Pune Police have dismissed a rape allegation made by a 22-year-old data scientist as a fabrication intended to mislead authorities. Commissioner Amitesh Kumar stated the woman's report, claiming assault by a delivery agent, was false. Investigations revealed inconsistencies within 24 hours, including a manipulated selfie and a self-authored threatening message. The man in the selfie was known to her.
Former navy commando Praveen Kumar Teotia, a 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks veteran, has criticized MNS chief Raj Thackeray and his party amidst a dispute over the Marathi language. Teotia questioned the absence of MNS warriors during the attacks, highlighting the contributions of people from UP and Bihar in saving lives.
Former Jet Airways CEO Sanjiv Kapoor criticised Gurugram’s civic mess, sharing images of garbage-filled streets and cows amid trash in sector 44. Calling the Haryana Disneyland plan “ludicrous,” he tagged local authorities and PM Modi, urging Swachh Bharat action. His posts sparked strong reactions from residents, echoing frustration over poor waste management and lack of basic civic upkeep.
Amid opposition's 'votebandi' claims, the Election Commission has eased voter registration rules in Bihar. Voters can now submit forms without required documents initially, addressing concerns about potential disenfranchisement before upcoming elections. This follows opposition objections to the intensive electoral roll revision, fearing many voters could lose their right to vote.
Amid strained relations, Pakistan's former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari surprisingly offered to extradite wanted terrorists if India cooperates legally. This comes after India put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, a crucial resource for Pakistan. Experts view Bhutto's statement with skepticism, citing Pakistan's history of betrayals and Bhutto's lack of executive authority.
Sanjay Raut clarifies Shiv Sena (UBT)'s stance on Hindi, distinguishing it from Tamil Nadu's outright rejection. Maharashtra opposes mandatory Hindi in primary schools, not the language itself, unlike the southern state's broader resistance.
Union minister Nitin Gadkari has urged Delhi Police to strictly enforce the ban on two and three-wheelers on Delhi-NCR expressways due to rampant traffic violations and safety concerns. He also directed the removal of distracting hoardings and illegal advertisements from highways.
Reuters' main X account has been withheld in India following a legal demand, according to a notice on the platform. Government sources deny issuing any new demand recently, citing a previous request during «Operation Sindoor» that led to the blocking of numerous accounts. X, formerly Twitter, appears to have acted on this older request, while affiliated Reuters accounts remain accessible.
The Supreme Court administration has formally requested the Centre to reclaim the official residence of former CJI DY Chandrachud, as his permitted occupancy has exceeded the deadline.
A UK Royal Air Force Airbus A400M arrived in Kerala carrying aviation engineers to repair a stranded British F-35B Lightning fighter jet. The jet made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport due to an engineering issue. The repair work will be carried out at the airport's MRO facility with support from Indian authorities and the Indian Air Force.
Union minister Kiren Rijiju attended the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday celebrations in Dharamshala, emphasizing his role as a bridge between ancient wisdom and the modern world. The Dalai Lama reflected on benefiting others from exile in India. Amid succession debates, Rijiju affirmed India's support for the Dalai Lama's institution's decisions, rejecting external interference, particularly from China.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended birthday wishes to the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday, lauding him as a symbol of love, compassion, patience, and moral discipline. Special prayers were held by Tibetan Buddhist monks in exile at the Dorjidak Monastery near Shimla. Several leaders attended celebrations in Dharamshala to honor the spiritual leader.
India's rural education is undergoing a transformation, with increased school enrollment and pre-primary participation. However, challenges remain in converting enrollment into meaningful learning outcomes, particularly in reading comprehension. Targeted early-grade programs and community involvement are driving progress, but systemic inequalities persist, especially in remote regions.
Despite widespread health infrastructure in India, disparities persist, particularly among marginalized communities, hindering equitable access. CSR initiatives like Vedanta's SEHAT and Hyundai's Sparsh Sanjeevani are bridging gaps by providing essential healthcare services and promoting awareness. These efforts, aligned with global goals, emphasize community engagement and sustainability to improve health outcomes and build trust.
Rahul Gandhi criticized the BJP-led NDA government and Nitish Kumar after businessman Gopal Khemka's murder in Patna, labeling Bihar as India's crime capital. Khemka was shot dead near Gandhi Maidan, prompting the formation of a Special Investigation Team. This incident echoes the 2018 killing of Khemka's son, a BJP leader, raising concerns about the state's law and order situation.
The CBI has taken over the investigation into the 2019 post-poll killings of three BJP workers in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal, following a Calcutta High Court order. An FIR has been registered against Sheikh Shahjahan, the alleged prime accused and former TMC leader.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the loss of lives in the Texas floods, particularly the children. The devastating floods, triggered by a strong storm, caused the Guadalupe River to surge, sweeping away homes and cars. Rescue teams are actively searching for missing individuals, including girls from Camp Mystic, amidst ongoing flash flood warnings in central Texas.
Security forces in Poonch district, Jammu and Kashmir, have successfully dismantled a terrorist hideout, seizing a significant cache of arms and ammunition. This operation, conducted jointly by the J&K Police and Army, took place ahead of the annual Shri Budha Amarnath Yatra, ensuring enhanced security for the upcoming pilgrimage.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) refuted media reports linking its McLeodganj search to the Dalai Lama's security or Khalistani terror financing. The operation was part of an ongoing investigation into the 'US Donkey Route' human trafficking network, which illegally sends people to the United States. Two traffickers were arrested during the raids in Himachal Pradesh and Delhi.
Andhra Pradesh Police have identified Abubacker Siddique, arrested in Rayachoti, as a key terror operative with bomb-making expertise and links to past attacks. Inspired by Zakir Naik, he allegedly assisted extremist groups and is suspected of involvement in the Bengaluru BJP office bombing and the Madurai pipe-bomb attempt. Authorities seized explosive materials, Isis literature, and digital evidence, investigating his wider network.
Following the gangrape of a student at South Calcutta Law College on June 25, the three accused, Monojit Mishra, Pramit Mukherjee, and Zaib Ahmed, allegedly spent hours drinking in the college guard room. They warned the security guard to remain silent before leaving for dinner.
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin lauded the Thackeray brothers' unity against alleged Hindi imposition in Maharashtra. He criticized the Centre for withholding funds and questioned the languages taught in Hindi-belt schools. Following protests led by Uddhav Thackeray, the Maharashtra government retreated from making Hindi compulsory.
Congress has criticized Uddhav and Raj Thackeray for taking sole credit for the government's reversal on introducing Hindi in Maharashtra schools, emphasizing that widespread opposition from various groups led to the decision.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis derided Uddhav Thackeray's speech at a joint rally as a 'rudali' act, not a victory celebration. Fadnavis criticised Uddhav for focusing on his government's fall rather than the language issue. He also took dig at Raj Thackeray, who had humorously credited Fadnavis for uniting him and Uddhav on stage. The rally celebrated the rollback of Hindi as a third language in schools.
After nearly two decades, Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray reunited, celebrating the Maharashtra government's reversal of its decision to impose Hindi as a third language in schools. Uddhav hinted at a potential alliance with MNS for upcoming local body elections, emphasizing the importance of unity for Maharashtra's interests.
Naveen Patnaik has appealed to the External Affairs Ministry for intervention following the suspected abduction of P Venkatramana, an Indian worker from Odisha, after an attack on a cement factory in Mali. The Ministry has confirmed the abduction of three Indian nationals, with the Indian embassy in Bamako coordinating with local authorities.
Union Minister Jual Oram lauded Isha Foundation's transformative impact on tribal communities during his Coimbatore visit. He highlighted the success of tribal women from Thanikandi village, who, through Isha's guidance, established thriving businesses and now contribute to India's economy by paying income taxes.
In a significant political development, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray reunited after two decades at a rally in Mumbai, demonstrating a united front against the perceived imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra. The Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS chiefs criticised the state government's policies, alleging attempts to undermine Maharashtra's identity and economy.
Bihar gears up for crucial elections. Opposition strategists work to counter the ruling NDA. Owaisi's AIMIM seeks alliance with Lalu Yadav's RJD. RJD fears AIMIM could split Muslim votes. AIMIM won five seats in 2020, denting opposition prospects. RJD accuses AIMIM of being BJP's B-team. AIMIM denies the charge and prepares to contest, alliance or not.
A Delhi court has declared arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari a Fugitive Economic Offender, boosting India's efforts to extradite him from the UK. Bhandari, who fled to London in 2016, faces scrutiny from investigative agencies. The ruling poses challenges for Robert Vadra, who is under investigation for alleged links to Bhandari concerning a London property purchase.