

Speaking to ANI, Amritsar police commissioner GPS Bhullar said, “Since the day the authorities received these emails, we have been working very closely with them. We lodged the FIR on the same day only, and we are also investigating the subsequent emails.”

According to the police, a total of five threatening emails were received. The authorities then launched security drills to ensure public safety.

“We have also received replies from the concerned companies and obtained some IP addresses. In the coming days, it will be clear who the sender of these emails is. After looking at the content, it is indicating towards South India,” Bhullar told ANI.

To ensure no threat materialised, the police sought assistance from Border Security Force. High-level security checks were carried out at sensitive locations across Amritsar city, and bomb squads were kept on standby.

However, officials said that they are ensuring full security for the people, and there is no need to worry.

A day earlier, the Golden Temple received another bomb threat. A dog squad has been deployed at the Golden Temple premises as part of a security check.

The holy site for Sikhs received a bomb threat via email for the second consecutive day. Pratap Singh, Secretary of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), demanded strict action against the miscreants.

Pratap Singh told reporters, “Golden Temple is the centre of faith of the world, and we received an email threatening a blast in the Golden Temple. It is the responsibility of the police officials to take strict action against those involved in it.”

“We received an email threatening a blast in the Golden Temple yesterday. Also, we have written a letter to the Punjab CM and DGP also,” Singh said.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/golden-temple-threat-emails-probe-points-towards-senders-being-in-south-india-says-amritsar-police-chief-101752683278225.html

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla reunited with his family after an 18-day ISS mission, sharing emotional moments on Instagram.

Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla reunited with his family just a day after returning to Earth following his 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and the heartwarming images of their reunion have struck an emotional chord with Indians online.

The astronaut shared the images on Instagram, showing him embracing his wife and son after being apart for over two months. He said hugging his family after quarantining for several weeks felt like “home.”

“Space flight is amazing but seeing your loved ones after a long time is equally amazing. It has been 2 months since I entered quarantine. During the quarantine, family visits we had to be 8 m apart. My little one had to be told that he had germs on his hands and that is why he could not touch his father. Coming back to Earth and holding my family back in my arms felt like home,” he wrote in the caption.

Shubhanshu Shukla made history after he became the first Indian to go to the International Space Station and only the second Indian to travel into space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984. Nicknamed Shux by his crewmates, Shukla returned to Earth on July 15 onboard SpaceX’s Dragon space capsule.

In the pictures, Shukla’s wife, Kamna, was seen embracing him with tears streaming down her face. His son leapt into his father’s arms and hugged him tight. The astronaut shared how the young boy was taught about quarantine protocols when he met Shukla in the weeks leading up to his space flight.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/first-images-of-shubhanshu-shukla-s-emotional-reunion-with-family-after-iss-return-felt-like-home-101752687586771.html

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma said that Domestic Violence Act makes no distinction between a first and subsequent marriage when it comes to maintenance.

The Delhi high court has held that a husband is legally obligated to maintain his wife, even if it is her second marriage.

In his plea, the husband had asserted that the woman was not entitled to maintenance since it was her second marriage.(Representative image)
In his plea, the husband had asserted that the woman was not entitled to maintenance since it was her second marriage.(Representative image)
In her ruling delivered on Tuesday, justice Swarana Kanta Sharma said that Domestic Violence Act makes no distinction between a first and subsequent marriage when it comes to entitlement to maintenance.

The verdict was delivered in a plea filed by the husband against a family court’s order directing him to pay an enhanced maintenance of ₹1 lakh to his wife.

In his plea, the husband had asserted that the woman was not entitled to maintenance since it was her second marriage, and that she voluntarily abandoned him despite him accepting her along with her two sons from first marriage.

On the other hand, the woman had asserted that she married the man based on his assurance and promises of care and fatherly affection for her children. However, she alleged that she was compelled to leave due to his insults directed at her children and acts of physical abuse.

Rejecting the husband’s contention, justice Sharma in her ruling said, “The Domestic Violence Act does not distinguish between a first or subsequent marriage for the purpose of entitlement to maintenance. Once the petitioner voluntarily entered into the marriage and accepted the respondent and her children, he cannot now use that as a defence to resist his statutory obligations of maintenance.”

The husband had approached the high court against the family court’s April 2024 order directing him to pay ₹1 lakh to her as maintenance, enhanced from ₹33,000.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/second-marriage-no-ground-to-deny-maintenance-to-wife-delhi-high-court-101752711181521.html

For the first time in UK Parliament history, Hanuman Chalisa was recited during Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri’s visit, with officials and lawmakers joining in devotion.

For the first time in the history of UK‘s Parliament, the verses on Hanuman Chalisa were recited inside the Parliament House during Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri’s visit to the European country.

As per the video shared by Bageshwar Dham’s X handle, several people, officials and lawmakers were seen reciting the verses with devotion in the presence of Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, popularly known as Bageshwar Dham Baba.

“For the first time in the history of London’s Parliament… Shri Hanuman Chalisa recitation by the revered government… All guests present in the Parliament recited with devotion…,” Bageshwar Dham said in a post on X while sharing the video.

This is the first time that an Indian religious text has been recited in the British Parliament.

Earlier this year in April, Indian diaspora gathered outside the Pakistan High Commission and recited “Hanuman Chalisa” after protests broke out between Indian and Pakistani diaspora following Pahalgam terror attack which claimed the lives of 26 individuals.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/hanuman-chalisa-echoes-in-uk-parliament-during-dhirendra-shastris-visit-video-ws-l-9445121.html

For the cover shoot, Vidya Balan slipped into a bold flamingo pink outfit, embellished with shimmering sequins and delicate beadwork.

Hold up, Internet – Vidya Balan just broke the glam-o-meter and how! Taking a stunning U-turn from her traditional Indian silhouettes, Vidya has just dropped jaws with her striking new avatar on the cover of The Peacock Magazine’s July 2025 edition. TBH, this is not the saree-clad Vidya we’re used to seeing during public gatherings and award functions. It is “Nayi Fantasy” unlocked, as fans said after looking at her latest photos.

For the cover shoot, Vidya Balan slipped into a bold flamingo pink outfit, embellished with shimmering sequins and delicate beadwork. Adding a dramatic flair, she elevated the look with a feather-trimmed stole, perfectly blending with the ombre tones across her arms. Even in the accessories department, she nailed it like a pro. Not letting attention divert from her outfit, she wore a gemstone-studded choker and a chunky statement bracelet on her wrist.

The highlight — her short, ombre hair, which is nowhere close to Vidya we have seen before.

Internet Goes Ooh La La

Draped in high fashion, confidence and a bold attitude that commands attention, Vidya’s new look has left fans and enthusiasts nostalgic. The minute the cover hit social media, it reminded fans of the character Vidya played in the film The Dirty Picture. From “Ooh La La vibes” to “Nayi Fantasy” — reactions came pouring in and it is clear that the Internet is drooling over the beauty.

Even Dolly Singh, the popular content creator, could not hold back herself and immediately took to the comment section to react to Vidya’s look. Nostalgic, she wrote, “Are we back in 2005?” Another demanded, “Upload the BTS moments of this beautiful photoshoot, thank you.” Impressed by Vidya’s reinvention, veteran actress Shabana Azmi also commented on the post, writing, “Ooh la la!” Shahana Goswami also joined the list of stars to praise Vidya’s undeniable beauty. “Ooooo bloody gorgeous and sexy,” read her comment.

One of the fans reiterated Vidya’s iconic dialogue from The Dirty Picture and added, “Entertainment Entertainment Entertainment aur Vidya Entertainment hai.” A noteworthy comment read, “Oh lala tu hai nayi fantasy. Ladki tu hai badi boombart.”

Source : https://www.news18.com/viral/vidya-balan-transformation-has-desis-rewrite-her-songs-ooh-la-la-tu-hai-nayi-fantasy-ws-l-aa-aa-aa-9443522.html

A Goa-bound IndiGo flight from Delhi made an emergency landing in Mumbai due to a mid-air engine failure, causing the pilot to declare ‘PAN PAN PAN’, a report claimed.

As the Goa-bound IndiGo flight from Delhi was to make an emergency landing in Mumbai on Wednesday, the pilot of the plane declared ‘PAN PAN PAN’, Hindustan Times reported, quoting officials.

The report also claimed the incident happened when the IndiGo flight was flying about 100 nautical miles north of Bhubaneswar.

“The pilot declared ‘PAN PAN PAN’ (an urgent message indicating a non-life-threatening emergency) due to a malfunction in engine number 1,” an official told HT.

The Goa-bound IndiGo flight from Delhi made an emergency landing in Mumbai on after it was diverted to the city due to a mid-air engine failure.

Later, the airline, in a statement, said a “technical snag” forced the aircraft to be diverted to Mumbai.

“Full emergency was declared for IndiGo flight 6E-6271, operating on Delhi-Goa route after it was diverted to Mumbai due to one engine failure,” news agency PTI quoted a source as saying.

“A technical snag was detected on flight 6E 6271 while flying from Delhi to Manohar International Airport, Goa on July 16. Following procedures, the aircraft was diverted and landed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai,” the IndiGo spokesperson said.

The airline did not share the number of people on board or the nature of the snag.

“While the aircraft will undergo necessary checks and maintenance before resuming operations, an alternative aircraft has been arranged for completing the journey, which will depart shortly with the customers,” the spokesperson said.

In a separate statement, a spokesperson from the Mumbai airport said, “Following the diversion of a Delhi–Goa flight due to a technical snag, a full emergency was declared at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai (CSMIA) at 21:35 hours on 16 July 2025. The flight landed safely at 21:52 hours. The full emergency status was withdrawn at 21:57 hours.”

“Passengers were safely deboarded and assisted by terminal staff. While the airline coordinates alternative onward travel for the passengers, CSMIA’s Terminal Operations team remains on standby to provide all necessary support,” the spokesperson said.

“There has been no impact on overall airport operations. At CSMIA, safety always remains our highest priority,” they added.

On Tuesday, an IndiGo flight from Delhi had a harrowing experience when the aircraft took off immediately after touchdown at Patna’s Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport.

There were 173 passengers onboard the flight at the time of the incident.

The incident took place at 9 pm due to an unstable approach.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/indigo-flight-mumbai-emergency-landing-pilot-declaredpan-pan-pan-engine-failure-delhi-to-goa-flight-9445368.html

A nine-year-old girl, a class 4 student at Adarsh Vidya Mandir in Sikar, died after suffering consecutive heart attacks within hours.

A nine-year-old girl died of a heart attack while she was opening her lunch box at school in Rajasthan’s Sikar, officials said Wednesday.

The victim was a student of class 4 at Adarsh Vidya Mandir School. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning, around 11 am, during the school’s lunch break.

According to school principal Nandkishore, all the students were eating lunch inside their classrooms when the girl suddenly fell unconscious while opening her tiffin box.

“It happened around 11 am on Tuesday. She dropped her lunchbox and collapsed spilling her food onto the floor. We were all on school grounds at the time, so we rushed her to the hospital,” the principal said, adding that for kids to faint in school is not uncommon.

The school staff immediately rushed the unconscious child to the Dantaramgarh Community Health Center (CHC). Doctors provided initial treatment and decided to refer the girl to SK Hospital in Sikar for further care.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/nine-year-old-girl-dies-heart-attack-rajasthan-school-lunch-break-2756911-2025-07-17

35-year-old Ashok, while intoxicated, put a live snake in his mouth and began chewing it. He also swallowed parts of the snake after breaking it into several pieces.

You must have often heard of incidents related to snake bites, but an unusual incident has come to light from Uttar Pradesh’s Banda, where 35-year-old Ashok, while intoxicated, put a live snake in his mouth and began chewing it. He also swallowed parts of the snake after breaking it into several pieces. His family members were left stunned by the scene and rushed him to a community health centre.

According to reports, Ashok was drunk and wandering around the house when he caught a snake. He then put it in his mouth and started chewing. His mother, Siya Dulari, screamed in fear and managed to remove the snake from her son’s mouth, but by then, Ashok had already consumed two pieces of it.

A video from the community health centre has surfaced, showing Ashok looking visibly uneasy while sitting in the waiting area.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/bizarre-drunk-up-youth-chews-live-snake-in-banda-rushed-to-hospital-video 

Pithoragarh District Disaster Management Officer Bhupendra Singh Maher said that all eight bodies were recovered. He said that prima facie, the cause of the accident appears to be driver negligence and overloading of the vehicle.

Eight people were killed and five others injured when a jeep plunged into a deep gorge in Suni village in the Thal area of Pithoragarh district on Tuesday, officials said.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and announced financial assistance to the families of the deceased.

The incident occurred when the vehicle, carrying passengers to Bokta village from Muwani market, lost control and fell into a gorge, Station House Officer of Thal police station Shankar Singh Rawat said.

He said the deceased include five women and three men, all local residents, and the driver is among those killed.

Upon receiving information, a police team and personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) rushed to the spot and, with the help of local residents, launched a rescue and relief operation. The injured were pulled out of the gorge and admitted to a hospital in Muwani for treatment, officials said.

Pithoragarh District Disaster Management Officer Bhupendra Singh Maher said that all eight bodies were recovered. He said that prima facie, the cause of the accident appears to be driver negligence and overloading of the vehicle.

District Magistrate Vinod Goswami also said that the vehicle appeared to be carrying more passengers than its capacity.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami wrote on the social media platform ‘X’, “The condolences expressed by the Prime Minister on the Pithoragarh road accident and the financial assistance provided from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund will give strength to the bereaved family in this difficult time.”

He added that the state government would also provide Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the injured.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/uttarakhand/eight-killed-five-injured-as-jeep-falls-into-gorge-in-uttarakhand-cm-announces-aid-3632160 

The event will feature 24 curated stalls displaying rare, GI-certified textiles from over 20 states and union territories.

Aiming to promote climate-conscious fashion and India’s textile heritage, the Delhi government will organise a large-scale public event on August 6 to mark the National Handloom Day.

The event, Vastra Katha, is being held by the Delhi Khadi and Village Industries Board (DKVIB) under the Industries Department.

Announcing the event on Tuesday, Environment and Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that the event will blend tradition, sustainability, and youth-led innovation through a curated exhibition, promoting Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged handlooms and handmade or natural fabrics over fast fashion.

A GI-tag is used to mark the authenticity and uniqueness for products that are native to specific regions.

“Handloom is rooted in nature, environmentally friendly, and sustains rural livelihoods – especially for women. It’s not just cultural heritage; it’s climate action,” Mr Sirsa said, adding, “The fashion industry is a major contributor to global warming.”

What to Expect at Vastra Katha

The event will feature 24 curated stalls displaying rare, GI-certified textiles from over 20 states and union territories – including Assam’s Muga silk, Telangana’s Pochampally Ikat, Tamil Nadu’s Kanchipuram, Madhya Pradesh’s Chanderi and Maheshwari, Kerala’s Kasavu, and West Bengal’s Kantha, among others.

A fashion ramp walk themed on the Vedic civilisation will reimagine these textiles in contemporary silhouettes, with participation from both professional models and students.

More than 150 students from top institutions – including LSR, Miranda House, Hindu College, Pearl Academy, and others – are expected to take part, curating exhibits and walking the ramp in handloom wear.

Well-known designers like Rahul Mishra, Sanjay Garg, Surekha Jain, Rina Dhaka, and Pernia Qureshi will also participate in the event to mentor young artisans.

A Turnaround Plan for DKVIB

The event comes at a time when the Delhi Government has been trying to restructure the Delhi Khadi and Village Industries Board.

“We are bringing in long-overdue reforms to make DKVIB sustainable by the end of this year and profitable by 2026. The government had already allocated Rs 50 crore for skilling and capacity-building in the handloom sector. We need platforms to showcase the work of our artisans, and Vastra Katha is one of them,” Mr Sirsa said.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/handloom-meets-climate-action-delhi-to-host-vastra-katha-on-august-6-8882264

He demanded that the state government treat the case as a murder and punish all those involved.

The father of the victim who died from self-immolation in Odisha’s Balasore on Tuesday claimed that his daughter did not die by suicide but was murdered.

He demanded that the state government treat the case as a murder and punish all those involved.

Speaking to ANI, the victim’s father said, “Everyone together forced my daughter to die. Isn’t that murder? I believe it was a conspiracy because she used to raise her voice in college, and they didn’t like it.”

Referring to her last visit to the college principal’s office, the victim’s father questioned the circumstances leading to her death.

“They all conspired to force my daughter to commit suicide. Why did she commit suicide right after coming out of the Principal’s room? Something must have happened inside. What happened inside? Why was she called in alone? Why wasn’t I or my son called? I request the government to acknowledge that my daughter didn’t die, she was killed, and everyone should be charged with murder,” he said.

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) will organise a protest rally on Wednesday in response to the death of a 20-year-old student, who died after setting herself on fire following repeated complaints of sexual harassment by a college teacher that were allegedly ignored.

The party has also demanded Rs 1 crore compensation for the victim’s family and a judicial inquiry into the incident.

BJD MLA Goutam Buddha Das told ANI, “It is very unfortunate news that a girl from our constituency died due to self-immolation. The student was being harassed by her teacher. She complained to the college principal, went to the MPs, and tweeted the same to the CM and the education minister. No one listened to her. The government is responsible for this.”

“We have decided to close Balasore tomorrow. We will organise a protest rally. We demand that the family of the victim should get the compensation of Rs 1 crore, and a judicial inquiry should happen,” he added.

The 20-year-old student had allegedly faced prolonged sexual harassment by the Head of Department (HoD) at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore. Despite filing a formal complaint and seeking help from the college principal, her grievances reportedly went unheard, leading her to take the extreme step on campus last Saturday.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/she-was-murdered-father-of-odisha-woman-who-set-self-ablaze-8882218

This incident follows a similar wave of bomb threats received by multiple schools in Delhi last week, which turned out to be hoaxes.

Delhi continues to reel under a wave of bomb threats, with at least five schools reporting fresh alerts today across different parts of the national capital. The threats were received via email and prompted swift responses from authorities.

According to reports, the latest alerts were received by schools in Dwarka at 5:26 am, Vasant Kunj at 6:30 am, Paschim Vihar at 8:11 am, and Hauz Khas at 8:12 am. Bomb disposal squads, local police, and cyber experts were deployed to each location for thorough checks, but nothing suspicious has been found so far.

The two schools, St. Thomas in Dwarka and Vasant Valley School in Vasant Kunj, had already faced similar threats earlier, prompting evacuations and detailed inspections.

On Tuesday, St. Stephen’s College and St. Thomas School also received bomb threats via email. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Raja Banthia, St. Stephen’s reported receiving the threat at 7:15 am. “The mail claimed that four IEDs and two RDX bombs had been planted on the premises and in the library of the college. It further claimed they would explode by 2 pm,” he said.

Following the alert, teams from Maurice Nagar Police Station and other agencies swiftly cordoned off the area and conducted a comprehensive search. Officials later confirmed that nothing suspicious was recovered.

On Monday, bomb threats were sent to three schools in Delhi: CRPF schools in Sector 16, Dwarka and Prashant Vihar, and the Navy Children School in Chanakyapuri. These, too, were declared hoaxes after security personnel found no explosives on the premises.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/two-delhi-schools-receive-bomb-threats-via-email-both-evacuated-9443029.html

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at him, saying he is “now running a full blown circus aimed at destroying India’s foreign policy”.

The Congress on Tuesday intensified its criticism of the Centre’s China policy, accusing External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar of “destroying India’s foreign policy” and demanded a full-fledged discussion on the issue during the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament.
Reacting to Jaishankar’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other top officials during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi took a sharp dig at the minister, saying, “The EAM is now running a full blown circus aimed at destroying India’s foreign policy.”
“I guess the Chinese foreign minister will come and apprise Modi about recent developments in China-India ties,” Gandhi posted on X, tagging a report on Jaishankar’s meeting with Xi.

Jaishankar and his counterparts from the SCO member nations on Tuesday met Chinese President Xi.
The attack by Congress came a day after Jaishankar, during his talks with Yi, said India and China should build on “good progress” in normalising bilateral ties to address border-related issues, including de-escalation. Jaishankar also held talks with the Chinese Vice President Han and conveyed to him that continued normalisation of bilateral ties can lead to mutually beneficial outcomes.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the government continues to downplay China’s aggression, despite India’s Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Raju Singh confirming that China supported Pakistan with real-time inputs during Operation Sindoor.
“Perhaps we should remind the EAM of recent developments… China gave total support to Pakistan… turning it into a testing ground for network-centric warfare and weapon systems,” Ramesh said in a statement.
He pointed out that Pakistan may soon acquire Chinese J-35 stealth fighters, while India remains heavily dependent on Chinese imports across sectors like electronics and telecoms. He also flagged China’s restrictions on critical exports and the departure of Chinese workers from Apple supplier Foxconn’s India facilities.
Ramesh asked when the government would “take the people of India into confidence” and hold a debate in Parliament on the status of bilateral ties. “If Parliament could debate the border situation in November 1962… why cannot we discuss now?” he said.
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate added that Jaishankar’s past comments, including saying India was a “small economy,” showed he routinely downplayed China’s threat.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/full-blown-circus-congress-slams-jaishankar-over-china-outreach-demands-parliamentary-debate-on-bilateral-ties-article-152283949

Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya’s execution scheduled for Wednesday, July 16, has been postponed, top sources told Times Now.

Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya’s execution scheduled for Wednesday, July 16, has been postponed, top sources told Times Now. The development comes after reports that senior Sufi clerics in both India and Yemen had held talks to prevent her hanging. The intervention was reportedly spearheaded by renowned Yemeni Sufi scholar Sheikh Habib Umar bin Hafiz, following an appeal by influential Indian Sunni cleric Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar.

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla returned to earth Tuesday at 3 PM IST, after 18 days aboard the ISS. Watch the moment the Dragon spacecraft with the Axiom-4 crew aboard touched down off the coast in San Diego.

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla returned to earth Tuesday at 3 PM IST, after 18 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Watch the moment the Dragon spacecraft with the Axiom-4 crew aboard touched down off the coast in San Diego. After completing more than 300 orbits during his 1.3-crore-km journey, and completing all seven microgravity experiments and other planned activities, Shubhanshu Shukla and three other Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission astronauts completed their 22.5-hour journey back to Earth.

Piloted by Shubhanshu Shukla, the Axiom Mission 4, or Ax-4, undocked from the ISS on Monday, after an 18-day stay at the International Space Station, or ISS. By around 2.11 pm Monday, Shukla and mission commander Peggy Whitson were fully suited and in their seats inside the spacecraft — dubbed ‘Grace’ — which made a splashdown landing in the Pacific Ocean, NASA said.
At 2.50 pm the entire hatch closing process, which had started at around 2.38 pm, was complete. Following this, the Nasa and SpaceX teams began procedures for depressurisation of Grace and also conducted leak tests and other checks before the capsule could be given a go-ahead for undocking.

At 4:45 pm, the spacecraft separated from the ISS, marking the beginning of the 22.5-hour homeward journey.
Minutes after the undocking, mission commander Peggy Whitson radioed “Godspeed” and hoped for a safe return to Earth.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/first-visuals-shubhanshu-shukla-splashdown-marks-end-of-21-day-space-mission-article-152282976

The accused, identified as Veer Nayak, allegedly broke the lock on the temple’s back door and entered the premises with the intent to steal.

A man, who allegedly broke into a temple at night with the intention of stealing valuables, was caught red-handed by the police and priests in Jharkhand on Tuesday after he accidentally fell asleep inside the premises.

After receiving information from the local residents in the morning, police arrived at the scene, woke the thief and took him into custody along with the stolen items.

The incident took place at Kali temple in the marketplace area of West Singhbhum, when the accused, identified as Veer Nayak, allegedly broke the lock on the temple’s back door and entered the premises with the intent to steal.

According to police, Nayak collected several valuables from the sanctum, including gold and silver ornaments and the deity’s crown. However, instead of escaping with the stolen items, the suspect reportedly fell into a deep sleep inside the temple.

The priest was the first to spot the man and was shocked to find him asleep near the idol, with the stolen items lying close by. The priest immediately alerted the locals and called Badajamda police station.

Station in-charge Baleshwar Oraon confirmed the arrest and said an investigation is ongoing. During questioning, the accused admitted to the attempted theft but claimed he did not know when he had fallen asleep.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jharkhand-man-arrested-temple-theft-falls-asleep-inside-kali-temple-2756353-2025-07-16

An influential organisation in Assam has demanded that the state government release the long-awaited report of the judicial enquiry commission that investigated the deadly rat-hole coal mine tragedy at Umrangso in Dima Hasao district earlier this year.

On January 6, 2025, nine workers were trapped inside a flooded coal mine in Umrangso. After a gruelling 44-day search and rescue mission involving multiple agencies, including the Indian Navy and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), all nine bodies were recovered — the final five on February 19.

Following the disaster, the state government constituted a judicial commission headed by retired Gauhati High Court judge Justice Anima Hazarika. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had assured the public that the report would be submitted within three months. Six months on, the report remains under wraps.

Daniel Langthasa, convenor of the Sixth Schedule Protection Committee and former member of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC), criticised the delay, calling it a betrayal of the victims’ families.

“The commission was given three months. Six months have passed, but the government has not shared the report. There is no update, and those responsible for the illegal mining that caused this tragedy are yet to be punished,” Langthasa said.

Rat-hole coal mining, a primitive, hazardous and banned practice, continues to thrive in the hilly district despite a National Green Tribunal (NGT) ban imposed in 2014. A post-tragedy survey revealed that at least 220 such mines operate illegally in the Umrangso area alone.

Langthasa questioned how so many illegal mines could function undetected under the watch of the NCHAC, which is ruled by the BJP. “How could the council be unaware of 220 mines? This is blatant negligence, if not complicity,” he alleged.

One person, Punish Nunisa, has so far been arrested in connection with the incident, but activists fear he is merely a scapegoat while the bigger network behind the illicit coal trade remains untouched.

The Chief Minister had earlier announced that the Mines and Minerals Department would identify and shut down all illegal rat-hole mines in coordination with central agencies but local communities say no visible progress has been made.

Langthasa also linked the mining mafia to wider governance failures in the insurgency-hit district, pointing out a rise in mysterious deaths, kidnappings and drug abuse.

He accused the council of ignoring its mandate to protect tribal land rights, alleging that protected land is quietly being transferred to private players for coke plants and other industries without the consent of local village authorities.

Calling the situation a “social crisis”, Langthasa warned that continued illegal mining, unchecked corruption and lack of accountability could push more youth into drugs and crime.

“People commit crimes when they lose hope in those in power,” he said.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/assam-demands-release-judicial-enquiry-report-umrangso-rat-hole-coal-mine-tragedy-2756373-2025-07-16

Fauja Singh Hit-And-Run Case: An NRI was arrested in Kartarpur for fatally hitting veteran marathoner Fauja Singh. He confessed to hitting Singh with his SUV.

Fauja Singh Hit-And-Run Case: In a major breakthrough in the veteran marathoner Fauja Singh hit-and-run case, the police arrested one Amritpal Singh Dhillon late on Tuesday. Identified as a Non-Resident Indian (NRI), Amritpal Singh was arrested in Kartarpur, his home town.

Amritpal Singh Dhillon had recently returned from Canada and was the one driving the SUV at the time of the accident.

It was also known that Amritpal had purchased the Fortuner from Ravindra Singh of Rurhampur two years ago.

Sources told CNN-News18 that during interrogations, Amritpal Singh admitted that the world’s oldest marathoner, Fauja Singh, was hit by his car in Punjab’s Jalandhar district.

He told the police that the accident happened while he was returning home after selling his phone in Bhogpur on Monday afternoon.

Since the car was moving at a high speed, it hit Singh. Amritpal Singh fled the scene as he got scared, he told the police.

On Tuesday, the police had said that the accused in the case had been identified and that he would be arrested soon.

“We have identified the vehicle from CCTV footage. It is a Punjab-registered Toyota Fortuner. From the accident spot, we recovered some fragments of the vehicle’s headlight. After that, we tracked down the vehicle,” Senior Superintendent of Police, Jalandhar Rural, Harvinder Singh, told news agency PTI.

“In the CCTV footage, the part of the vehicle, which was found at the accident spot, was missing. It was a left-side headlight fragment. The registration number was readable, which we tracked. It’s a vehicle whose owners have changed more than once (probably resale),” he added.

“Now, our teams will nab the driver soon and recover the vehicle,” the SSP said.

Marathon runner Fauja Singh was 114 and was hit by a vehicle in his native village while walking down the Jalandhar-Pathankot highway. He succumbed to his injuries Monday evening.

A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against an unknown driver under BNS Sections 281 (rash driving or riding on a public way) and 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), soon after the accident.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/fauja-singh-marathoner-hit-and-run-case-kartarpur-resident-amritpal-singh-dhillon-arrested-9443038.html

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and his crew conducted over 60 scientific experiments during their historic Axiom-4 mission aboard the ISS, marking India’s first human presence there.

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and his fellow crewmembers conducted over 60 scientific experiments during their 18-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission. This milestone mission not only marked India’s first human presence on the ISS but also focused heavily on microgravity research and technology demonstrations.

Air India is going to restore some international flights that it paused after the June 12 Ahmedabad crash, from August 1, an official statement said on Tuesday. The full restoration of flights is planned from October 1, 2025.

A total of 260 people, including the crew, died after Air India flight AI 171 crashed moments after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport on June 12. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane crashed into a hostel near the airport.

“The partial resumption will see restoration of some frequencies from 1st August, relative to July, with full restoration planned from 1st October 2025,” the statement said.

That pause enabled Air India to perform additional precautionary checks on its Boeing 787 aircraft as well as accommodate longer flying times arising from airspace closures over Pakistan and the Middle East, the Tata Group-owned airline added in the statement.

Air India also announced that it will reduce the number of flights operating on certain routes. From August 1 to September 30, Air India will operate three weekly flights from Ahmedabad to London’s Heathrow Airport, as compared to the earlier five flights between Ahmedabad and London’s Gatwick Airport.

The airline also reinstated the previously curtailed 24 weekly flights between Delhi and London’s Heathrow Airport from July 16 onwards.

Also, from August 1, Air India will operate five weekly flights instead of the earlier four, from Delhi to Zurich in Switzerland.

Additionally, the number of Air India flights to several North American cities, including Washington, Chicago, San Francisco, New York, Toronto and Vancouver, remains slightly reduced.

Apart from them, Air India flights to two Australian cities, Melbourne and Sydney, will remain reduced from seven to five weekly flights.

“As the schedule reductions taken as part of the Safety Pause had been implemented until 31 July 2025 and the restoration to full operation is being phased, some services initially planned to operate between 1 August and 30 September 2025 will be removed from the schedule,” Air India added.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/air-india-to-restore-some-international-flights-paused-after-ahmedabad-crash-from-august-1-2756271-2025-07-15

Days after facing criticism for showcasing Kolhapuri-style leather slippers without proper credit, a team from Italian fashion house Prada arrived in Kolhapur on Tuesday to learn about the history and craftsmanship behind the iconic Kolhapuri chappals.

Lalit Gandhi, Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture, told India Today TV, “A few days ago, Prada held a fashion show in Milan, Italy, where Kolhapuri slippers were featured. However, Prada described them merely as leather garments, without acknowledging their origin.”

Following the backlash, six senior representatives from Prada, including Paolo Tiveron, the director of the men’s technical and production department (footwear division), Daniele Contu, pattern-making manager of the footwear division, Andrea Pollastrelli and Roberto Pollastrelli, visited Kolhapur to gain a better understanding of the traditional craft.

“They assured that such a mistake would not be repeated in the future. Furthermore, the Prada representatives promised to help give Kolhapuri slippers rightful recognition on a global scale,” Gandhi added.

The team visited the Jawahar Nagar area, known for producing traditional Kolhapuri footwear, and interacted with local artisans including Shubham Satpute, Balu Gawli, Arun Satpute, Sunil Lokre and Balasaheb Gawli.

At the recent Milan Fashion Week, at least seven of Prada’s Spring/Summer 2026 looks featured models wearing Kolhapuri-style slippers. These were priced at around Rs 1.2 lakh each but were not referred to by their original name or cultural roots, causing outrage in India.

Trade experts called the lack of credit a serious oversight. Kolhapuri chappals have held Geographical Indication (GI) status in India since 2019, recognising their unique heritage and regional identity.

Gandhi also said, “The state government is being urged to take steps to protect the reputation and popularity of Kolhapuri slippers.”

Earlier, the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture had written to Prada, raising concerns about cultural appropriation and the lack of acknowledgement.

In response, Prada said it would work towards “responsible design practices, fostering cultural engagement, and opening a dialogue for a meaningful exchange with local Indian artisan communities.”

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/prada-team-visits-kolhapur-meet-local-artisans-after-kolhapuri-sandals-row-2756336-2025-07-16

Tesla Inc. opened its first showroom in India on Tuesday, marking the electric vehicle maker’s long-anticipated debut in the world’s third-biggest automotive market.

Located in the Bandra-Kurla Complex, an upscale business center in the financial capital Mumbai, the showroom will serve as Tesla’s flagship retail and experience outlet as the company introduces its EV lineup to Indian customers.

Tesla’s entry to India comes after years of delays and policy friction, marking a pivotal expansion in a fast-growing consumer base while global sales are plunging and the company faces challenges in its two core markets, China and the U.S.

Sales of Tesla electric cars fell sharply from April to June as boycotts over Elon Musk’s political views continued keeping buyers away.

For India, Tesla’s entry signals rising investor confidence and strengthens its move towards clean mobility, although Tesla’s higher pricing is likely to make its cars unaffordable for most Indians.

The country’s nascent electric vehicle market made up a little more than 2% of total car sales last year. But the government wants to change that and increase the electric vehicle share to 30% by 2030.

Tesla will begin by importing and selling its popular Y model cars in India. The base price would be 6.78 million rupees ($79,089) for the long-range, rear-wheel drive vehicle, according to a presentation by the company during the showroom launch Tuesday. Delivery is expected to start from the third quarter, Tesla officials said.

By comparison, the price tag is around $44,990 in the U.S without a federal tax credit.

Tesla will compete mostly with German luxury carmakers such as BMW and Mercedes Benz Group AG, and not budget Indian players like Tata Motors Ltd. and Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. The luxury car market makes up just about 1% of total vehicle sales

The debut by American EV giant, however, would bring in world class technology to the country, auto analyst Gaurav Vangaal said.

“With deeper local investments, Tesla can accelerate India’s EV ecosystem, drive innovation and support the government’s goal of higher EV penetration,” said Vangaal, an associate director with S&P Global Mobility.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has wooed Tesla for years for its global brand value and to boost the country’s clean energy endeavors.

CEO Elon Musk invited Indians in April 2016 to preorder the upcoming Tesla Model 3. Several customers placed an order but the cars never arrived and the booking amount had to be refunded.

Despite his earlier enthusiasm, in 2019 Musk expressed concern in a post on his social media platform X that import taxes could double prices of Tesla cars, making them “unaffordable.”

Tesla pressed Indian authorities to cut import taxes on EVs, which were up to 100%, to be able to test the local market. New Delhi, however, wanted Tesla to set up manufacturing facilities so a comprehensive policy could benefit all the players in the sector.

The dynamics changed after Modi and Musk met in the U.S. in February during a state visit by Modi.

Barely a month later, India rolled out a new policy to woo the likes of Tesla, reducing import taxes to 15% from 70% to 100% for EVs priced cheaper than $35,000 as long the automaker committed to building a factory in the country within three years.

Soon after, Musk announced he would visit India in April to meet Modi. It was widely expected he would unveil Tesla’s plans to set up manufacturing facilities and commit billions of dollars in investments. But Musk cancelled the visit, citing “very heavy Tesla obligations,” and travelled to China instead.

Source : https://apnews.com/article/tesla-india-mumbai-ev-cars-5699547c6b70fefa9cc19b3f90c85217

Sources close to the negotiation table have confirmed to Times Now that the deal was finalised after months of intense deliberation between top officials from both sides, with direct oversight from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the incident was caused by “mischievous elements” and went against the spirit of the celebration.

India on Monday condemned the disruption of a Rath Yatra procession in Toronto, calling the incident “despicable” and said the matter has been strongly raised with Canadian authorities. The annual festival, featuring the grand chariot of Lord Jagannath, was disrupted over the weekend by individuals who allegedly hurled eggs at the procession, according to media reports.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the incident was caused by “mischievous elements” and went against the spirit of the celebration.
“Such despicable acts are regrettable and are against the spirit of the festival, which seeks to promote unity, inclusivity, and social harmony,” Jaiswal said.

Amid growing global scrutiny after the Air India crash probe, the FAA and Boeing have maintained that there is no flaw in the design of Boeing’s fuel switch locks.

As global scrutiny intensifies following the preliminary report on last month’s fatal Air India crash, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing have reaffirmed the safety of fuel switch locks on Boeing aircraft. On June 12, the airline’s Boeing 787-8 plane operating flight AI 171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed soon after take off and 270 people died in the accident.
In a Continued Airworthiness Notification issued on July 11—just days after India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released its initial findings—the FAA stated: “Although the fuel control switch design, including the locking feature, is similar on various Boeing airplane models, the FAA does not consider this issue to be an unsafe condition that would warrant an Airworthiness Directive on any Boeing airplane models, including the Model 787.”
‘Not Recommending Any Action’: Boeing
Boeing, echoing the FAA’s stance, cited the notification in a Multi-Operator Message sent to airlines, according to two sources with direct knowledge, Reuters reported. The planemaker said it was not recommending any action in response to the crash. When asked for comment, Boeing referred Reuters to the FAA, which itself said it had nothing further to add beyond the contents of the notification.

AI Crash Probe Report Questioned Boeing Fuel Cutoff Switches
The FAA and Boeing’s posture comes despite key findings in the AAIB’s preliminary report, which raised questions about the engine fuel cutoff switches aboard the Boeing 787-8 that crashed and killed 260 people. The report referenced a 2018 FAA advisory that recommended—but did not mandate—inspection of the locking feature of fuel cutoff switches to ensure they could not be moved accidentally.

According to the report, Air India stated it had not carried out the suggested inspections since the FAA’s advisory was non-binding. Still, maintenance records indicated that the aircraft’s throttle control module—which houses the fuel switches—had been replaced in both 2019 and 2023. The report also noted: “All applicable airworthiness directives and alert service bulletins were complied on the aircraft as well as engines.”
In a striking detail from the crash investigation, cockpit voice recordings revealed that in the flight’s final moments, one pilot asked the other, “Why did you cut off the fuel?” The second pilot responded, “I did not do so.” The report found that both fuel switches had flipped from “run” to “cutoff” shortly after takeoff but did not explain how the switches had changed position mid-flight.
Pilot Body ALPA Reacts
The report’s implications have drawn sharp reactions from pilot representatives. ALPA India, which represents Indian pilots at the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations, pushed back strongly against any premature conclusion of pilot error and demanded a role in the investigation. “The pilots body must now be made part of the probe, at least as observers,” said ALPA India President Sam Thomas.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/as-questions-mount-after-ai-plane-crash-probe-faa-and-boeing-say-fuel-switches-safe-article-152276224

The Golden Temple, also known as Darbar Sahib and Shri Harminder Sahib, is the holiest of shrines in Sikhism and is situated in Punjab’s bordering district of Amritsar.

Authorities at Amritsar’s Golden Temple, the holiest shrine for the followers of Sikhism, have received a bomb threat, officials said on Monday. A bomb disposal squad has been rushed to the site.

The Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), the highest religious governing body of Sikhs, said that it has lodged a complaint after receiving an e-mail threatening to blow up the langar hall (community kitchen hall) of the Golden Temple, which is also known as Darbar Sahib.

SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the police are investigating the matter, with senior police officers keeping a tab on it. “Cannot say much about this at this point,” Dhami said.

Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar confirmed that a case has been registered into the matter based on the complaint filed by the SGPC, and an investigation has been launched.

Also, the cyber crime wing of the Punjab Police is actively trying to reach the origin of the threat mail.

Meanwhile, Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla took stock of the situation and has urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to take immediate action in the matter.

“An email has been received threatening to blow up Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) with RDX. This is not just a threat to a religious site – it’s an attack on peace, faith & humanity,” the Parliamentarian wrote on X.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/threat-email-warns-of-bomb-attack-on-golden-temple-langar-hall-probe-underway-2755749-2025-07-14

A social media influencer was assaulted in Delhi’s Tilak Nagar after a dispute over an online post. Police have identified the attackers as Pradeep Dhaka and his friends.

A social media influencer was beaten up by a group of people in Delhi over an internet post. The incident happened in West Delhi’s Tilak Nagar area, the video of which was widely shared on social media.

One of the videos showed a man, later identified as Deepak Sharma, lying on the road and being thrashed, an officer told news agency PTI.

According to Deepak Sharma, there had been some disagreements between him and the other party for quite a few days.

In a statement to the Delhi Police, Sharma also claimed that the attacker, Pradeep Dhaka, and his friends wanted to kill him.

A First Information Report (FIR) was registered in the case and investigations were underway.

Later, commenting on the incident, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West), Vichitra Veer, said the attackers were identified as Pradeep Dhaka and friends.

“A case under appropriate sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered, and a team has been formed to trace and apprehend the assailants,” Vichitra Veer added.

Both Sharma and Dhaka claim to be social media influencers and had come to attend a common gathering at Mall Road, Tilak Nagar, he said.

“A dispute reportedly arose between them over certain social media posts,” the officer said.

On Monday, Haryanvi music sensation Fazilpuria, known for his infectious beats and flamboyant style, escaped unhurt after unidentified assailants opened fire at his vehicle.

The incident happened on the Southern Peripheral Road near Badshahpur, on the outskirts of Gurugram.

Media reports suggested that Fazilpuria, whose real name is Rahul Yadav, was in his car when several rounds were fired in what appears to be a planned and targeted attack.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/delhi-social-media-influencer-deepak-sharma-thrashed-tilak-nagar-viral-video-internet-post-clash-9440719.html

The project in focus was the North Koel Reservoir Project, split across Bihar and Jharkhand. It began in 1972 under the government of the undivided state and is not yet complete

How long can a vital project be delayed? Going by the case of a reservoir project in undivided Bihar that recently came up before Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a review, the delay can be as long as 53 years.

The project in focus was the North Koel Reservoir Project, now split across Bihar and Jharkhand. It was started in 1972 by the state government and is not yet complete. Modi took up the project for a review along with some others and had a telling observation to make.

“It was underscored that delays in project execution come at the dual cost of escalating financial outlays and denying citizens timely access to essential services and infrastructure. It was urged to officials, both at the central and state levels, to adopt a results-driven approach to translate opportunity into improving lives,” the minutes of the meeting noted.

This project, once complete, will provide additional annual irrigation to 42,301 hectares in four drought-prone districts of Jharkhand and Bihar.

WHAT IS THE NORTH KOEL RESERVOIR PROJECT?
The North Koel Reservoir project is a major interstate irrigation project with a command area lying in Bihar and Jharkhand.

It comprises a dam on North Koel river near Kutku village (Latehar district in Jharkhand), a barrage 96-km downstream of the dam (at Mohammadganj in Palamu district of Jharkhand), right main canal (RMC) and left main canal (LMC) taking off from the barrage.

The construction of the dam and ancillary activities began in 1972, undertaken by the then Bihar government from its own resources. But the work was stopped in 1993 by the forest department.

Due to apprehension that water accumulated in the dam would threaten the Betla National Park and Palamu Tiger Reserve, the work on the dam came to a standstill.

The project, after the work stopped, was providing annual irrigation to 71,720 hectares. After bifurcation of Bihar in November 2000, the head works – dam and barrage – lie in Jharkhand. Also, the entire 11.89-km LMC from Mohammadganj barrage lies in Jharkhand. Out of 110.44 km of the RMC, the first 31.4 km lie in Jharkhand and the rest 79.04 km lie in Bihar.

MODI GOVERNMENT INTERVENED IN 2016
In 2016, the Modi government at the Centre decided to help with completion of balance works of the North Koel Reservoir project to realise its envisaged benefits.

It was decided that the reservoir level will be reduced to save the core area of Palamu Tiger Reserve. The proposal to complete the balance works of the project at an estimated expenditure of Rs 1,622.27 crore was approved by the Union cabinet in August 2017.

The department of water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation, ministry of jal shakti was given the approval to complete the balance works of the North Koel Reservoir project at a revised cost of Rs 2,430.76 crore.

Subsequently, at the request of both state governments, certain other components were found necessary to be included in the project.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/what-happened-after-a-project-delayed-by-53-years-came-up-for-review-before-pm-modi-exclusive-ws-l-9440688.html#google_vignette

To be sure, the FAA at the time recommended, but did not mandate, an inspection of the locking feature of the fuel cutoff switches

India’s civil aviation regulator on Monday ordered airlines to inspect the locking mechanism of fuel switches on all Boeing 787 and 737 jets by July 21, two days after a preliminary report into the Air India flight 171 crash identified fuel being cut off to both engines shortly after takeoff as the cause of the disaster that killed 260 people.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s (AAIB) preliminary report, released in the early hours of Saturday, said the fuel control switches were found in the “cutoff” position, triggering a global debate over whether pilot action or mechanical failure caused India’s worst single-aircraft aviation disaster.

“All air operators of the affected aircraft are hereby advised to complete the inspection required under SAIB Number NM-18-33, dated 17th December 2018, no later than 21st July 2025,” said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) advisory.

“Strict adherence to the timeline is essential to ensure continued airworthiness and safety of operations,” added the body.

Indian airlines operate around 150 Boeing 737 and 787 craft. Air India has 33 787s.

Monday’s order comes amid swelling global scrutiny of the Honeywell 4TL837-3D model fuel switches that the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is equipped with, after AAIB’s report cited a 2018 US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) bulletin warning of potential problems with fuel control switch locking mechanisms on Boeing aircraft, including the 787.

To be sure, the FAA at the time recommended, but did not mandate, an inspection of the locking feature of the fuel cutoff switches to ensure they could not be moved accidentally.

On Monday, Etihad, the second-largest airline in the United Arab Emirates, urged all its pilots to check the fuel switches on 787 aircraft in its fleet.

Fuel switches are crucial components in the heart of an aircraft’s cockpit that control the flow of fuel to the engines. The twin-engine Boeing 787, which crashed in Ahmedabad, has one switch for each engine.

The switches sit underneath the throttle handles in the cockpit’s centre console, positioned where pilots’ hands naturally rest during critical flight phases. Physical brackets guard each switch on both sides, making it impossible to accidentally brush against them. A spring-loaded mechanism requires pilots to pull each switch upward against resistance before it can be moved.

In its safety circular — a “standard work package” for engineers, a copy of which was posted on X, Etihad instructed its team to fully inspect the locking feature for “proper engagement.”

“Attempt to gently move (without applying excessive force) the Left (L) fuel control switch on the P10 Control Stand from ‘CUTOFF’ to ‘RUN’ without lifting the switch,” the circular said. “If the switch cannot be moved without lifting, the locking feature is functional. No further action is required. Proceed to the next step.”

“Etihad always ensures its maintenance is fully compliant,” an Etihad spokesperson said, without mentioning the circular.

Aviation experts were split on the reasoning for the advisory. Some attributed it to caution, and others said the airline may have underlying concerns over the safety of the locking system.

Captain Sharath Panicker, a former Dreamliner pilot with Air India, said, “DGCA has issued the order mandating the fuel control switch checks as a matter of abundant caution.”

Mark Martin, CEO of Martin Consulting, said, “DGCA has full discretion at any time to issue a mandatory modification if it senses that safety or airworthiness is being compromised. So clearly somebody has said that this likely is the issue and it is because of this that some things have gone wrong or it’s a likely cause of that accident and therefore an airworthiness information bulletin has been elevated to a mandatory modification.”

Officials aware of the matter said checks on the fuel locks on more than half of Air India’s 787s and most 737s were already complete.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/dgca-orders-checks-on-boeing-fuel-switch-locks-101752518229780.html

Marking attendance has not been easy for MPs under the current system, since many reach parliament together at 11 am, and have to rush in without signing so they do not miss the session.

Members of the Lok Sabha will now be able to mark attendance at their seats in the House, addressing a very old complaint, sources have said.

Marking attendance has not been easy for MPs under the current system, since many reach parliament together at 11 am, and have to rush in without signing so they do not miss the session.

The MPs are considered present only after sign the register and they receive the daily allowance. There are some who just sign the register and leave without attending the day’s session.

New System To Mark Attendance

According to sources in the Lok Sabha Secretariat, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has taken the new initiative in the Monsoon Session of Parliament starting from July 21 and continue till August 21. MPs will now be able to mark their attendance through a few processes – all hi-tech.

Under this, a Multi Model Device (MMD) has been installed on the seats allotted to MPs. Through it, MPs will now be able to mark their attendance during the session.

The Three Options

All MPs have been given three options to mark their attendance through the MMD.

The first is Multi Media Card (MMC), through which attendance can be recorded.

Besides, every MP will be given a pin number which will be entered in MMD and attendance will be recorded.

The third option is biometric — MPs will be able to register their attendance by placing their fingers in MMD.

Both Systems Available In Monsoon Session

Sources said the current system will also be maintained along with the new system in the monsoon session.

Under the current system, all MPs have to reach the Parliament House and sign the register kept outside the Lok Sabha.

Under this process, many MPs reach Parliament together, due to which there is a crowd and many are unable to sign in the hurry.

A new system has been implemented to solve this problem. After the feedback of the MPs regarding the new system, it will be fully implemented from the winter session.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/from-monsoon-session-a-hi-tech-attendance-system-for-lok-sabha-mps-8875539

Kutina, according to police, entered India on a business visa in October 2016 and remained long after it expired, spending years in hiding, mostly in Goa and later in Gokarna.

The Russian woman who was rescued from a remote cave near Karnataka’s Gokarna, along with her two young daughters, has reportedly spoken out against her removal, describing their jungle life as peaceful, safe, and more harmonious than anything human society could offer.

In a message sent via WhatsApp to a friend and a police officer, Nina Kutina, 40, expressed deep sorrow over being forced out of what she called a “cosy, comfortable life” in nature. “Once again, evil has won,” she wrote, mourning the end of her forest life, as has been learnt from an Indian Express report.

“We were placed in a prison without sky, without grass, without a waterfall… with an icy hard floor.”

Kutina and her daughters, both born in India, were discovered by police last week, living in a natural cave near Ramatirtha on Gokarna Hill. This area is prone to landslides and inhabited by venomous snakes.

Authorities, alarmed by the safety risks, immediately persuaded the family to return to town and have since moved them to a women’s care centre in Karwar.

Kutina, in her message, has, however, lashed out at what she called society’s “baseless fears” about nature. “Not once in our entire life there did a snake ever harm us. Not a single animal attacked us. For many years, the only thing we feared was people,” she has written.

“Rain is the best thing that nature gives us,” she further writes. “In their fancy houses, it is the same as in the cave, only worse. Because besides the same issues, there is a pile of negatives instead of positives. And both piles are massive.”

“They are convinced they have the right to act like this. And they carry out these horrifying vigilante ‘justices’ based purely on their fears, on childish fairytales, not on real experience,” she further noted.

Kutina, according to police, entered India on a business visa in October 2016 and remained long after it expired, spending years in hiding, mostly in Goa and later in Gokarna. She briefly left the country for Nepal in 2018 but returned and continued living undocumented.

The cave where she had been staying for about two months was previously known to her from past visits to the area.

Source: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/not-a-single-animal-attacked-us-russian-woman-who-lived-in-gokarna-cave-defends-life-in-jungle-13275469.html

Attorney-General R Venkataramani says the Centre got informal communication that the execution of Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya in Yemen would be put in abeyance, ‘but we don’t know if it will work out’.

The Centre on Monday informed the Supreme Court that it has done all it could to save Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, who is set to be executed on July 16 in Yemen on murder charges.

“There’s nothing much the government can do… looking at the sensitivity of Yemen… It’s not diplomatically recognised… There’s a point till which the government of India can go. We have reached that. Yemen is not like any other part of the world. We didn’t want to complicate the situation by going public, we are trying at a private level,” Attorney-General R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, said.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta was hearing a plea by the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council seeking the court’s intervention to direct the Centre to assist in the negotiations through diplomatic channels. The counsel for the petitioner submitted that Priya’s family and supporters were negotiating a “blood money” deal with the murder victim’s family, so that she could be pardoned under Sharia law.

The counsel said Priya’s mother is in Yemen and that the action council is only requesting the Centre’s intervention for negotiating with the family while the “blood money” is arranged.

The attorney-general pointed out that “blood money is a private negotiation…” He added, “There’s no way we can get to know what is really happening. We have been trying…”

He said the government had even reached out to an influential sheikh in Yemen and requested the public prosecutor to suspend the execution. “We got informal communication that the execution would be put in abeyance, but we don’t know if it will work out,” he pointed out.

Terming it a sensitive matter, Justice Mehta said the manner in which the incident took place is a matter of concern and that “it’s very sad” if she loses her life.

The counsel said that “good Samaritans are unable to help because it is Yemen. We are even willing to pay higher blood money to save her”.

The attorney-general submitted that it’s not a matter where the government can be asked to do something beyond what it has already done. “It’s very unfortunate,” he said.

The court adjourned the matter till July 18 with the direction that it be apprised of the status.

Meanwhile in Yemen

Sources familiar with the developments told The Indian Express that discussions are underway at various levels in Yemen to save her life.

“Discussions to save her life are at a crucial stage. We are hopeful about a positive outcome. Community leaders, two Yemeni citizens associated with the Indian mission, and a negotiator, Samuel Jerome Bhaskaran, are involved in the discussions,” said a source.

Nimisha Priya’s mother, Prema Kumari, who has been camping in Yemen since last year, told The Indian Express, “I met my daughter in jail last month. She is suffering in silence.”

Back in Kerala, prominent Muslim leader and general secretary of the All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama, Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar, has also made interventions to try and secure Nimisha’s release. Musaliyar has urged a prominent Sufi scholar in Yemen to hold discussions with Talal’s family and local leadership to see that the family pardons the woman.

The case

Priya, who hails from Palakkad, Kerala, was found guilty of murdering Talal Abdo Mahdi in 2017. She was arrested while trying to flee Yemen and sentenced to death in 2018.

After becoming a qualified nurse, Priya moved to Yemen in 2008. In 2011, she married Tomy Thomas in Kerala. Both wanted to start their own clinic, but under Yemeni law, this required them to partner with a local.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-nimisha-priya-yemen-india-kerala-10125287/

The Supreme Court, while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) recently, set a three-month timeframe for the Centre to implement food safety norms in the country. The PIL, filed by the Pune-based non-profit 3S and Our Health, had raised concerns about food safety and the need for package labelling norms, especially around nutrients of concern—salt, sugar and fat—so that consumers could make informed decisions.

The government, in its reply, informed that the country’s highest food safety regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), had received over 14,000 public comments from various stakeholders on the proposed labelling norms, and had started the amendment process.

In September 2022, FSSAI introduced draft Front-of-Package Nutrition Labelling (FOPNL) guidelines and proposed an Indian Nutrition Rating or Health Star Rating model. This is supposed to be an FOPNL system that rates the overall nutritional profile of food, from half a star to 5 stars. The more the stars, the healthier the product.

Will this model work? George Cheriyan, working president of the Consumers Protection Association, thinks otherwise. He argues that companies can add protein or some vitamins to offset the negative impact of sugar or salt content in their food products and still manage a decent rating. For instance, if a bar of chocolate contains some nuts, it may get a healthy score without accounting for the presence of excessive fat and sugar. “The entire purpose of warning about the presence of harmful ingredients gets ignored in this,” says Cheriyan.

Cheriyan suggests India needs warning labels such as those used in Chile, where excess calories, sugar and fat are displayed in large black octagons on food packages, since literacy levels are low in the country and language barriers abound. Thus, warning labels should be in the form of symbols or emojis—just like the red dot currently indicating non-vegetarian food and a green dot indicates a vegetarian one.

There are enough studies to underscore the positive impact of food warning labels on public health. Data suggests that 18 months after Chile implemented FOPNL norms, including restricting advertisements for unhealthy products between 6 am and 10 pm, warning labels on packaged food, and a ban on selling junk food in schools, the consumption of sweet beverages reduced by 25 per cent. The study, published in medical journal PLOS Medicine, had tracked 2,000 households.

Dr Arun Gupta, convenor of the National Advocacy in Public Interest, a think-tank on nutrition, says interpretative labels don’t work. “Consumers take 6-8 seconds to choose the brand, and the star rating system doesn’t empower them to make decisions according to their personal choices and health and lifestyle preferences,” he says.

Gupta states it is time consumers be made king in the real sense. “It is time to go back to that ethos,” he says. That mission can only be accomplished through a food labelling system that empowers consumers to make choices and take health into their own hands, he adds.

Ashim Sanyal, chief operating officer and secretary at VOICE (Voluntary Organisation in Interest of Consumer Education), describes FOPNL as one of the most critical ways to curtail the rising consumption of ultra-processed foods in India. He says there is enough data to show how ultra-processed foods are impacting health and becoming addictive.

Cheriyan was part of the FSSAI discussions on draft FOPL guidelines. He highlights that a more democratic dialogue is required to determine the right norms for the country. During the last discussion on the draft in 2021, he said, the participation in the meeting was heavily skewed in favour of the industry, with 25 representatives from industry associations such as the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), but only five from the other side—three from consumer organisations and one each from civil society and farmer producer groups.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/packaged-food-alert-why-india-needs-warning-labels-not-health-star-ratings-2754431-2025-07-12

The woman, a second-year Integrated B.Ed student, reportedly set herself on fire on the college campus on Saturday after meeting the principal. A male student who tried to save her also suffered injuries.

The suspended principal of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Odisha’s Balasore district, Dilip Kumar Ghosh, was arrested on Saturday in connection with the self-immolation attempt of a woman student who had accused a senior teacher of sexual harassment, reports Kalinga TV.
Ghosh was taken into custody by Sahadevkhunta police based on interim findings of a high-level probe ordered by the Odisha Higher Education Department. The 20-year-old student is battling for life with 90% burns at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
Police said Ghosh failed to act on the student’s repeated complaints against Assistant Professor Samir Kumar Sahu, who headed the college’s Education Department. Prime suspect Sahu, accused of demanding sexual favours, was arrested on Satruday.

The woman, a second-year Integrated B.Ed student, reportedly set herself on fire on the college campus on Saturday after meeting the principal. A male student who tried to save her also suffered injuries.

Officials said the principal was suspended earlier for dereliction of duty and for allegedly ignoring the student’s written complaint submitted on June 30. A departmental inquiry was underway when the student attempted self-immolation.
A 12-member medical team is treating the student, whose condition remains critical. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and political backlash, with opposition parties demanding accountability from the state’s BJP government.
Congress leaders called for the resignation of the chief minister and higher education minister, demanding a judicial inquiry. They also urged President Droupadi Murmu, currently on a two-day visit to Odisha, to meet the victim.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh called the incident deeply disturbing.
“In a college in Balasore, a female student, fed up with prolonged sexual harassment by the head of the department, set herself on fire on the campus itself. She has been severely injured and is currently battling for her life at AIIMS Bhubaneswar,” Ramesh said in a post in Hindi on X.
Under the BJP’s rule, daughters are not safe anywhere—neither on campuses, nor on the streets, he alleged.
Earlier, addressing a press conference along with Odisha MLA Sofia Firdous, Mahila Congress president Alka Lamba said, “This student is an office-bearer of ABVP, the student affiliate of the BJP-RSS.
“The President of India, Droupadi Murmu ji, herself hails from Odisha. Today, she is attending an event at the same AIIMS Bhubaneswar where this female student is admitted in critical condition. We just want to say that President ji should meet this female student,” Lamba said.
Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, who visited the victim at AIIMS, said the government is committed to taking stringent action and is covering her medical expenses.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/balasore-horror-suspended-college-principal-arrested-days-after-b-ed-student-sets-herself-on-fire-article-152279128

Stuntman death case: The postmortem of SM Raju revealed that he had suffered severe internal injuries, including bleeding inside the head, despite no visible external wounds at the time of the incident.

A day after the tragic death of renowned stuntman SM Raju during a car-toppling stunt sequence on a Tamil film set, a negligence case has been filed against director Pa Ranjith and three others. The development follows the post-mortem report, which revealed that Raju had suffered severe internal injuries, including bleeding inside the head, despite no visible external wounds at the time of the incident.

A senior police officer confirmed to NDTV that a case has been registered against director Pa Ranjith, assistant director Raj Kamal, vehicle owner Prakash, and shoot manager Vinodh.”The post-mortem clearly points to internal trauma and bleeding in the head. Based on preliminary investigation, we’ve filed a case of negligence,” the Nagapattinam police officer told NDTV.

Raju was performing a high-risk stunt in the Nagapattinam district for a film directed by Mr Ranjith. Videos accessed by NDTV show Raju’s vehicle accelerating on a ramp and flipping in mid-air, while another vehicle speeds past on the ground, a sequence meant to create a dramatic near-miss, but one that proved fatal.

Though Raju initially showed no external injuries, he collapsed shortly after and was declared dead on arrival at a local hospital. His death has sent shockwaves through the film industry, once again raising questions over the safety of stunt performers.

In an emotional interview with NDTV, actor K Vishal, who is also the general secretary of the South Indian Artistes Association, said Raju was like family to him.

“I’ve known Raju for 20 years. This is a deep personal loss. He has two young kids. It’s my duty to stand by his family now,” Mr Vishal said.

Mr Vishal revealed that stunt choreographer Dhilip Subbarayan had explicitly advised Raju not to do the stunt, but Raju insisted on performing it himself, highlighting the dedication and risk stunt artists take on.

“Stunt artists often don’t reveal their injuries. They fear not being called back to work the next day,” he added. “I have 116 stitches from stunts across my career. That’s the reality we live with,” he added.

He defended the industry’s commitment to safety, saying all standard protocols were followed. “Ambulance, doctor, nurse, and physio are present on set. The stunt car was modified with rock-solid pipes to avoid the collapse of the shell. Mandatory use of helmets, padded suits, and seat belts is required. ”

“We never compromise on safety. But till a stunt is completed, my heart is in my mouth,” he said.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/stuntman-sm-raju-death-suffered-internal-bleeding-in-car-crash-negligence-case-against-film-director-pa-ranjith-8875527

Rajasthan’s Breaking Bad: The total market value of 5 kg of Mephedrone or MD produced at the lab in the flat is estimated at Rs 15 crore

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) recently busted a drugs manufacturing laboratory set up in a residential society in Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar district.

The two science teachers allegedly operating it were inspired by popular Netflix show Breaking Bad, the NCB said.

The federal agency, in a statement, said the laboratory was manufacturing Mephedrone (4-Methylmethcathinone), also known as MD. Searches at a flat in Dream Homes Apartments, Ridhi Sindhi Enclave, in the district led to the seizure of 780 gm of the drug, it said.

According to narcotics experts, MD is a synthetic stimulant drug in the cathinone family, which gives a feeling of euphoria immediately after consumption, but is addictive and continuous use causes severe psychological and health conditions.

The arrested duo

The NCB arrested the two — Indrajeet Vishnoi, 35, physics teacher at a private school and coaching centre till last year and a Rajasthan Administrative Services (RAS) aspirant, and Manoj Bhargav, 25, a science teacher at the Government Senior Secondary School in Muklawa, Sri Ganganagar.

NCB officials said the duo had taken the flat on rent around two months ago, and had sourced the chemicals and equipment from Delhi.

What was found in the flat?
Apart from MD, precursor chemicals such as acetone, benzene, sodium hydrogen carbonate, bromine, methylamine, isopropyl alcohol, 4-methyl propiophenone, n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and lab equipment used in the manufacturing of synthetic drugs were also seized, the agency said.

Drugs worth Rs 15 crore made in over 2 months
Of the 5 kg made, 4.22 kg had already been sold. The NCB recovered 780 gram during the raid. This batch alone has a market value of Rs 2.34 crore. The total market value of all 5 kg produced is estimated at Rs 15 crore.

How harmful is mephedrone?
Mephedrone, also known as 4-methylmethcathinone (4-MMC), is a synthetic stimulant drug that is chemically similar to cathinone, a substance found in the khat plant. It’s often classified as a ‘designer drug’ and was once part of the group known as ‘bath salts’. It’s typically found in the form of a white powder or crystals, and it can be swallowed, snorted, injected, or even bummed (rectal use).

It stimulates the central nervous system and produces effects similar to MDMA (ecstasy), amphetamines, and cocaine.

Short-term side effects include nausea and vomiting, anxiety, paranoia, or panic attacks, insomnia, agitation or aggression, headaches, loss of appetite. More serious/long-term risks include heart problems, seizures, risk of addiction and tolerance, mental health issues, damage to the nose or veins, hyperthermia, risky behaviour. Overdose is possible and can be life-threatening.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/rajasthans-breaking-bad-inspired-by-netflix-show-2-science-teachers-run-md-lab-in-flat-ws-kl-9437893.html

Manik Ali from Assam celebrated his divorce by bathing in 40 liters of milk, declaring freedom. He claimed his wife had an affair and eloped multiple times.

In a bizarre yet symbolic gesture, a man in Assam celebrated his divorce by bathing in 40 litres of milk, declaring to the camera, “From today, I am free!”

The man, identified as Manik Ali, a resident of Nalbari district, chose to celebrate his “freedom” in an unconventional way. A video of the incident has been doing rounds the corner on social media platforms.

In the video, Ali can be seen standing outside his house, over a plastic sheet with four buckets of milk. He used one bucket after another to bathe and celebrated his divorce.

He also captured the entire celebration on camera and was heard screaming, “I am free from today. She kept eloping with her lover. I stayed silent for the sake of our family’s peace.”

As per the local reports, Ali claimed that his wife was having an extra-marital affair and had eloped with her lover quite a few times. Going against the wife’s decision, Ali was trying to ‘save’ the marriage for the ‘sake of their daughter’. However, when nothing changed, the two finally got divorced.

After the legal proceedings were over, he decided to make the occasion memorable by pouring four buckets (approximately 40 litres) of milk on himself in front of the cameras.

Source: https://www.news18.com/viral/im-free-assam-man-celebrates-divorce-by-bathing-in-40-litres-of-milk-video-ws-l-9437764.html

Police said there’s no direct connection between her social media presence and the motive behind the crime, and that Radhika’s father confessed to the murder.

The Gurugram police on Sunday said that they were not seeking statements from friends or those who posted tributes and allegations on social media over the murder of tennis player Radhika Yadav, calling it an “open and shut” case and saying that a charge sheet was being filed based on strong forensic and testimonial evidence.

Meanwhile, Yadav’s reported friend Himaanshika Singh Rajput, on Sunday, said in an Instagram post that the murder was premeditated and triggered by social pressure. “She was not okay for the past 10 days. Her father had planned the murder three days before it happened,” Himaanshika said in her video.

She said that Yadav gave in to her father’s demands, and blamed the father’s friends for allegedly provoking him with comments about her clothing, makeup and growing online popularity.

Twenty-five-year-old Radhika Yadav’s Instagram account was private, with only 69 followers, suggesting she was not a social media influencer by conventional standards. Police said there’s no direct connection between her social media presence and the motive behind the crime. “The accused has confessed to the crime. These video statements are not part of the investigation and won’t be included in the charge sheet,” said Sandeep Kumar, public relations officer, Gurugram Police.

“During questioning, we specifically asked Deepak Yadav to name the people who instigated him against his daughter, but he could not name even a single person. We have questioned more than 20 individuals from Wazirabad village, including those close to the family, and no one admitted to having any such conversation,” he said.

While the motive behind the murder remains somewhat unclear, the police said that the evidence collected—including the recovery of the murder weapon, forensic inputs, and Deepak Yadav’s confession—was sufficient to move ahead with the charge sheet.

Yadav, a state-level tennis player and the founder of a tennis academy in Sector 56, was shot dead at her residence in Sushant Lok Phase-3 on the morning of July 11. According to investigators, the crime was premeditated, as they cited that Deepak allegedly sent his son out to buy milk—a task he usually did himself—before allegedly firing four rounds into his daughter’s back while she was in the kitchen preparing breakfast for her mother on her birthday.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/gurugram-news/open-and-shut-case-cops-on-gurugram-tennis-player-murder-101752430298610.html

Elon Musk’s Tesla and Starlink are on the cusp of entering India. Tesla’s first showroom opens in Mumbai while Starlink promises high-speed internet

Elon Musk may now be on the warpath with US President Donald Trump, but his two major companies – Tesla and Starlink – are on the cusp of entering India. This means cutting-edge electric vehicle technology coming to India, along with the fastest satellite connectivity.
This week, on Tuesday (July 15), Tesla’s first showroom will open in India at Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex. Tesla announced its entry into India with a new X handle. The company is calling its showroom as an “experience centre” and five Model Y vehicles are said to have landed in the city ahead of the launch.

Delhi’s Aerocity could have the second showroom by the end of this month. And, when can you book and get a Tesla? August or September. But be prepared to cough up a bomb – almost Rs 65 lakh to Rs 70 lakh, which is double of what the Model Y costs in the United States.

Well, the reason is that Tesla cars are being directly imported so far and, hence, cannot escape the 70 percent import duty that India charges. Then there are other surcharges and registration costs. The import duty would have been 110 percent, but India reduced it to 70 percent earlier this year to enable Tesla’s entry.

Tesla, so far, has no plans to manufacture its EV in India – something that the Narendra Modi-led government wants Musk to do so that the cars can become affordable for Indians and also create jobs here.

Tesla for now will be importing the cars. India could be the biggest EV maker in the years to come – and Tesla no longer wants to miss out on the early mover advantage.

But at a price tag of Rs 65 lakh to Rs 70 lakh, Tesla is not challenging the big players in India’s EV market – from Mahindra to Tata, which have far more affordable offerings. Even BYD is competitively priced.

Tesla is clearly going to test the waters first. It has a challenging task to set up charging infrastructure and ensure its imported cars adjust to vastly different Indian road conditions.

STARLINK COULD REVOLUTIONISE INTERNET
Musk’s other big offering – Starlink – is also set for an Indian debut in the next few days. India officially opened its doors to Starlink last week to launch internet services.

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre granted a nod to Starlink Satellite Communications, signalling the country’s growing embrace of private space and communication technology.

This will enable provisioning of the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, namely Starlink Gen1, and the private company can provide satellite communication services in India for the next five years.

The Starlink Gen1 Constellation is a global constellation with 4,408 satellites orbiting Earth at altitudes varying between 540 km and 570 km, capable of providing ~600 Gbps throughput over India. Again, the Starlink service will come at a higher cost than your regular broadband or WiFi service but will be much faster.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/elon-musk-on-warpath-with-trump-but-tesla-and-starlink-to-make-big-bang-indian-debut-ws-l-9438348.html#google_vignette

The decision was taken after a ‘positive response’ to a trial conducted in loco engines and coaches of the Northern Railway.

The Union Ministry of Railways on Sunday said all passenger train coaches and locomotives would have CCTV cameras for better passengers safety.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has given the go-ahead to instal CCTV cameras in all 74,000 coaches and 15,000 locos, said a Railways statement.

The decision was taken after a “positive response” to a trial conducted in loco engines and coaches of the Northern Railway.

“Miscreants and organised gangs take advantage of gullible passengers. With cameras, such incidents will significantly reduce, ” said the statement.

The plan involves covering each railway coach with four dome-type CCTV cameras: two in each entrance way, and six cameras in every locomotive. The plan for locomotives involves one camera each at the front, in the rear, and on both sides.

Vaishnaw, who chaired a meeting with top railway officials, asked them to ensure that high-quality footage should be available even for trains running at 100+ kmph and also under low-light conditions.

The Union minister also suggested that officials explore the use of artificial intelligence (AI) on the data captured by the CCTV cameras, in collaboration with the IndiaAI mission.

Privacy concerns

Indian Railways also clarified that in efforts to preserve the privacy of passengers, the CCTV cameras would be installed in the common movement areas and near the doors.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/railways-to-instal-cctv-cameras-in-all-coaches-locos-3628396

PM Modi personally informed Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam of his nomination to the Rajya Sabha in a candid call.

Moments after Ujjwal Nikam, the Special Public Prosecutor in 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case, was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu, he revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally informed him about his nomination.

Nikam said PM Modi candidly called him to inform about his nomination to the upper house of the parliament and had started speaking in Marathi.

“Yesterday, PM Narendra Modi called me to inform about my nomination. He asked me if he should talk in Hindi or in Marathi. Both of us started laughing,” he said as quoted by news agency ANI.

Nikam further said that the Prime Minister informed him about the president’s decision to which he immediately acknowledged and agreed.

“He then spoke to me in Marathi and told me that the President wants to give me responsibility, after which he informed me about the President’s decision. I immediately said yes. I thank the party leadership…” he added.

Language Row In Maharashtra

The interaction between the two came at a time when the Thackeray brothers– Shiv Sena (UBT’s) Uddhav Thackeray and MNS’ Raj Thackeray– have targeted the BJP-led state government for trying to ‘impose’ Hindi in Maharashtra and migrants for not speaking Marathi.

Earlier today, an auto-rickshaw driver in Maharashtra’s Palghar was thrashed in public, allegedly by the supporters of Uddhav Sena and Raj Thackeray’s MNS over his refusal to speak Marathi.

A video of the auto-rickshaw driver, a migrant, went viral, showing him arguing with another migrant from Uttar Pradesh, Bhavesh Padolia, at Virar station. He said in the video that he would only speak Hindi when he was asked why he was not speaking in Marathi.

Last week, MNS workers threw stones and vandalised the office of a businessman named Sushil Kedia, who had earlier issued an open dare to Raj Thackeray, stating that he would not be intimidated by MNS workers or be forced to learn Marathi under pressure.

Earlier this month, a shopkeeper in Mumbai’s Mira Road was assaulted after he allegedly refused to speak in Marathi.

Nikam Nominated To Rajya Sabha

In a Gazette notification put out by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday, four members were nominated to the Upper House of the Parliament, which comprised people from varied backgrounds, including diplomacy, the legal fraternity, historian, and social worker.

Among the nominees is Ujjwal Nikam, one of India’s most distinguished public prosecutors, best known for serving as the Special Public Prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks trial and several other high-profile criminal cases.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/shall-i-speak-in-marathi-pm-modis-banter-with-ujjwal-nikam-amid-language-debate-ws-l-9437814.html

Olympic bronze medalist Saina Nehwal announced her separation from husband Parupalli Kashyap on Sunday. Nehwal, who won bronze at the London Olympics 2012, took to social media to announce the news. “Life takes us in different directions sometimes. 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,” Saina wrote on her Instagram story.

Saina Nehwal and Parupalli Kashyap got married in 2018.

Saina and Parupalli both trained at the Pullela Gopichand academy in Hyderabad. While Saina grabbed the headlines with her brilliant performances and bronze at the Olympics, Parupalli also made a name for himself with a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2014.

She was the second Indian woman to win an Olympic medal after Karnam Malleshwari.

In 2015, Saina became the first Indian woman to achieve the World No.1 ranking in women’s singles.

Parupalli has not announced anything about the separation from his side.

Back in 2024, Saina revealed that she is battling arthritis and will have to decide on her badminton future.

“The knee is not very good. I have arthritis. My cartilage has gone to a bad state. It is very difficult to push for eight-nine hours,” Nehwal said on the ‘House of Glory’ podcast hosted by shooting great Gagan Narang, who was India’s chef-de-mission in the recent Paris Olympics.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/badminton/saina-nehwal-announces-separation-from-husband-parupalli-kashyap-says-were-choosing-8870038

Apart from orchestrating the religious conversion of economically weak Hindu families, Chhangur was allegedly planning to establish direct links with the ISI.

In a fresh and explosive revelation, sources have revealed that Jalaluddin alias Chhangur Baba – the self-styled godman at the centre of a multi-state religious conversion racket – had travelled to Kathmandu in a bid to strengthen ties with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). This alleged move goes beyond the ongoing illegal religious conversion case in which Baba is already facing serious charges.

Apart from orchestrating the religious conversion of economically weak Hindu families, Chhangur was allegedly planning to establish direct links with the ISI. According to sources, he wanted Hindu women – who had been converted to Islam – to be married off to ISI agents and sleeper cell operatives in Nepal.

Security agencies arrested Chhangur Baba and his two close associates – Neetu and Naveen – just in time, thereby averting what officials described as a potential national security disaster.

A recent meeting of ISI agents was reportedly held at the Pakistani Embassy in Kathmandu. A delegation from Pakistan’s National Defence University also participated in the event, which was attended by ISI officials. The Pakistani delegation even visited the India-Nepal border region.

Sources said Chhangur was seeking to establish contact with the Pakistani Embassy through a religious leader based in Nepal, but due to security restrictions, he was unable to enter the premises.

Investigators further revealed that Chhangur was trying to establish a base in Barhni, located in Uttar Pradesh. His next plan reportedly involved bringing in batches of Rohingya refugees, falsely presenting them as Hindus, and then converting them to Islam.

The religious conversion network allegedly spread across multiple Indian states, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, West Bengal, and various districts of Uttar Pradesh. Balrampur’s Utraula region was reportedly chosen as the central hub for these operations due to its proximity to the Nepal border.

Chhangur is also said to have had connections with international Islamic organisations, including the Islamic Development Bank (Saudi Arabia), the Muslim World League, Dawat-e-Islami, and the Islamic Union of Nepal.

AIDE TURNS WHISTLEBLOWER?

In what is being described as the biggest revelation in the case so far, Mohammad Ahmed Khan, believed to be Chhangur Baba’s close aide and financial associate, has come forward with startling claims.

Speaking to Aaj Tak, India Today’s sister website, Khan said, “I myself was troubled by Chhangur Baba He forcibly grabbed land worth crores that was in my name. I was his partner in financial dealings worth hundreds of crores.”

Khan further alleged that Chhangur Baba operated a syndicate involving land grabbing, illegal funding, and threats, run through a group known as the Rabbani Gang.

“The Rabbani gang worked directly under Baba’s instructions. They occupied land, prepared fake documents, and threatened people. The gang also had links with the late gangster Mukhtar Ansari’s henchmen,” Khan claimed, adding that he possesses photographic evidence of these connections.

He also revealed that just before Baba’s arrest, a member of the Rabbani gang managed to join the Uttar Pradesh Raksha Parishad (UP Defence Council), fuelling concerns about the gang’s influence within administrative circles.

Khan said he met Changur Baba in 2023 and had no association with him before that.

“He tried to frame me in a property case, and I had to take him to court. Even after his arrest, his gang members are still active and capable of executing large-scale plans,” he said.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ups-chhangur-baba-travelled-to-nepal-to-secure-ties-with-paks-isi-say-sources-2755147-2025-07-13

A 57-year-old man from Palakkad district in Kerala, who died on July 12, is suspected to have been infected with the Nipah virus, prompting the government to ramp up contact tracing and field-level surveillance in the area.

The man had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital in this northern district.

His samples were tested at Manjeri Medical College, where the results came back positive for Nipah, Health Minister Veena George said in a statement.

She added that the government is awaiting confirmation from the National Institute of Virology in Pune.

This is the second Nipah-related death reported in Kerala in recent days.

A native of Malappuram had recently died from the infection, while another patient from Palakkad district remains hospitalised.

In response to the fresh suspected case, the government has ramped up contact tracing and field-level surveillance in the area.

A list of 46 people who came into contact with the patient has been drawn up.

CCTV footage and mobile tower location data have been used to help identify those on the contact list.

A detailed route map of the patient’s recent movements has been prepared, along with a family tree to trace close contacts.

Health teams are now carrying out fever surveillance in the region to detect any possible symptoms in others.

“Field teams have been strengthened, and all available data is being used to monitor the situation,” George said.

Further steps will be taken once confirmation is received from the National Institute of Virology in Pune.

The minister has also instructed officials to step up the response team, considering the seriousness of the case.

Authorities have urged people in Palakkad and Malappuram districts to avoid unnecessary visits to hospitals, especially under the current circumstances.

Visits to friends or relatives receiving treatment should be strictly limited, officials said. Only one person is allowed to accompany a patient as a bystander.

Both healthcare workers and those coming to the hospital, including patients and their companions, are required to wear masks at all times, an official release said.

Meanwhile, the health minister also issued a Nipah alert to hospitals across six districts.

The advisory has been sent to medical facilities in Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad, and Thrissur. Hospitals have been directed to report any patients presenting with fever and symptoms resembling Nipah, including encephalitis and high-grade fever, the minister’s office said.

According to the WHO, Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease that spreads from animals to humans and can also be transmitted through contaminated food or via direct human-to-human contact.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kerala-reports-2nd-nipah-virus-case-57-year-old-man-died-on-july-12-2755249-2025-07-13

A 58-year-old man identified as Jitendra Kumar Mahto was shot dead on Thursday in the Sultanpur police station area of Patna, making it the fourth reported shooting incident in Bihar within the last 24 hours.

According to Patna East SP Parichay Kumar, unidentified assailants opened fire on Mahto while he was returning after having tea. “Criminals shot a person named Jitendra Mahato. He was taken to the hospital for treatment, where he died,” Kumar said. He added that three bullet shells were recovered from the scene and the matter is under investigation from all possible angles.

Mahto, said to be a lawyer by profession, had not been actively practising law for the past two years, police officials confirmed. His family told the police that he used to come to the same spot every day for tea. “Today, he came here to drink tea and was shot while returning,” SP Kumar said.

Patna City ASP Atulesh Jha also visited the scene, and the Sultanpur police station team is currently probing the case. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has been informed, and police have begun examining CCTV footage from nearby areas in an attempt to identify the attackers.

The incident follows three other fatal shootings reported across Bihar within a 24-hour period, raising concerns over the law and order situation in the poll-bound state.

In the first incident on Saturday, businessman Putu Khan was shot in the head at point-blank range by unidentified assailants at Mehsaul Chowk, the busiest market area in Bihar’s Sitamarhi district.

CCTV footage of the attack has surfaced, showing Khan being targeted in broad daylight. He succumbed to his injuries during treatment at a private hospital. Police arrived at the scene and began collecting CCTV footage from nearby shops to identify the attackers.

Khan’s killing led to tensions in the area. Family members, refusing to allow a post-mortem, staged a protest on the road with the body, demanding justice and alleging that the murder was linked to a land dispute involving his business. Media personnel were prevented from filming the scene as tempers flared among locals.

Hours later, in Patna district’s Sheikhpura village, veterinary doctor Surendra Kumar (50) was shot while irrigating his field. According to officials, bike-borne gunmen opened fire at him. He was found unconscious with bullet wounds and rushed to AIIMS Patna by villagers but died during treatment.

Police are questioning locals and have sent the body for post-mortem. “No eyewitnesses have come forward so far. We are investigating all angles,” a police official said. Kumar was known in the area as a former block president of the BJP’s Kisan Morcha. Political motives have not been ruled out.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/lawyer-shot-dead-in-patna-as-4-killed-in-24-hours-amid-shooting-spree-2755162-2025-07-13

The decision was delivered by a division bench comprising Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta and Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra, in response to a petition filed on behalf of the survivor.

The Allahabad High Court has permitted a minor rape survivor from Prayagraj to undergo an abortion, directing that all medical and procedural expenses be borne by the Uttar Pradesh government.

The court further instructed that fetal tissue samples be preserved as evidence for the ongoing legal proceedings.

The decision was delivered by a division bench comprising Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta and Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra, in response to a petition filed on behalf of the survivor.

The minor had been abducted and subjected to sexual assault and rape, following which a First Information Report (FIR) was registered on June 8, 2025. Upon discovering that she was pregnant, her family approached the High Court seeking permission for a medical termination of pregnancy.

Acting on the petition, the court had earlier directed the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Prayagraj to constitute a medical board to examine the survivor. The examination was conducted on July 9, 2025, and based on the report, the court granted permission for the abortion.

In its order, the court also instructed that the District Magistrate of Prayagraj be involved in the procedure to ensure proper oversight. The court emphasized that the state has a responsibility to support the survivor, not just medically but also legally, by ensuring that the fetus is preserved as forensic evidence for the prosecution.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/allahabad-high-court-allows-abortion-for-minor-rape-survivor-orders-state-to-bear-all-medical-expenses

The airport wall collapse has raised serious questions about construction quality and flood preparedness of one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in the state.

A section of the boundary wall of the newly-constructed Rewa Airport in Madhya Pradesh, built at a cost of Rs 500 crore, has collapsed barely months after completion, raising serious questions about construction quality and flood preparedness of one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in the state.

According to locals, the ground beneath the wall gave way due to heavy rainfall, causing a portion of the airport’s outer boundary to crumble during the night. This is not the first time the boundary wall has failed – a similar breach was reported during the rains last year, even before the airport became operational.

Rewa Airport was envisioned as a game-changer for the Vindhya region. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the project virtually from Varanasi, the airport was completed in a record 18 months on 323 acres of land acquired from five villages.

The facility boasts a 2,300-meter-long runway and is currently operating two flights connecting Rewa to Bhopal via Khajuraho and Jabalpur. While it now handles only 19-seater aircraft, the plan is to scale up to 72-seaters in the coming months. The airport has been licensed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and was designed to serve the region for the next 50 years.

But even before it could take off in full swing, its foundation had begun to sink, literally.

In the past 24 hours, Rewa has received 8 inches of relentless rainfall. The Bichhiya and Bihar rivers, lifelines of the district, have overflowed, submerging large parts of the city. At least four localities along the riverbanks are now inundated, with three to four feet of water inside homes and shops.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cracks-in-rs-500-crore-project-airport-wall-collapses-after-rain-in-madhya-pradeshs-rewa-8866487

Deepak, 51, was arrested from the family’s residence soon after the murder of his daughter, a tennis player who ran an academy, took place on Thursday morning.

A city court on Saturday sent to 14-day judicial custody Deepak Yadav, who is accused of shooting his daughter Radhika Yadav dead at their Sector 57 home.

Meanwhile, investigators part of the case gave a clean chit to 25-year-old Radhika’s mother, Manju Yadav, saying that she neither knew about Deepak’s alleged plan to murder their daughter nor had she witnessed the shooting.

Deepak, 51, a builder, was arrested from the family’s residence soon after the murder of his daughter, a tennis player who ran an academy, took place on Thursday morning.

His licensed revolver that he had allegedly used to shoot Radhika dead was also seized from his possession. Four bullet wounds were found on Radhika’s back and the pellets were extracted during the autopsy.

Police had sought his two-day remand for interrogation. However, the court had granted only one-day remand on Friday.

Sandeep Kumar, public relations officer of Gurugram police, said on Saturday that any evidence proving involvement of Radhika’s mother in her killing has not surfaced as of now. “She had no inkling that Deepak was going to kill their daughter,” he said. “There was initial suspicion that she might have also been involved in the killing but nothing adverse was found against her. Investigation indicated that Deepak had acted alone in Radhika’s murder,” he said.

Meanwhile, investigators said that after meeting his relatives in police custody, Deepak had broken down for the first time on Friday, and urged them to ensure that he is executed for killing his daughter.

Police officers interrogating Deepak, meanwhile, said his replies to their questions were few. “He has offered limited information. Probably, he is in a state of shock or remorse…,” said an investigator, who did not wish to be named.

He also told police that he suspected that “people were talking about him living on his daughter’s earnings”, which made him feel “humiliated”, police said.

According to the police, Deepak claimed he was battling depression for the past 15 days due to this social criticism.

In his confession, he said he could no longer bear the humiliation which had hurt his “pride”, as mentioned in the FIR accessed by HT.

Deepak had also allegedly started pressuring Radhika to close her tennis academy, which had also led to tension and arguments at their house, and the subsequent killing, said police.

Deepak allegedly shot Radhika, a state-level tennis player, four times in the back while she was cooking breakfast in the kitchen of their three-storey home in Block-G of Sushant Lok-2 Thursday, police said.

“He admitted during questioning that he planned the murder,” said PRO Kumar. “He typically bought himself milk in the mornings, but on Thursday, he asked his son to go instead. Once alone with Radhika, he pumped four bullets into her while she was cooking breakfast,” he added.

Police said they will again interrogate the family members and other acquaintances. A gunpowder residue swab analysis and other forensic reports will also be collected based on police will file a charge sheet against Deepak, officers said.

Radhika was a state-level athlete who had reached a career-high ITF doubles ranking of 113 in November 2024, and was ranked fifth in Haryana in women’s doubles. She opened a popular tennis academy in March this year and was also popular on social media.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/gurugram-news/radhika-yadav-s-father-sent-to-judicial-custody-101752346629444.html

During a lively Q&A on social media, Ananya Birla humorously addressed a question about her family’s cement business.

Ananya Birla recently interacted with fans through a question and answer session on social media. The eldest daughter of billionaire Kumar Mangalam Birla replied to several questions on X during her ‘Ask Me Anything’ session. Some of the queries she received were funny, some were thoughtful, some curious and some were downright strange – but the 30-year-old answered each with wit and honesty.

One of her replies, however, has been receiving more attention than others – perhaps due to the “weird” nature of the question itself.

Ananya Birla, cement wali?

An X user alluded to Ananya Birla’s business legacy in a question that left many laughing.

“Aap wahi birla ki beti ho ?? Cement wale Mm (Are you the daughter of the Birlas associated with cement?)” the user asked Ananya on X.

Ananya Birla, a sixth-generation scion of the billionaire Birla family, and also an artiste in her own right, did not deny the charge. “Haan Ji. Ultra tech was the name, last time I checked,” she replied.

Her response has received over 1 lakh views and dozens of amused replies. “The weirdest question I have ever seen here lol,” wrote one person in the comments section. Another called it “Gracefully balancing humor and generosity.”

UltraTech Cement Limited, a flagship of the Aditya Birla Group based in Mumbai, is India’s largest manufacturer of grey cement, ready-mix concrete (RMC), and white cement. It ranks as the fifth largest cement producer globally and the third-largest outside China

More about Ananya Birla

Ananya Birla is the eldest daughter of Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman of Aditya Birla Group, and his wife Neerja Birla. She gained popularity in the public space for her music career.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/aap-birla-ki-beti-ho-cement-wale-ananya-birla-s-hilarious-reply-to-question-goes-viral-101752368679778.html

Amaal Mallik reacts to Anu Malik’s MeToo allegations, says he felt embarrassed and distanced himself from his uncle during the controversy.

Music composer Amaal Mallik has made it clear that he shares no personal bond with his uncle, Anu Malik, especially in light of the sexual harassment allegations made against him during the MeToo movement. In a recent interview with Siddharth Kannan, Amaal revealed his thoughts on the controversy and why he chose to stay silent at the time.

“I didn’t talk or support Anu Malik when he was accused during the MeToo movement. It was not my concern because I don’t consider him my family. I was very embarrassed when he was accused of these things. We never had a relationship. But I think if so many people raised their voice against him, I believe there must be some truth to it. Why would people come and say it otherwise? There is no smoke without fire. Five people can’t talk against the same person.”

The allegations against Anu Malik surfaced during the height of the MeToo movement in India, with multiple women accusing him of inappropriate behaviour. Amaal, who has worked with several female artists, said his father once expressed concern over the possibility of similar accusations being made against him.

“Once my dad asked me if I too will be dragged in this movement. I said, there is no chance. I can never be the person who will ask for physical favours in return of songs. All the girls worked with me have felt safe.”

Talking about where he currently stands with his uncle, Amaal said he maintains a respectful distance but doesn’t share any personal bond with Anu Malik. “I am respectful towards him when I see him in public. But after knowing his wrongdoings, I am not in good terms with him. I don’t have any relationship with his family. I haven’t met them in years. I don’t attend parties. They were invited for Armaan’s wedding. They had come too. It is more like professional rivalry.”

Source : https://www.news18.com/movies/bollywood/amaal-mallik-on-uncle-anu-maliks-sexual-harassment-allegations-there-must-be-truth-to-it-9437155.html

The Andhra Pradesh High Court recently held that the Director of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) illegally nominated the investigating officer (IO) in the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Tirupati laddu case [Kaduru Chinnappanna v The State of Andhra Pradesh & Ors].

Justice Harinath N said that the SIT constituted by the Supreme Court did not include J Venkat Rao, but the CBI Director later nominated him as the IO.

The CBI Director could not have directed Rao to conduct the investigation and it was contrary to the directions of the Supreme Court, Justice Harinath said.

“Inclusion of 10th respondent as investigating officer over and above the number of reconstituted SIT is not permissible and would certainly over reach the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India,” the Court said.

Therefore, it ordered the CBI Director to conduct free and fair probe in the case and oversee the whole thing.

“For the aforementioned reasons, the writ petition is allowed directing the respondent No.2 to conduct a free and fair investigation by supervising the investigation which is to be conducted by the SIT reconstituted as per the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court.”

The Bench passed the direction after an accused named Kaduru Chinnappanna moved the High Court seeking directions for a fair probe in the case.

The laddu controversy erupted in November 2024 when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu alleged that animal fat was being used to make Tirupati laddus under the previous Congress government.

Initially, the State government constituted an SIT to probe the matter. The Supreme Court substituted it with an SIT to be composed of two officers of the CBI, two officers of the State Government, and one officer of the FSSAI. The new SIT was to function under the supervision of the CBI Director.

However, Chinnappanna stated that the Director CBI delegated the investigation to an officer, the Additional Superintendent of Police, Tirupati, who was also a member of the previous SIT constituted by the State government.

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/andhra-pradesh-high-court-says-cbi-director-delegated-tirupati-laddu-probe-in-violation-of-sc-order

As per recent reports, Bigg Boss fame Abdu Rozik has been detained by authorities at Dubai International Airport over alleged theft. While there has been no official statement from the authorities yet, his team has confirmed the arrest.

Bigg Boss fame Abdu Rozik was arrested at Dubai International Airport early Saturday morning on charges of theft, according to a representative from his team. The social media sensation was taken into custody around 5 a.m., shortly after arriving in Dubai from Montenegro.

The statement said the ministers will exchange views on SCO cooperation in various fields and major international and regional issues.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be travelling to China’s Tianjin city for the foreign ministers’ meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). The Meeting of the Council of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the SCO will be held in Tianjin on July 15, read a statement by a spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry here said on Saturday.
Jaishankar will also be visiting China, the spokesperson said, without specifying it. According to the statement, at the invitation of the member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, foreign ministers of other SCO member states and heads of the bloc’s permanent bodies will attend the meeting, reported PTI.
The statement said the ministers will exchange views on SCO cooperation in various fields and major international and regional issues.

The SCO grouping comprises 10 member states – China, Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus.

Several reports of women being transported in makeshift palanquins due to inaccessible roads have surfaced recently.

A recent remark by Sidhi BJP MP Dr Rakesh Mishra has sparked controversy over the demands of a pregnant woman has sparked concerns.
The issue of lack of roads was brought to light by local influencer Leela Sahu, who is also currently pregnant. Sahu highlighted on social media that the lack of road connectivity in the village severely hampers access to medical facilities, especially during the monsoon season.
It was highlighted that ambulances and other vehicles often fail to reach the area, forcing expectant mothers to travel in tractors or face dangerous delays in reaching hospitals.

Sahu had flagged the road problem in 2023 as well, however, no progress has been made since then.

When asked about the concerns of pregnant woman in Khaddi Khurd village, MP Rakesh Mishra said that several facilities from the state government are available and the women could get admitted in the hospital before their due date, according to TOI. “Delivery ke ek hafte pehle uthwa lenge” (We’ll get them picked up a week before delivery), he was quoted as saying.
“We have ambulances, we have other facilities, we have ASHA workers there. Come and get admitted at the hospital.” He added, “Every delivery has an estimated date, we’ll get them picked up a week in advance.”
There have been several instances of pregnant women being transported in make-shift palanquin as the vehicle could not reach the desired spot. A pregnant woman had to be carried in a makeshift palanquin, called ‘doli’ in local parlance, last month due to lack of an approach road to her hamlet in Shahapur in Maharashtra’s Thane district.
A video of 21-year-old Sangita Ravindra Mukane being carried in a doli over a distance of more than one kilometre from her native Chafewadi village to an ambulance parked at Gaidand Road at around 1:30pm went viral on social media.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/pick-them-up-a-week-before-delivery-mps-remark-on-pregnant-womens-road-woes-sparks-outrage-article-152268820