Category: India

According to official figures compiled by the State Disaster Management Department, over 1,000 people have died in such incidents in the last 10 years alone

The sacred land of Uttarakhand, often called Devbhoomi for its spiritual significance, has been trapped in a decade-long spiral of devastation. Between 2015 and 2024, the state endured a relentless barrage of natural disasters including 4,654 landslides, 92 avalanches, 259 lightning strikes, 67 cloudbursts, and a staggering 12,758 instances of heavy rain and floods.

These are not just numbers; they are a grim testimony to the region’s vulnerability and the growing fragility of life in the hills.

Each monsoon season has become a ticking time bomb. Mountain slopes turn unstable, rivers swell into fury, and skies open up with little warning. Once known for its tranquil beauty, Uttarakhand now grapples with the constant threat of landslides, cloudbursts, and flash floods, sometimes all in a single week.

According to official figures compiled by the State Disaster Management Department, over 1,000 people have died in such incidents in the last 10 years alone. Landslides are the deadliest, accounting for 35 to 40 percent of disaster-related deaths, followed by floods and cloudbursts.

Pauri: Epicentre of Destruction
Among Uttarakhand’s 13 districts, Pauri Garhwal emerges as the most severely hit. In just the last ten years, Pauri has witnessed a staggering 2,040 landslides and multiple cloudbursts. Other high-risk districts include Pithoragarh (1,426 landslides), Tehri Garhwal (279), Chamoli (258), and Champawat (173). The picturesque but perilous district of Uttarkashi, too, remains constantly on edge, having recorded over 1,525 disaster events in this period including landslides, floods, avalanches, forest fires, and hailstorms.

The recent cloudburst on August 5 in Dharali and Harshil (Uttarkashi) only deepens the sense of dread. Flash floods brought a sudden wave of debris and destruction, forcing terrified locals to run for their lives. The harrowing scenes were captured on video and widely circulated on social media, showing the helplessness of mountain residents against nature’s fury.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/uttarakhands-decade-long-disasters-4654-landslides-92-avalanches-67-cloudbursts-12758-floods-ws-kl-9492396.html

CM Dhami sanctioned Rs 1.3 lakh each from the State Disaster Relief Fund to 15 families in Sainji village whose houses were completely destroyed

Uttarkashi Flash Foods: Rescue operations continued on Thursday in the high-altitude villages of Dharali in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district after a cloudburst led to flash floods.

At least five people were killed, and nearly two hundred people have been rescued so far.

A cloudburst in the Kheer Ganga river’s catchment area triggered devastating floods, damaging or washing away several houses on August 6.

Here’s Latest Updates On Uttarkashi Flash Floods

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held review meetings at the Disaster Control Room, assessing ongoing rescue and relief operations in the affected regions. He also met people in affected areas.

CM Dhami sanctioned Rs 1.3 lakh each from the State Disaster Relief Fund to 15 families in Sainji village whose houses were completely destroyed.

While five bodies have been recovered so far, the CM confirmed that 274 people have been rescued.

Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan said it is likely that some people are stranded in Gangotri. He added that the rescue operations will continue.

Maharashtra Minister Yogesh Ramdas Kadam said 151 tourists from the state are stranded, out of which 30–31 are currently unreachable. Efforts are ongoing to trace and relocate them safely, he added.

Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters are being used to airlift stranded civilians. Around 180–200 tourists in Gangotri are receiving food, shelter, and medical aid from the armed forces.

Teams from SDRF, NDRF, ITBP, and Indian Army personnel are on the ground conducting large-scale rescue operations in Dharali, Harsil, and other remote areas.

Roads in the region, including the Ganganani-Harsil road, have been heavily damaged due to landslides triggered by a cloudburst. The Gangotri Highway near Papargad has been restored, and work is progressing swiftly near Ganganani, where a bridge was washed away.

Here’s 4-Day Weather Forecast For Uttarakhand

August 8: Heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places in the districts of Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Dehradun, Pauri, Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Udham Singh Nagar, Champawat, and Nainital. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and very intense spells of rain are also expected at some locations across all districts of Uttarakhand.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/uttarkashi-flash-foods-30-maharashtra-tourists-untraceable-rescue-op-continues-for-2nd-day-ws-l-9491780.html

In the CCTV footage, the specially-abled woman was seen running in a deserted road for her life as the bike-borne men chased her at night.

In a shocking incident, a 21-year-old specially-abled woman was allegedly raped on a fairly deserted road, at a kilometre distance from the residences of top police personnel in Uttar Pradesh’s Balrampur, according to a report.

The woman was chased by unidentified bike-borne men as she ran for her life. The sequence of events was caught on CCTV.

The incident took place on Monday when the victim was on her way back home on foot from her uncle’s residence. This was a distance of hardly a kilometre. A man on the bike took the woman to a deserted place, where the crime took place, India Today reported.

The CCTV camera at the Superintendent of Police’s residence showed the woman running while looking behind on the road and the unknown men chasing her on around four motorbikes.

As she did not return home, her family members started searching for her. She was found in the bushes near a police post, lying unconscious, the report said.

After she regained consciousness, she alleged that she had been gang-raped by those men.

“A specially-abled woman was returning home from her maternal uncle’s house. On the way, she was made to sit by a man on his bike. She was taken to a deserted spot, where she was raped,” ASP Vishal Pandey was quoted as saying in the report.

The victim was taken for medical examination and was hospitalised.

Based on her statement, the cops registered a case and launched a manhunt to nab the accused men.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/specially-abled-woman-chased-raped-on-deserted-road-in-up-found-in-bushes-near-police-post-9502012.html#google_vignette

Maneka Gandhi, a prominent animal rights activist, criticised the Supreme Court’s order to remove stray dogs in Delhi-NCR, deeming it impractical and financially burdensome.

Animal rights activist and former Union Minister Maneka Gandhi has lashed out at the Supreme Court’s recent directive ordering the removal of stray dogs from Delhi-NCR. Calling the order “impractical,” “financially unviable,” and potentially harmful to the city’s ecological balance, Gandhi warned of serious consequences if implemented.
The apex court, describing the stray dog menace as “extremely grim,” instructed the Delhi government and civic bodies to begin rounding up strays from all localities and house them in shelters. The court also warned of strict action against anyone obstructing the process.
Gandhi, however, called the scale of the task unmanageable. “You have three lakh dogs in Delhi. To get them all off the roads, you’ll have to make 3,000 pounds, each with drainage, water, a shed, a kitchen, and a watchman. That will cost about Rs 15,000 crore. Does Delhi have Rs 15,000 crore for this?” she asked. Feeding the dogs, she added, would require another Rs 5 crore per week, an expense she warned could lead to public outrage.

She also questioned the legal soundness of the order, pointing out that a different Supreme Court bench had delivered a “balanced judgment” on the same issue just a month earlier. “Now, after one month, a two-member bench gives another judgment which says ‘sabko pakdo’ (pick up all). Which judgment is valid? Obviously, the first one, because that’s a settled judgment,” Gandhi said.

India’s drive to produce more ethanol is leading its farmers to switch away from growing oilseeds, undermining government efforts in the world’s largest buyer of cooking oils to reduce costly imports.

Helped by record corn and rice harvests, New Delhi is using more of the grains to make ethanol and meet its target of blending 20% of the biofuel additive with gasoline. The process, however, produces Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS), a protein-rich byproduct that is flooding the animal feed market.

The DDGS glut is weakening demand for oilmeals, depressing oilseed prices and prompting farmers in the South Asian nation to plant more corn and rice in place of soybeans and groundnuts – despite New Delhi’s push to grow more of the oilseeds to ease imports.

DDGS production in India has soared some 13-fold over the past two years to an estimated 5.5 million tons by 2025, according to industry officials.

“DDGS is a pain in the neck,” said Aashish Acharya, vice president at Patanjali Foods Ltd (PAFO.NS), opens new tab, a leading soybean processor. “Feed makers are substituting oilmeals with DDGS since it is cheaper.”

The shift is visible in government sowing data. As of August 8, oilseed acreage – including soybean and groundnut – was down 4% from last year, while corn area jumped 10.5% to a record high.

Madhukar Londhe, a farmer in Nashik in the western state of Maharashtra, said he had cut his soybean area to one acre from six, planting the rest with corn – which has the added benefit of providing fodder from its stalks for his five milking cows.

Nearly two dozen farmers in the area that Reuters spoke to said they had made a similar switch.

“Soybean prices were too low, so I couldn’t even cover my costs in the past two years. Corn did better for me last year, so I’ve decided to grow more of it,” Londhe said.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/indias-ethanol-drive-imperils-its-push-edible-oil-self-sufficiency-2025-08-12

The Bench said that if any individual or organisation creates obstruction to the exercise, the Court will take strict action against them.

The Supreme Court on Monday ordered the Delhi government, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) to start removing stray dogs from all localities in Delhi.

A Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan said that all localities should be made free of stray dogs and there should not be any compromise.

“NCT Delhi, MCD, NMDC shall at earlier start picking up stray dogs from all localities from more particularly vulnerable localities. How to do it is for the authorities to look into and if they have to create a force, do it at earliest. However, this should be the first and foremost exercise to make all localities free of stray dogs. There should not be any compromise in undertaking the exercise,” the Bench said.

Pertinently, the Bench said that if any individual or organisation creates obstruction to the exercise, the Court will take strict action against them including contempt of court.

“If any individual or organization that comes in the way of picking stray dogs or rounding them up, we will proceed to take action against any such resistance,” the Court added.

The Court also directed the State and municipal authorities to create dog shelters with sufficient staff to sterilise and immunise them.

“The State of NCT Delhi, MCD and NDMC is directed to create dog shelters and report this Court creation of such infrastructure within 8 weeks. The dog shelters should have sufficient staff to sterilise and immunise. The dog shelter would be monitored by CCTV,” the order said.

All these animal activists, will they be able bring back who have fallen prey to rabies?

Supreme Court

In a strong push against the growing stray menace, the Rajasthan High Court and Supreme Court have issued parallel orders for the immediate removal of stray dogs from public roads across multiple cities.

The Rajasthan High Court has come down firmly on the issue of stray animals, directing municipal bodies across the state to clear dogs and other animals from city roads while ensuring they are not subjected to unnecessary harm. “The Municipal bodies shall also undertake a special drive to remove stray dogs and other animals from city roads while ensuring that minimum physical harm is caused to them,” the court ordered.

Hearing a suo motu case over the growing threat posed by strays, the bench noted that incidents of dog bites and accidents caused by animals on roads have already claimed multiple lives. It warned that anyone standing in the way of such removal drives would face legal consequences. “If an individual or a group of persons obstruct the employees of Municipalities from discharging their duties in removing the stray animals from the roads/colonies/public paths, then Municipal Officials/employees will be free to take appropriate action against them under the relevant Municipal Laws including lodging of the FIRs for obstructing public servants from performing their duties,” the order stated.

The directive was passed by a division bench of Justice Kuldeep Mathur and Justice Ravi Chirania, which laid out detailed measures to be implemented by civic bodies. Apart from the removal of strays, the court asked municipal authorities to set up accessible complaint systems — via telephone, mobile numbers, or email — so that citizens can report stray-related concerns quickly.

On the same day, the Supreme Court also took a decisive step in the matter, directing authorities in Delhi-NCR to immediately pick up stray dogs from all localities and shift them to shelter homes. The apex court’s instructions cover Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad, signalling an equally urgent approach to public safety concerns.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/rajasthan-high-court-joins-supreme-court-in-issuing-strongest-ever-orders-on-stray-dogs-article-152449897

With India now on the list, Indian nationals convicted in the UK can be deported before their appeals are heard. Once sent back, they would continue the appeal process remotely

The UK has officially expanded its controversial “Deport Now, Appeal Later” policy to cover 23 countries, including India. This policy empowers British authorities to deport foreign nationals convicted of crimes before they can complete their legal appeals.

The move is being hailed by UK officials as a “common-sense reform” to speed up justice and reduce costs, but it has sparked debate on human rights, due process, and the potential impact on India-UK relations.

What Is The ‘Deport Now, Appeal Later’ Policy?

Introduced in 2014 under the UK’s Immigration Act, the policy was designed to prevent foreign offenders from using lengthy appeal processes to delay or avoid deportation. Initially suspended after legal challenges, it was reinstated in 2023 with safeguards for vulnerable individuals.

Under the scheme:

• Convicted foreign nationals can be removed from the UK immediately after sentencing.
• Any appeals against the deportation order take place remotely, often via video link, from the offender’s home country.
• The goal is to reduce the time foreign offenders spend in UK prisons while waiting for their appeal.

Before this month, only eight countries were on the list, including Nigeria, Ghana, and Finland. The latest update has added 15 more nations, bringing the total to 23.

What Changes After India’s Inclusion?

With India now on the list, Indian nationals convicted in the UK—for crimes ranging from theft to drug trafficking—can be deported before their appeals are heard. Once sent back, they would continue the appeal process remotely.

This means:

Loss of in-person appeals: Being physically absent from court can make it harder for defendants to participate effectively in their cases.

Risk of avoiding UK sentences: Unless there is a bilateral enforcement arrangement, deported individuals may not serve the rest of their prison term in India.

Increased urgency for legal defence: Lawyers will have less time to prepare appeal cases before deportation.

Impact on families: Families living in the UK could face separation or logistical challenges in supporting an appeal from overseas.

Why Has The UK Expanded The List?

UK officials argue that the system was being abused, with offenders using repeated appeals as a stalling tactic to remain in the country.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said expansion of the scheme is to prevent foreign criminals from “exploiting our immigration system” and “fast-track” their removals.

Cooper said previously that offenders were able to remain in the UK “for months or even years” while their cases worked through the appeals system.

“That has to end. Those who commit crimes in our country cannot be allowed to manipulate the system, which is why we are restoring control and sending a clear message that our laws must be respected and will be enforced,” she added, as quoted by the BBC.

As per the Ministry of Justice, foreign nationals make up roughly 12% of the UK prison population.

The UK deported 5,200 foreign offenders between July 2024 and June 2025—a 14% increase compared to the previous year.

The expansion could result in around 3,000 more deportations being carried out earlier than before.

How The System Works

Once a foreign national is convicted:

• Sentencing takes place in the UK court.
• Deportation order is issued immediately after sentencing (except for life-sentence prisoners, terrorists, and murderers).
• Physical removal from the UK, typically within weeks.
• Appeal hearings continue via video link from the home country.

The UK government says deportees will still face justice, but critics point out there is no guarantee that the home country will enforce prison sentences or restrictions after deportation.

The Legal Debate Around The Issue

Human rights groups in both the UK and abroad have voiced concerns regarding:

Right to a fair trial: Remote participation can disadvantage defendants, particularly if internet access, language interpretation, or legal support is limited.

Justice avoidance risk: Without enforcement agreements, offenders may never serve their sentence once deported.

Diplomatic sensitivities: Countries may see this as offloading prison populations rather than engaging in justice cooperation.

Former UK Justice Secretary Alex Chalk has warned that the policy risks creating a loophole where serious offenders evade punishment altogether.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/india-on-uks-deport-now-appeal-later-list-what-it-means-for-indians-abroad-ties-shil-9499725.html

The officials said the agency conducted the raids at the residences of several persons, who were formerly associated with the banned Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) in connection with the murder of Sarla Bhat.

The State Investigation Agency on Tuesday carried out raids at several places in central Kashmir as part of its investigation into the murder of a Kashmiri Pandit woman 35 years ago, officials said.

The officials said the agency conducted the raids at the residences of several persons, who were formerly associated with the banned Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) in connection with the murder of Sarla Bhat.

Bhat, who went missing from her hostel at the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences at Soura in April 1990, was found dead in downtown Srinagar.

Former JKLF leader Peer Noorul Haq Shah alias Air Marshal was among those whose houses were searched by the sleuths of the agency, which has recently taken over the investigation of the case.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sarla-bhat-kashmiri-pandit-woman-1990-murder-case-kashmiri-pandit-woman-murder-case-reopened-after-35-years-raids-on-9066872

The ED also alleged that in the alleged money laundering linked real estate transaction, Robert Vadra exerted ‘undue influence’ on Haryana government officials through former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

Robert Vadra, the businessman husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, gave “evasive” replies during questioning in a 2008 “fraudulent” land deal in Shikohpur village of Haryana’s Gurugram, and put the “entire onus” on his three deceased associates, the Enforcement Directorate has said in its chargesheet.

The ED also alleged that in the alleged money laundering linked real estate transaction, Robert Vadra exerted “undue influence” on Haryana government officials through former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

The 332-page chargesheet mentioning these charges was filed by the federal probe agency on July 17 before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Delhi.

Vadra, 56, received Rs 58 crore as “proceeds of crime” in the land deal, the ED alleged.

Special Judge (PC Act) at Rouse Avenue Courts, Sushant Changotra, on August 2 issued a notice to all 11 accused named in the ED chargesheet before taking cognisance of the prosecution complaint and has listed the matter for August 28.

The judge also directed that a copy of the chargesheet be shared with the accused.

Vadra has been named as accused number 1, apart from seven companies linked to him and two directors of SGY Properties (formerly Omkareshwar Properties) named Satyanand Yajee and Kewal Singh Virk.

There was no immediate comment from Vadra’s legal team on the allegations made by the ED against the businessman.

The case pertains to Vadra’s company Skylight Hospitality (SLHPL) purchasing a 3.5 acre land in Shikohpur village in Sector 83 of Gurugram from Omkareshwar Properties (OPPL) at a price of Rs 7.5 crore in 2008.

The ED took cognisance of a September 2018 FIR of the Gurugram police to file a money laundering case in December that year.

The police FIR claimed the land deal was a “bribe” to Vadra’s company (SLHPL) so that he could help OPPL in getting housing licence in the same village from the then CM Hooda, who was also minister of town and country planning, by his personal influence as he (Vadra) was the son-in-law of the then Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

“He (Vadra) entered into a dishonest or fraudulent execution of deed of transfer containing false statement of consideration and thus acquired 3.5 acres of land,” teh ED claimed.

“Robert Vadra through his entity SLHPL has purchased 3.5 acres of land in Shikohpur village without making the payment at the time of registration of sale deed, and declaring that full and final payment has been made,” the ED alleged in the chargesheet.

It claimed the businessman issued a cheque of Rs 7.50 crore from his other entity named SLRPL (Sky Light Realty) to “misrepresent” the facts in the sale deed.

“This cheque was never encashed and no payment was ever made by SLRPL at the time of execution of sale deed,” the ED probe found.

Vadra, as per the ED, created structures to “launder” the proceeds of crime generated out of criminal activities.

It said the buyer in this case was SLHPL but the stamp duty was paid by the seller, i.e., OPPL.

“The allegations in the FIR (Haryana Police) that Vadra has undue influence through the then CM of Haryana (Hooda) was evident from the fact that the financial capacity to build a colony in the absence of any financial details and documents were accepted by the officials of DTCP (department of town and country planning) at entry level for the only reason that Robert Vadra was the director of this company.

“Moreover, the processing of file on the day of its submission by every official in DTCP in a single day and approving by the then CM of Haryana within five days clearly indicates the influence of Robert Vadra, where the government has to take such decision which have a cascading effect on the planning of the cities of Haryana,” the ED said.

It alleged Vadra acquired “proceeds of crime” worth Rs 58 crore as the land was sold to DLF for the said amount (Rs 58 crore).

This was done by entering into a joint venture with DLF Retails Ltd on the basis of Letter of Intent (LoI) issued by DTCP on 3.5 acres of land owned by SLHPL.

The ED alleged Vadra transferred the illicit funds to his various entities for purchasing movable and immovable assets apart from making “conspicuous” expenditure.

The agency alleged Vadra gave “evasive” replies during his questioning and he put “all the onus on three deceased persons (his associates) named late H L Pahwa, late Rajesh Khurana and late Mahesh Nagar for acting on behalf of him”.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/haryana/robert-vadra-gave-evasive-replies-put-onus-on-deceased-associates-ed-chargesheet-in-gurugram-land-deal-case-3674664

The three boys left the school around noon on Saturday but failed to return by the designated time, prompting school authorities to alert the police.

Three class 6 students of a prestigious boys’ boarding school in Shimla went missing over the weekend as they stepped out for their weekly outing day. According to the police, the boys left the school at 12.09 PM on Saturday to visit the Mall Road. After they did not return by 5 PM, school authorities immediately informed the police, and the principal registered a complaint.
Witnesses said the boys were spotted at different locations on Mall Road, Shimla, on Saturday. Police suspect a case of kidnapping. The school said boarding students are allowed days out on weekends.

The Noida police apprehended six individuals from West Bengal’s Birbhum district for allegedly operating a fraudulent “international police” office in Central Noida’s Sector 70.

Noida police on Sunday arrested six men for allegedly running a fake “international police” office in Sector 70, Central Noida. According to officials, the men were misleading people through a fake office and by posing as members of international police and various other organisations. The accused had rented an office recently in Sector 70 in Central Noida to run their operations.
The racket was busted, and six people were arrested, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Noida) Shakti Mohan Awasthy said on Sunday. All accused are residents of West Bengal. They pretended to be government officials as well and influenced locals with the logo of the office, the officer said.
In an official statement, the Noida Police took to their handle on X (formerly Twitter) and said, “Six accused arrested for fraudulently extorting money from the general public by creating a fake office under the name INTERNATIONAL POLICE & CRIME INVESTIGATION BUREAU in an organized manner, misleading people, falsely posing as government officials, and using police-like colors and logos to influence them.”

The notice came days after Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, alleged “vote theft” in Karnataka, Haryana and Maharashtra. Soon after, the Election Commission urged him to either sign a declaration to back his allegations or “apologise to the nation” for making “absurd” claims.

The Karnataka chief electoral officer (CEO) on Sunday issued a notice to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, asking him to submit documents supporting his claim that a woman had voted twice.
The notice came days after Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, alleged “vote theft” in Karnataka, Haryana and Maharashtra. Soon after, the Election Commission urged him to either sign a declaration to back his allegations or “apologise to the nation” for making “absurd” claims.
Karnataka’s top poll body said the documents would help conduct a detailed inquiry. Gandhi had shown some papers at a press conference in New Delhi last week.

“You have also stated that as per the records given by the polling officer, Smt Shakun Rani had voted twice… On inquiry, Smt Sakun Rani has stated that she has voted only once and not twice, as alleged by you,” the notice read.
A preliminary probe by the CEO’s office found that the tick-marked document shown by Gandhi “was not issued by the polling officer,” the letter stated.
“Therefore, you are kindly requested to provide the relevant documents on the basis of which you have concluded that Smt Shakun Rani or anyone else has voted twice, so that a detailed inquiry can be undertaken by this office,” it added.
The Election Commission, in a statement, said, “Rahul Gandhi still has time to give a declaration on the first letter of CEO Karnataka or apologise to the country.”

Earlier, slamming the ECI for demanding an affidavit under oath over his “vote chori” (theft) claims, Gandhi on Friday said he had already taken his oath inside Parliament on the Constitution and would not be silenced.
Speaking at the ‘Vote Adhikar Rally’ in Bengaluru, Gandhi alleged that the EC and BJP colluded to “steal” the 2024 Lok Sabha election in at least three states, warning officials involved that they would be caught “one by one”.
“The EC asks me to file an affidavit and give information under oath. I have taken oath inside Parliament, in front of the Constitution, on the Constitution,” he said, adding that if the poll panel did not release data, the Congress would audit 15 to 25 seats with narrow victory margins, similar to its probe in Karnataka’s Mahadevapura constituency.
“In the last election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP leaders assaulted the Constitution. Indian institutions were destroyed… The Lok Sabha election was stolen,” he alleged. “Neither can you cover up nor hide. Every officer and the election commissioner should understand this properly. If you attack the Constitution, we will attack you.”
Describing the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls as “institutionalised chori”, Gandhi claimed EC websites in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar had been shut down to avoid public scrutiny. The poll panel has rejected the charges.
Gandhi also posed five questions to the EC, asking why it refused to release voter lists in machine-readable format, why video evidence was being destroyed, and why it was “hreatening the opposition instead of answering questions.”

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/ec-notice-to-rahul-gandhi-over-alleged-woman-voting-twice-article-152440890

The Air India flight, which was carrying several MPs, including Congress secretary KC Venugopal, hit turbulence shortly after takeoff from Thiruvananthpuram.

An Air India flight from Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi escaped a mishap when another flight came on the same runway after the flight was diverted to Chennai due to a fault.

The flight, AI 2455, which was carrying several MPs, including Congress secretary KC Venugopal, hit turbulence shortly after takeoff from Thiruvananthpuram. According to Flightradar24.com, the flight took off at around 8 PM from Thiruvanathapuram and landed in Chennai at around 10.35 PM.

Venugopal posted about the incident on social media.

“Air India flight AI 2455 from Trivandrum to Delhi – carrying myself, several MPs, and hundreds of passengers – came frighteningly close to tragedy today. What began as a delayed departure turned into a harrowing journey. Shortly after take-off, we were hit by unprecedented turbulence. About an hour later, the Captain announced a flight signal fault and diverted to Chennai. For nearly two hours, we circled the airport awaiting clearance to land, until a heart-stopping moment during our first attempt – another aircraft was reportedly on the same runway. In that split second, the Captain’s quick decision to pull up saved every life on board. The flight landed safely on the second attempt,” Venugopal wrote in a post on X.

According to KC Venugopal, the flight was saved by luck and the pilot’s skill. He called for an investigation into the incident to fix accountability in the matter.

“We were saved by skill and luck. Passenger safety cannot depend on luck. I urge @DGCAIndia and @MoCA_GoI to investigate this incident urgently, fix accountability, and ensure such lapses never happen again,” he added.

Responding to KC Venugopal’s post, Air India commented, “Dear Mr Venugopal, we would like to clarify that the diversion to Chennai was precautionary due to a suspected technical issue and poor weather conditions. A go-around was instructed by Chennai ATC during the first attempted landing at Chennai airport, not because of the presence of another aircraft on the runway.”

“Our pilots are well-trained to handle such situations, and in this case, they followed standard procedures throughout the flight. We understand that such an experience can be unsettling and regret the inconvenience the diversion may have caused to you. However, safety is always our priority. Thank you for your understanding,” Air India said.

An Air India spokesperson also confirmed the diversion from Thiruvanathapuram to Chennai and cited a technical issue for the same.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nagpurpune-vande-bharat-express-flagged-off-check-timing-route-fare-101754813324592.html

Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri Says, ‘He Wants To Expose The Agencies That Want To Hide The Truth’ Through The Bengal Files!

Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri is currently promoting his highly anticipated film, The Bengal Files, in the USA through multiple world premieres across various cities. Without teasing or creating controversy, the filmmaker began the promotions silently and respectfully. However, despite no provocation, multiple FIRs were filed against him, producer Abhishek Agarwal, and actress-producer Pallavi Joshi by members of Mamata Banerjee’s TMC party, accusing the film of portraying controversial content.

In response, the makers approached the Indian judiciary, and the High Court granted interim relief by putting a stay on all FIRs. Yet, despite the court’s ruling, fresh FIRs continue to be filed. Now, Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri has taken to social media to share a powerful video message slamming the ruling party for trying to suppress the film and stop the truth from coming out. He called The Bengal Files the most important film of the country, one that uncovers one of the darkest and most hidden chapters in Indian history.

Sharing the video, Vivek wrote, “Important & Urgent: Multiple FIRs have been filed against me by the West Bengal govt for making #TheBengalFiles. The Hon’ble High Court has stayed them. Why do they want to silence us? Why are they so scared of the truth? I will not be silenced. Pl Watch & Share. #RightToLife #NeverAgain”

Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri questioned why the ruling party is trying to suppress voices and block the truth of the past and present. “Are they against the film, the maker, or the truth?” he asked, urging every citizen, especially the youth, to watch The Bengal Files and uncover the hidden realities. He emphasized the years of hard work and research behind the film and reiterated his faith in the judiciary. He also challenged the party and announced that the film’s trailer will now be launched in Kolkata itself—the very city where these FIRs are being filed.

Source : https://www.spotboye.com/bollywood/news/vivek-ranjan-agnihotri-says-he-wants-to-expose-the-agencies-that-want-to-hide-the-truth-through-the-bengal-files/6891d9c79f17ff90ccaa20f2

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remark came after the Navy was asked to hold back from a reportedly planned strike on Karachi port during Operation Sindoor.

While reviewing the Operation Sindoor with the Indian defence forces’ chiefs amid soaring tensions with Pakistan on May 10, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the efforts of Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh for their roles in the operation.

He then turned to Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi and said, “Humne aapke mooh se niwala cheen liya, aapko mauka phir milega (I have snatched the morsel out of your mouth, but your turn will come)”, reported Hindustan Times.

The Prime Minister’s remark came after the Navy was asked to hold back from a reportedly planned strike on Karachi port during Operation Sindoor. As per the report, PM Modi remained unfazed by the possibility of a retaliatory Pakistani missile strike on Gujarat, and granted the three service chiefs complete operational autonomy.

Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, a staunch advocate for the Navy’s offensive capabilities, was ready to launch BrahMos missiles at Karachi port on May 10 until he was ordered to hold back, the news outlet reported.

Operation Sindoor

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7– bombing terrorist camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in pre-dawn strikes that killed at least 100 militants– in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent people.

The operation sparked four days of cross-border fighting involving fighter jets, missiles and artillery.

Heavy Destruction In Pakistan

Between 8 and 10 May, IAF fighter jets struck 11 military air bases across Pakistan in a coordinated, precision-led campaign. The IAF also destroyed several key Pakistani assets, including fighter aircraft, radar systems, and an airborne early warning platform. Intelligence reports confirm that a hangar at Chaklala airbase in Rawalpindi housing C-130 Hercules aircraft was heavily damaged and two F-16 jets were destroyed in Jacobabad.

The objective was to cripple the Pakistan Air Force’s capability to launch aerial attacks using drones and fighter jets.

While addressing an event on Saturday, the IAF Chief had said that India’s air defence surface-to-air missile systems destroyed five Pakistani fighter jets and an AEW&C/ELINT aircraft, which is a specialised military plane designed for airborne surveillance, early warning. He also said that some parked F-16 jets were destroyed in Jacobabad and an AEW&C in Bholari.

India’s Defence System

During Operation Sindoor, India’s Akash missile defence system and security shields like the S-400 fortified the nation’s defences. Pakistan launched a wave of drone attacks using UAVs acquired from Turkey. While Pakistan rained drones, India’s defence system proved strong, intercepting and destroying about 99 percent of them in time.

On the intervening night of May 7 and 8, Pakistan attempted to engage a number of military targets in northern and western India, including Awantipora, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankote, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj, using drones and missiles. These were neutralised by the Integrated Counter UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) Grid and Air Defence systems.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/your-turn-will-come-what-pm-modi-told-navy-chief-after-india-pakistan-ceasefire-ws-l-9496755.html#google_vignette

Air Force Chief Amar Preet Singh said political will was one of the key reasons for the success of Operation Sindoor

With Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh rejecting the Opposition’s charge that ‘Air Force’s hands were tied’ during Operation Sindoor, the BJP has launched a scathing attack on senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of lying and damaging India’s reputation.

Addressing the Parliament during the Operation Sindoor debate, Mr Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, had alleged that the Centre had asked the Indian Air Force not to attack Pakistan’s air defence system. “You told our pilots, go and attack and face the air defence system of Pakistan. Meaning, you tied their hands behind their back,” he had said.

In his address yesterday, the Air Force Chief said political will was one of the key reasons for the success of Operation Sindoor, launched to avenge the cold-blooded murder of 26 innocents in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. “I am being very, very candid here, very open here, because I hear various versions of it. I think, if I tell you something, people will have to believe. Because I was there listening to everybody, attending every meeting. There was very clear political will, very clear directions, which were given to us. And there were no kind of restrictions which were put on us,” the Air Force Chief said in a lecture yesterday, during which he also confirmed that six Pakistani aircraft were downed during the operation.

“Many people have spoken somewhere. Unfortunately, you know, everybody is speaking about it. So, there have been talks about: Was there any restriction? Were you kept constrained? If there were any constraints, they were self-made. We, the forces, decided what will be our rules of engagement. We, the forces, decided what will be the escalation ladder that we want to ride on. We decided how we want to control the escalation. So, I want to make it very clear, there were no, I repeat, no restrictions on us. Full freedom was given to us to plan and execute,” Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh said.

The Air Force Chief’s remarks prompted the BJP to launch a scathing attack on Mr Gandhi.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju urged Mr Gandhi to maintain the decorum of the Parliament. “Why do you keep lying all the time? I have witnessed many Leaders of Opposition who had maintained Parliamentary standards. You have not only lowered your stature but damaged India’s high reputation,” he said.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the Air Chief Marshal’s remarks should “put the Congress party to shame”.

“First, their leaders peddled lies on India’s losses whereas we now have quantifiable, detailed and irrefutable proof on the wrath inflicted upon the enemy. Second, they ran another Pak-originated disinfo campaign claiming the Modi Govt put restrictions on the operational capability of our forces. This, too, has been debunked comprehensively,” he said.

Mr Gandhi had claimed that India lost fighter aircraft because the government did not give a free hand to the forces.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/air-chief-marshal-amar-preet-singh-rahul-gandhi-bjp-shreds-rahul-gandhi-after-air-force-chief-rejects-hands-tied-charge-9055347

There’s something extra unsettling about the words flesh-eating and beach season being in the same sentence. But that’s where we are.

A bacterium called Vibrio vulnificus is spreading across five southern states, and it has already been linked to nine deaths this year. It lives in warm, salty, not-super-clear water—the kind you wade into barefoot while holding a beer—and it’s hitting Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and North Carolina the hardest.

The bacteria can enter your body in two ways, and neither is ideal. The first is through open wounds, which include scrapes, cuts, tattoos, piercings, and yep, even razor burn. The second is through the consumption of raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters.

If that sounds like a particular attack on your vacation plans, that’s because it sort of is. According to state health departments, most cases so far have been linked to wound exposure, but several have been tied to the consumption of raw seafood. Either way, once it’s in, things can get serious fast.

The Flesh-Eating Bacteria That’s Infecting People Across the South

Doctors say symptoms can go from “that looks red” to “get in the ambulance” in a matter of hours. High fever, swelling, intense pain, and oozing wounds are common. In the worst cases, the infection can spread to your bloodstream and trigger blisters, confusion, dangerously low blood pressure, and tissue death—hence the “flesh-eating” nickname.

Some people have needed amputations. Others didn’t survive. The Florida Department of Health says bloodborne infections from Vibrio vulnificus have a fatality rate of around 50 percent.

And while the bacteria isn’t new—it was first reported in the 70s—it’s showing up more often, especially as ocean temperatures rise. Louisiana typically sees about seven cases a year. This summer alone, it’s already had 17.

Florida has had at least 13, with four deaths. North Carolina has seen nearly 60 Vibrio cases across different strains. Some health departments are blaming the spike on hotter water and hurricane-related flooding. Climate change, once again, is playing all the hits.

The best way to protect yourself is, unfortunately, also the least fun: don’t go into the water if you’ve got any open skin, no matter how small. Skip the raw oysters unless you know they’re from a safe, regulated source. And if you’re immunocompromised or have liver issues, be especially cautious—doctors say you’re at higher risk of life-threatening complications.

Source : https://www.vice.com/en/article/this-flesh-eating-bacteria-is-spreading-across-the-south-heres-how-to-stay-safe/

The flash flood that flattened Dharali village this week is the latest in a deadly pattern of natural disasters in Uttarakhand. Flash floods and landslides have claimed 705 lives in the hill state over the past decade, with flash floods alone killing 389, disaster management data shows.

As per details accessed by TOI, 316 people lost their lives in landslides during the same period. The twin disasters — both typically triggered by intense rainfall, glacial activity or cloudbursts — have emerged as the most lethal consequences of the region’s rapidly changing climate. Overall, nearly 3,500 people have died in incidents of natural disasters in Uttarakhand in the last 10 years, the data shows.

The alarming death toll aligns with recent scientific studies that flag Uttarakhand as a hotspot of extreme hydro-meteorological events, with increasing frequency and intensity since 2010.

A study published in the Journal of the Geological Society of India in July warned of a sharp spike in cloudbursts, flash floods and surface runoff events across the state over the past 15 years.

The study examined 140 extreme hydro-meteorological events recorded in nearly four decades of climate data, most clustered between 30°–31°N latitude and 79°–80.5°E longitude — a zone aligned with the Main Central Thrust (MCT), a major geological fault line.

Rudraprayag and Bageshwar districts emerged as key hotspots, owing to the region’s geological fragility and the influence of orographic lifting.

“From 1998 to 2009, the state experienced unusually low rainfall and rising temperatures. But post-2010, extreme events like flash floods and cloudbursts have surged,” said YP Sundriyal, lead author of the study.

An Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on ‘Changes in Climate Extremes and their Impact on the Natural Physical Environment’ notes that climate change is altering the frequency, intensity, spatial extent, duration and timing of weather extremes — leading to unprecedented events.

Published in Natural Hazards, another study by IIT Gandhinagar researchers warns that flash floods — sudden, high-intensity events triggered by extreme rainfall — are becoming more frequent and severe across India. Titled ‘Drivers of Flash Floods in the Indian Subcontinental River Basins’, the study documents the emergence of flash floods in regions previously considered low-risk.

The western Himalayas face added risk from cloudbursts and snowmelt, which often trigger localised floods, debris flows and landslides, according to authors Vimal Misra, Nandana Dilip K and Urmin Vegad.

They also highlight a rise in intense, short-duration rainfall in the lower Himalayas.

The Himalayas, west coast and central India have emerged as key flash flood hotspots, with steep terrain and dense drainage systems in the Himalayas intensifying the threat.

Experts say the growing risk from extreme weather events demands urgent action — including climate-resilient infrastructure, updated dam design standards, district-level early warning systems and a halt to unchecked development in hazard-prone zones.

Source : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/705-deaths-in-10-yrs-multiple-studies-warn-of-flash-floods-emerging-as-major-killer-in-ukhand/articleshow/123206705.cms

ICICI Bank has increased the average minimum balance requirement for savings accounts opened on or after August 1

ICICI Bank Increases Average Minimum Balance: ICICI Bank has increased the average minimum balance requirement for savings accounts opened on or after August 1, 2025.

This move is aimed at expanding its premium customer base, a banker told NDTV Profit on condition of anonymity.

In metro and urban branches, the minimum average monthly balance (MAMB) will be Rs 50,000, up from the earlier Rs 10,000. In semi-urban branches, it will rise to Rs 25,000 from Rs 5,000, while in rural branches, the requirement will double to Rs 10,000 from Rs 5,000. The higher MAMB will apply only to new accounts opened after August 1.

Customers who fail to meet the requirement will face a penalty of 6% of the shortfall or Rs 500, whichever is lower. The move marks a significant shift for one of India’s largest private lenders, especially as other banks are softening their penalty structures — State Bank of India, for instance, has already scrapped all minimum balance charges.

The bank has also revised its service charges for cash transactions. For deposits at branches and cash recycler machines, customers will be allowed three complimentary transactions per month.

Each additional transaction will be charged at Rs 150. A cumulative monthly value limit of ₹1 lakh will be available without charge, beyond which Rs 3.5 per Rs 1,000 or Rs 150 — whichever is higher — will apply. Third-party cash deposits will be capped at Rs 25,000 per transaction.

Cash withdrawals at branches will follow the same structure — three free transactions per month, Rs 150 per additional transaction, and a free cumulative monthly limit of Rs 1 lakh. Withdrawals beyond this limit will also be charged at Rs 3.5 per Rs 1,000 or Rs 150, whichever is higher. Third-party withdrawals will likewise be capped at Rs 25,000 per transaction.

Deposits made via cash acceptor or recycler machines during non-working hours (4:30 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.) and on holidays will attract a charge of Rs 50 per transaction if total deposits exceed ₹10,000 in a month, whether in a single or multiple transactions. These charges will be levied in addition to standard cash transaction fees.

Source : https://www.news18.com/business/banking-finance/icici-bank-sets-rs-50000-minimum-balance-for-new-savings-accounts-in-cities-starting-august-1-9494708.html#google_vignette

The Supreme Court has stayed a MP High Court order in a property dispute involving Saif Ali Khan’s family over the inheritance of Bhopal’s last Nawab, Hamidullah Khan’s estate.

The Supreme Court on Friday granted an interim stay on a Madhya Pradesh High Court order that had remanded a decades-old royal estate dispute, involving the family of actor Saif Ali Khan, back to a trial court for fresh adjudication, news agency PTI reported.

The case concerns the inheritance of the estate of Bhopal’s last Nawab, Hamidullah Khan. A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Atul Chandurkar issued notice on a petition filed by Omar Faruq Ali and Raashid Ali, descendants of the Nawab’s elder brother, challenging the High Court’s June 30 order.

The dispute began in 1999 when extended family members of the Nawab, including the late Begum Suraiya Rashid and her children, sought partition and possession of the royal estate.

In 2000, a trial court ruled in favor of the Nawab’s daughter, Sajida Sultan, and her legal heirs — including her son Mansoor Ali Khan (former India cricket captain), daughter-in-law Sharmila Tagore and grandchildren Saif Ali Khan, Soha Ali Khan, Saba Sultan. The court held the estate was not governed by Muslim Personal Law but devolved upon Sajida under constitutional provisions.

This judgment was based on a 1997 Allahabad High Court decision, which was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2019. Citing that, the Madhya Pradesh High Court set aside the 2000 trial court ruling but instead of applying the 2019 precedent, it ordered a fresh hearing.

Senior advocate Devadutt Kamat, appearing for the petitioners, said the high court remand order was contrary to the procedural norms outlined under the Civil Procedure Code (CPC), PTI reported.

The Supreme Court has now stayed the remand order and will hear the matter further, keeping alive the long-running legal battle over the Nawab’s estate.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/big-relief-for-saif-ali-khan-sc-stays-mp-high-court-order-in-bhopal-royal-estate-dispute-ws-l-9493851.html

Just 120 Indian soldiers, led by Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, beat back 5,000 Chinese troopers at Rezang La in 1962, preventing China’s takeover of Ladakh. A search party found frozen bodies of Indian soldiers still holding guns, showing the last stand in which 110 of the 120 Indians were killed. Revisiting the legendary battle of the 1962 Indo-China war, which is the subject of Farhan Akhtar’s 120 Bahadur.

“When the Chinese attacked in an overwhelming number and death was written all over, these gallant Ahirs stood their ground to the last man, last round, although they had an opportunity to move back and roll down the reverse slopes of the ridge and save their lives. Nay, they did not do so,” recalled Lieutenent General DD Saklani (retired). Lt Gen Saklani was the last Army officer to speak to Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, who was commanding the Indian forces in the Battle of Rezang La during the India-China War of 1962. In one of the greatest last stands in military history, 120 Indian soldiers fought a 5,000-strong invading force of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

For his ultimate sacrifice in the Battle of Rezang La, Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, who led the gallants at a height of 5,000 metres in sub-zero temperature, was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest wartime gallantry award.

In India’s modern military history, only a few battles rival the raw courage shown by Indian soldiers at Rezang La, a mountain pass in eastern Ladakh. In the battle in November 1962, just 120 soldiers of Charlie Company of the 13 Kumaon Regiment of the Indian Army stood in temperatures of up to -40 degrees Celsius, blocking the path of an invading 5,000 force of the PLA.

“When Rezang La was later revisited, dead jawans were found in the trenches still holding on to their weapons. Every single man of this company was found dead in his trench with several bullets or splinter wounds. The 2-inch mortar man died with a bomb still in his hand. The medical orderly had a syringe and bandage in his hands when the Chinese bullet hit him,” Major General Ian Cardozo (retired) later recalled.

Led by Major Bhati, the Indian jawans, mostly from the Ahir community of Haryana, held the strategic pass with nothing but their rifles, grenades, and raw courage.

By the end of the battle, 110 of them were martyred, most of them found in their trenches, bodies frozen, still holding their weapons, having fought to the last bullet. With their valour, the 120 bahadur (bravehearts) halted the Chinese advance and prevented the takeover of the Chushul airfield and a deeper Chinese occupation of Ladakh.

While such tales of bravery and service to the nation need no occasion to be narrated, Farhan Akhtar’s new film 120 Bahadur gives yet another reason to remember the heroism at Rezang La. The teaser shows Major Bhati and his 120 brave soldiers facing thousands of Chinese troops in the freezing heights of the Himalayas.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/history-of-it/story/regang-la-battle-india-china-war-1962-ladakh-major-shaitan-singh-120-bahadur-army-soldiers-pla-farhan-akhtar-movie-2768180-2025-08-08

After the incident, villagers rushed to the scene after hearing the screams of the passengers. Authorities have confirmed the deaths of four women and the bus driver.

A hard-hitting video of a bus accident from Uttar Pradesh’s Barabanki surfaced on social media, wherein a woman can be seen trapped inside the mangled bus, while some onlookers stood in silence and chose to capture the entire incident on their phones.

The woman trapped inside says, “People here are struggling between life and death, and you people are making videos.”

According to reports, the tree fell on the front part of the bus carrying approximately 40 passengers, claiming five lives, including those of four women teachers who were travelling on the bus to attend a training session organised by the NCERT. At least 17 passengers sustained injuries in the accident.

According to reports, the incident occurred around 10:30 am on Friday, when the bus was travelling to Haidergarh from Barabanki. The bus met with an accident near Raja Bazar in Harakh village under Jaidpur Police Station.

The incident happened at Harsil helipad when Dhan Gauri, a resident of Ishanpur in Ahmedabad, went over to the chief minister to express her gratitude for being looked after so well by the state government.

Uttarkashi: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhamion Friday was moved by the emotional gesture of a rescued woman pilgrim from Gujarat who tore a part of her saree’s ‘pallu’ and tied it like a ‘rakhi’ on his wrist to thank him for taking such good care of the stranded yatris.

Touched by her warm gesture, Dhami bowed to her with folded hands, saying it was a very “special blessing” for him.

The incident happened at Harsil helipad when Dhan Gauri, a resident of Ishanpur in Ahmedabad, went over to the chief minister to express her gratitude for being looked after so well by the state government.

Dhami has been camping in Uttarkashi for the last three days to keep a close eye on the rescue operations underway in the affected areas of the district.

The festival of rakhi or Raksha Bandhan, which celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters, falls on Saturday.

Officials said many pilgrims from Gujarat had to return to Gangotri after the flashflood hit Dharali on Tuesday.

They were put up at hotels and other lodging facilities there and taken good care of, the officials said, adding that they began to be evacuated in helicopters to Matli and Harsil when the weather improved on Tuesday.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/uttarakhand/uttarakhand-cm-dhami-moved-after-rescued-woman-pilgrim-tore-sarees-pallu-to-tie-rakhi-on-him-3672812

A fresh round of gunfire at Kapil Sharma’s Kaps Cafe in Canada and an “open threat” from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang have prompted Mumbai Crime Branch to consider questioning the comedian again.

The Mumbai Crime Branch is set to speak to comedian Kapil Sharma again following the latest firing incident at his Kaps Cafe in Surrey, Canada, and an “open threat” allegedly issued by a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Highly placed sources said the meeting could take place today or tomorrow, with the option of contacting Sharma over the phone for privacy and security reasons.

Officials are also weighing whether to extend security cover for the actor-comedian. While no formal request for protection has come from Sharma and he has not reported receiving any direct threat calls, police are examining whether he might have received threats but chose not to report them out of fear.

The move follows a second attack on Kap’s Cafe on Thursday, when around 25 rounds were fired at the establishment, shattering windows but injuring no one. Bishnoi gang member Goldy Dhillon, wanted by Punjab Police and the NIA in multiple extortion and murder cases, claimed responsibility for the shooting on social media. Dhillon is believed to be hiding in Germany.

The latest assault comes less than a month after the first incident on July 10, which was claimed by Harjit Singh Laddi, a fugitive associated with Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). That attack was allegedly linked to derogatory remarks Sharma was accused of making about Nihang Sikhs.

Canadian investigators are now looking into possible links between the two incidents. CCTV and dashcam footage from vehicles passing through the busy market where the cafe is located are being analysed. Authorities are also examining social media posts connected to both attacks, with Canadian officials suspecting that an international illegal arms dealer may have supplied the weapons used.

An audio message allegedly connected to the Bishnoi gang has added a fresh twist to the probe. In the clip, a gangster warns that anyone in the film industry showing support or closeness to Salman Khan will be targeted, even hinting at plans for “major attacks” in Mumbai. The threat reportedly stems from Sharma inviting Salman to the launch of The Great Indian Kapil Show. Salman appeared in the first episode of season 3, which aired on June 21.
Security officials in India, however, remain cautious. They have not verified the authenticity of the audio and note that Salman’s appearance on the show took place well before the latest shooting.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/kaps-cafe-firing-bishnoi-gang-open-threat-under-lens-as-cops-plan-to-question-kapil-sharma-article-152431767

Indian Railways has launched its longest freight train, named ‘Rudrastra’, measuring 4.5 kilometers and consisting of 354 wagons powered by seven locomotives. This train completes a 200-kilometer journey from Ganjkhwaja to Garhwa Road in approximately five hours. By linking six rakes into one unit, the Railways enhances efficiency, reducing time and operational costs.

Indian Railways has launched its longest-ever freight train, ‘Rudrastra’, on the Grand Chord rail section. The train is about 4.5 kilometres long, formed by linking six standard rakes into one unit. It has 354 wagons and is powered by seven locomotives.

The train travelled from Ganjkhwaja station in Uttar Pradesh to Garhwa Road station in Jharkhand, covering a 200-kilometre journey in about five hours at an average speed of 40 km per hour. Part of the route ran along the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) before switching to normal tracks.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a video of the train on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, “‘Rudrastra’ – Bharat’s longest freight train (4.5 km long).”

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/354-wagons-7-engines-indian-railways-launches-its-longest-ever-freight-train-rudrastra-all-you-need-to-know-article-152433440

A couple was allegedly refused entry to a restaurant in Delhi for wearing traditional Indian attire, a video of which has gone viral on social media. In the now-viral video, the couple can be seen narrating their ordeal after being denied entry to the restaurant located in Delhi’s Pitampura area.

The couple claimed that, while others were being allowed inside, the restaurant manager misbehaved with them. The person seemingly recording the clip stated that the restaurant not allowing people with Indian attire, had no right to function and that it should be shut down immediately.

Flightradar data showed 105 flights were delayed on Saturday. While 13 flights to the IGI Airport were delayed, 92 outbound flights were also behind schedule.

Delhi and its neighbouring areas received heavy rain, bringing a respite from the humidity and leaving several areas of the capital waterlogged. The IMD has issued a red alert for the city.

The overnight rain also brought the capital to a standstill, disrupting traffic and flight operations. Several areas in the capital, including Panchkuian Marg, Mathura Road and Connaught Place reported waterlogging.

The Delhi Airport, in a statement, said that the flight operations were currently normal even as several flights reported delays.

“As per the Indian Meteorological Department’s forecast, Delhi is experiencing inclement weather conditions. However, all flight operations at Delhi Airport are currently normal. Our on-ground teams are working diligently with all stakeholders to ensure your journey remains hassle-free,” the Delhi Airport said in a post on X.

The data from Flightradar showed 135 flights were delayed on Saturday morning. The flight tracking website at 8:30 am showed 15 flights to the Indira Gandhi International Airport were delayed, while 120 outbound flights were also behind schedule.

Indigo issued an advisory on X cautioning the passengers against traffic congestion in the city. The airline advised the passengers to reach the airport well ahead of time and take alternate routes, if possible.

“Due to today’s downpour, several roads across Delhi are currently blocked or experiencing slow movement. Please allow extra time, take an alternate route if possible, and check your flight status on our website or app before leaving for the airport. Our teams are working to keep things on track and support your journey,” the Indigo advisory said.

Spicejet also issued an advisory saying the departures and arrivals at the Delhi airport may get affected due to the heavy downpour.

“Due to bad weather (heavy rain) in Delhi (DEL), all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights may get affected. Passengers are requested to keep a check on their flight status via http://spicejet.com,” the advisory read.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/delhi-rain-over-100-flights-delayed-traffic-disrupted-as-heavy-rain-brings-capital-to-standstill-101754703889056.html

Days after US President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Indian exports, citing Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil, PM Modi invited Putin to visit India later this year for the Annual Bilateral Summit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone. In their conversation, the Russian President briefed PM Modi on the latest developments concerning Ukraine, whilst PM Modi reiterated India’s consistent position for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

Days after US President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Indian exports, citing Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil, PM Modi invited Putin to visit India later this year for the Annual Bilateral Summit.

“The two leaders also reviewed progress in the bilateral agenda, and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia,” said a release from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/pm-modi-invites-russian-president-vladimir-putin-to-india-over-phone-call-days-after-donald-trump-imposes-50-tariff-citing-delhis-purchase-of-russian-oil

The Income Tax Bill 2025, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha on February 13 to replace the Income Tax Act, 1961, has been formally withdrawn.

The Income Tax Bill, 2025, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha on February 13 to replace the existing Income Tax Act, 1961, has been formally withdrawn.

A new version of the Income Tax Bill, incorporating most of the recommendations made by the Select Committee chaired by BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda, will be introduced in Parliament on Monday.

To avoid confusion by multiple versions of the Bill and to provide a clear and updated version with all the changes incorporated, the new version of the Income Tax Bill will be introduced for the consideration of the House.

According to Mr Panda, who chaired the Parliamentary Select Committee responsible for reviewing the legislation, the new law, once passed, will simplify India’s decades-old tax structure, cut down legal confusion, and help individual taxpayers and MSMEs avoid unnecessary litigation.

“The current Income Tax Act of 1961 has undergone more than 4,000 amendments and contains over 5 lakh words. It has become too complex. The new bill simplifies that by nearly 50 per cent — making it far easier for ordinary taxpayers to read and understand,” Mr Panda told news agency IANS.

He further stated that the greatest beneficiaries of this simplification would be small business owners and MSMEs who often lack the legal and financial expertise to navigate complicated tax structures.

The new measures will play a significant role in creating a fair and equitable system of direct taxation that ensures no additional burden of direct taxes on the working and middle-class population of the country.

Slabs and rates have been changed across the board to benefit all taxpayers. The new structure substantially reduces the taxes of the middle class and leaves more money in their hands, boosting household consumption, savings and investment, according to the government.

The Finance Act, 2025, has increased the income threshold for claiming a tax rebate under section 87A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 for resident individual taxable under the new tax regime under section 115 BAC of the Act from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 12 lakh, and the maximum rebate amount has been raised from Rs 25,000 to Rs 60,000.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/centre-withdraws-income-tax-bill-2025-that-was-introduced-in-lok-sabha-in-february-9045972

Former US Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade and senior foreign policy expert, Christopher Padilla, has warned that the ongoing trade tensions could pose a risk of long-term damage to the India-US relationship.

“I’m concerned that for the sake of short-term issues, we’re putting this relationship at risk,” Mr Padilla told IANS.

He also feared that “there will be a long memory” of US actions in India, potentially leading to “a questioning of whether the United States is a reliable partner”.

“I know from working with colleagues in India over many years that these slights will not be quickly forgotten, and saying that India, which is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, is a dead economy. That doesn’t help,” he noted.

Mr Padilla, who served in the George W. Bush administration and is now a Senior Advisor at Brunswick, a global advisory firm, highlighted that the current crisis stems from President Donald Trump’s actions against India’s core interests – the pressure to open up the agriculture and dairy sectors and New Delhi’s independent foreign policy.

“The difficulty of opening the agriculture market, given the structure of the Indian economy, is a core interest, and the other is the independence of Indian foreign policy,” he told IANS.

On the potential impact of US tariffs on India’s exports, Mr Padilla argued that “it will be painful”, but Indian exporters could adapt with alternative markets.

“When you look at some of the key Indian exports, there are alternative markets for things like precious stones, or textiles…People have talked a lot about the number of iPhones being made in India. Well, there’s a global market for iPhones. If they can’t be sold in the United States, they can be sold in other places.”

On foreign policy, he highlighted that India’s relationship with Russia has always been an “irritant” in India-US ties, but Washington had been willing to “live with it” for the larger strategic importance of India vis-a-vis China. But that strategy is undergoing a major shift.

Mr Padilla expressed surprise over how the US is “treating China at the moment, much more favourably than India”.

“So, we’ve got this strange situation. Where we’re seeing significant damage to an important strategic relationship between the US and India, while at the same time, the United States is making apparent concessions toward its most significant strategic competitor in the world,” he told IANS.

On the possibility of US coercion driving India closer to Russia and China, he believed that there are “internal contradictions in terms of foreign policy interests” among the three countries but stressed that it’s “not in the interest of the United States to drive countries toward closer collaboration”.

Mr Padilla, who was part of the civil nuclear deal and other trade negotiations with India during the mid-2000s, asserted that Washington’s arm-twisting tactics that led to the capitulation of other countries were never going to work with New Delhi.

“India is a very vibrant democracy. I’ve experienced that in my dealings with India over many years. We’re not dealing with a relatively small country in Latin America or Southeast Asia that might be more willing to compromise on core interests,” he noted.

Looking ahead, the former US senior official acknowledged that “it’s going to be difficult for both sides to find a way to go back away from confrontation”, but he was confident that “it can be done”.

“We have got 20 years of a strong relationship here. There’s a firm base of common interest. I’m hoping that things will calm down. We have bigger interests at stake here than just trade and dairy products,” he told IANS.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/us-at-risk-of-losing-india-as-strategic-partner-ex-us-official-christopher-padilla-amid-trump-tariff-row-9050309

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Threat of prison time

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

India cracking down on dissent

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About 5,000 Americans Visited India Per Day

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

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

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

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

Tourist Recovery Almost at Pre-COVID Levels

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Neighbour’s Arrival

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This has had a chilling impact on the marginalised community.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The police have beefed up the security in sensitive areas.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Some buildings are proposed to be retained.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tuition fee reimbursement for SC/ST/OBC students

Old age and widow pensions

Financial help under Delhi Aarogya Kosh

Other state-funded welfare schemes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PAN Card

Passport

Kisan Passbook

Driving Licence

For Children/Minors:

Aadhaar Enrolment Slip or Biometric Update Slip

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Modi to address NDA bloc

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Identification documents recovered from them confirmed their Bangladeshi nationality.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dr Vishram Singh took cognisance of the complaint on Sunday.

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

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

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

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

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

What Had Rahul Gandhi Said?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Who Filed The Defamation Case Against Rahul Gandhi?

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

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

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

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

BJP Slams Rahul Gandhi After SC Rap

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What The Law Says

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Money Appears Overnight in Frozen Account

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE MEETINGS AND THE BUZZ THAT IS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why Not F35?

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

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

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

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

Su-57 As An Option

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

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

Wait For AMCA

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

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

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

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

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

What followed was a violent altercation at the boarding gate.

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

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

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

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

‘Murderous Assault’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The matter is being investigated, the officer said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The man is undergoing treatment at a hospital.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What’s The Incident?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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