Category: India

While addressing students at an engineering college near Hyderabad, Nitin Nabin remarked that India’s youth is not anti-establishment.

Bharatiya Janata Party chief Nitin Nabin took a dig at the satirical political outfit Cockroach Janta Party on Monday during his visit to Telangana and said “virus and cockroach people” are a gang that aims to “divide the country”.

He said that such people people want to make the country “hollow”.

“Parties like virus and cockroach are coming into the country. These are people who want to make the country hollow. There is a need to pay attention to these virus and cockroach people. The gang wants to divide the country,” Nabin said.

He made the remarks while addressing BJP’s booth presidents in Telangana.

‘India’s Gen Z not anti-establishment’

The BJP President also sought to define what Gen Z, a term which colloquially refers to the youth of a country, is and said that they are youth who don’t question the country’s constitution but contribute to its growth.

While addressing students at an engineering college near Hyderabad, Nabin remarked that India’s youth is not anti-establishment. He also referred to the recent protests in neighbouring countries led by their Gen Z and said that in India, the youth works for building the nation.

“There is a lot of debate about Gen Z. People told me that youth carried out agitations in some countries. They are described as Gen Z agitations. India’s youth is not anti-establishment. India’s youth works for building the country,” he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Nabin also highlighted who “real” Gen Z are pointed to some sportspeople and start-up founders in the audience who, he said, were building their own and the country’s future.

The BJP chief also took an ‘tukde tukde’ jibe indirectly at the protestors and said they can’t be India’s Gen Z as they challenge the country’s soul and constitution.

Rahul Gandhi ‘part time politician’

Nabin was in Telangana for BJP outreach in the state ahead of the next assembly elections in the state which currently has Revanth Reddy-led Congress government. He said that the BJP will form “double-engine government” in Telangana in next assembly polls and recalled how several BJP leaders, including Sushma Swaraj, fought hard for the formation of the state.

The BJP chief attacked the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi while addressing the BJP booth presidents said that he is a “part-time politician”.

He also hit out at Congress for “not respecting” former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, who belongs from the region, and hailed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi conferred him with Bharat Ratna.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nitin-nabin-attacks-cockroach-janta-party-cjp-abhijeet-dipke-sonam-wangchuk-says-tukde-tukde-gang-want-to-divide-country-101782784136016.html

Pakistan was removed from the FATF Grey List in October 2022 after satisfying the watchdog that it had implemented a 34-point action plan.

India is likely to urge the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to place Pakistan back on its “Grey List” at the global watchdog’s plenary meeting in October, citing evidence that points to Islamabad’s continued support for terrorist organisations, The Times Of India reported.

According to the report, New Delhi plans to present video footage and other material as evidence before the Paris-based anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) watchdog. The move is aimed at bringing Pakistan back under FATF’s enhanced monitoring mechanism.

Pakistan was removed from the FATF Grey List in October 2022 after satisfying the watchdog that it had implemented a 34-point action plan.

The measures included legislative and operational reforms related to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing, along with enhanced monitoring of suspicious transactions and politically exposed persons.

Countries placed on the Grey List are subject to increased FATF monitoring and periodic reviews “to address strategic deficiencies in their regimes to counter money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing”. Such countries can also face difficulties in accessing funds from global financial institutions.

According to The Times Of India, any move by India to push for Pakistan’s return to the FATF Grey List is likely to be closely watched, especially after Islamabad’s efforts to build closer ties with the Donald Trump administration and present itself as a peacemaker.

With Vivek Agarwal, Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, appointed as FATF vice-president, New Delhi appears keen to press the watchdog to hold Pakistan accountable over the alleged proliferation of non-state actors operating from its territory and the alleged use of its financial system for terror-related activities.

Source : https://www.news18.com/world/india-likely-to-push-fatf-to-put-pakistan-back-on-grey-list-over-terror-financing-report-ws-l-10180895.html

The clarification came after reports citing a memorandum submitted by NWS alleged that the PLA had gradually expanded its presence in border areas of Taksing in Arunachal Pradesh.

The Indian Army on Monday dismissed media reports alleging that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had encroached into Arunachal Pradesh and established camps inside Indian territory, calling the claims “incorrect and without any basis.”

“We have seen some media reports alleging recent encroachment by the Chinese PLA and the setting up of camps in Arunachal Pradesh. These reports are incorrect and without any basis,” the Indian Army said in a statement.

The clarification came after several media outlets reported that a memorandum had been submitted by the Nah Welfare Society (NWS) to the Deputy Commissioner of Upper Subansiri district, alleging that the PLA had gradually expanded its presence in the border areas of Taksing in Arunachal Pradesh.

Nah Welfare Society Raise Issue Of Chinese Occupation

According to the memorandum, the NWS claimed that China had occupied large stretches of traditional grazing, hunting and agricultural land belonging to the Nah tribal community over the past six years.

NWS president Keru Chader alleged that areas once freely accessed by local residents had come under the control of the Chinese military, The Times Of India reported.

“Our ancestral lands, which were our hunting areas where we freely roamed and collected forest products few years back and our cattle grazing areas are now under the occupation of the Chinese PLA,” Chader said in the memorandum submitted to the Upper Subansiri Deputy Commissioner.

The organisation further alleged that China had steadily expanded its footprint by constructing roads, bridges and military camps in the border region.

Chinese Incursion In Five Areas In Last 10 To 15 Years: NWS

According to the memorandum, Chinese activities had intensified over the past 10 to 15 years with the objective of occupying additional territory along the international border.

The NWS also claimed that several areas traditionally under the community’s control until 2020 had since come under Chinese occupation. These included Oying (Asaphila area), Paniar (Chujarta area), Marpan (Marnafe), Potrang Lake and Tindingtang (TG), some of which are located close to Taksing headquarters and are considered important religious and pilgrimage sites.

PLA Built Roads, Military Camps: NWS

The welfare society further alleged that the PLA had built roads and military camps inside Indian territory.

While expressing confidence in the Indian Army, Chader said the community remained concerned about what it described as the pace of Chinese activities in the Taksing sector.

“We do not doubt our Army and always have faith in them. They have been guarding our land for many years, but their efforts are not enough. The intention and speed of the present activities of the Chinese PLA at Taksing area is very alarming and a matter of grave concern for us. We are losing our land inch by inch day by day to them,” the memorandum stated.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/incorrect-without-basis-indian-army-rebuts-reports-of-chinese-encroachment-in-arunachal-ws-l-10180760.html

The investigation into Ketan Agarwal’s death is revealing troubling details from the cab driver who took him, his fiancée Siya Goyal, and her brother Sahil to Mumbai Airport. The driver noted a tense atmosphere, with Siya initially reluctant to go on their Bali trip, leading to an argument with Sahil.

As the investigation into the death of Ketan Agarwal unfolds, the driver of the cab that took him and his fiancée, Siya Goyal, to Mumbai Airport for their Bali trip has provided critical details about their journey. The driver, who drove the couple and Goyal’s brother, Sahil, from Pune to the airport, reported a tense atmosphere inside the vehicle during their journey.

According to him, Siya initially expressed reluctance to board the cab, stating she did not want to go to Bali for their pre-wedding shoot. Sahil reportedly had to force her into the car.

“Siya did not want to go to Bali and was reluctant to even get into the car. Siya’s brother, Sahil, held her hand and made her sit inside the car,” the driver said, adding that during the journey between Pune and Ravet (Pimpri-Chinchwad), Siya and her brother Sahil had an argument inside the car.

The situation escalated during the ride, particularly after picking up Ketan and other family members in Kiwale Lodha. An argument erupted between Siya and Sahil, highlighting underlying tensions within the group.

On the way, the group stopped at a food court for tea and snacks. The driver alleged that Siya returned to the car on the pretext of taking something and removed an item from the vehicle, keeping it in her pocket.

After dropping the group at the airport, Jadhav received a call from Ketan about the missing passport, leading to a frantic search that ultimately proved unsuccessful. The driver then realised that Siya had allegedly taken Ketan’s passport from the food court stop.

Fayyaz Premji’s mother and sister live in Iran and Iraq. Over the last 12 months, he visited the two nations 19 times.

Fayyaz Premji aimed to kill 15,000 people. And he displayed a chilling ingenuity in his quest to achieve this sinister goal.

He made thousands of poisonous capsules, targeted a Muharram procession in Mumbai and attempted to distribute them among people, claiming they were painkillers and immunity boosters.

Many of those who consumed these pills fell seriously ill. The police arrested Premji and recovered pills laced with Zinc Phosphide, a compound used in rat poison.

Salman Syed and Ali Abbas, two men who consumed the toxic pills, said they were told that the capsules were a vitamin supplement and an immunity booster. Immediately after eating the tablets, they started vomiting.

The accused couldn’t distribute all the pills alone. So he asked several volunteers to hand out the capsules at the religious procession. He had told the unsuspecting men and women that they were helping people by distributing the capsules.

Sources said at least 11 people had fallen ill after consuming the pills. They were rushed to a nearby hospital and are out of danger now.

Who Is Fayyaz Premji?

While his motivation behind the crime is unclear, several pieces of information linked to him have surfaced, including his frequent visits to Iran and Iraq.

Premji was arrested on June 27 near the Rahmatabad graveyard. He is a native of Pune’s Viman Nagar. He is divorced and runs a painting business in the city.

His mother and sister live in Iran. Between 2019 and 2025, he made several trips to the Middle Eastern countries.

Over the last 12 months, he visited the two nations 19 times.

Police are examining his financial transactions, mobile phone records, digital communications and contacts to determine whether he was alone in orchestrating the plot or whether a larger terrorist network or external handlers were involved.

Police investigations have revealed the massacre had been meticulously planned.

Fayaz rented a room in Mumbai’s Dongri area, using it as his base. The accused ordered 50 kg of zinc phosphide and 30,000 empty capsules online.

Fayyaz filled these empty capsules with poison, one by one, for several days. Each capsule contained approximately one gram of poison.

Police recovered a cache of poison and approximately 15,000 prepared capsules from his room in Dongri. His goal was to prepare a total of 30,000 capsules and distribute them during the procession.

According to the sources, the accused has allegedly confessed that he wanted to kill “15,000 people”.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/who-is-fayyaz-premji-50-kg-poison-30-000-pills-iran-trips-mumbai-accuseds-15-000-deaths-plan-11699241?pfrom=home-ndtv_topstories

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, claimed the attack.

India on Sunday rejected accusations by Pakistani authorities that a terrorist attack in Karachi was carried out by an “Indian proxy” and said Islamabad should take credible action against terror infrastructure on Pakistani soil.

Three Pakistani security personnel and three terrorists were killed in the attack on the provincial headquarters of the paramilitary Pakistan Rangers in Karachi on Saturday night.

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, claimed the attack. Pakistan’s military and interior minister Mohsin Naqvi claimed the assault was carried out by an “Indian proxy” but provided no evidence to support the allegation.

Randhir Jaiswal on ‘baseless allegations’ by Pakistan

“We have seen Pakistani reports making baseless allegations against India regarding the recent incident in Karachi,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

“We categorically reject them. Instead of pointing fingers at others, Pakistan would do better to look inwards, take credible action against the terror infrastructure on its territory and rid itself of its proclivity to rely on terrorism as an instrument of state policy,” he said.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mea-slams-pakistans-claims-over-karachi-attack-baseless-allegations-101782644595864.html

The three accused who were arrested on Saturday were Patna residents Akash Kumar, 30, and Rajiv Shah, 45, and Dhiraj Kumar, 28, from Panipat in Haryana.

The Bhiwandi court on Sunday remanded the three men arrested in connection with the leak of the 2026 Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) question paper to eight days in police custody.

During the hearing, the police informed the court that Bihar resident Bijender Gupta was the alleged kingpin of the paper leak racket and he had been involved in at least 20 paper leak incidents across several states. Both Gupta and Haryana resident Kapil Dahia, named as wanted accused in the case, were currently absconding, the police told the court.

The three accused who were arrested from the outskirts of Bhiwwandi on Saturday were Patna residents Akash Kumar, 30, and Rajiv Shah, 45, and Dhiraj Kumar, 28, from Panipat in Haryana. All three were presented before judge SM Sutar on Sunday.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Thane police) Vijay Marathe represented the prosecution and sought 10 days of police custody for the accused, saying the police suspected they were part of a multi-state paper leak racket and investigation teams would need to visit multiple locations across the country. The judge however remanded the accused to eight days in police custody.

Advocate Satender Redhu, counsel for Dhiraj Kumar, requested the court to direct the police to provide his client with adequate medical care, as he had recently undergone bariatric surgery for weight reduction. The Thane police assured the court that Kumar would receive proper medical care while in custody.

Advocate Redhu also informed the court that his client had been falsely implicated in the case. Kumar was travelling from Delhi to Mumbai by train with his friends when he was arrested by the police, the lawyer said.

Ashok Dudhe, Additional Commissioner of Police, Thane Western Zone, said that the roles of the two absconding accused – alleged kingpin Bijender Gupta and co-accused Kapil Dahia – were being investigated, and they had been declared wanted.

“We are probing their involvement in the case. Our teams have also been sent to other states for further investigation,” Dudhe informed the court.

On Saturday, the three arrested accused were nabbed from Kongaon village, a rapidly developing area located around 5 km from Bhiwandi city. The police recovered four sets of the TET-2026 question paper from the accused, which officials from the education department confirmed were copies of the actual question paper meant for the examination scheduled on Sunday. The exam was subsequently postponed, leaving more than 600,000 candidates in disarray.

According to the police, the three accused were hoping to make ₹1.5 crore by selling the question papers to candidates.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/tet-paper-leak-three-arrested-accused-sent-to-police-custody-for-8-days-101782673598075.html

‘Desi consultancies’ connect Indian tech workers to American employers through a maze of recruiters, subcontractors, universities, and corporate clients.

For decades, the H-1B visa program has been the centerpiece of America’s high-skilled immigration system. To its defenders, it is a vital pipeline that brings talented workers from around the world to power the United States’ economy. But to its critics, it is a system rife with abuse—one that can undermine American workers while also trapping foreign workers in exploitative arrangements.

A new book, Wild Wild East: Exiled Americans, Enslaved Indians and the Systemic Abuse of the H-1B Visa Programme, takes readers inside one especially shadowy corner of this world: the universe of so-called “desi consultancies”. These companies—also known as H-1B “body shops”— connect Indian tech workers to American employers through a maze of recruiters, subcontractors, universities, and corporate clients.

The book’s author, Tanul Thakur, discussed his disturbing account of Indian H-1B seekers, displaced American tech workers, and the firms that profit from a deeply broken system on a recent episode of Grand Tamasha, a weekly podcast coproduced by HT and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Thakur is an award-winning journalist and film critic. In 2015, he won the National Film Award for Best Film Critic—the youngest critic ever to receive the honour.

What are Desi Consultancies?

“Desi consultancies often lie to tech workers in India that they have a job in the US,” Thakur explained, recounting his own firsthand experience with one such firm when he was looking for a job after finishing college in the US. “It is only when the workers arrive in the US that they find out they have been lied to—and were essentially trafficked from India to the US.”

Thakur described the world of desi consultancies as “really dark.” Such firms engage in “rampant wage theft and psychological devastation at a level that still makes me shudder,” he said. “Pay is often delayed. There are deportation threats and legal intimidation. Given that you are so beholden to your visa sponsor or employer…you often do not protest these working conditions. You start to live a double life. At the job, you have lied and said that you have seven years of experience. Then you come back home and have to talk to someone on Skype or Webex to get your job done.”

Thakur said the exploitation perpetrated by these firms is an open secret, but that US authorities have not sufficiently cracked down on them. “Corporate America benefits, and it wields a disproportionate amount of clout in keeping the H-1B program the way it is,” he explained. “This is closely followed by the laxity of the Department of Labor in detecting and penalising the bad apples. Even when firms are debarred from the H-1B program, which is rare, they often open companies under a false name and continue the same process.”

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/desi-consultancies-the-dark-side-of-h-1b-visa-and-the-american-dream-how-it-impacts-indians-101782695450304.html

All the victims were Saudi nationals. An investigation involving the relevant authorities has been launched to determine the cause of the crash.

As many as 14 people were killed after a helicopter operated by Saudi Aramco crashed in Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, according to Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry.

“Crash of a helicopter affiliated with Saudi Aramco and the martyrdom of all its passengers, numbering (14),” the Saudi Energy Ministry wrote in a post on X.

وزارة الطاقة: سقوط طائرة مروحية تابعة لشركة أرامكو السعودية واستشهاد جميع ركابها وعددهم (14).https://t.co/GIfK4xYoZ3#واس

— واس العام (@SPAregions) June 28, 2026

Authorities confirmed there were no survivors and said an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash. The identity of the victims and the circumstances surrounding the accident have not yet been disclosed.

All Victims Were Saudi Nationals

Ketan Agarwal Murder: Ketan, the son of a wealthy businessman from Maharashtra, and Siya appeared to share a happy relationship in public.

As police are investigating the events leading to the murder of Ketan Agarwal, a trip to Udaipur in Rajasthan is now under scanner. Investigators believe the visit could provide crucial clues about the relationship between the two accused, Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary.

According to the investigation, Siya and Chetan travelled to Udaipur with a group shortly before Siya’s engagement to Ketan in February. Police believe the time they spent together during the trip could help explain the sequence of events that followed. Officers are studying travel details, digital evidence and other forensic material collected during the investigation.

Siya Never Wanted To Marry Ketan

Ketan, the son of a wealthy businessman from Maharashtra, and Siya appeared to share a happy relationship in public. Their social media accounts were filled with photographs, videos and reels showing them together. Police, however, allege that Siya had no intention of going ahead with the marriage. During interrogation, Siya allegedly told investigators that she never wanted to marry Ketan, according to a report by NDTV.

Siya Handed Rs 1 Crore To Chetan

The investigation further alleges that Siya obtained Rs 1 crore from Ketan by claiming it was needed for shopping and later handed the money to Chetan. According to police sources, Chetan wanted the funds to establish his business and career. The alleged plan was that after becoming financially stable over the next three years, he would approach Siya’s family with a marriage proposal.

Police claim the murder was carried out on June 18 at Lohagarh Fort in Pune district. Investigators alleged that Siya convinced Ketan to visit the fort, while Chetan travelled separately to avoid attracting attention. At an isolated location, Siya allegedly alerted Chetan, who then pushed Ketan into a deep gorge.

Chetan also took steps to avoid leaving evidence. He allegedly left his own mobile phone at his shop before leaving for the fort, used an employee’s phone for essential communication during the journey and wore a hooded jacket to conceal his identity.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/ketan-agarwal-murder-siya-and-chetan-went-to-udaipur-before-engagement-ws-l-10178864.html

PM Modi made history by becoming the first Indian PM to address Seychelles Parliament. During his address, he emphasised the strong ties between India and the island nation, highlighting Seychelles’ strategic role in India’s vision for the Indian Ocean.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the Parliament of Seychelles, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to speak in the country’s National Assembly. During his address, he reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening ties with the island nation and underscored its strategic importance in New Delhi’s vision for the Indian Ocean region.

Addressing the Parliament of Seychelles, PM Modi said, “It is a special honour to stand before you as the first Indian Prime Minister to address this National Assembly. I bring with me the warm greetings and best wishes of 1.4 billion people of India.”

“The first country in the Indian Ocean region that I visited as Prime Minister was Seychelles in 2015. I came here because I believe that Seychelles occupied a special place in India’s vision for the Indian Ocean. As I return here after a decade, that conviction is stronger than ever. I’m delighted to join you as you celebrate 50 years of your independence,” the Prime Minister added.

“The greatest strength of Seychelles is its people. Over generations, people from all parts of the world arrived here. They brought with them different languages, customs, beliefs, and traditions, and together they built a shared identity that is proudly Seychellois. The motto of the National Assembly is ‘Unity in Diversity’,” said PM Modi.

Talking about the connection between the cultures of Seychelles and India, the Prime Minister said the similarity is visible in everyday life. “It can be felt in the flavours of Kari Coco, samosas, and chutney. It can be found in the celebration of Deepavali, Thai Pongal, and the Garba dance during Navratri. This is the Creole spirit that gives us great confidence in the future of our friendship,” he added.

PM Modi Addresses 20th Parliament

The Seychelles Parliament was the 20th Parliament addressed by PM Modi. Notably, Prime Minister Modi after assuming office in 2014 has addressed the Parliaments of several countries, including Bhutan, Nepal, Australia and Fiji.
The following year, he addressed the National Assembly of Mauritius, the Parliaments of Sri Lanka, Mongolia, the United Kingdom and Afghanistan. The journey continued with PM Modi’s address to the United States Congress in 2016, followed by a second address in 2023 making him the first Indian Prime Minister to address a Joint Session of the US Congress twice.

Between these landmark engagements, he also addressed the Parliaments of Uganda in 2018, Maldives in 2019 and Guyana in 2024.

The momentum gathered further in 2025 when the Indian Prime Minister addressed the national Parliaments of Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago and Namibia during his visits in July, followed by the Joint Session of the Ethiopian Parliament in December, underscoring India’s deepening engagement with Africa and the Global South.

Earlier this year, in February, PM Modi created history by becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Knesset, the Parliament of Israel, during his State Visit to Jerusalem.

PM Modi Conferred Seychelles’ Highest Environmental Honour

Prime Minister Modi was on Sunday conferred the ‘Guardian of the Blue Horizon’, Seychelles’ highest honour for leadership in environmental conservation and sustainable development, during his three-day state visit to the island nation.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/pm-modi-full-addresses-seychelles-parliament-indian-ocean-latest-news-article-154785453

All eight accused in the matter were remanded in judicial custody till June 29 by a court in Ayodhya. Police are expected to seek their custodial remand when they are produced before the court on Monday.

Police action in the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya began days before it officially surfaced. The investigators have recovered cash during a raid on the residence of one of the accused, Avinash Shukla, on June 5.

Notably, the case came to light only on June 7, and the raids indicate that initial inputs had already triggered a quiet probe on the ground.

A new CCTV footage has also emerged as a key piece of evidence in the probe. In the CCTV footage, accessed by Times Now, Avinash Shukla is being taken away by the police.

Earlier today, police teams, accompanied by local magistrates, carried out searches at the homes of the accused, including Lav Kush Mishra, Avinash Shukla and Ramashankar Yadav.

They collected documents, including Aadhaar cards, PAN cards and bank-related details from the residence of accused Manish Yadav after asking his family members to open the locked house, news agency PTI quoted sources as saying.

Searches were also carried out at the residences of other accused, including Ramashankar alias Tinnu Yadav. Yadav’s family members were questioned and documents were examined.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Modi government has transformed the lives of 70 crore poor people over the past 12 years through housing, electricity, tap water, toilets, LPG, free food grains and healthcare. Launching the PM Family Care Tracker in Gandhinagar, he described it as India’s most comprehensive poverty alleviation effort.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had transformed the lives of 70 crore poor people over the past 12 years by providing housing, electricity, sanitation, drinking water, cooking gas, food security, and healthcare, describing the effort as the country’s most comprehensive poverty alleviation programme.

Launches Welfare Monitoring Initiative

Addressing a gathering after launching the PM Family Care Tracker (PM-FCT) pilot project and Health Passports in Gandhinagar, HM Shah said improving the standard of living of the poor had been a central focus of the government since 2014.

ગાંધીનગરમાં ‘PM ફેમિલી કેર ટ્રેકર’ પાયલોટ પ્રોજેક્ટના શુભારંભથી લાઈવ…

गांधीनगर में ‘PM फैमिली केयर ट्रैकर’ के पायलट प्रोजेक्ट के शुभारंभ कार्यक्रम से लाइव… https://t.co/iK50l3kFPM

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 28, 2026

“Under the leadership of PM Modi, a comprehensive effort has been made to improve the standard of living of 70 crore poor people in this country,” he said.

Highlights Welfare Achievements

The BJP government is set to table the Uniform Civil Code Bill in the West Bengal Assembly on Monday. The debate is expected to test the government’s agenda and expose the TMC’s rival factions.

The BJP government’s proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill is set to trigger an unusual political contest in the West Bengal assembly on Monday – not just between the treasury benches and the opposition, but also between the two rival TMC factions seeking to outdo each other as the principal voice against the legislation.

Less than two months after ending the TMC’s 15-year rule in the state, the BJP government is expected to table one of its most ambitious and politically sensitive promises, setting the stage for what could become the first major ideological confrontation of the post-election period.

The debate is also likely to serve as the first significant parliamentary test for the TMC rival camps led by former chief minister and party supremo Mamata Banerjee and Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee, whose month-long tussle for control of the party is now expected to spill onto the Assembly floor.

While both factions have signalled opposition to the Bill, insiders in both camps told PTI they are preparing separate floor strategies, deploying different speakers and political narratives, effectively turning the discussion into a contest not only between the treasury and opposition benches but also between rival claimants to the TMC’s political legacy.

The proposed legislation seeks to create a common civil framework governing marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption irrespective of religion, replacing religion-specific personal laws with a uniform legal structure.

Assembly sources said the Bill is likely to be taken up during the latter half of Monday’s proceedings, with speaking slots earmarked for Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, the leader of opposition and several senior legislators.

Government sources said officials have spent the past several days studying UCC frameworks adopted in states such as Uttarakhand and examining proposals under consideration elsewhere, while preparing responses to anticipated objections from the opposition.

With a comfortable majority in the House, the BJP faces little difficulty in securing the Bill’s passage. Politically, however, Monday’s debate is expected to be far more consequential.

At a strategy meeting with legislators and senior leaders on Friday, Mamata Banerjee directed her Kalighat camp to mount a strong challenge to the legislation both inside and outside the Assembly, arguing that the issue raises questions relating to constitutional principles, social consensus and India’s plural character.

Leaders from her camp have accused the BJP of using the UCC as an instrument of political polarisation rather than legal reform.

Senior TMC leaders indicated that veteran legislator Sovandeb Chattopadhyay is likely to be among the principal speakers opposing the Bill, while Kunal Ghosh may also participate in the debate.

The Ritabrata Banerjee camp, meanwhile, has been preparing independently.

The leader of opposition has already questioned the government’s urgency in bringing the legislation.

“A matter like the UCC requires extensive discussion and consultation,” Banerjee said recently, maintaining that legislation affecting personal laws and family matters should not be rushed through without wider public engagement.

Leaders close to the dissident camp said they have closely examined debates surrounding UCC initiatives in other BJP-ruled states and identified issues they intend to raise in the Assembly, particularly those relating to consultation, constitutional safeguards and the concerns of minority communities.

If the BJP had hoped that the TMC split would dilute resistance inside the House, Monday’s proceedings could present a more complicated picture.

The division within the TMC has deepened steadily since the assembly election defeat.

The first major blow to the party leadership came when 58 of the party’s 80 MLAs backed expelled TMC MLA Ritabrata Banerjee’s claim to the post of Leader of the Opposition, rejecting the party high command’s choice of veteran MLA Sovandeb Chattopadhyay. The rebel camp now claims support from around 65 legislators.

The split subsequently spread beyond the legislature.

At the parliamentary level, 20 of the party’s 28 Lok Sabha MPs recently broke away, merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) and extended support to the BJP-led NDA. The party also witnessed resignations from the Rajya Sabha, including that of veteran leader Sukhendu Sekhar Roy.

Though both TMC factions oppose the Bill, neither appears willing to allow the other to dominate the opposition narrative.

For MLAs aligned with Mamata Banerjee’s camp, the debate offers an opportunity to demonstrate that, despite losing power, it remains the BJP’s principal ideological challenger in Bengal.

For the Ritabrata Banerjee camp, which has sought to establish itself as the state’s primary opposition force, the discussion provides its biggest platform yet to project itself as an effective parliamentary counterweight to the government.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/uniform-civil-code-bill-west-bengal-assembly-bjp-tmc-factions-2936128-2026-06-28

Wangchuk added that peaceful protest remained the only option in a democracy when there was no accountability. He also praised the young protesters who were fasting despite the heat and appealed to people to make it a community hunger strike by observing at least a day-long fast.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Sunday began a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in support of the Cockroach Janata Party’s protest over alleged irregularities in examinations and its demand for accountability and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protest, which began on June 20, drew hundreds of demonstrators, mostly youth and students, along with several farmer leaders and representatives of the Sarv Khap Panchayat.

Before starting his fast, Wangchuk and CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke visited Rajghat and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. The gathering then observed a two-minute silence. The protest also became a platform for other student-related grievances, including a demand for justice by the family of a Jaipur schoolgirl who died after falling from the fourth floor of her school last year.

Explaining why he joined the agitation, Wangchuk said he had long been committed to education. “I have been forced to sit here, I am not doing this happily. I am sitting on a fast in support of both issues. Many people ask me, you were doing a movement in Ladakh, why are you with CJP now. Education, which is the issue here, has been close to my heart for the last 40 years, since I was a student,” he said. “I did engineering, but never took a job because I felt the key to all generations is in education. When some youth raise their voices on issues with the education system, how could I have remained silent? It was natural for me to support them,” Wangchuk added.

He said the focus should be on using education to “build children’s lives and give direction to the nation.” Referring to his work in Ladakh, he said protecting the Himalayas was everyone’s responsibility as billions of people depend on water originating in the region. “I wish the government had shown sensitivity, we would not have had to go through this and sit here in such heat,” he said.

Wangchuk added that peaceful protest remained the only option in a democracy when there was no accountability. “When there is no accountability, we are forced to take the only way possible in a democracy – peaceful protest, and we will do that,” he said. He also praised the young protesters who were fasting despite the heat and appealed to people to make it a community hunger strike by observing at least a day-long fast.

Wangchuk was released from Jodhpur prison in March 2026 after spending nearly six months in detention under the National Security Act for his involvement in the Ladakh statehood protest that had turned violent.

Earlier, Dipke had appealed to farmers, students and organisations to join the protest and back the demand for accountability. On Sunday morning, he said on X that several farmers’ leaders from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab were being placed under house arrest to stop them from reaching Jantar Mantar. Khap representatives later alleged that around 500 farmer leaders and members of organisations had been stopped from coming to Delhi.

Representatives of the Sarv Khap Panchayat joined the protest and tied a pagdi on Dipke, with coordinator Omprakash Dhankar saying, “This pagdi is a responsibility. With this, we are handing over the responsibility to him.”

The family of Amaira, a Class 6 student who died last year after falling from the fourth floor of Neerja Modi School in Jaipur in an alleged suicide case, also joined the protest. Her parents alleged that no action had been taken against the school or teacher and that police had still not filed a chargesheet.

“We send our children to school with some trust. It was not negligence, it was murder by the school. She was very kind and spread goodness in the world. Today would have been her 10th birthday,” her mother said.

Dipke said the matter should remain in public memory and alleged that the police and school had tried to suppress it when it happened. He added that the issue was not limited to a single case and alleged that there were several such incidents involving students.

Farmer leader Akshay Kumar from Odisha, Pradhan’s home state, said the minister would face political consequences if he did not resign. “If Pradhan does not resign, he will be defeated in the next polls,” he said. Pradhan is a Lok Sabha MP from the Sambalpur constituency in Odisha.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/sonam-wangchuk-hunger-strike-jantar-mantar-exam-irregularities-cockroach-janata-party-protest-2936038-2026-06-28

A 28-year-old businessman in Faridabad died by suicide inside his shop after posting an Instagram video alleging mental harassment by his wife and her family, blaming them for his death and seeking legal action.

A 28-year-old businessman in Faridabad died by suicide inside his shop on Sunday after hanging himself. Before taking the extreme step, he posted a video on Instagram in which he accused his wife and her family of mentally harassing him.

Police have launched an investigation and are also examining the allegations made in the video.

In the Instagram video posted before his death, Rahul accused his wife Jyoti, his mother-in-law Veena, his father-in-law Bittu and his wife’s sister Neetu of mentally harassing him. He claimed that despite doing all household chores, including sweeping and washing utensils, he was assaulted, and false cases were filed against him. He said he had been living under constant mental stress.

Rahul also said in the video that his wife and her family were responsible for his death and should be punished according to the law. He further said that after his death, his property should go to his mother, sister and brothers.

The victim, Rahul, had opened a garment shop around four months ago. According to police, Rahul met his mother at home on Sunday morning before leaving for his shop.

A short while later, he hanged himself inside the shop. Police reached the spot after receiving information, took custody of the body and sent it to hospital for post-mortem.

According to Rahul’s family, he had married a woman named Jyoti in a love marriage around two years ago. They alleged that after the marriage, his wife did not want him to live with his parents, following which he started living separately. They said Rahul had recently opened his new garment shop.

A family member, Amit, alleged that Rahul had been under severe mental stress due to harassment by his wife and her family. He claimed that Rahul’s wife had also filed a case against him, which added to his stress. The family further alleged that Rahul was not even allowed to meet his parents.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/haryana-faridabad-businessman-suicide-instagram-video-names-wifes-family-2936185-2026-06-28

Indian Army troops caught a Pakistani national after he crossed the LoC in Poonch on Sunday. The incident, the district’s third this month, came as a suspected drone sighting in Samba triggered searches.

A 31-year-old Pakistani national was caught by Indian Army troops after crossing the Line of Control (LoC) in the Balakote sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Sunday, marking the third such incident in the district this month, officials said.

The intruder has been identified as Rayees Khan (31), son of Mohammad Yaqoob Khan, a resident of Taroti village in Tetrinote tehsil of Haveli district in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). He was taken into custody shortly after crossing the LoC into the Indian side in the Balakote sector.

Officials said no incriminating material was recovered from Rayees Khan during the initial search. Security agencies are questioning him to ascertain the motive behind his cross-border movement and determine whether he had any intended contacts or objectives on the Indian side.

The latest apprehension marks the third such incident in Poonch district this month.

On Friday, another PoK resident, Mohammad Sajad (26), was arrested from the Gulpur area of the Krishna Ghati sector in Poonch.

Earlier, on June 9, 14-year-old Javid Ali was detained after crossing into the Indian side. He was handed over to Pakistan a week later.

Meanwhile, a suspected Pakistani drone briefly entered the Indian side along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district, prompting a search operation by Indian security forces.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jk-poonch-loc-crossing-pakistani-national-caught-samba-drone-sighting-2936212-2026-06-28

India took a significant step towards cleaner rail transport on Friday as the country’s first hydrogen-powered train successfully completed its final high-speed trial on the Jind-Sonipat section in Haryana. The train achieved a top speed of 120 kmph during the test, marking an important milestone in Indian Railways’ efforts to introduce hydrogen-powered trains and reduce carbon emissions.

India took a significant step towards cleaner rail transport on Friday as the country’s first hydrogen-powered train successfully completed its final high-speed trial on the Jind-Sonipat section in Haryana. The train achieved a top speed of 120 kmph during the test, marking an important milestone in Indian Railways’ efforts to introduce hydrogen-powered trains and reduce carbon emissions.

The trial, conducted on June 26, was monitored by railway officials, with visuals showing the train departing from Jind during the final phase of testing. The successful run is expected to pave the way for the train’s entry into passenger service once the remaining regulatory and operational formalities are completed.

Why Jind was chosen

The Jind-Sonipat section of Northern Railway was selected as the pilot route for the project because it offers suitable conditions to test hydrogen-powered technology under real operating conditions. To support the initiative, Indian Railways has also developed dedicated hydrogen production, storage and refuelling facilities at Jind, enabling the train to be operated and maintained safely.

The hydrogen-powered train has been equipped with multiple safety features, including hydrogen leak detectors, flame detection equipment and continuous monitoring technology. These systems are designed to quickly detect and respond to any potential safety concerns during operations, reflecting the emphasis on reliability before the train enters commercial service.

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/indias-first-hydrogen-powered-train-completes-120-kmph-speed-trial-in-haryana-moves-closer-to-passenger-service

The family of Ketan Agrawal, a 26-year-old allegedly murdered by his fiancée Siya Goyal and her lover Chetan Chaudhary, participated in a candlelight vigil in Pune, demanding capital punishment for the accused.

The family of 26-year-old Ketan Agrawal, who was allegedly murdered by his fiancée Siya Goyal and her alleged lover Chetan Chaudhary, joined hundreds of people at a candlelight march in Pune’s Pimpri-Chinchwad, demanding capital punishment for the two accused.

Residents, friends and well-wishers gathered to pay tribute to Ketan, carrying candles and placards reading “Justice for Ketan Agrawal”. His grieving parents appealed for speedy justice, saying the accused should be awarded the death penalty.

“I want justice for my son. Siya has a mother, and I am a mother too, but I still want the death penalty for Siya and Chetan,” Ketan’s mother, Rakhi Agrawal, said during the march.

His father, Vishal Agrawal, said his son had done nothing to deserve such a fate and urged people to continue supporting the family until justice is delivered.

Mumbai police have discovered a potentially significant conspiracy aimed at harming participants in the Muharram procession.

Mumbai police have uncovered what investigators suspect could have been a major conspiracy to target people during the Muharram procession. According to preliminary information, the accused, identified as Faiyaz Nisar Hussain Premji, allegedly planned to distribute capsules laced with zinc phosphide, a highly toxic substance, by falsely claiming they were painkillers.

Police claim the capsules were being sold to people participating in the Muharram procession as medicines for pain relief. The alleged plan was foiled after the suspect was intercepted before the capsules could be distributed further.

During the operation, police recovered 14,900 capsules. Investigators have also found that an order had allegedly been placed for 30,000 capsules, raising fears that a much larger distribution was being planned.

Sources further claim that an order for 50 kilograms of zinc phosphide had also been placed, adding to the seriousness of the investigation.

Investigators are also probing the accused’s foreign travel after it emerged that he had reportedly visited Iran. Officials are examining whether the trip has any connection with the alleged conspiracy.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/mumbai/mass-poisoning-bid-at-mumbai-muharram-procession-poison-laced-painkiller-recovered-say-cops-article-154782502

Telangana student S Srinath Reddy, 25, found dead in UK under unclear circumstances, family seeks Centre and Telangana help to repatriate body, GoFundMe launched for expenses.

A 25-year-old student from Telangana’s Kamareddy district was found dead in the United Kingdom under circumstances that remain unclear, prompting his family to seek the Centre’s intervention for the early repatriation of his mortal remains.

The deceased, S Srinath Reddy, was pursuing a Master’s degree at De Montfort University in Leicester after moving to the UK around 14 months ago. While the cause of his death has not been officially confirmed, his family said they are yet to receive any clarity from the authorities.

Speaking to reporters, Srinath’s father, Madhusudan Reddy, appealed to both the Centre and the Telangana government to help bring his son’s body back to India as soon as possible.

“We still do not know what exactly happened. We request the Central and Telangana governments to help bring our son’s body back home at the earliest,” he said.

According to the family, Srinath had spoken to them on the night of June 22 and had shown no signs of distress. His father said the student had later attended a birthday gathering that evening.

A relative, whose son also lives in London, claimed that Srinath’s roommate found him dead the following morning, on June 23. The roommate later informed friends that Srinath had allegedly died by suicide, the relative said. The family added that they learnt about the incident only through friends and acquaintances.

The circumstances surrounding Srinath’s death have not been officially disclosed. UK authorities have not issued any public statement on the case, and the cause of death remains unconfirmed.

Source: https://www.news18.com/world/telangana-student-found-dead-in-london-family-seeks-centres-help-to-bring-body-home-ws-l-10177862.html

Four donkeys and mules rescued from a Dehradun construction site were found dehydrated, exhausted and injured after allegedly carrying heavy building material daily

A complaint about the treatment of working animals at a construction site in Dehradun led to the rescue of four donkeys and mules. The animals are now receiving medical care at an animal sanctuary after being found in poor condition.

The rescue was carried out by an animal welfare group with the help of local authorities. The animals will remain at the sanctuary as a legal case against their owner continues.

Animals Were Carrying Heavy Loads

People For Animals (PFA) trustee Gauri Maulekhi shared details of the rescue on Instagram. She said the organisation received a complaint on June 6, after which a rescue team visited the construction site along with police and veterinary officials.

Describing the situation, Maulekhi wrote, “In an under-construction building in Dehradun, four donkeys and mules were being forced to carry construction material up ten flights of stairs every day.”

Videos shared online showed the animals climbing long staircases with heavy construction material on their backs. The visuals raised concerns about the treatment of working animals and sparked calls for stricter action against cruelty.

Court Denies Owner’s Request

After the rescue, veterinarians examined the animals and found that they were in poor health. “All four were found in severe condition, dehydrated, exhausted, with damaged joints and deteriorated hooves.”

The animals were shifted to Happy Home Sanctuary, where they are receiving treatment, proper food and rest. The owner later approached the court, asking for custody of the animals.

However, the court refused the request and allowed the animals to remain with the welfare organisation while the case is still being heard.

Sharing the court’s decision, Maulekhi said, “The court ruled that animals subjected to cruelty cannot be handed back to the accused while the case is pending and must remain in the care of a recognised animal welfare organisation.”

She also said the sanctuary currently looks after more than 250 rescued animals. “These four are now safe. More than 250 rescued animals at Happy Home Sanctuary continue to depend on us every day-and their care never stops.”

People Thanked The Rescuers

Many people appreciated the rescue and praised the work of the animal welfare team.

A user wrote, “Donkey is one of the most innocent animal on the planet. Thank you for saving them from the cruelty.”

Another said, “Shouldn’t the owner be fined for such cruelty?? There should be heavy fines.” “Thankyou for all your efforts,” a person commented.

During special function at Seychelles Coast Guard Base, Modi handed over the fast patrol vessel Lespwar to Herminie as a gift for the government of Seychelles

India on Saturday handed over a patrol vessel and utility vehicles to the Seychelles Defence Force at a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Seychelles President Patrick Herminie, with the equipment expected to contribute to efforts to strengthen collective security in the Indian Ocean region.

Modi arrived in the Indian Ocean archipelago on a three-day visit, during which he will participate as the guest of honour in celebrations marking the golden jubilee of the country’s independence on June 28. He will also hold talks with Herminie to review bilateral relations and explore ways to bolster cooperation in a range of areas.

During a special function at the Seychelles Coast Guard Base in the afternoon, Modi handed over the fast patrol vessel Lespwar (which means “hope” in Creole) to Herminie as a gift for the government of Seychelles. Ten utility vehicles, five laser radial boats and six ambulances were also handed over at the event to enhance Seychelles’ maritime security and defence capabilities, the external affairs ministry said.

The transfer of the patrol vessel to the Seychelles Coast Guard marked “another important milestone in the growing India-Seychelles partnership in defence and maritime security”, Modi said on social media.

“It is also the latest in a series of capability building initiatives that reflect India’s steadfast commitment to supporting the security priorities of Seychelles,” Modi said. India will stand “shoulder-to-shoulder with Seychelles as a trusted partner”, working together to deepen friendship and “strengthen our collective maritime capabilities”, he said.

An archipelago of 115 islands astride strategic sea lines of communication near the Mozambique Channel, Seychelles has limited surveillance capabilities and relies on India as a partner to counter piracy, drug trafficking, illegal fishing, and other trans-national threats in the western Indian Ocean. The two sides have also signed a memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation.

Over the years, India has provided two patrol boats, a fast interceptor boat, a fast patrol vessel and two Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft to Seychelles. It also gifted and installed six coastal surveillance radar systems in 2015 to enhance coastal security. The two sides have also held 11 editions of the biennial joint military exercise Lamitye, the latest in March this year.

On his arrival at the airport in Victoria, Modi was received by Herminie. Both leaders later participated in a tree-planting ceremony at the Seychelles National Botanical Garden. They also observed the giant Aldabra tortoise, which is endemic to Seychelles and is among the largest and longest-living tortoise species.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-hands-over-patrol-vessel-to-seychelles-during-modi-visit-101782609316633.html

If the forecast holds, rainfall activity is expected to pick up during the first week of July, allowing the monsoon to advance more rapidly.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said conditions are favourable for the southwest monsoon to advance further into parts of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand over the next three to four days.

Even so, many parts of North India are yet to receive widespread rainfall, raising a common question: if the monsoon is advancing, why hasn’t it started raining?

The key reason is that the advance of the monsoon and widespread rainfall are not the same.

Latest INSAT-3DS satellite images show dense monsoon cloud cover over central India, the Bay of Bengal, the northeast and parts of southern India. In contrast, Delhi-NCR, western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan continue to remain under largely clear skies.

This indicates that while the monsoon circulation is moving northward, the rain-bearing weather systems required to produce widespread showers have not yet formed over these regions.

The IMD says the official advance of the monsoon is based on changes in wind patterns, moisture levels and sustained rainfall across a broad region, rather than rainfall occurring simultaneously in every district.

As a result, the monsoon can officially enter a state while several cities continue to witness hot and dry conditions for a few more days.

According to the meteorologists, the current delay is mainly due to the absence of strong low-pressure systems over the Bay of Bengal. These systems drive the Indian monsoon by drawing moisture inland and spreading rainfall across central and northern India.

Without them, the moisture-laden southwesterly winds remain relatively weak, resulting in scattered rather than widespread rainfall.

There are, however, indications that conditions may improve soon.

Weather models suggest a large tropical weather system is developing north of the equator over the eastern Indian Ocean. It is expected to move into the Bay of Bengal over the next four to seven days, strengthening the monsoon flow.

Its movement could lead to the formation of a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal and possibly a middle-tropospheric vortex over western India.

Both systems typically enhance moisture transport and can significantly boost rainfall across central, western and northern parts of the country.

If the forecast holds, rainfall activity is expected to pick up during the first week of July, allowing the monsoon to advance more rapidly across the remaining parts of northwest India, including Delhi-NCR.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/monsoon-has-advanced-but-rain-hasnt-heres-why-north-india-is-still-waiting-ws-kl-10176339.html

Apart from attending events linked to Seychelles’ National Day celebrations, PM Modi will visit the Seychelles Coast Guard Base.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet Jonathan, believed to be the world’s oldest living land animal, during his three day visit to Seychelles that will begin on Saturday.

Jonathan, an Aldabra giant tortoise estimated to be around 194 years old, lives at the Seychelles National Botanical Gardens and holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s oldest living land animal. Although his exact age has not been verified, he has lived far longer than the average lifespan of his species.

The Prime Minister’s interaction with Jonathan is being seen as a reflection of the importance India and Seychelles attach to conservation, sustainability and the protection of natural heritage.

PM Modi is visiting the island nation as the Chief Guest for its National Day celebrations, which this year mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles.

After arriving in Seychelles, the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit the National Botanical Gardens, where he will also participate in a tree plantation programme aimed at highlighting shared commitments towards biodiversity conservation, environmental protection and climate resilience in the Indian Ocean region.

Apart from attending events linked to Seychelles’ National Day celebrations, PM Modi will visit the Seychelles Coast Guard Base. Maritime security and regional stability remain key areas of cooperation between the two countries.

During the visit, the Prime Minister is expected to hold talks with Seychelles President Dr Patrick Herminie to review bilateral ties and discuss ways to expand cooperation in maritime security, the blue economy, climate action and defence.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/pm-modi-to-meet-worlds-oldest-living-land-animal-during-seychelles-visit-ws-l-10176284.html

Sanjeev, a resident of Chak Kodar village in Ambedkar Nagar district, was the alleged main shooter in murder of Singh in the PGI area on May 27, police said.

A suspected shooter carrying a ₹1 lakh reward on his arrest in the murder of Lucknow property dealer Sandeep Singh was killed in a police encounter in Lucknow on Saturday, Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) officials said.

According to police officers, Sanjay alias Sanjeev, a resident of Chak Kodar village in Ambedkar Nagar district, was the alleged main shooter in the murder of Singh in the PGI area on May 27.

Sanjay, whom police described as a “dreaded criminal”, was allegedly involved in several murder cases across Ambedkar Nagar, Basti and Ayodhya districts.

Investigators said he had links with the gangs of criminals Dilip Verma and Khan Mubarak and had participated in multiple heinous offences, including murders. The Lucknow police commissioner had announced a cash reward of ₹1 lakh for information leading to his arrest.

Police said an encounter took place early on Saturday morning on Indira Canal Road during an operation led by Additional Superintendent of Police Deepak Kumar Singh. The police team intercepted the accused, following which an exchange of fire ensued. During the encounter, Sanjay sustained bullet injuries.

Sanjay was taken to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences for treatment, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Police said further legal formalities are underway. They are also examining his alleged role in other criminal cases registered in different districts of Uttar Pradesh.

The STF on June 15 arrested the first suspect, Gangaram Yadav, a resident of Ambedkar Nagar who was also carrying a ₹1 lakh reward, near the Alambagh bus station. Yadav allegedly facilitated the hiring of contract shooters involved in the murder.

STF officials said Yadav allegedly played a crucial role in linking the conspirators with the contract shooters suspected of carrying out the murder of property dealer Sandeep Singh.

During interrogation, Gangaram revealed that he had arranged the contract shooters on the instructions of property dealer Dinesh Kumar Yadav and his driver, Mukarrabin alias Mubeen, both of whom had been arrested earlier in connection with the case.

Investigators claim the murder stemmed from a prolonged land dispute between Sandeep Singh and Dinesh Yadav. During interrogation, Mubeen allegedly disclosed that a deal worth ₹5 lakh had been arranged through intermediaries to hire two contract shooters to carry out the killing.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/fashion/tamannaah-bhatia-poses-with-trisha-krishnan-in-a-gorgeous-ivory-silk-saree-at-friend-wedding-heres-how-much-it-costs-101782486769461.html

Police allege that Ketan Agarwal was pushed off a cliff at Lohagad Fort on June 18 by his fiance Siya Goyal, 20 and her alleged lover Chetan Chaudhary, 22.

Sahil Goyal, the brother of Siya Goyal, one of the accused in the murder of 26-year-old Pune realtor Ketan Agarwal, told police that the family would have called off the marriage if Siya had expressed any discomfort.

His statement came during a nearly 10-hour-long interrogation on Friday, officials said, marking a key development in the investigation.

Police said Sahil was summoned in the morning and allowed to return home late in the evening after prolonged questioning. He was asked about his sister’s relationship with co-accused Chetan Chaudhary and was cross-checked on several details.

“If Siya had said she didn’t like Ketan, we would have stopped the wedding,” Sahil told the cops.

“We had summoned him for questioning in the morning. He was allowed to go late in the evening,” an official from Lonavala rural police station said.

“Sahil knows Chetan, and we cross-checked certain things with him. He was questioned for nearly 10 hours,” the official added, news agency PTI reported.

Ketan Agarwal murder case: Battle of claims amid ongoing probe

Here’s a report on the latest details pic.twitter.com/Gr9elQ0mgl

— NDTV (@ndtv) June 27, 2026

Murder At Lohagad Fort

Police allege that Ketan Agarwal was pushed off a cliff at Lohagad Fort on June 18 by his fiance Siya Goyal, 20 and her alleged lover Chetan Chaudhary, 22. Investigators believe the two conspired to kill him as Siya no longer wanted to go ahead with the wedding scheduled for November.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (Lonavala division) Gajanan Tonpe said the roles of both accused have been established.

“So far, the roles of both Siya and Chetan have been established in the alleged murder of Ketan,” Tonpe said, adding that more relatives and friends will be summoned for questioning.

Police have questioned seven people so far, including an employee whose mobile phone was allegedly used by Chaudhary to communicate with Siya on the day of the incident.

Investigators also recreated the crime scene using a dummy body to establish the sequence of events.

Sources said several important details emerged during Sahil’s interrogation. His statement has also suggested that Siya may not have shared her concerns about the marriage with her family.

Father Rejects ‘Hair Wig’ Motive

Meanwhile, Ketan Agarwal’s father, Vishal Agarwal, rejected claims that his son’s use of a hair wig could have been a motive for the killing.

“Ketan had a small patch of hair loss due to medical reasons, but this was clearly communicated well before the marriage was finalised,” he said.

“If she had any issues, she could have just said no. It would have been very easy for Siya to simply call off the wedding if that was an issue for her,” he added.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ketan-agarwal-murder-pune-lohagad-fort-siya-goyal-chetan-chaudhary-if-she-didnt-like-ketan-wed-have-stopped-wedding-siya-brother-sahil-goyal-to-cops-11693592?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

The BJP accused the Rajya Sabha MP of trying to misinform the people and mixing up foreign policy with vote bank.

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has questioned the government’s “silence” on Gaza. In an Op-Ed piece, she has claimed that India is prioritising closer ties with Israel over its historical position on Palestinian rights, linking the country’s Gaza policy to the broader foreign policy concerns.

The BJP accused the Rajya Sabha MP of trying to misinform the people and putting vote bank ahead of foreign policy.

Gaza had been reduced to rubble over years of Israeli ground operations since a deadly 2023 attack by Hamas that left over a thousand dead in Israeli border towns.

‘Lone Voice Of Silence’

The newspaper article by Gandhi cited the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry’s report that concluded that Israel committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. She also highlighted the human cost of such a conflict: more than 20,000 children had died, and 44,000 were wounded.

She criticised global inaction and argued that despite mounting evidence and legal proceedings, the international community has failed to stop the conflict.

Criticising the central government, she alleged that it has largely been silent on Gaza and has not spoken out strongly against the civilian suffering. Claiming that India remains a “lone voice of silence”, she said the inaction is not just “morally reprehensible but also inexplicable from a national interest perspective.”

She also pointed out that India has historically been an ally of Palestine and claimed that moving away from this position risks damaging the country’s global standing. Stating that continued silence cannot be morally or rationally justified, she called on the government to speak out in favour of Palestinian rights.

‘Vote Bank On Foreign Policy’

Criticising Gandhi’s article, the BJP said the Congress does vote bank politics over foreign policy. Rather, India has articulated its position on the Gaza and Palestine issue multiple times and has given humanitarian aid, said BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala.

India has shown its stand by voting at the United Nations on resolutions on ceasefire, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received Palestine’s highest civilian honour, he pointed out.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sonia-gandhis-india-silent-on-gaza-op-ed-bjps-vote-bank-retort-11693860?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

Champat Rai has resigned from his post at Ayodhya Ram Mandir. The Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested eight individuals involved in the alleged embezzlement case.

General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, Champat Rai, has stepped down from his position amid the controversy surrounding the alleged donation theft in the Ayodhya Ram Temple, sources told Times Now. Rai is also the vice president of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP).

Sources indicated that a VHP meeting took place in Ayodhya yesterday, prior to the registration of an FIR regarding the donation controversy. Key office-bearers attended the meeting, including Ram Mandir Trust General Secretary Champat Rai, Trustee Dr. Anil Mishra, and Construction In-charge Gopal Rao, alongside VHP General Secretary Bajrang Lal Bagra, Central Organizing Secretary Milind Parande, and Central Joint Organizing Secretary Vinayak Rao. Discussions focused on the donation dispute, the SIT investigation, and the resulting situation.

The VHP is deeply concerned about its reputation, sources said. Champat Rai is a central and an influential figure, so the controversy surrounding him is tarnishing the organisation’s image, they stated.

Other accused in the case are Tinnu Yadav, a close associate of Rai, while Lavkesh and Anukalp are close to trustee Mishra.

A group of Nihang Sikhs recently called off a planned protest march in Uttarakhand after negotiations with authorities regarding the release of arrested members involved in a violent dispute at Karnaprayag.

A group of Nihang Sikhs, who were demanding the release of fellow sect members and sought action against police officials, have called off their planned protest march in Uttarakhand related to a recent dispute that took place in Uttarakhand’s Karnaprayag market in Chamoli and a gurdwara in Nagrasu.

On June 16 in Karnaprayag, a minor dispute between residents and another set of Nihangs escalated into violence, injuring a few locals and a member of the Nihang sect. Following the clash, police registered a case and arrested four Nihangs.

However, a section of the Sikh sect saw this as “one-sided” action by the administration.

Therefore, seeking the release of arrested members, Nihangs had called for a protest march in Uttarakhand related to a dispute at the Karnaprayag market.

On Thursday night, a security situation erupted following which the authorities had turned into a fortress the Kulhal checkpoint in the Vikasnagar area on the Himachal Pradesh-Uttarakhand border.

The site was turned into a fortress during the standoff between a group of Nihangs and the administration at the Himachal Pradesh-Uttarakhand border as they wanted to march towards Uttarakhand.

However, the group returned to Paonta Sahib in Himachal Pradesh in the early hours of Friday following negotiations with authorities.

They returned back after talks with the administration. A representative of the group at the spot said that they wanted to undertake their pilgrimage peacefully. He said the group demands the withdrawal of the FIR registered against the four Nihangs, adding they do not wish for a conflict between the people of the two states and want to resolve the dispute with the locals through a compromise.

The group had said they would remain in Uttarakhand until those arrested in the Karnaprayag incident were released.

The development brought an end to the tension that prevailed at the Kulhal checkpoint in the Vikasnagar when a large group of the Sikh sect clashed with the police, pushed through security barricades in an attempt to go towards Hemkund Sahib, a revered Sikh pilgrimage, in Uttarakhand.

However, the Nihang group joined others from their sect at Paonta Sahib Gurdwara where discussions are still on with senior officials of Uttarakhand Police and administration.

After meeting police and district administration authorities, the group, which had gathered at the Race Course Gurdwara in Dehradun, left the premises around 3.30 am in two vehicles under police escort for their safe passage across the state border. The Paonta Sahib Gurdwara is only a few kilometres away.

Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pramendra Dobal said police personnel had been deployed throughout near the Kulhal border since the morning.

He thanked the members of the Sikh community who accepted the administration’s request and agreed to return to Paonta Sahib in Himachal Pradesh.

“A few people had crossed the area (the checkpoint), and one or two vehicles had proceeded along the route. We spoke to them at length, and they, too, agreed to return,” Dobal said, adding that he hoped peace, harmony, and mutual goodwill would continue.

Dehradun District Magistrate Ashish Chauhan said the situation was resolved amicably.

“Our Nihang sahibans returned to Paonta Sahib. Around 150 Nihang Sikhs already present in Paonta Sahib extended their full cooperation, bringing the situation under control,” Chauhan added. The group had reportedly set out from Mohali in Punjab.

Superintendent of Police (Rural) Pankaj Gairola had earlier said that a section of the protesters breached the barricades and moved forward, prompting efforts to keep the law and order situation under control.

The district administration and police officials, including the local SDM and tehsildar, reached the spot to hold talks, though initial discussions failed to yield a resolution.

When intercepted at the border, a confrontation broke out. Dozens of Nihangs, dressed in traditional blue attire and carrying swords, rods, and sharp-edged weapons, used physical force to break the barriers.

The protesters had earlier declared they would not return to Punjab until four Nihang members arrested in connection with a clash with locals in Karnaprayag market were released.

Thirteen people, including 12 Indians, were killed in the explosion at the Barzan local gas supply facility at Ras Laffan Industrial City, which is operated by QatarEnergy LNG.

The Indian embassy in Doha said that the bodies of eight Indian nationals who were killed in the industrial accident at Ras Laffan in Qatar have been repatriated.

The total number of mortal remains being flown back have reached 12 as bodies of four victims were repatriated a day earlier on Thursday.

“Mortal remains of 8 Indian nationals who unfortunately passed away in Ras Laffan accident have been repatriated to India on June 26. 4 out of 12 mortal remains had been repatriated on June 25,” the Indian Embassy in Doha posted on X on Friday night.

– Mortal remains of 8 Indian nationals who unfortunately passed away in Ras Laffan accident have been repatriated to India on June 26. 4 out of 12 mortal remains had been repatriated on June 25.

– Embassy of India, Doha thanks Qatari authorities, Indian community organisations… pic.twitter.com/t0cOEK9trX

— India in Qatar (@IndEmbDoha) June 26, 2026

Thirteen people, including 12 Indians, were killed in the explosion at the Barzan local gas supply facility at Ras Laffan Industrial City, which is operated by QatarEnergy LNG.

The Indian mission expressed gratitude to the Qatari authorities, Indian community organisations and government agencies in India for their prompt assistance in facilitating the repatriation process and extending support to the bereaved families.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/bodies-of-8-more-indians-killed-in-qatar-explosion-repatriated-4053991

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in New Delhi, however, had dismissed the US claim and asserted that India had not agreed to hold any such talks with Pakistan.

New Delhi: Notwithstanding the continuing war of words between New Delhi and Islamabad, some eminent Indian and Pakistani personalities recently held ‘Track-II’ dialogues, just within days after Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s ideological mentor, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, suggested that the doors of dialogue between the two nations should be kept open.

The “Track II” dialogue was held without any official involvement of the governments of India and Pakistan, although both were aware of the talks.

A source in New Delhi said that the recent ‘Track II’ dialogue between some Indian and Pakistani eminent personalities in Colombo had followed similar talks in Bangkok.

There had been two rounds of similar dialogue over the past few months, too, the source said, adding that some strategic affairs analysts, former diplomats and retired military officials of the two nations had taken part in the unofficial process.

Soon after the four-day cross-border military flare-up between the two South Asian neighbours had ended with a ceasefire on May 10, 2025, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio had claimed that India and Pakistan, in addition to the truce, had agreed to hold talks on “a broad set of issues” at “a neutral venue”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in New Delhi, however, had dismissed the US claim and asserted that India had not agreed to hold any such talks with Pakistan.

New Delhi had then also refuted US President Donald Trump’s claims about brokering the ceasefire between India and Pakistan.

Bhagwat, the RSS sarsanghchalak, and the organisation’s general secretary, Dattatreya Hosabale, recently argued that India should keep open the doors of dialogue with Pakistan. The RSS leaders underlined the need for continuing people-to-people contact.

Another source in New Delhi, however, said that while the Track II dialogues might continue, they were unlikely to lead to any official talks between India and Pakistan in the near future.

The Track-II dialogues took place even as Pakistan, of late, raised the pitch of its campaign against India’s decision to keep the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance as a response to the terrorist attacks in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

New Delhi and Islamabad also continued the war of words over Pakistan’s export of cross-border terrorism to India, and the situation in J&K. New Delhi also hit out at Islamabad for the atrocities on the protestors in J&K areas under illegal occupation of Pakistan.

The terrorists from Pakistan had killed 26 people – mostly tourists – at Baisaran Meadow near Pahalgam, J&K, in India on April 22, 2025. India had responded by launching Operation Sindoor and carrying out precision strikes on terrorist infrastructures in areas under the control of Pakistan in the wee hours of May 7, 2025. As the tension between the two neighbours had escalated, not only Washington, D.C., but Moscow and Beijing, too, had called for direct talks between India and Pakistan.

The BJP-led government, however, ruled out the possibility of the resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan.

New Delhi had once held regular dialogue with Islamabad on eight issues – peace and security, including Confidence Building Measures (CBMs); Jammu and Kashmir (J&K); Siachen; Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Project; Sir Creek; Economic and Commercial Cooperation; Terrorism and Drug Trafficking; and Promotion of Friendly Exchanges in various fields.

The process had been suspended after 10 Lashkar-e-Tayyiba terrorists from Pakistan had sneaked into India and carried out the November 26-28, 2008, terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/war-of-words-in-public-goes-on-but-india-pakistan-hold-non-official-talks-in-third-countries-4052427#google_vignette

Until a comprehensive National Register of Citizens is officially enacted across India, proving citizenship requires presenting a robust combination of legacy documents

The Ministry of External Affairs’s assertion that an Indian passport is not a definitive document of citizenship has reignited a long-standing national debate. This position is supported by legal precedent; in 2003, the Bombay High Court ruled that a passport standalone does not constitute proof of citizenship. The government is currently citing this landmark ruling to demonstrate that the MEA’s stance reflects established legal consensus rather than a shift in policy.

This raises a fundamental question: What exactly has been the government’s policy for recognising a resident as an Indian citizen?

The Genesis of the National Register of Citizens

The challenge of defining and documenting Indian citizenship first arose immediately after Independence. In 1951, following the country’s first official census, the National Register of Citizens (NRC) was compiled. This served as the first formal record of Indian citizens in a newly divided nation.

While the 1951 NRC gradually lost its operational relevance across the rest of India, it became a critical historical repository of “legacy data” for Assam. The massive refugee crisis accompanying the creation of Bangladesh in 1971 necessitated an official, legally binding mechanism to identify genuine Indian citizens in the region. Decades later, individuals who could trace their ancestral lineage directly back to the 1951 pan-India NRC were automatically registered in the Supreme Court-monitored Assam NRC published in 2018.

By the turn of the millennium, a wide array of documents—including PAN cards, Voter ID cards, Ration cards, school-leaving certificates, and local domicile certificates—were routinely used by residents to access state welfare benefits. However, rising concerns over illegal migration introduced a critical complication: did the possession of these everyday administrative documents automatically make a resident an Indian citizen?

The 2003 Push for a National Register

The next major attempt to establish a definitive, pan-India record of citizenship occurred under the Vajpayee administration in 2003. The government introduced sweeping amendments to the Citizenship Act of 1955. For the first time, these changes codified that children born within India to illegal immigrants would not be entitled to automatic Indian citizenship.

Furthermore, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act of 2003 made it a statutory obligation for the central government to revise the 1951 framework and maintain an updated, nationwide National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC).

The Aadhaar System versus the National Population Register

During the UPA era, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) introduced Aadhaar as a biometric-based unique identity card for all residents. Although explicitly designed as an identity and residency marker based on submitted demographic and biometric data, Aadhaar rapidly became the foundational document in public perception. It became mandatory for banking transactions, welfare schemes, academic admissions, and mobile connections, leading many citizens to view it as definitive proof of nationality.

Simultaneously, then Home Minister P. Chidambaram proposed a comprehensive, door-to-door enumeration process to create a National Population Register (NPR), intended to serve as the baseline for an eventual nationwide NRC. Official guidelines made registration under the NPR compulsory for all residents under Section 14A of the amended Citizenship Act. The framework conceptualised the NPR as a comprehensive database of all residents, while the NRIC would exist as a verified subset containing only authenticated Indian citizens. Under this plan, a formal citizenship certificate issued after NRIC verification would have served as the ultimate proof of nationality.

Political Friction and the Current Status of Proof

The current administration’s efforts to amend the Citizenship Act and implement a synchronised nationwide NRC during its second term triggered widespread protests, leading to a temporary shelving of the pan-India register. Notably, the issue of illegal immigration continues to bring the NRC back to the centre of political and legal discourse.

According to a Ministry of Home Affairs clarification provided in the Lok Sabha on 4 February 2020, Indian citizenship can legally be acquired through four distinct routes: birth, descent, registration, or naturalisation. Consequently, a birth certificate stands out as the most significant individual document to establish citizenship. However, because descent remains a primary legal criterion, citizens may still need to produce the birth certificates or ancestral records of parents and grandparents to establish an uncompromised chain of lineage until a formal national register is finalised.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/if-passports-dont-prove-citizenship-what-does-the-long-road-to-indias-nrc-debate-10173415.html

He completed the journey of visiting every country on Earth in just 6 years, 6 months and 22 days.

Benny Prasad, a Bengaluru-born musician, has gone viral after showing off the travel record of a lifetime. He claimed that he has visited 245 countries and territories, with 16 Indian passports stuffed full of stamps and visas to prove it. In an Instagram video, he can be seen flipping through his collection of passports. Pages are yellowed with age and densely packed with entry stamps, visas, and seals from six continents, including Antarctica.

“I’m from India, and I’ve been to every country in the shortest time… 245 nations, including Antarctica, both sovereign and dependent, in six years, six months, and 22 days,” he says in the clip.

In the video, shared by MTP – Most Traveled People, Prasad opened up about the challenges of navigating visa requirements and other paperwork.

“Musician and world traveler Benny Prasad @bennyprasad became the fastest person to visit every country on Earth, completing the journey in just 6 years, 6 months and 22 days,” the caption of the video read.

“While performing around the globe he filled 16 passports with visas and stamps.”

“For many travelers, planning a trip means just booking a flight. For others it requires a lot more work. And Benny knows that better than anyone else.”

Social media reaction

The stack of 16 passports has caught attention online as users wonder how much paperwork, waiting, and border-hopping it must have taken for him to chase a record like this. “Gosh, I shudder to think of all the paperwork it would’ve taken!” one user wrote in the comment section.

“Finally, Travel Legend from India wow respect,” another user added.

“He’s absolutely awesome and even without visa restrictions, his achievement seems very difficult for me,’ a third user.

Who is Benny Prasad?

He is a guitarist and globetrotter. His official website mentions the difficulties and challenges he faced in his life. He was born on August 6, 1975, in Bengaluru, and his birth was celebrated with the highest hopes for his future as he was the first of his generation in the family.

“But his was not a promising start – He suffered from severe asthma, which required him to take cortisone steroids from which he developed rheumatoid arthritis, 60% lung damage and an immune system regularly failing him, which threatens his life even to this day,” the official website mentions.

His parents expected him to excel in his studies and tried to drill mathematics and science into him. But all the efforts went in vain. He became depressed and even tried to harm himself at the age of 16.

His life transformed when he eventually inclined towards music. “Today, through his music, Benny brings the Hope In God to thousands of people, travelling to 40 – 50 countries every year,” the website states.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/feature/meet-benny-prasad-bengaluru-born-musician-who-visited-every-country-in-the-world-11687200?pfrom=home-ndtv_topstories

Mahesh Dixit brings with him decades of experience in intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism operations and national security management.

The Centre has appointed senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Mahesh Dixit as the next Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), placing one of the country’s most experienced intelligence professionals at the helm of India’s premier internal security agency.

Dixit, a 1993-batch IPS officer of the Telangana cadre, will succeed outgoing IB Director Tapan Kumar Deka and will serve a two-year term from the date he assumes charge.

According to the appointment order approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), Dixit, who is currently serving as Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau, has been granted an extension in service to take over the top post.

Dixit brings with him decades of experience in intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism operations and national security management. He is widely regarded within security circles as one of the key architects behind several sensitive intelligence operations undertaken by the government in recent years.

Among the most significant chapters of his career was his involvement in the lead-up to the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019. Sources familiar with the developments said Dixit played an important role in assessing the security implications of the historic move and helped formulate strategies to maintain law and order during the transition period.

Following the reorganisation of the former state into the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Dixit was entrusted with critical intelligence responsibilities in the region. Officials credit him with helping restore public confidence during a politically sensitive phase while ensuring that security challenges posed by terrorism and separatist elements were effectively addressed.

During his tenure overseeing key intelligence responsibilities in Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar successfully hosted the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting in 2023, an event that drew significant international attention and participation. The smooth conduct of the summit was viewed as a major milestone in showcasing the region’s improving security environment. During the same period, several foreign diplomatic delegations visited Kashmir, reflecting growing international engagement with the region. Officials familiar with the developments said Dixit played an important role in providing accurate assessments of ground realities and evolving conditions, helping facilitate greater diplomatic outreach and confidence in the changing situation on the ground.

Beyond Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Dixit has been closely associated with efforts to counter misinformation and propaganda campaigns targeting India, both from domestic and foreign sources. Intelligence and security experts view his experience in handling emerging information warfare challenges as particularly relevant at a time when national security threats increasingly extend into the digital domain.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mahesh-dixit-1993-batch-telangana-officer-named-intelligence-bureau-chief-11688328?pfrom=home-ndtv_topstories

Six of the eight accused are temple employees responsible for counting cash. All six were caught embezzling money on CCTV cameras.

Eight persons have been taken into custody and a police case lodged following allegations of theft of offerings at the Ayodhya Ram temple. The First Information Report mentions eight accused, six of whom are temple employees responsible for counting cash. All eight were caught embezzling money on CCTV cameras, sources said. The list includes Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Ramshankar Mishra, Ramashankar Yadav, Manish Yadav, Subhash Chandra Srivastava and Karunesh Pandey.

The First Information Report was lodged earlier this evening following a complaint filed by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Reports say nearly Rs 7 to 7.5 crore is missing.

How The Issue Unfolded

The issue of siphoning of donations was flagged first by the Samajwadi Party. Among allegations from other leaders, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav had claimed that crores of rupees from donations are going missing and demanded judicial intervention, pointing to the silence of the Trust and the government.

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had initially asked the government to order an investigation to establish the facts and dispel what it described as rumours on social media “to tarnish the image of the Ram temple and hurt the faith of millions of devotees”.

The government subsequently ordered an inquiry by a Special Information Team, comprising Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General of Police Kiran S and Finance Department Special Secretary Neel Ratan. The team submitted a preliminary report to the government on Tuesday. Reports suggest that the document contains strong recommendations.

Nripendra Mishra, the retired IAS officer who heads the Temple Construction Committee, had said the allegations of theft of donation money had left Prime Minister Narendra Modi worried.

Leaders of the BJP had responded with concern and dismay.

Prominent leader of Ram Janmabhoomi movement and former BJP MP Vinay Katiyar had said the allegation of irregularities in the temple donation fund was very serious.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/case-filed-over-ram-temple-donation-theft-two-arrested-11687549?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

Siya Goyal’s parents said that if their daughter is found guilty, then she should be pushed from the same place where Ketan was thrown from.

If she is found guilty, push her from the same spot from where Ketan Agarwal fell to death, Siya Goyal’s parents have said. Siya is accused of killing her fiance, Ketan Agarwal, along with her alleged lover Chetan Babulal Chaudhary in Pune.

Siya and Chetan pushed 26-year-old Ketan Agarwal from Lohagad Fort in Maharashtra’s Sahyadri range, causing him to fall to his death, the police said. The incident was initially reported as an accidental fall during a trek.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Pooja Goyal said that her daughter Siya never expressed any dissatisfaction regarding her marriage with Ketan. The two were set to get married in November at a palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan.

Pooja said she is in more pain than Ketan’s family as his death has disrupted not just one family, but two. She further called for the harshest punishment for the accused, even if it is her daughter.

“If my daughter is found guilty, then she should be thrown from the same place where Ketan was thrown from,” said Pooja.

Siya’s father, Praveen Goyal, expressed similar views.

“From the fort where Ketan fell, the accused, even if it is my own daughter, should be pushed down,” Praveen Goyal said.

Ketan Was Our Son Too: Siya’s Father

Reacting to the “tragic” incident, Praveen Goyal said he is finding it “hard to believe,” adding that he had grown attached to Ketan and considered him a son.

“They’ve lost their son, and their son was ours, too. We loved him so much. I had grown so attached to him that it felt like he was our own son. We lost such a loving, promising, good boy today. We are deeply saddened by that,” said Praveen Goyal.

Parents Claim They Didn’t Know About Chetan

“We did not know anything about Chetan. Ever since the engagement, she only spoke to Ketan,” said Siya’s mother.

Calling Siya a “simple girl”, her father too claimed that he had no knowledge about his daughter’s love affair.

“Siya was a simple girl. She is 19 years old. Would a 19-year-old girl do such a thing? I don’t know anything about him. Where did Chetan come from? I’ve never seen his face, nor have I ever spoken to him in my life. He has never been to our house,” he said.

Siya Was Happy With Ketan: Parents

Talking about Siya and Ketan’s relationship, Pooja said the family had high hopes.

“There were so many expectations, so much affection. Ketan’s family also treated Siya with great affection and love. All the functions were going well. They had also organised many programs for her birthday celebration. If we felt that Siya was having some problem or could not talk to Ketan, then they would discuss it with us… Siya never expressed any displeasure about this marriage,” Pooja said.

Praveen Goyal opines that the Agarwals are “good, cultured people” and the two families have known each other for years. With Ketan’s death, he lost both a son and a cherished family connection.

“Ketan was such a good person. We had renovation work going on at home and Ketan would say, “Papa ji, if there is any work at home – whether it’s plumbing, marble work, or furniture – just let me know. If measurements need to be taken or materials are required, tell me, I’ll handle it.” He was never one to say no,” Praveen Goyal said.

Praveen claimed that his daughter was equally loved by Ketan’s parents.

Ketan Didn’t Want To Call Off The Wedding: What Siya Told Cops

The police on Wednesday questioned the two accused – Siya and Chetan – by making them sit together, facing each other.

According to the sources, Siya did not want to marry Ketan, and she allegedly conveyed her unwillingness to her fiance. But Ketan was not ready to call off the wedding, Siya claimed during interrogation.

In her confession, Siya claimed that Ketan told her that his family was influential and wealthy, and that she would not be able to escape the marriage even if she tried to run away.

Siya’s claims, however, remain subject to judicial scrutiny and the ongoing legal process.

Siya Tried To Kill Ketan In The Past

Siya had made several attempts to bring Ketan to Lohagad Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site situated about 3,300 feet above sea level. The couple first visited the fort on May 31. Four days later, on June 4, Siya pressed for another visit, but Ketan’s mother did not permit it. On June 14, she persuaded him to go again. During that visit, police say she allegedly tried to push him off a cliff.

Ketan managed to hold on to a bush. When he asked why she had pushed him, Siya claimed there had been a snake and that she had acted to protect him.

Ketan was killed on June 18.

Siya’s mother also claimed that her daughter did not want to go for a trek. It was Ketan’s idea and his mother convinced Siya to go for it.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/siya-goyal-ketan-agarwal-chetan-chaudhary-pune-fort-murder-push-her-from-same-fort-if-guilty-pune-murder-accused-siya-goyals-parents-11689198?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

The ED has attached two Zurich International Life insurance policies linked to Shrikant Bhasi in the AOPL case. The move follows findings that the policies were funded through connected overseas entities and were being readied for surrender.

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Bhopal Zonal Office, has provisionally attached two Investment Linked Life Insurance Policies maintained with Zurich International Life Ltd having an aggregate surrender value of Rs. 3.66 crore under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The attachment is part of the agency’s ongoing investigation against M/s Advantage Overseas Pvt. Ltd. (AOPL) and its promoter, Shrikant Bhasi.

The ED initiated its investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), BSFB, New Delhi, against M/s Advantage Overseas Pvt Ltd., its directors and unknown public servants for allegedly causing a wrongful loss of Rs. 1,266.63 crore to the State Bank of India through fraudulent merchanting trade transactions.

According to the ED, its investigation under the PMLA revealed that AOPL and its promoters fraudulently availed banking facilities by carrying out sham merchanting trade transactions, circular trading, fabrication of trade documents and diversion of bank funds to various domestic and overseas entities.

The agency said the Proceeds of Crime were layered through several companies controlled by Shrikant Bhasi and invested in various movable and immovable assets in India and abroad.

During the investigation, the ED identified two Investment Linked Life Insurance Policies maintained with Zurich International Life Ltd. in the name of Shrikant Bhasi. The investigation revealed that the policies were acquired and maintained during the period surrounding the commission of the scheduled offence and were funded through overseas accounts and entities connected with Bhasi.

The ED further found that in April 2026, Shrikant Bhasi sought to surrender both insurance policies and requested that the surrender proceeds be remitted to his bank account in India.

Considering the likelihood of dissipation of the Proceeds of Crime, the ED provisionally attached the two insurance policies having an aggregate surrender value of approximately Rs. 3.66 crore under Section 5(1) of the PMLA, 2002.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ed-attaches-zurich-life-policies-shrikant-bhasi-aopl-case-2934479-2026-06-25

The Delhi government has begun proceedings against Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, after an inquiry flagged patient care lapses and other alleged violations. The case has sharpened scrutiny of emergency treatment protocols, safety compliance and accountability at private hospitals.

The Delhi government will initiate action against Fortis Hospital in Shalimar Bagh after a district administration inquiry found multiple alleged irregularities, including lapses in patient care, according to an official statement issued on Thursday.

The probe was ordered by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta after a complaint was received during a Jan Sunwai. The complaint alleged that the hospital demanded payment before starting treatment of a young man with stab injuries and that the delay in providing timely medical care led to his death.

According to the statement, an inspection team led by the Central District Magistrate, along with officials from the Health Department, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the Delhi Fire Service and other departments, inspected the hospital on Thursday. The team examined CCTV footage and records maintained by the emergency department.

The statement said the footage showed that the injured young man had walked into the emergency department on his own, suggesting that timely treatment could have saved his life. It also said the inspection found alleged violations of building by-laws, unauthorised construction, deficiencies in the fire safety system, misuse of the basement and serious lapses in following standard operating procedures related to medical protocols.

Fortis Hospital said it would fully cooperate in the matter. “Fortis remains committed to the highest standards of patient care, clinical excellence, and regulatory compliance. We will review the details once formally shared with us and extend our full cooperation to the authorities. Patient safety and well-being continue to be our foremost priority,” the hospital said.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/fortis-hospital-shalimar-bagh-delhi-action-patient-care-lapses-irregularities-ptag-2934497-2026-06-26

The accident took place around midnight in Ramgarh district. According to police, the impact of the crash was so severe that the victims were killed on the spot.

Seven people were killed, and one person was seriously injured after a vehicle collided with a truck in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh district, police said on Friday.

The accident took place around midnight on the Ramgarh-Bokaro road.

According to police, the impact of the crash was so severe that the victims were killed on the spot.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jharkhand-ramgarh-vehicle-truck-collision-casualties-injured-2934547-2026-06-26

Bhagwant Mann defended himself with a “mask theory” at a press conference, but the video he presented was different from the one that triggered the Akal Takht’s action and the wider sacrilege row, prompting fresh attacks from the opposition.

As Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday defended himself by claiming that an impostor wearing a mask of his face had been used to make a fake video to defame him, the opposition raised a key question: the video shown by Mann at his press conference was not the same video that is at the centre of the controversy.

During the press conference, Mann played a video on a screen showing a man whom he claimed was an impostor wearing a mask resembling his face.

The Chief Minister pointed to certain marks near the man’s ears, claiming they indicated that he was wearing a mask.

Mann alleged that the video had been shot in a hotel in Canada using the mask. He also showed a clip of Canada-based Jagman Samra holding what he claimed was a mask of Mann’s face.

According to the Chief Minister, such masks were being used to create fake videos to defame him on a religious front. He further claimed that Jagman Samra had also made a similar mask of AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal.

However, the video shown by Mann on Thursday was not the one at the centre of the controversy.

The controversy stems from another video that had gone viral, in which a man was allegedly seen sprinkling liquor on photographs of Sikh Gurus. Canada-based Jagman Samra had alleged that the person in the video was Bhagwant Mann, triggering a major political and religious controversy in Punjab.

As the controversy intensified, the Akal Takht Sahib took cognisance of the video and summoned Mann to the Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat on January 15.

During his appearance before the Akal Takht Jathedar, Mann reportedly said that the video was AI-generated.

However, on June 15, the Akal Takht Sahib released a forensic report stating that the video was not AI-generated but was original.

Following the report, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj directed the Sikh community to boycott Bhagwant Mann.

Amid mounting criticism over both the video and the Akal Takht’s directive, the Punjab government obtained a forensic report from Gurugram, which claimed that the man seen in the video was not Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Soon afterwards, Haryana Police arrested two persons after an complaint by Jaspreet Singh claimed that two Punjab Police officials had paid Rs 10 lakh to forensic experts to obtain a fabricated report.

Initially, Mann termed the Haryana Police action as politically motivated and blamed the BJP. On Thursday, however, he presented the “mask theory”, claiming that fake videos had been created using a mask resembling his face.

The opposition, however, pointed out that the video shown by Mann was different from the one on which the Akal Takht had acted.

Reacting to Mann’s claims, senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia said, “CM Mann is coming out with a different theory every day. Today he is talking about a mask. But the big thing is that the video he is showing is not the one in question. The video in question is the one in which liquor is allegedly being sprinkled on the photographs of the Gurus. CM Mann is lying every day.”

Majithia further questioned why the alleged mask theory did not feature in the forensic report obtained by the Punjab government from Gurugram if Mann’s claim was correct.

Canada-based Jagman Samra also rejected Mann’s claims. In a video message, he said, “CM Mann must prove the mask theory he is talking about today. Bring someone who can say they were asked to wear a mask of the CM. Can anyone show a bill for the mask? A lot of things will be said now, so not much heed should be paid. If there was a mask, then why was Rs 10 lakh allegedly paid to obtain a forensic report?”

Congress MLA Sukhpal Khaira also questioned the Chief Minister’s claims, saying, “The CM has raised more questions by holding this press conference. Why is there no mention of the mask theory in the forensic report obtained by the Punjab government?”

The two videos are also visibly different.

The video at the centre of the controversy shows a man inside a room with photographs of Sikh Gurus on the wall. The man is seen allegedly sprinkling liquor on the photographs while a television is visible in the room.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bhagwant-mann-mask-theory-opposition-says-press-conference-video-differs-from-viral-row-clip-2934553-2026-06-26

Twelve bonded labourers were rescued from a factory in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar, where they were allegedly held captive, beaten and forced to work without pay for nearly two years.

A joint team comprising the Labour Department, police and district administration conducted a raid on a utensil-manufacturing factory in Muzaffarnagar on Monday and rescued 12 bonded labourers who had allegedly been held captive and subjected to severe abuse.

According to officials, impoverished workers from Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and even Nepal were allegedly lured to the factory with promises of employment and wages. However, once they arrived, their mobile phones and Aadhaar cards were confiscated, they were denied proper food and water, and were allegedly forced to work under brutal conditions without pay.

Authorities also revealed that two pit bull dogs were kept at the facility to prevent workers from escaping. The rescued labourers claimed they lived in constant fear of the animals and were regularly beaten if they failed to meet work demands.

Police are investigating reports that several workers may have died during the nearly two years they were allegedly held captive. Two suspects, identified as Shivam Tyagi and Pradeep Balyan, have been arrested. Officers recovered sticks, belts and other objects allegedly used to assault the labourers.

Officials stressed the document’s primary purpose is to enable international travel and establish identity abroad.

Amid growing public confusion over the use of passports as proof of citizenship and eligibility for government benefits, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that an Indian passport is strictly a travel document and should not be treated as conclusive proof of citizenship.

The clarification came during a detailed briefing on India’s rapidly expanding passport and mobility ecosystem, which highlighted major reforms aimed at making passports more accessible, secure and globally accepted while facilitating overseas employment and international travel for millions of Indians.

Officials stressed that while passports are issued to Indian citizens, the document’s primary purpose is to enable international travel and establish identity abroad. Questions have earlier been raised about other documents as proof of citizenship, including Aadhaar and Voter ID cards.

The government also showcased significant improvements in passport services, with processing times now reduced to as little as five working days in many cases. According to officials, applicants are spending less than 45 minutes at Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs), reflecting the impact of technology-driven reforms and streamlined procedures.

A major milestone highlighted during the briefing was the nationwide rollout of chip-enabled e-passports. Since May last year, all newly issued Indian passports have been embedded with secure electronic chips containing biometric information and security features compliant with standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The move is expected to strengthen document security, reduce fraud and improve acceptance at international border checkpoints.

India’s passport service network has also witnessed dramatic growth. From a limited footprint a decade ago, the network now comprises 545 passport service centres across the country, representing a six-fold expansion. The government plans to open 20 additional Passport Seva Kendras this year, with the objective of ensuring that at least one passport facility is available in every Lok Sabha constituency by 2027.

Officials noted that the passport network now covers nearly every parliamentary constituency, with only around 30 districts yet to receive a dedicated centre. Special mobile passport teams have also been deployed to remote and difficult-to-access regions, while dedicated outreach camps conducted last year helped issue passports to nearly 300,000 people in underserved areas.

Despite these gains, passport penetration remains relatively low. Only about 10 per cent of India’s population currently possesses a passport. The government said expanding access to travel documents remains a priority as international mobility becomes increasingly important for education, employment and business opportunities.

The MEA also highlighted India’s growing global mobility partnerships. The country has signed 27 mobility agreements with 25 nations, including major destinations such as the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia and several Gulf countries. These arrangements are designed to facilitate smoother movement for students, apprentices, researchers, professionals and business travellers.

Visa access for Indian passport holders has improved steadily, with 27 countries currently offering visa-free entry. An additional 47 countries provide visas on arrival, while 66 nations extend e-visa facilities to Indian travellers.

On overseas employment, officials said the upgraded eMigrate 2.0 platform has significantly improved the emigration clearance process. Since its launch in October 2022, nearly 700,000 Indian workers have obtained emigration clearance through the portal. Randomised processing systems introduced in 17 passport offices have further enhanced transparency and reduced delays.

The government is also focusing on worker welfare. Pre-departure orientation programmes now provide country-specific cultural training and job-related skills to workers heading overseas.

Next week, India will host a major Human Resource Mobility Forum involving Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and Denmark to connect skilled Indian workers with ethical employers abroad.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/passport-travel-document-not-proof-of-citizenship-centre-11682989?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

Ketan Agarwal fell to his death in a gorge at the Lohagad Fort while trekking with Siya. Initially, it was declared an accidental death. Police probe, however, revealed a sinister plan.

Ketan Agarwal had no inkling of his fiancee Siya Goyal’s alleged affair with Chetan Chaudhary, but had felt something amiss because her phone would remain busy for hours, Vishal Agarwal, his father, told NDTV. The businessman added that his family would have called off the wedding had Siya indicated she was in a relationship with another man.

Siya and Ketan, daughter and son of wealthy businessmen in Maharashtra, were engaged in February. Both families were planning a grand wedding in November. On June 18, however, Ketan fell to his death in a gorge at the Lohagad Fort in Pune while trekking with Siya.

Initially, it was declared an accidental death. But Ketan’s sister’s suspicion led to a police investigation, which revealed that Chaudhary and Siya had pushed him.

According to the police, Siya and Chaudhary were in a relationship.

Ketan’s father, however, said that the woman never laid bare her intentions.

“We didn’t know that she wasn’t happy. Every other day, Ketan and Siya would go to dinners. She used to call him, my daughter and my wife…Siya never told my son about her affair. He, however, once told me that Siya’s phone would remain in waiting mode… her phone always used to remain busy,” he said.

He said that when Ketan confronted her about her phone being busy, she said she had been talking to her friends.

‘We Would Have Cancelled The Wedding’

The businessman said that if Siya had anonymously sent her photo with her boyfriend to Ketan’s family on WhatsApp, they would have cancelled the marriage.

“If she had an affair with someone, she could have told anyone about it. She could have sent her and the man’s photos to us on WhatsApp…We would have called off the wedding. We hadn’t forced her to get married to Ketan,” he said.

He suspects that Siya’s parents and her aunt knew about the affair and pressured Siya to get married to Ketan.

“Maybe they had some planning that we don’t know as of yet. The police will find this in the investigation. We don’t know why they did this,” he added.

Siya had initially succeeded in passing the crime off as an accident. However, her behaviour after her fiance’s death evoked suspicion.

The businessman said his daughter, Sanjana, asked several general questions to Siya, but she had no answers.

“Sanjana didn’t have suspicion before. But after Ketan’s death, she was suspicious about Siya’s role. Because it was unlike him to stop on the edge of the cliff… When the police brought the body out of the gorge, Sanjana asked several questions to Siya, but she couldn’t answer any of the queries. The questions were general — how did this happen, when did this happen, why did he go to the edge? She had no answer,” he said.

Re-NEET 2026: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan briefed the cabinet on successful completion of the NEET re-examination.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday applauded the successful conduct of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Undergraduate (NEET UG) re-examination, saying the exercise demonstrated a “whole-of-government” approach and praising ministers and officials for their collective effort.

Speaking at the Cabinet meeting, the prime minister described the re-exam as having been organised “smoothly and with integrity,” according to sources. He commended all ministers involved for their roles in planning and execution and urged that the same coordinated model be adopted for similar occasions in the future.

If everyone works together, any challenge can be overcome, the prime minister told the cabinet. The NEET UG 2026 re-exam was conducted on June 21 for more than 20 lakh candidates across 5,440 centres in India and 14 centres abroad.

Also present in the meeting, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan briefed the cabinet on successful completion of the NEET re-examination. Pradhan explained the ministers on the ground-level details of the re-exam, outlining the responsibilities undertaken by multiple ministries, state governments and departments. Pradhan highlighted the fact how all the state governments and different ministries came together for a shared and coordinated effort.

In an exclusive interview with NDTV on Tuesday, Pradhan congratulated all aspirants, their parents, and all those involved in the successful conduct of the retest. He said that the National Testing Agency organised the NEET re-exam in just 38 days, which generally takes around six months of preparation.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/education/re-neet-2026-whole-of-government-approach-prime-minister-lauds-successful-conduct-of-neet-re-exam-11681528?pfrom=home-ndtv_lateststories

A drunken man climbed an 11,000-volt electricity pole and lay on overhead wires in Uttar Pradesh’s Maharajganj district, triggering panic among villagers. Officials suspended power supply and safely rescued him after hours of persuasion, with police confirming he was intoxicated.

A drunken man’s bizarre stunt atop an 11,000-volt electricity pole triggered panic in Uttar Pradesh’s Maharajganj district on Tuesday evening, with villagers fearing a fatal accident.

The man, Deen Dayal, climbed a high-voltage electricity pole in Parsa Khurd village and stretched himself across the overhead power lines. As news of the incident spread, residents rushed to the spot, and a large crowd gathered below, anxiously watching him remain perched above.

According to locals, a stroke of luck prevented a tragedy. Power supply to the line had reportedly been cut just minutes before Deen Dayal climbed the pole. Villagers said the stunt could have turned fatal if electricity had been flowing through the line.

As the man refused to come down, police and electricity department officials launched a coordinated effort to avert any mishap. Bhitauli police immediately contacted the power department and ensured that electricity supply to the line remained suspended during the rescue operation.

For several hours, villagers, police personnel and officials appealed to Deen Dayal to climb down. Their efforts eventually succeeded, and he descended safely from the pole, drawing relief from the crowd gathered at the scene.

Bhitauli Station House Officer Satyendra Kumar Rai said the man was under the influence of alcohol when he climbed the electricity pole.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/up-maharajganj-drunk-man-climbs-11000-volt-electricity-pole-lies-on-wires-rescued-2933576-2026-06-24

A Brazilian psychic’s bizarre prediction of an alien invasion during the FIFA World Cup 2026 match between Brazil and Scotland in Miami has gone viral online. Vo Bahiana, who has over 23 million followers, claims recurring dreams showed UFOs abducting players and fans from Hard Rock Stadium. Despite widespread attention on social media, there is no evidence supporting her extraordinary claims.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 encounter between Brazil and Scotland is expected to play a crucial role in the race for qualification to the knockout stages. However, ahead of the much-anticipated fixture at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, attention has unexpectedly shifted away from football after a viral prediction by a Brazilian psychic claimed that aliens could invade the match.

Vo Bahiana, a social media personality and self-described psychic with more than 23 million followers, has attracted global attention after sharing an emotional video in which she described dreams of UFOs appearing above the stadium and abducting players and fans.

“I have to tell you that I dreamed again about aliens invading the soccer field in Miami. And I clearly saw the players being carried off by the first ship that arrived,” Bahiana said while fighting back tears in the video.

A Brazilian psychic has made a wild prediction, claiming that aliens will invade the World Cup and abduct hundreds of fans live during a match. pic.twitter.com/vA01xs6WNq

— ProfNet Media (@ProfNetMedia) June 24, 2026

According to her account, a spacecraft would hover above the stadium before extraterrestrial beings emerge and abduct players and fans. She further claimed that a larger “mothership” would arrive afterwards, taking thousands of people from the venue.

“I saw so much screaming, so much crying, so many tears, suffering,” she said. “They are saying that on the 24th, something very bad is about to happen at this game, at this soccer field in Miami.”

Bahiana, who has built a substantial online following through predictions related to natural disasters, celebrity deaths and political events, alleged that the extraterrestrials would use giant mechanical-arm-like devices to remove people from the stadium.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/aliens-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-psychic-makes-viral-claim-of-ufo-invasion-during-brazil-vs-scotland-match-video

After two days of ministerial-level talks , Goyal appreciated US trade representative Greer’s leadership and the sustained efforts of both negotiating teams.

Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal and US trade representative Jamieson Greer on Wednesday concluded “multiple rounds” of discussions on an interim trade deal , and made “substantial progress” the commerce ministry said in a statement , although it did not elaborate on the resolution of outstanding issues such a valid tariff architecture.

After two days of ministerial-level talks , Goyal appreciated Greer’s leadership and the sustained efforts of both negotiating teams in advancing discussions in a “constructive and forward-looking” manner. “Concluded a series of meetings with @USTradeRep Ambassador Jamieson Greer and his delegation this morning. We reviewed progress of the ongoing India–U.S. trade discussions and explored avenues to further deepen our economic partnership,” Goyal said in a post on X.

The two ministers noted “substantial progress” made by negotiating teams in recent months, the commerce ministry statement said. “Discussions focused on pathways to conclude an interim agreement as an important milestone toward a comprehensive BTA [bilateral trade agreement],” it added.

An interim-deal is a precursor to a comprehensive BTA. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump in a joint statement on February 13, 2025, envisaged wide-ranging strategic and economic cooperation, including a BTA aimed at more than doubling total bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, a goal since branded “Mission 500.”

While the ministry’s spokespersons did not provide latest status of outstanding issues, people familiar with the discussions said on condition of anonymity that the only outstanding issue for an interim BTA is determination of a valid tariff architecture for Indian goods in the American market as all other issues have been already settled in the framework jointly released on February 7.

“We know that India has a long history of agriculture of manufacturing, but we also know that they’re moving forward in technology. They want to move forward in AI. They want to cooperate and collaborate with the United States on the technologies of the future and trade of the future. And that’s some of the exciting opportunities that we’ll have between the United States and India is to capitalize on that,” Greer said in a video statement released by the US embassy in New Delhi.

“President Trump and Prime Minister Modi have an amazing relationship. They’ve nurtured it over many years. Just last week, they met at G7 in Evian, France and I was there and they agreed to take the relationship to the next level. This includes the trade deal that we’re working on, but it includes every aspect of the relationship and we expect the relationship to continue developing and only going to a higher and higher level with every passing week,” he added.

After the US Supreme Court on February 20 invalidated the US tariffs on imports from all countries, including India, the two partners have been renegotiating a valid tariff framework, with New Delhi keen on one that would give India an edge over its competitors like China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the people cited above added. Once the interim deal is announced, New Delhi and Washington will move to conclude a wide-ranging BTA to achieve Mission 500, they said.

The Donald Trump administration has since levied a 10% duty on Indian imports, but this expires on July 24. On June 22, at an event in Mumbai, Goyal said that while he would like to close an interim deal at the earliest, that deadline had no meaning for India. “I have said it very often, India never negotiates with a deadline,” he had said at the event.

Greer’s New Delhi visit from June 22–24, leading an official US delegation, marked “a key step” in ongoing efforts to advance “a balanced, mutually beneficial” India-US BTA and “to finalize an interim deal in line with the joint statement” of February 7, 2026, the ministry said in its statement on Wednesday.

“The two leaders [Greer and Goyal] conducted a comprehensive review of core BTA elements, including enhanced market access, digital trade, supply chain resilience, reduction of non-tariff barriers, and expanded cooperation in strategic sectors,” it said.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/recipe/craving-a-quick-but-filling-snack-chef-ranveer-brar-shares-his-recipe-for-bombay-masala-sandwich-101782305044187.html

The DGCA said interim action had been taken against the crew and the concerned air traffic controller for failing to report the incident.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has de-rostered the operating crew of an Air India flight and an air traffic controller after an aircraft briefly entered Pakistan’s Lahore airspace while attempting to land at Amritsar on June 22, officials said.

The regulator said interim action had been taken against the crew and the concerned air traffic controller for failing to report the incident.

The incident involved Air India flight AI479 from Delhi to Amritsar, operated by an Airbus A321 (VT-PPV), at around 10.10 pm on Monday. According to the DGCA, the aircraft was on approach to Amritsar when it was instructed to hold because the runway was being inspected following a bird-strike report involving an earlier flight.

What did the DGCA say?

“After the aircraft commenced approach during radar vectoring, the aircraft briefly entered the Pakistan airspace. The event was coordinated with Pakistan ATC authorities. The aircraft finally diverted back to Delhi and safely landed at Delhi,” the regulator said.

Air India confirmed the incident. “The crew operating flight AI479 from Delhi to Amritsar on 22 June had marginally infringed into the Pakistan airspace while manoeuvring a go-around at Amritsar airport. The incident has been reported to the regulatory authorities and is being investigated internally,” the airline said.

An official familiar with the matter said, “The Amritsar ATC asked the pilot to continue towards the international boundary and the aircraft crossed into Lahore airspace at around 10.08 pm by about three miles.”

What we know about the incident

According to airport officials, the incident occurred outside the hours during which approach surveillance services are available at Amritsar airport. “Before this incident, 6E 5028, after landing at Amritsar at 4.29 pm, reported a bird hit, because of which the next five arriving flights were asked to hold,” an official said. “The Air India flight from Delhi was the fourth in the queue to land,” he added.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/crew-atc-de-rostered-after-ai-flight-enters-pakistan-airspace-101782328896666.html

Pune Police detain Neeraj in Ketan Agarwal murder case, allege Siya and Chetan planned the killing at a cafe.

In the latest development in the Ketan Agarwal murder case, the Pune Police have detained Neeraj, a friend of accused Chetan, in connection with the Ketan murder case and are investigating his possible involvement. The investigators also found that Siya and Chetan allegedly planned the murder during meetings at a cafe and made multiple attempts before allegedly killing Ketan during a trek at Lohgad Hill.

Earlier, the police claimed that Siya Goyal, was under pressure from her family to go ahead with their marriage despite having reservations about it.

According to police sources quoted by ANI, investigators reached this conclusion after questioning the accused and examining digital and circumstantial evidence. A senior police official said Siya wanted more time for herself and was not mentally prepared for marriage.

Police further alleged that Siya had developed feelings for co-accused Chetan Chaudhary, but was not willing to marry him either. Investigators suspect that she intended to continue her relationship with Chaudhary while allegedly plotting Ketan’s murder.

The probe found that Siya and Chaudhary first met at a Diwali party last year and gradually grew close, police said.

Ketan, 26, died after falling into a gorge at Lohagad Fort near Pune on June 18. Initially, the incident was treated as an accidental fall after Siya informed his family that he had slipped during a trek. However, police now allege that Siya, 20, and Chaudhary, 22, pushed him into the gorge.

Investigators said CCTV footage from Lohagad Fort proved crucial in the case. The footage showed a man wearing a hooded sweatshirt following Ketan and Siya from some distance. Police later identified the man as Chaudhary and noted that he was wearing a hoodie despite temperatures being around 33 degrees Celsius.

“While investigating the case, we stumbled upon certain circumstances surrounding the incident that raised suspicion and prompted a deeper probe. We checked CCTV cameras installed at the ticket counter of the fort, where we spotted Ketan and Siya walking together,” a police officer involved in the investigation said.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/chetan-siya-plotted-ketan-agarwals-murder-over-cafe-meetings-multiple-failed-attempts-before-killing-ws-l-10171747.html

A new book claims the US president rejected official tariff data and insisted India’s duties on American goods were at least 175%.

United States President Donald Trump refused to accept his own administration’s data on Indian tariffs and lashed out at Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick for presenting figures that he believed vastly understated New Delhi’s duties on American goods, according to a new book.

Trump was convinced that India imposed tariffs of at least 175 per cent on US products, even though official figures compiled by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) showed considerably lower rates, according to Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump.

The book, written by New York Times journalists Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, offers an account of the first 14 months of Trump’s second term and draws on extensive interviews and reporting from inside his administration.

According to the authors, the confrontation occurred as Trump and his advisers were preparing the sweeping tariffs that he would unveil as part of his “Liberation Day” trade offensive in April 2025.

“Nobody has f***ing given me any numbers. Hard facts of how much China tariffs us, how much India tariffs us. You give me bulls**t numbers,” Trump is quoted as telling his officials.

Lutnick then presented the president with the tariff figures recorded by the USTR. Instead of accepting the data, Trump reportedly accused his administration of providing him with false information.

“No, these are bullshit numbers,” Trump said, according to the book, repeatedly dismissing the government’s data as “f***ing bullshit” despite Lutnick’s attempts to explain the figures.

Trump reportedly believed that India’s tariffs on American goods were at least 175 per cent and possibly even higher.

How High Were India’s Tariffs On US Goods?

Although the 175 per cent figure cited by Trump was far above the average tariff rates recorded by US authorities, Washington has long accused India of maintaining steep duties and other barriers to American exports.

A White House fact sheet issued during the subsequent India-US trade negotiations said India had some of the highest tariffs imposed on US products by any major economy.

It claimed that Indian tariffs averaged as much as 37 per cent on agricultural products and exceeded 100 per cent on certain automobiles. The Trump administration also complained about regulatory and non-tariff barriers that it said restricted American exports.

Peter Navarro, Trump’s senior trade adviser, and considered the chief architect of Trump’s tariff strategy, later described India as the “maharaja of tariffs” while defending Washington’s aggressive trade measures against New Delhi.

From ‘Liberation Day’ To 50% Tariffs

The reported clash between Trump and Lutnick took place before Trump unveiled his “Liberation Day” tariffs on April 2, 2025, as part of an attempt to impose what he called reciprocal duties on countries that maintained trade surpluses or barriers against the United States.

India was subsequently subjected to a 25 per cent US tariff.

Relations deteriorated further in August 2025, when Trump imposed an additional 25 per cent levy over India’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil. The move raised the combined tariff on several Indian exports to 50 per cent, placing India among the countries facing Washington’s steepest trade barriers.

Trump accused New Delhi of helping finance Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine through its oil purchases. India defended its imports, arguing that its energy decisions were guided by market conditions and the need to ensure affordable supplies for its population.

The tariff dispute deepened tensions already caused by Trump’s repeated claim that he had stopped a potential war between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor, an assertion New Delhi rejected.

The worsening relationship also disrupted trade negotiations, with planned visits by negotiating teams being delayed or cancelled.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/these-are-bullshit-numbers-inside-trumps-clash-with-howard-lutnick-over-india-tariffs-ws-l-10169994.html

Alka Yagnik’s Padma Bhushan appearance renewed awareness about sensorineural hearing loss, prompting fans’ support and hearing health discussions.

Veteran playback singer Alka Yagnik was conferred the prestigious Padma Bhushan by Droupadi Murmu during the investiture ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. While fans celebrated the recognition of one of India’s most beloved voices, many also expressed concern after seeing the singer’s appearance in videos from the event.

While receiving her award, the 60-year-old singer was escorted by a staff member as she looked frail. While social media was flooded with congratulatory messages, there were also heartfelt wishes for Alka’s recovery from Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL), a rare hearing disorder she revealed she was battling in 2024.

Yagnik’s diagnosis brought attention to a condition that affects millions worldwide and highlighted the importance of hearing health awareness.

#WATCH | Delhi | Eminent playback singer Alka Yagnik conferred with Padma Bhushan by President Droupadi Murmu

(Video source: Rashtrapati Bhavan) pic.twitter.com/ui2U9koEMy

— ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2026

Vishal Agarwal, father of the 26-year-old real estate director, has described how Siya pushed Ketan from the fort on June 14. When Ketan survived by grabbing a bush, Siya shouted that a snake was approaching and then hugged him.

Four days before Ketan Agarwal was pushed to his death from Maharashtra’s Lohagad Fort, his fiancee Siya Goyal made an attempt on his life at the same location, according to an account given by Ketan’s father.

Vishal Agarwal, father of the 26-year-old real estate director, has described how Siya pushed Ketan from the fort on June 14. When Ketan survived by grabbing a bush, Siya shouted that a snake was approaching and then hugged him.

“On June 14, they both went to the fort alone, and Siya pushed Ketan. After the push, Ketan grabbed a bush and escaped. Fearing the secret would be revealed, Siya shouted ‘snake, snake’,” Vishal Agarwal said.

He added that when Siya and Ketan arrived at the airport ahead of a pre-wedding trip to Bali, Ketan’s passport was missing.

“When they arrived at the airport, everyone’s passports were there, but Ketan’s passport was missing. It seemed as if it had fallen somewhere. They tried to search for it, but the passport was nowhere to be found. Therefore, they returned. After returning, on the third or fourth day, she quarrelled with him again, arguing that they had to go to Lohagad Fort,” he said.

“And then, on June 14, she went to Lohagad. They were both alone at that time. She pushed Ketan. After being pushed, Ketan slipped backwards, and escaped by grabbing hold of a bush. He then began to regain consciousness, realising that he had been pushed and that he had survived. Siya immediately shouted, ‘snake, snake’ and went and hugged him,” he added.

Ketan Agarwal, a resident of Gahunje in Pune district and director of a family-run real estate business, died on June 18 after falling nearly 400 feet into a gorge near Lohagad Fort. The fort, linked to the history of the Maratha empire founder Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is one of the 12 forts in Maharashtra listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Initially, the death was treated as an accident. Siya told Lonavala rural police that Ketan had slipped and fallen while the couple was on an outing at the hill fort amid strong winds. An accidental death report was registered. Police later examined the circumstances and found them suspicious.

On Tuesday, officers arrested Siya and her alleged lover, Chetan Babulal Chaudhary, 22, a resident of Kondhwa in Pune, on charges of murder and criminal conspiracy. Siya ran her own bakery while Chetan had a dry fruits manufacturing company. Both met through mutual business links.

Superintendent of Police Sandip Singh Gill of Pune rural said the investigation looked at multiple angles, including financial disputes and personal relationships. Police established that Siya was in a relationship with Chetan and viewed Ketan as an obstacle.

The two allegedly conspired to kill Ketan. Siya took him to Lohagad Fort under the pretext of an outing, while Chetan was called to the spot later. They then pushed him off the fort, police said. Local crime branch officers first took Chetan into custody based on suspicion. During interrogation, he reportedly disclosed the plot. Siya was arrested on the basis of that information. She and Chetan have been remanded to seven-day police custody.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/siya-goyal-ketan-agarwal-fiancees-failed-attempt-4-days-before-murder-a-snake-excuse-and-a-hug-11676614?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

Since fleeing India, Nirav Modi has faced extradition proceedings, asset seizures and multiple recovery actions by banks and enforcement agencies.

Fugitive diamond trader Nirav Modi has suffered another legal setback in the United Kingdom.

The London High Court has ruled in favour of Bank of India, holding Modi liable to pay more than $10.7 million — over Rs 100 crore at current exchange rates — in a long-running loan dispute linked to his business empire.

The judgment marks a significant victory for the state-owned lender as it continues efforts to recover dues from one of India’s most high-profile economic offenders.

What’s The Case About?

The dispute relates to a loan extended by Bank of India to Dubai-based Firestar Diamond FZE, a company linked to Nirav Modi. The bank argued that Modi had personally guaranteed the loan and was therefore responsible for repaying the outstanding amount.

Modi had contested the claim in the UK courts. In a rare move, he even appeared personally before the London court earlier this year to fight the case.

However, the High Court ultimately sided with Bank of India, concluding that the lender’s claim was valid and enforceable. The ruling means the bank can now pursue recovery of the money through legal channels available in the UK.

Another Setback In A Long Legal Battle

The verdict adds to a growing list of legal defeats for Nirav Modi in Britain.

In March this year, the London High Court rejected his attempt to reopen proceedings against his extradition to India. The court’s decision reinforced earlier rulings that cleared the way for his return to face charges in India.

Modi has remained in custody in the UK since his arrest in London in March 2019. Multiple bail applications have been rejected by British courts over the years.

The Shadow Of The PNB Scam

Nirav Modi is one of the key accused in the multi-billion-dollar Punjab National Bank fraud case that shook India’s banking sector in 2018.

Indian investigative agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate, have accused him of fraud, criminal conspiracy and money laundering. Authorities allege that the fraud involved thousands of crores of rupees and exploited banking guarantees issued by Punjab National Bank.

Since fleeing India, Modi has faced extradition proceedings, asset seizures and multiple recovery actions by banks and enforcement agencies. According to government disclosures, fugitive economic offenders collectively owe public sector banks more than Rs 58,000 crore, with recovery efforts continuing across jurisdictions.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/business-news/bank-of-india-nirav-modi-london-court-diamond-100-crore-fraud-extradition-11678871?pfrom=home-ndtv_topstories

Ahead of the arrival of large groups of Indian pilgrims, India’s Ambassador to China, Vikram Doraiswami, undertook the sacred Parikrama around Mount Kailash himself.

For thousands of devotees, seeing the sacred Mount Kailash and taking a dip in the holy waters of Lake Manasarovar is a dream that often takes years, sometimes even decades, to come true. This year, that dream is finally becoming a reality again as the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has officially resumed after a five-year suspension.

Ahead of the arrival of large groups of Indian pilgrims, India’s Ambassador to China, Vikram Doraiswami, undertook the sacred Parikrama around Mount Kailash himself. The ambassador and his team were there to inspect facilities, review preparations and ensure that everything was ready for the thousands of devotees expected to undertake one of the world’s most challenging and sacred pilgrimages.

Ambassador Vikram Doraiswami Shares Essential Information For All Pilgrims

Embassy of India Welcomes #KMY2026 Pilgrims | Video 2: Ambassador @VDoraiswami Shares Parikrama Experience & Key Travel Tips#KailashManasarovarYatra2026 #IndiaInChina @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy pic.twitter.com/W2cEQv7slR

— India in China (@EOIBeijing) June 21, 2026

After completing the Parikrama, Doraiswami shared a detailed video message from Tibet, describing the experience as a “journey of a lifetime” and offering valuable advice for pilgrims preparing to follow in his footsteps. Speaking about the overwhelming beauty of the region, he said that pilgrims are in for an unforgettable experience when they first see Mount Kailash rising above the Tibetan landscape. Calling it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, he described the mountain and lake as among the most breathtaking sights he has ever witnessed.

According to him, visitors should also expect to see large crowds this year. The timing of the yatra coincides with a special year in the traditional Tibetan and Chinese calendars, making the pilgrimage even more significant and attracting additional visitors to the region.

Officials Checked Everything Before Pilgrims Arrive

In the video posted on X by the Embassy of India in Beijing, China, Doraiswami revealed that he and his colleagues travelled across all the major entry points used by Indian pilgrims. They inspected the routes through Nathu La and Lipulekh Pass, visited hotels where pilgrims will stay, checked kitchens, reviewed room facilities and examined medical centres along the route.

The team also worked closely with Chinese authorities to ensure that transport and security arrangements were in place. Pilgrims entering through Nathu La Pass will first complete immigration and customs formalities before being transported further by specialised transit buses. The ambassador said extensive efforts have been made to make the journey as smooth and safe as possible.

While speaking enthusiastically about the experience, Doraiswami also repeatedly reminded pilgrims that Kailash Mansarovar is not an easy trip. The entire Tibet Autonomous Region sits at very high elevations. Most of the journey takes place above 3,500 metres, while the Parikrama itself climbs to nearly 5,600 metres and in some places approaches 6,000 metres above sea level. Even during his video message, the ambassador could be seen stopping occasionally to catch his breath because of the thin air.

One of the most important points highlighted by Doraiswami was the risk of high-altitude sickness. The ambassador advised pilgrims to immediately seek help if they feel unwell and to carefully follow the instructions of medical professionals stationed along the route.

What Should Pilgrims Pack?

Doraiswami strongly advised pilgrims against carrying open footwear, saying the cold temperatures and difficult terrain make proper shoes essential. Waterproof trekking shoes are highly recommended, as weather conditions can change rapidly.

He also urged travellers to dress in layers. Temperatures can fluctuate significantly during the day, and conditions around Mount Kailash can shift from sunshine to rain and even snowfall within hours. Warm jackets, rain protection, gloves, caps and sunglasses should all be considered essential items rather than optional extras.

The ambassador particularly warned about the strong ultraviolet radiation at high altitudes. Many visitors focus on the cold but forget that the mountain sun can be intense enough to cause severe sunburn.

Pilgrims With Medical Conditions Should Take Extra Care

Ambassador Doraiswami also had a special message for pilgrims with existing health conditions. People suffering from heart problems, diabetes or other chronic illnesses should consult their doctors before undertaking the pilgrimage. They should carry all prescribed medicines, understand how altitude may affect their condition and seek professional advice before travelling. While medical facilities are available during the yatra, they are basic due to the remote location.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/travel/indias-ambassador-to-china-completes-kailash-mansarovar-yatra-parikrama-shares-key-advice-for-pilgrims-11674762?pfrom=home-ndtv_icymistories

Rohit Sharma was awarded the Padma Shri by President Droupadi Murmu at the Civil Investiture Ceremony, in recognition of his contributions to Indian cricket.

Rohit Sharma added another major national honour to his decorated career as he was conferred the Padma Shri by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday. The India cricket great was among the prominent names from sport recognised in the Padma Awards 2026, with the honour marking another milestone in a career built on consistency, leadership and some of Indian cricket’s most memorable modern triumphs.

Rohit’s name had been announced among the Padma Shri awardees on Republic Day eve earlier this year, with the formal conferment taking place during the Civil Investiture Ceremony. The Padma Shri is India’s fourth-highest civilian award and is given for distinguished service across fields, including art, public affairs, science, social work, medicine, literature, education, industry and sports.

For Rohit, the recognition comes after a long international career in which he has grown from one of India’s most gifted batters into one of its defining white-ball figures. Known for his elegant strokeplay, remarkable six-hitting ability and record-breaking ODI double-centuries, Rohit Sharma has also been central to India’s leadership group in recent years. His impact has stretched beyond individual records, with his captaincy and batting forming a major part of India’s modern cricket narrative.

Eight sportspersons named for Padma Shri in 2026

While Rohit remained the headline name from Indian cricket, the Padma Shri sports list for 2026 reflected a wider spread across disciplines. India women’s cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur was also named for the honour, making it a significant year for cricket in the Padma Shri sports category. Harmanpreet has been one of the most influential figures in Indian women’s cricket, both as a power-hitter and as a leader who helped shape the team’s rise on the global stage.

Hockey also had strong representation, with Baldev Singh and Savita Punia included in the Padma Shri list. Savita, one of India’s finest goalkeepers, has been a central figure in the women’s hockey team’s progress over the last decade. Baldev Singh’s inclusion added another hockey name to a sports list that balanced current achievers with long-serving contributors.

The other Padma Shri awardees from sports were Bhagwandas Raikwar from Madhya Pradesh, K Pajanivel from Puducherry, Praveen Kumar from Uttar Pradesh and Vladimer Mestvirishvili from Georgia, who was honoured posthumously. Praveen Kumar’s recognition added a para-sport dimension to the list, while Mestvirishvili’s posthumous honour underlined the contribution of coaches and mentors in shaping Indian sporting success.

The eight Padma Shri sports awardees for 2026 are Rohit Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Baldev Singh, Bhagwandas Raikwar, K Pajanivel, Praveen Kumar, Savita Punia and Vladimer Mestvirishvili.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/rohit-sharma-honoured-with-padma-shri-as-indias-2026-list-recognises-eight-sportspersons-across-fields-this-year-101782225454018.html

The underlying science of the implant relies on groundbreaking medical research proving that cancer tissue operates as an electrically active entity

In a revolutionary leap for neurotechnology, a San Francisco-based longevity startup with close ties to Elon Musk’s Neuralink has commenced human testing of a specialised brain implant designed to detect and treat cancer. The company, Coherence Neuro, recently achieved a historic milestone by successfully testing its flagship device in three consenting patients, as per a Wired report. This pioneering procedure marks the first time a brain-computer interface (BCI) has been utilised specifically to track and disrupt the electrical signatures of aggressive tumours, signalling a profound shift in the global war against terminal illnesses.

The initial trials were conducted by briefly placing the button-sized implant into the brains of patients already undergoing surgical procedures for tumour removal. The device remained active for approximately thirty minutes to evaluate acute safety and signal clarity before being carefully extracted. By focusing its first clinical application on glioblastoma—a notoriously aggressive and terminal form of brain cancer—Coherence Neuro aims to transform oncological care from a sequence of brutal, systemic interventions into a continuously monitored and seamlessly managed condition.

Disrupting the Electrical Networks of Tumours

The underlying science of the implant relies on groundbreaking medical research proving that cancer tissue operates as an electrically active entity. Aggressive brain tumours are known to actively hijack the bioelectrical signals of healthy surrounding brain tissue to stimulate and accelerate their own growth. Coherence Neuro’s proprietary system, named SOMA, is engineered to intercept this process.

The micro-implant works by reading the subtle, hyper-specific electrical properties of malignant masses while simultaneously emitting targeted electrical stimulation intended to stave off tumour development. This dual-action hardware pairs with a coin-sized wearable worn over the ear and a mobile application, allowing clinicians to remotely monitor real-time data and adjust therapeutic stimulation without requiring patients to make exhausting, repetitive hospital visits.

The Neuralink Connection and Future Frontiers

Founded in 2022 by engineering doctorates Ben Woodington and Elise Jenkins, Coherence Neuro boasts deep structural links to the highest echelons of the neurotechnology sector. Neuralink’s head neurosurgeon serves as an active adviser and investor in the firm, and key investigators from Musk’s high-profile trials are slated to spearhead Coherence’s upcoming long-term clinical studies.

Source : https://www.news18.com/lifestyle/health-and-fitness/mind-boggling-elon-musk-linked-startup-tests-brain-implant-that-could-fight-cancer-in-humans-10169295.html

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif echoed this sentiment, highlighting that ballistic missiles were not addressed in the recent memorandum of understanding. Both leaders stressed the importance of regional stability and diplomatic efforts.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday said Tehran’s ballistic missile programme was not included in the preliminary agreement that helped end the recent conflict and would “never” be part of future negotiations with the United States. Speaking during a visit to Islamabad, Pakistan, Pezeshkian said Iran remained willing to engage in dialogue despite deep mistrust of Washington.

“We do not trust America because it attacked us twice during the negotiations, but we are still ready for dialogue and peace,” he said. He added: “We are holding on to our strengths in the upcoming negotiations, and no negotiations have taken place regarding ballistic missiles, nor will they.”

Pezeshkian also defended Iran’s missile capabilities, describing them as essential to the country’s security. “If we did not have our missiles, which are for our self-defence, Israel and America would have plowed through Iran the way they did Gaza,” he said.

At a joint news conference in Islamabad, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said ballistic missiles were never discussed during negotiations that led to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Tehran and Washington. “There is no mention of ballistic missiles in the MOU because it was never on the table,” Sharif said.

He also criticised what he described as double standards, arguing that Iran should not face restrictions while other countries retain missile capabilities.

Sharif praised Iran’s leadership for helping secure both the ceasefire and the agreement with the United States. “Please convey my warmest regards to His Eminence, the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. Thanks to his leadership, Iran has been able to achieve this MOU and, as a result, a ceasefire with dignity and honour,” he said.

The Pakistani Prime Minister added that Islamabad hoped to continue acting as a mediator “until a lasting peace is achieved”. Sharif also thanked Iran for its cooperation and said Pakistan remained committed to promoting regional stability through diplomacy.

This comes days after President Trump suggested that Iran retaining conventional missile capabilities might not pose a significant problem. “If other countries have them, it’s a little bit unfair for them not to have some,” Trump said while attending the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France. “Am I going to let Saudi Arabia have missiles, but (Iran) can’t have them? It doesn’t work that way.”

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/world/middle-east/iran-president-masoud-pezeshkian-ballistic-missiles-us-peace-talks-pakistan-pm-shehbaz-sharif-trump-article-154737951

According to the party’s state general secretary, Rahul Kothari, 33% of women have been included in the executive committee. People belonging to all castes and communities have found a place in it. The first meeting of the executive committee will be held in Orchha on July 15. Some more BJP leaders may be included in the committee as special invitee members.

BJP’s state unit president Hemant Khandelwal announced the party’s executive committee on Tuesday.

Khandelwal took one year to announce the names of its members. The committee consists of 106 members, 41 permanent invitee members, and more than 100 special invitee members.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Union ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Jyotiraditya, ministers from the state cabinet Kailash Vijayvargiya, Prahlad Patel, and Rakesh Singh, and other leaders have been included in the committee.

Thirteen ministers have been kept out of it. Among the ministers, Karan Singh Verma, Praddhuman Singh Tomar, Nagar Singh Chouhan, Rakesh Shukla, Dharmendra Lodhi, Gautam Tetwal, Dileep Jaiswal, Narayan Singh Pawar, Narendra Patel, Lakhan Patel, Radha Singh, Pratima Bagri, and Dileep Ahirwar are out of the committee.

The permanent invitee members in the committee include Kaptan Singh Solanki, Satyanarayan Jatiya, Suresh Pachouri, and Deepak Saxena.

All divisional in-charges, district in-charges, heads of various morchas, and the coordinators of various cells have been included as special invitee members.

In comparison to last year, the party has reduced the committee by 200 members. As a result, several MPs and legislators are out of the committee.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/bjps-state-executive-committee-announced-13-ministers-kept-out

The BJP-led government in West Bengal has announced plans for a greenfield airport near Kalyani, around 50 km north of Kolkata. Once operational, it will make Kolkata India’s third metropolitan region with multiple commercial airports. Mamata Banerjee, as the CM, had resisted the Centre’s plan for a second airport.

India’s civil aviation map is undergoing a big transformation. After the National Capital Region (NCR) and Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), the urban agglomeration in and around Kolkata is set to become the country’s third metropolitan region to be served by multiple commercial airports. Mamata Banerjee, as the Chief Minister of West Bengal, had opposed the Centre’s push for a second airport for the Kolkata Metropolitan Area. With the BJP in power now, Kolkata has joined the race for airports.

The West Bengal government on Monday announced plans for a greenfield airport near Kalyani, around 50 km north of Kolkata, reviving a proposal that has been discussed for years, but never executed.

The project, after its completion, would give the Kolkata Metropolitan Area a second airport alongside the existing Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport at Dum Dum.

The announcement was made during the presentation of the West Bengal Budget 2026-27. Bengal’s Finance Minister, Swapan Dasgupta, said the government would develop a greenfield airport near Kalyani as part of efforts to improve connectivity and support economic growth in the region.

The announcement comes after the previous government of Mamata Banerjee opposed the Centre’s push for a second Kolkata airport. She argued that acquiring 1,000 acres would require evicting residents. Now, with the BJP now in power in West Bengal, the long-pending Kalyani proposal appears to have regained momentum.

The proposal places Kolkata in a small club of Indian metropolitan regions that operate, or are set to operate, multiple airports.

INDIA’S EMERGING MULTI-AIRPORT CITIES

Delhi was India’s first major multi-airport urban region.

For decades, the National Capital Region (NCR) was served primarily by the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. In 2019, it gained a second civilian airport when commercial flights began operating from the civil enclave at Hindon Air Force Station in Ghaziabad.

Then, earlier this month, the NCR added its third civilian airport and second international gateway with the opening of the Noida International Airport at Jewar in Uttar Pradesh.

After the NCR, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) became the second urban agglomeration to host multiple airports. Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, with just one functional runway, has long operated near capacity.

To address future demand, the Centre developed the Navi Mumbai International Airport, which is expected to significantly expand aviation capacity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

The Kolkata-Kalyani combination would make the Kolkata Metropolitan Area, eastern India’s first and India’s third such metropolitan region.

Globally, major cities such as London, New York, Tokyo and Paris rely on multiple airports to handle passenger traffic and cargo operations, while also accounting for future growth. Aviation planners see multi-airport systems as essential for large urban agglomerations.

WHY DOES KOLKATA NEED A SECOND AIRPORT?

Speaking before security chiefs from BRICS nations and partner countries, including Russia, China, Iran, Brazil and South Africa, Doval said the grouping has a very special role to play in a world increasingly defined by instability and complex geopolitical challenges.

At the 16th BRICS National Security Advisers’ Meeting in New Delhi, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval delivered a sharp assessment of the global security environment, warning that traditional mechanisms for conflict resolution are weakening at a time of rising transnational threats.

Speaking before security chiefs from BRICS nations and partner countries, including Russia, China, Iran, Brazil and South Africa, Doval said the grouping has a very special role to play in a world increasingly defined by instability and complex geopolitical challenges.

“We are here from different continents, from different areas, and it’s a grouping where we bring with us very diverse experiences,” Doval said. He noted that global systems designed to manage conflict were “probably getting blunted,” urging BRICS members to consider how they can collectively respond to emerging challenges.

NON-TRADITIONAL THREATS TAKE CENTRE STAGE

The NSA stressed that modern security threats are no longer confined within borders and increasingly bypass conventional defence and diplomatic frameworks.

He highlighted the growing scale of non-traditional risks, including cyberattacks, terrorism in evolving forms, and technology-driven security vulnerabilities.

“We need to be cognisant of the new security threats and challenges. Non-traditional threats have transcended national borders and have developed defeat systems against conventional responses,” he said.

Doval added that rapid digitalisation has expanded the attack surface for hostile actors, making critical infrastructure, communication systems and financial networks more vulnerable than ever before.

TECHNOLOGY AND HYBRID WARFARE RISKS

Warning against emerging hybrid threats, Doval pointed to “innovative disruptive technologies” and increasingly sophisticated cyber operations as key concerns for national security establishments worldwide.

He said modern terrorism is becoming more camouflaged and adaptive, requiring coordinated international responses rather than fragmented national efforts.

“These threats are evolving in ways that challenge traditional responses. Today’s security environment demands collective deliberation and shared strategies,” he noted.

BRICS PUSH FOR COORDINATED RESPONSE

The BRICS NSA meeting is focused on strengthening cooperation in counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, maritime security, and combating transnational crime ahead of the upcoming BRICS Leaders’ Summit.

Officials said India is pushing for deeper intelligence sharing and enhanced coordination among member countries to tackle radicalisation, cyber threats, and risks to critical infrastructure.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ajit-doval-brics-meet-global-security-tools-failing-cyber-threats-2932942-2026-06-24

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann urged youngsters working abroad to return home, promising regular jobs and fair recruitment. He said transparent hiring and stronger education would help the young people build their future in the state.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday urged young people from the state who are working abroad to return, saying his government would provide regular employment opportunities and make them partners in Punjab’s socio-economic progress.

Speaking at an event where he handed over appointment letters to 665 newly recruited candidates of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited, Mann said transparent recruitment had restored young people’s faith in the system and led to reverse migration, with many now choosing to return to Punjab instead of looking for opportunities overseas.

Mann said the state had created a record by providing 68,268 government jobs in four-and-a-half years and had ended the era of cash-for-jobs and recommendations. Targeting previous governments, he said many youngsters had left Punjab and settled abroad, but the trend was now changing.

“Now things have changed. A reflection of this change can be seen from the fact that a woman present here today has got three jobs and is among the successful candidates receiving appointment letters. This is a new era. I urge the youth to call their friends and relatives living abroad and tell them not to search for green pastures in foreign lands but to come back to Punjab and get jobs here,” he said.

The Chief Minister said, “The era of cash payments and favouritism has ended in Punjab. Today, youths are getting jobs solely on the basis of merit and eligibility. Government jobs can now be obtained purely on merit and due to the transparent recruitment process adopted by the state government, not even a single appointment has been challenged in court.”

He said the newly recruited youngsters should use their positions to serve the needy and underprivileged. “The newly recruited youths should ensure maximum welfare of the public so that every section of society benefits from it. These recruitments have been carried out through a completely transparent process and the youths have secured jobs after clearing examinations in tough competition,” he said.

Mann also said the state government had given priority to education and taken major steps in the sector. “No so-called freebie or concession card can eliminate poverty or other social maladies in the state. Education is the key that can pull people out of this vicious cycle by improving their standard of living. Therefore, our government is tirelessly making efforts to improve the standard of education and empower the common people,” he said.

He said Punjab had surpassed Kerala, Maharashtra and Delhi to secure the top position in primary and middle-school education. “Our government has upgraded primary and middle-school education, strengthened the system, introduced smart classrooms and provided advanced training to teachers.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bhagwant-mann-urges-punjab-youth-abroad-to-return-promises-regular-jobs-ptag-2932647-2026-06-23

India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had a bilateral meeting with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of a BRICS meeting in New Delhi.

India on Monday stressed “stable, predictable and constructive bilateral relations” with China, with the two sides preparing for the 25th round of boundary negotiations expected to be held later this year to discuss new mechanisms for the management of the border.

India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had a bilateral meeting with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of a BRICS meeting in New Delhi.

“The two sides reviewed recent developments in bilateral relations and noted progress towards gradual normalisation,” Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, wrote on X.

“The NSA underlined that stable, predictable and constructive bilateral relations contribute to building trust and better understanding between the two sides.”

Wang, who is a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China, is also Doval’s counterpart in President Xi Jinping’s government in Beijing. They also double up as the special representatives of the two governments for the boundary negotiations.

“The discussions were constructive and forward-looking,” Jaiswal said after the meeting between Doval and Wang.

The meeting between Doval and Wang took place almost 10 months after they met in New Delhi in August, 2025, and held the 24th round of negotiations to settle the dispute over the boundary between India and China.

Wang will host Doval for the 25th round of boundary negotiations in China later this year.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/nsa-ajit-doval-meets-chinese-foreign-minister-in-delhi-amid-preparation-for-25th-round-of-india-china-boundary-talks-4048899#google_vignette

Tata Electronics said on Monday ​it had detected a recent “cybersecurity incident”, after researchers said World Leaks posted purported component design and specification papers of Apple and Tesla, both customers ‌of the Indian group.
The ransomware group has posted more than 200,000 files on the dark web, the security researchers told Reuters.

“A few weeks ago, Tata Electronics identified a cybersecurity incident on some of our systems. Our response protocols were deployed immediately, and the incident has had no impact on our operations across businesses, which remain unaffected,” Tata Electronics told Reuters in a statement.

Apple was investigating the breach and ​a “full analysis was going on”, a source familiar with the matter said, adding that Tata had received a ransom demand related to the incident.
Apple (AAPL.O), did not ​respond to requests for comment. Tata Electronics declined to comment on the ransom demand.
The breach is the latest setback for Apple’s supply ⁠chain in India, where Tata faces scrutiny over alleged contamination of farmlands near one of its iPhone parts plants, Reuters reported.
Tata is emerging as one of Apple’s most important manufacturing ​partners outside China, an expansion that is a cornerstone of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push to make India an electronics manufacturing powerhouse.

Tata was hit by a cyberattack on its British ​Jaguar Land Rover group last year that resulted in a six-week output halt.
The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team, a unit under India’s IT ministry that oversees cyber incidents, did not immediately respond to Reuters emails seeking comment.

APPLE ‘FACTORYDATA’

World Leaks, which has previously claimed responsibility for a Nike break-in, said on its dark net website that it was publishing stolen data from Tata Electronics.
Reuters could not immediately verify the authenticity of ​the data and could not immediately reach World Leaks for comment.
The World Leaks website says the Tata Electronics data comprises more than 200,000 files totalling over 630 gigabytes. ​A database on its website shows several purported Apple files and folders, some titled “com.apple.factorydata”, and documents referring to “material specification”.

Indian cybersecurity researcher Rajshekhar Rajaharia, who reviewed the Tata files on World Leaks for Reuters, ‌said they ⁠also contain emails, event logs spanning several years and passport copies of employees including foreign nationals.
Rajaharia has previously advised Indian police on cyber incidents.
The website is only accessible on the dark web, or dark net, beyond the reach of search engines.
A second security researcher who reviewed the data dump, Rakesh Krishnan, told Reuters it had been accessible on the dark web since at least June 10.

TESLA DOCUMENTS, ‘TRADE SECRET’

Tata also makes parts for Tesla, industry sources say.
One folder on the World Leaks database was labelled “NV36 Chargeport Controller – North America”, a ​purported reference to parts used in an ​upgraded version of Tesla’s Model Y SUV.
Another ⁠purported Tesla 2023 document described as “TRADE SECRET” showed certain drawings for its project Highland – a publicly known internal codename for its revamped Model 3 sedan.

Tesla (TSLA.O), did not respond to requests for comment.
Rajaharia also shared a screen recording of his review of the files. It showed ​a search for “Apple” returned 181 files and folders, while a search for “Tesla” returned files including what appeared to be manufacturing specifications ​and an assembly document ⁠dated May 2025.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/indias-tata-electronics-hit-by-cyber-breach-claiming-expose-apple-tesla-trade-2026-06-22/

In a significant political development, six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs joined Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Monday. The MPs, including Omraje Nimbalkar and Sanjay Dina Patil, formally switched camps in the presence of Shinde and senior party leaders.

In a significant setback for Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT), six of its nine Lok Sabha MPs on Monday crossed over to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, dramatically altering the political landscape in Maharashtra and strengthening the ruling Mahayuti alliance.

The high-profile defections, dubbed “Operation Tiger” by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, were formalised at an induction ceremony where the Shiv Sena leader declared the exercise a complete success.

“Operation Tiger has been successfully completed. My operations are foolproof,” Shinde said, describing the incoming MPs as seasoned leaders with strong grassroots connections. He also claimed that the Shiv Sena under his leadership has now become the second-largest party in Maharashtra in terms of Lok Sabha representation.

The MPs who joined the Shinde camp are Omraje Nimbalkar (Dharashiv), Nagesh Patil Ashtikar (Hingoli), Sanjay Jadhav (Parbhani), Sanjay Deshmukh (Yavatmal-Washim), Bhausaheb Wakchaure (Shirdi) and Sanjay Dina Patil (Mumbai North East).

With the latest exodus, the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction’s strength in the Lok Sabha has fallen from nine MPs to just three. The remaining MPs with the UBT camp are Arvind Sawant from Mumbai South, Anil Desai from Mumbai South Central and Rajabhau Waje from Nashik. Meanwhile, the Shinde faction’s tally has increased from seven to 13 MPs.

The rebellion became apparent after six MPs stayed away from a key parliamentary party meeting convened by the UBT leadership in Delhi. The dissident lawmakers subsequently approached Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeking recognition as a separate group. Their decision to move as a bloc of six enabled them to satisfy the two-thirds requirement under the anti-defection law, shielding them from disqualification proceedings.

Recalling his 2022 revolt that split the undivided Shiv Sena, Shinde said the latest development represented the next phase of the party’s expansion. He maintained that both moves were aimed at preserving the ideology of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

Several rebel MPs justified their decision by citing developmental concerns in their constituencies. Nagesh Ashtikar and Omraje Nimbalkar argued that remaining in the Opposition had restricted their ability to secure adequate funds and execute projects. They said the MPLAD allocation of Rs 5 crore was insufficient to meet local development needs and that the absence of support from the state government had weakened their effectiveness at the grassroots level.

MP Ashtikar said he held no personal grievances against Uddhav Thackeray but expressed disappointment over what he described as a lack of trust and the aggressive language used by some senior party leaders after the MPs skipped the Delhi meeting.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/operation-tiger-successful-6-sena-ubt-rebel-mps-join-shinde-sena-in-mumbai-amid-political-turmoil

India’s credit ecosystem has expanded over the past decade, yet a large section of the population remains outside the formal lending framework.

For millions of Indians, the dream of owning a home often runs into a familiar obstacle: no credit history.

Young professionals. First-job earners. Migrant workers. Freelancers. People who have never taken a loan or owned a credit card.

Despite earning regularly and paying their bills on time, many of them struggle to prove their creditworthiness when they finally apply for a home loan.

That, however, may be beginning to change.

Lenders and fintech firms are increasingly exploring alternative data sources to assess borrowers who are “new-to-credit” — a category that includes people with little or no formal borrowing history. Among the strongest indicators emerging in this space is something millions already do every month: pay rent.

The idea is simple. If a person has paid rent consistently for years, often accounting for a significant portion of their monthly income, that payment behaviour may offer valuable insight into their ability to handle future loan EMIs.

The Credit History Problem

India’s credit ecosystem has expanded rapidly over the past decade, yet a large section of the population remains outside the formal lending framework.

A TransUnion CIBIL study found that more than 160 million Indians were classified as credit underserved, while nearly half the adult population had little or no formal credit history. The absence of a credit score often makes it difficult for first-time borrowers to access loans despite having stable incomes and sound financial habits.

This gap is particularly visible among young urban workers.

Many spend years paying rent before they consider purchasing a home. In expensive cities, rent can consume 20-30 per cent or more of monthly income, making it one of the largest recurring financial commitments households undertake.

Yet those payments have traditionally remained invisible to lenders.

Why Rent Payments Matter

Industry experts argue that rental history captures a form of financial discipline that conventional credit models often miss.

Sarika Shetty, Co-Founder and CEO of RentenPe, says renters who consistently pay on time are effectively demonstrating their ability to manage a recurring financial obligation month after month.

According to Shetty, verified rent payment records can provide lenders with a clearer picture of an individual’s payment behaviour, reliability and financial discipline, especially when conventional credit data is limited or absent.

The logic closely mirrors how lenders evaluate EMI repayment histories.

A tenant who has paid Rs 20,000-Rs 40,000 every month for several years has already demonstrated the ability to manage a recurring expense comparable to a home loan instalment.

“The goal is not to replace traditional credit scores but to strengthen them by incorporating real-world financial behaviour that has historically gone unrecorded,” Shetty argues.

A Global Shift Towards Alternative Data

The use of alternative data in lending is not unique to India.

Across global financial markets, lenders increasingly analyse utility payments, telecom bills, digital transactions and rental payments to assess borrowers who lack conventional credit records.

India’s lending ecosystem is also moving in that direction.

Recent industry discussions and policy developments have focused on expanding credit access for new-to-credit borrowers through wider use of digital data and alternative financial signals. The broader push aligns with efforts to improve financial inclusion and bring more first-time borrowers into the formal credit system.

Banks and financial institutions are increasingly evaluating non-traditional indicators such as utility payments, telecom bills and digital transaction histories when assessing first-time borrowers.

Rental payment records could become a natural extension of that trend.

Building A Financial Identity Through Rent

Several fintech firms are now trying to formalise rental history and convert it into a usable financial profile.

Shetty says RentenPe has developed an “R Score” based on verified rent payment data to help establish a documented rental history for tenants.

The broader idea, she says, is to create a rental identity layer that allows responsible renters to build financial credibility over time and potentially improve access to future financial products, including home loans.

While such models are still evolving, they reflect a growing recognition that financial responsibility extends far beyond traditional loan repayments.

What It Means For First-Time Homebuyers

The implications could be significant.

For decades, aspiring homeowners often faced a paradox: they needed a credit history to obtain a home loan, but needed access to credit to build that history in the first place.

Recognising rental payments could help break that cycle.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/business-news/rental-history-home-loan-no-credit-history-cibil-score-personal-finance-11673653?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

A preliminary examination of her mobile phone revealed two SIM cards and a Facebook account containing what officials described as objectionable content, including links to foreign profiles.

A woman has been arrested in Jaipur by Rajasthan’s Anti-Terrorism Squad over alleged connections to a sleeper cell linked to the Pakistani terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed. The arrest was made following intelligence inputs, with investigators saying the case raises concerns about online radicalisation and foreign influence operations targeting individuals within India.

The arrested woman has been identified as Babita Dhakad, also known by the alias Khadija. Originally from Gangapur, she had been residing in Jaipur at the time of her arrest and was a homemaker. She was taken into custody on Sunday.

What Was Found On Her Phone

A preliminary examination of her mobile phone revealed two SIM cards and a Facebook account containing what officials described as objectionable content, including links to foreign profiles. Her friend list on the platform reportedly included several accounts displaying flags associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed and other terror organisations, as well as images of armed individuals.

Her WhatsApp account was also found to contain conversations with multiple Pakistani numbers and foreign contacts, according to police.

Role Of A Pakistan-Based Cleric

Investigators say a cleric based in Pakistan facilitated her religious conversion over the phone. According to sources, the cleric told her that a man named Abu-Ubaidah wished to marry her and that she was instructed to offer prayers, recite the Quran and practise the faith as part of the process.

Investigators also allege there were plans to bring her to Pakistan, with agencies suspecting she was being prepared to travel via Nepal, Saudi Arabia or the UAE.

Suspected Links To Past Terror Cases

According to sources, the woman’s name has come up in connection with a network involving individuals linked to previous terror cases, reportedly including close associates of Masood Azhar. Investigative agencies are also looking into suspected connections to the Indian Airlines Flight 814 hijacking case.

It has also emerged that she is wanted in connection with an attack on an Indian Army camp near Balini Vij in Jammu on 29 November 2016, which was allegedly orchestrated by Jaish-e-Mohammed commander Qari Zarar and resulted in the deaths of six Indian Army soldiers.

ATS Superintendent of Police Manish Tripathi said the investigation was still at an early stage and that all evidence gathered so far was digital and required further verification.

“It is possible that these organisations radicalised her and ensnared her in their web; it is also possible that they intended to convert her religion. The investigation is currently in its initial stages, so we cannot yet say whether she actually converted or not. However, preliminary findings suggest that for the past six to seven months, they had been attempting to convert her and wanted to use her to orchestrate incidents in India,” Tripathi said.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pak-marriage-proposal-name-change-jaipur-woman-arrested-over-jaish-links-11673162?pfrom=home-ndtv_topstories

Allegations that crores of rupees in donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya were misappropriated have led to a political and legal controversy.

The authorities handling donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya have come under the scanner following allegations that crores of rupees donated by devotees have been embezzled.

The claims have led to demands for an independent investigation, sharp attacks on the ruling-BJP by opposition parties, and a SIT probe ordered by the Uttar Pradesh government.

How the controversy began

The issue first came to light after former Samajwadi Party MLA, Pawan Pandey, alleged that between ₹7 crore and ₹7.5 crore in donations made to the Ram Temple had been stolen or embezzelled.

Opposition leaders amplified the allegations, questioned the handling of temple funds, and demanded transparency from the temple administration.

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has rejected the allegations. Trust member Mahant Dinendra Das Maharaj said all transactions are properly recorded and handled transparently. Trust general secretary Champat Rai also denied claims of any embezzlement.

Legal action

A dispute over licence fees for FIFA World Cup screenings has triggered concern among Kerala’s football fans and community organisers. The row reached the state Assembly, where the government promised intervention and a possible resolution.

Licence fee notices issued for public screenings of FIFA World Cup matches have sparked a backlash in Kerala, with football fan clubs and community organisers warning that the move could affect a long-standing culture of free match screenings across the state. The issue reached the Kerala Assembly on Monday, prompting the government to step in and begin discussions with stakeholders.

CPIM MLA PA Muhammad Riyas raised the matter in the Assembly, saying several public representatives had received complaints from football fans and local organisers after notices were issued by ZEE and Eagles FC Kerala, which holds licensing rights in the state.

ROW OVER LICENCE FEE NOTICES

Riyas said Kerala’s passion for football, particularly during the World Cup, is recognised around the world and that community screenings have become an integral part of the state’s sporting culture.

“Kerala’s love for football and World Cup is known globally. Even FIFA recognised it. People are taking small amount from their pockets and setting up screens for matches which is attended by people across age groups,” he said.

According to the MLA, fan clubs and local groups that organise screenings for residents have been left worried after receiving notices demanding licence fees.

“ZEE and Eagles FC Kerala that has licensing rights in Kerala have issued notice to few clubs and groups saying they will have to pay license fees. The organisers are in great trouble and many of us have received multiple complaints regarding this. Requesting state govt to hold discussion with centre and licensing agencies regarding this,” Riyas said.

The issue has drawn attention from football enthusiasts across Kerala, where large public screenings of major international tournaments often attract crowds cutting across age groups and communities.

GOVT DIFFERENTIATES COMMERCIAL AND FREE SCREENINGS

Responding to the concerns, Sports Minister OJ Janeesh said the state government was not a stakeholder in the agreement signed between FIFA and ZEE and that details of the arrangement were not publicly available.

He, however, indicated that the government sees a distinction between screenings organised for commercial gain and those arranged free of cost by football fans.

“Many concerns have been raised by football fans. State govt is not a stakeholder in the agreement that was signed between FIFA and ZEE. The agreement details are not available on public platforms,” he said.

“Govt sees the screenings organised by malls and other businesses for their business interest and those screenings organised for free by football fans, is seen as two separate scenarios. Govt is also of the opinion that there should not be any issues regarding this free screening.”

Janeesh said the government moved quickly after receiving complaints and had already initiated talks with those involved.

“As soon as we got info regarding this, state had entrusted sports department special secretary to hold discussions with those concerned. We are hoping to settle this issue soon. The discussions are going on positively,” he said.

CHIEF MINISTER PROMISES SOLUTION

The Delhi High Court held that the bescoms’ challenge to the government’s preliminary notice for CAG audit was premature while leaving the legality of the audit to be decided by the Supreme Court.

The Delhi High Court on Monday declined to interfere with the Delhi government’s proposal to initiate a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit of the national capital’s major power distribution companies, BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd and BSES Yamuna Power Ltd, holding that the challenge was premature as no audit had yet commenced.

A vacation bench of Justice Tejas Karia dismissed BSES Rajdhani’s petition, observing that the June 6 notice issued by the Delhi government under the CAG Act was merely a preliminary step giving the discoms an opportunity to present their objections before any decision is taken on entrusting the audit to the CAG.

The order comes amid a multi-forum legal battle over more than Rs 38,000 crore in accumulated regulatory assets, with proceedings currently pending before the Supreme Court, the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) and the Delhi High Court.

“The Impugned Notice, therefore, cannot be regarded as adverse to the Petitioners. Rather, it is in furtherance of the statutory requirement under Section 20(3) of the CAG Act, which contemplates an opportunity of being heard before entrustment of audit to the CAG by the Hon’ble LieutenantGovernor,” the court observed.

Dismissing the petition on maintainability grounds, the High Court reiterated that courts ordinarily do not interfere with a show-cause notice unless it is shown to be without jurisdiction, perverse or otherwise legally unsustainable.

RS 38,000 CRORE REGULATORY ASSETS IN FOCUS

The case centres on “regulatory assets”, which are dues owed to power distribution companies when electricity tariffs are kept below the actual cost of supply due to regulatory or government policy decisions. In its 2025 judgment, the Supreme Court directed electricity regulators across the country to take steps to liquidate such accumulated regulatory assets.

In Delhi alone, the outstanding regulatory assets exceed Rs 38,000 crore.

While the Delhi government has sought a CAG audit of the discoms, the companies contend that the Supreme Court envisaged an independent audit by a chartered accountant, not by the constitutional auditor.

The June 6 notice directed BSES Rajdhani and BSES Yamuna to submit written representations and appear before the government regarding the proposal to entrust the audit to the CAG under Section 20 of the CAG Act. Monday’s High Court order effectively cleared the way for those proceedings.

LARGER LEGAL QUESTION OPENS

While refusing to quash the notice, the High Court also addressed the discoms’ broader challenge to the legality of a CAG audit.

BSES relied on the Delhi High Court’s 2015 judgment in the URJA case, which ruled that the CAG did not have the mandate to audit private power distribution companies (discoms) in the capital under the existing provisions of the Electricity Act. It further submitted that the Supreme Court’s 2025 ruling on regulatory assets required the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) to appoint an independent chartered accountant to examine the issue.

The High Court, however, observed that there was “no legal impediment” to the Delhi government or the DERC initiating the process for a CAG audit, provided the requirements of Section 20 of the CAG Act are complied with.

The court also noted that the Supreme Court’s regulatory assets judgment did not specify which agency should conduct the audit. At the same time, it clarified that since the issue is already pending before the Supreme Court, all questions relating to the legality and validity of a CAG audit remain open.

APTEL ORDERS UNDER CHALLENGE

The latest proceedings stem from ppellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) orders passed in March and May this year, which set aside the Lieutenant Governor’s earlier approval for a CAG audit.

APTEL instead directed that an independent chartered accountant be appointed to conduct a strict audit in accordance with the Supreme Court’s regulatory assets judgment. It also observed that there did not appear to be sufficient public interest to warrant a CAG audit of the Delhi Discoms.

Those orders have since been challenged by the DERC before the Supreme Court, where the matter is awaiting hearing.

“All rights and contentions of the Parties in relation to compliance with the timelines specified in the RA Judgment and the orders passed by the APTEL (Appellate Tribunal for Electricity) are kept open, subject to the outcome of the proceedings pending before the Supreme Court,” observed Justice Karia.

DISCOMS LIKELY TO APPEAL

Sources told India Today that BSES is preparing to challenge Monday’s ruling before a division bench, contesting both the finding on maintainability and the High Court’s observations on the legality of a CAG audit.

According to sources in the company’s legal team, the discoms are expected to argue that even the issuance of the preliminary notice violates the CAG Act and runs contrary to the Supreme Court’s directions. They are also likely to contend that Section 20 of the CAG Act does not permit such proceedings against a private company.

A member of the BSES legal team, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Supreme Court would remain “the key battleground”, as it is already examining the validity of the APTEL orders that had set aside the earlier CAG audit process.

According to sources in the Delhi government, the renewed push for a CAG audit has gained significance after the DERC approved an increase in electricity tariffs, resulting in higher surcharges on consumers’ power bills.

With electricity bills set to rise, the government is seeking greater scrutiny of the discoms’ finances while also attempting to contain the political fallout from the tariff hike.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/law-news/story/delhi-high-court-bses-yamuna-rajadhani-cag-audit-notice-regulatory-assets-row-2932083-2026-06-22

Yogesh Dighe and Rikeba Jakap, residents of Badlapur, died on the spot.

Two people died, and one sustained serious injuries as a BMW car rammed a divider on the Mumbai-Vadodara Highway in Mumbai’s Badlapur.

The BMW Z4, a high-performance car, was completely shattered in the accident, with its parts scattered on the road.

At the time of the accident, the speed of the car was around 250 km per hour.

The accident took place around 3 am on Sunday. The car was travelling from Titwala towards Badlapur. The driver lost control and the vehicle overturned on the divider. According to eyewitnesses, the accident was so severe that body parts were found scattered several metres away.

Yogesh Dighe and Rikeba Jakap, residents of Badlapur, died on the spot. Anand, the third occupant, is seriously injured and is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Thane.

They were returning from a birthday party.

The bodies were sent to a government hospital for a post-mortem.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/maharashtra-2-killed-in-bmw-crash-near-mumbai-car-in-pieces-body-parts-metres-away-11667343?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

A bus and a truck collided on NH-27 in Jalpaiguri’s Ulladabri area, killing one person and injuring 25 others. Police are examining whether rain-slick roads caused the crash as the state announced compensation and treatment support.

At least six persons were killed and 29 others were injured in a collision between a bus and a truck in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district on Sunday, police said. The accident took place in Ulladabri area on NH-27, with police suspecting slippery road conditions to be the reason behind the mishap.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, in a social media post, said he was deeply saddened by the incident and announced Rs 5 lakh as compensation for the next of kin of the person killed, Rs 1 lakh for the grievously injured passengers and Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries.

“Local sources have reported at least six death. The injured persons have been shifted to a hospital and their condition is being monitored,” a senior police officer said. The officer said the exact cause of the accident was yet to be ascertained.

“Prima facie, it seems slippery road conditions due to rainfall may have contributed to the mishap. However, an investigation has been initiated and all aspects are being examined,” he added. The accident led to temporary disruption of traffic on the highway.

CM SUVENDU ADHIKARI EXTENDS CONDOLENCES AND ANNOUNCES COMPENSATION

In a social media post, the CM said he was “deeply saddened” by the accident and extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. “My heart goes out to the families who have lost their loved ones in this horrific incident. I offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved kin and pray for the speedy recovery of all the injured passengers,” he said.

Deeply saddened by the tragic road accident at Ulladabri Jorabadh on NH-27 in Maynaguri today, wherein a truck slammed into a bus carrying ill-fated passengers.
My heart goes out to the families who have lost their loved ones in this horrific incident. I offer my deepest…

— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) June 21, 2026

Adhikari said the Jalpaiguri district administration and the police were carrying out rescue and relief operations and added that he had asked North Bengal Development Minister Nisith Pramanik and Minister of State for Transport Anandamay Barman to coordinate with district authorities and oversee rescue efforts.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bengal-jalpaiguri-bus-truck-crash-kills-one-injures-25-on-nh-27-2931197-2026-06-21

Seven Nihang Sikhs have occupied the Nagarasu Gurdwara in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district for over 30 hours, with one elderly sevadar still held hostage.

Seven Nihang Sikhs have occupied the Nagarasu Gurdwara on the Hemkund Sahib pilgrimage route in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district for more than 30 hours, with one elderly sevadar still being held hostage.

The standoff at the gurdwara has emerged as a major challenge for the administration. According to officials, the Nihang Sikhs climbed onto the roof of the shrine after a dispute with the gurdwara management and allegedly attempted to take control of the premises. Reports also suggest that sevadars were assaulted during the confrontation.

The seven Nihang Sikhs allegedly took two sevadars hostage during the incident. A video released from the site showed the release of one sevadar, while an elderly sevadar remains in their custody.

Police, district administration officials and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel rushed to the spot after receiving information about the incident. Authorities deployed additional security forces and have been attempting to resolve the situation through negotiations. However, no concrete solution has emerged so far.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/rudraprayag-gurdwara-standoff-seven-nihangs-on-roof-punjab-delegation-meets-dgp-held-hostage-2931240-2026-06-21

AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal questions lack of FIRs in the Ram Temple donation row, alleges theft of crores in offerings and valuables. He claims action against those involved could destabilise the government, while the SIT probe continues.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday questioned the alleged lack of action in the Ram Temple donation row, claiming that no FIR has been registered despite allegations of large-scale theft of donations and suggesting that action against those involved could destabilise the government.

In a post on X, Kejriwal said that the Ram Temple represents the faith of crores of Hindus and questioned why no FIR had been filed despite allegations that donations worth crores of rupees had been stolen.

“The Ram Temple holds the faith of crores of Hindus. From that very Ram Temple, donations worth crores of rupees have been stolen, yet not a single FIR has been filed. Whom is the government protecting? No matter how big the people involved in this sin may be, throw them straight into jail. Protecting the faith of crores of people is essential,” Kejriwal wrote.

In a video message shared along with the post, the former Delhi Chief Minister alleged that cash and valuables donated to the temple had been stolen and questioned the absence of action by investigative agencies.

“Hundreds of millions of rupees in donations have been stolen from Ayodhya’s Ram Temple. It is being said that cash worth about 200 crore rupees has been stolen. And many boxes of diamonds and jewellery have been stolen. And not even one FIR has been filed. Neither the UP police filed an FIR, nor the ED filed any FIR, nor the CBI filed any FIR,” Kejriwal said.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ram-temple-donation-row-arvind-kejriwal-questions-no-fir-says-action-could-topple-government-aap-2931300-2026-06-21

A nine-month-old girl was allegedly taken from her home in Gorakhpur and assaulted by her 12-year-old maternal uncle. Police said the child is stable in hospital as legal action continues.

A 12-year-old boy allegedly kidnapped his nine-month-old niece from beside her sleeping mother and raped her after watching pornographic content, police said in a shocking incident from Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur.

The accused, who is the infant’s maternal uncle, allegedly took the child away from her home in the middle of the night and abandoned her in an injured and unconscious state inside a tin shed in a nearby field. The girl was found the next morning with serious injuries, following which she was rushed to a hospital.

According to the survivor’s mother, she was sleeping with her nine-month-old daughter on Friday night when she woke up around 2 am and realised that the child was missing.

The family searched for the infant throughout the night, but their efforts yielded no result. On Saturday morning, villagers found the child lying unconscious in the tin shed located nearly half a kilometre away from her house. Police were informed after locals noticed injuries on the child.

The police immediately took the girl for medical examination and admitted her to a hospital. Her condition is currently stated to be stable.

During the investigation, police examined CCTV footage, inspected the crime scene and questioned people in the area. The probe led them to suspect the child’s maternal uncle.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/gorakhpur-child-rape-12-year-old-maternal-uncle-arrested-up-police-2931371-2026-06-22

Asaduddin Owaisi has urged Amit Shah to stop demolitions of mosques and dargahs in Rajasthan’s border districts. He has alleged selective targeting of Muslim religious sites while officials have yet to respond.

AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday alleged that mosques, dargahs and other Muslim religious structures were being selectively targeted for demolition in Rajasthan’s border districts and called upon Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene and halt the exercise.

In a post on social media platform X, Owaisi claimed that a series of demolitions had taken place in the districts of Bikaner, Phalodi, Jaisalmer and Barmer, affecting several Muslim places of worship. He described the actions as “discriminatory and targeted” and urged the Centre to take immediate steps to stop them.

Owaisi said he had spoken to AIMIM’s Bikaner district president, Shafi Jameel Qasmi, who informed him that four mosques in Bikaner and nine mosques and dargahs across Phalodi, Jaisalmer and Barmer had already been demolished. He further alleged that notices had been issued to hundreds of other religious sites in the region.

‘ONLY MUSLIM PLACES OF WORSHIP ARE TARGETED’

Among the structures facing action, Owaisi said, is the approximately 250-year-old dargah of Hazrat Mahmood Shah Jilani located on the Ramgarh-Tanot Bypass Road in Jaisalmer.

According to Owaisi, authorities have cited national security concerns as the basis for the demolitions. However, he questioned the justification, claiming that residents of the affected areas had no involvement in activities that could pose a threat to national security.

“Only Muslim places of worship are being targeted,” he alleged.

The AIMIM chief also referred to allegations by authorities that some of the structures had been built on grazing land. He claimed that in cases where documents showed the structures were situated on private property, the grounds for action had reportedly shifted to the absence of necessary permissions or approvals.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/rajasthan-mosque-demolitions-owaisi-urges-amit-shah-to-stop-action-in-border-districts-2931315-2026-06-21

Indian shares advanced in early trade on Monday, tracking Asian peers after U.S.-Iran peace talks over the weekend ​raised hopes the months-long conflict could be heading for closure.
The ‌first round of U.S.-Iran talks ended with progress on a roadmap for a final deal within 60 days, helping calm investor nerves after a tense opening marked by Tehran’s ​announcement it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz and U.S. ​President Donald Trump repeating his threats to resume attacks on ⁠Iran.

India’s benchmark Nifty 50 (.NSEI), rose 0.5% to 24,133, while the BSE Sensex (.BSESN), ​added 0.52% to 77,192.54, as of 10:00 a.m. IST.
Thirteen of the 16 ​major sectors gained. The broader small-caps (.NIFSMCP100), and mid-caps (.NIFMDCP100), added 0.4% and 0.2%, respectively.
“With Iran-U.S. peace talks progressing, we believe the market recovery is likely to sustain, with the only ​major concern at this stage being the rainfall deficit,” said G. Chokkalingam, ​founder and head of research at Equinomics Research.
Shares of Reliance Industries (RELI.NS), rose 2.3% after ‌its ⁠annual general meeting with brokerages saying the IPO-bound Jio Platforms, AI and new energy businesses would be key growth drivers for the oil-to-telecom conglomerate.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indian-shares-set-rise-us-iran-talks-progress-oil-eases-2026-06-22/

Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined International Yoga Day celebrations at Kolkata’s Red Road and urged people to make yoga a daily habit. Highlighting this year’s theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” he said yoga promotes fitness, reduces stress, keeps diseases at bay and helps maintain vitality with age. Modi also praised Bengal’s spiritual legacy and yoga traditions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday participated in World Yoga Day in Kolkata’s Red Road along with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

Addressing millions of participants, Modi said that June 21 had become the day of the world’s largest collective celebration and also urged everyone to make it part of everyday life.

“Yoga keeps a person fit and healthy. Yoga connects everyone and brings everyone together. Yoga is not merely a means of physical exercise. Yoga is not limited to any particular age group,” said Modi.

Referring to this year’s theme ‘Yoga for Healthy aging’, the Prime Minister had mentioned that Yoga keeps people active and energised even as people grow older.

“When we get over 50 years of age, Yoga gives the people the strength of 30 years of age. This year’s theme means that we can work to ensure that age does not reduce human potential. Yoga keeps a person flexible, reduces stress and keeps diseases at bay,” further added Modi.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/make-yoga-a-part-of-everyday-life-pm-modi-urges-on-international-yoga-day-in-kolkata

Supporters of India’s viral Cockroach Janta Party banged steel plates with spoons in a protest Saturday to demand the resignation of the education minister over allegations of examination irregularities and repeated paper leaks.

The protest near Parliament in New Delhi by hundreds of students and young supporters of the nascent movement added to the pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government while also seeking wider support among Indians.

Authorities deployed heavy security and police used cameras and drones to monitor the protest.

Some carried placards and others banged plates, their noise cutting through the crowd protesting and demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The banging of plates appeared to satirize Modi’s call for Indians to step onto balconies and rooftops and bang utensils in solidarity with front-line health workers during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, a political communications strategist and Boston University student, urged supporters on social media to bring plates and spoons on Saturday. “There is a virus called Dharmendra Pradhan that has to be removed,” he told the crowd, adding that the CJP was open to talks with the government if Pradhan stepped down.

“This is just the beginning. If Dharmendra Pradhan doesn’t resign or if no action is taken regarding this issue, this protest will not end here,” said a CJP supporter, Deepak Kumar.

The exam paper for a nationwide medical program was leaked last month through social media app Telegram. Authorities subsequently postponed the exam and also temporarily banned Telegram in India. The exam is scheduled to be held on Sunday. The government says the leak is under investigation.

“We study in poverty, live in poverty for 24 hours everyday, for years at length, and after that our (exam) papers get leaked. Will I not get angry at this?” said student Vicky Kumar.

Source : https://apnews.com/article/india-cockroach-party-exam-leaks-protest-05fc69ad9aa4c59486acb734af5baa64

Pawan Khera took up the mantle to chastise his senior colleague. His message, though sarcastic, conveyed the party’s stern stance on Tharoor, drawing a sharp response from the MP.

A global issue, support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, then reciprocal sniping — this peculiar trajectory has characterised Shashi Tharoor and the Congress’ relationship on several occasions over the past two years. The MP’s endorsement of PM Modi’s G7 message on the safety of Indian sailors has added to this acrimony. The Congress is upset, and it hasn’t minced words in making its displeasure clear.

Pawan Khera took up the mantle to chastise his senior colleague. In a dig at Tharoor, he wrote, “My senior colleague Dr Shashi Tharoor’s admiration for PM Modi appears to have transcended the limitations of the physical world. He now seems capable of hearing what Modi doesn’t even say”.

“Tharoor ji somehow heard forceful assertions, robust pushback, and uncompromising diplomacy that never made it into the official record. Perhaps the rest of us are constrained by ordinary human senses,” he added.

My senior colleague Dr Shashi Tharoor’s admiration for PM Modi appears to have transcended the limitations of the physical world. He now seems capable of hearing what Modi doesn’t even say.

According to the official MEA readout of the Modi–Trump meeting on the sidelines of the… pic.twitter.com/6U7BFRxAgZ

— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 ಪವನ್ ಖೇರಾ (@Pawankhera) June 20, 2026

Tharoor, known for his eloquence and iron grip on English vocabulary, wasn’t impressed with Khera’s wordplay.

“For those who believe I ‘heard’ words that Narendra Modi never said at the G-7, I was merely alluding to widely published reports about his remarks,” he clarified.

Unfazed by his Congress colleague’s attack, the career diplomat-turned-politician said he stands by his summary of PM Modi’s meeting with US President Donald Trump, where he had talked about Indian seafarers’ safety.

“I read widely and retain what I read. I have never in my life been accused of misrepresenting or distorting any facts or statements, and I stand by my summary of what I read in the print media about these remarks, which were reportedly made when our PM was seated next to,” he added.

For those who believe I “heard” words that @narendramodi never said at the G-7, I was merely alluding to widely published reports about his remarks. If you want to hear a report, here’s one:https://t.co/dWkVwhWY0N

Otherwise this was Google Gemini’s summary:

“At the G7…

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 20, 2026

Hours before Khera’s remark, Thaoor rued that his statement had become a subject of partisan politics.

“Frankly, I find it extraordinary that a statement about protecting Indian civilian sailors is being twisted into a partisan political controversy. Three Indians lost their lives. My remarks were about the safety of our citizens and the principle that civilian seafarers should never be targets of military action. If some people are more interested in scoring political points than addressing that concern, that says more about them than it does about me,” he had said.

What Tharoor Had Said

Differing from the Congress’ stance, Tharoor had said that PM Modi made India’s position clear to the US President.

“PM Modi made his point clear both in the public and private meetings with the President. It is important to convey the message that in wartime, civilian sailors on commercial ships should not be targets of combat. They are not soldiers, and that is the message PM Modi conveyed,” he said.

The BJP construed Tharoor’s remark as praise for PM Modi.

“Shashi Tharoor has exposed Rahul Gandhi. Congress leaders are openly praising PM Narendra Modi’s diplomacy! When it comes to protecting India’s national interest, PM Modi comes first. When it comes to speaking against India’s national interest, Rahul Gandhi leaves everyone behind,” said its spokesperson, Pradeep Bhandari.

Tharoor’s tensions with his party began soon after Operation Sindoor, as he was chosen by the BJP-led government to lead a delegation to put forth India’s position. He wasn’t the Congress party’s pick for the panel, but he went abroad anyway.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/he-hears-what-pm-doesnt-say-congress-shashi-tharoor-in-fresh-bout-11664950?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

A software engineer’s viral post comparing Indian and US startup cultures has sparked debate online.

Long working hours, late night calls and endless meetings are often seen as part of startup life. But for software engineer Devaansh Bhandari, working at a remote US based startup showed him that things can be very different.

In a post on X that has resonated with many professionals online, Bhandari reflected on his experiences at multiple Indian startups before joining a US startup seven months ago. While he expected salary to be the biggest difference between the two work cultures, he said what stood out most was how employees were treated.

“I’ve been working at a remote US startup for around seven months now. Before this, I worked at multiple Indian startups. I thought the biggest difference would be the salary. It wasn’t. It was the way people are treated,” he wrote.

According to Bhandari, employees at some of the startups he worked for in India were expected to be available almost all the time.

“Getting a call at 11 PM on a Sunday wasn’t unusual,” he recalled.

‘I stayed awake until 4 AM’

One incident from his college days continues to stand out in his memory.

“I still remember one incident from college. I had an exam at 8 AM the next morning, but I stayed awake until 4 AM because the founder wanted to launch the product that day,” he wrote.

What frustrated him, he explained, was that the work was not urgent.

“The launch wasn’t blocked by any critical bug. We were adding animations and visual polish, not fixing something that couldn’t wait.”

Bhandari also highlighted the difference in how work is organised at his current company. Instead of spending hours in meetings, the team relies largely on asynchronous communication.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/my-founder-kept-me-awake-till-4-am-before-an-exam-software-engineer-compares-indian-and-us-startup-cultures-101782005054355.html

“Yoga can help human life to aspire for constant growth,” said Modi, adding that the target “is to be more energetic at 50 than we were at 30.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 12th International Yoga Day (IYD) celebrations at Kolkata’s Red Road on Sunday morning, taking part in a mega event as thousands joined open-air yoga sessions across the state for the first time.

“Yoga is not just for a better personal life but for the world’s future,” Modi said in his inaugural address.

The celebrations started at 6:30 am when the Prime Minister reached the venue from Lok Bhawan (formerly Raj Bhawan), where he spent the night. He was accompanied by Governor R N Ravi, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Ayush Prataprao Yadav and other senior dignitaries.

“June 21 is the longest day in our part of the world, and now it is the day the world celebrates its biggest festival. Yoga has connected the world to India. It brings people together. Today I offer my best wishes to the world community,” Modi said.

“It is a special occasion for me to be in Bengal on International Yoga Day. Swami Vivekananda introduced Yoga to the world. It gives me a spiritual feeling to take part in a community yoga event here. Rabindranath Tagore said we belong to the world community. Rishi Aurobindo said Yoga connects us to spirituality even if we cannot feel it immediately,” Modi said, referring to several Bengali luminaries.

“This year’s theme is Yoga for Healthy Ageing. Yoga can keep us healthy even as we age. It means that age does not reduce human potential. Yoga can help human life aspire for growth. Our target must be to be more energetic at 50 than we were at 30. We must be more resistant to lifestyle diseases at 70 than we were at 50. This is where Yoga can help us,” Modi said.

“Yoga can help us tune our bodies to be flexible. It can increase our energy level. It can help us be calm, lead a stress-free life and keep lifestyle diseases away. With regular practice, yoga teaches us to be lifelong learners of our body and mind. The more we know ourselves, the better we can manage ourselves.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/age-does-not-reduce-human-potential-pm-modi-leads-international-yoga-day-2026-celebrations-in-kolkata-west-bengal-101782006201530.html

The Congress has urged Goa’s Education Department to withdraw its circular mandating Yoga Day attendance on Sunday. The dispute has widened into a debate over parental choice, holidays and the politicisation of yoga.

The Congress on Saturday asked Goa’s Education Department to withdraw its circular making it compulsory for school students and teachers to attend Yoga Day programmes. The Directorate of Education has instructed all schools to hold yoga sessions on Sunday, June 21, which is observed as International Yoga Day.

The party said yoga should remain a matter of personal choice and objected to making attendance mandatory on a Sunday. It said the weekly holiday is often reserved for family time, prayer and religious observance, and that parents should be free to decide how their children spend the day.

In a statement, Goa Congress chief Girish Chodankar said, “Yoga is a personal choice, and should never become a compulsory obligation.” He added, “Sunday is the only day many families spend together. It is also a day of prayer and religious observance for many communities across Goa,” and said parents should have the freedom to decide how their children spend their weekly holiday.

Responding to the statement, Goa BJP Medical Cell co-convenor Dr Sneha Bhagwat said it was “sad and unfortunate” that the circular was being politicised. She said a student could attend a yoga session at any place near their house and added, “Yoga is for health, wellbeing, mental and emotional stability which is a very much a necessary right for students.”

Bhagwat said more than 193 countries have accepted yoga and claimed that over 300 research papers have shown that a daily 20-minute yoga practice can improve life expectancy and quality of life “by 70 per cent”. She also claimed that research had established that yoga can prevent 90 per cent of idiopathic diseases, where the exact cause is not known.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/goa-yoga-day-circular-congress-seeks-withdrawal-of-mandatory-sunday-attendance-ptag-2930585-2026-06-20

An unidentified person allegedly tried to set fire to the PWD Sub-Divisional Office in Jafrabad. Posters and a social media video backing a farm loan waiver have widened the police probe.

Maharashtra’s Jalna district has triggered a police investigation after officials recovered diesel-filled bottles and posters demanding complete farm loan waivers from the scene.

The incident took place at the Public Works Department (PWD) Sub-Divisional Office located on the Jafrabad-Chikhli Road in Jafrabad. According to officials, an unidentified person allegedly poured diesel at the main entrance of the office late at night and attempted to set the premises on fire.

Fortunately, the fire did not spread and a major mishap was averted. However, the office’s main entrance gate sustained damage during the incident.

Officials said the matter came to light on Saturday morning when employees arrived at the office and noticed signs of attempted arson. Senior authorities were immediately informed, following which police teams rushed to the spot and launched an investigation.

During the inspection, police recovered a bottle containing diesel and two empty water bottles from the premises. Preliminary findings suggest that a diesel-filled bottle was thrown into the office compound but failed to ignite, preventing what could have been a serious fire.

Investigators also found around 30 to 35 posters scattered across the office hall and surrounding area. The posters reportedly carried slogans demanding a complete waiver of farmers’ loans and messages critical of the government.

VIDEO SUPPORTING FARM LOAN WAIVERS GOES VIRAL

Adding another dimension to the case, a video related to the incident surfaced on social media shortly after the attempted attack. The video allegedly features slogans supporting farm loan waivers and protesting against government policies.

Police officials said the identity of the person behind the incident has not yet been established. A case is being registered against unknown persons, and efforts are underway to trace the suspect through CCTV footage and other available evidence.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/maharashtra-pwd-office-arson-bid-linked-to-farm-loan-waiver-posters-police-probe-2930720-2026-06-20

Kerala reported 13 more Shigella infections on Saturday, taking June’s total to 133. The rise came as health teams intensified surveillance while Nipah contacts in Kozhikode tested negative.

Shigella infections continued to rise in Kerala on Saturday, with 13 more cases reported even as health authorities stepped up surveillance and containment measures, officials said. The state has reported five deaths linked to the disease so far this month, while the total number of Shigella infections recorded in June has risen to 133.

In a separate health update, the Kerala Health Department said all 15 people who developed symptoms after being identified as contacts of a Nipah patient in Kozhikode have tested negative. The patient remains on ventilator support at the Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital, and 104 people are still under observation.

According to a statement from the Health Minister’s Office, of the 13 new Shigella cases, four were reported in Kozhikode, three each in Malappuram and Kannur, two in Palakkad, and one in Kollam. Kozhikode and Wayanad continue to account for the highest number of cases reported in June. Shigella outbreaks have been declared in Kozhikode with 40 cases, Wayanad 18, Thiruvananthapuram 15, Malappuram 19, Thrissur 11, Kannur 10, Kollam 9, Alappuzha 3, Idukki 3, Palakkad 3 and Ernakulam 2. This year, the total number of Shigella cases reported in the state has reached 209 and the death toll stands at 6.

Shigella is a highly contagious bacterial infection that mainly affects the intestines and spreads through contaminated food, water or poor hygiene. The disease commonly causes diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps, and can be particularly dangerous for children, elderly people and those with weakened immunity.

On the Nipah situation, the Health Department said the test result of a healthcare worker who developed symptoms after being included in the contact list of the Kozhikode patient had returned negative. No new people were added to the patient’s contact list on Saturday. Of the 104 people under observation, four have been classified as very high-risk, 14 as high-risk and 86 as low-risk contacts. Health workers also visited 81 houses in Division 5 of Ramanattukara municipality, where the Nipah case was reported, as part of surveillance activities.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/kerala/story/shigella-cases-kerala-rise-133-june-nipah-contacts-test-negative-ptag-2930648-2026-06-20

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh underlines the importance of self-reliance in securing India’s borders amid new-age threats. He said changing warfare and Operation Sindoor underline the need for constant adaptation and capability.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that self-reliance, or Aatmanirbharta, is central to ensuring India’s national security on its own terms, stressing that technological agility, strategic foresight and institutional innovation are critical in an increasingly volatile global security environment.

Interacting with personnel at the Eastern Air Command Headquarters in Shillong, Singh said modern warfare is no longer limited to traditional battlefields and now includes hybrid threats, cyber challenges, information warfare, supply chain disruptions and the increasing use of drones.

“In such a situation, traditional preparedness alone is not sufficient for the defence forces,” he said, adding that India must continuously adapt to emerging security challenges.

Reiterating the government’s push for defence self-reliance, Singh said Aatmanirbharta was crucial for ensuring national security “on our own terms”. He said Operation Sindoor reflected the success of this approach and sent a clear message to adversaries.

“Through Operation Sindoor, we demonstrated to terrorists and their handlers that India will not compromise on its security and sovereignty,” Singh said, describing it as a reflection of the armed forces’ capability, vigilance and resolve.

He said the Eastern Air Command plays a critical role in safeguarding India’s eastern frontier and has consistently demonstrated operational readiness across multiple roles, including border management, disaster response and high-altitude operations.

Singh praised the personnel for their commitment under difficult conditions, noting their role in both security operations and humanitarian assistance during crises. “Whenever the nation faces a natural disaster or crisis, you are always the first to step forward,” he said.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/rajnath-singh-aatmanirbharta-operation-sindoor-india-security-2930760-2026-06-20

Two men allegedly posed as CBI officers and robbed a trader of Rs 25 lakh at Balapur bus stand. Police arrested them within 12 hours, recovered the cash and began checking its source.

In a swift breakthrough, the Akola Local Crime Branch (LCB) arrested two men within 12 hours of their allegedly posing as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers and robbing an elderly trader of Rs 25 lakh in Maharashtra’s Akola district. Police recovered the entire stolen amount along with other valuables.

According to police, the incident took place on June 19 between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. when a nearly 70-year-old businessman from Khamgaon, who operates a Pico call centre, boarded a bus at the Balapur bus stand.

Investigators said one of the accused, who was already acquainted with the victim, identified him and executed a pre-planned scheme. The accused allegedly used Google to create a fake CBI identity card and approached the trader posing as a CBI officer.

Claiming that the businessman was involved in illegal financial transactions, the accused allegedly threatened him with legal action and demanded that he hand over his mobile phone and a bag containing cash. The victim was also told to accompany them to a police station.

To make the operation appear genuine, the first accused called his accomplice to the spot and pretended that the trader was being taken for official questioning. However, as soon as the victim got off the bus, the two men fled with the cash and mobile phone.

Initially unaware that he had been deceived, the trader waited at the bus stand for a police vehicle that never arrived. Realising he had been duped, he later filed a complaint at Balapur Police Station.

Given the seriousness of the case, Akola Superintendent of Police Archit Chandak constituted a special investigation team. Under the leadership of Police Inspector Nitin Levarkar, a team comprising three officers and 20 personnel launched an intensive probe.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/fake-cbi-officers-rob-elderly-trader-of-rs-25-lakh-in-akola-police-crack-case-in-12-hours-2930788-2026-06-21

A Delhi NGO worker was allegedly molested and disrobed by a mob in Odisha’s Rayagada after being mistaken for a child-lifter. The attack has triggered a sharp political row as police arrested 21 people and promised more action.

The alleged molestation and disrobing of a 22-year-old NGO worker in Odisha’s Rayagada district after a mob mistook her and a male colleague for child-lifters has triggered a political storm, with the opposition attacking the state government over women’s safety and the BJP asserting that police acted swiftly.

Police said 21 people have been arrested so far and three criminal cases registered in connection with the June 16 incident. The two NGO workers, both from Delhi, had travelled to the area for research work and returned home after receiving treatment at a local hospital.

According to Rayagada Superintendent of Police Raj Prasad, the incident occurred at Kandulguda village under Kalyansinghpur police station on the night of June 16. Villagers allegedly mistook the woman and her male colleague for child-lifters and assaulted them.

“More arrests could be made in the coming days after verifying the video footage,” Prasad told reporters.

The two were conducting research under an NGO in Odisha’s Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Rayagada districts. Recounting the incident, the woman told reporters, “The locals assaulted me, pulled me by my hair, tore my clothes and touched me inappropriately even though we had no link with child lifters.”

Both victims later received treatment at a local hospital before returning home.

Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly and BJD president Naveen Patnaik described the incident as a “barbaric and shameful” act and said it raised serious questions about “humanity and the dignity” of women in the state.

In a post on X, Patnaik said, “This heinous, barbaric incident that occurred in Rayagada, Kalyansinghpur, with a Delhi student has shaken, shamed, and worried the entire Odisha.”

He also questioned the state’s response, asking why Odisha’s image was being tarnished and whether the government and police administration had become helpless in ensuring citizens’ safety.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/child-lifter-rumour-sparks-mob-attack-on-ngo-worker-in-odisha-21-arrested-2930711-2026-06-21

Nearly a year after the Air India AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad, about 9% of victim families have not accepted the ₹1 crore ex-gratia compensation, while 4% have not taken the interim ₹25 lakh payment. Air India and Tata Sons said 96% families received interim aid and 91% accepted final payouts, with delays linked to documentation and disputes.

Nearly a year after the catastrophic crash of Air India flight AI-171, about 9% of the families who lost loved ones in the disaster have still not accepted the ex-gratia compensation of Rs 1 crore while around 4% of them haven’t even accepted the interim payment of Rs 25 lakh.

Two Separate Financial Packages Offered

Air India and its parent company, Tata Sons, have disbursed hundreds of millions of rupees in financial aid following the tragic crash in Ahmedabad last year that killed 260 people. ​The financial package is split into two distinct channels, including the legal interim compensation from the airline operator, and an independent philanthropic fund from the parent group. However, a small percentage of families have yet to accept the final packages.

Air India confirmed to the Free Press Journal that 96% of the affected families have accepted the initial interim compensation of Rs 25 lakh provided directly by Air India, while 91% have accepted the separate ex-gratia payout from the Tata Sons group. ​Separate from Air India’s legal liabilities, Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran established the ‘AI171 Memorial and Welfare Trust’, which offered a blanket Rs 1 crore ex-gratia financial assistance package to the families of all deceased victims. According to the airline, 91% of families have accepted and received this payout.

Documentation, Disputes Delay Acceptance

According to the airline, the remaining 4% of cases for interim compensation involve incomplete documentation or ongoing family inheritance disputes. Similarly, the 9% of the families retaining to accept the ex-gratia compensation, consist of incomplete paperwork or instances where families have actively declined to accept the payment.

Moreover, around 94% of individuals injured on the ground have received either a one-time full and final settlement or interim compensation, scaled to the severity of their injuries and loss of livelihood. The carrier said that the remaining 6% collected claim forms from the helpdesk but have not yet submitted them.

With the bulk of interim payments settled, Air India has begun the process for final compensation. A few families of the victims have claimed that the airline has asked them to sign indemnity waivers, legally binding the beneficiaries to give up their right to sue the airline in the future for extra compensation. Many of these families are waiting for the final investigation report to plan their future course of action.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/a-year-after-ai-171-crash-about-9-of-victims-families-yet-to-receive-compensation-15-families-await-receiving-digital-devices

The CBSE-OSM controversy exposes deeper faults in cybersecurity audits, procurement and institutional accountability

In February 2026, Nisarga Adhikary, a 19-year-old security researcher and Grade 12 student, discovered vulnerabilities in the online platform used for Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) pilot on on-screen marking (OSM) system. CBSE used a platform developed by Coempt Eduteck Private Limited, a private company that also provides technology solutions to state education boards and universities.

Keeping aside the purported merits and efficiency of OSM, as well as the controversies surrounding the procurement process, it is worth examining the failures that led to CBSE’s embarrassing OSM pilot and discussing how security should be addressed in mission-critical systems going forward.

Nisarga reported the vulnerabilities he found to the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) on February 25 and received an acknowledgement from the agency the following day. Security researchers often report vulnerabilities to CERT-In because of its status as the national nodal agency for receiving and responding to vulnerability, and incident reports. However, many are unaware that CERT-In has no real enforcement powers.

Following Nisarga’s responsible disclosure, Coempt Eduteck Private Limited fixed the most serious of the several vulnerabilities he had reported. The vulnerability in question involved a client-side hardcoded credential that could be used to bypass the normal authentication process altogether, effectively functioning as an easily discoverable backdoor for anyone who examined the application. Nisarga sought updates from CERT-In on the status of his report for several weeks but did not receive a satisfactory response.

That remained the case until May 22, when Nisarga publicly disclosed all the vulnerabilities he had discovered, on his blog, including those that had not been fixed. It is worth noting that public disclosure of vulnerabilities is a recognised practice in the cybersecurity industry, particularly when vendors are unresponsive — a process commonly known as “full disclosure.” Google’s own vulnerability disclosure policy provides a 90-day disclosure timeline from the date of initial notification, which is reduced to seven days when there is evidence of active exploitation.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/indias-cyber-vulnerabilities-begin-long-before-a-breach-4046682#google_vignette

Deadlines for new lines: ORR line trial run by October, full Pink Line by March 2027

Bengaluru: In his first review meeting of the Namma Metro project on Friday, Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda blamed “mismanaged” metro worksites for Bengaluru’s “visual disfigurement” and some of its severe traffic congestion.

He also set fresh timelines for opening some new lines but conceded that the deadlines could still go unmet given the BMRCL’s “notorious” track record.

The nearly three-hour meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, Tushar Girinath, BMRCL Managing Director J Ravishankar and other senior officials.

Gowda, who took charge last Tuesday, was blunt in his assessment of BMRCL, saying it had never met or even come close to meeting a deadline since the foundation stone for the first metro line was laid 25 years ago.

At the meeting, he pulled up BMRCL officials and said the delays were inexplicable. “This culture has to change. This is an engineering challenge… there’s nothing impossible in engineering.”

Criticising worksite mismanagement, Gowda added: “Your contractors take it for granted to take as much space, cause as much disruption and for as long as they want. And you don’t enforce worksite management. Instead of three or four years, you’re taking six or seven years (to complete a metro line).”

Later, speaking to reporters, he said metro construction had unnecessarily occupied road space, while debris and materials dumped at sites had contributed to traffic congestion, garbage black spots and flooding. He asked BMRCL to explore alternative work sites.

Responding to a question from DH, Gowda acknowledged some improvement at metro worksites along the Outer Ring Road (ORR). “Road space taken for the work and debris dumping have reduced but they still occupy one portion of the road, from Veerannapalya to Hebbal,” he noted.

The minister set a new timeline for the full opening of the 21.26-km Pink Line, which will link Kalena Agrahara to Nagavara.

On long-awaited metro connectivity to the ORR tech hub, Gowda said he had directed BMRCL to begin trial runs on the KR Puram-Marathahalli and Marathahalli-HSR Layout stretches by October 2026. He noted that Marathahalli and Silk Board stations would be delayed due to pending works. The 19.75-km line from KR Puram to Silk Board, which falls under Phase 2A, will open about five months later, he said.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/krishna-byre-gowda-blames-mismanaged-metro-sites-for-bengalurus-visual-disfigurement-4045540

India secured a major diplomatic victory as Vivek Aggarwal, a senior IAS officer and Union Secretary, was elected Vice President of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The MEA hailed the appointment as a “major win for India”, highlighting the country’s growing influence in combating money laundering, terror financing, and emerging financial threats globally.

In a significant diplomatic and strategic achievement for India, senior bureaucrat Vivek Aggarwal, who is a Secretary in the Government of India, has been elected as the Vice President of the global anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing watchdog, Financial Action Task Force (FATF), with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) describing the announcement as a “major win for India”.

Announcing the development in a post on X on Saturday, the MEA said, “Major win for India in FATF! Shri Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Government of India, has been elected the Vice President of the Financial Action Task Force.”

The ministry said the appointment reflects India’s growing role in global efforts to combat terrorism financing and illicit financial networks.

“As India continues to champion a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, this leadership role reinforces our relentless focus on combating global terrorist financing networks and dismantling illicit financial systems,” the MEA stated in its post.

Major win for India in FATF!

Shri Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Government of India, has been elected the Vice President of the Financial Action Task Force.

As India continues to champion a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, this leadership role reinforces our relentless…

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 19, 2026

Highlighting Aggarwal’s experience in the field, the ministry noted that he previously headed India’s FATF delegation and served as Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND).

“His profound expertise as the former Head of India’s FATF delegation and former Director of FIU-IND will advance FATF’s mandate to secure financial integrity,” the post added.

The FATF is an intergovernmental body that develops policies and standards to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and threats to the international financial system.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/major-win-for-india-top-bureaucrat-vivek-aggarwal-elected-vice-president-of-anti-terror-financing-watchdog-fatf

Tension flared at Kolkata Airport on Friday as TMC and BJP supporters clashed ahead of Abhishek Banerjee’s arrival from Delhi, where he had met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

TMC and BJP supporters clashed at Kolkata Airport on Friday evening just before the arrival of Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, who was returning from Delhi after meeting Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

A group of BJP supporters gathered at Kolkata Airport late on Friday evening, allegedly carrying eggs. A large number of TMC supporters also reached the airport and engaged in scuffling with BJP supporters near the arrival gates.

In a very short time, the situation turned tense as supporters of both parties became involved in a clash. A scuffle broke out between the two groups outside the arrival area, prompting police and security personnel to rush to the spot.

TMC supporters alleged that BJP workers had assembled at the airport to hurl eggs at the Lok Sabha MP upon his arrival. Police intervened and brought the situation under control outside the exit gate.

To avoid any possible attack on Banerjee and prevent further escalation, police and security forces escorted him out of the airport through a different gate. Banerjee later left the airport from the alternate exit under security cover.

One TMC supporter claimed BJP activists arrived with eggs and provoked TMC workers despite being requested not to bring such confrontational tactics to the airport. The supporter further alleged that some BJP workers misbehaved with TMC members and even displayed weapons, questioning how they were allowed inside the airport premises despite security arrangements.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/tmc-bjp-workers-clash-at-kolkata-airport-as-abhishek-banerjee-returns-after-meeting-om-birla-in-delhi-2930201-2026-06-19