Category: India

A truck ran over six people who were removing a crashed vehicle from the road in Beed district of Maharashtra on Monday, officials said.

At around 8.30 pm, a car driven by Deepak Atkare of Gevrai climbed over the divider on a stretch of National Highway-52 near Gadhi village, about 100 km from here.

While some people were busy removing the car, a truck ran over them at around 11.30 pm, they said. Six of them died while one was injured, they added.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/6-killed-as-truck-runs-over-them-in-maharashtras-beed-cops-8515398

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, issued a stern warning to Pakistan from Gujarat’s Bhuj. “The people of Pakistan need to come forward to get their country rid of terrorism. Their youth will have to come forward,” he said. He further said, “Sukh chain ki zindagi jiyo, roti khao, warna meri goi toh hai hi.” Which roughly translates to, “Live peacefully, eat bread, or else my bullet is there.”

Earlier in the day, PM Modi held a roadshow in Gujarat’s Bhuj and later inaugurated multiple development projects. PM Modi received a warm welcome in his home state. People in large numbers had gathered to catch a glimpse of him. They waved at him and greeted him enthusiastically.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/roti-khao-warna-meri-goli-toh-pm-modis-stern-warning-to-pakistan-in-gujarats-bhuj-video

A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan was transferred out of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir just six days before the deadly terrorist attack struck the high-security area, sources told India Today TV.

The accused, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Moti Ram Jat, was posted to the 116th battalion of the CRPF in Pahalgam before his transfer.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which arrested Jat from Delhi earlier today, said he was involved in passing classified intelligence to Pakistan Intelligence Officers (PIOs) in exchange for money since 2023. According to officials, the information shared included operational details of Indian security forces, movement patterns, and locations of key military installations.

The soldier has been dismissed from the Army post his arrest. He is currently being interrogated by NIA officials, who are probing the depth of the espionage network and his possible links to the Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians, mostly Hindu tourists.

Jat landed in trouble after central agencies, working with the Army, flagged his social media activity, which allegedly “acted in violation of established norms and protocols,” according to a statement issued by the CRPF.

“Concurrently, the individual has been dismissed from service with effect from 21.05.2025, under the relevant provisions of the Constitution of India read with the CRPF Rules,” the statement said.

Jat was presented before a special court, which remanded him to NIA custody till June 6.

In the past two weeks, authorities have arrested at least 13 people from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh on espionage charges, uncovering what appears to be a Pakistan-linked spy network active across northern India.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/crpf-jawan-arrested-for-spying-for-pak-moti-ram-jat-pahalgam-posting-terror-attack-2730963-2025-05-26

The issue assumed a political colour in Telangana on Sunday with BRS Working President K T Rama Rao demanding an impartial and thorough investigation into the “allegations of harassment” made by Magee”.

A senior IAS officer in Telangana, who conducted an enquiry into Miss England Milla Magee’s reported allegations concerning ethical issues during the ongoing Miss World 2025 pageant, said that he found no evidence for the charges.

Jayesh Ranjan, a Special Chief Secretary of the state government, told PTI on Sunday that he has completed the inquiry and “no evidence was found” over Magee’s reported allegations.

Magee withdrew from the contest, citing family issues.

In a statement to a British tabloid, Magee reportedly expressed disappointment with the pageant’s environment, which she said did not align with her expectations of ‘beauty with a purpose’.

Contestants were allegedly expected to wear make-up at all times and remain dressed in ball gowns throughout the day, media reports said, quoting her.

Miss World CEO Julia Morley has denied the allegations.

The issue assumed a political colour in Telangana on Sunday with BRS Working President K T Rama Rao demanding an impartial and thorough investigation into the “allegations of harassment” made by Magee”.

Noting that Telangana has a rich culture of respecting and venerating women, Rama Rao said “such an incident” is profoundly distressing.

Magee withdrew midway, citing a family emergency involving her mother’s health, the organisers said on Saturday.

Following her departure, Charlotte Grant, the first runner-up of Miss England, has stepped in to represent her country.

“Earlier this month, Milla Magee requested to leave the competition due to a reported family emergency involving her mother’s health.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/telangana/no-evidence-found-in-miss-englands-allegations-telangana-govt-official-3556880

Stalin also wondered why his party, the DMK, should make compromises for the ED’s action, which is based on FIRs for the alleged irregularities in TASMAC during the AIADMK regime.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Sunday said his participation in the NITI Aayog meeting was considering deliberations over India’s growth plans.

He rejected accusations from opposition parties in this regard.

Writing to party cadres, Stalin said, as soon as the news of his participation in the NITI Aayog meeting on May 24 spread, political rivals were rattled and they began showing malice as usual.

Such opponents derived happiness by posing questions on his non-participation in the NITI meeting held in previous years, he said.

Also, they levelled allegations that he was meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in order to escape from the Enforcement Directorate’s “action” following the central agency’s searches in the state-run liquor corporation (TASMAC, Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation) premises in connection with an alleged scam, he said.

No other party has been targeted by central agencies, including the CBI and ED, like the DMK. Still, the party is only legally fighting against it in courts and has not surrendered like the main opposition party, AIADMK.

Stalin also wondered why his party, the DMK, should make compromises for the ED’s action, which is based on FIRs for the alleged irregularities in TASMAC during the AIADMK regime.

However, the Dravidian model regime has also proven that ED’s action in this regard violated the law, and the Supreme Court’s stay directive confirms this, the chief minister said.

He said, notwithstanding such explanations, the opposition parties will only reiterate the same allegations without reforming themselves.

Stalin alleged AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami was the one who mortgaged his party with Union Home Minister Amit Shah following raids by central agencies on premises linked to relatives and business associates in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Dismissing opposition allegations, Stalin asserted that, be it support or opposition, DMK’s stand had always been and would continue to be firm and resolute, and this was stated by none other than Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Seasoned national leaders, including Prime Ministers A B Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh, were aware of such a feature of his party.

The chief minister said he decided to take part in the NITI meeting as it was intended to discuss India’s future growth with chief ministers, and also considering that Tamil Nadu’s share in the national growth was very significant during the past 4 years of Dravidian model regime.

PM Modi’s interactions with CMs were quite natural in that meeting, and while the deliberations were about the journey towards a 30 trillion dollar economy by 2045, “I conveyed to the PM that Tamil Nadu’s share will be 4.5 trillion dollars.” Currently, Tamil Nadu’s share in India’s growth is about 10 per cent and it would go up to about 15 per cent, thanks to the Dravidian model government’s initiatives, and this was conveyed with confidence in the meeting.

The DMK, similar to its vigorous pursual of the state’s development goals (alongside national objectives, while in power) is also a truly patriotic organisation when it comes to national security, and this is the party’s characteristic since the days of party founder CN Annadurai.

He recalled the tricolour rally led by him recently in Chennai to show solidarity with the Armed Forces against the background of Operation Sindoor. Also, he pointed to DMK MP Kanimozhi leading the Indian delegation to Russia.

Hence, “political standpoint is different and extending cooperation to the government (union government) considering welfare of the nation is different.” In the same manner, the chief minister said he took part in the NITI Aayog meeting chaired by PM Modi to deliberate on growth goals. Stalin said he spoke on Tamil Nadu and batted for schemes and pending projects directly.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/tamil-nadu/cm-stalin-says-no-compromise-on-tns-rights-defends-participation-in-niti-aayog-meet-3556890

Pakistan, on the other hand, sees India as an “existential threat” and will continue the development of tactical nuclear weapons

India perceives China as its “primary adversary” and Pakistan as “an ancillary security problem to be managed” despite the military clashes this month triggered by New Delhi’s military strikes on terrorist facilities, according to a new assessment by the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).

Pakistan, on the other hand, sees India as an “existential threat” and will continue the development of tactical nuclear weapons to counter India’s conventional military advantage, while tensions between India and China on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) are “capable of escalating quickly”, DIA director Lt Gen Jeffrey Kruse said in his worldwide threat assessment to the US House armed services subcommittee on intelligence.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 to target terrorist infrastructure in territories controlled by Pakistan in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians last month. The strikes triggered four days of intense clashes using drones, missiles and long-range weapons that ended with an understanding between the two countries on halting military actions on May 10.

The DIA assessment, presented on May 11, said the Indian and Pakistani militaries had “agreed to a full ceasefire” after multiple rounds of missile, drone and loitering munition attacks and heavy artillery fire during May 7-10.

Kruse concluded: “India views China as its primary adversary and Pakistan more an ancillary security problem to be managed, despite cross-border attacks in mid-May by both India’s and Pakistan’s militaries.”

On the other hand, the DIA said, Pakistan regards India as “an existential threat and will continue to pursue its military modernisation effort, including the development of battlefield nuclear weapons, to offset India’s conventional military advantage”.

Pakistan is modernising its nuclear arsenal and “almost certainly procures WMD-applicable goods from foreign suppliers and intermediaries”, the assessment said. “Pakistan primarily is a recipient of China’s economic and military largesse, and Pakistani forces conduct multiple combined military exercises every year with China’s PLA”, it said.

Chinese-origin combat jets such as the JF-17 and J-10C and the PL-15 missile were extensively used by Pakistan during the recent clashes.

The DIA said foreign materials and technology supporting Pakistan’s weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programmes are “very likely acquired primarily from suppliers in China, and sometimes are transshipped through Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates”.

The assessment further said tensions between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) are “capable of escalating quickly”, and the Indian government’s defence priorities will “probably focus on demonstrating global leadership, countering China, and enhancing New Dehli’s military power”.

“To counter Chinese influence and boost its global leadership role, India is giving priority to advancing its bilateral defence partnerships in the Indian Ocean region through exercises, training, arms sales, and information sharing,” the assessment said.

Last October, India and China reached an agreement on disengagement of forces two remaining “friction points” on the LAC and the leadership of the two countries agreed to revive several mechanisms to resolve the long-standing border dispute and to normalise relations.

The DIA said the “disengagement did not resolve the longstanding dispute about border demarcation but reduced some tension still lingering from a 2020 incident when troops on both sides were killed in a clash” along the LAC.

The DIA further assessed that India will continue promoting its “Make in India” initiative to build its domestic defence industry, mitigate supply chain concerns, and modernise its military. India also continued military modernisation efforts in 2024 by conducting a test of the nuclear-capable Agni-I Prime MRBM and the Agni-V multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle and by commissioning its second nuclear-powered submarine to “strengthen its nuclear triad and bolster its ability to deter adversaries”.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/china-adversary-pakistan-ancillary-problem-for-new-delhi-us-report-101748197965439.html

Employees are also no longer required to submit clearances from and attestation by their HR department for withdrawals and settlement of claims.

In a relief for employees who are locked out of their savings because of an overlap in service periods, the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), the state-backed retirement fund manager, has issued instructions that claims of such subscribers can’t be rejected.

An overlap in service period occurs when an employee is shown to be working in two different companies on the same date and this can happen when the exit date from one company and the joining date in another firm overlap due to various technical reasons or errors.

“It has been observed that transfer claim requests are being rejected due to the issue of overlap in service periods by the regional offices. However, overlapping in services can occur due to genuine reasons and therefore the same should not be considered to be a disqualification per se in effecting transfers,” a circular issued by the EPFO to all its offices on May 20 states.

Provident funds provide retirement income and a financial safety net for nearly 70-million salaried Indians. It is often the key corpus of lifetime savings for working people.

The EPFO said transfer claims, where a previous PF account is sought to be transferred to a current one to consolidate the savings, which can then be withdrawn, should be processed even if there are overlapping services. Such transfer claim requests should be paused only in cases where a genuine need for clarification is felt, the circular said.

“Only in cases where a genuine need is felt to clarify the overlapping of service, would the claims be processed after obtaining the requisite clarification,” the order said.

“This is great relief because let’s say, an employee worked for 20 years and there’s an overlap of even a single day between any of the employee’s two companies, then the money used to get blocked,” said personal finance expert Kunal Kabra of Kustodian.Life.

In such cases, in the event of an employee’s death, it was impossible for survivors of the PF subscriber to get funds released, according to Kabra.

The latest circular is part of a series of reforms at the retirement funds body by the Union labour ministry. Among key steps taken recently, employees are no longer required to submit clearances from and attestation by their HR department for withdrawals and settlement of claims. Both these processes have been moved completely online.

Employees also won’t need to submit cheque leaves and bank-attested updated passbooks while filing claims, especially for partial withdrawals due to financial emergencies, such as sudden health expenses, educational financing needs and marriages.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/overlap-in-service-no-ground-to-reject-claims-epfo-circular-101748198865915.html

A Reddit post has sparked widespread debate by highlighting the absurdity of modern job requirements. The post revealed that the user was rejected from a job for not having five years of experience with a software tool that was only launched in 2023. The irony of requiring expertise that couldn’t possibly exist has left many scratching their heads, prompting discussions about the disconnect between hiring practices and reality.

“Applied for a job I was genuinely excited about. One reason I got rejected? “Lack of experience in X.” I Googled it — the tool was released in 2023. The job post also said: Must have 5+ years of experience”. “We value adaptability. “Thrives in fast-paced environments.

“So let me get this straight — you want someone with future experience in a brand new tool… but also someone who’s adaptable? At this point, job hunting feels like: Company: “Must walk on water.” Me: “I can swim.” Company: “Sorry, not good enough.” This isn’t job search fatigue anymore. It’s corporate fantasy disguised as hiring. Anyone else run into this nonsense lately?” the user added.

The post went viral, with many professionals chiming in to share their own tales of absurd job requirements or simply expressing their incredulity at the situation.

One user wrote, “Peak corporate logic: ‘You’re too early for your own tool.”

Another commented, “This. Ghost recruitment or fake post to satisfy internal hiring requirements without actually allowing for other candidates. I would forward the post to someone higher up in the company and say “i was rejected as a candidate because of a requirement that is impossible as this software has not existed for 5 years. I wanted to bring this to your attention as this could negatively impact your ability to fill the roll. If you wanted to be really evil, you could watch the position for if/when they hire. If it’s an internal candidate you could raise issue.”

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/feature/job-applicant-rejected-for-not-having-5-years-experience-in-2023-launched-software-8503614#pfrom=home-ndtv_lateststories

A Dubai-bound Air India flight from Delhi faced drama due to a technical delay, leaving passengers without electricity for over 90 minutes. Further delays led to deplaning.

A Dubai-bound Air India flight from Delhi became a scene of intense drama on Sunday as travellers clashed with the crew over a technical delay. Flight 2205, scheduled to depart at 5 pm, was delayed by several hours due to technical issues.

Passengers on the flight were without electricity for over 90 minutes due to a power failure, which was attributed to a technical issue. As the delay dragged on, passengers grew restless, with some even choosing to deboard. After the issue was resolved, the crew had to re-conduct a hand baggage check before proceeding.

The cabin crew worked to keep passengers calm despite the technical issues, offering water and snacks. However, the pilot later announced another delay due to a failure in the external electrical source, dashing hopes of an imminent departure.

After some passengers complained of feeling claustrophobic and some said they don’t feel safe anymore, all passengers were deplaned, probably for reboarding later.

Earlier, passengers on an Air India flight from Delhi to Patna were allegedly made to sit inside the aircraft for hours despite a non-functional air conditioning system.

A video of passengers creatively using in-flight magazines as hand fans to cope with the heat is going viral on social media.

One of the passengers, Rashtriya Janata Dal MLA Rishi Mishra, made a self-recorded video from the flight. In the video, passengers were seen complaining about the non-functional air conditioning.

Source : https://www.news18.com/viral/passengers-argue-with-crew-on-delayed-dubai-bound-air-india-flight-deplaned-after-feeling-unsafe-ws-l-9352256.html

Security forces fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the protesters in front of Kangla Gate, some 150 metres from Raj Bhavan gate.

Several people were injured after a scuffle broke out between protesters and security forces who were on their way to gherao the Raj Bhavan against the removal of the state’s name from a government bus.

The security forces fired tear gas shells and used mock bombs to disperse protesters in front of Kangla Gate, some 150 metres from Raj Bhavan gate, news agency PTI reported.

The protesters responding to a call by COCOMI (Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity) to stage mass agitation against the alleged removal of “Manipur” from Manipur State Transport bus with journalists on board on May 20 en route to the Shirui Festival in Ukhrul district.

The protestors marched for some 500 metres before they were stopped by security forces. They were demanding an apology from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla over an alleged insult to Manipur’s identity.

Five protesters have been admitted to hospital with injuries, a hospital official said.

The governor continues to disregard the sentiments of the people by his silence. He and his administration has completely humiliated the state’s historical and cultural legacy all the while administering the state. The inquiry commission set up by the government to probe the incident is not enough and does not mention anything about penalising those who were involved,” a protestor told the news agency.

A row erupted after a media team, en route to cover the opening ceremony of the five-day-long Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district on May 20, was forced to return to Imphal, allegedly after some security personnel blocked their bus at Gwaltabi in Imphal East district.

It was alleged that security forces had stopped the state-run bus, on which journalists were being taken by the government to cover the tourism festival in the district on Tuesday, and forced the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) staffers to cover the state’s name written on the windshield with a white paper.

COCOMI had announced the statewide agitation and demanded the resignation of the Chief Secretary, DGP, and Security Advisor over the incident. The group had also announced a civil disobedience movement across the state in protest against the Governor’s alleged refusal to apologise for the removal of the state’s name from the government bus.

Meanwhile, the Manipur government earlier this week ordered a probe into the allegations.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/protesters-scuffle-with-security-forces-near-manipur-raj-bhavan-several-injured-ws-kl-9352212.html

Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney is pushing for deepening economic cooperation with India

In the first official conversation since a major diplomatic dispute between India and Canada, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his counterpart Anita Anand.

Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney is pushing for deepening economic cooperation with India. The country will be hosting the G7 Summit from June 15 to 17.

Anand made the announcement on her social media handle on X, thanking Jaishankar for the “productive discussion” on Indo-Canadian ties.

“Thank you Minister @DrSJaishankar for the productive discussion today on strengthening Canada-India ties, deepening our economic cooperation, and advancing shared priorities. I look forward to continuing our work together,” she wrote on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had congratulated Carney on being elected as the Prime Minister after his predecessor Justin Trudeau stepped down from the role. In his message, he had stressed strong people-to-people ties between the two countries while saying he was looking forward to “unlocking greater opportunities”.

With Carney, it looks like India wants to turn a new leaf in bilateral ties that had nosedived under Trudeau amid unsubstantiated allegations against New Delhi related to the killing of pro-Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023.

Even during his campaign, the Canadian Prime Minister said rebuilding ties with India was a priority for his government, describing it as an “incredibly important relationship”. He had said Canadians have deep personal, economic and strategic ties with India.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/in-first-conversation-after-major-diplomatic-meltdown-jaishankar-speaks-to-canadian-counterpart-ws-l-9352286.html

A Liberian container ship, MSC ELSA 3, sank off the Kochi coast, carrying 640 containers, including hazardous materials. All 24 crew members were rescued after the vessel developed a critical tilt and capsized.

Liberian vessel carrying 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous cargo, sank off the Kochi coast on Sunday, sparking fears of a possible oil spill. All 24 crew members were rescued after the ship developed a critical tilt on Saturday, according to officials.
So far, no oil spill has been reported, the Ministry of Defence said on Sunday as full pollution response preparedness was activated by the Indian Coast Guard which was monitoring the situation along with the Indian Navy.
“Liberian container vessel MSC ELSA 3 (IMO NO. 9123221) sank off the Kochi coast at around 0750 hrs today on May 25, 2025, due to flooding…

“The vessel went down with 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous cargo and 12 containing calcium carbide. It was also loaded with 84.44 MT of diesel and 367.1 MT of furnace oil,” the ministry said in a statement.

Of the 24 crew members, 21 had been rescued by the Indian Coast Guard on Saturday, and the remaining three were later rescued by INS Sujata, which joined the rescue operation launched by the ICG.
Given the sensitive marine ecosystem along Kerala’s coast, the ICG has activated “full pollution response preparedness” and ICG aircraft equipped with advanced oil spill detection systems are conducting aerial surveillance, officials said.
“ICG ship Saksham, carrying pollution response equipment, remains deployed at the site. So far, no oil spill has been reported,” the defence ministry said.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has cautioned the general public against touching any cargo containers or oil spills that may wash ashore.
The coast guard has confirmed that the vessel was carrying Marine Gas Oil (MGO) and Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO).
Deploying its ships and aircraft, the Indian Coast Guard had launched a rescue operation on Saturday following a distress call from the Liberian container vessel that developed a critical 26-degree list nearly 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi.
The emergency began on May 24, when MSC ELSA 3, en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi, developed a 26-degree “starboard list” approximately 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi, the officials said.
The vessel lost stability, prompting a distress call. ICG’s Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) in Kochi immediately launched a coordinated response, they said.
“An ICG Dornier aircraft was deployed for aerial surveillance, spotting two life rafts with survivors. ICG patrol ships and merchant vessels MV Han Yi and MSC Silver 2 were also diverted to assist, in line with global search and rescue protocols,” the defence ministry said.
By late evening of Saturday, 21 of the 24 crew, including nationals from Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, and the Philippines, had been rescued. Three senior crew members remained onboard to assist with salvage arrangements, it said.
“However, the vessel’s condition deteriorated overnight and it capsized on May 25. The three crew members were forced to abandon the ship and were rescued by INS Sujata,” the statement by the ministry said.
The Coast Guard on Sunday also shared the rescue operation update and some pictures on X.
Noting that the sensitive coast of Kerala is home to both vivid biodiversity and is a major tourist attraction, the Coast Guard in a statement issued earlier in the day, said, the ICG has geared up pollution response preparedness and coordination with the state administration for all possible scenarios.
“ICG aircraft with advanced oil spill mapping technology are undertaking an assessment of the situation. Presently, no oil spill has been reported,” it said.
A Defence PRO said another vessel from the parent company had reached the area as part of the assistance efforts.
He added that the Coast Guard, which spearheaded the rescue operation, and Indian Navy ships are maintaining their positions in the area and monitoring the situation.
The KSDMA has cautioned the general public against touching any cargo containers or oil spills that may wash ashore.
They have also urged people to immediately inform the police if they spot any containers or oil on the shore.
The 184-metre-long vessel, MSC ELSA 3, departed for Kochi from Vizhinjam port on Friday.
At around 1.25 pm on May 24, the company owning the ship informed Indian authorities that it was listing by 26 degrees and sought urgent assistance.
The Coast Guard was coordinating rescue operations by maintaining ships and aircraft near the distressed vessel.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/no-oil-spill-so-far-indian-navy-on-high-alert-after-liberian-ship-sinks-off-kerala-coast-article-151717094

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is considering a new toll policy that includes a FASTag Annual Pass for Rs 3,000, allowing unlimited travel on national highways for a year. Users can choose between this pass or a distance-based pricing model at Rs 50 per 100 km.

A new toll policy could allow vehicle owners to opt for a FASTag Annual Pass, allowing them to have unlimited travel on national highways and expressways with a one-time payment of Rs 3,000 per year.
According to a report in Times Of India, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is considering a dual-payment system under the new toll regime, offering users the choice between an Annual Pass and distance-based pricing. Changes are also being considered in regards to physical toll booths to make travel seamless.

YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra was arrested for allegedly leaking sensitive information to Pakistani intelligence. Following her arrest, a photo of her with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi circulated online, prompting public outrage. But here’s the truth.

Days after Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra was arrested for espionage and allegedly leaking sensitive information to Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs), a picture of her with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has gone viral on social media.
The photograph linking Jyoti Malhotra and Rahul Gandhi was shared by several users on social media platform X, who wrote, “Rahul Gandhi with notorious YouTuber, Jyoti Malhotra!” Jumping on the bandwagon, others expressed outrage over Gandhi meeting Malhotra and questioned the ties between the Leader of the Opposition and the YouTuber, who has been booked under the Official Secrets Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

According to a report, 47 people were declared dead a total of 280 times over three years from 2019-2022. Every time a person was declared dead due to a snake bite, Rs 4 lakh was issued as the government’s financial aid.

In a shocking case of fraud involving government aid for those who died of snake bites or drowning, 47 people were declared dead a total of 280 times due to ‘snake bites’ in Madhya Pradesh’s Seoni district. The startling case has unravelled a crime that was committed over three years to the tune of Rs 11.26 crore. A report said that each time a person was declared dead, an amount of Rs 4 lakh was issued as a natural disaster relief aid.

The scam finally came to notice when the Revenue and Accounts Department conducted an audit in November 2022. According to a report in India Today, the officials of the department found that 47 people were declared dead about 280 times from 2019 to 2022.
“The relief amount is given to the kin of people who died of snake bite or drowning. After investigation, we found that Rs 11 crore 26 lakh has been misappropriated and sent to the accounts of 47 people,” Investigation Officer, Rohit Singh Kaushal, was quoted as saying by India Today.

Citing an example, he said a woman named Dwarka Bai, who had died of a snake bite, was declared dead 29 times. As per the report, a relief amount of Rs 1.16 crore was released in her name. A man, Shri Ram, apparently died 28 times, and Rs 4 lakh was sanctioned each time, totalling to Rs 1.12 crore.

Gangaram co-existed peacefully with people of Bawa Mohtara for 130 years.

Stories of human-wildlife coexistence in India are often headlined by elephants, leopards and tigers, but a village in Chhattisgarh has an unlikely protagonist in its tale: a crocodile.
Gangaram was a beloved and docile Mugger, whom residents of Bawa Mohtara considered a friend. In 2019, when he died aged 130, the village had a funeral and later built him a memorial.
And why, should you wonder, was a village so attached to a crocodile? Peaceful co-existence. They trusted Gangaram not to attack their children at play or women when they washed clothes at the edge of his pond.

Crocodiles are highly-successful apex predators that have been around for millions of years, without having to evolve significantly. They are incredibly strong, stealthy and almost invincible.

Humans may not be their natural prey, but, being opportunistic predators, the reptilian behemoths are not above hunting us, especially when they feel threatened.
It was clear that Gangaram was extraordinarily special. And so, for 130 years, Bawa Mohtara lived in harmony with their friendly water neighbour, even coming to be known as ‘Magarmachha-vala gaon’ or the crocodile village at one point.
In January 2019, he died of natural causes. About 500 people gathered for his funeral, to which Gangaram was taken on a tractor, garlanded.
“After getting information about its death, the forest personnel went there and a post mortem was conducted by veterinarians,” the sarpanch said.
“After the autopsy, the carcass was handed over to the villagers as they wanted to perform its final rites.”
In fact, many mourning homes didn’t even cook that day.
A few years later, the village built a memorial to the crocodile by the pond in which he lived.
Then-sub-divisional forest officer R K Sinha said Bawa Mohtara had set a rare example of coexistence, considering predators who enter human settlements aren’t usually given the same treatment.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/viral/why-a-chhattisgarh-village-gave-a-crocodile-a-funeral-and-a-memorial-article-151715893

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) patron Lalu Prasad Yadav on Sunday expelled his elder son Tej Pratap Yadav from the party for six years, citing his “irresponsible conduct” and deviation from the family’s values and public decorum.

This came a day after a purported post by the 37-year-old on Facebook spoke of his long-standing relationship with Anushka Yadav, saying that they have been in love and in a relationship for the past 12 years. However, he later claimed that his Facebook account was hacked and the photos edited to defame him and his family.

Announcing the move in a social media post, the former Bihar Chief Minister said that ignoring moral values in personal life weakens the party’s collective struggle for social justice, adding that the conduct of Tej Pratap was not in line with family values or traditions.

“Ignoring moral values in personal life weakens our collective struggle for social justice. The activities, public conduct and irresponsible behaviour of the eldest son are not in accordance with our family values and traditions. Therefore, due to the above circumstances, I am removing him from the party and family. From now on, he will not have any kind of role in the party, and the family. He is expelled from the party for 6 years,” Lalu Yadav said in a post written in Hindi.

“He is capable of differentiating between the good and bad and the merits and demerits of his personal life. Whoever will have relations with him should take a decision as per their own discretion. I have always been an advocate of public shame in public life. The obedient members of the family have adopted and followed this idea in public life. Thank you,” he added.

Lalu Yadav’s younger son and Tej Pratap’s younger brother, Tejashwi Yadav, shared his thoughts on the development while speaking to the media in Patna on Sunday, and said that, according to him, one should keep their political and personal life separate.

“As far as I am concerned, I neither like nor tolerate all this. Personal life should be separate. He is the elder one, and has the right to take his own decisions. But Lalu ji has also made his thoughts clear through a tweet. He did what he thought was right. I came to know about this only through the media,” Tejashwi Yadav said.

Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) hit out at Lalu Prasady Yadav, calling his move an eyewash by the RJD patron in the wake of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

“Lalu ji is misleading. Why did his conscience not awake when the Lalu family committed a heinous sin against Aishwarya (Tej Pratap Yadav’s former wife). This is pure immorality. He is misleading the people at the time of the elections and after the polls, Tej Pratap will be taken back into the party,” JDU national spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan said.

Notably, Tej Pratap’s divorce case with Aishwarya Rai remains stuck in court. His marriage to Rai, granddaughter of ex-Bihar CM Daroga Rai, collapsed within months, with Aishwarya accusing her husband and in-laws of throwing her out.

Aishwarya’s father, Chandrika Roy — himself a former minister, quit the RJD in protest, pledging to fight the battle “politically and legally”.

THE POST THAT STIRRED ROW

On Saturday, the purported post garnered a lot of attention on the social media platform. While many people praised Tej ‘Pratap’s courage, some netizens were curious to know whether this relationship will now lead to marriage.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/tej-pratap-expelled-lalu-yadav-rjd-bihar-assembly-elections-tejashwi-yadav-2730278-2025-05-25

Ahead of PM Modi’s Gujarat visit, the roads and streets in his home state have been adorned with gigantic billboards, posters and hoardings, hailing the Prime Minister as well as the Armed Forces for the successful Operation Sindoor.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to reach Gujarat, his home state, for a two-day visit beginning Monday, where he will launch many big-ticket projects amounting to thousands of crores. This marks his first visit to his home state, after Operation Sindoor — Indian Armed Forces’ targeted strikes that turned terror bases into ashes, across the border.

Ahead of PM Modi’s Gujarat visit, the roads and streets in his home state have been adorned with gigantic billboards, posters and hoardings, hailing the Prime Minister as well as the Armed Forces for the successful Operation Sindoor.

Huge posters have been put up at key intersections of the cities, including Ahmedabad and Bhuj, billboards erected at multiple locations to celebrate the armed forces’ targeted strikes across the border under PM Modi’s stewardship.

Big advertisement boards displaying the success of Operation Sindoor have been put near Metro stations, roundabouts and other locations.

The elaborate arrangements for the Prime Minister’s visit to his home state seek to showcase the idea and resolve of ‘New India’ that doesn’t fear but deters its enemies with stern action, under the strong leadership of PM Modi.

During his two-day visit to Gujarat, PM Modi is set to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple projects, including Rs 53,400 crore in Bhuj and Rs 24,000 crore in Dahod.

The PM will begin his Gujarat tour with Dahod visit on May 26, where he is scheduled to arrive around 11:15 a.m. He will dedicate to the nation Indian Railways’ Locomotive Manufacturing Plant, which will produce 9,000 HP electric locomotives for both domestic use and export. He will also flag off the first electric locomotive manufactured at the plant.

Thereafter, he will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple development projects worth around Rs 24,000 crore in Dahod and will also address a public function.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/gujarat-gears-up-for-pm-modis-visit-with-operation-sindoor-posters-on-may-26

Abdullah also raised the issue of recent shelling from Pakistan that claimed 23 lives in Poonch, Rajouri and north Kashmir and underlined that the construction of individual bunkers for residents is necessary.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday proposed a dual approach to resuscitate Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism sector, severely impacted by the Pahalgam terror attack, urging the Centre to mandate PSUs to hold meetings in Kashmir and to convene parliamentary committee meetings there.

Speaking at the Governing Council meeting of the NITI Aayog under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Abdullah also raised the issue of recent shelling from Pakistan that claimed 23 lives in Poonch, Rajouri and north Kashmir and underlined that the construction of individual bunkers for residents is necessary.

Acknowledging the severe impact of the recent events on the vital tourism sector, Abdullah proposed that as an immediate step, the government should direct its public sector undertakings (PSUs) to hold their meetings in Kashmir.

He also strongly pitched for holding of parliamentary consultative committee and parliamentary standing committee meetings in Jammu and Kashmir.

These concerted efforts by the government will significantly alleviate public fears, foster a renewed sense of security and trust, and ultimately pave the way for the revival of tourism in the Kashmir valley, bringing much-needed economic relief and a return to normalcy, he added.

During his extempore speech, the chief minister hailed the public’s defiance against the April 22 Pahalgam attack while simultaneously seeking the Centre’s attention for the region’s security, tourism and economic revival.

The security challenges post-Pahalgam have severely impacted Jammu and Kashmir’s economy, particularly its crucial tourism sector — a significant source of livelihood for many in the region.

Abdullah emphasised that while the nation mourns the loss of lives in the Pahalgam massacre, the memory of the 23 people who died due to shelling from across the border must not be forgotten.

The speech began with the chief minister commending the widespread condemnation from the people of Jammu and Kashmir following the Pahalgam massacre, which claimed 26 lives.

He also extended his gratitude to the central leadership, including the prime minister, for its crucial assistance in protecting Kashmiris targeted by anti-social elements in the rest of the country in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.

“When the victims of the Pahalgam massacre are remembered, the nation should also not forget 23 people who lost their lives in shelling from across the border as they were also killed by shells that emanated from Pakistan,” he said, drawing a direct link between the violence and its source.

India launched Operation Sindoor and targeted nine terror camps, including the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba outfits, on May 7. This was followed by heightened tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB).

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/delhi/hold-psu-parl-panel-meetings-in-kashmir-to-allay-public-fears-revive-tourism-omar-abdullah-at-niti-aayog-meeting-3556062

Shashi Tharoor stressed global solidarity against terrorism during a visit to New York. He asserted that India, like the US, will not remain silent in the face of such attacks.

Shashi Tharoor, who arrived in the United States as the leader of the all-party delegation, on Sunday said India will not be sitting quietly against the forces of evil.

Delivering his remarks while speaking to the media outside the 9/11 Memorial in New York City, the Congress MP also called on the global community to stand together with mutual solidarity and strength against the menace of terrorism.

Referring to the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Centre in the US, Tharoor said that the visit to the memorial is a solemn reminder of how, just like the US, India has been subjected to terrorism.

“We in India have been subject to the same wounds that you are seeing the scars of today in this very moving memorial. We have come in a spirit of solidarity, we have come at the same time on a mission,” Tharoor said.

The delegation, which is presently in the United States, will also visit Guyana, Panama, Brazil, and Colombia.

“In these countries, we are hoping to be able to explain to the world how important it is for all of us to stand together against the scourge of terrorism. Just as the US showed such resolution and determination in the wake of 9/11, so too our country has stood up against the forces of evil who attacked us on April 22,” he said.

“We hope that a lesson has been learned by those who perpetrated this attack and by those who finance, train, equip, and direct them, but we want to communicate to the world that we will not be sitting quietly if this is repeated.”

“We want the world to understand that this is not a time for indifference, but for mutual strength and mutual solidarity, so that we can all unitedly stand up for the values that the United States has always cherished – the values of democracy, of human freedom, of diversity, of coexistence of people of different communities, none of which sadly is on the agenda of those who conducted such attacks,” he added.

WHAT SHASHI THAROOR TOLD THE CONSULATE

After paying tribute at the 9/11 memorial, Tharoor, during an interaction at the Consulate, Congress in New York, said, “We came both as a reminder that this is a shared problem, but also out of a spirit of solidarity with the victims, who included Indians. It is a global problem, we must fight it unitedly.”

Speaking about how India has been subjected to terror acts time and again, Tharoor underlined that “Perpetrators of terror should indeed be brought to justice, and we are not going to stop our hunt for those who did this latest atrocity”.

He said, “We need to think about where these people are based, where they have safe havens, where they are trained, equipped, financed, guided, armed, and often directly directed. To perpetrate these horrors, and they too should be accountable for what they have been doing.”

“We are determined now that there’s got to be a new bottom line to this. We have tried everything, an international dossier, complaints… everything has been tried. Pakistan has remained in denial, there has been absolutely no conviction, no serious criminal prosecution, no attempt to dismantle the terror infrastructure in that country, and the persistence of safe havens,” Tharoor said.

“You (Pakistan) do this, you are going to get this back, and we have demonstrated with this Operation (Operation Sindoor) that we can do it with a degree of precision,” Tharoor mentioned.

Speaking further, the Congress MP said, “Some people decided that they would want to attack that process of normalisation (in Jammu and Kashmir), second to undermine the narrative, as well as the prosperity of the people of Kashmir. Third, by doing so in an atrocious manner, that is, it was not just a terrorist attack of somebody incriminating going on people with a bomb. It was a bunch of people going around identifying the religions of the people before them and killing them on that basis, which was clearly intended to provoke a backlash in the rest of India, since the victims were overwhelmingly Hindu.”

“The message was very clear that there was a malign intent, India, sadly, had no reason to doubt where it came from,” he said.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/shashi-tharoor-delegation-us-new-york-message-against-terrorism-india-pakistan-conflict-pahalgam-terror-attack-operation-sindoor-9351399.html

The directive comes amid growing concerns over a rising trend of law enforcement officers engaging in online content creation

In a bid to uphold professional discipline, the Kolkata police department has issued strict directives, barring all personnel under its jurisdiction from creating or sharing social media reels while in uniform or within police premises.

Senior officials have conveyed the instructions to all police stations (thanas) across the city, warning that any violation of the order will be met with disciplinary action.

The directive comes amid growing concerns over a rising trend of law enforcement officers engaging in online content creation, which authorities believe undermines the dignity and decorum expected of a disciplined force.

A senior officer told News18, “It’s a clear violation of discipline and unbecoming of a member of a disciplined force. Such actions are not in line with the standards we are expected to maintain and cannot be tolerated.”

Recently, several videos of uniformed police personnel from various states have gone viral, drawing criticism and sparking debate. Members of the police fraternity believe these incidents, along with similar occurrences within other forces, have prompted this decisive move.

Sources indicate that personnel have been instructed to adhere strictly to the directive, and any failure to comply will lead to action. Over the past month, three police officers have already been suspended over issues related to behaviour and discipline, signalling the force’s firm stance on such matters.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/no-reels-in-uniform-kolkata-cops-under-the-lens-as-police-dept-enforces-new-disciplinary-rule-9351283.html

On Feb 28, the EPFO had kept the widely watched metric of middle-class savings unchanged at 8.25% despite global financial uncertainties, following which the decision had been sent to the finance ministry for concurrence.

New Delhi The Centre has ratified the decision of the trustees’ board of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), the state-run retirement fund manager, to maintain the interest rate on provident-fund deposits for 2024-25 at 8.25%, a move that will benefit nearly 70 salaried Indians.

On Feb 28, the EPFO had kept the widely watched metric of middle-class savings unchanged at 8.25% despite global financial uncertainties, following which the decision had been sent to the finance ministry for concurrence.

“The finance ministry has given its concurrence to the 8.25% PF interest. The labour ministry has sent a communication to the EPFO in this regard,” an official said. With this, the interests accrued will be credited to the accounts EPFO subscribers.

Provident funds provide retirement income and a financial safety net for nearly 70-million salaried Indians. It is often the key corpus of lifetime savings for the working people.

The present EPF deposit interest rate is significantly lower than the EPF deposits rate for the year 2015-16, when it used to be 8.8%.

The EPFO is mandated to invest its corpus in stock markets, equities and exchange-traded funds. In November last year, the board in its 236th meeting chaired by labour minister Mandaviya, approved reinvesting 50% of its redemption proceeds from exchange traded funds (ETFs) back into equities.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/imd-issues-red-alert-in-delhi-for-next-2-3-hours-warns-of-severe-thunderstorm-rain-101748107204883.html

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) swiftly initiated rescue efforts, deploying ships and aircraft in the vicinity to provide aerial support.Out of the 24 crew members on board, nine have already abandoned the vessel and are currently safe in liferafts.

A large-scale rescue operation is underway after the Liberia-flagged container vessel MSC ELSA 3 developed a severe 26-degree tilt approximately 38 nautical miles southwest (Nm SW) of Kochi on Saturday, prompting emergency response from Indian maritime authorities.
Nine of the 24 crew members have already evacuated, while the Indian Coast Guard is working to save the remaining 15.
The 184-metre-long ship had departed from Vizhinjam Port on May 23 and was expected to reach Kochi on May 24.Around 1.25 pm on Saturday, the vessel’s operator, MSC Ship Management, informed Indian authorities about the incident and sought immediate assistance.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) swiftly initiated rescue efforts, deploying ships and aircraft in the vicinity to provide aerial support.Out of the 24 crew members on board, nine have already abandoned the vessel and are currently safe in liferafts.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/liberian-container-ship-tilts-sharply-off-kochi-coast-9-crew-rescued-rescue-op-on-for-others-onboard-article-151711998

The MEA said changes in the ground situation, such as advancements in engineering, the effects of climate change, and the melting of glaciers, make it necessary to renegotiate the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty.

India’s decision to put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance follows Pakistan’s disregard for the guiding principles of the agreement, including friendship and goodwill, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has told a parliamentary committee.
The MEA said changes in the ground situation, such as advancements in engineering, the effects of climate change, and the melting of glaciers, make it necessary to renegotiate the 1960 treaty. The ministry noted that these issues would also be highlighted by Indian delegations visiting world capitals to explain the country’s stance following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, according to PTI sources.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, in a briefing to the committee, pointed out that the treaty’s preamble mentions it was concluded in a “spirit of goodwill, and friendship.” He said, “All these principles have in effect been held in abeyance by Pakistan.”

Misri also updated the committee on Indian actions taken in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, including Operation Sindoor, and spoke to all seven multi-party delegations currently visiting 33 countries and the European Union to present India’s position on its ongoing tensions with Pakistan.

The MEA said that Pakistan had consistently refused India’s requests to hold government-to-government negotiations over the treaty, despite significant changes in conditions since it was signed.
There is a compelling case for the treaty to be renegotiated to make it fit for the 21st century, the ministry said, citing that the agreement is based on engineering practices from the 1950s and 1960s.
Additional concerns include climate change, melting glaciers, fluctuating water availability, population growth, and the need for clean energy—all of which, the MEA said, justify a revision of the treaty’s terms and obligations.
“The treaty in its preamble says that it is concluded in a spirit of goodwill, and friendship. All these principles have in effect been held in abeyance by Pakistan. The unrelenting cross-border terrorism from Pakistan interferes with our ability to exploit the treaty as per its provisions,” the MEA stated.

The ministry emphasised that it is “only natural and well within India’s right to hold the treaty in abeyance when the fundamental ground situations have changed completely.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, drawing a firm line, recently said, “Blood and water cannot flow together.”
Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had said that the Indus Waters Treaty will continue to be in abeyance, adding that dealings with Pakistan will be “strictly bilateral”.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/india-decision-to-put-indus-waters-treaty-in-abeyance-follows-pakistan-disregard-for-guiding-principles-mea-article-151710479

Cyclone ‘Shakti’ Name: A low-pressure system over the Arabian Sea is likely to intensify into a depression and may soon be named Cyclone ‘Shakti’, as per IMD. The storm is expected to bring heavy rains to coastal Maharashtra and Goa, with red alerts already issued.

As monsoon clouds gather over India’s west coast, a brewing system in the Arabian Sea is drawing the nation’s attention and it may soon earn the name Cyclone ‘Shakti’. But what does this name mean, and how close are we to seeing it declared a full-blown storm?
A low-pressure area hovering over the east-central Arabian Sea has shown signs of strengthening, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirming on Thursday that it may intensify into a depression within the next 36 hours, as per ANI. Currently positioned near the south Konkan-Goa coastline, the system is drawing energy from an upper-air cyclonic circulation, stirring up intense convection, a meteorological sign of brewing trouble.
IMD stated, “A low-pressure area lies over east-central Arabian Sea off south Konkan-Goa. It is likely to move nearly northwards and intensify further into a depression during next 36 hours. There is also possibility of its further intensification thereafter.”

While no cyclone warning has been issued just yet, the signs are being closely monitored.

Heavy rain accompanied by gusty winds and thunderstorms battered Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) early Sunday.

Although the rainfall provided a much-needed respite from the sweltering summer heat, it caused significant disruptions by causing waterlogging and flight delays. Several roads and underpasses were waterlogged, leading to traffic.

More than 100 flights were affected due to a strong storm and heavy downpour at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Around 49 flights were diverted between 11:30 pm on Saturday to 4:00 am on Sunday, the airport authority said on Sunday..

As per the latest data from IMD, the highest wind speed was reported at Safdarjung (Airport) at 82 km/h last night at around 2 am, followed by 76 km/h at Pragati Maidan. The lowest wind speed was reported at 37 km/h at Delhi University (North Delhi).

The latest advisory by the Delhi Airport said that flight operations are still affected due to disruptions last night. The airport urged passengers to keep checking their flight’s status and stay in touch with their respective airlines for the latest updates.

As per the latest data, rainfall measurements recorded across various parts of Delhi until early morning include:
Safdarjung: 81 mm
Palam: 68 mm
Pusa: 71 mm
Mayur Vihar: 48 mm

A case has been registered against BJP leader Manohar Lal Dhakad, after his alleged obscene video with a woman has gone viral. The police has taken cognisance of the matter and registered an FIR. The objectionable video allegedly of Manohar Lal Dhakad, from Madhya Pradesh’s Mandsaur, in a compromising position with a woman on the Delhi-Mumbai 8 lane expressway has sparked controversy.

The footage, reportedly is of May 13 and was captured by a CCTV camera. Dhakad is seen in an objectionable position after getting down from a white car with a woman. Dhakad’s wife is an elected District Panchayat member from Ward No. 8 in Mandsaur’s Bani village.

Meanwhile, the Dhakad Mahasabha Youth Association has removed him from the post of National General Secretary. The BJP has also distanced itself from Dhakad. The party has said, he is not a primary member of the party and had joined through online registration.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/viral/mp-bjp-leader-booked-after-video-of-him-making-out-with-nude-woman-on-delhi-mumbai-expressway-goes-viral

South Indian Bank donated the kiosk machine to TTD at Sri Kodandarama Swamy temple in Tirupati.

Tirupati: A private bank on Friday donated a kiosk machine to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which can enable devotees to donate up to Rs 1 lakh through QR code transactions.

TTD is the official custodian of Lord Venkateswara temple here.

South Indian Bank donated the kiosk machine to TTD at Sri Kodandarama Swamy temple in Tirupati.

“South Indian Bank has donated a kiosk machine to TTD at Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple in Tirupati. Devotees can donate up to Rs 1 lakh in UPI mode using the QR code machine,” said a press release from the temple body.

The bank had already donated a similar machine which is being used at Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba Annaprasadam complex in Tirumala while today’s donation will be used at the Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/andhra-pradesh/private-bank-donates-kiosk-machine-to-ttd-for-facilitating-qr-code-based-donations-3555111

Inspector Dinesh Kumar of Utawad police station said that on the information of the intelligence department, a raid was conducted and 59 alleged Bangladeshis were taken into custody from the brick kiln.

Palwal police arrested 59 Bangladeshi nationals, including women and children, allegedly staying without any legal documents during a raid at a brick kiln in the Palwal district on Friday, officials said police.

They were working as labourers at a brick kiln. Fake identity documents have also allegedly been found with them, police said. The police are examining their documents and it is being ascertained when and how these people entered India illegally, they added.

Inspector Dinesh Kumar of Utawad police station said that on the information of the intelligence department, a raid was conducted and 59 alleged Bangladeshis were taken into custody from the brick kiln.

During questioning, they allegedly revealed that they had come to India from Bangladesh about 10 years ago by crossing the border illegally. Their names, addresses and identity details will be prepared and they will be sent back to Bangladesh, he added.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/haryana/59-bangladeshi-nationals-arrested-in-haryanas-palwal-3555159

The IndiGo flight crew initially sought permission to divert to Pakistan’s airspace but were denied. They subsequently navigated toward Srinagar while managing significant technical alerts and manual flying due to challenging conditions with the help of the IAF.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has shared details of how the IndiGo flight from the national capital to Srinagar on Wednesday was made to land safely after it was denied permission to enter Pakistan airspace with the assistance of the Indian Air Force (IAF). In a detailed statement about the incident, which occurred on May 21, the DGCA said that IndiGo’s A321 neo aircraft operating flight 6E 2142 encountered a hailstorm and severe turbulence near Pathankot after taking off from Delhi.
The IndiGo aircraft was immediately assisted in co-ordinating their route diversion by contacting Delhi Area and passing requisite contact frequencies of Lahore control for overflight weather diversion request. “As per crew statement, they requested Northern control (IAF) for deviation towards left (International Border) due to weather on the route, however, it was not approved,” the DGCA said.
“It later the crew contacted Lahore to enter into their airspace to avoid the weather but the same was refused too,” DGCA added.

When Lahore refused overflight clearance, and the aircraft proceeded towards Srinagar, Indian Air Force sources told PTI that the Northern Area Control stepped in and advised the IndiGo crew within the frame of the NOTAM, ensuring the safety of the aircraft and passengers. The flight was subsequently professionally assisted till a safe-landing at Srinagar airfield by giving control vectors and groundspeed readouts, the sources said.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Berlin alongside his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul, Jaishankar said, “India has zero-tolerance for terrorism. India will never give in to nuclear blackmail.”

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday reaffirmed India’s firm stance against terrorism, declaring that the country will “never give in to nuclear blackmail” while addressing cross-border links to the deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Berlin alongside his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul, Jaishankar said, “India has zero-tolerance for terrorism. India will never give in to nuclear blackmail.”
He added, “India will deal with Pakistan purely bilaterally. There should be no confusion in any quarter in that regard.”

Jaishankar’s comments come during a visit to Germany, part of a three-nation tour of Europe. His remarks followed discussions with Wadephul, during which both leaders addressed regional security, counterterrorism, and bilateral cooperation.

Wadephul, speaking in German, condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people and expressed support for India’s right to defend itself, according to official sources.
Jaishankar praised Germany’s understanding of India’s security concerns, stating, “India values Germany’s understanding that every nation has a right to defend itself against terrorism.”
In response to the Pahalgam attack, India carried out precision strikes on May 7 targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor. Pakistan retaliated with attempted strikes on Indian military installations on May 8, 9, and 10. Hostilities between the two countries ceased after four days of conflict, with an understanding reached on May 10.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has since declared a “new normal,” stating that any act of cross-border terrorism will be treated as an act of war by India.
During the press conference, both ministers marked 25 years of strategic partnership between India and Germany. Wadephul noted the growing diversity of bilateral ties, saying Germany wants to “deepen our ties,” while Jaishankar highlighted that the relationship has “gained much stronger momentum.”
Jaishankar also met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and acknowledged his commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
“Our talks addressed different dimensions of our bilateral cooperation, they ranged from trade to technology and investment, to defence, security, energy, sustainability, mobility of talent and societal exchanges,” Jaishankar said.
He noted that discussions also covered a wide range of regional and global issues, describing Germany as “a really important partner.”
“We cooperate in forums like the G4… to the G20,” he said, referring to multilateral groupings where both countries are active participants.
Jaishankar pointed to a shifting global landscape, saying, “The world order is under considerable churn, the political uncertainty is as evident as economic volatility,” and highlighted the challenges posed by emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.
He also praised Germany’s support for the India-EU free trade agreement, which leaders have aimed to conclude by the end of this year.
“Germany has been one of the most consistent and powerful supporters of rapidly doing a free trade agreement,” he said. “I am confident that if the two countries can meet the goal of FTA this year, there will be many more doors that will be opened to businesses on both sides.”
Prime Minister Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have both expressed a desire to finalize the agreement this year to boost cooperation in areas such as defense, security, and critical technologies.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/india-will-never-give-in-to-nuclear-blackmail-jaishankar-in-germany-article-151705931

In the advisory, hospitals have been directed to ensure the availability of beds, oxygen, vaccines, and essential medicines, along with proper functioning of equipment

The Delhi government on Friday issued an advisory to hospitals and health centres, asking them to step up preparedness for Covid-19. The advisory from the health department comes amid a small but noticeable rise in Covid cases being reported in several Indian states.

In the advisory, hospitals have been directed to ensure the availability of beds, oxygen, vaccines, and essential medicines, along with proper functioning of equipment such as ventilators, oxygen concentrators, Bi-PAP machines, and PSA plants.

“The hospitals must ensure preparedness in terms of availability of beds, oxygen, antibiotics, other drugs and vaccine. All equipment such as ventilators, Bi-PAP, oxygen concentrators and PSA must be in functional condition,” the health department’s advisory stated.

The advisory also directed that all positive samples are to be sent to Lok Nayak Hospital for genome sequencing to help track any emerging variants. Health facilities have also been asked to provide daily updates through the Delhi State Health Data Management Portal.

Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh, speaking to the media, said as of Thursday (May 22), around 23 active Covid cases had been reported in the national capital. “The Delhi government is currently verifying whether these patients of Delhi or have come from outside the city,” he said.

Singh added that the BJP-led Delhi government has already coordinated with medical superintendents, doctors, and hospital staff to ensure readiness.

“The Delhi government is fully prepared to deal with any situation, and there is no need for the public to panic,” he stated.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/delhi-govt-issues-covid-advisory-as-cases-rise-hospitals-told-to-step-up-preparedness-ws-kl-9349992.html

In a narrow street made narrower by rows of parked motorbikes, businessmen sitting cross-legged on the sidewalks or perched on the motorbikes, are conducting business with their clients. The tools of their trade are basic — trays lined in velvet, tweezers, and magnifying glasses. Their wares are anything but.

These men in Surat, a city in the western Indian state of Gujarat, are trading in diamonds, carrying the precious stones wrapped in small squares of colored paper in their shirt pockets. The casualness of the whole operation belies its complexity. Both the sellers and the buyers are seasoned businessmen who can quickly appraise the smallest of diamonds. Deals worth thousands of dollars are sealed over cups of tea ordered from street vendors.

There is an unwritten code of honor among these traders and a slip of paper noting the transaction suffices for credit. No one is a complete stranger here and reputations are built or broken over time. The most trustworthy buyers have access to generous lines of credit.

The increasing popularity of lab-grown, cheaper diamonds, and the banning of diamonds originating from Russia by the European Union and G7 countries have adversely affected the industry. But the biggest recent threat is from U.S. President Donald Trump’s 10% tariffs on imports, including diamonds. An even bigger 27% tariff on Indian exports to the United States has been delayed for 90 days as the Trump administration negotiates trade deals. But even the 10% cut in profits is hurting.

Four out of five of the world’s diamonds are cut and polished in Surat, where generations have known no other skill or trade. Behind the grimy facades of several buildings in the market lie swanky workshops equipped with sophisticated technology to design and cut the raw diamonds arriving from Australia, Canada, Russia and parts of Africa.

Only a small percentage of Surat’s output is absorbed by Indian consumers. The rest is exported to the U.S., the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Belgium and other countries. The U.S. has no diamond mines. But two of the three main institutes for grading the gems are in the United States, and diamonds cross multiple borders before they are finally sold in their finished form.

The United States accounted for about 30% of gem and jewelry exports from India in 2023-24. About half of that was in the form of cut and polished diamonds. The future of this trade is now uncertain, depending on what Trump does about his tariffs.

“If the proposed tariffs are implemented, we may lose about half of our export revenue. We won’t be price-competitive anymore,” said Jigar Patel, treasurer of the Jewellers Association Ahmedabad, based in Gujarat’s main city.

Source : https://apnews.com/article/india-diamond-traders-surat-photos-3939be164713b5a7aec5d12a9123b4c3

Top defence sources said more than 170 terrorists were killed in the May 7 strike on the nine terrorist headquarters in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK)

Operation Sindoor led to over 200 casualties on the Pakistani side, including nearly 42 of their military personnel, top defence sources have told CNN-News18. Several Indian women pilots were part of Operation Sindoor that inflicted serious damage on Pakistan, defence sources added.

Sources said more than 170 terrorists were killed in the May 7 strike on the nine terrorist headquarters in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), with the maximum damage being inflicted on the Bahawalpur headquarters of the Jaish-e-Mohammad. This is where India’s most wanted terrorist Maulana Masood Azhar’s family suffered heavy casualties.

On May 9-10, India used the Brahmos missile to inflict serious damage to multiple Pakistan air bases, including Sargodha, Rahim Yar Khan and the Nur Khan airbase, sources told CNN-News18. At least 42 Pakistani Military personnel were killed in Indian strikes. Sources added that India had hit all the targets it had planned with spectacular precision. India’s women pilots were also a part of Operation Sindoor, defence sources revealed to CNN-News18.

India remains on alert with Operation Sindoor not over, but only paused. Sources said Pakistan was “badly humiliated” and so it will try to do something. “We are on alert for any action by them. Forces have been told to be prepared. Operation Sindoor has not ended, it is only paused,” defence sources added.

“Making Army Chief Asim Munir as the Field Marshall is a face-saving gesture by Pakistan,” top defence sources told CNN-News18.

Defence sources also said that India’s military success was a consequence of several decisions taken after the Doklam stand-off in 2017.

In a powerful and emotionally charged address in Bikaner on May 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on India’s decisive counterterror operations in response to the April 22 attack in Jammu & Kashmir, asserting that “every drop of Indian blood will be avenged”.

“The bullets flew in Pahalgam, but all 140 crore Indians were hurt,” Modi declared, describing the nation’s collective pain and unity after the deadly terrorist strike.

Modi confirmed that in just 22 minutes, India launched a precise retaliation, destroying nine top terrorist headquarters inside Pakistan in Operation Sindoor. “Jab sindoor barood ban jata hai, then what is the result – the world saw it.”

Framing the strike as a fulfilment of the nation’s vow post-Pahalgam, Modi said: “Those who tried to erase our sindoor, we have turned them to dust. Those who spilled Indian blood—today, we’ve settled every drop.”

‘PAKISTAN BROUGHT TO ITS KNEES’

Crediting India’s armed forces, Modi said: “Our government gave full freedom to all three armed forces. They created a chakravyuh that brought Pakistan to its knees.”

Referring to Pakistan’s attempted strike on the Nal Air Base, he said the base stood untouched—while India’s response targeted Pakistan’s Rahim Khar air base, rendering it inoperable:

“Rahim Khar air base is now in the ICU. No one knows when it will reopen.”

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/op-sindoor-indias-women-pilots-played-key-role-over-200-killed-in-pak-exclusive-ws-l-9349892.html

Calling out Pakistan’s double standards, India says a nation that shelters terrorists and kills civilians cannot preach about protecting human rights at the global stage.

India on Friday launched a sharp attack on Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), accusing its neighbour of deliberately targeting civilians and supporting terrorism, including by using civilian spaces as cover for terror operations.

Speaking at a UNSC session on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, said that the Pakistani army recently shelled Indian border villages, killing over 20 civilians and injuring more than 80. He alleged that the attacks intentionally targeted religious places and medical facilities.

Pakistan attacked border villages with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), constant firing and shelling as its forces intervened on behalf of terrorists after India targeted terror hideouts of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as part of Operation Sindoor earlier this month.

Indian Army dispelled the aerial attacks but the Pakistan Army attacked civilian and residential areas forcing Indian armed forces to carry out strikes on Pakistani military installations. The Pakistan Army attacked hospitals and places of worship in Poonch and other border districts.

“There was intentional targeting of places of worship, including gurudwaras and temples, as well as medical facilities,” Harish said, adding that the assault was a blatant violation of international humanitarian norms.

He further said that India has endured decades of Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attacks, pointing to past incidents such as the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the recent massacre of tourists in Pahalgam in April 2025.

Harish criticised Islamabad’s consistent glorification of terrorists, saying, “We just recently saw senior government, police and military officials pay respects at the funeral of noted terrorists.”

“A nation that makes no distinction between terrorists and civilians has no credentials to speak about protecting civilians,” the envoy added.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/india-calls-out-pakistans-hypocrisy-at-unsc-cites-shelling-of-villages-support-for-terror-ws-l-9350156.html

The crackdown continues on candidates who secured appointments in the 69,000 teacher recruitment process using forged documents. District-level dismissals are ongoing, with authorities verifying credentials post-appointment. Protesting candidates, particularly from reserved categories, have now demanded action against departmental officials accused of facilitating these irregularities.

Amrendra Patel, leading the protest, stated that the number of ineligible candidates is significant and accused the education department of shielding them.

He urged the government to not only dismiss fraudulent candidates but also hold complicit officers accountable.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/up-news-protests-erupt-over-69000-teacher-scam-aspirants-demand-action-against-complicit-officials

The Delhi High Court on Friday reserved its verdict on the plea challenging the Central government’s decision to revoke the security clearance to Turkish ground handling and cargo operator Çelebi Airport Services India which led to the termination of its services by Delhi and Mumbai airports.

The government’s decision followed the recent four-day Indo-Pak military conflict during which the Turkish government openly backed Pakistan.

This prompted the firm to approach the High Court citing violation of natural justice and other grounds.

Justice Sachin Datta reserved his verdict today after hearing rejoinder submissions by Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared for Çelebi.

Rohatgi contended today that Çelebi has been condemned without any proper disclosure on why it was being subjected to such harsh measures, in violation of procedural safeguards including in Rule 12 of Aircraft Rules, 2023.

He argued that the firm should have been given proper notice before being subjected to such measures.

“The notice has to say what is the proposed punishment based on the gravamen of facts. It is not a Carte Blanche. Record reasons in writing, not in your mind,” he said.

He added that Çelebi’s rights to conduct a business in India cannot be taken away casually.

“You are dealing with a party that has worked for 17 years. I have a constitutional right. It cannot be taken away in this flippant manner. All the ten thousand people I employ each has security clearance. Why have you damned me, is it asking for too much? We are struggling,” Rohatgi added.

Such ‘complete violation of natural justice principles’ renders the revocation of the firm’s security clearance void, Rohatgi said. He added that the government should at least share a gist of its accusations with the company, not just the Court.

“So, the court cannot look at material in sealed cover unless some gist is given to you?” asked Justice Datta.

In his reply, Rohatgi pointed out that even the Supreme Court has criticised the practice of relying on information in sealed covers.

Rohatgi added that revocation of security clearance took the firm by surprise and has had harsh consequences.

“The impact of this decision is that all my contracts – 9 of them across the nation – are being cancelled one by one. They are saying, ‘sorry sir, Delhi is the boss.’ … If this clearance is gone, then all (my contracts) are in the process of going. This is the harshness of this decision. It came like a bolt from the blue. I am arguing from what I read in the newspapers,” he said.

Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta represented the Indian government.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation, acting through the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), had withdrawn Çelebi’s security clearance on May 15, 2025, invoking national security grounds.

Çelebi, a wholly-owned Indian subsidiary of Turkish parent company Çelebi Aviation Holding, challenged the move before the High Court shortly after.

The company termed the Indian government’s justification for its decision as “vague” and “unsubstantiated,” asserting that such actions jeopardise foreign investor confidence and threaten the livelihoods of over 3,800 Indian employees.

The company also clarified that while it has Turkish ownership, operational and managerial control of its Indian entity is handled by an India-based team, and that it has maintained a clean track record for over a decade at major airports.

Following the May 15 revocation, the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) had terminated its contracts with Çelebi. In Mumbai, domestic operator Indothai has been brought in to take over the firm’s ground handling services. Çelebi has filed a plea challenging such measures before the Bombay High Court as well.

Yesterday, Solicitor General Mehta told the Delhi High Court that it could not have given notice of the security clearance revocation to Çelebi, owing to national security concerns in the wake of the conflict between India and Pakistan.

“Country is faced with unprecedented situations. Giving opportunity is not possible. It might defeat the object. Giving reasons of action would also defeat purpose of action,” he said.

During an earlier hearing on May 19, the Central government had also said that it would be hazardous to engage the services of the company.

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/turkish-firm-elebi-says-struggling-after-security-clearance-revocation-delhi-high-court-reserves-verdict

The release of Kantara in 2022 created a success phenomenon of its own, setting a new benchmark in the entertainment industry. Emerging as the biggest blockbuster, the film changed the landscape of storytelling with its compelling narrative rooted in the heartlands of India. This has laid the perfect foundation for Kantara: Chapter 1, which is the most Awaited biggest film of the year. The film is one of the most ambitious Indian projects currently in the making.

With the release of the film’s posters, audiences were given a brief glimpse into its enthralling world, featuring Rishab Shetty’s striking transformation. As excitement continues to build, the makers have urged fans to avoid speculation and refrain from believing unverified updates about the film.

Amidst growing anticipation for more updates on Kantara: Chapter 1, several unverified reports have been circulating. Addressing this, the makers have reiterated their request for audiences to rely only on official sources and not fall for any unofficial information. They have assured fans that the film is progressing smoothly as planned, and the wait will undoubtedly be worthwhile.

Taking to social media, the makers wrote,

“We’re right on track, and everything is progressing as planned.
#KantaraChapter1 will release in theatres worldwide on October 2, 2025.

Trust us, it’ll be worth the wait.

We kindly urge everyone to avoid speculation and refrain from sharing unverified updates.

Moreover, Kantara: Chapter 1 has finally entered its final leg of shooting. Hombale Films left no stone unturned in taking the legacy of this 2022 masterpiece forward. They have been shooting the film as one of the biggest films ever made. Kantara makers curated an extensive war sequence for Kantara: Chapter-1 which was crafted by national and international specialists. They hired over 500 skilled fighters for the sequence curating a never seen before fight sequence with action choreography that is at par if not better than the best of the best. This power-packed sequence featured 3000 people, making it one of the biggest sequences in the history of Indian Cinema.

A sequence of this size required extreme prep. and so actor-director Rishab Shetty underwent a 3- month long and extensive training where he mastered the art of horse riding, Kalaripayattu and sword fighting. Rishab poured in his entire blood, sweat and efforts in doing justice to the magnanimous war sequence.

To shoot this massive sequence the makers identified a very unusual real location in the mountains of Karnataka. Hombale films had shot this sequence in an entire town spanning 25 acres situated on the terrains of the state for around 45 – 50 days.

Source : https://www.spotboye.com/south/kannada/-trust-us-it-ll-be-worth-the-wait-says-the-makers-of-kantara-chapter-1-while-urging-the-audience-to-avoid-speculation-and-unverified-updates/683027de98e7b5da75cc8bfd

A recent survey has revealed that 22 per cent of households in Maharashtra currently have one or more individuals with symptoms of Covid/flu/viral fever.

Amid India seeing a renewed flurry of Covid-19 cases, sights of people resorting to face masks and sanitisers is also making a comeback. Amidst all this, a video has emerged of Mumbai Indians owner Nita Ambani sanitising the hands of the IPL team players’ before shaking hands with them.

After the Mumbai Indians’ IPL match against Delhi Capitals, Nita Ambani was seen asking her team players including Jasprit Bumrah to sanitise their hands before indulging in handshakes.

Bumrah smiled and obliged his franchise owner’s instructions and spread out his palm.

After Bumrah, Ambani moved on to do the same to other players including Karn Sharma and others.

Meanwhile, a recent survey has revealed that 22 per cent of households in Maharashtra currently have one or more individuals with symptoms of Covid/flu/viral fever, a community social media platform said on Thursday. Maharashtra recorded 26 Covid-19 positive cases on Wednesday, taking the total number of positive cases registered since January 2025 to 132, according to state health authorities.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/maharashtra/watch-nita-ambani-sanitises-jasprit-bumrahs-palms-before-shaking-hands-amid-covid-surge-3553167

Members of the Indian community in Abu Dhabi asked multiple questions to the delegates, including on why Pakistan continues to support cross-border terrorism

The Operation Sindoor delegation visiting Abu Dhabi told the Indian diaspora that besides the strikes on Pakistan and all-party teams, every citizen is an ambassador for the country and their effort to set narrative equally powerful and much needed.

“Together we are ‘Team India’,” the visiting team led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde told the Indian diaspora in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

The diaspora event was held at the Indian consulate in Abu Dhabi and, apart from listening to the message by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the aim of Operation Sindoor and India’s global mission, the visiting delegation were asked multiple questions.

Indians asked multiple questions to the delegates, including on why Pakistan continues to support cross-border terrorism.

The delegation conveyed to Indian citizens in UAE that it has been a month since the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. “Nothing is the same anymore because this is an India which has hit back at Pakistan in the language that they understand. This is the new India, the new normal that Prime Minister Modi has spoken about that can get inside Pakistan territory and destroy the terror hubs. This is the new normal – an act of terror is considered act of war. This is what has been conveyed,” a source told News18.

Indian citizens further asked the delegates about UAE’s feedback on the mission. According to the sources, UAE wants to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with India and told New Delhi it is not alone in its fight against terrorism. The response was positive and nobody questioned India’s action against Pakistan, they said.

Earlier in the day, the delegation met with Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan, minister for tolerance and coexistence. “Islam is a peaceful religion. Nobody can use religion as a tool to kill innocent people. The UAE expressed that they stand strongly in India’s fight against terror,” a source told News18.

The delegation left from India on a two-day visit to the UAE on Wednesday (May 22). From UAE, they will visit Africa and return June 3.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/together-we-are-team-india-op-sindoor-delegation-in-uae-says-every-indian-is-an-envoy-ws-l-9348677.html

A CoBRA commando of the CRPF and a Naxalite were killed during an anti-Maoist operation in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district on Thursday, officials said.

According to the officials, the operation is ongoing in the Tumrel village area of the district. The operation is being led by the 210th battalion of CRPF’s CoBRA and has troops from Chhattisgarh Police DRG and STF.

A CoBRA commando has also been injured, they said.

An IAF helicopter has been pressed into service to evacuate the injured, officials said.

The Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) is an elite jungle warfare unit within the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). It plays a key role in leading operations in states affected by Left Wing Extremism.

The security forces are undertaking continuous operations in the LWE-affected states as part of the Union government’s declaration to end the menace in the country by March next year.

The Bastar region in Chhattisgarh remains their core area of operation.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/cobra-commando-naxal-killed-during-anti-maoist-operation-in-chhattisgarh-ws-kl-9348454.html

The External Affairs Minister earlier spoke to Dutch broadcaster NOS, and said hostilities with Pak had been triggered by the “barbaric attack” in Pahalgam.

‘Stop pretending Pakistan is not involved in terrorist attacks on India’ – External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s point-blank response Wednesday to Dutch daily De Volkskrant’s question about Islamabad insisting it has no knowledge of any terror groups operating from within its territory.

In the Netherlands this week to strengthen ties with Amsterdam, India’s second-largest trading partner in the European Union, Mr Jaishankar was asked about his December 2022 remark labelling Pakistan the ‘epicentre of terrorism’. “I’m not suggesting it… I’m stating it,” he responded.

“Suppose there were military centres in the middle of Amsterdam, in which tens of thousands gather for military training. Would you say your government knows nothing about that?”

‘We should not go along with the narrative ‘Pakistan does not know what is going on’. The most notorious terrorists on the United Nations’ list are in Pak. They operate in the big cities…in broad daylight. Their addresses are known… their activities are known… their mutual contacts are known.”

“So let’s not pretend Pakistan is not involved. The state is involved. The army is up to its neck in it.”

‘Pak Army Chief’s Extreme Religious…’

The External Affairs Minister earlier spoke to Dutch broadcaster NOS, and said hostilities with Pak had been triggered by the “barbaric attack” in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22.

And the terrorists behind Pahalgam were driven by Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir’s “extreme religious outlook”, Mr Jaishankar had said.

He underlined that sentiment to De Volkskrant, saying the Pahalgam terrorists “deliberately gave the attack a religious tint’. “The world should not accept such practices,” he said.

‘Terrorism, Kashmir Are Separate’

Mr Jaishankar also refused links between terrorism and the Kashmir border issue, calling the former a “completely unacceptable international crime that should not be condoned”.

‘As for Jammu and Kashmir, it is a historical fact that it joined India when India and Pakistan separated in 1947. Our position is that the illegal occupiers should return their illegally occupied parts to the rightful owner… and that is us,” the minister said.

The comments follow stern declarations by Prime Minister Narendra Modi – that there can be no talk of long-term peace with Pakistan unless that government disables terrorist infrastructure operating in its territory and vacate illegally occupied territories in Jammu and Kashmir.

Mr Modi has also warned Pak that India’s doctrine on terror had changed after the Pahalgam attack, and that Delhi will no longer hesitate before striking terrorist camps across the border.

Operation Sindoor – the military response to the Pahalgam attack – remains an active mission, the PM has said repeatedly, “India will strike at the heart of terror decisively if attacked.”

India has said terrorism is a danger for all countries and must be fought together.

‘This Is A Bilateral Issue’

Meanwhile, Mr Jaishankar also shot down any talk of US President Donald Trump having played any role in the May 12 ceasfire that stopped the 100 hours of India-Pak military conflict.

Mr Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for brokering the ceasefire, declaring he “sure as hell helped” India and Pak lay down arms. Delhi has equally repeatedly said the US played no role.

Mr Jaishankar stressed Kashmir remains a bilateral issue, and one that can only be resolved by the countries involved. “This is something we will do together with Pakistan,” he said.

On the ceasefire itself, the minister said India wants a ‘definitive end’ to terrorism.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/s-jaishankar-in-netherlands-jaishankar-interview-pakistan-involved-in-terrorist-attacks-on-india-pahalgam-terror-operation-sindoor-8479196

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a public address in Rajasthan’s Bikaner, addressed the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. He emphasised India’s swift response, claiming that nine major terror hideouts were destroyed in just 22 minutes as part of Operation Sindoor.

In a resolute address from Rajasthan’s Bikaner, a month after the barbaric April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that “in response to the attack on April 22, we destroyed nine biggest terror hideouts in 22 minutes.” The attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, prompted immediate action under Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
“Rajasthan teaches us that nothing is more important than the nation. On 22nd April, terrorists targeted our people, asking their religion and wiped the sindoor of our sisters. The bullets fired in Pahalgam wounded the hearts of 140 crore Indians. In response, the entire nation vowed to punish the terrorists in a way they could never imagine,” the Prime Minister said.
“With the valour of our armed forces, Pakistan was forced to bow. In reply to the 22nd April attack, within just 22 minutes, terrorist camps were destroyed. The country witnessed that when the sindoor of our sisters is targeted, the response can shake the enemy to its core,” he added.

The Prime Minister further stated that those out to wipe out ‘sindoor’ were reduced to dust. “On April 22, terrorists wiped off the Sindoor of our sisters after identifying their religion. The attack took place in Pahalgam, but the bullets pierced the hearts of 1.4 billion Indians. United in one voice, every Indian resolved to eliminate terrorism and ensure punishment beyond imagination. It is due to the courage of the Indian Armed Forces that we stand strong today. Our government gave a free hand to all three services, and together, the tri-services devised a strategy so impactful that it compelled Pakistan to bow down,” he added.

Notably, the Prime Minister is scheduled to launch a number of development projects across railways, roadways, power, water and new and renewable energy sectors during his visit to Bikaner in Rajasthan today.
An official statement said PM Modi will also inaugurate 103 redeveloped ‘Amrit Stations’ in 86 districts across 18 states and Union Territories, which have been built at a cost of Rs 1,100 crore, besides launching other development projects costing over Rs 26,000 crore.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/22-tareek-ka-badla-22-minute-mein-pm-modis-powerful-salvo-on-op-sindoor-payback-for-pahalgam-article-151694748

“We told Pakistan through DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) that we had exercised our right to respond under Operation Sindoor. We told them after the operation,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing.

New Delhi, May 22 (PTI) India informed Pakistan about its strike on terror infrastructure early on May 7 after the operation was concluded, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.
“We told Pakistan through DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) that we had exercised our right to respond under Operation Sindoor. We told them after the operation,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing.
He was responding to a question on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the government suggesting that the Indian side informed Pakistan ahead of the military strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Gandhi has been particularly targeting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for his comments where he talked about some aspects of the Operation Sindoor and India’s strike on the terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK.

Under Operation Sindoor, India, on early May 7, destroyed nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and PoK in retaliation against the Pahalgam terror attack.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/india-informed-pakistan-about-operation-sindoor-after-attacks-on-terror-infrastructure-mea-article-151699214

Amid the ongoing tensions with India, Pakistan refused to help an Indian airline in difficult times as one of its flights sought help to avoid turbulence on Wednesday, news agency PTI reported.

The incident happened when an IndiGo Airlines pilot on a Delhi-Srinagar flight, which was faced with a sudden hailstorm on Wednesday evening, urged Lahore Air Traffic Control to allow it to briefly use the Pakistani airspace so that it could avoid the turbulence, but the request was rejected, the news agency reported while quoting sources.

When the plane was flying over Amritsar, the pilot raised an alarm after noticing turbulence due to adverse weather. He then contacted the Lahore ATC, seeking permission to use the airspace. Denied that, the pilot continued onto the original path as scheduled, braving severe turbulence.

On Wednesday, an IndiGo flight carrying 227 passengers from Delhi to Srinagar was caught in terrifying midair turbulence, sending those onboard into a panic and causing visible damage to the aircraft’s nose.

Flight 6E2142 was nearing its destination when it was battered by a hailstorm. The pilot declared an emergency with Air Traffic Control before managing to safely land the aircraft at Srinagar Airport at 6.30 pm. However, the dramatic ordeal left passengers shaken.

Reports from the scene confirmed that all passengers and crew members were evacuated safely from the aircraft after landing. However, the aircraft sustained damage significant enough for the airline to declare it “Aircraft on Ground” (AOG), grounding it for urgent repairs.

Five Trinamool Congress leaders-Derek O’Brien, Nadimul Haque, Sagarika Ghose, Manas Bhunia, and Mamata Thakur-were on board the IndiGo flight that suffered turbulence. They expressed gratitude to the pilot after the flight safely landed at the Srinagar airport.

A sudden hailstorm with heavy rain struck Delhi-NCR late Wednesday evening, triggering an abrupt shift in the weather.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pak-rejected-indigo-pilots-request-to-use-airspace-amid-massive-turbulence-2729049-2025-05-22

The Kapil Sharma Show is mourning the loss of its longtime photographer, Krishna Das, affectionately known as “Das Dada.” A cherished presence behind the scenes, Das Dada passed away recently, leaving the entire cast and crew in deep sorrow.

Krishna Das had been an integral part of the show since its inception, capturing countless memorable moments. His contributions were recognized in 2018 when he received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Beyond his professional achievements, Das Dada was celebrated for his warmth and ever-present smile, endearing him to everyone on set.

The show’s team shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, stating, “We have lost Das Dada, the soul behind the lens, who captured countless beautiful moments with us since the beginning of The Kapil Sharma Show. More than just an associate photographer, he was family—always smiling, always kind, and always there. His presence brought warmth and light, not just through his camera, but in every moment he shared with us. You will be missed beyond words, Dada. Rest in peace. Your memories will live on in every frame and every heart.”

Comedian Kiku Sharda also expressed his grief by sharing the tribute on his Instagram story, writing, “We will miss you, Das Dada.” Former cast member Sugandha Mishra conveyed her condolences in the comments section with folded hands and a broken heart emoji.

Source : https://www.spotboye.com/trending/trending-news/kapil-sharma-show-photographer-krishna-das-passes-away-kiku-sharda-remembers-him-as-family-in-emotional-tribute/682ef42198e7b5da75cc8ba3

NEW DELHI: The Rouse Avenue court on Wednesday began hearing the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) prosecution complaint against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others in the National Herald money laundering case.

The matter is linked to alleged financial irregularities in the transfer of a Rs 90.25 crore loan from the Indian National Congress (INC) to Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), the publisher of the National Herald, and its subsequent assignment to Young Indian for a mere Rs 50 lakh.

‘Congress party donors were cheated’

During the hearing on Wednesday, the ED alleged that the transaction was a criminal conspiracy aimed at misappropriating assets worth over Rs 2,000 crore.

In the opening submissions, additional solicitor general (ASG) SV Raju argued that the offence of money laundering was clearly made out in the case.

“There was a proceeds of crime,” he submitted, asserting that criminal activity continued for the purpose of generating such proceeds, thereby constituting the offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), reported news agency ANI.

The court, presided by special judge Vishal Gogne, asked pointed queries to the ED during the hearing. It sought clarity on the ownership of AJL’s assets, specifically whether the company’s shareholders could be considered its owners.

Are assets owned by company or shareholders? Who owns the property as of today? the court asked ED’s special counsel, Zoheb Hossain.

In simple words, if the property of A is usurped by B, does it become proceeds of crime when it was clean in the hands of A, the court asked.

“Are wrongful acts ascribed to individuals but not parties (Congress)? Or is the party a victim?” the judge asked. In response, Hosain said, “The donors of the party are victims”.

Hossain further said that donations and membership fees were collected from the public for party purposes, but were instead diverted as a loan to a company engaged in commercial activities.

He argued this as part of the predicate offence, stressing that “the donors of the Congress party were cheated.”

‘Young Indian company a sham’

Reading from ED’s complaint, ASG Raju highlighted that Young Indian was formed as a sham entity, “a cloak to convert public money to personal use”, and used as a special purpose vehicle to gain control over assets of AJL worth Rs 2,000 crore.

Raju alleged that the accused acted in “consortium with each other to achieve the said nefarious purpose”.

The court was also informed that the alleged proceeds of crime included rental income worth Rs 142 crore received by the accused.

“Proceeds of crime not only include those properties obtained from the scheduled offence, but also any other criminal activity related to the proceeds of crime,” Hossain submitted.

‘Accused enjoyed proceeds of crime’

Submitting that the alleged offence in the complaint is money laundering, ASG Raju argued that he will show that the offence of money laundering is made out.

During the hearing, Raju also confirmed that the complaint was filed under Sections 44 and 45 of the PMLA, involving seven accused individuals, including ex-Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, her son Rahul Gandhi, Gandhi family loyalist Sam Pitroda, and two firms.

When the judge asked whether Pitroda was represented in court, ASG responded that if not, proceedings would continue without him.

Raju said that there is a proceed of crime. Money laundering is a continuing activity. He said that if an offence is committed of generating proceeds of crime and involves a continuing activity, it is money laundering.He said that the attachment of properties took place in November 2023. Till then, the accused were enjoying the proceeds of crime.

Matter listed for day-to-day hearing

The special judge listed the matter for day-to-day hearings on the point of cognisance of the ED’s prosecution complaint from July 2 to July 8. The scheduling followed requests from the defence counsel, including senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who sought a July hearing, citing voluminous documents running over 5,000 pages.

“This is an MP/MLA court, and matters are to be heard on a weekly basis,” the judge said, noting that the court would first complete the ED’s arguments, followed by submissions from the defence.

Hossain further submitted that Gandhis, Sonia and Rahul, held 76 per cent of Young Indian’s shares, and by paying just Rs 50 lakh, the entity acquired control over Rs 90.25 crore, thus demonstrating the alleged offence of cheating.

Source : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/rs-142-crore-in-proceeds-of-crime-eds-big-charge-against-rahul-sonia-gandhi-in-national-herald-case-daily-hearing-from-july-2/articleshow/121315081.cms

According to him, the KVIC has distributed over 2,29,409 bee boxes and bee colonies across the country, resulting in the production of approximately 20,000 metric tonnes of honey, generating an income of Rs 325 crore for beekeepers.

In what is becoming a big success story, beekeepers earn Rs. 325 crore by generating over 20,000 metric tonnes of honey under the Honey Mission undertaken by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).

“Bees are the backbone of our ecosystem. They not only produce honey but also enrich agriculture through pollination and contribute to environmental conservation,” said KVIC Chairman Manoj Kumar.

According to him, the KVIC has distributed over 2,29,409 bee boxes and bee colonies across the country, resulting in the production of approximately 20,000 metric tonnes of honey, generating an income of Rs 325 crore for beekeepers.

“In financial year 2024-25, beekeepers associated with KVIC exported honey worth Rs 25 crore,” he said.

The KVIC Chairman also stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s clarion call for a ‘Sweet Revolution’ paved a new path where honey production became a source of both economic and health prosperity. KVIC’s work in this direction is a significant step toward building an Atmanirbhar Bharat.”

“The Honey Mission is not just a scheme; it is a holistic livelihood model. Today, thousands of youth, women, and farmers in rural areas are gaining employment through this mission. The honey processing plants, training centres, and marketing networks developed by KVIC have made beekeeping a viable path to self-reliance,” KVIC CEO Roop Rashi said.

The programme spotlighted the historic contribution of the Central Bee Research & Training Institute (CBRTI), Pune, which was established in 1962. The institute has trained over 50,000 beekeepers in modern apiculture techniques.

CBRTI’s role extends beyond honey production to enhancing agricultural and horticultural productivity through pollination, fostering bee-related research, and nurturing rural entrepreneurship.

During the event, scientists underscored the ecological importance of bees, revealing that they contribute to the pollination of approximately 75% of food crops. Without bees, nearly 30% of food crops and 90% of wild plant species would face serious threats.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/maharashtra/beekeepers-earn-rs-325-crore-by-generating-over-20000-metric-tonnes-of-honey-under-kvics-honey-mission-3551963

Nearly 100 contestants from across the globe showcased their unique talents with passion and creativity, making this year’s edition one of the most memorable to date, a release from the organisers said.

The Miss World 2025 pageant marked an exciting milestone on Wednesday with the announcement of 24 finalists for the much-awaited Talent Competition—one of the most celebrated segments of the global event.

Chosen through compelling auditions and a fiercely competitive second round, these remarkable young women will take centre stage once again on May 23 to dazzle audiences with their originality and poise.

Nearly 100 contestants from across the globe showcased their unique talents with passion and creativity, making this year’s edition one of the most memorable to date, a release from the organisers said.

From classical music renditions and contemporary dance routines to soulful vocal performances and deeply rooted cultural art forms, the competition offered a vibrant display of the artistic brilliance and diverse heritage of Miss World’s international participants.

Following a rigorous evaluation process, contestants from the United States, Poland, Nigeria, Philippines, Malta, Italy, Indonesia, Trinidad and Tobago, Estonia, Germany, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Netherlands, Wales, Czech Republic, Jamaica, Argentina, Ireland, Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Cameroon, and Kenya have secured their spots in the Talent Challenge Final.

These 24 exceptional women will once again captivate audiences with their breathtaking performances on May 23, in what promises to be a highlight of the pageant.

The winner of the Talent Competition will earn a direct entry into the Top 10 of her continental region—a prized advantage in the journey to the Miss World crown, it said.

“The talent showcased by these young women is not only a testament to their individuality and dedication, but also a powerful reminder of the creativity and cultural richness they represent,” said Julia Morley CBE, Chairman and CEO of the Miss World Organisation.

The 2025 edition of the Miss World contest officially commenced with a glittering ceremony in Hyderabad on May 10 and will continue through May 31, drawing attention from across the globe.

Seizing this opportunity to shine on the world stage, the Telangana government has rolled out a comprehensive action plan to project the state as a premier global destination for tourism and investment.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/telangana/grace-grit-and-glamour-24-finalists-set-for-miss-world-2025-talent-showdown-3551448

Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton on Wednesday said that India was fully entitled to act in self-defence against terrorist locations in Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 people.

While speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Bolton emphasised the need for Pakistan to control such activities within its borders, warning of severe consequences if it fails.

He also highlighted the growing Chinese influence in Pakistan as a significant threat to India, noting China’s military planes supplied to Pakistan.

“India was certainly entitled to act in self-defence against locations inside Pakistan where the terrorist attack was planned and carried out from. It is a significant issue when a country cannot control that kind of terrorist activity going on in its territory or, indeed, maybe contributing to it. India’s action was entirely justifiable, but it does raise questions about whether there is any possibility of persuading the Pakistani government that this is ultimately not in their interest and can lead to much worse consequences for them if they don’t get it under control,” Bolton stated.

“The fact that Chinese military planes supplied to Pakistan were prominent in Pakistan’s response signifies the growing Chinese influence inside Pakistan, which increases the threat to India, certainly in its western flank,” he added.

He further stated that the response following the Pahalgam attack was a “cut above” what had happened in 2019, referring to the Pulwama attack.

“This is a long-standing issue, but the escalation, the military response, and the back and forth between India and Pakistan before the ceasefire was agreed to were a cut above what happened in 2019, when there was a similar terrorist attack in Kashmir,” the former NSA stated.

India’s Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the death of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/indias-action-was-entirely-justifiable-ex-us-nsa-hails-operation-sindoor-8475569

Vijay Shekhar Sharma, the chief of Paytm left his followers in splits today, sharing screenshots of his conversation with someone impersonating him. The imposter, a scammer, was out to extract sensitive information about the company’s funds and asked him multiple questions about the funds and contact details of the finance head of the company. He said his phone was being formatted so he did not have anyone’s number.

Titling the post “Impersonating myself to me”, Mr Sharma provided multiple screenshots of the long conversation, where the scammer introduced himself as Vijay Shekhar Sharma and asked the real Sharma to save his “new” phone number and questioned whether he was in the office.

The Paytm chief played along.

In course of the conversation, the scammer asked Mr Sharma to check and report back on the company’s available funds. He also demanded a screenshot of the account books.

In another message, he asked Mr Sharma to forward a suspicious .exe file-disguised as a GST document-to the finance executive.

The last message from the screenshots was from Mr Sharma, where he asked for a salary hike.

The encounter spotlighted the darker side of the digital world, where unsuspecting individuals are targeted by scamsters using sophisticated manoeuvres, advanced techniques, fake profiles, malicious links and impersonation.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/impersonating-myself-to-me-paytm-ceo-vijay-shekhar-sharma-shares-exchange-with-scamster-8473750

3,000 Agniveers played a crucial role in India’s air defence during Operation Sindoor, effectively countering Pakistani missile and drone attacks.

At least 3,000 Agniveers – barely 20 years old and recruited during the last two years – manned critical weapons and systems integral to the army’s hardy air defence (AD) shield activated during Operation Sindoor, which Pakistan couldn’t punch through despite launching wave after wave of missile and drone attacks on multiple Indian military installations, airbases and cities during the May 7-10 clash between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, people aware of the matter said on Wednesday.

The young and gritty soldiers, recruited under the Agnipath model, made their training count at a pivotal moment and acquitted themselves honourably in different roles during the four-day military confrontation that sparked fears of a full-blown shooting war with Pakistan, said one of the persons cited above, asking not to be named.

“The Agniveers faced a baptism by fire and helped ward off the enemy’s attempts to target our bases and cities. Feedback from the army’s frontline AD units shows they have earned their spurs, and their performance was on par with regular soldiers. This should settle the debate around the Agnipath scheme,” he added.

Several of the AD units that fended off the Pakistani missile and drone attacks had 150-200 Agniveers each in their ranks, HT learns.

Operation Sindoor, which began in the early hours of May 7, was New Delhi’s muscular response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. It triggered four days of strikes and counterstrikes with fighter jets, missiles, drones, long-range weapons and heavy artillery before the two sides reached an understanding on stopping all military action on May 10.

The Agnipath scheme for recruiting personnel below officer rank (PBOR) in the three services, for long a political hot button, was introduced around three years ago with the stated objective of keeping the armed forces young and battle-ready. Agnipath was a major departure from the military’s decades-old recruitment system that was scrapped when the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government announced the new scheme in June 2022. It recruits soldiers for only four years, with a provision to retain 25% of them in regular service for another 15 years.

The Agniveers helped operationalise the locally developed air defence control and reporting system, called Akashteer, which emerged as the centrepiece of India’s AD grid during the clash, said a second person, who also asked not to be named.

The Agniveers posted in AD units deployed along the western front specialised in four main trades: gunners, operator fire control, operator radio and drivers of heavy-duty vehicles mounted with guns and missiles, the people said.

They excelled in each of these roles.

The Agniveers, alongside the regular soldiers, took down targets with shoulder-fired missiles; manned and fired guns including the upgraded L-70s and Zu-23-2Bs; operated the Pechora, Schilka, OSA-AK, Strela and Tunguska weapons, and the medium-range surface-to-air missile system; manned a variety of radars and Akashteer nodes; were an integral part of the communication network; and drove vehicles used for transporting and launching missiles, including Akash, the people said.

The drivers also doubled as sentries after the weapon systems were deployed in the combat zone.

Only young men and women aged between 17 and a half and 21 are eligible under the Agnipath scheme. Agniveers draw an annual salary of ₹4.76 lakh in the first year of service and ₹6.92 lakh in the fourth, get a non-contributory insurance cover of ₹48 lakh, and an additional ex-gratia payment of ₹44 lakh for death attributable to service.

Those released after four years will get ₹11.71 lakh as Seva Nidhi severance package, including ₹5.02 lakh contributed by them during their service.

Soldiers recruited under the legacy system serve for about 20 years before they retire in their late 30s with pension and other benefits including health care and canteen facilities, which Agniveers released from service after four years are not entitled to.

The government has reserved 10% vacancies in the Central Armed Police Forces, and several defence public sector undertakings are making similar amendments to their recruitment rules along with age relaxation to hire Agniveers. Some states, including Haryana and Rajasthan, have already announced reservations for Agniveers in their police forces.

Last September, the Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd, which manufactures the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, became the first major company to officially announce reservations for Agniveers across various functions. It said at least 15% of technical and general administration vacancies will be reserved for Agniveers for whom at least 50% positions have also been earmarked in security and other administrative functions at various centres where such tasks were earlier outsourced.

The scheme, which the Opposition Congress repeatedly called for scrapping, came under fire from aspirants across the country, especially the northern states, and is believed to have cost the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a chunk of votes across the region in the 2024 national elections. It was opposed as it cuts tenure of PBOR and offers them fewer service benefits.

The confrontation also marked a baptism by fire for the Akashteer system inducted only a year ago; it punctured multiple waves of Pakistani aerial attacks by guaranteeing prompt detection and targeting of the incoming threats. The army bought the automated system from Bharat Electronics Limited for ₹1,982 crore.

The agile system, an integral part of the Indian military’s multi-layered AD grid, played a pivotal role in detecting, identifying, tracking and engaging Pakistani missiles and drones. The system essentially integrates a raft of AD sensors and weapons, expedites decision-making and tightens the sensor-to-shooter loop for swift detection and destruction of hostile targets.

It is integrated with the Indian Air Force’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), the beating heart of the military’s four-tiered AD shield that Pakistan couldn’t penetrate.

“Akashteer is a combination of hardware and software systems in mobile command posts with fully integrated high-tech communication systems. It sharpened the army’s posture and allowed it to control the AD battle by providing ground units (which had Agniveers, among others) with the complete battle picture to respond in a swift and integrated way to neutralise the threats,” a senior official earlier said.

Pakistan launched missiles and drones in its attempt to target several locations in India’s north and west including Awantipora, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj.

The locally produced military hardware that packed a formidable punch during the military confrontation with Pakistan included Akash surface-to-air missiles, the Samar (surface-to-air missile for assured retaliation) system and several counter-drone weapons.

The threats countered by the Indian forces included Chinese-origin PL-15 air-to-air missiles, long-range rockets, loitering munitions, and Turkish-origin drones.

India’s AD grid operated with multiple weapons across four levels, depending on the distance of the incoming target. The weapons that formed part of the grid included the S-400 system.

The Pakistan Army attempted to target Golden Temple in Amritsar with long-range missiles and drones on the night of May 7-8, but India’s AD shield fended off the attacks.

India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7 when the army and IAF hit nine terror camps inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, killing more than 100 terrorists. And between the strikes on the terror sites and the calling of the ceasefire on May 10, the IAF struck multiple military targets in Pakistan.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/midair-scare-after-indigo-delhi-srinagar-flight-faced-hailstorm-101747842409868.html

A demarche was issued to the Charge d’Affaires of the Pakistan High Commission in this regard, a press release by the MEA said.

The Government of India on Wednesday declared another official at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi “Persona Non Grata” for activities “not in keeping with their official status.”

The High Commission staffer has been ordered to leave the country within 24 hours

A demarche was issued to the Charge d’Affaires of the Pakistan High Commission in this regard, a press release by the MEA said.

“Charge d’Affaires, Pakistan High Commission, was issued a demarche to this effect today. He was asked to strictly ensure that none of the Pakistani diplomats or officials in India misuse their privileges and status in any manner,” the MEA statement said.

The individual, according to sources, was allegedly indulged in espionage activities in the garb of visa services.

Earlier on May 13, the government had declared a Pakistani official at the High Commission “Persona Non Grata” for similar activities.

Following the expulsion, Pakistan engaged in a tit-for-tat move and declared a staff member of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad as persona non grata, claiming that the member “engaged in activities incompatible with his privileged status”.

According to the reports, the individual was allegedly identified as Ahsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, who name came up in the ongoing probe in alleged spy Jyoti Malhotra’s case. Danish has been allegedly accused of committing espionage and leaking sensitive information regarding the movements of the Indian Army.

Haryanvi Youtuber Jyoti Malhotra was arrested in Hisar along with several others in Haryana for allegedly spying for Pakistan amid heightening India-Pakistan tensions.

The FIR against Jyoti mentioned that she met Ahsan-ur-Rahim in 2023 at the High Commission in Delhi and has been in touch since then. The man allegedly played the role of her handler and facilitated her introduction to Pakistani Intelligence Operatives.

She was also allegedly in touch with Danish during the four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan that followed the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, police said.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/another-pakistan-high-commission-official-declared-persona-non-grata-asked-to-leave-india-9346780.html

Jyoti Malhotra said that she met Danish, the expelled Pakistani diplomat, and he introduced her to Ali Hasan. After this, she met Shakir and Rana Shahbaz, and intelligence officials.

Arrested on the charges of spying for Pakistan, YouTuberJyoti Malhotra has reportedly confessed to having met Pakistan intelligence officials during her trips to the neighbouring country. Times Now has accessed the exclusive details of her confession, which reveals she was in constant contact with Danish, an official at the Pakistan High Commission. He was earlier expelled by India for engaging in activities against diplomatic rules.
In her confession, she accepted meeting Danish at the Pakistan High Commission in India, and they have remained in touch since then. Jyoti has also admitted to meeting Ali Hasan, who was introduced to her by Danish.
“I run a YouTube channel called ‘Travel With-Jo’. I have a passport, number 5******2. In 2023, I visited the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi to apply for a visa to Pakistan,” she said.

“I took Danish’s mobile number, 9********9, and started communicating with him. Later, I traveled to Pakistan twice. On Danish’s instructions, I met Ali Hasan there, who arranged my stay and travel,” she added.

The chain didn’t stop there. She later came in contact with one Shakir, who, sources say, remained in touch with Jyoti through encrypted messaging platforms like Snapchat and Telegram.
“Ali Hasan introduced me to Pakistani security and intelligence officials. It was during this time that I also met Shakir and Rana Shahbaz,” Jyoti said, adding that she took Shakir’s number and saved it as ‘Jatt Randhawa’ to avoid suspicion. I then returned to India.”
“After returning, I remained in constant touch with all of them through platforms like WhatsApp, Snapchat, and Telegram, and began exchanging anti-national information. I frequently met Danish at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi,” Jyoti reportedly confessed.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/isi-spy-ring-youtuber-jyoti-malhotra-confesses-deep-contacts-pakistan-intelligence-danish-article-151686411

Turkish ground handling and cargo operator Çelebi Airport Services India told the Delhi High Court on Wednesday that by revoking its security clearance, the Central government has put a guillotine on a company which has worked in India for 17 years and employs over 10,000 people.

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi appeared for the company and said Çelebi cannot be equated with Turkish government and does not have any axe to grind with India.

“People working with us are Indians… I have more than 10,000 employees in several airports. Without blemish, I have worked to satisfaction,” he said.

Rohatgi stressed that the Indian government’s action was contrary to law, since there exists a statutory obligation to give a hearing before taking a drastic step like revocation of security clearance.

“The central government is aware of how things are done. The maker of the rule is not allowed to create an exception to the rule,” he said.

The submissions were made before Justice Sachin Datta

Çelebi moved the High Court challenging the Indian government’s decision to revoke its security clearance.

The decision was taken following the four-day Indo-Pak military conflict in which the Turkish government openly backed Pakistan.

While making his case, Rohatgi also objected to the Central government’s decision to provide the reasons only to the Court in a sealed cover.

“One feature I wanted to point out is what they showed in the sealed envelope, we do not know. I can only speculate what the reasons are. There is only one that the shareholding one my company is Turkish. I protest this sealed envelope procedure. It is frowned upon by the Supreme Court. My hands are tied,” he argued.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for the Central government and said that certain things cannot be shared with the company but only with the Court.

Justice Datta asked Rohatgi whether he is entitled to the material as a matter of law.

“Is the court obliged to supply to you,” the judge queried.

Rohatgi replied that he is not asking for a copy of the reasons but a reasonable opportunity to make his case and a notice of hearing.

The hearing will continue tomorrow (May 22).

During the previous hearing on May 19, the Central government had opposed the plea, arguing that it would be hazardous to engage the services of the company.

“There are two categories of contracts—airport handling and cargo handling. These are extremely sensitive operations where personnel know every nook and cranny of the airport,” the Mehta had said.

He added that the revocation was rooted in concerns over national security under the Aircraft Security Rules, particularly Rule 12, which permits cancellation of licence where there is a potential threat.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation, acting through the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), withdrew Çelebi’s clearance on May 15 invoking national security grounds. The move was a result of diplomatic tensions between India and Turkey following the latter’s support for Pakistan during recent hostilities involving Operation Sindoor.

This prompted Celebi to move the Court contending that the Indian government’s decision was “arbitrary and devoid of specific reasons”.

Çelebi, a wholly-owned Indian subsidiary of Turkish parent company Çelebi Aviation Holding, argued that the government’s order lacked any prior notice or opportunity to respond. The company described the justification as “vague” and “unsubstantiated,” asserting that such actions jeopardise foreign investor confidence and threaten the livelihoods of over 3,800 Indian employees.

The company also clarified that while it has Turkish ownership, operational and managerial control of its Indian entity is handled by an India-based team,and that it has maintained a clean track record for over a decade at major airports.

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/elebi-tells-delhi-high-court-it-is-not-turkish-govt-security-clearance-revocation-affected-10000-indian-jobs

A powerful dust storm swept across Delhi-NCR on Wednesday evening, leading to heavy rains and hailstorms. The sudden change in weather led to widespread disruption, including power outages, traffic jams and tree felling.

The storm hit suddenly around 8 pm, reducing visibility drastically as strong winds carrying loose dust blanketed the skies.

Several parts of Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon, and Ghaziabad witnessed intense hailstorms and torrential rain following the dust storm. In Noida, hail battered rooftops and roads shortly after the storm passed.

Many areas experienced power outages across Delhi-NCR due to the sudden weather change. Traffic snarls were reported on major stretches, including the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, Kalindi Kunj border, and DND Flyway.

NOIDA WELCOME BOARD COLLAPSED, TREES UPROOTED

The intense wind and rain led to infrastructure damage, including fallen trees and overhead electric (OHE) line disturbances.

The Noida Welcome Board also collapsed under the force of the wind, while trees and banners fell at multiple spots, leading to severe traffic jams.

Meanwhile, a large tree crashed onto a car at Copernicus Marg, near India Gate. The driver is safe.

METRO DELAYED, SERVICES HALTED

Delhi Metro services were significantly affected, particularly on the Red, Yellow, and Pink Lines. Service was halted temporarily at several stations including Shaheed Nagar, Jahangirpuri, and Nizamuddin.

At Mayur Vihar Phase 1, over 30 minutes delay was reported as commuters crowded the station.

While Pink Line services resumed by 9:18 PM, disruptions on the Red and Yellow Lines persisted late into the evening.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/power-out-trees-uprooted-banners-toppled-how-massive-storm-hit-delhi-2728454-2025-05-22

An IndiGo flight carrying 227 passengers from Delhi to Srinagar was caught in terrifying mid-air turbulence on Wednesday evening, sending those onboard into a panic and causing visible damage to the aircraft’s nose.

Flight 6E2142 was nearing its destination when it was battered by a hailstorm. The pilot declared an emergency with Air Traffic Control before managing to safely land the aircraft at Srinagar Airport at 6.30 pm. However, the dramatic ordeal left passengers shaken.

A viral video, shot by a passenger inside the aircraft, showed hailstones relentlessly striking the fuselage, causing the cabin to shake violently. The footage captured passengers in visible distress, with cries and panic spreading through the cabin as the plane navigated the severe weather patch.

Reports from the scene confirm that all passengers and crew members were evacuated safely from the aircraft after landing. However, the aircraft sustained damage significant enough for the airline to declare it “Aircraft on Ground” (AOG), grounding it for urgent repairs.

“Indigo flight 6E2142 enroute Delhi to Srinagar experienced bad weather (hail storm), emergency reported by Pilot to ATC SXR (Srinagar),” an official of the Airport Authority of India said.

“All Aircrew and 227 passengers are safe and flight is declared AOG by Airline,” he added.

IndiGo also issued an official statement concerning the incident and said that the plane landed safely at Srinagar Airport.

“IndiGo flight 6E 2142 operating from Delhi to Srinagar encountered sudden hailstorm en route. The flight and cabin crew followed established protocol and the aircraft landed safely in Srinagar. The airport team attended to the customers after arrival of the aircraft, prioritising their wellbeing and comfort. The aircraft will be released post necessary inspection and maintenance,” the statement read.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indigo-flight-srinagar-hailstorm-rain-damaged-nose-delhi-weather-emergency-landing-2728347-2025-05-21

Mushtaq described her win as a victory for diversity as she collected the prize at a ceremony at Tate Modern along with her translator Deepa Bhasthi, who translated the title from Kannada to English.

Writer, activist and lawyer Banu Mushtaq’s short story collection ‘Heart Lamp’ on Tuesday night became the first Kannada title to win the coveted £50,000 International Booker Prize in London.

Mushtaq described her win as a victory for diversity as she collected the prize at a ceremony at Tate Modern along with her translator Deepa Bhasthi, who translated the title from Kannada to English. Shortlisted among six worldwide titles, Mushtaq’s work appealed to the judges for its “witty, vivid, colloquial, moving and excoriating” style of capturing portraits of family and community tensions.

“This book was born from the belief that no story is ever small, that in the tapestry of human experience every thread holds the weight of the whole,” said Mushtaq.

“In a world that often tries to divide us, literature remains one of the lost sacred spaces where we can live inside each other’s minds, if only for a few pages,” she said.

Translator Bhashti added: “What a beautiful win this is for my beautiful language.”

The annual prize celebrates the best works of long-form fiction or collections of short stories translated into English and published in the UK and/or Ireland between May 2024 and April 2025. The other five books on the shortlisted included: ‘On the Calculation of Volume I’ by Solvej Balle, translated from Danish by Barbara J. Haveland; ‘Small Boat’ by Vincent Delecroix, translated from French by Helen Stevenson; ‘Under the Eye of the Big Bird’ by Hiromi Kawakami, translated from Japanese by Asa Yoneda; ‘Perfection’ by Vincenzo Latronico, translated from Italian by Sophie Hughes; and ‘A Leopard-Skin Hat’ by Anne Serre, translated from French by Mark Hutchinson.

Max Porter, International Booker Prize 2025 Chair of judges, said: “This list is our celebration of fiction in translation as a vehicle for pressing and surprising conversations about humanity. These mind-expanding books ask what might be in store for us, or how we might mourn, worship or survive. They offer knotty, sometimes pessimistic, sometimes radically hopeful answers to these questions.

“Taken together they build a miraculous lens through which to view human experience, both the truly disturbing and the achingly beautiful. They are each highly specific windows onto a world, but they are all gorgeously universal.”

Each shortlisted title is awarded a prize of £5,000 – shared between author and translator and the winning prize money is split between Mushtaq and Bhashti, who receive GBP 25,000 each.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/kannada-writer-banu-mushtaq-wins-international-booker-prize-for-heartlamp-selected-stories-3549955

Mizoram was on Tuesday declared as the first fully literate state under the Centre’s Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS) initiative.

The announcement was made by Chief Minister Lalduhoma at a celebratory event held at the Mizoram University at Aizawl in the presence of Union Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, Mizoram education minister Vanlalthlana.

The ULLAS initiative mandates minimum literacy rate of 95 percent and according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS 2023–2024), Mizoram reached a literacy rate of 98.2%, thus leading it to become the first fully literate state, an official statement issued by Mizoram government said.

“Today marks a historic moment in the journey of our state — one that will be remembered by generations to come,” Lalduhoma said at the event. “A total of 1,692 persons who, despite having missed earlier educational opportunities, demonstrated extraordinary determination and a will to learn, even in later stages of life.”

Chaudhary praised Mizoram’s commitment to inclusive growth through education. “This is a proud day not just for Mizoram, but for the entire nation,” he said.

The Mission:  

The CM said the landmark achievement was the result of sustained efforts by the School Education Department, particularly through Samagra Shiksha and the New India Literacy Programme (Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram). The state government established a Governing Council and Executive Committee under the State Literacy Mission Authority, with the State Project Office under Samagra Shiksha Mizoram spearheading the initiative.

To support the mission, the State Centre for Literacy was set up under SCERT. It developed Mizo language learning materials titled Vartian, along with an English version for learners in the Lawngtlai district. Additional resources such as Romei for learners and Margdarshika for Volunteer Teachers were created. Cluster Resource Centre Coordinators acted as surveyors for the New India Literacy Programme, identifying 3,026 illiterate individuals aged 15 and above — of whom 1,692 expressed a willingness to learn, said the CM.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/mizoram/mizoram-declared-indias-first-fully-literate-state-3549395

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday reiterated his claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had intelligence inputs about “trouble” in Kashmir and held the Centre responsible for the death of 26 civilians in Pahalgam on April 22.

“Why did those 26 people die in Pahalgam?? It’s because the Modi government didn’t provide security there. I have told that Modi put off his April 17th visit to Kashmir after getting intelligence reports of disturbances in Kashmir. I still haven’t got an answer to this. You (Modi) knew this. If you had told these tourists to not go there, those 26 lives would have been saved. These chut-put wars with Pakistan wouldn’t have happened,” Kharge.

The AIl India Congress Committee President was speaking at the Samarpane Sankalpa in Hospet to celebrate two years of the Congress in power.

Kharge accused the Modi government of not consulting the opposition while sending delegations to different countries to articulate India’s positions about the clashes with Pakistan.

“Though they didn’t ask, we didn’t speak anything keeping the national interest in mind and are sending our representatives to different countries. Saving the country and its people is of paramount importance to us.”

Accusing Pakistan of always Blaming India, the AICC president accused Pakistan of taking Chinese help to attack India. Our country will never tolerate this. We are united,” he added.

Slamming Modi for his absence at two all-party meetings to discuss the national situation, Kharge said, “If you are patriotic, why didn’t you come to those meetings? In case we don’t go to such meetings once, we will be considered anti-nationals. But even if he doesn’t come, he is a patriot.”

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/26-people-died-in-pahalgam-as-modi-govt-did-not-provide-security-kharge-3549472

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert regarding possible rough weather conditions in the Arabian Sea near the coasts of Maharashtra and Goa from May 21 to May 24. A low-pressure area is expected to develop over the sea starting from Wednesday (May 21), which could gradually intensify and move northwards by Saturday (May 24). The information was shared by Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), Maharashtra on their official social media account.

No Direct Threat, But the Sea May Be Rough

Although there is no direct threat to the coastal regions of Maharashtra, the IMD has stated that the sea is likely to remain disturbed and rough due to the weather system. The effects of this development will be felt particularly between May 22 and May 24, during which the sea near coastal areas like Raigad, Ratnagiri, Mumbai and Palghar could become turbulent.

YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra was arrested under espionage charges on May 16. She was booked under sections of the Official Secrets Act and Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.

YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra was recently arrested under espionage charges for her alleged links with Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) and is being probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB). Her trips to Pakistan, including the one before the Pahalgam terror attack, and China, are all under the scanner.

While intelligence agencies are interrogating Jyoti Malhotra, the recovery of her diary by the Haryana Police provides more insight into her visit to Pakistan.

Jyoti Malhotra’s diary entries

In an undated diary entry, she mentioned her return to “my country” India from a 10-day Pakistan trip, NDTV reported. “During this time, I received a lot of love from the people of Pakistan. Our subscribers and friends also came to meet us. The two days we got to visit Lahore were not enough,” it said.

She also described Pakistan as “crazy”, “colourful”, and said that her experience in the neighbor nation couldn’t be put into words.

In one of her entries, Jyoti Malhotra also penned down a request she made to the Pakistani authorities. “Protect the temples there and let Indians meet their families from whom they were separated in 1947,” it was quoted by the NDTV report.

Jyoti Malhotra’s arrest

The 33-year-old YouTuber with a channel called ‘Travel with Jo’ and more than 3.77 lakh subscribers was arrested from her residence in Hisar on May 16.

Jyoti Malhotra was booked under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The Haryana police and the probing agencies have also found that Malhotra was in regular touch with a Pakistani staffer from the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, from November 2023 to March 2025.

Hisar police spokesman Vikas Kumar said that Malhotra confessed of being in touch with Danish, HT reported. Danish was allegedly “developing her as an asset”.

Danish, now declared a persona non grata by India, introduced the YouTuber to Ali Ahwan, who then arranged for her accommodation and further meetings with Pakistani security officials Shakir and Rana Shahbaz.

As per the FIR registered against her, she had saved Shakir’s contact as “Jatt Randhawa” to avoid any suspicion. Following her return to India, Malhotra reportedly kept communicating with the operatives via WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat. She also met Danish several times at the Pakistani High Commission in the national capital.

The FIR states that Malhotra was part of a larger espionage network spread across Haryana and Punjab, and involved agents, informants, and financial handlers, HT’s report said.

The YouTuber also reportedly had multiple bank accounts with several transactions, all of which are now being analysed by the central probing agencies along with her travel history.

Hisar superintendent of police (SP) Shashank Kumar Sawan had said at a press conference earlier, “Her known income sources do not justify her foreign travel. We suspect external funding. On the surface, she was just a travel blogger.”

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/what-youtuber-jyoti-malhotras-diary-revealed-about-her-pakistan-trip-crazy-101747786838907.html

Asked if the ceasefire is holding and if it is the ‘end of the matter’ for India, JP Singh responded by saying that “the ceasefire is still holding on but we have made it very clear that Operation Sindoor is paused, it’s not yet over”.

Calling upon to form an international coalition against terrorism, India’s Ambassador to Israel JP Singh, has stressed that India’s Operation Sindoor against Pakistan is “paused” and “not over”, demanding that Islamabad should handover key terrorists Hafiz Saeed, Sajid Mir and Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi just like US did with one of the masterminds of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, Tahawwur Hussain Rana.

Narrating the incidents leading up to India’s offensive, Mr Singh in an interview with Israeli TV channel i24 on Monday said that the operation was initially against terror groups in Pakistan.

“The terrorists killed people based on their religion. They asked people their religion before killing them and 26 innocent lives were lost”, the Indian ambassador said citing the Pahalgam attack of April 22.

“India’s operation was against terror groups and their infrastructure to which Pakistan responded by attacking India’s military installations”, he emphasised.

Asked if the ceasefire is holding and if it is the ‘end of the matter’ for India, Mr Singh responded by saying that “the ceasefire is still holding on but we have made it very clear that Operation Sindoor is paused, it’s not yet over”.

“The fight against terrorism will continue. We have set a new normal and the new normal is that we will follow an offensive strategy. Wherever terrorists are, we have to kill those terrorists and we have to destroy their infrastructure. So it is still not over but as we speak the ceasefire is still intact”, he asserted.

Describing India’s attack on Nur Khan base in the early morning of May 10 as a game changer, Mr Singh said that it created panic in Pakistan and their DGMO reached out to their Indian counterpart seeking a ceasefire.

On the question of suspension of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) that Pakistan has described as “an act of war”, the Indian envoy said that the two key words that guided the treaty were never honoured and India on the contrary was always battling against terror attacks emanating from Pakistan.

“IWT was signed in 1960 and the preamble of the treaty includes two key words – goodwill and friendship….Over the past so many years what we have seen (is that) we were allowing water to flow and what was Pakistan doing – they were allowing terror (attacks) to come on the Indian side”, Mr Singh noted.

“There was a lot of frustration among people that this cannot go on like this. Our Prime Minister said that blood and water cannot flow together and that is the reason that we decided to put this IWT in abeyance”, he added.

“Terror must stop”, the Indian ambassador asserted for a treaty like this to be operational and Pakistan must stop cross-border terrorism.

“While IWT is in abeyance, another IWT is operational – Operation Sindoor is India’s War Against Terrorism”, he said.

Citing a long list of terror attacks in India that originated from Pakistan, JP Singh said that the “root cause are these two groups — Jaish-e-Muhammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba”.

The leaders of Lashkar-e-Taiba which was behind the Mumbai attacks in which several Jews were also killed, continue to roam free, he noted.

“They need to do a very simple thing – when the preamble includes goodwill and friendship, they just need to hand over these terrorists to us”, the envoy stressed.

Pointing out that the United States recently extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who was involved in the Mumbai attack, the diplomat who has also served in Pakistan in the past said that Islamabad could also do the same.

“When the US can hand over these culprits, why can’t Pakistan hand over? They have to simply hand over Hafeez Saeed, Lakhvi, Sajid Mir and things will be over”, he emphasised.

With reference to Pakistan’s offer to investigate the Pahalgam attack, Mr Singh dismissed it, describing it as a deflection strategy.

“What has happened to the Mumbai attack? What has happened to the Pathankot air base attack? What has happened to the Pulwama attack,” he questioned.

“We have given them dossiers after dossiers — we have given them technical inputs. America has shared with them evidence. Everything is there but what have they done”, he asked.

“Lakhvi, who was the main planner of the Mumbai attack, is still roaming freely. Hafiz Saeed, the head of Lashkar-e-Taiba, planner and executioner of the Mumbai attack is roaming freely. So we can’t believe them,” Mr Singh said.

Contending that terrorism is a global menace, the Indian envoy called for greater cooperation among the countries faced with the challenge.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/operation-sindoor-is-not-over-pakistan-must-hand-over-terrorist-hafiz-saeed-indian-envoy-jp-singh-8457808

Officials said the arrests were made in wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s Operation Sindoor.

At least 12 people, including a Haryana-based YouTuber and a local quack, are among those arrested by Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh police over the last two weeks for allegedly being a part of Pakistan’s spy operations.

Apart from YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, the accused also include a factory worker and a post-graduate student.

What we know so far

• Two women ‘spies’ and one Pakistani official: YouTuber from Haryana Jyoti Malhotra and 31-year-old Guzala from Punjab were allegedly in touch with Pakistani officer Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish posted at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.

• Jyoti Malhotra – She came in contact with Danish, a Pakistani official, during a visit to the Pakistan High Commission seeking a visa to visit the neighbouring nation. She was in touch with PIOs, and visited Pakistan “multiple times” and China once. Danish is the same official who was declared persona non grata by India.

Jyoti Malhotra was allegedly in touch with Pakistani officials during the recent military conflict. Currently under police custody, her financial transactions and travel details are under scanner. Officials suspect that Malhotra was being cultivated as an “asset” for future spy operations.

Overnight heavy rain on Sunday claimed the lives of three people in Bengaluru. The downpour sparked civic chaos and a political blame game over the city’s poor infrastructure.

Three people, including a nine-year-old boy, were killed in rain-related incidents on Monday as extremely heavy overnight rain brought Bengaluru to its knees on Monday.

Shashikala, an employee of a private company, succumbed to injuries after a wet compound wall suddenly collapsed on her in Whitefield on Monday morning. She was walking towards Channasandra when the wall gave way and fell on her, resulting in her death.

Later, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh from the government for Shashikala’s family.

In another incident, two persons, including a young boy, were electrocuted at BTM Layout in the city on Monday evening.

The deceased were identified as 55-year-old Manohar Kamat and nine-year-old Dinesh, a native of Nepal. According to police, both were electrocuted while attempting to pump rainwater out of the apartment’s basement using a motor.

With the heavy downpour, locals were seen through water, and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel, who launched evacuation efforts, also faced challenges due to a shortage of boats.

A video from the Silk Board Metro Station showed heavy waterlogging after hours of downpour in the city.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) data, Bengaluru city received 105.5 mm of rainfall during the 24 hours ending 8.30 am on May 19. The last time it rained this heavily during this month was on May 18, 2022.

Incidentally, the all-time record for May stands at 153.9 mm, which was set on May 6, 1909.

RAIN ALERT IN KARNATAKA

The weather department issued a red alert for Coastal Karnataka, North Interior Karnataka and South Interior Karnataka for May 20 and 21.

A yellow alert for heavy rain was sounded in Bengaluru and other districts, including Bagalkot, Belagavi, Koppal, and others, until 10 am.

BENGALURU RAIN TRIGGERS POLITICAL BLAME GAME

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) mounted an offensive against the ruling Congress, alleging that the crores of rupees spent over the last two years on the city’s infrastructure have yielded no results.

India’s interception of a Chinese-origin PL-15E missile fired by Pakistan has shocked global defence communities, with countries like France and Japan keen to examine the debris

Days after the Indian Air Force (IAF) publicly displayed the wreckage of a Chinese-origin PL-15E air-to-air missile fired by Pakistan, several global powers including the Five Eyes nations, along with France and Japan, have reportedly expressed interest in accessing parts of the missile for detailed examination.

The PL-15E fragments were recovered from a field in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district on May 9. During a press briefing on May 12, IAF Air Marshal AK Bharti confirmed that Pakistan had employed advanced Chinese weaponry, including the PL-15E missile, in its strike against India.

According to Bharti, the missile was launched from a Pakistani JF-17 fighter jet during the four-day aerial skirmish between the two countries after India launched Operation Sindoor, but was neutralised mid-air by India’s electronic warfare units. The successful interception marks the first recorded instance of a PL-15E being defeated in combat.

India’s robust integrated air defence system, including the Russian-made S-400 and the indigenous Akash Teer, successfully intercepted the incoming threats before they could strike.

The defeat of a PL-15E missile by India sent shockwaves through global defence communities. The Five Eyes alliance, comprising the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, is an intelligence-sharing network that collaborates on surveillance and electronic threat assessments. Their interest in the PL-15E debris underscores the global significance of understanding China’s rapidly advancing missile technologies.

The IAF showcased visuals of the intercepted missile debris during their press briefing earlier this month, along with wreckage from long-range rockets, loitering munitions, and various unmanned aerial systems. These included Turkish-origin YIHA and Songar drones, all of which were neutralised by the Indian Air Force.

Countries like France and Japan, both heavily invested in advanced air-to-air missile systems, also reportedly expressed urgent interest in examining the wreckage. What they seek is not just metal debris, but secrets: the missile’s radar signature, motor composition, guidance technology, and possibly even the elusive architecture of its AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar.

What is China’s PL-15E Missile?

First revealed nearly a decade ago, the PL-15E was China’s answer to the increasingly outdated American AIM-120 AMRAAM. Designed for long-range engagement, it boasts a dual-pulse solid rocket motor and can reportedly reach speeds exceeding Mach 5, with a strike range stretching between 200 and 300 kilometres. Its AESA-guided seeker allows for autonomous tracking and targeting, even in electronically contested environments; making it, at least on paper, a nightmare for rival air forces. The PL-15E has been integrated into Chinese fighter jets including the J-10C, J-16, and stealthy J-20.

Until now, the missile was shrouded in secrecy. It has never before been recovered from a live conflict, let alone largely undamaged. “Didn’t think I’d ever see a PL-15E’s AESA without going to a vault lol,” tweeted US defence analyst John Ridge, referencing the sudden availability of sensitive Chinese technology for reverse engineering.

For India, this recovery is more than a tactical victory; it’s a strategic windfall. The debris, according to sources, may allow researchers from India and allied nations to decode the inner workings of the missile’s propulsion and targeting systems, which have been closely guarded by China.

Why France and Japan Want a Piece of PL-15E

France’s eagerness stems from the fact that its Meteor missile, deployed on India’s Rafale jets, is considered the PL-15E’s main competitor. With a ramjet propulsion system and a significant “no-escape zone”, the Meteor has long been the benchmark for air dominance. However, the PL-15E’s longer range and AESA guidance have positioned it as a formidable rival.

Japan, similarly, has been modernising its air force in the face of growing Chinese assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific. Understanding the PL-15E’s capabilities would allow Japan to upgrade its own missile defence systems and develop countermeasures against future threats.

Defence sources indicate that while the wreckage remains under India’s control, data sharing with select allies is being considered under stringent bilateral protocols.

PL-15E vs Other Missiles

China’s PL-15E’s advent forced the United States to accelerate development of the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM), which is currently undergoing trials and is expected to surpass the PL-15E in range and electronic resilience.

In response, China is reportedly developing the PL-17, a next-generation missile featuring greater range, network-enabled targeting, and AI-guided navigation; signalling that the race for aerial supremacy is entering a new era driven not just by speed and range, but by information warfare.

What This Means for India

Operation Sindoor was a trial by fire, and India passed with flying colours. The Indian Air Force not only detected and tracked the PL-15E but successfully diverted it before it could strike a forward air base. The fact that a missile once deemed “unbeatable” was foiled by Indian systems suggests that the nation’s electronic warfare and surveillance capabilities are more robust than previously assumed.

Yet defence analysts caution against complacency. “The PL-15E is just the beginning,” said retired Air Vice Marshal DS Dutta. China’s defence collaboration with Pakistan is deepening, and more advanced systems are on the horizon. India must accelerate the development of indigenous missile systems and cutting-edge radar technology to maintain the edge, he explained.

Source : https://www.news18.com/explainers/india-turned-chinas-fearsome-pl-15-missile-into-scrap-heres-why-france-and-japan-want-the-pieces-ws-dkl-9343119.html

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a forecast predicting a wet week for various regions across India, featuring widespread rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds until Saturday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a wet week for India with widespread rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds until Saturday.
While no significant change in maximum temperatures across the country has been predicted by the IMD, they might fall gradually by 2-3 degrees Celsius over the next 3 days, especially in northeastern states such as Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim, which are expected to receive consistent rainfall throughout the week.
The wet weather conditions may also be accompanied by thundersquall and hailstorm in some parts of the country. Southern India is also in for an intense wet spell.

Indian health authorities are monitoring rising COVID-19 cases in Singapore and Hong Kong while asserting that the situation in India is stable.

Health authorities in India are keeping an eye on reports of a rise in COVID cases in Singapore and Hong Kong even as official sources on Monday asserted the current coronavirus situation in the country was under control. A review meeting of experts from the National Centre for Disease Control, Emergency Medical Relief division, Disaster Management Cell, Indian Council of Medical Research and Central government hospitals was held on Monday under the chairpersonship of the director general of health services.
“The meeting concluded that the current COVID-19 situation in India remains under control. As of May 19, 2025, the number of active COVID-19 cases in India stands at 257, a very low figure considering the country’s large population.
“Almost all of these cases are mild, with no hospitalization required,” an official source said.

The country has a robust system for surveillance of viral respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and ICMR.

Hospitals have been asked to monitor influenza-like illnesses and severe acute respiratory infection cases.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/covid-19-situation-in-india-under-control-say-official-sources-amid-scare-in-singapore-hong-kong-article-151675580

India is not a dharamshala (a public shelter) to accommodate refugees from across the world, observed the Supreme Court on Monday while declining to extend relief to a Sri Lankan national who was facing deportation.

A bench Justices Dipankar Datta and K Vinod Chandran was dealing with a plea challenging a Madras High Court order directing a Sri Lankan Tamil national to leave India immediately after completing a seven-year prison sentence under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA).

“Is India to host refugees from all over the world? … This is not a Dharmshala that we can entertain foreign nationals from all over,” the Court orally remarked, before dismissing the plea.

The plea before the Court was filed by Subaskaran, a Sri Lankan Tamil national, who was arrested in 2015 on allegations that he was part of a conspiracy to revive the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a militant organisation that had worked to set up an independent Tamil State in Sri Lanka.

He was convicted by a trial court in Ramanathapuram in 2018 under various provisions of the UAPA, the Passport Act, the Foreigners Act, the Poisons Act, and the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment.

In 2022, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court reduced his sentence to seven years on appeal. The High Court further ordered him to leave India without delay after he was released from prison, adding that he could remain in a refugee camp until then.

Following the High Court’s order, the Subaskaran’s wife submitted a representation to the Tamil Nadu Government requesting his release from the Trichy Special Camp to live peacefully with his family without forcing him to leave from India.

When the government did not respond to her representation, she approached the Madras High Court to prevent his husband’s deportation, but her plea was rejected. This ultimately prompted the filing of a petition before the Supreme Court, where Subaskaran contended that he was falsely and arbitrarily implicated in the UAPA case.

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/india-is-not-a-dharmshala-supreme-court-on-deportation-of-sri-lankan-national

The Delhi High Court on Monday heard plea filed by Turkish ground handling and cargo operator Çelebi Airport Services India challenging the Indian government’s decision to revoke its security clearance.

Justice Sachin Datta will continue hearing the case on Wednesday.

Appearing for the Central government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta expressed national security concerns over the firm, stating,

“The enemy can try 10 times and succeed once, country has to succeed all the time.”

The Court said in reply,

“The rule is better safe than sorry.”

During the course of the hearing, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared for Çelebi’ said,

“Public perception cannot be used to take away employment. We are not a rogue company.”

Rohatgi highlighted that the company has been operating in India for 17 years without incident, and that no notice was given before the revocation of its security clearance.

Justice Datta, however, noted the sensitivity of the issue.

“Notice could be counterproductive. That you may do something inimical to national security the moment notice is given to you,” he observed.

“There are two categories of contracts—airport handling and cargo handling. These are extremely sensitive operations where personnel know every nook and cranny of the airport,” the SG argued.

He maintained that the government has received inputs on which the government finds that it would be hazardous to leave this activity in the hands of this company.

The revocation was rooted in concerns over national security under the Aircraft Security Rules, particularly Rule 12, which permits cancellation of licence where there is a potential threat.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation, acting through the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), withdrew Çelebi’s clearance on May 15, 2025, invoking national security grounds.

The move comes amid escalating diplomatic tensions, following Turkey’s support for Pakistan during recent hostilities involving Operation Sindoor.

This prompted Celebi to move the Court contending that the Indian government’s decision is “arbitrary and devoid of specific reasons”.

Çelebi, a wholly-owned Indian subsidiary of Turkish parent company Çelebi Aviation Holding, argued that the government’s order lacked any prior notice or opportunity to respond. The company described the justification as “vague” and “unsubstantiated,” asserting that such actions jeopardise foreign investor confidence and threaten the livelihoods of over 3,800 Indian employees.

The company also clarified that while it has Turkish ownership, operational and managerial control of its Indian entity is handled by an India-based team, and that it has maintained a clean track record for over a decade at major airports.

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/better-safe-than-sorry-delhi-high-court-in-turkish-firm-elebis-security-clearance-case

The interim deal will likely cover areas including market access for industrial goods, some farm products and addressing some non-tariff barriers, such as quality control requirements, the people said, asking not to be identified because the discussions are private.

India is discussing a US trade deal structured in three tranches and expects to reach an interim agreement before July, when President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs are set to kick in, according to officials in New Delhi familiar with the matter.

The interim deal will likely cover areas including market access for industrial goods, some farm products and addressing some non-tariff barriers, such as quality control requirements, the people said, asking not to be identified because the discussions are private.

The talks are still ongoing and there’s no clarity if the Trump administration has agreed to a three-stage process for a trade deal. India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is currently in Washington on a four-day trip that ends Tuesday, where he’s expected to meet US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to advance the negotiations.

India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Ministry of External Affairs didn’t immediately respond to requests for further information. The USTR and Commerce Department also didn’t immediately respond to questions.

The second stage of an India-US deal may be a broader and more detailed agreement timed for around September to November, Indian officials familiar with the matter said, likely covering the 19 areas outlined in the terms of reference agreed by the two sides in April. The timing for this part of the deal may be aligned with an expected visit by Trump to India for the Quad leaders’ summit, one of the people said.

The final leg of the deal will likely be a comprehensive agreement that would follow once there’s approval from the US Congress, possibly concluded only next year, Indian officials familiar with the matter said.

India was one of the first countries to begin trade negotiations with the US following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the White House in February shortly after Trump took office. Both leaders agreed to boost trade and work toward concluding the first tranche of the bilateral deal by fall of this year. Since then, New Delhi has signaled the possibility of “early mutual wins” before the fall deadline.

While Indian officials say talks remain on track, there have been signs of tension in recent days. New Delhi appears to be adopting a tougher stance in negotiations, threatening retaliatory tariffs on US goods last week. Trump has also claimed that India offered to slash tariffs on US goods to zero, while downplaying any sense of urgency to reach a trade deal.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/india-sees-multi-phase-trade-deal-with-us-as-talks-proceed-3548355

The Customs officials seized 36 exotic reptiles from a passenger who landed at the Mumbai international airport from Bangkok and arrested him.

They include 28 live, two dead orange-bearded dragons, and six white iguanas.

The passenger was intercepted by officials on Sunday night after they noticed unusual movement in his bag during scanning, an official said.

A wildlife rescue team from RAWW (Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare) was called for assistance in opening the consignment, identifying and taking care of the species until further actions were to be initiated, said an official from the Forest Department.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/maharashtra/man-held-with-36-exotic-reptiles-at-mumbai-international-airport-3547698

HYDERABAD: A century-old three-storey Hyderabad building close to the iconic Charminar caught fire early Sunday, killing 17 members across three generations of a jeweller’s family that had assembled in their ancestral home for what was to be a weekend get-together.

Patriarch Prahlad Modi, whose roots in Gulzar Houz go back to the Nizam era, and eight children were among the victims, ranging from 2 to 73 years old. They died either from burn injuries or asphyxiation, officials said.

Four family members, two of whom were not at home, and some of their workers survived the 6am blaze, suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit. Fire engines needed more than two hours to douse the flames, by which time much of the residential-cum-commercial building had been gutted.

Fire brigade officials identified the main electrical panel on the ground floor that houses three jewellery stores of the family as the source of the fire. One of the stores had been in business since 1906.

“Sparks caused by the short circuit in the main electrical line spread through the wooden panel and triggered a blast in the compressor unit of one of the ACs, resulting in the blaze growing,” director general of fire services Y Nagi Reddy said. “Since the building has only one entrance and exit, and the staircase is very narrow, residents couldn’t escape. The smoke further made it difficult for them to navigate their way out.”

Nagi Reddy said 11 fire engines, a firefighting robot, 17 officers and 70 personnel were deployed to rescue survivors and douse the flames. He contested allegations by relatives of the dead about a delayed response. “We received a call at 6.16am and immediately rushed our teams to the fire scene,” the DG said.

None of 17 Hyd fire victims taken to hospitals could be revived

Charminar police station registered a fire accident case based on a complaint by a relative of Prahlad Modi.

None of the 17 victims who had been taken to different hospitals – Osmania General Hospital, Apollo Hospital and Yashoda Hospital – could be revived. They were all cremated in the evening.

Residents of the Gulzar Houz neighbourhood recalled hearing ominous noises from the building where Prahlad Modi lived with his wife Munni and others soon after the fire broke out. “By the time we reached the site, the entire building was engulfed in flames. There was little hope of anyone surviving,” said Mir Zahid, a neighbour.

PM Narendra Modi announced ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each of the deceased from the PM’s National Relief Fund. “Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy in Hyderabad, Telangana. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon,” he wrote on X.

Source : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/17-of-jewellers-family-8-kids-among-them-die-in-fire-near-hyderabad-charminar/articleshow/121255030.cms

China helped Pakistan reorganize its radar and air defense systems to more effectively detect India’s deployments of troops and weaponry, Ashok Kumar, director general at the New Delhi-based Centre For Joint Warfare Studies, said in an interview.

China provided Pakistan with air defense and satellite support during its clash with India this month, according to a research group under India’s Ministry of Defence, suggesting that Beijing was more directly involved in the conflict than was previously disclosed.

China helped Pakistan reorganize its radar and air defense systems to more effectively detect India’s deployments of troops and weaponry, Ashok Kumar, director general at the New Delhi-based Centre For Joint Warfare Studies, said in an interview.

China also helped Pakistan adjust its satellite coverage over India during the 15-day interval between an April 22 massacre that killed 26 tourists and the start of hostilities between the two nations, he said.

“It helped them to redeploy their air defense radar so that any actions which we do from the aerial route is known to them,” Kumar said at the group’s headquarters in New Delhi.

India’s government hasn’t publicly detailed China’s involvement in the conflict. While Pakistan has said it used Chinese-supplied weapons, Kumar’s assessment — if correct — indicates that China’s involvement went even further, offering logistical and intelligence support to Islamabad.

The Centre for Joint Warfare Studies describes itself as an autonomous think tank focused on integration and transformation of India’s armed forces. Its advisory board includes Defense Minister Rajnath Singh as well as India’s top military commander and the heads of the army, air force and navy.

China’s Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry didn’t respond to requests for comment placed over the weekend. Representatives for India’s Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry, armed forces and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office didn’t respond to requests for comment. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry and Information Ministry also didn’t respond to emailed queries on Sunday.

The clash was the worst between the nuclear-armed neighbors in half a century, with both sides trading air, drone and missile strikes, as well as artillery and small arms fire along their shared border. It was triggered by the bloodshed on April 22, which India has called an act of terrorism orchestrated by Pakistan. Leaders in Islamabad have denied involvement.

The conflict drew in world powers, with President Donald Trump taking credit for helping to mediate a ceasefire that started May 10 — an assertion that generated anger in India, which said the truce was negotiated bilaterally. On Thursday, Pakistan’s deputy prime minister said the ceasefire would be extended to Sunday, while the Indian Army has said it would continue to work on confidence-building measures with Pakistan.

Kumar said China used the conflict as a testing ground for its weapons. The performance of the Chinese defense systems were below average and “failed miserably” in some instances, Kumar said, citing an Indian military assessment. He didn’t provide specifics.

India’s defense systems reacted well to Pakistan’s use of hundreds of drones in the conflict, Kumar said, adding that India’s integrated network of censors gave it an edge. He didn’t comment on China’s J-10C fighter or Pakistan’s claims that it downed Indian warplanes.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said Pakistan shot down six Indian fighter jets, an assertion that hasn’t been independently verified. India’s government hasn’t commented on whether it lost aircraft in the fighting.

Chinese weapons like the J-10C fighter and the PL-15 air-to-air missile had never seen documented live fighting before, and their use has raised concerns among Beijing’s rivals across the region, including in Taiwan. China’s government hasn’t commented on the use of its equipment, and Pakistan hasn’t presented evidence to back up its claims.

Kumar said that India’s planning for conflicts with Pakistan now accounts for the probability that China will provide assistance to Islamabad. China may not intervene on behalf of Pakistan unless the situation is “critical,” but Pakistan will enter a conflict between India and China, Kumar said.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/china-gave-pakistan-satellite-support-indian-defense-group-says-3546145

In a shocking incident, a video has surfaced on social media in which a passenger in the Air India flight is complaining of the non-functioning of the air conditioning inside the flight on Sunday afternoon. The passenger is seen in the video sweating heavily claiming that they are sitting inside the flight for over an hour without AC amid the extreme heat. The video of the customer was shared by a journalist online and the video is going viral on social media. Air India responded to the video assuring that the matter will be thoroughly reviewed.

The viral video from inside the Air India’s Delhi-Patna flight shows the passengers struggling without the AC and sweating heavily. They are seen using their boarding passes, books and whatever they could find as a fan to get respite from the extreme heat inside the flight.

In the video, one of the passengers can be seen recording himself while sweating. He claimed that the air conditioning was not working and that they had been sitting inside the flight for more than an hour. He also said that children and other passengers were facing serious issues and there was no staff attending to them.

The incident has raised serious concerns on the airlines for their irresponsible behaviour against the customers. The airlines should have checked for any faults in the flight before boarding the passengers. The incident occurred when the country is facing intense heatwaves.

A journalist shared the video online, saying, “Ye Air India ki Delhi-Patna flight hai. Batane ki zarurat nahi, sirf inko dekhiye aur suniye. Likhne ka koi asar hoga iski umeed nahi hai. Abhi 10 din pehle Patna-Delhi flight ka bhi aisa hi haal tha. Tab bhi likh kar dhyaan aakrshit karne ki koshish ki thi.” (This is Air India’s Delhi-Patna flight. There’s no need to explain, just look at them and listen. There’s little hope that writing about it will have any effect. Just 10 days ago, the condition on the Patna-Delhi flight was the same. Even then, I tried to draw attention by writing about it.)

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/viral/video-ac-fails-on-air-india-delhi-patna-flight-passengers-seen-sweating-heavily-amid-heatwave

For her second Cannes appearance this year, Nancy Tyagi dazzled in a meticulously handcrafted pearl-embellished mini dress that exuded timeless grace and bold artistry.

After making headlines with her dreamy blue gown earlier this week, Nancy Tyagi returned to the Cannes 2025 red carpet with yet another self-stitched masterpiece, this time dazzling in a pearl-embellished mini dress. Known for weaving emotion into every ensemble, the self-taught designer and digital creator once again blended craftsmanship with creativity, turning heads and winning hearts. Let’s take a closer look at her stunning second appearance.

Nancy Tyagi’s pearl-studded mini dress at Cannes 2025

For her second Cannes appearance this year, Nancy dazzled in a meticulously handcrafted pearl-embellished mini dress that exuded timeless grace and bold artistry. The soft silver-beige number featured delicate pearl strings, sparkling crystal fringes, and detailed panelling, allowing her to shine on the global red carpet.

The ensemble took more than one month to complete, a true labour of love. Its fitted silhouette and sweetheart neckline offered a feminine touch, while her choice of a voluminous overcoat with puffed shoulders and a trailing hem brought drama and grandeur to the overall outfit.

Taking about second red carpet couture for Cannes, Nancy stated, “Ye colour meri mummy ka favourite hai, isliye iss baar decide kiya ki isi colour mein dress design karun. Isse banane mein poora one month laga, aur main last moment tak taiyaari mein lagi rahi, kyunki dress kaafi heavy thi.”

Adding a modern edge was her choice of exquisite jewellery. Nancy adorned herself in a bold golden ear cuff, a few statement rings, shiny heels and carried a pearl-studded bag, which perfectly complemented her overall look.

She opted for glowing makeup with luminous highlighter, nude eyeshadow, blushy cheeks and glossy lips. Nancy styled her hair in a sleek bun, letting a few wisps frame her face.

Nancy’s show-stopping blue look

Nancy’s opening appearance at Cannes 2025 was nothing short of cinematic. This time, she brought drama and dreaminess together in a stunning blue gown with silver undertones. The couture-worthy ensemble was carefully created using fabric sourced from Seelampur, a humble market in North East Delhi.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/lifestyle/nancy-tyagi-is-the-real-star-at-cannes-2025-in-self-stitched-pearl-embellished-mini-dress-and-dramatic-cape-photos

Nimrat Kaur shared the profound impact of losing her father to terrorism at age 11. She reflected on her mother’s hidden struggles and the emotional burden placed on her as the eldest daughter. Nimrat acknowledged the challenges of maintaining strength for her family while longing for childhood freedom.

Nimrat Kaur, widely known for her powerful performances in Airlift, The Lunchbox, and her recent web series Kull, opened up in an exclusive interview with Zoom about the emotional toll of losing her father at a young age. She also reflected on her mother’s silent struggle and how those years shaped the person she is today.

Nimrat Kaur on her mother’s struggles

Speaking candidly, Nimrat shared the emotional aftermath her family endured following her father’s passing. She said, “My mother went through her own cycle of ups and downs and carried such deep sadness within her. I was unaware of it at the time because I was too young to understand, especially as a woman, what she was truly going through. I was just trying to be there for her in my own way, thinking I needed to be normal, to be strong. That’s what society tells you—to be strong for yourself, your sister, your mother.”

She continued, “The problem with trying to be strong all the time is that people begin to expect it from you constantly. And then, sometimes, you don’t want to be strong—you just want to be a child, to make mistakes like any kid would. A lot of those liberties were taken away. I had to grow up really fast.”

Nimrat remembers her father

Nimrat also spoke lovingly about her father and the void his absence left, “I realized only a year later what it really meant to grow up without him—the first man in your life, your father. He was a shining example of a human being. Born to a farmer-soldier, he used to work in the fields and walk over a mile to attend night school. He studied at Jodhpur University, went on to join the Indian Army through IMA, and had a bright future as an officer.”

“He was an exceptional father—so proud of his daughters. In a society that often values sons over daughters, he stood apart. When I was born in Pilani, someone said to him, ‘Oh, you had a daughter,’ and he replied, ‘That’s exactly why I’m celebrating—because I had a daughter.’ The wings he gave me during those 11 years formed the foundation of who I am today,” recalled Nimrat.

A painful loss that changed everything

Reflecting on the moment her life changed forever, Nimrat shared, “I lost my father to terrorism when I was 11. It was a strange and violent way to lose a parent, and from that moment, everything changed. We were living in Delhi, where I studied for nearly a decade—school and college. But the reality of what had happened didn’t hit me right away. I think it sinks in much later.”
“I’m the elder daughter, and my younger sister was only seven at the time. My mom was in her mid-thirties. As a family unit, we were completely disoriented and displaced. The world as we knew it had ended—we lost the captain of our ship.”

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/bollywood/nimrat-kaur-recalls-growing-up-without-fathers-love-says-her-mother-went-through-ups-and-downs-exclusive-article-151668659

A London-based tech professional advised job seekers to highlight their work over academic credentials, like an IIT background, in referral requests, because just the IIT background won’t help. His post sparked mixed reactions online. Read more for details.

A tech professional based in London sparked a discussion online after sharing his perspective on how job seekers should approach referral requests. He said job seekers should not focus on just their “IIT background” because it is not just the “IIT background” that will help but the more recognised work portfolio.
In a now-viral post on X, Kunal Kushwaha, who works in London, posted a screenshot of a referral message that started with, “I’m an IIT alumnus.” While he recognised the bravery it takes to reach out, he advised applicants to highlight their work rather than lean solely on academic credentials.
“I understand how hard the job search can be. It takes courage to reach out. But when messages are short, every word matters. Leading with a college name can sometimes miss the opportunity to show what truly sets you apart,” Kunal wrote.

He emphasised that candidates should focus on demonstrating the value they bring, no matter where they studied.

“Even top IITs have students who struggle with placements. What really stands out is your work, the projects you’ve built, the problems you’ve solved, your passion for the field,” he added.
Drawing from his international experience, Kunal noted that prestigious academic backgrounds tend to have limited influence outside India. “Outside India, no one cares about your IIT tag. Maybe it still carries weight in India, but not if you’re aiming for remote roles at global companies,” he said.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/viral/no-one-cares-about-your-iit-tag-london-based-techies-blunt-advice-to-job-seekers-goes-viral-article-151669844

Malhotra had visited Pakistan several times, including a trip before the Pahalgam terror attack, and had also travelled to China.

Two days after the arrest of Hisar-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra on charges of espionage, Hisar superintendent of police (SP) Shashank Kumar Sawan on Sunday said that Pakistani intelligence operatives (PIOs) were grooming her to become an asset.

He revealed that Malhotra had visited Pakistan several times, including a trip before the Pahalgam terror attack, and had also travelled to China.

Addressing a press conference, SP Sawan said central agencies had informed the Haryana Police that PIOs were actively recruiting social media influencers to promote soft narratives. Malhotra, who was arrested on Friday, has been remanded to police custody for five days.

Travel blogger front, finances under probe

“She is being interrogated by the Haryana Police, in coordination with central agencies. We are analysing her financial transactions and travel history to determine the sources of her income,” said SP Sawan. “Her known income sources do not justify her foreign travel. We suspect external funding. On the surface, she was just a travel blogger,” he added.

When questioned about his comments regarding the protocol lapse at Chaitya Bhoomi, CJI Gavai replied that he is “not fussy” about protocols.

The three pillars of democracy – judiciary, legislature and executive – are equal, Chief Justice of India BR Gavai said on Sunday, adding that constitutional institutions must show respect to each other. His remarks came in the backdrop of a debate over judicial overreach stemming from a few recent rulings by the Supreme Court.

CJI BR Gavai, who took charge last month to become the second Dalit person to hold the office, was attending a felicitation ceremony in Mumbai. He subsequently visited Babasaheb Ambedkar’s memorial Chaitya Bhoomi during his visit to his home state, Maharashtra.

He also said protocol breaches by judges would trigger debates regarding Article 142, which grants the Supreme Court special powers. During his address at the event organized by the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa, the CJI noted the absence of three key officials: the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, the Director General of Police, and the Mumbai Police Commissioner.

“The three pillars of democracy – Judiciary, Legislature and Executive – are equal. Every Constitutional institution must reciprocate and show respect to other institutions. When a person from Maharashtra becomes the Chief Justice of India and visits Maharashtra for the first time, if the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, the Director General of Police or the Mumbai Police Commissioner don’t feel it appropriate to be present, then they need to reflect on that. Protocols are not something new, it’s a question of the respect one constitutional body gives to another,” CJI Gavai stated.

He further added, “When the head of a constitutional institution visits the state for the first time, the way they are treated should be reconsidered. Had it been any one of us, discussions about Article 142 would have arisen. These may seem like small things, but the public must be made aware of them.”

Subsequently, at Chaitya Bhoomi, Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla, and Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti were present, after being informed of the CJI’s remarks.

When questioned about his comments regarding the protocol lapse at Chaitya Bhoomi, CJI Gavai replied that he is “not fussy” about protocols but merely conveyed what had transpired.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/constitution-of-india-supreme-its-three-pillars-must-work-together-cji-gavai-9342290.html

Amit Shah said, “Operation Sindoor will be written in golden letters when the history is written on the border safety.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that India deployed its indigenously developed BrahMos missiles to dismantle Pakistani air bases during Operation Sindoor. Addressing a gathering in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Amit Shah asserted that Pakistan’s Chinese-supplied air defense system remained ineffective during Operation Sindoor.

“As our indigenously developed BrahMos (supersonic cruise missile system) worked to destroy Pakistan’s air bases, its own air defence system, borrowed from China, remained unused. Our Air Force carried out precise attacks and inflicted heavy damage on many places in Pakistan, which were considered impregnable,” Amit Shah said as per news agency PTI.

Amit Shah said that Operation Sindoor will be historically recognized for its contribution to border safety and for exposing Pakistan’s links to terrorism on a global stage. He said, “Operation Sindoor will be written in golden letters when the history is written on the border safety.”

The Home Minister further stated that while previous surgical strikes and airstrikes were confined to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Operation Sindoor involved penetrating 100 kilometers into Pakistani territory to eliminate terrorists and their operational hubs.

“Pakistan used to tell the whole world that no terrorist activity happens there and accused India of making false complaints. But, terrorists were finished with missiles under ‘Operation Sindoor’ and Pakistan was exposed to the world,” he said.

Amit Shah said that Operation Sindoor exposed Pakistan’s denial of harboring terrorist activities, stating that the elimination of terrorists and their infrastructure within Pakistan’s borders revealed the country’s complicity.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/amit-shah-confirms-indias-use-of-brahmos-missiles-to-destroy-pakistani-bases-in-op-sindoor-9342406.html

The central government on Saturday imposed port restrictions on the import of a few Bangladeshi goods in response to similar curbs placed by Dhaka on certain Indian products last month.

Though the Centre’s move to restrict imports of certain goods from Bangladesh via land ports will have an impact on employment and transport revenue in West Bengal, the national interest is more important than the potential economic fallout, officials said on Sunday.

The central government on Saturday imposed port restrictions on the import of a few Bangladeshi goods, such as readymade garments and processed food items, in response to similar curbs placed by Dhaka on certain Indian products last month.

“Around 20-30 trucks, carrying finished premium garments, used to come daily even after India banned third-country transhipment. The latest order will completely stop such movement via land ports. When transhipment was allowed, 60-80 truckloads of garments were entering India,” Petrapole Clearing Agents Staff Welfare Association (PCASWA) member Kartik Chakraborty said.

Truckers and workers at border logistics hubs will be affected by the port restriction order, he said.

A trade expert, declining to be named, said the finished garments from Bangladesh often make their way into modern Indian retail chains at low prices, and these products are effectively being “dumped into the market by Bangladeshi exporters”.

“The move by the Centre may be strategic, possibly linked to national interest and recent geopolitical developments, including Dhaka’s ties with Islamabad. The national interest is more important than the potential economic fallout,” the expert said.

The notification imposes “port restrictions on the import of certain goods such as readymade garments, processed food items etc., from Bangladesh to India,” the Centre said.

The order said that readymade garments imports from Bangladesh will not be allowed from any land port. However, it is allowed only through the Nhava Sheva and Kolkata seaports.

For fruits, fruit flavoured and carbonated drinks, processed food items (baked goods, snacks, chips and confectionary), cotton and cotton yarn waste, plastic and PVC finished goods, dyes, plasticisers and granules, and wooden furniture, the notification said the inbound shipments from the neighbouring country shall not be allowed through any LCSs (Land Customs Stations) and ICPs (Integrated Check Posts) in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram, and LCS Changrabandha and Fulbari, in West Bengal.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/may-hurt-bengal-but-official-on-impact-of-bangladesh-import-curbs-8447328

Prima facie, a short in the circuit triggered the blaze around 3:45 am at Central Textile Mills, that manufactures Solapuri Chaddar and towels

Eight persons, including three women and a child, were killed in a massive fire at a factory in Akkalkot Road MIDC area of Solapur on Sunday, officials said.

Prima facie, a short in the circuit triggered the blaze around 3:45 am at Central Textile Mills, that manufactures Solapuri Chaddar and towels. The factory, stood on a 12-gunta plot, had a ground-plus-two-floor structure.

The deceased have been identified as Usman Mansuri (87), owner of the company; Anas Mansuri (24); Sika Mansuri (24); Yusuf Mansuri (1.5); Ayesha Bagwan (45); and factory workers Mehtab Bagwan (51), Hina Bagwan (35), and Salman Bagwan (18).

While trying to douse the fire, Rakesh Salunkhe, chief of the Solapur Municipal Corporation’s fire department, and two other firefighters sustained injuries during the rescue operations.

As soon as the fire brigade received the emergency call, multiple teams rushed to the spot and battled the blaze for over 10 hours. Ten fire engines were deployed, with water tenders arriving from Pandharpur, the NTPC project, Akkalkot, and Chincholi MIDC. However, due to the congested layout of the area, firefighters faced significant challenges in accessing and extinguishing the flames.

Firefighters used high ladders, breathing apparatus, and aerial platforms to rescue residents in nearby structures. Complicating the operation further, the factory owner had constructed a small religious place within the premises, which created additional hurdles for the rescue teams.

Despite continuous efforts, the fire could not be fully brought under control for several hours, largely due to the presence of highly flammable materials like cotton, threads, and chemical liquids.

Authorities said the factory owner and his family lived on the first floor of the building, while residential arrangements for staff were made within the same premises. This cohabitation made it difficult for occupants to escape once the fire broke out.

Sadashiv Padune, sub-divisional officer of Solapur, said, “According to neighbours, the fire spread rapidly after a loud blast. The presence of combustible materials caused the flames to engulf the premises quickly. It took us nearly 12 hours to control the fire. Unfortunately, eight bodies have been recovered.”

BJP MLA Subhash Deshmukh and former MLA Narasayya Adam visited the site on Sunday.

Survivors and local residents expressed anger, alleging that the fire brigade’s delayed response contributed to the high death toll. They claimed that the lack of modern firefighting equipment and poor preparedness hindered timely rescue operations.

Some of the victims reportedly made desperate phone calls from a bathroom where they had taken refuge, pleading for help that arrived too late.

Sadik Sheikh, a local resident, said they dialled 112 to seek help, but the fire brigade reached the spot too late. “Because of the delayed response, the Mansuri family members were charred to death. The fire department must take responsibility for these deaths.”

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief over the loss of lives due to fire tragedy. Modi also wished speedy recovery for those injured in the accident.

The Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia from PMNRF of Rs. 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs. 50,000 for those injured.

In the evening, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis also expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased.

The Prime Minister’s Office posted on X;“Pained by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy in Solapur, Maharashtra. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.”

CPI (M) leader Narasayya Adam alleged that adequate efforts were not made to rescue the victims.

“The factory is very old and employs over 200-225 workers. The fire brigade arrived too late, allowing the fire to spread rapidly. They took more than 6–7 hours to control it. The factory owner and his family were trapped inside and no efforts were made to rescue them in time. I spoke to the municipal officer and urged immediate corrective action,” said Adam.

Adam also said he would call Maharashtra’s chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday, demanding an inquiry and strict action against the civic officials responsible. He also sought compensation for the victims’ families.

Baba Mistry, former corporator of the Solapur Municipal Corporation, alleged that the fire brigade lacks sufficient firefighting equipment, which caused the delay in dousing the blaze, taking over 10 hours.

According to fire chief Rakesh Salunkhe they received the fire call between 4 AM and 4:15 AM. “A total of 10 fire tankers were deployed and continuously refilled, amounting to over 50 water tanker trips.

“Open areas near the factory were occupied with stockpiles of textile yarns, blocking access to our vehicles. We had to use ladders and cut through window grills to carry out the rescue,” he said.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/pune-news/eight-killed-in-major-fire-at-textile-factory-in-solapur-101747592642725.html

when the same video, was posted by Kerala Congress’ official handle, it was fact checked by the Press Information Bureau (PIB)

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday, took to micro-blogging website X and shared a video of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar speaking to the media claiming to have informed Pakistan military about Operation Sindoor in advance and questioned how many aircraft the Indian Air Force lost.

“Informing Pakistan at the start of our attack was a crime. EAM has publicly admitted that GOI did it. Who authorised it? How many aircraft did our air force lose as a result?” Gandhi’s caption read.

In the video Jaishankar can be heard saying, “At the start of the operation, we had sent a message to Pakistan, saying, ‘We are striking at terrorist infrastructure and we are not striking at the military.'” “So the military has the option of standing out and not interfering in this process. They chose not to take that good advice.”

However, when the same video was posted by Kerala Congress’ official handle, it was fact checked by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) “Social media posts quoting EAM @DrSJaishankar are implying that India gave advance information to Pakistan about #OperationSindoor, #PIBFactCheck EAM is being misquoted, and he has not made this statement.”

News agency ANI had quoted Jaishankar saying, “We achieved the goals which we set out to do by destroying the terrorist infrastructure. Since key goals were achieved, I think we reasonably took the position, because even at the start of the operation, we had sent a message to Pakistan saying we are striking at terrorist infrastructure and not military and the military has an option to stand out and not interfere. They chose not to take that good advice. Once they got badly hit on the morning of 10th May. The satellite pictures show how much damage we did and what little damage they did. It is clear who wanted cessation of firing.”

Salman Khurshid, a former External Affairs Minister in UPA government, has been made part of the delegation going to Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan and Singapore.

New Delhi: Government on Saturday night announced 59 names for seven multi-party delegations  it will be sending abroad to explain India’s stance on terrorism emanating from Pakistan, after rejecting three of the four names suggested by the Congress and choosing four leaders on its own from the main opposition party.

Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who did not figure in the official Congress list, was made the leader of a delegation headed to the United States, Panama, Guyana, Brazil and Colombia while Punjab MP Amar Singh is in the delegation led by BJP’s Ravishankar Prasad going to the United Kingdom, France, Germany, European Union, Italy and Denmark.

Salman Khurshid, a former External Affairs Minister in UPA government, has been made part of the delegation going to Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan and Singapore while senior MP Manish Tewari and former Union Minister Anand Sharma will be headed to Egypt, Qatar, Ethiopia, South Africa.

Of this, Congress had recommended only Sharma’s name for being part of the government exercise to drum up support for India. The government rejected the names of Congress Lok Sabha Deputy Leader Gaurav Gogoi, Rajya Sabha Chief Whip Syed Naseer Hussain and Punjab MP Raja Brar, setting stage for a confrontation with the Congress.

Of the 59 members, which includes eight diplomats, 21 belong to the BJP while Congress has five members, TDP 3 and AAP 2 and Shiv Sena 2. Other parties, including DMK, Samajwadi Party, CPI(M) and Trinamool Congress, have one each.

In the morning, the government had announced the leaders for the delegations, including Tharoor. A “surprised” Congress then accused the government of “playing games” with a “mischievous mindset” and said the government “should not add a name in such delegations without consulting the party”, especially “when we were asked for names and it was given in good faith”. I

The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs named the leaders of the delegations in a statement, with Tharoor on top of the list followed by Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP), Sanjay Kumar Jha (JD-U), Baijayant Panda (BJP), Kanimozhi (DMK), Supriya Sule (NCP-SP) and Shrikant Shinde (Shiv Sena).

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/govt-names-59-for-multi-party-delegations-only-one-of-four-suggested-by-cong-accepted-3545702

Stating that Lord Jagannath’s ‘Mahaprasad’ is highly sacred and considered as ‘Anna Brahma’ (rice soul), the SJTA said in accordance with tradition, devotees should consume the cooked ‘bhog’ by sitting on the floor with gratitude.

Puri: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Saturday appealed to devotees to show the highest respect to ‘Mahaprasad’, the sacred cooked offering to Lord Jagannath, and to refrain from consuming it while seated at dining tables.

The appeal follows reports and social media showing people eating the ‘Mahaprasad’ in a hotel in Puri while seated at tables and wearing shoes — an act the SJTA described as “against the age-old traditions of Sri Mandir.” Stating that Lord Jagannath’s ‘Mahaprasad’ is highly sacred and considered as “Anna Brahma” (rice soul), the SJTA said in accordance with tradition, devotees should consume the cooked ‘bhog’ by sitting on the floor with gratitude.

“Mahaprasad holds immense religious significance and must be treated with the utmost reverence,” the administration emphasised.

“Eating it on a dining table is considered disrespectful to the divine offering and contradicts the spiritual customs associated with it,” they added.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/odisha/puri-jagannath-temple-urges-devotees-not-to-consume-mahaprasad-on-dining-tables-3545426

Jyoti Malhotra, who was arrested along with six others for sharing sensitive information with Pakistani agents, operates the YouTube channel ‘Travel with Jo’ and has about 3,77,000 followers.

Jyoti Malhotra, the Haryana-based travel vlogger arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan, enjoys wide popularity on YouTube and Instagram and posted several videos of her visits to the neighbouring country earlier this year. Jyoti Malhotra, who was arrested along with six others for sharing sensitive information with Pakistani agents, operates the YouTube channel ‘Travel with Jo’ and has about 3,77,000 followers.

Her Instagram account, ‘travelwithjo1’, also has 1,32,000 followers. “Nomadic Leo Girl. Wanderer Haryanvi + Punjabi modern girl with old ideas,” says the description on both her YouTube and Instagram accounts.

Her accounts reveal that she travelled widely across India as well as to foreign destinations like Indonesia and China. However, of particular interest is her numerous videos and reels on her trip to Pakistan.

VISIT TO LAHORE, PAKISTAN
The videos were posted around two months ago. Through her travelogues, Malhotra has attempted to portray several positive aspects of Pakistan. Investigators said Malhotra was used by foreign agents to record such videos for propaganda purposes due to her influence as a social media personality.

The videos show her crossing the Attari-Wagah border, exploring Lahore’s Anarkali Bazaar, undertaking a bus journey, and her visit to the biggest Hindu temple, Katas Raj Temple, in Pakistan.

One of the photos on her Instagram handle features a caption in Urdu, “Ishq Lahore”. She also shared content about Pakistani food, and made comparisons about the culture between the two countries.

Malhotra also visited Kashmir last year, with videos showing her enjoying a shikara ride in Dal Lake. She also posted a video of taking a train ride from Srinagar to Banihal.

One of her latest videos was her take on the Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 people dead, and led India to launch Operation Sindoor. “My views on Pahalgam Kashmir: Shall we visit Kashmir again?” the caption of her video read.

YOUTUBER’S LINK TO PAKISTAN
Investigators said Malhotra first visited Pakistan in 2023 after acquiring a visa through commission agents. During her visit, she came in contact with one Ehsan-ur-Rahim, alias Danish, an official who was posted at the Pakistan High Commission (PHC) in New Delhi.

Soon, they developed close relations and Ehsan introduced her to intelligence operatives in Pakistan. Earlier this month, Ehsan was declared persona non grata and expelled on May 13, 2025, as India downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan.

After returning to India, Malhotra maintained contact with Pakistani operatives through encrypted platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/who-is-jyoti-malhotra-haryana-youtuber-travel-vlogger-arrest-spying-pakistan-2726301-2025-05-17

​​The heli ambulance was coming to Kedarnath from AIIMS Rishikesh to rescue a patient. However, before landing at the main helipad of Kedarnath, the heli ambulance developed some technical snag.

A helicopter of AIIMS Rishikesh’s heli-ambulance service crash-landed in Kedarnath on Saturday, May 17. The heli-ambulance crash-landed due to damage to the rear part of the helicopter.
A ‘Sanjeevani’ heli ambulance operated by AIIMS, Rishikesh made an emergency landing. It had gone to Kedarnath to rescue a pilgrim suffering from respiratory distress when it developed a technical snag in its tail rotor, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing, said District Tourism Development Officer Rahul Chaubey said, who is also the nodal officer for the Heli Service, reported PTI.
Two doctors and a pilot on board the helicopter are safe, he added.

A video of the incident was shared by news agency PTI.

The heli ambulance was coming to Kedarnath from AIIMS Rishikesh to rescue a patient, Shree Devi. Before landing at the main helipad of Kedarnath, the heli ambulance developed some technical snag.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/breaking-helicopter-crash-lands-in-kedarnath-aiims-rishikesh-heli-ambulance-article-151659902

Indian armed forces not only thrashed Pakistan with missiles but also with smart deception when Operation Sindoor was at its peak, according to report.

In a move showing strategic superiority and brilliance in a battle situation, the Indian Armed Forces did not just give Pakistan a bloody nose with missiles during Operation Sindoor but also with planning, at the heart of which was a well-thought-out deception.

On May 7, India launched Op Sindoor against terror infrastructure deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to avenge the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The Indian military called the strikes “non-escalatory” in nature and warned Pakistan against any misadventure during a press briefing that day. However, Pakistan resorted to provocation by sending drones and missiles, targeted at the Indian civilian population and military installations.

India retaliated against the unprovoked escalation by the Pakistani military with drone and missile strikes into Pakistan, destroying targets and turning them to rubble.

How Indian Forces Fooled Pakistan

Putting on display operational excellence against provocative Pakistani escalation, the Indian Air Force (IAF) used dummy aircraft as bait, disguising as fighter jets to disable Chinese-supplied air defence systems in Pakistan, news agency ANI reported, citing top defence sources.

On the intervening night of May 9 and 10, the Indian armed forces targeted 11 Pakistani airbases after Pakistan launched its ballistic missiles at India. Ahead of India’s response to the provocation, the Indian Air Force first sent in unmanned aircraft that were made to look like real fighter jets.

The deceptive move prompted the Pakistani radars to prepare themselves to destroy what they thought were Indian fighter jets. They activated their HQ-9 missile systems to take them down, which, unknowingly for the enemy, gave away their positions and exposed them to Indian counterattacks.

The Pakistani air force had moved all its HQ-9 air defence missile launchers and radars to different locations, some of which were deployed at new locations. However, once they were activated, they could easily be detected, ANI reported.

Upon successful deception and detection of the Pakistani air defence systems, the IAF pounded Pakistani air bases with long-range missiles, such as BrahMos and SCALP missiles. India fired nearly 15 BrahMos and SCALP, Rampage and Crystal Maze missiles.

Pakistan was pushed on the back foot, struggling to stand tall before the Indian armed forces.

Pakistan Compelled To Cry ‘Ceasefire’ After India’s Powerful Strikes
The Indian strikes damaged airstrips, hangars, and communication systems across Pakistan’s air force network. Reports say they also hit an airborne early warning aircraft and several long-range drones in Sindh.

This was the first ever known use of BrahMos missiles in a combat, defence sources said.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/how-india-fooled-pakistan-using-dummy-fighter-jet-to-deceive-air-defence-systems-during-op-sindoor-9341546.html

According to police officials, Arman was in contact with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, alias Danish, a staffer at the Pakistan High Commission (PHC) in New Delhi.

Nuh police arrested a 23-year-old Arman from his village Rajaka on Friday for allegedly providing SIM cards to Pakistani operatives in India. The police recovered a mobile phone from him and took him on a six-day police remand. According to police officials, he was in touch with Pakistani operatives since 2023.

According to police officials, Arman was in contact with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, alias Danish, a staffer at the Pakistan High Commission (PHC) in New Delhi, who was also in contact with Hisar-based YouTuber, Jyoti Malhotra, who was recently arrested. Arman had shared pictures of a defence expo with Danish, besides sharing more information with Pakistani agents.

“Arman’s father Jamil’s two aunts are staying in Pakistan, and he went to Pakistan six months ago and stayed with his father’s aunts. He got married in 2021 and he has two children. He is one of six brothers,” a senior police official said.

“Arman’s elder brother Altaf was the sarpanch of the village in the last tenure and was later suspended for indulging in corruption in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA),” he added.

Sourc: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/nuh-man-held-for-providing-sim-cards-to-pak-operatives-101747504770044.html

Two engineers died after allegedly undergoing a hair transplant treatment at a private clinic here, police said on Friday.

According to police, the victims had gone to Dr Anushka Tiwari’s clinic, Empire, for their treatment.

The incident came to light when Vineet Dubey’s wife, Jaya Tripathi, filed a complaint on the chief minister’s portal against the clinic.

In her complaint, she said that Dubey (40) had a badly swollen face and suffered pain before his death on March 14, a day after undergoing a hair transplant at Dr Tiwari’s clinic, Additional DCP West Vijendra Dwivedi said.

The infection is believed to have developed during the procedure and was left untreated, leading to a rapid deterioration of his condition and subsequent death, the officer said.

Based on the complaint, an FIR was lodged on May 9 under Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita’s section 106(1), for causing death by negligence.

However, this is not an isolated incident. After Dubey’s case became known in the area, Kushagra Katiyar came forward and filed a complaint with Commissioner of Police Akhil Kumar on Thursday against the same clinic.

He told the reporters that his brother, Mayank Katiyar, had also undergone surgery on November 18 in the Empire clinic. Hours later, he complained of chest pain and swelling and died the very next day.

Kushagra recounted that Mayank’s face was badly swollen and he experienced immense chest pain after returning home to Farrukhabad from the clinic.

“Dr Anushka had advised them to get an injection for the pain, but it offered no relief. A cardiologist found no heart-related issues, but Mayank tragically passed away while being transported back to Kanpur,” Kushagra told the reporters.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/uttar-pradesh/botched-hair-transplant-at-uttar-pradeshs-private-clinic-kills-two-3544171

As per media reports, the incident occurred on March 16 at the Kali Mata Temple in Sangrur, wherein the man named Amandeep Singh applied the oil on attendees of a camp and he claimed that it would help them combat baldness.

In a recent incident, a social media influencer has been denied anticipatory bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, over his claims of hair growth upon using his homemade oil, which eventually led to hospitalisation of over over 70 people in Punjab’s Sangrur, several publications reported.

The High Court found the claims made by him to be misleading and not backed by any clinical testing.

As per media reports, the incident occurred on March 16 at the Kali Mata Temple in Sangrur, wherein the man named Amandeep Singh applied the oil on attendees of a camp and he claimed that it would help them combat baldness.

However, within a couple of hours, people reported that they felt burning sensations in their eyes, facial swelling. They were then taken to Civil Hospital, Sangrur for treatment wherein the senior medical officer diagnosed the reaction as severe contact dermatitis.

Doctors said that if the reaction affected the eyes’ corneas, it could lead to some victims even losing their vision.

Amandeep Singh has applied for a patent for his homemade hair oil and also claimed that the reactions after applying the oil must have been the result of improper application by the users.

Highlighting his work as a hairstylist with over 86,000 thousand followers on social media,Sing’s counsel stated that he was only trying to help people to combat hair loss with the hair oil.

“In a bid to meet fickle societal standards of beauty, vulnerable people go to extreme lengths and even undergo risky procedures. The constant pressure to look a certain way often has a deleterious effect on the mental health of children and adults alike. In fact, in this day and age where social media and marketing agendas so deeply affect one’s self-esteem, we, as a society, must endeavour to promote authenticity over curated perfection,” Justice Harpreet Singh Brar of the HC observed in his order released on Thursday, as per a media report.

In an order on May 12, the court strongly criticised the online influencers’ role in exploiting a person’s insecurities for profit.

Quoting Shakespeare, the judge said, “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind; and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind”. “This is yet another unfortunate example of internet-famous, unqualified quacks taking advantage of the common man’s insecurities,” he added.

“Advertising tall, misleading claims without scientific backing must be condemned,” the judge further stated. He also mentioned that it was the responsibility of the state to ensure that trust is maintained in the market and public health is protected.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/punjab/hc-denies-bail-to-influencer-after-over-70-people-hospitalised-upon-using-his-home-made-hair-oil-3544054

On the radar were premises of suspects linked with US-based BKI operative and gangster Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passian and his nodes Shamsher Singh Shera alias Honey along with others based in various countries, it said in a statement.

Cracking down further on the activities of the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist group, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday searched 15 locations in Punjab in connection with the grenade attack on a police station in Gurdaspur district last December.

“Today’s searches, carried out in Gurdaspur, Batala, Amritsar and Kapurthala districts of Punjab, led to the seizure of various incriminating materials, including mobiles/digital devices and documents,” the probe agency said.

On the radar were premises of suspects linked with US-based BKI operative and gangster Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passian and his nodes Shamsher Singh Shera alias Honey along with others based in various countries, it said in a statement.

A key aide of Pakistan-based BKI terrorist Harwinder Singh alias Rinda, Happy has been found to be responsible for recently orchestrating numerous grenade attacks on various police stations and police posts in the states of Punjab and Haryana, the NIA said.

Investigations in the case relating to the hand grenade attack on Ghanie Ke Bangar police station had revealed that the arrested accused who had committed the crime was acting on the directions of Happy, along with Shamsher and other aides.

It was also found that BKI’s operatives, based in various countries, were engaged in a criminal conspiracy to recruit and train India-based associates, provide funds, weapons and explosives to the field operatives of the terror group.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/punjab/nia-raids-15-locations-in-punjab-to-probe-khalistani-network-3544510

The court dismissed a petition on Rohingya deportations as lacking evidence, calling it a “beautifully crafted story,” and tagged it with related cases.

The Supreme Court on Friday called a petition alleging that 43 Rohingya refugees were forcibly deported from India and abandoned in international waters was a “beautifully crafted story” that lacked material evidence.

A bench of justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh was hearing a plea filed by two Rohingya refugees who sought the court’s intervention alleging that others in their community had been detained by police under the pretext of biometric data collection and later deported via Port Blair after being blindfolded and restrained aboard naval ships.

The bench, however, declined to pass any interim orders as the petition lacked material evidence to support its “vague, evasive and sweeping statements”.

“Every time, you have a new story. Now (where) is this beautifully crafted story coming from? …Who was clicking the videos and photos? How did he come back? What is the material on record?” justice Kant asked.

“When the country is going through such a tough time, you bring up these fanciful petitions,” he added.

Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for the petitioners, informed the court that the United Nations Human Rights Office has also taken cognisance of the allegations and initiated an inquiry. “Time is against us. Please hear this next week. The UN report says they were picked up and sent,” he said.

When Gonsalves offered to place relevant reports and a tape recording, allegedly from “Myanmar shores”, on record, the Court said while nothing barred a lawyer from placing such material on record, one must keep in mind that “foreign reports cannot override Indian sovereignty”.

Justice Kant then pointed out that a similar issue was raised earlier before a three-judge bench comprising the two judges hearing this case and justice Dipankar Datta, while it was hearing other matters concerning Rohingya refugees.

“We were sitting in three-judge bench composition… stay was declined on same matter and now you are before us here on the basis of same material,” justice Kant said.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sc-calls-rohingya-refugees-plea-a-beautifully-crafted-story-101747421762303.html