Category: India

In a development that has sparked fresh controversy, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Tuesday transferred senior archaeologist K Amarnath Ramakrishna—widely regarded as the architect of the Keezhadi excavations—from his current role in New Delhi to Greater Noida.

The move comes amid growing criticism over the alleged delay by the Central Government in releasing the official ASI report on the Keezhadi findings.

According to an official order issued by Pravin Kumar Tripathi, Director (Administration), ASI, Amarnath Ramakrishna, who was serving as Director of Antiquity and the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA), has been reassigned as Director of NMMA in Greater Noida.

In his place, H A Naik, Director of Epigraphy at the ASI headquarters, has been given additional charge of the Antiquity division.

This marks yet another relocation for Amarnath Ramakrishna, who has previously been transferred under similar circumstances following his pathbreaking work at Keezhadi.

The archaeologist, known for his scientific rigour and commitment to uncovering Tamil Nadu’s ancient urban heritage, had submitted the Keezhadi report years ago, but it has yet to be released by the Centre.

The Keezhadi excavation, first launched in 2015 near Sivaganga district, revealed the existence of a highly sophisticated, literate, and urbanised Tamil civilisation along the Vaigai riverbed, dating back to the Sangam era.

The findings have been hailed as revolutionary, challenging the dominant narrative that the Indus Valley and Gangetic plains were the sole cradles of ancient Indian civilisation.

The latest transfer has triggered outrage among political leaders and cultural voices in Tamil Nadu.

Reacting sharply to the transfer, Madurai MP and CPI(M) leader Su Venkatesan accused the Union Government of targeting the archaeologist for political reasons.

Source : https://www.dtnext.in/news/tamilnadu/keezhadi-archaeologist-amarnath-ramakrishna-transferred-again-amid-delay-in-asi-report-move-draws-flak-837391

The recent surveillance conducted on Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet did not reveal any major safety concerns, a DGCA on Tuesday statement read .

Civil aviation regulatory body DGCA on Tuesday said Air India has cancelled 66 flights to be operated with Boeing 787 since the June 12 fatal Ahmedabad plane crash which involved an aircraft of the same model.

The recent surveillance conducted on Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet did not reveal any major safety concerns, a DGCA on Tuesday statement read . The aircraft and associated maintenance systems were found to be compliant with existing safety standards, the DGCA statement added.

DGCA said it raised concerns over recent maintenance-related issues at Air India and directed the airline to boost inter-department coordination.

The statement came after Aviation regulator DGCA reviewed operations of Air India, Air India Express following the recent plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, which killed 241 of the 242 passengers onboard and dozens others on ground.

The flights cancelled since June 12 include Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flights that were cancelled on Tuesday.

On June 12 a London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft crashed into a hostel complex shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad.

Some Air India flights cancelled on Tuesday were:

AI915 – Delhi to Dubai – B788 Dreamliner

AI153 – Delhi to Vienna – B788 Dreamliner

AI143 – Delhi to Paris – B788 Dreamliner

AI159 – Ahmedabad to London – B788 Dreamliner

AI170 – London to Amritsar – B788 Dreamliner

AI133 – Bengaluru to London – B788 Dreamliner

AI179 – Mumbai to San Francisco – B777

Most of the flights cancellations were due to enhanced checks post the Ahmedabad plane crash.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/air-india-cancelled-66-boeing-787-flights-post-ahmedabad-crash-no-safety-concerns-in-fleet-dgca-101750175279976.html

A classroom disagreement between an IIT Delhi professor and a quiet student turned into a powerful lesson in empathy and courage. The student, initially thought to be defiant, later revealed he was trying to overcome his fear of speaking up. Anand’s viral post reminded readers that questions aren’t threats, and staying open is a sign of true intelligence.

What began as a seemingly tense exchange between an IIT Delhi professor and a student turned into a meaningful lesson on empathy and quiet courage.
In a LinkedIn post that has since gone viral, IIT Delhi professor Mridul Anand recounted an incident from his classroom that started off as a disagreement but left him with a lasting impression.
“The past two years of teaching at my alma mater, IIT Delhi, had felt like a quiet triumph. Until one day, a heated argument with a student changed that,” Anand began his post.

He explained that a typically disengaged student suddenly started participating during a lecture. While Anand was initially pleased, his perception soon shifted.

“One Monday, midway through the semester, a student who had barely shown any interest so far raised his hand. ‘Yes!’ As a teacher, it’s very satisfying to see a disengaged student finally take interest,” he wrote.
However, as the student continued to ask questions — many of which had already been addressed — Anand found himself wondering if the student was genuinely curious or trying to test him. Despite the rising tension, he kept responding.
“The exchange lasted 20 minutes,” Anand noted, sharing that even his smartwatch detected his stress. “The exchange lasted 20 minutes. Even my smartwatch had had enough; it flashed: ‘Alert: Abnormal heart rate!’ Taking the hint, I wrapped up and suggested we continue after class. But when it ended, he just packed his bag and walked out.”
Feeling irritated, Anand initially decided to dock participation marks. But what happened next changed his perspective.
In the following class, the student approached him outside and admitted he had always struggled to speak up. He explained that he had recently been rejected in a placement group discussion for being too quiet and had mustered the courage to finally engage — choosing Anand’s class to do so.
“What I saw as defiance was, in fact, courage,” Anand reflected, recognizing how quickly we can misinterpret intent, especially when we feel challenged. “It’s strange how quickly questions can feel like threats. Happens all the time, at work, at home.”
He ended his post with a reminder to stay open-minded in difficult conversations. “Questions aren’t attacks. The smartest thing isn’t always being right, but staying open, especially when it’s hardest to.”

The post resonated widely, with many on social media applauding Anand’s vulnerability and the student’s bravery. One user expressed how moved they were by the story and appreciated the environment Anand had created for open expression.
“We need more teachers in academia like you, Mridul Anand! You share your thought process openly, and the student’s situation, along with the ‘bigger-picture insights,’ is great,” a commenter wrote.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/viral/heated-clash-between-iit-delhi-professor-and-student-takes-an-unexpected-turn-not-defiance-but-courage-article-152020949

A horrifying video has captured the moment students and staff jumped from a medical college building after Air India 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into the campus last week.

A chilling new video has surfaced showing students and staff leaping from a medical college building moments after an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into the campus last week, killing 241 people on board. Only one passenger miraculously survived the disaster.

The aircraft crashed directly into the college canteen, where students were having lunch. The impact triggered a massive blaze that engulfed the building, killing several people on the ground, including medical students and doctors.

As flames spread rapidly, chaos erupted inside the building. For many trapped on the upper floors, balconies became the only way out. The terrifying 21-second footage captured the frantic escape — students climbing over balcony railings and attempting to scale down to safety.

Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday night. The crash killed 241 people on board, and several others on the ground as it plunged into a medical college complex in Ahmedabad. There is a lone survivor in the tragedy, a passenger seated on 11A.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is probing the fatal crash. The Centre has also formed a high-level committee under the chairmanship of the Home Secretary, including a representative of Gujarat, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), the Additional Secretary from MHA, among others.

17 people injured when their bus fell into a gorge in Patrighat of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh

Mandi Bus Tragedy: 17 people injured when their bus fell into a gorge in Patrighat of Mandi district on Tuesday, reported ANI. Rescue and relief operations are underway.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/breaking-bus-falls-into-gorge-in-himachal-pradeshs-mandi-17-injured-article-152007535

Bollywood Actress Malvi Malhotra Recalls Her Meeting With Ahmedabad Plane Crash Pilot Sumeet Sabharwal 10 Days Before The Air India Crash During Her Flight To Dubai, Shares An Untold Story!

The horrific and tragic Ahmedabad plane crash involving Air India flight that was en route to London from Ahmedabad has shocked the entire world. It unfortunately ended up being one of the most disastrous crashes in the history of air accidents and everyone is certainly heartbroken about it. The flight was led by captain Sumeet Sabharwal who despite putting forward his best attempt to save the lives of his passengers onboard unfortunately couldn’t do so and in the process even lost his own life.

For actress Malvi Malhotra, the Ahmedabad plane crash is more than just horrific news. The reason being, her fond memory with the same pilot who was in charge of her recent Air India flight to Dubai about 10 days before the crash took place. No wonder, the actress was jolted and shaken hearing his name after the plane crash. On being asked more about her meeting and memory of captain Sumeet Sabharwal, Malvi shared,

“Well, when I first heard the news, I was absolutely devastated and heartbroken. I might not know anyone personally but just the sheer fact that so many people unfortunately lost their lives in such an accident breaks my heart. However, I had shivers down my spine the moment I read the name of the pilot who lost his life in the process. Sumeet ji was my pilot just about 10 days before the accident took place when I was flying to Dubai in Air India. I had the most wonderful memories of him. From his charming and witty, humorous in-flight announcements to always keeping the passengers updated about every movement with politeness, he was simply phenomenal. Even during landing, I remember things were so smooth that I have to call it as one of my smoothest landings without any hassle. For a brief moment while deplaning, I got to meet him when he was around and out of the cockpit. It was just a beautiful experience. It pains my heart to realize that the same soul is unfortunately no more. May God bless his soul and may his family get the strength to bear with this loss.”

Source : https://www.spotboye.com/trending/trending-news/bollywood-actress-malvi-malhotra-recalls-her-meeting-with-ahmedabad-plane-crash-pilot-sumeet-sabharwal-10-days-before-the-air-india-crash-during-her-flight-to-dubai-shares-an-untold-story/6851541198e7b5da75cc9fc5

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Canadian PM Mark Carney on the G7 Summit sidelines. Both the leaders discussed strengthening India-Canada ties in trade, energy, AI and anti-terror cooperation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with his Canadian counterpart, Mark Carney, on Tuesday on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada. This marked PM Modi’s first visit to Canada in a decade and his first meeting with Carney after securing a third term in office.

During the interaction, both leaders expressed a strong intent to reset and deepen bilateral ties. PM Modi said, “India-Canada relations are extremely important.”

He added, “This is the first time I have got the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister after his election, so I congratulate him for his grand victory in this election and in the coming period, India and Canada will progress together in many areas with him.”

Describing the meeting as “excellent,” PM Modi added, “India and Canada are connected by a strong belief in democracy, freedom and rule of law. PM Carney and I look forward to working closely to add momentum to the India-Canada friendship. Areas like trade, energy, space, clean energy, critical minerals, fertilisers and more offer immense potential in this regard.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, welcoming PM Modi to the G7, said, “It’s a great honour to host you at the G7… It’s a testament to the importance of your country, to your leadership and to the importance of the issues that we look to tackle together.”

He further added, “From energy security, from the energy transition that you’re helping to lead, to the future of artificial intelligence, to the fight that we have against transnational repression, against terrorism… it is my great honour to have you here.”

The two leaders also discussed the broader global challenges facing the international community and emphasised the need to work together on key areas including technology, security, and democratic values.

PM Narendra Modi also said, “I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to visit Canada once again after 2015 and reconnect with the people of Canada. India, as the world’s largest democracy, has taken several impactful initiatives during its G20 presidency that have benefitted the global community.”

He added, “Now, there is a significant opportunity to carry forward the strong foundation laid by India at the G20 and bring it to the execution within the G7 framework. India has always been committed to using such opportunities for the greater global good and will continue to do so in the future.”

Briefing about the meeting between PM Modi and Canadian PM Carney, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, “In view of the trade negotiations between the two countries that are currently paused, the two leaders also decided to instruct their officials to take it up at an early date.”

Vikram Misri added that the two leaders agreed to stay in touch and meet once again at the earliest possible opportunity.

He added, “The Prime Ministers agreed to take calibrated steps to restore stability to this very important relationship and the first of these steps that was agreed on was to restore High Commissioners to each other’s capitals at an early date. Other diplomatic steps will follow in due course.”

According to a Canadian readout of the Modi-Carney meeting, Mark Carney and Narendra Modi also agreed to appoint new high commissioners, aiming to restore normal consular and diplomatic services for citizens and businesses in both countries.

The two leaders also reaffirmed the significance of Canada-India relations, emphasising mutual respect, adherence to the rule of law, and a shared commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pm-modi-canada-mark-carney-hold-bilateral-meeting-g7-summit-2742336-2025-06-18

The Indian Air Force is set to equip its Su-30 and Jaguar fighter jets with SAAW missiles developed by the DRDO. These missiles are capable of hitting targets over 100 kilometres away. The Defence Ministry is expected to take up the proposal soon, as the focus on long-range precision weapons continues to grow.

The Indian Air Force is planning to equip its fighter jet fleet with indigenous Smart Anti Airfield Weapons (SAAW) to enhance its long-range strike capability.

Designed to hit targets over 100 kilometres away, the SAAW missiles are expected to play a crucial role in future conflicts. The proposal to acquire the missiles will soon be taken up for discussion in the Defence Ministry, defence sources said.

Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the SAAW is a 120 kg class precision-guided bomb capable of engaging ground-based enemy assets such as radars, bunkers, taxiways, and runways.

The weapon system has been developed by DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad. Its light weight and high accuracy make it a potent standoff strike system, allowing the launching aircraft to remain out of enemy air defence range.

The missiles are set to be integrated across the Indian Air Force’s fighter fleet, including the Su-30 MKI and Jaguar aircraft. The acquisition gains significance against the backdrop of recent hostilities with Pakistan and China. Officials said the weapon system is similar in operational concept to those used during the Balakot air strikes on Pakistani terror camps.

The proposal also comes at a time when the Indian armed forces are increasingly focused on enhancing their long-range strike capabilities. This focus was recently evident in Operation Sindoor, where standoff weapons were successfully deployed against Pakistani military and terror infrastructure.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/air-force-eyes-smart-anti-airfield-weapons-strike-targets-over-100-km-2742338-2025-06-18

The Parmar couple had been embarking on their first overseas trip to visit their son in the UK, who had invited them as his wife was expecting their first child this week.

The Parmar family from Rakhiyana in Ahmedabad district suffered the loss of two members in the 12 June Air India plane crash, one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent history. Bhogilal Parmar, 57, and his wife Hansa, 55, were among the 241 victims of the Boeing Dreamliner crash.

Before the family could come to terms with this tragedy, they were struck by another devastating blow. Bhogilal’s elder sister, Gomti Parmar, 65, collapsed and died instantly upon hearing news of her brother and sister-in-law’s deaths.

Her son Sagar, a resident of Vaghala near Patdi in Surendranagar, told the Times of India: “My mother shared an incredibly strong bond with my uncle. Learning about the accident and discovering virtually no one survived was too much for her heart to bear.”

The Parmar couple had been embarking on their first overseas trip to visit their son in the UK, who had invited them as his wife was expecting their first child this week.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/air-india-plane-crash-claims-ahmedabad-couples-lives-grieving-sister-dies-of-heart-attack

The retired banker, Bhupal Singh, had left for Delhi with his wife for treatment, staying with their son posted in the Army. The thieves took full advantage of the empty home.

In a bizarre burglary incident in Lucknow’s Indira Nagar C-Block, two thieves broke into a retired banker’s locked house and not just stole, but also chill first. Before even touching the valuables, the duo cooked Maggi in the kitchen, followed it with a peas stir-fry, and feasted leisurely. They then switched on the AC and relaxed for a while, truly settling in like uninvited guests on vacation.

The retired banker, Bhupal Singh, had left for Delhi with his wife for treatment, staying with their son posted in the Army. The thieves took full advantage of the empty home.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/uttar-pradesh-news-thieves-cook-maggi-relax-in-ac-before-robbing-house-in-lucknows-indira-nagar

A Saudi Airlines flight carrying 250 Haj pilgrims from Jeddah experienced a rough and alarming landing at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport on June 15. Sparks and smoke emerged from the aircraft’s wheels, and the impact was so severe that passengers’ heads struck the cabin ceiling, while overhead luggage fell on them.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) termed the landing dangerous and has sought an explanation from the airline. According to sources, water on the runway prompted the pilot to use “aqua management,” a technique used for landing on wet surfaces. While effective in gripping the runway, it caused a jolt that distressed the passengers.

Eyewitnesses recorded videos at the terminal. Though no injuries were reported, the incident caused panic. The airport’s fire team sprayed foam and water, and it took 20 minutes to bring the situation under control. Passenger Abdul Mannan of Fiazabad said, “It felt like the aircraft had crashed.”

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/rough-landing-of-saudi-airlines-haj-flight-in-lucknow-sparks-panic-dgca-orders-probe

In an effort to curb pollution in the national capital, the Delhi government is planning to deploy high-tech machines for round-the-year road cleaning. A demonstration of these high-tech machines, including super sucker equipment for removing cane and concrete waste, was recently held to showcase their capabilities.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, speaking to Aaj Tak, said that air pollution caused by dust and garbage along city roads has been a serious health issue for residents. “We had made provisions to bring in new machines for road cleaning in Delhi. Smoke guns will also be hired to tackle pollution. These machines will ensure regular cleaning across the city throughout the year,” she said.

She explained that each assembly constituency would have at least one such machine in operation. The equipment, she said, is fully automatic and capable of removing dust as well as large debris. It includes a built-in water system and features for automatic garbage disposal. The use of updated technology is expected to significantly reduce dust pollution and speed up cleanliness efforts.

“We are committed to transforming Delhi. These electric machines will not add to pollution while cleaning. I assure the people of Delhi that the capital will now see better sanitation and a healthier environment through the use of this latest technology,” the chief minister added.

Last month, too, the Delhi government reviewed cleaning machines presented by various companies. Officials clarified that instead of purchasing these machines, the government plans to hire them and pay based on the distance covered.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-deploy-high-tech-electric-road-cleaners-round-the-year-curb-pollution-2741764-2025-06-17

On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, Cyprus’s highest civilian distinction, from President Nikos Christodoulides. PM Modi expressed gratitude on X, dedicating the honor to India’s 1.4 billion citizens and emphasizing the strong friendship between India and Cyprus.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Monday conferred with the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III of Cyprus, the country’s highest civilian honour. Later, in a post on X, PM Modi dedicated the award to the 1.4 billion people of India, and added that it was an award to the trusted “friendship between our nations”.
Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides conferred the award on the prime minister.
The Order of Makarios III is the senior order of knighthood awarded by the country named after the first President of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III.

Dedicating the award to the 1.4 billion people of India, Modi said it was an award to the trusted India-Cyprus friendship.

“I am confident that in the time to come, our active partnership will touch new heights. Together, we will not only strengthen the progress of our two nations but also contribute towards building a peaceful and secure world,” the prime minister said.
“President @Christodulides conferred PM @narendramodi with the ‘Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III’ of Cyprus. The honour reflects the enduring India–Cyprus bilateral partnership and shared commitment to work together for the common vision for peace, progress and prosperity,” the Ministry of External Affairs posted on X.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/pm-modi-conferred-with-grand-cross-of-the-order-of-makarios-iii-in-cyprus-dedicates-it-to-all-indians-article-151999798

Bishnoi, imprisoned in Gujarat, and Brar, reportedly in the US, have parted ways due to disputes over the handling of Bishnoi’s brother Anmol’s legal situation.

Strained ties between gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar are complicating the efforts of central intelligence agencies and the state police forces, a recent report has revealed. Bishnoi, imprisoned in Gujarat, and Brar, reportedly in the US, have allegedly parted ways due to disputes over the handling of Bishnoi’s brother Anmol’s arrest, The Indian Express reported, citing sources. This has made tracking their criminal syndicate harder for the agencies since they seem to no longer be working together.
The fallout reportedly stemmed from Lawrence Bishnoi’s anger at Goldy Brar and Sachin Godara over their handling of his brother Anmol’s case in the United States, the report said, citing sources. According to the report, Brar and Godara did not help Anmol file the required bail bond.
Anmol Bishnoi, brother of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, was reportedly arrested in California last year. He is said to be involved in high-profile crimes, including the Baba Siddique murder case. Anmol Bishnoi had also claimed responsibility for the firing incident outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s Mumbai house.

After the fallout, Goldy has reportedly started working with Azerbaijan-based Godara while Bishnoi is now associated with Canada-based Noni Rana.

Patna set to join Kochi in launching modern water metro services as part of Ganga transport revival.

Water metro services will soon begin in Patna, Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced on Monday, stating that the city will become a hub of the inland water transport system on the Ganga.

The announcement was made with a few months left for the state’s assembly elections.

Addressing a consultation meeting here on the development of inland water transport in UP, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, Sonowal said the Modi government was committed to harnessing the full potential of river systems for cargo, tourism and local livelihoods.

“The water metro system will connect both banks of the river and offer a clean, efficient, and modern urban mobility solution for Patna. The National Inland Navigation Institute is being upgraded as a centre of excellence with fresh investment,” he said.

“Over the last 11 years, the visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi has made India’s inland waterways vibrant engines of green growth and connectivity. The National Waterway 1, spanning UP, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, stands at the heart of this revival. We are committed to harnessing the full potential of our river systems for cargo, tourism and local livelihoods. Bihar, blessed by the sacred Ganga, is poised to emerge as a key inland waterways transport hub,” he added.

The Centre is working hand-in-hand with all states on NW 1 to make inland water transport a pillar of India’s sustainable, multimodal future, Sonowal said, maintaining that rivers are now the lifelines of the country’s economy.

“As part of the National Waterway 1, stretching 1,390 km from Varanasi to Haldia, Bihar will see the development of two terminals in Patna, along with the establishment of a vessel repair and manufacturing centre along the Ganga,” he said.

“Sixteen community jetties will be constructed across various districts, and Kalu Ghat will be developed into a state-of-the-art waterway centre. A dedicated task force will be formed to explore further possibilities for inland navigation and water-based commerce in 12 districts along the Ganga river in the state,” he said.

Sonowal said the development of NW 1 will create jobs, boost tourism, and make Bihar a key player in India’s economic growth.

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is at present conducting 10,000 km of longitudinal surveys per month to assess Least Available Depth (LAD), with coverage set to expand from 11 states in 2024 to 22 states and four Union Territories by 2027, he said.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/water-metro-coming-to-patna-sonowal-floats-ganga-mobility-plan-ahead-of-bihar-polls-ws-l-9389113.html

The Supreme Court observed that in cases relying solely on circumstantial evidence, the absence of motive can cast significant doubt on the evidence presented

Case ticks box of accidental gunshot injury, SC sets aside conviction of BHMS student of killing friend-classmate

The Supreme Court has acquitted an undergraduate student in a homeopathy course by overturning his conviction in the 2010 murder case of his friend, citing a lack of motive. It observed that in cases relying solely on circumstantial evidence, the absence of motive can cast significant doubt on the evidence presented.

Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma concluded that the high court had erred in finding the student guilty and upholding the trial court’s verdict. They acquitted Vaibhav of charges of murder and illegal firearm use, noting that the circumstantial evidence was inconsistent and allowed for a reasonable possibility that he was innocent.

“The present case ticks the boxes of an accidental gunshot injury, both in theory and in fact. The possibility of a homicidal death is very weak and no direct nexus exists to conclude that the trigger was pulled by the appellant,” the court said.

The SC found the counter probabilities and inconsistencies in the chain of circumstances have not been explained and its benefits should go to the accused. It, however, upheld conviction on charges of destruction of evidence and sentenced him to the period undergone by him, as he tried to dispose of the body of the deceased Mangesh, who was studying in his class at Bagla Homoeopathic Medical College in Maharashtra.

The court noted that the version of the prosecution suffers from inconsistencies and doubts and, in such a scenario, the inability of the appellant to explain certain circumstances could not be made the basis to relieve the prosecution from discharging its primary burden.

On September 16, 2010, both friends left college together on Mangesh’s scooter, but Mangesh did not return home. His father reported him missing, and his body was found the next day.

The trial court determined that Vaibhav had killed Mangesh using his father’s service gun and that his friend Vishal was guilty of destroying evidence. The Bombay High Court upheld Vaibhav’s conviction and acquitted Vishal.

Vaibhav’s defence before the HC included the impossibility of a homicidal death based on the bullet trajectory and evidence suggesting an accidental death. He claimed Mangesh was accidentally shot with his father’s pistol at his home and, in fear, he tried to clean up the scene and disposing of his body.

The bench examined the matter and noted that while Mangesh was shot with the pistol belonging to Vaibhav’s father, the crucial question was: who pulled the trigger, and it remained unanswered despite two rounds of litigation.

It found that the bullet trajectory suggested the possibility of an accidental shooting, as the prosecution’s version did not explain the same. It criticised the high court for dismissing Vaibhav’s defence based on his subsequent conduct.

“In gunshot cases wherein the nature of death – suicidal, accidental or homicidal – is not ascertainable from direct evidence, multiple factors are taken into account for arriving at a conclusion,” the bench said.

It further said these factors include point of entrance, wound size and direction, gunshot distance, weapon position, bullet trajectory, and other relevant aspects. It found no such analysis in the impugned judgment.

“Undoubtedly, in a case based on circumstantial evidence, facts indicating subsequent conduct are relevant facts under Section 8 of the Evidence Act. Equally, the inconsistencies in the version of the appellant are also relevant. However, the occasion to examine the version/defence of the appellant could have arisen only if the prosecution had succeeded in discharging its primary burden beyond reasonable doubt,” it said.

The bench explained that the burden on the prosecution is to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, while the accused only needs to prove a defence by the preponderance of probabilities. The trial court and HC failed to test Vaibhav’s defence, leading to a miscarriage of justice.

The court stressed that while motive is relevant in circumstantial evidence cases, its absence does not automatically discredit the evidence. Other evidence may still suffice to prove guilt. However, the absence of motive can favour the accused.

“There is no rule of law that the absence of motive would ipso facto dismember the chain of evidence and would lead to automatic acquittal of the accused. It is so because the weight of other evidence needs to be seen and if the remaining evidence is sufficient to prove guilt, motive may not hold relevance. But a complete absence of motive is certainly a circumstance which may weigh in favour of the accused,” it said.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/lack-of-motive-sc-sets-aside-homoeopathy-students-conviction-for-friends-murder-in-2010-ws-l-9389083.html

Amit Shah said India is now a global leader in disaster management due to NDMA, NDRF.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said India has become a global leader in the field of disaster management due to the excellent works carried out by the NDMA, NDRF and others.

Addressing a conference of the relief commissioners and disaster response forces of all states and Union Territories (UTs) here, Shah also said 10 years ago, the approach of the disaster mitigation organisations was for minimum casualties and after 10 years, the approach is to achieve the target of zero casualties.

“Whenever the history of India’s disaster response will be written, the last 10 years of the Modi government will be recorded as a transformative decade. In these 10 years, we have made significant achievements in all four areas — capacity, efficiency, speed and accuracy,” he said.

The home minister said the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has effectively carried out policy, subject structure, research work, dissemination of various exercises to the public, development of several applications, and overall coordination and policy-related work.

In the last 10 years, NDMA, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) have strongly positioned India to become a global leader in the field of disaster management, he said.

Shah said in the last two years, work has been done to create a platform of ideas with a whole-of-government approach by bringing together workshops and meetings of all the agencies related to relief and disaster management.

“When the heads of all the disaster relief teams discuss on a single platform, many shortcomings are removed and the country also benefits in being prepared to deal with a disaster,” he said.

The home minister also suggested that every year, some districts and tehsils sensitive to disasters should be included in this conference so that the disaster management being considered at the national level gradually reaches the tehsil and district levels as well.

All relief commissioners should prepare a district disaster management plan for every district in their state within 90 days, he said.

He also praised the role of NDMA, saying it has effectively carried out policy, subject structure, research work, dissemination of various exercises to the public, development of several applications and overall coordination and policy-related work.

Shah said the NDRF has earned nationwide recognition, built a strong reputation and gained respect while the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has also played a significant role in this structure.

He said due to climate change and global warming, the entire world is grappling with disasters and there is a need to move forward with environmental conservation as a core component.

“In the coming days, while everyone is fully prepared to tackle disasters, there is also need to address their root causes,” he said.

“Not only has our capacity to handle disasters been increased but it has also been enhanced and extended to the tehsil level. Attention has been given to speed, as saving lives during a disaster is of utmost importance,” he said.

The home minister said efficiency has been improved through the use of cutting-edge technology and the dedicated approach of disaster response forces.

Additionally, by providing accurate forecasting and early warnings, society has been made aware and successfully engaged in relief and rescue operations, he said.

Shah said during the Modi government’s tenure, there has been a significant shift in the approach related to disaster management.

Earlier, the approach was relief-centric, but now, the goal of “zero casualty” has been successfully achieved and the focus has shifted from relief-centric to a comprehensive and integrated approach, he said.

He emphasised the importance of anticipating future disasters, conducting advanced research, compiling global ideas in this field and adapting them to suit India’s geographical conditions.

The home minister said in the last decade, India has made significant efforts for financial empowerment and greatly increased the government’s budget.

“We have also pursued institutional empowerment deliberately and by design, along with structural empowerment. Combining all these, we have also adopted a multidimensional approach as a policy,” he said.

Shah said from 2004 to 2014, the budget of the SDRF was Rs 38,000 crore, which increased to Rs 1.44 lakh crore from 2014 to 2024. Similarly, the budget of the NDRF was Rs 28,000 crore from 2004 to 2014, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi increased to Rs 84,000 crore.

“Overall, we have nearly tripled the total budget from Rs 66,000 crore to Rs 2 lakh crore,” he said.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/india-now-global-leader-in-disaster-response-says-amit-shah-credits-ndma-ndrf-ws-kl-9389091.html

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced his five-day, three-nation tour on Sunday with a visit to Cyprus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi showcased a gesture of cultural diplomacy during his visit to Cyprus by presenting exquisitely handcrafted gifts to Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides and First Lady Philippa Karsera.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced his five-day, three-nation tour on Sunday with a visit to Cyprus — marking the first Indian prime ministerial trip to the island nation in more than 20 years. He was welcomed at the airport by Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides.

As a symbol of India’s rich artistic heritage, PM Modi gifted a Kashmiri handmade silk carpet to Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides.

Known for their intricate craftsmanship, these carpets are woven using centuries-old techniques by artisans in the Kashmir Valley.

The piece presented features deep red tones, fawn borders, and traditional vine and geometric motifs. Of special note is its prized two-tone effect, giving the illusion of two different carpets depending on the angle and lighting.

Silver Clutch Purse To First Lady

To First Lady Philippa Christodoulides, the Prime Minister presented a silver clutch purse from Andhra Pradesh, which is crafted using the traditional repoussé technique.

The purse, adorned with floral designs, is inspired by temple and royal art.

With a semi-precious stone centerpiece, ornate edges, and a regal curved shape, the purse reflects India’s fusion of heritage artistry and modern design.

PM Modi’s Meeting With Cyprus President

On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in delegation-level discussions with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations across various sectors.

Prior to the talks, he was given a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Palace.

The high-level meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.

PM Modi Receives Highest Honour

During his official visit to Cyprus, PM Modi was bestowed with the country’s highest civilian award — The Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III.

Grateful for the prestigious honour, PM Modi dedicated it to the enduring friendship between India and Cyprus.

“This honour is not just a recognition of me, Narendra Modi — it is an honour for 1.4 billion Indians. It is a tribute to their strength and aspirations,” the Prime Minister said.

Source : https://www.news18.com/world/from-kashmiri-carpet-to-silver-purse-pm-modi-gifts-handcrafted-artefacts-to-cyprus-leadership-9388818.html

Sources said the demand for a new bridge was placed seven years ago and the approval of Rs 8 crore was received in 2024.

The collapse of the 30-year-old pedestrian bridge in a Pune village that claimed four lives, came just five days after a work order was issued for the construction of a new bridge. Had the work order – issued after years of complaints from the villagers -been on time, last week’s tragedy would not have taken place, say the locals.

The bridge, built for farmers on the Indrayani river 30 years ago, had become a selfie point in no time. Though its capacity was no more than four to five pedestrians at a time, it was carrying dozens of tourists and two-wheelers.

Alarmed, the locals tried to prod the government into action and at the same time, warn the tourists. But neither course of action succeeded.

Around 3 pm on Sunday, the bridge came down, claiming four lives. Many others were pulled out of the river in time.

Sources said the demand for a new bridge was placed seven years ago and the approval of Rs 8 crore was also received.

In 2017, local BJP MLA Digambar Bhegade was the first to demand a new bridge in place of the accident-hit bridge. After completing the inspection and design work, approval of Rs 8 crore for the new bridge was received in 2024 — seven years after the demand.

But the work order was issued on June 10 — a delay that many blame on officials.

“The process could have been faster. It took a lot of time. We were serious, but the officials were not serious. Also, this is a military area, there are always restrictions here,” said Ravindra Bhegade, a local leader of the BJP.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said he has asked the local officials for an “update”. “Approval has been received to build the bridge at a cost of Rs 8 crore. I have asked the collector for an update, he will give detailed information,” he said.

Shiv Sena UBT’s Sanjay Raut questioned if Ajit Pawar, as the guardian minister of Pune, will take responsibility for the accident.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/5-days-before-pune-bridge-collapsed-order-to-build-new-one-passed-8684868

A Delhi Court recently permitted him to undergo the procedure. Jatheri got married to Anuradha Chaudhary on March 12, 2024.

Gangster Sandeep alias Kala Jatheri has undergone a medical procedure related to IVF with the permission from the court.

A Delhi Court recently permitted him to undergo the procedure. Jatheri got married to Anuradha Chaudhary on March 12, 2024.

“Jatheri and his wife want to protect their lineage by way of procreating their child in order to secure their family tree,” the court order noted.

Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Deepak Wasan allowed the application moved on behalf of Sandeep alias Kala Jatheri. Thereafter, the procedure of sample collection was done in Tihar Jail.

The ASJ Wasan earlier on June 9 ordered, “The present application stands partly allowed and on June 14 between 6:00-07:00 AM, the concerned treating doctors from Hospital shall visit the jail premises / authority where the applicant /accused has been lodged (Tihar Jail) and concerned doctors / team will collect the semen samples of the accused in the jail and, privacy must be maintained so that, sample can be collected easily, asceptic manner must be followed before collection and after collection the sample should be handed over to the Hospital Representative under the supervision of the applicant / accused so that, sample can be sent to the concerned Hospital within 01 hour.”

An application was moved on behalf of Kala Jatheri for grant of interim custody parole for 6 hours to enable the applicant / accused to undergo urgent medical procedure related to in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment.

The court had also called report from AIIMS and RML Hospitals.

As per the reply filed by the AIIMS, semen samples can be collected in Tihar Jail under the care of IVF team of Gurugram and transferred to IVF lab, where treatment of the wife of the accused is underway and semen samples have to be preserved within 60 minutes (after ejaculation).

It was submitted by Advocate Rohit Kumar Dalal, counsel for Kala Jatheri that the wife of the applicant is undergoing assisted reproductive treatment (IVF) at a hospital in Gurugram.

It was further submitted by counsel that the treatment is underway. The treating reproductive specialist has advised that fertilisation and embryo transfer is only medically feasible upon provision of a fresh semen sample from the applicant – an act that is time-sensitive and non-deferrable.

It was further submitted by counsel for accused that the accused and his wife want to protect their lineage by way of procreating their child in order to secure their family tree.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/gangster-kala-jatheri-undergoes-ivf-procedure-in-delhis-tihar-jail-8685287

During April-May, the country’s exports to the US increased by 21.78 per cent to USD 17.25 billion, while imports rose by 25.8 per cent to USD 8.87 billion, the data showed.

India’s merchandise exports to the US rose by 16.93 per cent to USD 8.83 billion in May, while imports dipped by 5.76 per cent to USD 3.62 billion during the month, according to the commerce ministry data.

During April-May, the country’s exports to the US increased by 21.78 per cent to USD 17.25 billion, while imports rose by 25.8 per cent to USD 8.87 billion, the data showed.

When asked about the impact of high tariffs imposed by the US on steel, aluminium and auto parts, Special Secretary in the Department of Commerce Rajesh Agrawal said India does not export a lot of steel and aluminium to the US.

There is a uniform duty on auto components for all countries, so “we have not seen a big dent” on the sector.

But if it continues for long, there could be some impact. If some countries will get exemptions from this duty then it may impact Indian players, he added.

The US has imposed 25 per cent tariffs on these products.

The US was the second-largest trading partner of India in April-May.

China, another major trading partner of India, saw a 25 per cent jump in exports from India to USD 1.64 billion in May and 18.75 per cent growth in April-May to USD 3.04 billion.

Imports from the neighbouring country in May rose by 21.16 per cent to USD 10.31 billion while in April-May by 24.23 per cent to USD 20.22 billion.

Singapore, Germany, Australia, Belgium, Korea and Russia were also among the countries which saw positive growth in exports from India in May.

However, exports to the UAE, the Netherlands, the UK, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Italy, France, Malaysia, and Brazil declined in May.

On the imports front, inbound shipments in May declined from nations including Russia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Qatar.

However, imports rose from the UAE, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Germany.

Commenting on the data, economic think tank GTRI said that India and China’s latest trade figures showed how the US-China trade war is reshaping global trade flows.

Released by China Customs on June 10 and India’s Commerce Ministry on June 16, the May trade data reveals a sharp drop in China’s exports to the US and a noticeable redirection of trade to markets like India, the EU, and ASEAN.

“India’s import surge in electronics and machinery, much of it from China, and rising exports to the US suggest that global supply chains are adapting quickly. The numbers also signal rising risks for India amid Middle East tensions and a more protectionist trade environment,” GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava said.

The decline in China’s shipments to the US is being partially offset by increased exports to other markets, including the EU (up 12 per cent to USD 49.5 billion), ASEAN (up 15 per cent to USD 58.4 billion), and notably, India (up 12.4 per cent to USD 11.13 billion).

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/indias-exports-to-us-rise-16-9-to-8-83-billion-imports-dip-5-76-in-may-8685343

According to government data, since January 1, 2025, 13,604 Covid-19 positive cases have been reported from across the country and 108 deaths

With 11 new deaths reported in the past 24 hours, the total number of Covid-19 deaths in the current surge reached 108 on Monday, government data show, although experts insist that there is no need to panic, pointing to the fact that the proportion of fatalities among those testing positive for the respiratory viral infection is under 1% (0.79%).

They add that almost all of the deaths are in hospitalised patients who were either undergoing treatment for, or had a past history of, severe comorbidities. The 11 new deaths, for example, includes patients who suffered from a range of medical conditions including lung cancer, acute kidney injury, leukaemia, and cirrhosis of the liver.

“The number of cases may have seen a slight surge in the past few weeks, but we are keeping an eye on the rate of hospitalisation and death, which is low across the country. Most of the deaths are in people who were hospitalised for some chronic or acute condition that may not be directly related to Covid-19, but as a protocol gets documented as Covid death,” said a senior government official, requesting anonymity.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a Covid-19 associated hospitalisation is defined as admission as an inpatient for a length of over 12 hours of time, or overnight for the reasons directly related to Covid-19. In addition, a Covid-19 death is defined for surveillance purposes as a death resulting from a clinically compatible illness in a probable or confirmed Covid-19 case unless there is a clear alternative cause of death that cannot be related to Covid-19 disease (e.g. trauma). There should be no period of complete recovery between illness and death.

“The government is closely monitoring the situation, and so far, there is nothing to be alarmed about. However, one needs to be vigilant and follow the dos and don’ts issued as a measure of abundant precaution especially for the high-risk population,” added the official.

According to government data, since January 1, 2025, 13,604 Covid-19 positive cases have been reported from across the country and 108 deaths. Currently, there are 7264 active cases in India, and according to the official cited above, most of these are mild and under home care.

While INSACOG (Indian Sars-Cov-2 Genomics Consortium) that is mandated to issue a weekly bulletin on circulating variants of Sars-Cov-2— the virus that causes Covid-19— has not updated the bulletin since May 15 on its website, people familiar with the matter said the variant largely in circulation currently remains NB.1.8.1.

NB.1.8.1, also known as Nimbus, first detected in a sample collected on January 22, 2025, is a descendant of the XDV.1.5.1 lineage, which itself descended from JN.1, a lineage of the Omicron variant BA.2.86.

The variant carries six additional spike mutations that could affect its behaviour. Notably, mutations at position 445 may enhance binding to the hACE2 receptor, potentially increasing transmissibility. Meanwhile, changes at positions 435 and 478 could help the variant evade certain antibodies.WHO has labelled it as a variant under monitoring and assessed its global health risk as low, despite rising cases in several countries. While there is slight advantage in immune evasion, but the current data do not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness than other variants in circulation, it noted.

In its epidemiological update on the variant, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said, “While there are no epidemiological studies assessing transmissibility of NB.1.8.1 relative to other circulating strains, a very limited number of available laboratory studies are informative, with two studies assessing in vitro infectivity showing lower infectivity of NB.1.8.1 versus LP.8.1 and XEC, previously dominant Omicron variants…”

Like in other countries, in India also NB.1.8.1 has shown increased prevalence since mid-April. Along with it, the other variants in circulation are LF.7, and XFG that are all descendants of the Omicron variant.

According to WHO, currently approved Covid-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective to this variant against symptomatic and severe disease.

However, there is still no decision made at the government level to introduce further booster doses.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/no-need-to-panic-experts-as-covid-deaths-cross-100-101750099442340.html

Hardeep Puri said India imported 80 per cent of oil and 50 per cent of natural gas, adding that even a 5-billion-barrel discovery would be a game-changer.

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Puri said India holds the potential of ‘several Guyanas’ in the Andaman region and outlined several measures taken by the government for exploration and production.

The minister said that the country has 3.5 million square kilometers of sedimentary basin, but it never explored beyond eight per cent area, keeping a large expanse of sea beds unexplored.

The minister’s statement comes as India is putting in efforts to ramp up its own traditional fossil-based energy production.

“There were parts of the sedimentary basin which were no-go areas. So one of the decisions which we took was that 1 million square kilometers of that sedimentary basin, which was no-go area, has suddenly been made available for E&P,” Puri told ANI on Monday.

The petroleum minister said that the government has decided to explore a large part of the basin.

He said that India imported 80 per cent of oil and 50 per cent of natural gas, adding that even a 5-billion-barrel discovery would be a game-changer.

In the nine rounds of open acreage licensing policy, 38 per cent of the bids have come, covering 1 million square kilometers, the minister said, adding that the next round will attract more than 75 per cent of the bids.

“We’ve also issued some of the largest bids on offer anywhere — something like 2.5 lakh square kilometers of area has been offered out on bidding,” the minister said.

He further said that India has the potential of around 42 billion tonnes of oil and gas in its sedimentary basins.

He, however, added that exploring offshore reserves are capital extensive, which is why it took so much time for the country to tap into the untapped potential under the seas.

“An onshore well costs something like USD 4 million on an average. I’m talking about global rates and dollar rates being held at a particular constant. And an offshore well costs about USD 100 million,” he added.

Hardeep Puri sees India’s ‘Guyana moment’

Hardeep Puri also made a reference to Guyana, which recently discovered massive oil reserves, saying India has the potential for ‘several Guyanas’ in the Andaman region.

“They (Guyana) dug 46 wells and they didn’t find any oil. It’s when they dug the 47th one, they found oil. And then it became the largest find,” he said.

“We have the potential of several Guyanas in the Andaman,” he added.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hardeep-puri-says-india-has-several-guyana-sized-oil-reserves-in-andamans-101750120068428.html

Four persons died and 18 others were seriously injured after a 32-year-old iron pedestrian bridge on the Indrayani river that had been declared unsafe collapsed on Sunday afternoon in Pune’s Maval tehsil, prima facie due to crowding by tourists who ignored the warning board at the spot.

The Congress on Sunday condoled the loss of lives in the collapse of a footbridge over the Indrayani River in Pune’s Maval tehsil and demanded accountability, saying it is imperative that all individuals found responsible for this tragedy are held accountable under law.

Four persons died and 18 others were seriously injured after a 32-year-old iron pedestrian bridge on the Indrayani river that had been declared unsafe collapsed on Sunday afternoon in Pune’s Maval tehsil, prima facie due to crowding by tourists who ignored the warning board at the spot.

More than 100 persons were present on the bridge, a popular spot for tourists and picnickers, when the incident took place at 3:30 pm in Kundamala, which has seen heavy rains in the past few days, giving the river a steady flow, officials said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the bridge collapse is a deeply distressing and an avoidable tragedy.

“My heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the victims, and I am praying for the swift recovery and well-being of the tourists swept away by the river current,” he said.

“I salute the tireless dedication of the rescue teams who are working around the clock to locate and save those affected. I also wish a speedy and complete recovery to the several injured people in this devastating incident,” Kharge said on X.

“Even as we mourn this profound loss, it’s crucial that we seek accountability. Such preventable disasters demand meaningful questions be asked of those in power,” he said.

It is imperative that all individuals found responsible for this tragedy are held to account under the full force of the law, Kharge said.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the news of many people drowning due to the collapse of the bridge on the Indrayani river in Pune is extremely saddening.

“I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and hope for the safety of those who are still missing. I appeal to the administration to carry out relief and rescue operations with full promptness,” the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said in a post in Hindi on X.

Congress’ media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said the collapse of the footbridge in Pune’s Maval tehsil is a heartbreaking tragedy.

“Our heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones, and our thoughts are with those injured or still missing,” Khera said.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/maharashtra/pune-bridge-collapse-congress-demands-accountability-calls-for-questions-to-be-asked-of-those-in-power-3587247

In a shocking incident, a female biker shared a video on social media showing few miscreants misbehaving with her on highway in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar. The video shows the semi-naked men hanging out of the speeding car and blowing flying kisses at the female biker and social media influencer late at night. The woman recorded the video and made the video viral on social media.

The woman also shared the registration number of the vehicle and shared the video demanding police action against the accused. She also tagged the Uttarakhand Police in the post and also urged the internet users to share the video as much as possible so that the accused can be identified and action can be taken against the miscreants.

The video shows that the female bike is riding along with her car on a highway in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar. It can be seen in the video that a car which is full with men moving at a high speed on the same highway ahead of her. A shirtless man is also seen in the video clinging out of the window of the car and misbehaving with the woman. He is also seen in the video blowing flying kisses at her while the car is moving at high speed.

The woman claimed in the video that they were goons from Uttar Pradesh. The number plate also showed that the car belongs to Uttar Pradesh. The registration number of the car caught in the video is UP 15 EH 2344. The woman also raised the issue to a police officer in a patrol car. However, no action was taken by the police at the time of the incident.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/viral/semi-naked-miscreants-hanging-out-of-speeding-car-harass-blow-flying-kisses-at-female-biker-in-haridwar-video

Boeing’s safety track record has already been under fire, especially after the 737 MAX tragedy that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019

Thirty seconds. That was all the time the ill-fated Air India flight 171 spent in the air before crashing outside the Ahmedabad airport last week.
Eleven seconds into liftoff at 1.39 pm, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal sent out a chilling call to the ATC saying: ‘Mayday, Mayday, no thrust, losing power, unable to lift, going down’. Nineteen seconds later, the plane had crashed after dropping from a height of 650 feet.

It was a clear, hot afternoon with the skies above Ahmedabad shimmering under 40 degrees Celsius. Everything was routine, until it wasn’t. Flight 171 became the centre of one of the worst aviation disasters in India.

Let’s try decoding the crash, but without any verdict on what may have caused it. For that, we must wait for a detailed air crash investigation.

Investigators are facing a long road ahead in solving this big mystery. The truth will emerge sooner than later from the aircraft’s black box. But there are four significant tell-tale signs from the video footage of the takeoff and crash.

Number 1 and the most important – the landing gear was out during the entire 30 seconds that the flight was in the air. Usually, the landing gear is retracted by the pilots within a few seconds of liftoff.

Number 2 – the jury is divided over whether the flaps were extended or retracted. During liftoff, the flaps are extended to aid in lift. But the aircraft’s angle during takeoff, being in a nose-up position, and grainy footage makes it difficult to ascertain if the flaps were extended or retracted.

Number 3 – the aircraft had nearly exhausted the 3.5-km runway before liftoff. Was it looking for more thrust? A dust cloud can also be seen in the footage right at takeoff.

Number 4 – the pilot’s ‘Mayday’ message indicates both engines had failed as he reported no thrust or power.

So, what could have happened? Aviation experts have proposed many theories.

The biggest among them is a possible double engine failure due to bird strikes. This is one of the rarest occurrences – last seen in the 2009 case of US Airways Flight 1549, which landed in New York’s Hudson River soon after takeoff.

A Dreamliner can fly on one engine. But both failing during takeoff is catastrophic. The dust cloud seen in the footage right at takeoff could be engine-related – possibly birds being ingested, some aviation experts pointed out.

But there are no visible large bird flocks or smoke trails visible in video footage. Other experts said engine stalling due to electrical or software issues in the plane is unlikely, given how sophisticated the Dreamliner is with multiple backups too.

There’s also a theory around the aircraft’s flaps and landing gear. Captain Steve has suggested that the flaps may have been retracted, reducing lift, while the landing gear remained deployed. He has speculated that the pilots may have pulled up the flaps instead of the landing gear by mistake. Some speculate that maybe only one engine failed but the pilots turned off the live engine by mistake.

But these were experienced pilots with more than 9,000 hours of flying time between them. Captain Sumeet Sabharwal was a veteran at flying the Dreamliner on long-haul flights.

The landing gear and flaps switch in the cockpit is located far apart, other experts pointed out. Switching off a live engine is also something basic training modules alert against.

The pilots committing such cardinal mistakes is unfathomable. There would be an alert in the cockpit if this had happened. Some experts said just the landing gear being down cannot make the plane crash.

Also, it is easy and convenient to blame the pilot, isn’t it?

The temperature was within operating conditions for the flight. Fuel contamination is believed to be unlikely too, as per some experts.

So, is it a problem with the aircraft itself? Does Boeing need to answer as well? To be sure, the probe will look into all possibilities, including a cockpit error.

A big breakthrough is the recovery of the black box in a relatively intact condition. The flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder will be analysed by the Indian investigating agency, Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). It will take the help of Boeing and GE, manufacturer of the engines.

A team from the US National Transportation Safety Board will help India in the probe. A team of Boeing officials from the US is going to arrive soon as well.

All 33 of Air India’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners, meanwhile, are undergoing safety checks, additional maintenance checks and pre-departure inspections.

Now I come to another big question – is there a pattern with the 787?

Yes, a Dreamliner 787 has never crashed in history since its commercial start in 2011. But there have been some signs of trouble.

Earlier this year, an American Airlines 787 made four emergency landings in one month – some due to faulty wing flaps. The same flaps are now under alleged scrutiny in the AI 171 disaster.

The American Airlines plane was initially forced to return to Amsterdam after a problem with its flaps was detected shortly after takeoff for Philadelphia on January 7. The aircraft dumped fuel over the North Sea before landing at Schiphol airport at a higher-than-normal speed, attributed to the flaps problem.

Later, this American Airlines plane was forced to abort flights to Philadelphia from Dublin, Barcelona, and Zurich.

Boeing’s safety track record has already been under fire, especially after the 737 MAX tragedy that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019. The Ahmedabad crash on June 12 came six years after the loss of two smaller 737 Max planes, which claimed 346 lives and plunged Boeing into a near-existential crisis.

And remember that after the first of these crashes, of Lion Air flight in Jakarta, Boeing had tried to put the blame on the pilots.

The Max, Boeing’s top seller, was grounded around the world for more than 18 months after investigators found that the crashes in 2018 and 2019 had been caused by software MCAS meant to improve the aircraft’s handling. Instead, the system effectively wrestled control from the pilots, who were unaware of how it worked and how it might be overridden.

The year 2025 has been deadly for aviation. Flight 171 was the second fatal commercial crash of 2025. Earlier on January 30, an American Airlines jet collided midair with a helicopter near Washington, killing all on board.

Other incidents, like a Delta plane flipping on landing and another catching fire mid-air, have raised urgent questions about aviation safety in 2025. An extraordinary event in February saw a Delta Airlines plane flipped upside down after a heavy landing at Toronto airport, though all passengers and crew survived.

In March, an American Airlines plane caught fire developing an engine fault and passengers were seen evacuating the plane onto the wing.

The AI 171 crash, however, is the worst this year and arguably the worst ever in India. Investigators are now combing through wreckage, black box data, and cockpit recordings to uncover what exactly happened in those final seconds.

For most on board, there was no hope. Out of 242 people on board, only one survived. Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old Londoner seated in 11A, was found alive in the wreckage.

But more were killed on the ground as the plane crashed into residential quarters at the BJ Medical College. The toll could go well over 250.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/air-india-plane-crash-is-it-fair-to-blame-the-pilots-already-why-boeing-has-much-to-answer-to-ws-l-9386829.html

The treatment came to an abrupt halt after the electricity failed. The generator at the Bijnor district hospital couldn’t come to the rescue as there was no fuel.

“When the power went off, the machine stopped midway with almost half his blood stuck inside it,” a woman. whose 26-year-old son died during dialysis at a hospital in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor district hospital, claimed. The treatment came to an abrupt halt due to a power cut.

Medical centres usually have power back-ups to battle sudden electricity outage. But it turns out that this Bijnor hospital generator didn’t even have fuel. Reportedly, an official inspection was also underway at the time of power cut

A report in Times of India quoted hospital staff as saying that they could not resume treatment of kidney patient Sarfaraz Ahmad because the contracted firm had not supplied diesel for the generator.

During his inspection of the hospital on Friday, CDO Purna Borah discovered five other patients lying there without power, lights, or fans.

Sarfaraz’s mother was quoted by TOI, “When the power went off, the machine stopped midway with almost half his blood stuck inside it. I begged the staff to start the generator, but no one helped. My son died soon after.”

Medical experts consulted by the publication, however, stated it is highly improbable that a large volume of Sarfaraz’s blood could have been present inside the machine at any given time.

“During haemodialysis, only a fraction – about 200 to 250 ml – of blood circulates through the machine at any time. However, an abrupt power failure can delay the process and destabilise critically ill patients,” a doctor was quoted.

The hospital staff held Sanjeevani, the private firm managing the unit through a public-private partnership since 2020, responsible for consistently failing to supply diesel.

Source : https://www.news18.com/viral/dialysis-machine-stop-kills-up-kidney-patient-power-cut-no-generator-blood-stuck-ws-e-9386558.html

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the 241 passengers who lost their lives in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who lost his life in the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad, will be accorded a state funeral with full honours on Monday. The Gujarat government has also declared a one-day state mourning in his memory.
The body of the former Chief Minister was confirmed after the DNA testing. The report came today at 11:10 AM, three days after the plane crash.
His body has been handed over to his family, and his last rites will be performed in Rajkot. Officials from the Chief Minister’s Office were present at the civil hospital in Ahmedabad to oversee the transportation of his mortal remains.

A large team of forensic experts is working to identify the victims of one of India’s worst aviation disasters by matching their DNA with samples collected from their relatives. DNA matching is a complex medical and legal procedure that involves multiple layers of verification. Only after a thorough series of tests and confirmation of the DNA samples are families contacted and asked to collect the bodies of their loved ones.

Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi confirmed Vijay Rupani’s identification on Sunday morning. Vijay Rupani’s last rites will be performed in Rajkot. Earlier on Sunday, Gujarat Health Minister Rishikesh Patel stated that the state government would make all necessary arrangements once the family finalises the funeral details.
“Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi visited late Vijaybhai Rupani ji’s residence today and told the family members that his DNA has been confirmed. His family will take call on last rites and final stage preparations for cremation. After consultation with them, all arrangements will be done,” Rishikesh Patel said.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/ahmedabad-plane-crash-ex-gujarat-cm-vijay-rupanis-last-rites-in-rajkot-tomorrow-one-day-mourning-announced-article-151963658

Helicopter crashes or emergency landings are occurring at an alarming frequency on the Chardham yatra route in Uttarakhand.

Seven people were killed on Sunday after a helicopter crashed near Gaurikund in Uttarakhand amid poor visibility. A couple and their two-year-old daughter hailing from Yavatmal in Maharashtra were among the seven persons killed in the crash. This is the fifth major accident in the last six weeks in Uttarakhand.

The test was notably a prelude to a larger event in October-November, where around 900 youth-built satellites will be tested, an ISRO official said.

In yet another feat, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Saturday, for the first time, launched a satellite from the soil of Uttar Pradesh. The space agency successfully conducted a rocket launching test in UP’s Kushinagar, marking the first time a payload was launched via a rocket from Uttar Pradesh, officials said.
The test conducted on Saturday in collaboration with Thrust Tech India Limited and saw the rocket ascend 1.1 km at 5:14:33 PM, a complete success, the ISRO added.
“The rocket was launched at 5:14 PM and 33 seconds, which went up to a height of 1.1 km. After this, a small satellite (payload) came out. As soon as it fell down to 5 metres, its parachute activated and the satellite landed within 400 metres on the ground,” said ISRO scientist Abhishek Singh, quoted PTI.

The 15 kg rocket also descended safely, he added. The test was notably a prelude to a larger event in October-November, where around 900 youth-built satellites will be tested.

Vinod Kumar, Director of Thrust Tech India, confirmed the success of the company’s motor test. “This event is being organised to generate interest in space technology among children across the region and the whole of India,” he said.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/isro-launches-satellite-from-uttar-pradesh-kushinagar-rocket-payload-video-watch-article-151961239

Sonia Gandhi, 78, was admitted to the gastroenterology department around 9 pm. Her condition is stable and she is under the observation of a team of doctors.

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi on Sunday due to stomach-related problems, according to sources.
Gandhi, 78, was admitted to the gastroenterology department around 9 pm.
She is said to be in stable condition and she is under the observation of a team of doctors.

On June 9, the former Congress president underwent a medical check-up at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/congress-sonia-gandhi-admitted-at-ganga-ram-hospital-for-stomach-related-issues-in-delhi-report-article-151963956

The first meeting of the high-level multi-disciplinary committee set up by the government to look into the Ahmedabad plane crash will be held on Monday here, sources said.

The panel, chaired by the home secretary, is expected to submit its report in three months.

The committee will have its first meeting on Monday afternoon, the sources said.

The committee is expected to focus on “formulating Standard Operating Procedures for preventing such occurrences in the future”.

A separate investigation is also being carried out by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which is looking into the technical aspects of the crash.

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Saturday said while the AAIB investigation will handle the technical aspects, the high-level committee will provide a holistic, policy-oriented roadmap for future safeguards.

The black box of Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner plane that crashed on Thursday was recovered from the site on Friday evening.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/air-india-plane-crash-high-level-committee-set-up-by-government-to-meet-tomorrow-8676517

The fallout stemmed from Lawrence Bishnoi’s anger at Goldy Brar and Sachin Godara over their handling of his brother Anmol’s case in the United States.

A major rift has emerged between notorious gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar, posing a fresh challenge for central intelligence agencies and state police forces tracking their criminal syndicate.

Lawrence Bishnoi, currently lodged in Gujarat’s Sabarmati jail, and Goldy Brar, believed to be operating from the United States, are no longer working together, The Indian Express reported, citing sources.

The split has raised concerns among security agencies, who fear a possible turf war or a realignment of loyalties within their widespread network, the report added.

The fallout reportedly stemmed from Lawrence Bishnoi’s anger at Goldy Brar and Sachin Godara over their handling of his brother Anmol’s case in the United States.

“Central intelligence agencies received information that Brar and Godara did not help Anmol file the required bail bond. Anmol was later released but with an ankle bracelet tracker,” the report quoted sources saying.

In November 2024, 25-year-old Anmol was taken into custody by US immigration officials for allegedly using forged travel documents. He has been linked to the May 2022 murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala and is also named as the “mastermind” behind the killing of NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique last year.

“Both the gangsters have decided to stop working together. Goldy has started working with Azerbaijan-based Rohit Godara while Bishnoi is now associated with Canada-based Noni Rana. This feud and their new syndicates are now a source of increasing tension for state police forces,” an official told The Indian Express.

Quoting sources, the report also mentioned that the matter was recently discussed with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) during a meeting attended by senior police officers from Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi.

New syndicates, old networks

Investigations over the past few months have revealed that Noni Rana (Surya Pratap), younger brother of Haryana’s Yamunanagar-based gangster Kala Rana (Virender Pratap), has been operating from the US, making calls and collecting money on behalf of Lawrence Bishnoi.

Referring to Brar and Godara, the report quoted sources as saying, “Last month, they took responsibility in a social media post for the killing of Harjit Singh, a businessman operating a trucking safety and insurance consultancy, outside his office in Canada’s Mississauga… they did not mention the name of Lawrence and other gang members, which they usually do in such posts.”

In addition to the killings of Sidhu Moosewala and Baba Siddique, Lawrence Bishnoi’s name has surfaced repeatedly over the past three years in connection with multiple threats to actor Salman Khan, including the recent firing outside his residence.

Meanwhile, Canada has accused “agents” of the Indian government of working in collaboration with the Bishnoi gang to foment terror on Canadian soil — an allegation that India has strongly denied, the report said.

Sources cited in the report said that during his early days in crime, Lawrence Bishnoi had formed a team with Goldy Brar, Kala Rana, and others.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gangsters-lawrence-bishnoi-goldy-brar-part-ways-what-led-to-the-breakup-101750032601690.html

Both the black boxes from the wreckage of the ill-fated Air India flight 171 have been recovered as the probe into the accident continues.

The second black box of the Air India flight AI171 which crashed on June 12 has been recovered, according to officials investigating the incident, reported PTI.

The recovery of the cockpit voice recorder, as well as the flight data recorder which was found earlier, will help identify the possible cause of the deadly crash which has killed around 270 people, including 241 out of 242 people onboard.

Officials have confirmed the recovery of black boxes to P K Mishra, the principal secretary to prime minister Narendra Modi, who on Sunday inspected the Air India plane crash site in Ahmedabad and also visited the civil hospital where injured persons are undergoing treatment.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and Airports Authority of India (AAI) stated in an official release, “Chairing a high-level review meeting at Circuit House, here Dr Mishra discussed ongoing relief, rescue, and investigation efforts with senior officials from the Central and State Governments, AAIB, and Airports Authority of India.”

“Officials confirmed to Dr Mishra that the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) have been located and secured,” it said.

The AAIB has launched a detailed investigation, and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting a parallel probe under international protocols, as the aircraft is American-made, the release stated.

After visiting the site of the crash, Mishra said, “I am very pained by the enormity of the tragedy. Everybody is sad. It is our duty to share grief and express our feelings for the victims.”

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/air-india-flights-2nd-black-box-recovered-cockpit-voice-recorder-to-aid-probe-101750013922418.html

Former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani was among the 242 passengers and crew on board the London-bound Air India flight AI-171 that crashed on Thursday.

After the tragic crash of the Air India flight AI171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, hospital authorities have identified 80 victims, including former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, out of the more than 270 people who died in the incident.

“A total of 80 plane crash victims have been identified so far through DNA matching. Of these, the bodies of 33 victims have been handed over to their respective families,” additional civil superintendent Dr. Rajnish Patel told PTI.

The victims whose mortal remains were handed over were from Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Kheda, Botad and other places.

The hospital authorities also handed over 33 bodies to the victims’ families. 241 out of the 242 passengers and crew on the flight died, while 29 ground victims were reported. There was only one survivor from the flight.

The Gujarat government has announced a state mourning for former CM Rupani on Monday. His funeral procession will be held in Rajkot in the evening.

Of the 51 people injured in the incident, 38 have been discharged, while 13 are still undergoing treatment, said Dr. Patel, a professor of surgery at the government-run B J Medical College.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a medical college complex shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

The Gujarat state relief commissioner Alok Kumar Pandey told PTI that families of all 230 passengers who died on the flight had been contacted.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/dna-tests-identify-80-air-india-plane-crash-victims-33-bodies-handed-to-kin-101750011436412.html

Rourkela , Odisha police on Sunday arrested the prime accused and mastermind behind the loot of five tonne of explosives by Maoists from a vehicle near a store quarry in Sundergarh district on May 27, an official said.

The arrested accused has been identified as George Munda alias Kulu from Banko village under K Balang police station.

Munda was passing important information to the Maoists. He was the main conspirator from the beginning of the loot and actively passed information to the Maoists, said DIG Brijesh Rai.

During the investigation, George’s complicity was found by the police. He was living just opposite to the quarry and was objecting to it, which was closed down subsequently, Rai said.

It was he who had passed the information regarding the movement of the vehicle with explosives and ensured that the loot was carried out without any problem, the police said.

Around 200 packets of explosives, mostly gelatin sticks, were looted by Maoists at gun-point on May 27 while those were being transported to a stone quarry for blasting rocks.

A day after the looting, Odisha DGP Y B Khurania and other senior police officers visited the spot and an NIA team also started investigating the matter.

Odisha Police have also constituted an SIT to probe into the incident.

Security personnel on May 30 recovered a substantial amount of the explosives looted by Maoists in Sundergarh district following a fierce gun battle with the red rebels. They found the stolen explosives in a dense forest in Jharkhand, around three km from the Odisha border.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/odisha-police-arrests-mastermind-in-explosives-loot-case-101749997869615.html

The test, in collaboration with Thrust Tech India Limited, saw the rocket ascend 1.1 km at 5:14:33 PM, a complete success.

A successful model rocket launching test was conducted in Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar district, marking the first time a payload was launched via a rocket from the state, officials said.

The test conducted on Saturday by the Astronautical Society of India in association with the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) saw the model rocket ascend 1.12 km at 5:14:33 PM, a complete success.

ISRO scientist Abhishek Singh, who was present at the test site, said, “The rocket was launched at 5:14 PM and 33 seconds, which went up to a height of 1.1 km. After this, a small satellite (payload) came out. As soon as it fell down to 5 metres, its parachute activated and the satellite landed within 400 metres on the ground.”

The 15 kg rocket also descended safely.

This test was part of IN-SPACe Model Rocketry/CANSAT India Student Competition 2024-25 and a prelude to a larger event in October-November, where around 900 youth-built satellites will be tested.

Vinod Kumar, Director Promotion Directorate at IN-SPACe, confirmed the test a success.

“This event is being organised to generate interest in space technology among children across the region and the whole of India,” he said.

This was the first time a satellite was directly launched by a rocket in Uttar Pradesh, proving entirely successful, Kumar said.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/uttar-pradesh/isro-conducts-first-successful-rocket-launching-test-with-payload-in-up-3586400

The house is located within the grounds of a school founded by Chouksey. It has marble domes, intricate stonework on its pillars, and elegant archways.

The Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, continues to captivate people globally. Mirroring this architectural marvel, a couple in Madhya Pradesh, India, has designed their house as a replica of the iconic monument.

The four-bedroom house, owned by Anand Prakash Chouksey and his wife, is located in Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh. A video tour of their home has gone viral, captivating the internet.

The video, posted on Instagram by Priyam Saraswat, features the couple welcoming Saraswat and providing a tour.

“It has been made using Makrana marble,” the couple explains. “The original Taj Mahal’s dimensions in metres have been replicated in feet here. It’s one-third the size of the original monument,” they add.

Situated within the grounds of a school founded by Chouksey, the house features marble domes, intricate stonework on its pillars, and elegant archways. According to the video’s caption, the house was built as a testament to love, echoing the enduring sentiment behind the Taj Mahal.

Netizens too expressed amazement at the stunning architecture. Many comments praised the house’s beauty.

“Wow,” one user commented.

“Everything about this reel is beautiful,” another Instagram user wrote.

“The entrance reminds him of his humble beginnings. What a beautiful reminder,” a second user added.

A third commented, “Love the couple, love the house obviously, love the message too! Which city in MP is this?”

Source : https://www.news18.com/viral/mp-couples-replica-taj-mahal-wins-hearts-online-internet-says-wow-video-ws-b-9386016.html

Delhi and the adjoining regions have been experiencing extreme heatwave conditions for the last few days.

The residents of Delhi-NCR woke up to heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds on Sunday morning. The downpour brought much-needed relief from the prolonged heat wave across Delhi and neighbouring areas, including Noida.

The India Meteorological Department, in an advisory, asked the residents to stay indoors and avoid travel. “Moderate to intense spell of rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning, squally winds 80-100 kmph is going on over Delhi and NCR Stay indoors and avoid travel unless necessary,” the India Meteorological Department posted on X.
Delhi and the adjoining regions have been experiencing extreme heatwave conditions for the last few days. After four consecutive days of heatwave conditions in parts of the national capital, Delhi on Friday witnessed a slight dip in temperatures. The maximum temperature at Safdarjung, the city’s official observatory fell to 41.2 degrees Celsius, still 1.3 degrees Celsius above normal, but notably lower than Thursday’s 43.9 degrees Celsius, PTI reported.

Despite the drop in peak temperature, discomfort levels remained high with the humidity ranging between 51 per cent and 69 per cent.

Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality continued to remain in the ‘moderate’ category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 195 at 9 am, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/delhi/delhi-ncr-rains-fresh-spell-of-rain-brings-relief-from-heatwave-imd-issues-advisory-videos-article-151956702

Operation Sindoor was India’s first major aerial operation involving India’s Rafale fleet since the French-origin fighters were inducted into the IAF in 2020, hailed at the time as a game-changer in South Asia’s aerial balance.

Amid growing speculation over India’s reported loss of a Rafale fighter jet during the early May aerial skirmish with Pakistan, Dassault Aviation CEO Éric Trappier has weighed in, dismissing Pakistani claims and defending the Rafale’s combat record.
In an interview with a French magazine ahead of the Paris Airshow, Trappier pointed out that while India has not officially disclosed details about the alleged incident, the claims made by Pakistan — including that of downing three Rafale jets — are “inaccurate.”
“The Indians did not communicate, so we do not know exactly what happened. What we already know is that the words of the Pakistanis — three destroyed Rafales — are inaccurate,” Trappier said, adding a note of caution until official information is released.

The reported incident has stirred discussion in strategic and defense circles, with questions being raised over whether the Rafale has reached its operational limits in high-stakes combat.

Trappier, however, pushed back strongly on such suggestions.
“When you operate combat aircraft, you complete a mission. The success of the mission is not having zero loss — it is having achieved your objectives,” he asserted, citing historical context. “During the Second World War, it was not said that the Allies had lost the war because they had lost troops…”
The Dassault chief emphasized that modern combat operations are judged by the effectiveness of mission execution, not merely by asset preservation. “We will see if there were losses or not, and if the war goals were achieved. When the truth comes out, some may have surprises,” he remarked cryptically.
While IAF covered, in detail, the extent of damage that was caused by precision targeting that forced the Pakistanis for a ceasefire.
Operation Sindoor was India’s first major aerial operation involving India’s Rafale fleet since the French-origin fighters were inducted into the IAF in 2020, hailed at the time as a game-changer in South Asia’s aerial balance.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/dassault-ceo-eric-trappier-on-loss-of-rafale-during-operation-sindoor-pakistans-claim-inaccurate-article-151950155

People are connecting different disasters observed in the last few months, especially the recent Ahmedabad plane crash, to the eagle flying off with the flag from the Shri Jagannath temple in Puri, Odisha, claiming it signifies a warning from Lord Vishnu regarding approaching hardships.

In 2025, India faced a string of disastrous events, including the Pahalgam incident, clashes with Pakistan, recent stampedes in Bengaluru and Maha Kumbh, the Mumbai train mishap, and now the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, along with many other similar incidents. People are linking it to the occurrence of an eagle seen taking a flag from Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, asserting it as a sign of ‘misfortune’.

In April 2025, an eagle was spotted flying with a flag from the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, leading to significant speculation. The event, recorded on video, occurred during a thunderstorm in Puri. Some viewed it as a heavenly sign or positive omen, while others saw it as a harbinger of disaster.

A series of subsequent disasters caused some to link these events to the eagle’s flight. Interpretations include seeing the eagle as a representation of Lord Vishnu’s favor, a heavenly signal, a warning of impending danger, or merely as superstition, reflecting a broad spectrum of beliefs about the incident.

People are also linking the death of the 83-year-old caretaker of Jagannath Temple, Jagannath Dikshit, who was discovered dead outside his home in Puri. He suffered significant head trauma and was found soon after coming back from the temple. Authorities are examining CCTV recordings depicting neighbour Narayan Pattajoshi reportedly assaulting him after a previous dispute. Pattajoshi is presently on the run.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/viral/viral-eagle-flew-away-with-flag-from-jagannath-puri-temple-in-april-now-people-are-linking-it-to-ahmedabad-plane-crash

Air India expressed deep sorrow over the terrible plane crash and said that it is standing with the families of those who lost their lives. The airline also said that its teams are on the ground, doing everything they can to support the victims’ families during this very difficult time.

Air India on Saturday announced immediate compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the families of victims of the Ahmedabad plane crash. The airline said that the amount is in addition of the compensation to the Rs 1 crore that was already announced by Tata Sons.

Air India expressed deep sorrow over the terrible plane crash and said that it is standing with the families of those who lost their lives. The airline also said that its teams are on the ground, doing everything they can to support the victims’ families during this very difficult time.

To help with immediate financial needs, Air India will give an interim payment of ₹25 lakh (about £21,000) to the families of each person who died, as well as to the survivor. This amount is in addition to the ₹1 crore (around £85,000) that was already announced by Tata Sons, the parent company of Air India.

Air India said, “Air India stands in solidarity with the families of the passengers who tragically lost their lives in the recent accident. Our teams on the ground are doing everything possible to extend care and support during this incredibly difficult time.”

It further added, “As part of our continued efforts, Air India will be providing an interim payment of ₹25 lakh or approximately 21,000 GBP each to the families of the deceased and to the survivor, to help address immediate financial needs. This is in addition to the ₹1 crore or approximately 85,000 GBP support already announced by Tata Sons.”

Air India also said, “All of us at Air India are deeply saddened by this loss. We mourn with the families, loved ones, and everyone affected.”

Air India AI 171 flight crashed moments after take off from Sardar Vallabhbhai International Airport en route London with 242 passengers and crew members onboard. The flight crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel resulting in the death of many MBBS students in the terrible crash. There are reports that over 270 people have lost their lives in the crash which occurred on Thursday (June 12).

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/ahmedabad-plane-crash-air-india-offers-25-lakh-immediate-relief-to-victims-families-in-addition-to-1-crore-from-tata-sons-video

Amid soaring tensions between Israel and Iran, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flight to the G7 Summit in Canada has been forced to take a significant detour. The escalating conflict has thrown air traffic in West Asia into disarray, prompting countries to shut down airspaces and airlines to cancel or reroute flights. Even VIP travel is being affected, with PM Modi’s specially designated aircraft, Air India One, now set for a longer-than-usual journey due to regional airspace closures.

The Prime Minister will embark on a three-nation tour that includes Cyprus and Croatia, besides his G7 summit in Canada. He is scheduled to depart from Delhi on Sunday morning around 7:30 am and will first land in Larnaca, Cyprus, by 3:00 pm. The route to Cyprus would typically pass through airspaces of Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. However, with all these corridors either shut or deemed unsafe, a longer detour has been charted.

The alternative route through UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan also remains uncertain amid regional instability. Indian aircraft have already been restricted from using Pakistani airspace since Operation Sindoor conducted from May 7 to 10. Sources confirm that these restrictions extend even to VIP flights such as Air India One.

As a result, the Delhi-to-Larnaca leg of the Prime Minister’s journey, which normally takes 8-9 hours, is expected to take longer. Following his 24-hour stop in Cyprus, Modi will continue to Canada on June 16, bypassing the conflict-ridden airspace over Russia and Ukraine.

The aerial crisis intensified following Israel’s airstrikes on Iran on June 13. With several countries closing their skies to civilian flights, air routes between India and destinations in Europe and North America have become more complex. Passengers are now facing extended flight durations and rising fares. Sources estimate that flight times have gone up by one to two hours, while operating costs for airlines have surged by nearly 12 percent. Indian carriers such as Air India and IndiGo have already cancelled over a dozen international flights due to the unstable airspace.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pm-modi-air-india-one-take-longer-route-g7-summit-amid-israel-iran-conflict-2740904-2025-06-15

Five years since the Galwan clash in 2020 in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed, India has fortified its border defences, overhauled military preparedness, and stepped up diplomacy with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Five years ago, on June 15, 2020, India lost 20 soldiers in the Galwan Valley clash with China in Eastern Ladakh – an event that not only redefined India-China ties but also triggered a series of reforms in India’s defence posture and strategic planning along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The Galwan clash, which saw Indian troops retaliate without firearms under existing protocols, also caused significant casualties on the Chinese side and marked a complete breakdown in trust between the two neighbours.

In the years since, India has significantly restructured its military preparedness, reinforced border infrastructure, and intensified diplomatic engagements. The Indian armed forces enhanced their presence across the LAC, especially in Eastern Ladakh, with rapid deployment of troops and high-altitude warfare equipment. Emergency procurement provisions were invoked to expedite defence acquisitions, including surveillance systems, UAVs, artillery, and medical equipment for extreme terrain.

The Galwan incident became a catalyst for infrastructure expansion. The Union Budget for FY 2025-26 allocated Rs 6.81 lakh crore to the Ministry of Defence, a 9.53% increase from the previous year. Of this, Rs 7,146 crore was set aside for the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), which completed 75 projects worth Rs 2,236 crore in 2024 alone.

These include roads and bridges in strategic regions like Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Himachal Pradesh. BRO’s earlier achievements included the world’s highest motorable road at Umling La (19,024 feet) and ongoing development of the Nyoma Airfield and Shinku La tunnel.

The last five years have also seen the LAC’s digital landscape transformed. Remote villages in Ladakh, including Galwan and Demchok, were connected to 4G networks under a joint initiative by the Indian Army and Bharti Airtel. This step opened up access to telemedicine, digital education, and government schemes, with the potential to improve tourism and local livelihoods.

On the diplomatic front, over 30 rounds of talks have taken place since 2020. India and China have conducted 21 rounds of Corps Commander-level discussions and multiple Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination (WMCC) meetings. Disengagement has occurred at several friction points: Galwan in July 2020, Pangong Tso in February 2021, PP17A (Gogra-Hot Springs) in August 2021, PP15 in September 2022, and most recently, at Demchok and Depsang in October 2024.

High-level diplomatic meetings also continued. On June 12, 2025, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong in Delhi to discuss bilateral ties, people-centric engagement, and reopening direct air services. Talks included progress on resuming hydrological data sharing and finalising an updated air services agreement. Visa facilitation, media exchanges, and commemorations of 75 years of India-China diplomatic relations were also discussed.

Despite partial disengagement, India remains cautious. “Galwan was a turning point,” says Maj Gen Ashok Kumar (Retd), Director General of Centre for Joint Warfare Studies. “It shattered all trust in Chinese political and military leadership. India’s vigilance along the LAC is now permanent.”

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/galwan-5-years-how-india-fortified-border-with-reforms-roads-2740912-2025-06-15

Densely populated pockets are located around airports in many cities across India and Thursday’s Ahmedabad plane crash, in which at least 30 people were killed on the ground as well, has got residents worried about a tragedy like that hitting closer home.

Air India Flight 171 – a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner – took off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport and could achieve an altitude of merely 625 feet before it began descending and crashed into the complex of the BJ Medical College in Meghani Nagar – an aerial distance of less than two km. Of the 242 people on the plane, 241 were killed and at least 30 others died on the ground.

The airport in Mumbai, which can handle more than 40 flights every hour, is surrounded by slums as well as posh homes, and residents of both say flights taking off sometimes give them the jitters now.

“We are within 1 km of the runway. There is a service road nearby which sees a lot of fish sellers, there are other hawkers selling food items as well. The leftovers are then thrown there, attracting birds,” said a resident of an area around the Mumbai airport, implying that the chances of bird hits increase because of this.

“The vibrations from the aircraft also cause damage. Cracks develop in the buildings… we have to spend a lot on maintenance every year,” said another resident.

Residents of slums in Vile Parle (East) said they have been living there for decades but were still willing to shift if the government gives them a safer place to stay.

“Of course, we are scared. But we have been living here for over 70 years, where do we go?” said one.

The story is similar in Jaipur, where people living near the airport say the incident in Ahmedabad has shaken them.

“We have been scared since Thursday. The planes take off day and night,” a woman said.

Memories Persist

For people living close to the Patna airport, Ahmedabad does not just make them question ‘what if’, because many of them have lived through a similar disaster and are worried it may happen again.

In July 2000, an Alliance Air Plane had crashed into Gardani Bagh near the airport while landing, killing 60 people, including five on the ground.

“It happened right here,” a resident of the area said. “I remember hearing a loud sound. We got scared. We are still a little scared, but what’s the point? We have to live here.”

At ground zero, in Ahmedabad, the fear is palpable.

A woman who ran a roadside stall near the airport lost her son as the plane crashed. “He was on the main road when the flames got to him. My daughter-in-law has also suffered severe burn injuries,” she said.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/air-india-crash-ahmedabad-crash-ai-171-where-do-we-go-ahmedabad-crash-strikes-fear-in-people-living-near-airports-8670234

PM Modi will visit Cyprus, the first by an Indian PM in over two decades, and will travel to Croatia, marking the first-ever visit by an Indian PM.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will commence the first leg of his three-nation tour from Cyprus on Sunday before participating in the G7 Summit in Canada followed by visiting Croatia on his way back. This will be the Prime Minister’s first foreign visit after Operation Sindoor.

Before participating in the G7 Summit on Monday, PM Modi will visit Cyprus, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in more than two decades, and will also travel to Croatia, marking the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister will pay an official visit to Cyprus, Canada and Croatia from June 15 to 19, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday.

“At the invitation of the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, PM Modi will pay an official visit to Cyprus on June 15 to 16. This will be the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Cyprus in over two decades,” the MEA said.

In Nicosia, PM Modi will hold talks with Christodoulides and address business leaders in Limassol.

Cyprus had condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and indicated that it would raise the issue of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan at the EU-level discussions.

The visit will be timely as Cyprus is set to take over the Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026.

The visit will reaffirm the shared commitment of the two countries to deepen bilateral ties and strengthen India’s engagement with the Mediterranean region and the European Union, as per the MEA.

PM Modi will visit Cyprus on June 15 to 16, on his way to Canada to participate in the G7 Summit in Kananaskis on June 16 to 17, and conclude the five-day visit with an official visit to Croatia on June 18.

In the second leg of his visit, PM Modi will travel to Kananaskis to participate in the G7 Summit, his sixth time in a row. On June 6, PM Modi received a call from Canadian PM Carney inviting him for the summit.

While PM Modi will have a meeting with his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney, his other bilateral engagements are still being worked out, official sources said.

PM Modi will also come face to face with US President Donald Trump for the first time since their meeting in February this year.

The visit to Cyprus is significant also as it comes in the middle of India’s tensions with Turkey over the latter’s support to Pakistan.

Ankara’s recognition of the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the northern region that was seized by Turkish forces in 1974 and differences over gas exploration rights in the Eastern Mediterranean remain a constant source of tensions between Turkey and Cyprus.

PM Modi is expected to reach Canada on June 16, a day after the opening of the G7 Summit.

This would be PM Modi’s sixth consecutive participation in the G7 Summit.

“At the summit, the PM will exchange views with leaders of G7 countries, other invited outreach countries and heads of international organisations on crucial global issues, including energy security, technology and innovation, particularly the AI-energy nexus and Quantum-related issues,” said the government in its announcement.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-begin-3-nation-tour-today-1st-foreign-visit-since-op-sindoor-8671256

The landing gear remained extended during the plane’s ascent and flap components found scattered on nearby roads appeared improperly positioned for take-off

In the twisted metal and charred debris of what was once one of India’s most advanced passenger jets, investigators began on Friday the meticulous work of unravelling how 33 seconds of flight ended as the nation’s deadliest aviation disaster in three decades.

Forensic experts and DGCA officials examine the site of the crash on Friday. (Raju Shinde/HT Photo)
Forensic experts and DGCA officials examine the site of the crash on Friday. (Raju Shinde/HT Photo)
As teams from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau worked through the debris of Air India flight 171 at Ahmedabad’s BJ Medical College, the aviation regulator separately ordered the carrier to step up specific safety inspections — a set of pre-flight checks of six critical aircraft systems that experts believe could indicate possible theories being explored for the air crash probe.

The probe — which will focus on a range of possibilities and scenarios spanning equipment problems, pilot error and weather conditions — will take into account what some officials said are apparent anomalies, although they added it was still too early to make a conclusion.

The landing gear remained extended during the plane’s brief ascent and flap components found scattered on nearby roads appeared improperly positioned for take-off, potentially robbing the aircraft of critical lift, one official said, asking not to be named.

Officials confirmed on Friday they recovered one of the two black boxes from the rooftop of the hostel mess building, while a team from Boeing arrived in Ahmedabad to assist the investigation. Parts of the plane’s two General Electric GEnx engines are being sent to the United States for analysis.

“The wreckage will be moved to a storage facility for reconstruction by Air India, the AAIB, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and other agencies,” according to an official familiar with the investigation.

The DGCA directive, issued barely 24 hours after Thursday’s disaster that killed 241 people, mandates inspections of fuel parameters and fuel flow systems, electronic engine control mechanisms, hydraulic systems, and take-off parameters—all critical to an aircraft’s ability to maintain controlled flight during the vulnerable take-off phase.

Experts noted the targeted nature of these inspections.

“The order by the DGCA seems to have indicated their suspicion of all that could have led to the B787-8 crash on Thursday,” said Amit Singh, an aviation expert. “While the checks mentioned by the DGCA are all performed by the pilots before take-off, they are only a few of the total checks performed. This could imply the regulator may have learnt about snags or probable issues with the aircraft,” he added, reiterating the need to wait for more clues.

News agency Reuters, quoting unnamed sources, said that Air India and the government were looking at several aspects of the crash including issues linked to its engine thrust, flaps, and why the landing gear remained open as the plane took off and then came down within moments. The probe is also looking at whether Air India was at fault, including on maintenance issues, the report added.

A possible bird-hit is not among the key areas of focus, the Reuters source said.

Boeing chief executive officer Kelly Ortberg announced on Friday he had cancelled plans to attend the Paris Air Show after Thursday’s crash, while Tata chairman N Chandrasekaran wrote an emotional letter to employees, calling June 12 “one of the darkest days in the Tata Group’s history”.

The Tata Group took over Air India in January 2022.

International aviation experts said the recovered flight recorders should provide crucial answers within days about what caused the Dreamliner to lose altitude just 33 seconds after take-off.

Paul Fromme at the U.K.-based Institution of Mechanical Engineers said the flight data recorder contains information on engine and control settings, apart from voice records of cockpit conversations. “This should show quickly if there was a loss of engine power or lift after takeoff and allow a preliminary determination of the likely cause for the crash,” Fromme, who heads the professional association’s Aerospace Division, told the Associated Press.

Aviation safety consultant Jeff Guzzetti, a former crash investigator for both the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration, told AP that investigators should be able to answer important questions as soon as next week if the flight data recorder is in good condition.

Guzzetti said key issues likely include whether flaps and other settings were correct, whether engines lost power, and whether the crew correctly inputted information about outside temperature and aircraft weight. “A mistake in the data that the crew put into the plane’s system could result in the flaps and slats being set incorrectly,” he said.

Aviation consultant Bob Mann told Bloomberg it appeared the 787 Dreamliner wasn’t able to achieve sufficient thrust as it travelled nearly the full length of an 11,000-foot runway—a distance that should have been more than adequate for take-off.

That could stem from aircraft misconfiguration prior to take-off or erroneous weight data entered into the plane’s computer system that determines power requirements, Mann said. “If the weight is high compared to the actual number, you end up with a very aggressive take-off. If the weight is low compared to the actual, you end up with not enough commanded power.”

On the ground in Ahmedabad, civic officials began using excavators to clear burnt trees, electricity poles, and charred building materials from surrounding streets, but all aircraft debris remains untouched. “Nothing from the crash site can be accessed by anyone except AAIB,” said a former DGCA official, adding: “Everything is evidence here.”

On Friday, the Boeing 787’s stabiliser section remained lodged in the second floor wall of the mess building, a surreal sight made more haunting by one of the aircraft’s landing gear wheels stuck beside it.

Behind the building lay the tail section that was attached above the stabiliser (the rearmost part of the aircraft), roughly 100 meters away, next to what officials described as a massive charred fuselage section.

Across the hostel complex, Gujarat police and Air India officials stood guard over scattered aircraft components — wings, rudders, and even passenger luggage, some intact, others bearing blood stains. The debris field spans eight buildings over approximately 200 meters, all now sealed off as a crime scene of sorts where every fragment could hold clues to the disaster.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/black-box-in-focus-ai-dreamliner-crash-probe-to-examine-anomalies-101749841555621.html

With tensions running high following Israeli strikes on Iranian territory, Jaishankar informed about his conversations with both sides on the unfolding developments.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday held separate phone calls with his Israeli and Iranian counterparts to discuss the escalating situation in West Asia.

With tensions running high following Israeli strikes on Iranian territory and Tehran warning of a “powerful” response, Jaishankar informed about his conversations with both sides on the unfolding developments.

“Received a call this afternoon from FM @gidonsaar of Israel regarding ongoing developments,” the minister posted on X.

Later, he also spoke to Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and discussed the “latest situation” in the region.

By maintaining dialogue with both parties, India signals its intent to monitor developments closely and advocate for calm, reflecting its broader strategy of engaging key regional players while urging restraint.

Israel carried out a series of strikes across Iran on Friday, hitting military installations and sites linked to its nuclear program.

The attacks reportedly killed at least three military officers, sharply escalating the risk of a full-scale war between the long-standing regional rivals.

Among the dead were three of Iran’s most senior military figures: General Mohammad Bagheri, who commanded the entire armed forces; General Hossein Salami, head of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard; and General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, who led the Guard’s ballistic missile program.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/s-jaishankar-speaks-to-israeli-iranian-foreign-ministers-as-west-asia-tensions-escalate-9384783.html

Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Vikrant Massey Reveals First Officer Clive Kunder, Initially Mistaken As Cousin, Was Close Family Friend Who Died!

Bollywood actor Vikrant Massey has confirmed that his cousin, Clive Kunder, tragically lost his life in the Ahmedabad plane crash on June 12. Clive was serving as the first officer aboard Air India Flight AI‑171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner bound for London, which plunged shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

Taking to Instagram Stories, Massey shared his heartbreak: “My heart breaks for the families & loved ones of the ones who lost their lives in the unimaginably tragic air crash in Ahmedabad today. It pains even more to know that my uncle, Clifford Kunder, lost his son, Clive Kunder, who was the 1st officer operating on that fateful flight.” He added, “May God give strength to you and your family uncle, and to all deeply affected”.

Initial reports loosely labeled Clive as Massey’s cousin, which fueled confusion. In response, Massey made further clarifications: “Dear friends in the media & elsewhere, the unfortunately deceased Mr. Clive Kunder was NOT my cousin. The Kunder’s are our family friends. Request no more speculations & let the family and loved ones grieve in peace,” he wrote.

The crash was one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory. Flight AI‑171, with 242 people on board—230 passengers and 12 crew—went down near the Meghaninagar locality at around 1:38 p.m., just minutes after takeoff, exploding into a fireball. Only a single passenger, a 40‑year‑old, survived.

Source : https://www.spotboye.com/trending/trending-news/ahmedabad-plane-crash-vikrant-massey-reveals-first-officer-clive-kunder-initially-mistaken-as-cousin-was-close-family-friend-who-died/684bc0f198e7b5da75cc9c79

Several unrelated and old videos are being widely shared on social media with the false claim that they show visuals of Air India’s AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad.
A London-bound Air India plane carrying 242 passengers and crew crashed in a crowded residential area in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad minutes after taking off from the airport on Thursday.
The AI 171 flight took off at 1.39 pm and crashed into a medical college complex near the Ahmedabad airport and burst into a ball of fire less than a minute after take-off, leaving just one survivor.

DNA tests are being conducted to identify the victims.

Meanwhile, social media platforms are flooded with videos claiming to be that of the Air India crash. However, the found were found to be hold and have no connection with the Ahmedabad plane crash.
An old video is being shared on social media platforms, claiming that it shows the recent CCTV footage of Ahmedabad plane crash. Upon verification, the video was found to be from Lebanon, posted PIB Fact-Check on X.

“An old video is being widely shared on social media with false claims that it shows recent CCTV footage of the #AhmedabadPlaneCrash and the hospital where the incident occurred. The video is from Lebanon and has no connection to the Ahmedabad plane crash,” the government’s fact-check unit posted on X.

Another video being shared as the footage from inside the AI171 flight just moments before the crash was also found to be fake.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/fake-alert-social-media-flooded-with-misleading-videos-linked-to-ahmedabad-plane-crash-article-151923201 

A viral video shows a foreign woman in India revealing she named her daughter “India” because of the country’s beauty, peace, and vibrant culture. The touching moment, featuring the little girl and her enthusiastic response, has melted hearts online. Netizens reacted with love and concern, hoping the family has only positive experiences in the country.

A heart-melting video is going viral on social media, featuring a woman from abroad who, during her visit to India, unexpectedly revealed the touching reason behind naming her daughter “India.” The reason is so sweet and heartwarming that netizens are now hoping the family has ”only positive experiences during their stay in the country.”
The video has been widely shared across various social media platforms. In the video, the person recording the footage comes across an adorable little girl who appears to be from abroad. When asked her name, the girl replies, “India,” leaving the man pleasantly surprised. He then turns the camera towards her mother, standing beside her, and asks, “Why did you name your daughter India?”
The mother replies, “Because it is a beautiful country, such a peaceful name.” She goes on to explain why she loves India, saying it’s because of the country’s vibrant colors, rich smells, and lively sounds. When the man asks the little girl if she’s enjoying her trip to India, she enthusiastically nods “yes” with a big smile.

The video has since gone viral, with netizens expressing both admiration and concern. Many hope the family’s journey remains safe and memorable, while others simply found the mother’s reason “heartwarming.”

One user commented, “She is so cute… love from India.”
Another wrote, “Love that name for my future granddaughter. I love India and am so proud of my Indian friends as well.”

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/viral/her-name-is-india-foreigner-reveals-heartwarming-reason-behind-daughters-name-wins-internet-video-article-151924125

Aviation experts say it is not so straightforward because aircraft vary widely in seat configurations, crashes are unique and survival often hinges on a complex interplay of factors.

London: The survival of a passenger who escaped through an exit door seconds after his Air India flight crashed killing everyone else on board has prompted speculation over whether his seat, 11A, is the safest.

Aviation experts say it is not so straightforward because aircraft vary widely in seat configurations, crashes are unique and survival often hinges on a complex interplay of factors.

“Each accident is different, and it is impossible to predict survivability based on seat location,” said Mitchell Fox, a director at Flight Safety Foundation, a US-based nonprofit.

Ramesh Viswashkumar said his 11A seat was near an emergency exit on the London-bound Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner that crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday and he managed to walk out.

Sitting next to an exit door might help you survive an accident but it won’t always be 11A because aircraft can have dozens of different configurations.

“In this particular instance, because the passenger was sitting adjacent to the emergency exit, this was obviously the safest seat on the day,” said Ron Bartsch, Chairman at Sydney-based AvLaw Aviation Consulting.

“But it’s not always 11A, it’s just 11A on this configuration of the Boeing 787.”

A 2007 Popular Mechanics study of crashes since 1971 found that passengers towards the back of the plane had better survival odds. Some experts suggest the wing section offers more stability.

Sitting next to an exit door, like Viswashkumar, gives you an opportunity to be one of the first out of the plane, although some exits don’t function after a crash. The opposite side of the plane was blocked by the wall of a building it crashed into, he said.

In January of last year, a panel missing several bolts blew off the side of a Boeing 737 MAX mid-flight, creating a gaping hole and damaging the adjacent seat. Fortunately, no one was seated there at the time, and the incident resulted in no fatalities.

Sitting by the aisle might offer you a speedier escape but it increases the likelihood of being hit in the head by luggage falling out of the overhead bins – a much more common occurrence than major crashes.

SAFETY BRIEFINGS

Paying attention to the safety briefing at the start of your flight – often dismissed as routine – is likely the best way to improve your chances of survival, experts say.

Disciplined compliance with cabin crew evacuation advice, including leaving bags behind, was a key factor in saving the lives of all 379 passengers and crew aboard a Japan Airlines flight in January last year.

The Airbus A350 aircraft had collided with a Coast Guard plane at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, killing five of the six crew members on the smaller aircraft.

Safety briefings typically cover critical instructions such as how to fasten your seatbelt securely, adopt the correct brace position and plan your evacuation route.

A common tip is to count the number of rows between your seat and the nearest exit – vital knowledge if the cabin fills with smoke and visibility is low.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/is-seat-11a-the-safest-on-a-plane-not-really-experts-say-3584788

Sixty years before former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani lost his life in the Air India crash on Thursday, a sitting Gujarat CM was lost mid-air, not to malfunction, but to a Pakistani strike. During the India-Pakistan War of 1965, a Pakistani fighter shot down Balwantrai Mehta’s Beechcraft aircraft, perceiving it as to be a surveillance aircraft.

It was the height of the 1965 India-Pakistan war. And 25-year-old Pakistani Flying Officer Qais Hussain, flying a Sabre jet, was patrolling the tense skies over Bhuj and eastern Sindh. On spotting a civilian aircraft, Hussain sought permission and, once granted, fired at the Beechcraft. Feeling triumphant that he had foiled an enemy surveillance operation, Hussain returned to his base in Karachi.

Hours later, when All India Radio’s 7 pm bulletin announced that a plane carrying Gujarat’s then Chief Minister Balwantrai Mehta and seven civilians had been shot down by Pakistan, Hussain’s pride gave way to shock, disbelief, and a lifelong burden.

Gujarat CM Balwantrai Mehta, pilot Jahangir Engineer, and a journalist were among the eight people killed after their Beechcraft aircraft was shot down by the Pakistani fighter.

Almost 60 years after Balwantrai Mehta, known as the father of Panchayati Raj, lost his life in an air tragedy, Vijay Rupani, who had served as the Gujarat CM between 2016 and 2021, died in an air crash in Ahmedabad. The Air India flight to London, carrying Rupani, crashed just minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport with 242 people on board. All but one perished as the aircraft stalled mid-air and burst into flames upon hitting the ground.

Here’s a moment to revisit the 1965 tragedy that claimed Balwantrai Mehta’s life, a rare and haunting instance when political leadership was quite literally lost mid-air.

GUJARAT CM’S FLIGHT INTO THE FOG OF 1965 WAR

The 1965 India-Pakistan war, which began in August, had reached a critical point by September.

When the UN Security Council on September 22 passed a resolution calling for an unconditional ceasefire, India accepted it immediately. Pakistan, however, delayed its response, finally agreeing to it a day later, on September 23.

Even as international pressure mounted to restore peace, the skies over the subcontinent remained hostile.

That same afternoon, Gujarat CM Balwantrai Mehta was on his way to Mithapur, near the Gulf of Kutch, accompanied by his wife Sarojben, three aides, and two journalists.

The eight-seater Beechcraft aircraft was piloted by Jahangir Engineer, the state government’s chief pilot and a veteran of the Indian Air Force and the Royal Air Force. The group took off from Ahmedabad not knowing that they were flying into danger.

CM BALWANTRAI MEHTA’S PLEA IN THE SKY GOES UNHEEDED

The ill-fated Air India Flight AI171, which crashed in Ahmedabad on June 13, not only marked one of the darkest days in India’s aviation history but also left behind a trail of shattered dreams, grieving families, and communities plunged into mourning. Among the 241 lives lost were pilots, cabin crew, and young professionals each with aspirations that ended far too soon. From Powai and Goregaon to the coastal towns of Ratnagiri and villages of Navi Mumbai, the tragedy has left an indelible mark. These are the stories of the people behind the headlines of duty, determination, sacrifice, and love interrupted by fate.

Captain’s wish to serve ageing dad remains unfulfilled

Just a few days before the crash, Sumeet Sabharwal had told his father that he wanted to look after him. Sabharwal was the captain of the ill-fated flight AI-171 and had 8,200 hours of flying experience.

Sabharwal was a resident of Jalvayu Vihar in Powar, was known to be a very amiable person who stayed with his aged father. According to a neighbour, Pamela Cheema, his mother passed away some time ago. “Whenever I had the occasion to meet him, he came out as a very pleasant person. But our interactions were very few since he was constantly flying. All of us in our building will sorely miss him,” Chema said.

Prasun Kumar, editor of “Planet Powai”, said. Capt Sabharwal had a sister living in Delhi and a nephew who is also a pilot. The sister left for Mumbai as soon as she got the news.

Wedding bells stop ringing as airhostess daughter loses life

Dombivali’s Songhare family was excited for their 26-year-old air hostess daughter Roshni’s marriage, which was arranged with a merchant navy officer the following year. However, the excitement perished on Thursday noon after the family heard the news about the AI171 plane crash, which also had Roshni on board as a crew member.

The Songhare family, a native of Mandangad in coastal Ratnagiri, had moved to Dombivli two years ago. The Songhare family’s residence in Rajaji Path was soon turned from a cheerful place preparing for their daughter’s wedding to a horrifying, silent place preparing for her last rites. According to her family, Roshni had left her home three days before the crash for duty. Now, her father and brother have left for Ahmedabad to receive her body.

Roshni has left behind her father Rajendra, mother Rajshree and younger brother Vignesh. “She was the heartbeat of this home. We were getting her engaged in November and married in March, but time played cruelly,” a close relative said.

Roshni was known to be a bright and determined girl among her family and relatives. Inspired by the skies, she pursued to become a flight attendant and successfully began her career with SpiceJet and later joined Air India, where she was also allowed to serve on international sectors.

“She was so happy to be flying again. We were all looking forward to her wedding. Everything was going right,” said her uncle Praveen Sukhdere, who rushed to Dombivli to be with the grieving family. Roshni was also a social media influencer with over 54,000 followers on Instagram.

Father still awaits phone call from flying daughter

Before her flight to London, cabin crew member Maithili Patil, 22, told her father, Moreshwar Patil, that she would call him once she landed in London, but it has been more than 24 hours, and her father is still awaiting a call from her.

Every year, in the coastal city of Puri, three chariots, pulled by hundreds of devotees, take the idols of Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra, and their sister Subhadra on a journey across the city. If you’re in the city for the yatra, take a few days out to explore all the incredible experiences Puri has to offer.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is working closely with Axiom Space, NASA, SpaceX as they responsibly address the ISS Zvezda module observation causing the Ax-4 delay.

V Narayanan, the Secretary DOS/ Chairman ISRO and Chairman Space Commission said that safety and mission integrity were their priorities.

In a post on X, ISRO stated, “ISRO is working closely with Axiom Space, NASA, SpaceX as they responsibly address the ISS Zvezda module observation causing the Ax-4 delay. Safety and mission integrity remain our top priorities.”

On June 11, SpaceX announced the postponement of the Falcon 9 launch of the Ax-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), citing the need for additional time to repair a liquid oxygen (LOx) leak.

“Standing down from tomorrow’s Falcon 9 launch of Ax-4 to the @Space_Station to allow additional time for SpaceX teams to repair the LOx leak identified during post static fire booster inspections. Once complete – and pending Range availability – we will share a new launch date,” the company said in a post on X.

Following the announcement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) also confirmed the delay of the Axiom-4 mission, which was scheduled for launch on June 11, 2025, and was set to carry the first Indian Gaganyatri to the ISS.

Postponement of Axiom 04 mission slated for launch on 11th June 2025 for sending first Indian Gaganyatri to ISS.

Due to adverse weather, the launch of the Axiom-4 mission carrying Indian Gaganyatri to the International Space Station is rescheduled from June 10 to possibly June 11, 2025.

Despite the delay, the Axiom-4 mission remains significant. The Ax-4 crew includes members from India, Poland, and Hungary, marking each nation’s first mission to the space station in history and the second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in over 40 years, according to Axiom Space. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be India’s second national astronaut to go to space since 1984.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is part of Axiom Space’s fourth private astronaut mission (Ax-4), marking a historic moment for India’s space collaboration with NASA.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/working-closely-with-nasa-to-address-axiom-4-delay-says-isro-8655216

To a question by NDTV, Manohar Lal Khattar said that cyber attacks started after India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ – in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack – and continued for 8 to 10 days.

There have been two lakh cyber attacks on the power sector in India during ‘Operation Sindoor’. In the first such confirmation of massive cyber attacks during India-Pakistan clashes, the government today said all the attacks were foiled and the power system is working perfectly.

“Two lakh cyber attacks on the power system have taken place. All these attacks have been thwarted,” said Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

He was addressing a press conference on the completion of 11 years of the BJP-led Central government.

To a question by NDTV, the minister said that cyber attacks started after India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ – in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack – and continued for 8 to 10 days.

In Jammu and Kashmir, most of the official sites, including power, were targeted, and some are still struggling to be restored. The cyber attacks have affected public services and the official functioning of various departments.

On May 7, India woke up to the news of “focused, measured and non-escalatory” strikes of the Armed Forces on the terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Nine terror launchpads were targeted within 25 minutes in the operation. The mission was named ‘Operation Sindoor’ – a codename to avenge the widows of the April 22 attack, wherein 26 civilians – all men – were killed in cold blood by terrorists linked to an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The precision terror strikes on terror launch pads were met with Pakistani aggression. The Pakistani military tried to target several cities in India using drones and other munitions, which were “repulsed” by the Indian forces.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/2-lakh-cyber-attacks-on-indias-power-system-during-operation-sindoor-minister-8653484

Sonam Raghuvanshi, accused in husband Raja’s murder during their honeymoon, fled in disguise across states, police say her alleged lover Raj Kushwaha masterminded the brutal killing.

In a chilling murder case that has gripped the nation, police have revealed that Sonam Raghuvanshi, the wife of deceased Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, went on the run disguised in a burqa after allegedly conspiring in her husband’s murder. Her escape trail — spanning multiple states — was marked by taxis, buses, and trains as she evaded capture before surrendering in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur.
According to East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem, the murder plot was orchestrated by alleged Sonam’s ‘lover’, Raj Kushwaha, who is believed to be the mastermind. Sonam is being treated as a co-conspirator. The plan, hatched in Indore before the couple’s May 11 wedding, involved luring Raja to Meghalaya under the guise of a honeymoon. Days later, he was brutally murdered.
After reaching Sohra (Cherrapunjee) in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills on May 23, Raja and Sonam were reported missing. Raja’s body was eventually found in a gorge near Weisawdong Falls on June 2. Investigations revealed that he was reportedly attacked with a machete and killed in Sonam’s presence by three men — Vishal, Akash and Anand — friends of Raj who allegedly carried out the killing as a favour, not as hired assassins. Raj had reportedly given them Rs 50,000 for expenses, as reported by PTI.

The killers left behind key evidence, including a bloodstained raincoat and the scooter hired by the couple. Police say Sonam handed her raincoat to one of the killers, Akash, to cover up a bloodstain on his shirt. Both the coat and the scooter were later recovered.

After the murder, Sonam slipped into a burqa given to her by Raj through Vishal. She travelled to Police Bazaar in Shillong and took a taxi to Guwahati. From there, she boarded a bus to Siliguri in West Bengal, and then continued her journey via buses to Patna and Arah in Bihar. She later took a train to Lucknow and finally reached Indore by bus — roughly 1,200 kilometers from the crime scene.
During this time, the killers and Sonam had plans to cover up her involvement. One idea was to fake her death by murdering a random woman, burning the body, and passing it off as Sonam’s to buy time. Another plan involved claiming she had drowned. However, none of these efforts materialised.
Raj, sensing the heat as police from Meghalaya arrived in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh on June 8, instructed Sonam to stage an abduction and inform her family she had escaped from a gang. However, by June 9, Sonam surrendered to the police in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur.
The police have since arrested Raj Kushwaha, Sonam and the three accomplices. All five have been remanded to eight days of police custody. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is now collaborating with law enforcement agencies across multiple states to tie together all evidence.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/honeymoon-murder-sonam-raghuvanshis-escape-trail-disguised-in-burqa-took-taxi-bus-train-to-reach-indore-article-151898404

The gig workers’ pod, probably the first in the country, was established by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC). It is made indigenously with a minimalist Scandinavian design and boasts facilities such as air conditioning, seating for 25 people, drinking water, and a washroom.

50-year-old Kumar, a businessman-turned-gig worker employed with a food delivery app, used to look for empty bus stops or restaurants in upscale Anna Nagar to sit and relax for about an hour from 11 am every day due to a low flow of orders during that time.

He was often asked to leave the seats for waiting passengers, and people looked down upon him at the entrances of many food outlets.

But on Thursday, Kumar, who shut down his catering unit two years ago due to losses suffered during the Covid-19 pandemic, was sitting relaxed and chatting with fellow gig workers at an exclusive lounge launched for them on Wednesday. The lounge is 20 feet long and 10 feet wide.

The gig workers’ pod, probably the first in the country, was established by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC). It is made indigenously with a minimalist Scandinavian design and boasts facilities such as air conditioning, seating for 25 people, drinking water, and a washroom.

The facility, equipped with LED lighting, will help gig workers not only take rest during non-peak hours but will also be beneficial during peak summers and winters by providing them safety and comfort.

“Gig workers like me look for places or shade to rest when we have fewer orders. Since we are not allowed inside apartments or restaurants, we look for public places to spend time. This facility is like a godsend for us. Since I deliver around this area, this pod will be hugely beneficial to me whenever I need some rest,” Kumar, who delivers about 25 to 30 orders a day, told DH.

The GCC plans to set up such pods in about 30 to 40 locations across the city in the coming months, with plans to replicate the model in cities like Coimbatore. The cost of one gig workers’ pod is about Rs 25 lakh. Anna Nagar was chosen for the first pod since the locality has a significant number of women delivering food orders.

Wasim, the project in-charge, said the pod’s design was inspired by similar facilities in Europe and Dubai, and they made modifications to suit the needs of gig workers in Chennai. A watchman will guard the pod and manually log the details of gig workers before allowing them to enter the facility. Entry will be permitted only to those in uniform to ensure that others do not use the facility.

“The pod has simple functionality, and the goal is to provide a safe place for gig workers who work continuously for about 10 hours without much rest. The pod has CCTV cameras connected to the local police station and GCC for the safety of people using the facility,” Wasim told DH.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/tamil-nadu/chennai-launches-indias-first-gig-workers-pod-3583410

The Kerala High Court on Thursday expressed serious concern over the widespread use of plastic containers for food delivery, highlighting the risk of microplastic ingestion and its potential link to rising health issues. [Prasanna EV v. State of Kerala & Ors]

Justice Devan Ramachandran directed the Additional Director General of Prosecution to examine the practice of packing food in plastic containers for delivery and to evaluate its implications.

“Young children are living on this food delivery. You must understand that microplastics are entering into your body, particularly when hot stuff is packed in such plastic containers. That creates a microplastic ingestion. What are we doing about it? As a concerned citizen, rather a concerned father, I’m asking you: are these plastic containers used for delivery good?” the judge orally remarked.

The directive came during the hearing of a petition concerning food safety, in which the Court took notice of the increasing reliance on food delivery services, particularly among the younger generation.

The judge noted that such ingestion could be contributing to serious health conditions, including cancer and damage to organs like the liver, lungs, colon and intestines.

In light of these concerns, the judge directed the state to examine the issue and assist the Court with appropriate recommendations, observing that the potential health impacts of such practices may not yet be fully understood or effectively addressed by existing regulatory mechanisms.

“I record that this Court has suggested that the learned additional director general of prosecution instructed by Mary Meera Joseph learned senior government pleader, to look into the issue regarding using of plastics for food delivery which appears to be rampant these days. Learned senior counsel Gracious Kuriakose has promised that the matter will be addressed and reported to this court by next posting date,” the Court added.

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/kerala-high-court-raises-concerns-over-microplastics-entering-food-through-delivery-containers

Karisma Kapoor’s ex-husband and industrialist Sunjay Kapur has passed away at 53 after suffering a heart attack while playing polo.

In unfortunate news, renowned industrialist and actress Karisma Kapoor’s ex-husband, Sunjay Kapoor, has passed away. He was 53 years old. He had a heart attack while playing polo in the UK, after which he succumbed to death, as per a report in India Today. He was married to Priya Sachdev.

A source told the portal that the incident occurred during a polo match, and he was immediately given medical assistance. However, despite efforts to revive him, he passed away.

Sunjay Kapoor was the chairman of Sona Comstar (formerly Sona BLW Precision), a manufacturer of automotive components. Apart from this, he was also a director on the boards of several companies and was actively involved in various professional organizations. Sunjay was also an avid polo player and actively participated in the sport.

Karisma Kapoor tied the knot with Sunjay Kapur in 2003. The actress had known him since childhood, as he was the brother of her close friends, Superna and Mandira. Their match was set up by Karisma’s mother, Babita. However, her father, Randhir Kapoor, reportedly opposed it. The duo married at the actress’s ancestral home, Krishna Raj bungalow in Mumbai.

Source : https://www.pinkvilla.com/cinema/karisma-kapoors-ex-husband-sunjay-kapur-passes-away-at-53-due-to-heart-attack-while-playing-polo-1391320

In a strange twist, he died on June 12 (12-06), which is a number he might have once considered lucky. There are reports that all his vehicles carried the same number on their registration plates. However, his alleged lucky number turned out to be unlucky as he died on the same date.

Former Gujarat Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vijay Rupani was among the people killed in the tragic Air India crash which occurred in Ahmedabad on Thursday (June 12). In a strange twist, he died on June 12 (12-06), which is a number he might have once considered lucky. There are reports that all his vehicles carried the same number on their registration plates. However, his alleged lucky number turned out to be unlucky as he died on the same date.

Rupani reportedly had a strong connection with the number 1206. All his vehicles had 1206 on their number plates. His seat number on the London-bound flight was 12 and his boarding time was 12:10 PM. This also shows his strong connection with the number 12.

Sadly, the same number turned into a tragic coincidence. The Air India flight AI 171 en route to London crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport with 242 people onboard.

Rupani was on the same flight and was on his way to meet his daughter in London. However, Rupani could not survive the terrible crash and died in the tragic incident.

The internet users also came up with their own numerology. One of the users said, “1206=9 flight no 171= 9.” Another said, “Seat number also 12.” “He lived with 1206 on every vehicle he owned. He left the world on 12/06. When numbers turn into dates, and dates into destiny… The universe doesn’t always whisper. Sometimes, it screams,” said another user.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/vijay-rupanis-mysterious-connection-with-number-12-from-vehicle-number-plates-to-final-flight-date

Raj Shamani’s sensational podcast episode with Vijay Mallya is still being discussed nearly a week after it was dropped on YouTube.

Fugitive Vijay Mallya, who made brief appearances on the Internet during bank holidays, spent over four hours on popular YouTuber and entrepreneur Raj Shamani’s podcast to share his “side” of the story. The former owner of RCB, Kingfisher Airlines, and Force India F1 team, left India in March 2016 amidst allegations of financial irregularities and loan defaults. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that people wanted to hear from the horse’s mouth. He has been accused in a bank loan default case involving over Rs 9,000 crore. The 69-year-old liquor baron’s lengthy chat with Shamani garnered plenty of attention and has since been viewed over 22 million times in under a week. The runtime of the episode was a staggering 4 hours and 18 minutes.

From selecting a young Virat Kohli for Royal Challengers Bangalore to giving “Oo La La La Le O” jingle for his beer brand Kingfisher to apologising to his defunct airline employees, there was a lot discussed on the viral episode.

Naturally, the episode with Mallya went through the routine Internet cycle. Videos of the most interesting bits from the podcast were clipped and uploaded as YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels. There were sad edits, memes, the usual.

However, the outcome of interviewing Mallya has put Shamani in the direct line of criticism.

Whitewashed His Image?

The public drew parallels with Rajkumar Hirani’s Sanju (2018) which starred Ranbir Kapoor in the lead role, and portrayed the troubled life of Sanjay Dutt. While Hirani has gone on record and asserted that he made the movie to tell a compelling story, and not because of personal connections or to whitewash Dutt’s image, critics have disagreed with him for they believe the movie was an oversimplification of the Bollywood actor’s life and in doing so, the cinema made him appear like a victim. It could’ve been darker, more nuanced, and balanced, the critics and moviegoers remarked.

What did not sit well with the viewers of Mallya’s podcast was that the outcome made the fugitive appear as a victim living in the bad times. Shamani has, since then, faced criticism for giving Mallya the platform.

Sympathy Galore

A large number of YouTube comments lauded Shamani for doing what no TV channels or anchors could do. A calm, respectful chat with a guest without shouting at the highest decibel was a rare sight and a pleasant one for them.

But there were those too who sympathised with Mallya.

“Top 5 Lessons Learned from this Podcast

1. Don’t Judge a Story Without Hearing Both Sides

2. Media Trials Can Destroy Reputations

3. Silence Is Not a Sign of Guilt

The couple reportedly had a heated exchange after Lokhande insisted on consummating their marriage.

A 27-year-old woman in Maharashtra’s Sangli was arrested for allegedly killing her 53-year-old husband with an axe, just 15 days after he wedding, reported PTI, soon after the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case came to light.

Police claimed that the woman had attacked her husband Anil Lokhande around 12:30 am on Wednesday after he insisted on consummating their marriage, similar to the case where Sonam Raghuvanshi killed her husband in Meghalaya.

Police officials said that couple’s resident of Kupwad tehsil in Sangli district and that this was Lokhande’s second marriage after his first wife had died of cervical cancer.

The couple reportedly had a heated exchange after Lokhande insisted on consummating their marriage. The woman was arrested under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and further investigation is underway.

“In a fit of rage, the accused, identified as Radhika, fatally attacked her husband with an axe when he was asleep in bed,” a police officer from Kupwad MIDC police station told PTI.

Sonam Raghuvanshi murder case

Sonam Raghuvanshi’s husband Raja Raghuvanshi was allegedly murdered by her and three contract killers while the couple was on a honeymoon. Another accused and Indore resident, Raj Kushwaha, has been named as her lover who helped in plotting the killing.

After their wedding on May 11 in Indore, Raja and Sonam went to Meghalaya for a honeymoon. They disappeared on May 23, hours after checking out of a homestay at Nongriat village, 20 km from where Raja’s body was found on June 2.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sangli-woman-hacks-husband-to-death-for-insisting-on-consummating-marriage-101749667184151.html

At present, UPI and RuPay debit card payments attract no MDR.

The Finance Ministry on Wednesday refuted the reports reports suggesting that a fee would be imposed on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions.
The Finance Ministry called such reports “completely false, baseless, and misleading”.

“Speculation and claims that the merchant discount rate (MDR) will be charged on UPI transactions are completely false, baseless, and misleading,” the ministry stated in a post on social media platform X.

“Such baseless and sensation-creating speculations cause needless uncertainty, fear and suspicion among our citizens. The Government remains fully committed to promoting digital payments via UPI,” the statement added.

Earlier, some reports claimed that the government was considering to introduce the Merchant Discount Rate on all the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments above Rs 3,000.

Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, is visiting India from June 11 to 14, 2025, to strengthen military cooperation.

In a significant move to bolster bilateral military cooperation, Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, has arrived in India for a four-day official visit from June 11 to 14, 2025. The visit marks a deepening of the longstanding defence ties between India and Sri Lanka, with a focus on training, capability enhancement, and regional security cooperation.
On the first day of his visit, the Sri Lankan Army Chief paid homage at the National War Memorial in New Delhi, honouring the sacrifices of Indian soldiers. The solemn wreath-laying ceremony was followed by a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the South Block Lawns, attended by senior Indian Army officials, underscoring the mutual respect and enduring friendship between the two nations.
Lieutenant General Rodrigo then held detailed discussions with Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani, Vice Chief of the Army Staff, covering a broad spectrum of bilateral defence cooperation and regional security matters. He was also briefed on Operation Sindoor and India’s strategic defence posture by top Indian Army brass.

In addition, the visiting General held high-level meetings with Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff; Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Chief of Air Staff; and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. These interactions aimed at expanding collaboration across the tri-services and fostering a unified approach to regional peace and security.

Adding a symbolic touch to the visit, Lieutenant General Rodrigo planted a tree at the Manekshaw Centre — a gesture marking the historic bond between the Indian and Sri Lankan Armies.

On June 12, he will travel to Jaipur to meet Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Command.
A particularly emotional highlight of the visit will be on June 14, when Lieutenant General Rodrigo will serve as the Reviewing Officer at the Indian Military Academy’s Passing Out Parade in Dehradun — a return to his alma mater, where he was commissioned in December 1990 with the 87th Course. This moment comes full circle, as he will witness the commissioning of a new generation of officers. Adding to the emotional resonance, Brigadier RMSP Rathnayake of the Sri Lanka Army will also attend to witness his son, Officer Cadet RMNL Rathnayake, being commissioned.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/strengthening-defence-ties-sri-lanka-army-chief-on-key-india-visit-set-to-review-ima-parade-article-151868142

The internet was seemingly hit with nostalgia much like a brick- all thanks to THIS talented man who ended up recreating the iconic moments from one of the most loved childhood shows; Mr Bean. Yes, the man- who goes by the name ‘Jr Bean’ on his Instagram handle- left most Mr Bean fans with a mixed feeling, after they saw him impersonating the loved character with utmost detail. The man’s social media handle was full of videos where he was seen doing all kinds of hilarious scenes from the show. From the original character’s expressions and laughter to gestures and even ‘struggles’- the man surely aced it all. As soon as the videos were shared online, they began to gain attention, resulting in online likes and views in millions.
For those not aware, Mr Bean is one of the most hit shows from the 90s. The show also had an animated version. The hilarious character was excellently played by American actor Rowan Atkinson.
The videos were shared on Instagram, by the handle ‘JR BEAN’. The post received likes and views in millions.

“Our childhood days are coming back,” a user said. “You nailed every little detailing of him. This was so refreshing honestly. I wish they could have come back. It would have been so much fun,” added a second person.
“Just add the sound of people laughing and perfect. It’s still perfect to be honest. Your reels are something that I have been watching from the past 1 hour. Great job man,” added a third internet user.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/viral/indian-mr-bean-fans-experience-nostalgia-as-man-recreates-iconic-scenes-from-childhood-show-viral-video-instagram-article-151874256 

Television actress Dipika Kakar, known for her role in Sasural Simar Ka, recently underwent a major 14-hour-long surgery to remove a stage-2 liver cancer tumour. She is currently recovering in the hospital, and her husband, actor Shoaib Ibrahim, has been constantly updating fans about her health. In a heartfelt video shared from her hospital bed, Dipika became emotional as she thanked her fans and well-wishers for their prayers.

“Thank you for all your prayers. I’m recovering well and feeling much better,” Dipika said, fighting back tears. She added, “Dusre patients ke relatives bhi bol rahe the, ‘Hum aapke liye pray kar rahe the.’… Bohot achhe se recovery ho rahi hai. Main ab kaafi better hoon.”

In the same video, Shoaib revealed that the operation had lasted from 8:30 am to 11:30 pm. “Doctors were able to remove the tumour completely. Along with it, they had to remove her gall bladder due to stones and a part of the liver. Thankfully, the liver regenerates itself, , so that is not a major concern,” he explained.

Dipika had earlier shared that she had been experiencing severe upper abdominal pain and fatigue. After medical checkups, a tumour the size of a tennis ball was detected in the left lobe of her liver. On May 28, Dipika revealed that it was cancerous and classified as stage 2. She called it “one of the most difficult times” of her life.

Source : https://www.spotboye.com/trending/trending-news/-liver-ka-kuch-portion-cut-kiya-hai-shoaib-ibrahim-details-dipika-kakar-s-liver-cancer-surgery/684796c198e7b5da75cc9913

It was a killing that shocked India: Punjabi hip-hop star Sidhu Moose Wala shot dead through the windscreen of his car by hired gunmen.

Within hours, a Punjabi gangster named Goldy Brar had used Facebook to claim responsibility for ordering the hit.

But three years after the murder, no-one has faced trial – and Goldy Brar is still on the run, his whereabouts unknown.

Now, BBC Eye has managed to make contact with Brar and challenged him about how and why Sidhu Moose Wala became a target.

His response was coldly articulate.

“In his arrogance, he [Moose Wala] made some mistakes that could not be forgiven,” Brar told the BBC World Service.

“We had no option but to kill him. He had to face the consequences of his actions. It was either him or us. As simple as that.”

On a warm May evening in 2022, Sidhu Moose Wala was taking his black Mahindra Thar SUV for its usual spin through dusty lanes near his village in the northern Indian state of Punjab when, within minutes, two cars began tailing him.

CCTV footage later showed them weaving through narrow turns, sticking close. Then, at a bend in the road, one of the vehicles lurched forward, cornering Moose Wala’s SUV against a wall. He was trapped. Moments later, the shooting began.

Mobile footage captured the aftermath. His SUV was riddled with bullets, the windscreen shattered, the bonnet punctured.

In trembling voices, bystanders expressed their shock and concern.

“Someone get him out of the car.”

“Get some water.”

“Moose Wala has been shot.”

But it was too late. He was declared dead on arrival at hospital – hit by 24 bullets, a post-mortem would later reveal. The 28-year-old rapper, one of modern-day Punjab’s biggest cultural icons, had been gunned down in broad daylight.

A cousin and a friend who had been in the car with Moose Wala at the time of the ambush were injured, but survived.

Six gunmen were eventually identified. They carried AK-47s and pistols. In the weeks that followed the murder, about 30 people were arrested and two of the suspected armed men were killed in what the Indian police described as “encounters”.

Yet even with arrests piling up, the motive remained murky.

Goldy Brar, who claims to have ordered the hit, wasn’t in India at the time of the killing. He is believed to have been in Canada.

Our conversation with him unfolded over six hours, pieced together through an exchange of voice notes. It gave us a chance to find out why Moose Wala had been killed and to interrogate the motives of the man who claimed responsibility.

Sidhu Moose Wala was born Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu in a Jat-Sikh family in rural Punjab, before moving in 2016 to Canada to study engineering – a journey familiar to hundreds of thousands in the Punjabi diaspora.

But it was there, far from his village of Moosa – the inspiration for his rap name – that he reinvented himself as one of Punjabi music’s most influential artists. In just five years, Moose Wala became the unmistakable voice of Punjabi hip-hop.

With his signature swagger, flashy style, and lyrical grit, Moose Wala sang openly about identity and politics, guns and revenge, pushing the boundaries of what Punjabi music had been willing to say.

He was fascinated by rapper Tupac Shakur, who had been murdered, aged 25, in 1996. “In terms of personality, I want to be like him,” Moose Wala once told an interviewer. “The day he died, people cried for him. I want the same. When I die, people should remember that I was someone.”

Over a brief but explosive career, the singer spotlighted the darker undercurrents of India’s Punjab region – gangster culture, unemployment, and political decay – while evoking a deep nostalgia for village life.

Moose Wala was also a global force. With more than five billion views of his music videos on YouTube, a Top 5 spot in the UK charts, and collaborations with international hip-hop artists including Burna Boy, Moose Wala swiftly built a fan base stretching across India, Canada, the UK and beyond, powered by a diaspora that saw him as both icon and insurgent.

But fame came at a cost. Despite his rising star and socially conscious lyrics, Moose Wala was drifting into dangerous territory. His defiant attitude, visibility, and growing influence had drawn the attention of Punjab’s most feared gangsters. These included Goldy Brar, and Brar’s friend Lawrence Bishnoi, who even then was in a high-security jail in India.

Not much is known about Brar, apart from the fact he is on the Interpol Red Notice list, and is a key operative in a network of gangsters operated by Bishnoi – orchestrating hits, issuing threats and amplifying the gang’s reach. It is thought he emigrated to Canada in 2017, just a year after Moose Wala himself, and initially worked as a truck driver.

Bishnoi, once a student leader steeped in Punjab’s violent campus politics, has grown into one of India’s most feared criminal masterminds.

“The first [police] cases filed against Lawrence Bishnoi were all related to student politics and student elections… beating a rival student leader, kidnapping him, harming him,” according to Jupinderjit Singh, deputy editor of Indian newspaper the Tribune.

This led to a spell in jail which hardened him further, says Gurmeet Singh Chauhan, Assistant Inspector General of the Anti-Gangster Task Force of Punjab Police.

“Once he was in jail, he started to get deeper into crime. Then he formed a group of his own. When it became an inter-gang thing, he needed money for survival. They need more manpower, they need more weapons. They need money for all that. So, for money, you have to get into extortion or crime.”

Now 31, Bishnoi runs his syndicate from behind bars – with dedicated Instagram pages and a cult-like following.

“So while Bishnoi sits in jail, Brar handles the gangs,” says Assistant Inspector General Chauhan.

Securing BBC Eye’s exchange with Brar took a year of chasing – cultivating sources, waiting for replies, gradually getting closer to the kingpin himself. But when we got through to Brar, the conversation cast new light on the question of how and why he and Bishnoi came to see Moose Wala as an enemy.

One of the first revelations was that Bishnoi’s relationship with Moose Wala went back several years, long before the singer’s killing.

“Lawrence [Bishnoi] was in touch with Sidhu [Moose Wala]. I don’t know who introduced them, and I never asked. But they did speak,” said Brar.

“Sidhu used to send ‘good morning’ and ‘good night’ messages in an effort to flatter Lawrence.”

A friend of Moose Wala’s, who spoke anonymously, also told us that Bishnoi had been in touch with Moose Wala as early as 2018, calling him from jail and telling him he liked his music.

Brar told us that the “first dispute” between them came after Moose Wala had moved back to India. It began with a seemingly innocuous match of kabbadi – a traditional South Asian contact team sport – in a Punjabi village.

Moose Wala had promoted the tournament which was organised by Bishnoi’s rivals – the Bambiha gang – Brar told us, in a sport where match-fixing and gangster influence are rampant.

“That’s a village our rivals come from. He was promoting our rivals. That’s when Lawrence and others were upset with him. They threatened Sidhu and said they wouldn’t spare him,” Brar told BBC Eye.

Yet the dispute between Moose Wala and Bishnoi was eventually resolved by an associate of Bishnoi’s called Vicky Middhukhera.

But when Middukhera himself was gunned down by gangsters in a parking lot in Mohali in August 2021, Brar told us Bishnoi’s hostility towards Sidhu Moose Wala reached the point of no return.

The Bambiha gang claimed responsibility for killing Middukhera. The police named Moose Wala’s friend and sometime manager Shaganpreet Singh on the charge sheet, citing evidence that Singh had provided information and logistical support to the gunmen. Singh later fled India and is believed to be in Australia. Moose Wala denied any involvement.

The Punjab police told the BBC there was no evidence linking Moose Wala to the killing or to any gang-related crime. But Moose Wala was friends with Shaganpreet Singh, and he was never able to shake off the perception that he was aligned with the Bambiha gang – a perception that may have cost him his life.

Although he can cite no proof of Moose Wala’s involvement, Brar remains convinced that the singer was somehow complicit in the killing of Middukhera. Brar repeatedly told us that Shaganpreet Singh had assisted the gunmen in the days before Middukhera’s shooting – and inferred that Moose Wala himself must have been involved.

“Everyone knew Sidhu’s role, the police investigating knew, even the journalists who were investigating knew. Sidhu mixed with politicians and people in power. He was using political power, money, his resources to help our rivals,” Brar told BBC Eye.

“We wanted him to face punishment for what he’d done. He should have been booked. He should have been jailed. But nobody listened to our plea.

Source : https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c87j5v4xjxqo

The sector’s contribution to the national economy is substantial, with the fisheries industry exporting 17,81,602 metric tons of seafood worth ₹60,523.89 crore in the financial year 2023–24. This growth stands as a testament to the government’s efforts to promote the fisheries sector.

India has emerged as the second-largest fish-producing country globally, accounting for around 8% of the world’s total fisheries production. The country’s fisheries sector has witnessed significant growth under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The sector’s contribution to the national economy is substantial, with the fisheries industry exporting 17,81,602 metric tons of seafood worth ₹60,523.89 crore in the financial year 2023–24. This growth stands as a testament to the government’s efforts to promote the fisheries sector.

Maharashtra’s Significant Contribution

Maharashtra has played a crucial role in strengthening the fisheries sector’s contribution to the country’s economy. Under the leadership of Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane, the state’s fisheries sector has shown notable progress. In 2023–24, Maharashtra’s marine fish production stood at 4,34,574 metric tons. This increased by 29,184 metric tons in 2024–25, reaching 4,63,758 metric tons.

India’s non-member role in G7 has evolved significantly over the last few years. It has been invited as a special invitee since 2019.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be participating in the G7 summit scheduled to be held in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada from June 15 to 17. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney who invited Modi to the summit – after a delay that was interpreted, initially, as a snub – emphasised India’s stature as one among the top five economies of the world, its key role in global supply chains as well as its relevance to conversations on energy, security and digital infrastructure. “There are certain countries that should be at that table for discussions, and it makes sense that India should be there,” he said.

India’s non-member role in G7 has evolved significantly over the last few years. It has been invited as a special invitee since 2019. The G7 had taken shape in the midst of an oil crisis in 1975 as an informal group for the world’s industrialised nations. Collectively, the grouping represents 45% of the global GDP and 10% of the world’s population. It may be recalled that Modi’s first foreign trip after being re-elected as Prime Minister in 2024 was to a G7 meet in Italy. The forthcoming G7 summit will be Modi’s sixth. India, like the G7 countries, is interested in upholding a rules-based international order and a peaceful resolution of disputes.

The western world needs India on its side to deal with important economic and geopolitical challenges. The summit is expected to address critical issues such as climate change, energy security, challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence, technology inclusivity, and environmental security. China’s rise adds to the concerns, especially its economic and geopolitical assertiveness in the South China Sea and Taiwan. India’s presence in Quad adds to its pivotal role in the Indo-Pacific security framework. Its ability to bring about a consensus on some of these issues is increasingly being recognised.

A part of this recognition has to do with India’s rising economic heft, its strategic location and importance, and its credentials of being a robust democracy. Issues pertaining to the Global South will also be critical to India. India is the fourth largest economy in the world, making it bigger than all the G7 countries put together, without the US and Germany. Prime Minister Modi has also played a significant role in the G7 outreach programmes over the years, particularly highlighting inclusive growth and sustainable development.

There have been calls for reform and greater inclusivity in the G7. India’s participation has been at the Prime Minister’s level which signifies its stature on the global stage, its policy of multi-alignment, autonomy, and a nuanced diplomatic approach. The G7 is also a critical platform for India to voice its perspectives.

India is almost a permanent guest invitee to the G7 summits. It has reached a point where the Indian point of view cannot be ignored. Moreover, the invitation to India is also an indication of the importance of the Global South to the G7 countries. This is primarily because both the US and China have been competing for influence on the Global South. India also comes with credentials of having hosted the G20 summit in 2023.

Mark Carney’s invitation to Prime Minister Modi suggests that India’s presence helps to broaden the G7 dialogue and dispel perceptions that it merely involves considerations of an exclusive club of countries. It underscores New Delhi’s significant role in international diplomacy and economic affairs.

Rebuilding relations

The invitation opens the possibility of mending the India-Canada ties. The relationship reached its nadir during Justin Trudeau’s term as Prime Minister, following allegations of the Indian government’s involvement in the assassination of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Both countries have downgraded diplomatic ties. The summit signals to India the possibility for bilateral engagement, to rebuild its ties with Canada on the basis of mutual trust and sensitivity.

Prime Minister Modi’s role can be that of a bridge between the G7 and the broader international community. India can also help to boost synergies between the G7 and the G20, by playing a pivotal role in shaping resilient and inclusive global economic frameworks. The forthcoming summit will focus on strategies to bolster regional security, address geopolitical/geoeconomic/ geostrategic challenges and promote democratic values. On all these issues, India’s ability to navigate between the eastern and western powers matters.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/what-india-brings-to-g7-table-3581819

A couple’s honeymoon in Meghalaya turns into a chilling murder tale involving a suspected love triangle, a viral influencer sister, and a public outcry for justice wrapped in online melodrama.

A tragic murder takes place in Meghalaya while a young couple from Madhya Pradesh is on their honeymoon. The girl goes missing, and they find the mutilated body of her husband. We come to know there is a lover who could have collaborated with the wife. Scary. The sister of the poor guy is an Instagram influencer who’s asking for justice for her brother with melodramatic music, while also promoting massage salons. Meghalaya Police claims to have solved the case in 17 days. No, this is not the teaser for the third season of Pataal Lok.

We later came to know they got married on the same day India was bombing strategic air bases in Pakistan. It goes to show how much mainland Indians underestimate the capabilities of the Pakistani armed forces. No kamikaze drones. No ballistic missiles. Only a wiry guy with a mic in hand, atop a carriage, belted out “Aaj mere yaar ki shaadi hai,” causing mass destruction to the eardrums in a 100m blast radius. The astrologer has given the auspicious date; there is no postponing. World War III could wait.

So they went on with their celebrations, not sharing the same urgency as Mr. Trump, who saved the baraat from a “major catastrophe.” ‘They never give me enough credit,’ Trump says, rightly so, like the foofa ji at the same wedding.

What’s most interesting is how quickly this took over pop culture. It even stamped over the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) news cycle. Murders are commonplace, especially post-familial discord. Just pick up any regional newspaper and turn to page 4; you’ll find material worth four seasons of crime dramas. So what’s different here?

For starters, it fits in well with the recent wave of men’s rights advocacy. The advocates feel vindicated. It bolsters the case where they claim it’s the norm rather than an outlier, where men are routinely harassed in cases of alimony abuse and divorce blackmail. It was reignited by Johnny Depp and locally taken forward by the sad end of Atul Subhash. Above all, it’s a man bites dog story. Parle-G-fed dogs biting men are common, but the real journalistic story comes out when a man bites a dog. This is that story.

And there is enough online footage to go through. The sister of the deceased, who’s an Instagram influencer, has shared a lot of content on her page, where OSINT individuals, who till yesterday were looking for the exact spot where we hit the Kirana Hills, are now combing through wedding videos to see signs of evil on the face of the chief accused as she was taking pheras. There are enough free man-hours in India, where people willingly lend their sleuthing skills to subsequent news cycles. The author of this column is no exception. After consuming that financial independence snake oil, he now devotes time to dissecting such stuff via long write-ups. The one who’s read this and made it this far is also a willing collaborator. So we’re even. Ha!

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/opinion/story/raja-raghuvanshi-murder-case-sonam-killed-husband-meghalaya-honeymoon-horror-2739337-2025-06-11

The finding from Gandacherra market of Dhalai district, about 120 km from the Tripura capital, has sent shockwaves across Tripura, coming on the heels of the ‘honeymoon murder’ in neighbouring Meghalaya.

Guwahati: The mystery behind the disappearance of a youth from Agartala’s Indranagar area was solved on Wednesday, with his body being discovered from inside a trolley bag hidden in an ice-cream freezer. The finding from Gandacherra market of Dhalai district, about 120 km from the Tripura capital, has sent shockwaves across Tripura, coming on the heels of the ‘honeymoon murder” in neighbouring Meghalaya.

The man, 28-year-old Sariful Islam, is an electrician associated with the Agartala Smart City Mission project.

The murder was the fallout of a complex love triangle involving Sariful Islam, a woman, and the prime accused — Dibakar Saha, 28, a doctor, said a senior police officer.

“Initial investigations point to a love affair between the victim and the woman, who is also a cousin of Dibakar Saha. The love triangle appears to be the motive behind the murder,” said Kiran Kumar K, a senior police officer of West Tripura.

Six people, including the doctor and his parents, have been arrested. Among the other three is a woman.

The police said Dibakar Saha had called Sariful to the house of one Joydeep Das, 20, at South Indranagar Kabarkhala area, on the evening of June 8, under the pretext of giving him a gift.

When Sariful arrived, he was ambushed by Dibakar and his two accomplices – Animesh Yadav, 21 and Nabanita Das, 25. He was strangled and his body was packed into a trolley bag purchased two days earlier, the police said.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/love-triangle-murder-in-tripura-body-of-missing-man-found-in-ice-cream-freezer-8645087

Raja Raghuvanshi’s body was found in a gorge in Meghalaya on June 2 and the police say his wife, Sonam, had planned the murder because she was in love with Raj Kushwaha, an employee in her family-run business. Kushwaha, it is alleged, had helped plan the murder and had involved three of his friends – Akash, Anand, and Vikash – who were promised Rs 20 lakh by Sonam.

Kushwaha’s sister Suhani has, however, stressed he is innocent. Her 21-year-old elder brother, she said, used to call 24-year-old Sonam Raghuvanshi ‘didi’ (elder sister) and he only spoke to her about office-related matters.

Speaking to NDTV on Tuesday, a day after Kushwaha’s arrest, Suhani said her brother never spoke to the family about Sonam.

“He would never talk to us about didi. She would call him in the morning and sometimes we would answer and she would tell us it was time for him to get to work, that there was a vehicle waiting to be loaded. He worked in her office for two years,” Suhani said in Hindi.

The young girl also said Kushwaha was in Indore on May 23 when Raja Raghuvanshi was murdered in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills.

Asked how Kushwaha would address Sonam, Suhani said, “He and Sonam would only talk about work. They would not talk regularly. He would say ‘didi is calling, answer and tell her that I will be reaching work soon’. He used to call her didi.”

Suhani said no one from the family attended Sonam’s wedding on May 11 because they had gone to their village. Kushwaha was in Indore “to pay rent”, she said, but he did not attend the wedding either as something had happened to their father on May 11 and no one from the family celebrated on that date.

‘Want Justice’

To a question on whether there had been any change in Kushwaha’s behaviour after he started working with Sonam, she answered in the negative. “There was no change even when he found out that didi had got engaged,” she stressed.

Breaking out in tears after she was asked about the allegations against Kushwaha, Suhani said, “We don’t believe this. We don’t believe my brother can ever do this. We just want him to get justice. He has never done anything like this… He can never do this. Raja bhayya had not done anything, he had made no mistake, why would anyone kill him?”

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/meghalaya-murder-honeymoon-murder-raja-raghuvanshi-sonam-raghuvanshi-raj-kushwaha-he-used-to-call-her-didi-raj-kushwahas-sister-on-meghalaya-murder-8636884?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

This means ACs will no longer be allowed to cool below 20 degrees Celsius or heat above 28 degrees Celsius.

Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has announced new provisions to soon standardize air conditioning temperatures across India, setting a mandatory operational range between 20°C and 28°C. This means ACs will no longer be allowed to cool below 20 degrees Celsius or heat above 28 degrees Celsius.

Manohar Lal Khattar said, “A new provision is being implemented soon regarding air conditioning standards. The temperature standardisation for ACs will be set between 20°C to 28°C, which means we will not be able to cool below 20°C or heat above 28°C.”

He termed the decision a bold step towards energy efficiency, adding, “We have decided the minimum temperature of ACs will be fixed at 20 degrees Celsius and maximum at 28 degrees Celsius.”

The implementation will commence soon, with monitoring planned to assess effectiveness and achieve uniformity in AC use, ultimately reducing excessive power consumption from extremely low cooling settings.

New Rules Focus On Energy Efficiency

Kenya Bus Accident: The High Commission of India in Nairobi expressed profound sorrow over the incident.

At least five individuals from Kerala, residing in Qatar, were killed in a bus accident in Kenya, where they were on a holiday. The victims were part of a group of 28 Indian nationals from Qatar visiting Kenya.

“A group of 28 Indians from Qatar were visiting Kenya, where their bus met with an unfortunate road accident yesterday,” the Embassy of India in Doha stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

The deceased individuals from Kerala have been identified as Jasna, 29, from Venkitangu, near Guruvayur, and her daughter Ruhi Mehrin; Geetha Shoji, 58, hailing from Cherukol, near Mavelikkara; and Riya Puthanpurayil, 41, and her daughter Taira from Kanhirampara, Mannoor in Palakkad district.

Several individuals sustained injuries in the accident, including Jasna’s husband Muhammed Haneefa, Geetha’s husband Shoji Isaac and her son Abel, and Riya’s husband Joel and her son Travis. According to Joel, Geetha’s elder son, his brother Abel suffered a compound fracture requiring surgery. Shoji Isaac, who works in Qatar, had not yet been informed of his wife’s death.

The High Commission of India in Nairobi expressed profound sorrow over the incident.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic road accident on Ol Jororok-Nakuru Road in Nyandarua County, in which five Indian nationals have lost their lives,” the High Commission posted on X.

Officials from the High Commission of India in Nairobi are actively on the ground, extending all necessary assistance.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/5-from-kerala-among-several-tourists-killed-in-kenya-road-accident-9378780.html

The Reddit user shared a disturbing experience that happened while working at his father’s furniture showroom in Delhi.

If you are running a business, it is only natural that you will need to hire employees to help things run smoothly. But before bringing someone on board, it is important to do proper background checks. Skipping this step can lead to serious problems, something one Reddit user recently experienced. In a Reddit post titled “I got threatened by a prospective job candidate,” the user shared a disturbing experience that happened while working at his father’s furniture showroom in Delhi.

“I work at my father’s business in Delhi. It’s a furniture showroom (not that big though),” he wrote. This was his first time hiring someone, so he decided to bring in an accountant through a popular job site. “I hired an accountant from Naukri.com to do day-to-day work on Tally, such as recording sales, purchases, generating invoices, e-way bills, as well as preparing quotations, etc.,” the user wrote.

Things took a strange turn right from the start. According to the Redditor, the new hire didn’t show up on the agreed-upon joining date and kept delaying for 3–4 days, citing health issues. When he finally turned up after four days late, the user wasn’t in the office.

“He called me and said he only came to talk to me,” the post explained.

The next day, the man showed up, did some work and then made an unusual request. “He asked for 500 rupees at EOD, stating he needed them for an ultrasound which is weird because—1. Who the hell asks their employer for such a favour? 2. He has called me multiple times in between saying ‘Sir aap mujhe 500 Paytm kardo, mai kahi fass gaya hu, mai ghar jaake kar dunga (Sir, please send me Rs 500 on Paytm. I’m stuck somewhere, I’ll return it once I reach home),’ to which I refused every time.”

The Redditor finally gave in and handed over a 500-rupee note. But the man vanished the next day. “He didn’t come for 3 more days,” the post read. Then, out of nowhere, he called and said, “Sir mai aapke saath kaam nahi kar paaunga, mera per day 850 banta hai, aap 350 aur dedo (Sir, I won’t be able to work with you. My daily wage comes to Rs 850, so please give me Rs 350 more).”

When the Redditor refused, things took a threatening turn. “He threatened me and said “Mai jaat hu, office ke bahar 10 bande le aaunga kal (I’m a Jaat, I’ll bring 10 men outside your office tomorrow),” called me multiple times as well,” he wrote.

This left Redditor shaken so he turned to the platform and asked for help and advice: “What should I do in this situation? And how should I check someone’s background before I hire someone so that I don’t make this foolish mistake of hiring a guy like this?”

In the comments section, many users urged the Redditor to take action and not let the matter slide.

One user suggested, “File a police complaint. Let the police handle this. Get an employment contract in place in future if you didn’t.”

Another said, “You my friend ended up hiring a fraud. Anyway, he will not do anything. Block him and do your work. Hire someone else and do a proper background check.”

Source : https://www.news18.com/viral/i-am-a-jaat-i-will-bring-10-men-delhi-man-threatens-boss-over-rs-350-dispute-ws-l-aa-aa-9377903.html

Former Pakistani Ambassador and Pakistan People’s Party senator Sherry Rehman had a tense conversation with Sky News journalist Yalda Hakim. Rehman was asked about Brigade 313, which the TRAC (Terrorism Research and Analysis Consortium) analysts identify as an al Qaeda-affiliated umbrella group active in Pakistan.
“Brigade 313 is al-Qaeda in Pakistan,” Hakim said.
Trying to dodge the question, the Pakistani leader said, “I don’t know who told you this, but I can produce any number of pages saying all this.” “Am I going to war every time there is an attack in India?” she said.

The Sky News anchor also cited ‘Operation Sindoor,’ which targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. She said that Jaish-e-Mohammed head Masood Azhar has confirmed the death of 10 family members, signalling that the incident stands as evidence for terrorists’ presence on Pakistani soil.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Brussels during a joint Press Conference with European Union High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas made a big statement in front of foreign media.

Responding to a question on the longstanding conflict between India and Pakistan, Jaishankar said, “This is not a conflict between two states per se. This is actually a response to the threat and to the practice of terrorism.”

He further urged the media person to think not think of the conflcit as India-Pakistan but as India-Terroristan, “So, I would urge you to don’t think of it as India- Pakistan, think of it as India and ‘Terroristan’, you would then appreciate,” Jaishankar said.

The EAM on Tuesday met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and VP Kallas and thanked them for their “strong condemnation” of the Pahalgam attack and solidarity in combating terrorism.

Earlier in an interaction with American news website POLITICO, the EAM revealed the real reason behind the India-Pakistan ceasefire earlier last month.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/india-terroristan-issue-s-jaishankar-slams-pakistan-over-conflict-at-joint-press-conference-with-eus-top-diplomat-video

The launch of the Axiom-4 mission, which will carry Indian astronaut Shubhsanshu Shukla and three others to the International Space Station (ISS), has been postponed yet again.

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s Axiom-4 launch has been postponed again. SpaceX, which is executing the mission, said in a statement that a liquid oxygen leak was noticed during post static fire booster inspections and hence, the launch has been postponed.
Shubhanshu Shukla and three others were earlier scheduled to fly to the International Space Station (ISS), but the same has been postponed a few times.

“Standing down from tomorrow’s Falcon 9 launch of Ax-4 to the Space Station to allow additional time for SpaceX teams to repair the LOx leak identified during post static fire booster inspections. Once complete – and pending Range availability – We will share a new launch date,” SpaceX said in an X post on Wednesday.

In an official statement with the title “Postponement of Axiom 04 mission slated for launch on 11th June 2025 for sending first Indian Gaganyatri to ISS”, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said that a leak was found during inspection during the booster stage of Falcon 9 launch vehicle.

“As part of launch vehicle preparation to validate the performance of booster stage of Falcon 9 launch vehicle, seven second of hot test was carried out on the launch pad. It is understood that LOX leakage was detected in the propulsion bay during the test,” it said.

“Based on the discussion on this topic by ISRO team with the experts of Axiom and SpaceX it has been decided to correct the leak and carry out necessary validation test before clearing for the launch. Hence the launch of Axiom 04 slated for 11th June 2025 for sending first Indian Gaganyatri to ISS is postponed,” it added.

On Wednesday, SpaceX, NASA and Axiom Space said they were closely watching weather patterns at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, where Shubhanshu Shuklaand three others look forward to their travel to the ISS. SpaceX Vice President William Gerstenmaier said in a pre-launch press conference that engineers had fixed some snags in the Falcon-9 rocket that were discovered during the static fire test and had gone unnoticed during the post-flight refurbishment of boosters.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/shubhanshu-shukla-axiom-4-mission-postponed-again-due-to-liquid-oxygen-leak-spacex-falcon-9-article-151841308

Following the tragic incident near the Mumbra railway station on Monday morning, which resulted in the loss of four lives due to overcrowding on local trains, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra addressed the situation on Tuesday. In a media interaction, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis discussed the limitations of the local train’s capacity during peak hours.

Talking about the more AC local trains and new non-AC trains, CM Fadnavis mentioned “Our Railway Minister has emphasised that as these trains do not have a door, the possibility of an accident is high. So, he will work to put doors in such trains. Ventilation will also be taken care of. Efforts are underway to bring AC trains to suburban Mumbai.”

CM Fadnavis added, “In the last 11 years, PM Modi’s government has invested a large amount in Mumbai’s suburban region in passenger amenities, broadening of roads, escalators, and drinking water facilities. However, it is true that during the peak hours, our carrying capacity is low. So, we need to strengthen that. We will work on this,” as reported by the news agency ANI.

“After detailed discussions, it was decided that new non-AC trains will be designed and manufactured where the key issue of ventilation will be resolved using three design changes—first, the doors will have louvres. Second, coaches will have roof-mounted ventilation units to pump in fresh air. And third, the coaches will have vestibules so that passengers can move from one coach to another and balance out the crowd in a natural way,” according to ANI report.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-local-train-tragedy-cm-fadnavis-assures-strengthening-of-carrying-capacity-during-peak-hours

Four men accused of killing Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi have confessed to the crime, the Indore Crime Branch said on Tuesday. According to ACP Poonam Chand Yadav, who spoke exclusively to India Today TV, the accused not only admitted to carrying out the murder but also revealed that Raja’s wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, was present at the scene and “watched her husband die.”

“All four accused have confessed to killing Raja Raghuvanshi,” Yadav said. “The first blow was struck by Vishal alias Vicky Thakur.”

During the interrogation, the accused revealed how the group attacked Raja Raghuvanshi and later threw his body into a deep gorge.

As per the Crime Branch’s investigation, three of the accused, Vishal, Akash, and Anand, left Indore by train. They changed several trains to reach Meghalaya, first going to Guwahati and then on to Shillong, ACP Yadav explained.

Raj Kushwaha, who is alleged to be Sonam’s lover and co-conspirator, stayed behind in Indore but is alleged to have financially supported the three with Rs 40,000-50,000 each for their travel expenses.

The accused told the police that Sonam was present on the spot when Raja was killed and watched on.

What remains unclear is whether Sonam stayed back in Meghalaya after the killing or returned to Indore. “That detail is yet to be confirmed by Meghalaya Police,” ACP Yadav noted.

ABOUT THE CASE

Raja Raghuvanshi had married Sonam on May 10 in Indore. Just days later, the couple arrived in Shillong for their honeymoon. On May 21, the couple hired a scooter to visit the scenic Sohra region. They went missing the following day. On June 2, Raja’s decomposed body was recovered from a gorge near Cherrapunji, bearing multiple sharp injuries, including two fatal head wounds.

The case took a dramatic turn when Sonam surrendered at a dhaba in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur district on June 9. Though her father has maintained her innocence and accused police of “fabricating stories,” the accused have now confessed to Sonam’s presence during the killing.

Sonam was allegedly in constant contact with Raj Kushwaha over the phone throughout the trip, raising suspicion of an ongoing affair and a joint conspiracy to kill Raja.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/raja-raghuvanshi-murder-accused-confess-sonam-watched-husband-murder-raj-kushwaha-2738814-2025-06-10

Shoaib Ibrahim shared a video on YouTube on Monday, in which he showed Dipika Kakar’s first appearance on camera after surgery.

Actor Dipika Kakar made an appearance on her husband Shoaib Ibrahim’s Vlog for the first time after undergoing a 14-hour-long surgery for her stage 2 liver cancer. She got emotional while giving an update about her health, saying she is recovering from the pain and is grateful for the outpouring of love and support.

Dipika Kakar gives health update

Shoaib shared a video on YouTube on Monday, in which he showed Dipika’s first appearance on camera after surgery. She was seen getting emotional and thanked fans for their prayers and good wishes.

The plan is not only for e-waste recycling but the Eco Park will feature dedicated zones for dismantling, refurbishing, plastic recovery, and a second-hand electronics market

The Delhi government has decided to build India’s first E-Waste Eco Park at Holambi Kalan which will process 51,000 metric tonnes of e-waste annually to recover critical and rare earth materials in a scientific and environmentally safe manner.

Spread across 11.4 acres, the park will be a major step towards sustainable development and circular economy. The park will process e-waste from 106 categories notified under the E-Waste Management Rules 2022.

In a statement, the Delhi Government on Monday said the E-Waste Eco Park will be backed by a Rs 150 crore investment and will generate Rs 350 crore in revenue, apart from creating thousands of jobs.

Speaking to News18, a Delhi government official said that this will help in positioning Delhi as a national leader in responsible e-waste management and green industrial innovation.

The government will issue a global tender for the park. Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) will invite the world’s best green technology partners to build this benchmark project, the government said.

The project will be developed under a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model, on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis, with a 15-year concession period. Once the tender is final, the project will be ready in 18 months.

When fully operational, the Eco Park is projected to process up to 25% of Delhi’s total e-waste annually within the next five years.

The park will transform Delhi into a model of circular economy and green jobs, Delhi Environment and Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said.

“The era of irresponsible dumping is over… This park is about making Delhi future-ready — industrially, environmentally, and socially,” he said, adding that by bringing informal recyclers into the formal system, the government is not just improving their livelihoods but also making the entire ecosystem cleaner, safer, and technologically competent.

The Project 

The plan is not only for e-waste recycling but the Eco Park will feature dedicated zones for dismantling, refurbishing, component testing, plastic recovery, and a second-hand electronics market.

It will also house skilling and training centres to formally upskill thousands of informal workers engaged in unregulated and hazardous e-waste handling.

The DSIIDC, as the nodal agency, will ensure that the park acts as a one-stop hub for manufacturers, refurbishers, and recyclers, enabling the safe recovery of key metals and materials, encouraging reuse, and reducing reliance on virgin resources.

One project, Many Solutions

The e-waste park will create thousands of green jobs, formalise the informal sector, and reduce Delhi’s e-waste pollution load by empowering recyclers, dismantlers, and refurbishers.

“This is not just a facility — it is a commitment to the future. The E-Waste Eco Park symbolises Delhi’s transition into a circular economy where no resource is wasted, and no worker is left behind. Through this, we are not just managing waste; we are building a future-ready city powered by innovation, employment, and sustainable industry,” Sirsa said.

It is important to note that India is the world’s third-largest e-waste generator, producing over 1.6 million metric tons annually, with a growth rate of 23 per cent per annum.

Source : https://www.news18.com/cities/new-delhi-news/delhi-to-become-recycling-hub-with-indias-first-e-waste-park-ws-l-9376810.html

In a shocking incident, a car ended up hanging off the edge of an under-construction flyover in Bihar. A video of the car hanging from the edge of the bridge circulated on the internet and the video of the incident is going viral on social media. There are reports that the driver was following the directions from Google Maps and mistakenly drove onto the unfinished flyover.

There are reports that the incident occurred in Bhaiya-Farenda area of National Highway-27. Google Maps and the driver of the car was unaware that construction was still going on. Due to lack of safety measures and no clear route diversion signs, the car reached a point where the road was incomplete. When the driver realised there was no road ahead, he hit the brakes, causing the car to hang dangerously over the edge.

The video shows that the people present at the spot rushed to help. With the help of locals and the police, the car and its driver were safely pulled back. Luckily, no injuries were reported in the incident.

As the incident unfolded, the internet users are blaming the two things: wrong directions by Google Maps and negligence by the construction company.

People said that there were no warning signs and the entry to the flyover was not properly blocked. They demanded that proper safety arrangements be made at construction sites to avoid such incidents in the future.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/narrow-escape-car-hangs-off-under-construction-flyover-after-google-maps-misleads-driver-in-ups-maharajganj-video

The Uttar Pradesh government’s Shop Construction/ Operation Scheme has enabled 1,046 persons with disabilities (PwDs) to establish independent businesses in the current fiscal year. Under the program, beneficiaries receive ₹20,000 support which comprises of 75% loan and 25% grant, for setting up retail ventures ranging from stationery stores to mobile repair units.

The Uttar Pradesh government’s Shop Construction/ Operation Scheme has enabled 1,046 persons with disabilities (PwDs) to establish independent businesses in the current fiscal year. Under the program, beneficiaries receive ₹20,000 support which comprises of 75% loan and 25% grant, for setting up retail ventures ranging from stationery stores to mobile repair units.

Official data shows 99% utilization of the allocated ₹1.06 crore budget, with funds directly reaching beneficiaries across the state. The initiative provides ₹15,000 loan plus ₹5,000 grant for shop construction, while operational support offers ₹7,500 loan and ₹2,500 grant.

State officials report successful implementation of the rehabilitation-focused scheme, with beneficiaries establishing businesses in 23 districts so far. The program forms part of broader efforts to enhance economic participation of PwDs, complementing skill development initiatives launched in 2022.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/uttar-pradesh-govt-empowers-1046-persons-with-disabilities-through-shop-construction-operation-scheme

The fatal train mishap near Diva on Monday has once again showcased the grim reality of Mumbai’s suburban commute overcrowded trains, reduced non-AC services, and dangerous infrastructure. Commuter representatives and activists alike have pointed fingers at poor train management, while data from Government Railway Police (GRP) reveals a worrying trend of fatalities from overcrowding, particularly on the Thane–Dombivli stretch. Survivors battling for life in Kalwa Hospital and grieving relatives now question whether these deaths could have been prevented with better planning and safety measures.

Amol Dhanraj Kendre, a commuter representative, highlighted that the absence of a direct local train from Diva to CSMT has significantly contributed to the tragic incident. As the population around Diva continues to grow, morning trains bound for CSMT have become unbearably overcrowded. On Monday, a train from Kasara arrived already full, and additional passengers attempted to board, further increasing the crowd inside the compartments.

Meanwhile, passenger activist Sameer Zaveri pointed out another contributing factor: the introduction of AC local trains, which has reduced the number of non-AC services—exacerbating congestion on those still running. He suggested a practical solution: convert all first‑class coaches in non‑AC locals into second class, since first‑class commuters can use AC trains. He also recommended expanding all non‑AC train rakes to 15 coaches to prevent overcrowding and the tragic incidents that follow.

Data from the Government Railway Police (GRP) for 2024 shows that 107 passengers died after falling from moving trains in the Thane and Dombivli jurisdictions, with more than 200 injured. The Thane–Dombivli stretch records a higher fatality rate from such incidents compared to other suburban sections of the Central Railway.

Sudden jerk on the curved stretch may be one of the reasons —– GRP official A sudden jerk on the curved stretch may be one of the reasons behind the accident, said a Government Railway Police (GRP) official.

“Passengers who were standing on the footboards of both trains experienced a strong jolt, which caused the trains to tilt slightly. As a result, those standing near the doors were thrown off when the trains brushed against each other,” the official added. “This particular section, especially around the curve near Mumbra station, is known for such incidents,” he said. “Even seated passengers feel the impact when the train takes that turn. For commuters standing at the edge or near the doors, it’s extremely dangerous. In Monday’s case, passengers hanging near the door might have lost their balance due to the jerk and collided with the adjacent train, leading to the tragic fall.”

Tushar Bhagat, a data entry operator, battling in ICU 

Tushar Bhagat, a 22-year-old data entry operator, is currently battling for his life in the ICU at Kalwa Hospital. He had left for work around 8:15 AM from his home in Balyani village, Titwala, where he lives with his parents, brother, and sister. His mother, Laxmi Bhagat, shared that she was informed by a co-passenger about the accident involving her son. Upon receiving the news, she alerted her family and rushed to Kalwa Hospital, where Tushar was undergoing treatment. She also mentioned that Tushar had joined the job about a year ago and is the sole breadwinner of the family.

Another victim, Machindra Gotarane, is also admitted to the ICU at Kalwa Hospital. He has been working as housekeeping staff for the past five years in a company in Turbhe. Gotarane resides in Vashind with his wife Kunda and their three children. His daughter, Kalpana Machindra Gotarane, had recently passed her HSC exams with 65 percent, which had brought great joy to the family. Gotarane’s brother-in-law, Kishor Partole, said the family was informed of the accident by a fellow passenger, after which they immediately rushed to the hospital. Gotarane usually leaves home at 6:45 AM, travels to Titwala, and boards the train from there.

Manish Saroj, a labourer living in Diva with his wife, was also injured in the incident. He used to commute with his friend Shailesh Jaiswal. According to Jaiswal, he boarded a different train while Saroj took the Kasara fast local. Saroj later called him from Ghatkopar, informing him that he had met with an accident. Jaiswal quickly returned to Kalwa Hospital, where Saroj explained that he had been standing on the footboard, and due to the pressure of the crowd, he leaned out and collided with a passing train, injuring his fingers.

Sneha Dhondhe, a 21-year-old call center employee from Navi Mumbai, was also injured in the incident. She was about to alight at Thane before heading to her office when the accident occurred. She suffered injuries to her head and body and is currently being treated at Kalwa Civil Hospital.

Deceased family/ relatives voices 

If Mayur had not gone to look for a home, he might still be alive,” said Santosh Doshi, brother-in-law of Mayur Shah. Santosh was commenting on the tragic train accident in Mumbra involving Mayur—a 44‑year‑old IT engineer who lived with his mother in Ghodbunder, Thane. On his usual commute from Mumbai to his office in Ghatkopar, Santosh believes Mayur may have stopped in Dombivli to meet the owner of a flat he had been negotiating for over several months—shortly before the tragedy struck. The Shah family was informed by the GRP.

Another victim, 23‑year‑old Ketan Dilip Saroj, who had joined a call center just three months , boarded the Kasara local from Shahad. According to eyewitness Dipak Shirsath, Ketan was standing on the footboard when he tragically fell off after another bag’s of commuter from Karjat train was hit him.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbra-train-tragedy-overcrowding-ac-locals-and-a-dangerous-curve-why-commuters-fell-to-their-deaths

Sonam married Raja Rajhuvanshi on May 11, and the couple went for their honeymoon in Meghalaya. However, they went missing on May 23.

Sonam Raghuvanshi, arrested for allegedly planning her husband Raja Raghuvanshi’s murder, had reportedly told the Dhaba owner that she was kidnapped. Sonam was nabbed from an eatery near Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, after her family informed the police about her presence.
According to the latest information, Sonam told the eatery owner that she was a victim and had been kidnapped. “I was kidnapped, I am the victim?”.
Sonam married Raja Rajhuvanshi on May 11 and the couple went for their honeymoon in Meghalaya. However, they went missing on May 23 and after days of search, the police found Raja Raghuvanshi’s decomposed body on June 2.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/sonam-raghuwanshi-said-she-was-kidnapped-raja-raghuvanshi-murder-indore-couple-meghalaya-honeymoon-up-dhaba-owner-article-151818572

The government of Singapore, under whose flag the vessel is registered, expressed deep gratitude to India for the timely and effective response.

In a swift and high-stakes Search and Rescue (SAR) operation, the Indian Navy on June 9 rescued 18 crew members from the Singapore-flagged container vessel MV Wan Hai 503, which caught fire following a reported internal container explosion in the Arabian Sea.
The distress signal was received by the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) at around 0930 hours. Promptly responding, the Navy deployed INS Surat and a Dornier maritime patrol aircraft, coordinating with the Indian Coast Guard, Directorate General of Shipping, and other maritime stakeholders.
By 1630 hours, INS Surat had successfully evacuated 18 of the 22 crew members from the fire-stricken ship. The Indian Navy provided immediate medical assistance to the injured, and the vessel is now proceeding to New Mangalore Port for disembarkation and further treatment.

The government of Singapore, under whose flag the vessel is registered, expressed deep gratitude to India for the timely and effective response. In an official statement, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said:

“We are thankful to the Indian Navy and all associated agencies for their quick response and professionalism in rescuing the crew of MV Wan Hai 503. Singapore appreciates the strong maritime cooperation with India and the unwavering commitment to ensuring safety at sea.”
The status of the remaining four crew members is currently being assessed, and investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/indian-navy-rescues-18-crew-members-from-blaze-hit-mv-wan-hai-503-in-high-stakes-operation-singapore-thanks-india-article-151823551

This year, the commemorative events promise to go beyond ceremonies — embracing communities, honouring Next of Kin of war heroes, and reviving the legacy of courage and sacrifice that defines India’s armed forces.

In a powerful tribute to the valour and sacrifice of India’s armed forces, the Indian Army has rolled out an extensive two-month-long commemoration to mark the 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas, culminating on July 26, 2025. The remembrance honours the heroes of Operation Vijay, who valiantly defended India’s sovereignty during the 1999 Kargil conflict.
Every year, July 26 is etched in the nation’s memory as a day of solemn pride — a day when Indian forces reclaimed strategic peaks in the Kargil-Siachen sector after a fierce and arduous military campaign against Pakistani intruders. The Kargil War remains a milestone in India’s military history for its swift and decisive response, strategic restraint, and heroic ground action under extreme conditions.
This year, the commemorative events promise to go beyond ceremonies — embracing communities, honouring Next of Kin of war heroes, and reviving the legacy of courage and sacrifice that defines India’s armed forces.